Voyage Of The Villainess

Iris raised her right eyebrow looking completely amused at Malaya. "When did you call him directly by his name?"

"Like what I've said, plenty of things have happened," Malaya said then she looked back at Oliver. "What do you need my help with?"

Oliver looked at everyone that was looking intently at him. Then he remembered Hyun Jae's terrified expression. He released a deep breath. "I've changed my mind. I just wish you safe travel for your journey." He said as he brought out a teleportation talisman. 

"Then if that's what you said. As you can see we are completely fine." Malaya said. 

"My eyes are completely well and I can totally see that." Oliver replied sarcastically with still a smile on his face. "My apologies for disturbing your dinner." He then tore the talisman and disappeared. 

"Are you sure that you are just letting him leave like that? From what I can see from his expression, he seems really in need of something." Iris said as she casually took a seat on the stool. She poured some orange juice into her glass. 

"If he doesn't want to speak, or to say anything that he wants me to help him, then there is nothing I can do about that. I will just stay here not trying to waste my energy just to force him, that was his choice and decisions, not mine." Malaya also took a seat then she looked at Rein and Lila. "Rein, Lila, it seems the trouble has already gone. Let's proceed to eat our dinner now."

"I will bring Dorris and Lady Hyun Jae's food first. I'll join all of you once I deliver it." Rein said as he bowed down towards Malaya. Malaya narrowed her gaze looking at the retreating back of Rein. These past two days, she felt like Rein was avoiding her. She didn't want to overthink things or maybe she was indeed just overthinking things.

The another three days, everything was peaceful with their sailing. After their talk to Nicholas, Nicholas decided to hire Maru to work for him. Kayden and Lila came to Malaya's crew.  Right now, they were currently going to where Rhyme was. He said he found out about the man they were originally looking for in Misty Island. The only man who said to almost cross the Red Current but ended up coming back. And shut himself out from the society. Many said that it was because he had gone mad. Or simply others said that he must just ended up fabricating things in order to be famous. That man was no other than...

Luiz Crallum. 

Rhyme sent the message to Iris through a messenger pigeon. And they had been frequently exchanging messages through it from time to time. They were now heading to where Rhyme was. It was a small island called Gican, close to the island of Hellarez or the once misty island.

"I'm glad that Rhyme is doing fine."

"Yeah." Iris simply replied as she leaned on the railings. The wind was blowing gently along with the waves of the sea. "That guy surely has suffered a lot when he just recently joined us. Being abducted. I can't imagine what other things he had gone through after that."

Malaya just chuckled as she leaned forward to the railings as well. "If he sees us and decides he doesn't want to continue traveling with us, then I won't be surprised."

"That guy is quite clumsy and has a feeble heart after all." Iris added." That is why I doubt him."

"His first impression of you doesn't really leave that much."

"Yeah, like my first impression on how you are a wannabe hero and quite pushy about many things."

Malaya's smile faltered. "And you are a delusional person who wants to conquer the world."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." Iris didn't take to heart whatever Malaya had said to her since it was all true, to begin with. Malaya just pouted seeing her nonchalant reaction then slumped on the railings. 

"What a dull reaction. By the way, I've been meaning to ask, I noticed that I haven't seen that monkey since the first time I arrived here. Where is that white monkey of yours?" 

"Ah Baru." Iris just glanced to the upper mast of the ship. "He was in a good condition, he is always in his favorite place. He only comes down when he feels hungry or whatever. It is also better that way since you are quite allergic to furs. If something happened to you, for sure, Rein might be worried once again."

"I see, yeah, he is certainly quite a worrywart like some mothers. Oh! He even defeated the role of the mother because of the way he worried and acted, so protective.." Malaya, chuckling. "But Iris, speaking of Rein, I felt like he has been avoiding me these past days. When I encountered him, I noticed that the way he interacts with me is simply bows and greets me. Then immediately leaves right after. Sometimes I even saw how he is deliberately changing his way of direction when I'm walking towards him. I don't know whether it is just my imagination or not. Or maybe I'm just overthinking things and this feeling really makes me feel uncomfortable since he was not like this before."

"Really? Well, I don't know, since I'm not him." Iris started walking away. "Either way, you can just talk to him directly if you have some problem with him or need some clarity if this is bothering you. It will be faster than that. Perhaps, I think the best decision you can make right now is to better rest. Tomorrow we will probably reach the island of Gican."

"I'll do that. Thank you." Malaya said looking at the night scenery of the sea waves. "I'll just stay here for a few more moments. Just being alone with my thoughts."

"Alright! Suit yourself. Just don't catch a cold or anything. I'll also check out what those girls have been doing." Iris said in the end. And Malaya just simply replied with an "Ehm."

A few more moments passed...

Malaya stretched out her arms. "I should go back to my room as well." Just before she could turn around, she felt someone's presence behind her back. When she quickly turned around, there was no one in there. 'I must be really tired now.' Malaya started to head to the cabin.

She felt that presence once again behind her. When she turned around, it was no other than Kayden. This guy too had been coping up in his room and just rarely comes out. Only on mealtime and his cleaning duties. Since he decided to come here as well, well it's only appropriate that he shared a fair amount of responsibilities staying on the ship. 

"Kayden. Is there something you need?" Malaya asked.

"Nothing." Kayden simply said while staring at her. With those words from him, Malaya felt a little awkward.

"Ow okay, then if there is nothing else you want to say, I'll go back now to my room." Malaya started to turn around, however, Kayden called her once again. This time in her name.

"Malaya, just what exactly are you?"

Malaya faced him with a confused expression. "Pardon? What did you say?" 

'I must be mishearing things.'

"What are you, Malaya? Or even the Malaya that I know?"

Malaya narrowed her gaze when she felt something amiss with Kayden. 'Wait, what does he mean? Malaya that he knows? But although we are together. It's not that we know each other deeply. Ah, wait, I see now.'

"To be able to copy someone's appearance. Rein, it seems your illusion magic has evolved to a more terrific state now." Malaya said." I must say that you made me believe at first."

From then, Kayden started changing appearance. His black hair became cerulean blue and his eyes became hazelnut.

"As expected with Lady Malaya, for you to realize my illusion even without magic." He then gave a short bow. "I just tested out my new ability with magic. What do you think, Milady?"

Malaya narrowed her gaze looking at Rein. "It is truly amazing. If one would not be careful, they would be completely fooled. It seems your magic is evolving at an incredible pace."

"That's good to hear, Milady." Rein said. "That's all I want to show. Please rest now and I'll take my leave as well. Your brother, the young lord Jules who was watching us from the Origin of Life, would surely be extremely worried if you always put yourself in trouble. Please take care more about yourself."

'Is he lecturing me again?? But...' Malaya just looked at Rein's retreating back. 'This feels a bit different than his usual nagging. And It was very rare for him to mention Jules. It's not just that.' But Malaya couldn't point out what it was. She watched with silence until Rein entered the cabin leaving her alone.

If Malaya had known the next upcoming days. She should have talked to Rein that night.. And soon they were growing closer and closer to the Red Current.