NoGift 14 ANDROMEDA

"What a magnificent ship," Felicia said, full of wonder. She turned to the Duchess and asked excitedly, "Are we going to board this ship, Duchess?"

"Yes. This ship is called Andromeda. It travels around the five continents, stopping in major cities. I originally plan to choose an ordinary cruise ship. But then I learned that Andromeda will dock here and it will coincide on the day that we leave for Amexem. So I immediately booked four tickets for us. This way we'll get to travel on a world famous ship," Anthea said smiling at them. "Now, shall we go then?"

They followed Anthea onto the ship, Aurum hugging Argent's arm and Felicia just right behind them. When they got on board, Argent was somewhat surprised to see that there were a lot fewer people around. Considering that this was a famous cruise ship and that it literally passed through the five continents, she expected more traveler on board.

"Welcome aboard," a male crew greeted them. "Please put your hand on this veritas stone and tell me your name along with your companions and your destination?" he added, presenting an almost transluscent stone, the size and shape similar to a small book, towards Anthea.

Argent looked at the stone and turned to Felicia. "What's a veritas stone?" she asked in a whisper.

"It's a stone that could tell if someone is someone is lying. If you touch it and you tell a lie, it will glow red. But if what you said is the truth, then it will glow green," Felicia explained, also in a whisper.

Argent nodded. So the crew here was using this stone to check the identity of their passengers. What an ingenious way to do it. It would make sure that the person who bought the ticket was really the one who board the ship. Before giving a ticket to someone, they probably checked first the background of that someone. To ascertain they're not selling tickets to a criminal. In a big ship like this, they probably have a group of people in-charge in doing that. It's even more effective that using a visa.

Anthea put her hand on the veritas stone. "Lady Anthea Blackbourne. I'm here with my children, Argent and Aurum Blackbourne, and our maid, Felicia Jones, to travel to Amexem." After five seconds, the stone glowed green. Indicating that what Anthea said was true.

"Thank you, Your Grace." After that, the crew turned to the twins and Felicia, asking them to do the same. After making sure of their identity, the crew lead them to their cabins. "This way, please."

As they followed the crew, Argent noticed that they really were fewer passengers than she expected. "Is Andromeda not usually packed full with passengers?" She couldn't help but ask the crew.

"No, Your Grace. All of the cabins here are first class. Add that to our high class foods and amenities, not many people could afford to travel in our ship."

Now that explained a lot.

The crew stopped in front of a cabin door and handed three keys to Anthea. "This cabin and the other two on its left and right are your cabins. If you need anything, you can pull the bell in the cabin and a crewmate will immediately come. Or you could go and ask the many crewmates around the ship. I wish you a good stay." He bowed and left them.

"Mother, are brother and I sharing the same room?" Aurum asked excitedly.

"Yes. Because I know just how much you don't want to be separated from your brother," Anthea answered, smiling. "This one at the center is yours and your brother's room. The one on the right is mine and the one on the left is Felicia's." She gave the other two keys to them. "Felicia will arrange our luggage later. For now, let's go inside our rooms."

The four of them entered their respected rooms. Once inside, the first thing Argent noticed was the big bed. It was enough for two adults to share. There was a closet and a table, the floor was covered by a lush carpet, there's a chandelier on the ceiling, and another door that probably lead to the bathroom. It was truly a first class cabin.

Aurum ran towards the bed and sat there. "The bed is so soft." She turned to her. "Brother, let's go look around the ship later."

"Okay," Argent readily agreed since she really wanted to look around the ship.

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After eating lunch at the dining hall, Argent and Aurum started exploring the ship. Felicia went back to their rooms to arrange their luggage while their mother was talking to a few people they met on the dining hall. Their mother was not afraid to let them go around alone since there's a lot of crewmate on board. And she knew how responsible Argent was.

Argent and Aurum went on deck. The ship has already sailed. Argent looked at the vast ocean. This was the first time she saw such a huge expanse of water. On the Earth where she was originally from, because of the advancement of technology, there was barely any sea area left. She must admit, looking at this blue vastness can really give people a calming effect.

"Brother, where should we go first?" Aurum asked, hugging her arm.

Argent looked at the ship map on her hand. One of the crewmates gave it to them earlier. "Let's see. Let's start here and make our way downwards. What do you say?"

"I think it's an excellent idea."

They went to the huge ball room, the game room, and the library. Everywhere they went, people can't help but stare at them. Two beautiful seven year old dolls walking hand-in-hand, it's definitely an amazing sight. People tried talking to them, but they were soon discouraged because of Argent's indifference.

Argent looked at the map in her hand. She wanted to go to the engine room. The moment they got on board, the one thing she wanted to know most was how the ship could travel on the sea. Was it powered by coal or steam? Or just like everything else in this world, it's powered by Mana? But she's just not sure if they're allowed to go there.

"Brother, where should we go next?"

"Let's try to go to the engine room," she still chose to say.

Aurum smiled knowingly. Her brother probably wanted to check how the ship's engine works. "Let's go then."

Before they could walk, a guy suddenly fell in front of them. The stack of books he's carrying scattered on the floor together with his glasses. Argent wanted to go around the guy but she doesn't have the heart to step on those books. So, as to make things faster, she bent down and helped the guy gathered the scattered books.

Once done, Argent planned to bypassed the guy but they were immediately stopped.

"Please wait." Argent stopped and turned to the guy. He was kind of plain faced with big glasses and messy black hair. "Thank you for helping me. Uhm, I heard you two talking earlier, that you wanted to go to the engine room. As thanks I could bring you there."

"No need. We could go there ourselves," Argent said, planning to turn around.

"B-but ordinary passengers are not allowed to go there."

Aurum raised one of her eyebrow. "What, are you saying you're not an ordinary passenger?"

"Not exactly. But my employers are not. They have a special pass that allows them to go anywhere in this ship. I could borrow a pass from one of them. What do you think?"

Aurum looked at her brother. Argent's brows were furrowed slightly, indicating that she's contemplating something. "Brother, let this four-eyes borrow that pass. I know you really want to go to the engine room."

Argent didn't deny it. Because she really wanted to go to the engine room. She looked at the guy in front of them. "Lead the way."

The guy smiled. "Great. One of my employers' room is not far from here." He started walking and the twins followed. "I'm Francis Dwight by the way. What are your names?"

"Argent Blackbourne. This is my sister, Aurum."

"Nice to meet you, Argent, Aurum." Not reacting after hearing their names, this guy was definitely not from Albion. "You two are probably the most beautiful kids I've even seen." Then he suddenly blushed as if realizing what he just said. "Sorry, that was rude of me."

Argent just ignored what he said. "Why are your employers allowed to go anywhere in this ship?"

"They're delegates from the Empire of Xing."

That didn't really answer her question.

"And so? We're nobles and we didn't get a special pass. What's so special about those delegates?" Aurum said.

"Uhm, I- I can't really say."

Aurum snorted. "Whatever. So what's your job then?"

"I'm acting as their translator." He stopped walking in front of a cabin door. "Here we are." He knocked on the door. "Sir, sir!" But no one answered. "Weird. He's usually in his cabin during this time." He held the knob and turned it. Miraculously, it moved. He slowly opened the door. "Sir?"

When he completely opened the door, he didn't even manage to step inside. He stood there frozen, the books he's holding falling on the ground.

Argent was confused by his reaction. So she looked inside the room. And she was also frozen on the spot.

Because lying inside was a corpse of a dead man.

Chapter end