Captain Mislav Verlice

The night before the ball, Adanita came to visit him all the way from her ship. She fell asleep in his office and Rosamund decided not to wake her up. She was tired and anxious. And it would take long to return to the ship, too. Unfortunately, all his guest rooms were taken by this point so he couldn't offer her to move. Well, they could've shared his bedroom, but with so many dignitaries around he couldn't really be seen by his servants or others. She was the Pirate Queen, after all. The rumors have finally calmed down somewhat now that they weren't living together, and the stress of them firing up again wasn't something he wanted her to be subjected to. He couldn't really just let her sleep in his office alone, either. It felt rude, somehow.

And so, he made himself comfortable on his armchair as best he could. He was quite tired and stiff when he woke up in the morning, but Adanita left behind a small thank-you note which made him feel better. He went to check himself in the mirror in his chambers, and the damage was nothing that a bit of properly applied makeup couldn't hide. He was more than ready for this.


The event consisted of several parts, starting with a luncheon at 1:30pm. It was mostly meant to entertain guests that were already staying in his manor and it was to be followed by light entertainment and tea in the garden. Rosamund, Nivelir, and Lilac acted as the hosts, greeting the guests and making sure nobody felt neglected. Adanita and Teodolit arrived after the luncheon was over. She wore her signature coat, boots, swords, and hat, while Teodolit made himself a bit more presentable before the nobility. They didn't need to be completely formal just yet, though, nobody was. The real formalities would begin only after Alberic arrived.

"How's it going?" Adanita quietly asked him.
"The luncheon went great. Dorja excused herself for now, but she will be here by the time of the ball," he replied.
"Alright. What about Captain Verlice?"
"She should be here soon. Try and mingle a little, I think Baron and Baroness Mayberry arrived a few moments ago, and Viscount and Viscountess were here for the meal, too."
She nodded. "Good luck."
"Take care," he said.

She flashed him a quick smile and walked off. Teodolit was busy charming the younger ladies, Nivelir was discussing politics, and Lilac was loudly arguing about something ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ magic ☆.｡.:*. He seemed like he was having fun, at least for now. There was no need for an intervention, at least that was what Rosamund told himself. Ekliptik was busy playing a servant to scout the situation, but they let him know they will be ready for the party when the time comes. He was proud of them for it, it was certainly scary to face the nobility like that.

Captain Verlice arrived in her usual fashion, that is to say, she unapologetically made herself known from the moment she stepped through the gates. She greeted a few people on the way before beelining for Rosamund with a bright and cheerful smile.

"Lord Alsop- no, Lord Governor. Good afternoon!"
"Good afternoon, Captain. How do you do?" he asked, politely smiling back and offering her a hand.

Captain Mislav Verlice was a twenty-five year old woman, which was shocking considering her string of achievements in cartography and hydrography. She made a name for herself even before Rosamund picked her up, but the experiment they worked on together really cemented her reputation. She managed to make a decent compromise when it came to her appearance - most of her brown hair was short and unruly, but the bottom of it was uncut and braided into seven waist-long braids decorated with glass beads. She wore large round glasses to manage her nearsightedness, and her light skin turned a more golden color as she tanned on her journey to the archipelago. Unlike many guests she came here unarmed, and unlike the other people who had ties with the Royal Navy or the military, she didn't wear an uniform. Her eclectic but practical style was influenced by the numerous countries she had visited, and she combined quite a few intense colors that most people would find abhorrent. Not that she cared. She decorated herself with fluttery fabrics and jewellery, including large golden earring hoops and walked through the world as a confident fashion disaster.

Her simply existing had a way of putting Rosamund in a good mood. She accepted his handshake and took a small leather bag off of her shoulder.

"˚⋆｡°✩I have something for you✩°｡⋆˚"
"Oh? What is it?" he asked, accepting the bag.
"Take a look. I hope it makes up for not coming sooner. I had so much to work on in Madol-"
Rosamund audibly gasped when he saw the contents. "Is that-"
"A bottle of soy sauce? Yes. I got you two crates, currently being transported into your kitchen. I also got you the finest chili, powdered ginger, turmeric, sesame oil, some coffee, those little sugar sweets with spices that you put in your tea, and several potted herbs that are still on my ship."
"Goodness, you had to travel everywhere for this! How much did it cost?"
"Don't worry about little details like that. It was nothing, really. Ah, and judging by the description - would you be the Pirate Queen?" she asked. Adanita had approached from behind him, and she nodded at the young lady.

"Captain Vervain," she said, offering her a hand.
Captain Verlice accepted it without hesitation. "A pleasure. Mislav Verlice, at your service. I like your coat."
"Oh! Thank you."
"You really look lovely. To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever meet you face to face, unless we had a battle."
"I saw your ship. I'm not quite sure how I'd go about attacking something like that. It is highly impressive."
"I can give you a tour!" she brightly said.
"Really?" It seemed Adanita was slightly taken aback by her direct and open friendliness. Rosamund gave her an encouraging nod, giving the bag to a passing servant with quiet instructions. She put her hands on her hips, clearly thinking it through as she stared down at a comparatively little woman. "Well, I suppose I'll accept, then. You don't mean to take me there immediately, do you?" she asked, misreading her enthusiasm.
"Of course not. Sadly we have other matters to attend to right now. I plan to stay here for two, maybe three weeks to resupply for the journey back. Come by sometime during that, you will be welcome aboard."
"Thank you," she said.

"Did you come here with the witches?" Rosamund asked.
"Oh, yeah, I did. Lively bunch once you get to know them." Rosamund followed her gaze towards them. They seemed to be quietly introducing themselves to some Franac dignitaries, who politely accepted their presence for now. "I think I talked too much about you to the Prince, they want to establish some diplomatic connections," Captain Verlice said.
"Only good things, I hope."
"Only the truth. You are quite a pedantic prick on occasion, Lord Governor," she teased him.
"He truly is," Adanita agreed with a smile.
"I see you spent more than ten minutes in his presence. I would love to hear more about it-"
"Later," Rosamund interrupted. They didn't need to gossip him in front of him!
"Oh?" She turned to him with a bright smile.
Rosamund cleared his throat. "I'd like us to discuss something at a later date," he quietly said. "There is another project I'd like to work on with Captain Vervain, and I'd like it if we all had a chance to sit down for tea."
"How... intriguing." She quickly glanced over to Adanita before lightly placing a hand on Rosamund's elbow. "How about you show me to your kitchen, then? I'd like to catch up with you for a few minutes~"
"I have other guests-"
"And I am one of them. Come along, I want to be sure your precious little gifts are being properly stored and managed."
He wanted to be sure of the same thing, but as far as excuses for a private conversation went, Captain Verlice really needed to work on her subtlety. He was planning to check on things later... well, since she requested it so publicly, he really had no way out. "I'll show you the way, then. Captain Vervain, please excuse us." Soy sauce was too precious to be left alone with no supervision, and poor Bluebell had his hands full already.
"Alright..." Adanita said. She eyed Mislav for a few moments, slightly frowning at her familiarity with him. Rosamund was already used to her and didn't mind giving her an arm to hold. The two of them headed for the kitchens, while Adanita headed towards Nivelir. It made sense, she must've had more questions. Meanwhile, Teodolit headed off to make friends with Mislav's witchy little entourage.

It seemed everything was in order. Rosamund allowed himself to be dragged away.

"So, Lord Governor," she quietly hissed, keeping a wide grin on her face. "Do you mind explaining to me what the Five Hells is going on?"
"Sure, but our time is limited. Which part?"
"I was receiving news at the same intervals they were being sent out. First that you died, then that you were kidnapped! By her! And now you are working on some project?!"
"She saved my life multiple times during my... hm. Unplanned stay at Hannau Cove. Good job with your acting, by the by."
"I was being friendly, I know how to be decent. What's the project?"
He brightly smiled and leaned in to her ear.

"We plan to liberate Hannau Cove."

The color in her face completely drained. He needed to do something about the genuine look of horror before people noticed. "Smile," he whispered.

She started laughing. Almost hysterically.

They turned around the corner and finally left the area with the most people. He could feel her hand trembling as she tightened her grip on his elbow.

"Lord Governor, that is treason. In all but name, if I recall correctly."
"It is... in the gray legal area."
"And do you have the support necessary to swing it in the right direction?"
"It depends. Are you with me?"
"You can't tell me it hangs on my contribution!" She brightly smiled as a few dignitaries passed them by on their way. Rosamund politely greeted them and turned back to her.
"Of course it doesn't. But you have connections. And money. I was on trial for piracy, if you can believe that."
"Please tell me you didn't-"
"Of course I didn't do it," he cut her off. "But I have eyes on me now. The first step must be the development of the city, and I can't exactly spend the amount of government funds needed without complaints from the people."
"So you want me to be a piggy bank."
"No. I want you to be an untraceable piggy bank. I also want you to introduce Ada- Captain Vervain to your friends in high places. We will need international support. With your contacts and mine, we will get it. And if you provide the money instead of me, I'll be able to get out of the aftermath with my hands clean."
"You plan to keep your position after this?!"
"Of course I do. Smile, Mislav," he reminded her. They entered the manor.

"You are insane," she quietly said as they walked down the hallways. There were no important people nearby, only servants rushing in and out. Rosamund led them through so they wouldn't bother them. "Even more so than usual," she added. "What did she give you in return? There's no way you sold yourself for nothing."
"A warning," he replied. "Duchess Almukantarat is after my brother."
"What'd he do?"
"She wants to marry him."

Mislav stopped in her tracks. "But- but he's like me," she said. "No, he's even- he doesn't even love people that way."
"Smile," he quietly said. "Which reminds me, how did you manage to get engaged to the Prince of Madol? I thought- you aren't being threatened, are you?"
Her face turned bright red. "Look who's talking. You are the one working with the pirates."
He almost replied, but stopped himself. He clearly made her upset. He needed to give her a bit of time for her to sort out her thoughts. He could let it go.

They entered the kitchen and ensured everything was in order with the presents Mislav got him. He couldn't wait to work with these, he needed to make the time to cook something while she was still here. It was the least he could do considering all the trouble she must've gone through to get these for him.

A servant ran up to them while he was working, out of breath. Rosamund patiently waited for the poor man to gather himself.
"Lord Governor! Your presence has been requested- Captain Vervain is about to enter a friendly duel."
"Pardon?"
"They'd like to have you as a judge and witness, my lord."
"Smile, Rosamund," Mislav mumbled.

It hasn't even been fifteen minutes! When did she have the time to antagonize someone to the point of another duel?!


Was this how she felt whenever he'd get into trouble in Hannau?


Feeling some inexplicable and profound feelings, Rosamund followed the servant to the site of the duel, along with Captain Verlice.

Adanita was completely at ease, holding her swords in a relaxed stance. Three young nobles were standing across her, both excited and calm. This really was intended to be a friendly duel, it seemed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, mind telling me what I am looking at?" he asked.
"Just a bit of a friendly argument. These fine young men boasted they could defeat me and I accepted their challenge," Adanita said.
"I see. I hope you do not plan to fight them all at once. It would make quite a mockery of the code duello." And embarrass the idiots even more once she takes them all out. There was a bit of a crowd gathering around them, he noticed Lilac and Teodolit among the curious onlookers. Captain Hexkey, too. Nivelir. Viscount and Viscountess Kuplung.

He needed to stop this before it got out of control.

"I don't mind it at all, Lord Governor," Adanita said. "A duel to the pain should surely entertain your guests a little, and it will be a fun exercise for me. Apparently I am facing against the finest fencers in the Kingdom," she brightly said.
Or the most boastful. He needed to forcefully remind himself that twenty-somethings weren't children. "Very well then, if both sides are so eager. Set down the handkerchiefs at twenty by twenty paces," he ordered. "The onlookers must keep five extra paces away from the dueling field. If any of the duelists shows intent to murder or seriously injure their opponent, they will be legally liable. Keep in mind who you are dueling before," he said. "In that same way, attempting to strike at anyone outside the field will land you a swift sendoff into Hipparcos prisons. I see Guard Captain Hexkey is among us, which will make removing offenders from the event that much easier."
"Do I get to fight them all at once?" Adanita brightly asked.
"I will allow boasting in that manner if you manage to defeat all of them one on one first, Captain Vervain."

The nobles laughed. Adanita's eye lightly twitched, but the moment passed as she regained her confidence. "Gentlemen and I have agreed to a duel using our preferred weapons," she said. "I believe it will be the best way to test the full extent of our skills."
If these idiots agreed to fight a dual-wielder, there was nothing he could do about it. He gave them all a nod as the field cleared out.

The trio of fools were Lord Parsifal, the second son of one of Bretonian Earls, Lady Boscolo, a lesser noblewoman from Mletak Republic, and Lord Northcott, another lesser Bretonian nobleman.

Parsifal was first, wielding a rapier. It took Adanita two swings of the blade to parry his sword and leave a shallow cut on his left arm. The first drop of blood came from him before he even had a chance to properly react, and just like that, he lost.

"I am not being coerced," Mislav quietly told him while the group was preparing for another fight.
"I can help you if you are-"
"I am not. I fell in love with the Prince."
"But you are-"
"I know. But they have a harem. They're fine with- with us not consummating our marriage," she quietly said. Her face was bright red. Rosamund let it go.

The second fight began. Lady Boscolo didn't fare much better. She wielded a simple longsword with both her hands. Despite it being shorter and lighter than Lilac's zweihander, she was still considerably slower with it than his brother. Adanita disposed of her in a similar manner, leaving a shallow cut on the back of her hand after knocking her sword out of her hands with the back of her blade.

"She is very impressive," she said.
"She is," Rosamund agreed. "It is beautiful to watch her like this. She is rather lively and very sweet. She protected me several times now and... I want to do the same."
"Oh, so that's how it is."
"Yes. I am in no danger either," he assured her.
"That wasn't what I meant," she quietly said. Whatever it was, she seemed ready to let it go, though. "I'll think about it. I need to speak with her, too. I want to get to know her before I support your insanity again."
"I can organize a meeting-"
"I don't want a meeting, I want a conversation. I don't trust her yet. How did she learn about your brother?"
"That's... not something I can share."
"See? We can talk business later. I want to enjoy myself tonight."

Northcott stepped up into the field. The man was a bit older and certainly better than the two of her previous opponents. He was a member of the Royal Guard and his preferred weapon was a halberd. He was clearly an expert with it, swinging it in wide arcs and keeping Adanita at bay. He was steadily cornering her, pushing her towards the edge of the field. However, when she stood at the very edge of it, she suddenly caught his halberd between her swords, using them as scissors. She overwhelmed the man with pure force, spinning the halberd around her by a quarter of the circle. The momentum made him let go of his weapon and trip over himself. He managed to stop himself from falling, but he still ended up outside of the field. She won.

Their public cheered and laughed at the losers. A few even went so far to congratulate Adanita, while Rosamund and Captain Verlice politely clapped. She seemed impressed, and Adanita seemed so happy and proud of herself. Rosamund was glad and relieved she was unharmed.

"Now then," he asked as the crowd calmed down. "Do we need a demonstration of three against one? I believe this should have cleared all doubts about Captain Vervain's skill."
"No need," Lady Boscolo said. She was letting Doctor Soxhlet wrap her hand. The cut was nothing serious, but it was enough to make her look like she was in pain. "One injury is more than enough for me." Someone wasn't used to real fighting, it seemed.
"I agree," Northcott said, despite his only injury being his bruised ego.

The hot heads seemed to have cooled-
"Oh, but I was hoping for another chance!" Parsifal said. "Lord Governor, is it true that you two dueled?"
-he thought too soon.

"Yes. And I lost," Rosamund openly said. There was no shame in that.
"Is there anyone present who could defeat her, then?" he asked. "How about you, Captain Verlice?" he brightly asked.
"No thank you. I have nothing to prove," she said.
"You are being rather rude, asking others to fight your battles," Adanita warned him. "If you want to try again, you are welcome to."
"I do not think there is a need to embarrass yourself further, Lord Parsifal," Rosamund agreed.
The clown ignored them. "Mage Master Lilac! How about you? I've heard you're highly proficient with a sword too!"

Rosamund felt a horrible knot in his stomach.

"Sure," Lilac said casually. He took out his zweihander, the usual one, not his prototype, and entered the field.
"Lilac don't-"
"Come now, Lord Governor, he challenged me to a duel."
"Wha- no, no! I asked if you'd fight Captain Vervain, Mage Master!"
"Captain Vervain, are you challenging me?" he asked her.
"No."
"Well, I was asked to fight. Lord Parsifal, take your sword out. Or are you backing down now?" he coldly asked.
"I- I am sorry-"
"The previously stated rules apply. To the pain, Lilac," Rosamund warned him.
"Yes, my lord."

Lilac's patience had run out. This was the aftermath of a lit fuse, and he wasn't going to let the idiot get out of this now. The field was cleared once again, while Parsifal was white as a sheet. He angered the Governor and his brother, offended Adanita, and made quite a fool of himself in front of everyone. Rosamund quietly sighed, but allowed it to play out.

Parsifal raised his rapier and Lilac raised his zweihander, holding it in both hands for proper balance.

Parsifal struck towards him in a piercing motion, aiming for his arm.

Lilac easily swung his sword and knocked the comparably little needle out of his hand with ease.

The rapier fell to the ground and Lilac relaxed his stance, stabbing his zweihander into the ground and leaning on it.

"Pick it up."

He did. He raised it with his trembling hand, too frightened to attack. Lilac smirked and sheathed his sword.

"Know your betters, brat. Now scram."
"Yes, Mage Master."

"Most impressive, Mage Master," Captain Verlice said, clapping loudly with a smile. "Your skill is getting better ever day."
"Thank you. I hope you don't plan to test them yourself."
"Most certainly not. I say we should all go and get some more drinks. The tropical sun has its ways of heating heads."

"I agree," Rosamund said. "I believe we had enough of this kind of entertainment for today. Captain Vervain, Lord Lilac, you were most impressive. I congratulate both of you on your victories."
"Thank you, Lord Governor" Adanita brightly said.
"Beautifully done," he quietly said, only for her, as the people around them dispersed. "I mean it. I apologize for shutting you down earlier, but three against one- I was worried-"
"It's fine, Lord Governor. Thanks for worrying about me. How are the spices?"
"All properly stored, thank you."
"I hope to enjoy your cooking again," she said with a smile.

"Any time you want," he promised.