Voyage Of The Villainess

"Hoho, are you okay? you look restless, Rhyme." A certain old man laughed as he caressed his long white beard. 

"I\'m just quite excited Sir Luiz. It\'s been six months since I saw them." Rhyme said as he fixed his glasses that were almost falling.

"You\'re friends huh. But from what you have told me before it\'s not been a month since you spent time with them. Why are you this ecstatic to people you just recently met?"

"I have told you many times, Sir Luiz, that all of them are different from others. They are not just nice or kind-hearted people but also I can sense the fire within them to achieve whatever they want even though there are a lot of obstacles and painful events that they are experiencing.  Also, with the short time that I spent with them, I feel comfortable and accepted at their company."

"Hmm, I see. They are good influences for you." The old man, Luiz, caressed his long beard. "Then they must be really good people. I still need to thank them as well, for saving my grandkids."

"Grandpa," they both turned towards the door where two children were entering. One was Lorn and the other one was a little girl, his younger sister Lila.

Both of them were carrying baskets. "Is big sister Malaya coming?" Lila asked. Both of the children completely heard the two adults talking.

"Yes," Rhyme nodded his head. "She will come with them."

Lila\'s smile grew wide. "That\'s great!" She cheered with enthusiasm. "I miss big sis Malaya and big sis Hyun Jae." She clapped her hands with a wide-open smile.

"They should be arriving here now before noon. Let\'s greet them at the port." Luiz said as he started walking ahead. 

"I will prepare then, their lunch," Lorn said.

Luiz, Rhyme, and Lila headed to the port.

---⚓⚓⚓---

In the Bituins, the rest of the crew could finally see an island ahead after almost a week of sailing. 

"You really don\'t know when to rest, huh? After just coming back from that Sun, whatever island, here we are going on an expedition right off the bat." Iris said as she leaned forward to the railings.

"Well, I still remember that you said that you are going to leave me if I don\'t appear on time. You are already dead set leaving me so I just don\'t want to waste more time." Malaya said. "And besides I already have plenty of rest on the ship. I think that is enough for me to take back all my energy."

"You can at least visit your family at the Marina. The crown prince and the emperor have uplifted your banishment in the empire after all." Iris said. "They must be worried sick of you when they heard the news of your disappearance."

Malaya just glanced ahead. Her brother, Darren might just reprimand her for every trouble she caused for them. \'And I still have not fulfilled my promise to him.\'

"Thank you for letting me know that Iris but I don\'t have the right to show my face there yet." Malaya looked at the island they were steadily approaching. "Rein also already sent the letter I wrote for them."

\'Speaking of Rein, after that strange talk last night. Nothing out of the ordinary happened the entire day. I really hope that I\'m just overthinking things.\' Malaya pondered.

"I see," Iris said. "It seems having a family as a noble is really quite troublesome."

"Not really," Malaya just chuckled. "After all, because I\'m a noble, I can easily earn quite a lot of money without other people questioning me. It comes to me in just a blink of an eye and buys things that will serve us in the long run. "

"That sounds rather convenient," Iris said. "Maybe after this journey, I should just start my own business and become one of the richest CEOs of the richest conglomerate this world has ever recorded. That way, I don\'t have to worry about money until I die of old age."

\' Also buying more wine hehe\' UIris thought, imagining herself in a room full of expensive and different types of wine. "Ugh! Heaven on Earth"

"That\'s quite a dream, you have it there." Malaya simply moved her head sideways and chuckled seeing Iris who became lost in the illusions of his mind. "You really sound like some old woman now."

"I\'m still not old, I\'m just two years older than you." 

" Oh! My bad," Malaya couldn\'t help herself to stop chuckling. "Given that you\'re an old acquaintance of my teacher in my past life. Then adding your age here, you really are almost in your forties now."

"Do you want to die?" Iris said completely annoyed but Malaya just laughed.

"It\'s Rhyme!" 

They both turned to Dorris who was now waving her hands. They followed her line of gaze, and finally, they could see Rhyme as well. And including two kids that were familiar with Malaya.

"It\'s Lila!" Hyun Jae excitedly said as well and waved towards them. "Aw look how adorable and free the child is."

"I told you, you are too old for wanting to be a child now" Malaya whispered to Iris but she gave Malaya a deadly look.

"Lila?" Malaya moved her focus when she heard  Lila who was beside Hyun Jae look to where she was waving at.

"Ah, what a coincidence, you have the same name as that girl, Lila. I can introduce you to her once we dock." Malaya joined their group. 

"That girl has the same name as me? Wow, that\'s cool." Lila said with amazement as she glanced at the girl waving back enthusiastically at them. But then a little fear surged inside her. 

"What\'s the matter, you suddenly look quite gloomy?" Malaya said as she patted Lila\'s back.

"Hmm. Malaya, I should just stay here. What if I scared her because of my appearance?" Lila said as she fidgeted with her fingers.

"With three eyes and violet skin, you certainly look quite peculiar." Iris also joined their group.

Lila glanced down, looking more dejected hearing Iris\' words. Since she met Malaya\'s friends, Iris was the only one that she couldn\'t get along with. 

"And there is nothing wrong with being peculiar, I think what makes you different is what makes you look attractive. If I heard you talking down about yourself like this, your peculiarity will evolve to annoying."

Lila raised her head and looked at Iris with surprise. She didn\'t expect that she would console her like this. Before she could speak anything, Iris already climbed up the railings of the ship and with a quick movement, she jumped towards the port.

"Hah," Malaya just chuckled. "That\'s a nice way to escape after saying such cheesy lines."

As if hearing her, as soon as Iris landed on the other side of the port, she glared back at Malaya.

Rein had also brought down the ramp towards the port. As soon as they all walked down the port, Lila, the little girl, ran towards them and hugged Malaya. \'Whoah, there

"Big sis Malaya! Big Sis Hyun Jae!" She excitedly called out. "I miss you so much"

"Hi, Lila!" Hyun Jae happily greeted me. "Aw, you are so sweet as always. We miss you too"

"How are you, Lila? Have you been good to your brother?" Malaya asked as she patted her head.

"Yes! I help Lorn and grandpa every day! Even Rhyme!" Lila cheerfully said. Then her line of sight went to someone behind Malaya. Malaya followed the little girl\'s sight.

"Wow, our Lila is now growing.  Hmm, I have something that I want you to meet, she is my other friend. And her name is the same as yours. She is also called Lila."

The little girl\'s eyes widened in amazement as she approached Lila. "Wow, you have the same name as me? Wow, you have three eyes? I never saw that before, you look so amazing."

Lila simply nodded with those big sparkling eyes looking at her. Her face flushed with redness. "Yes ah- eh thank you," she meekly said. "It\'s nice to meet you, little Lila. I\'m big Lila."

"Big Lila, that\'s a nice call to not cause confusion." Dorris chimed in. "But let\'s just settle for Big Sis Lila, that would sound more wonderful." Then she looked at little Lila. "Hi, I\'m Dorris. I am Malaya\'s personal maid!"

"Personal maid?" Little Lila\'s eyes widened with amazement. "You have a personal maid, big sis Malaya? That\'s amazing!"

"Well," Malaya simply smiled. "She\'s not just a maid but also another wonderful friend of mine."

Dorris blushed hearing Malaya\'s words.

"Wow! You have so many friends, big sis!"

"I hate to interrupt your reunion together, but we have better important matters that need to attend now." Iris marched towards them. "I presume, Rhyme, that the one beside you is Luiz Crallum, right?"

All of them turned to the old man, who was beside Rhyme. 

"Rhyme, it\'s been a while. I\'m glad you\'re doing alright." Malaya said. Then Rhyme just nodded his head. "I\'m also glad to see all of you again." Then he gestured towards the old man who was caressing his long white beard. "And yes, I would like to introduce you to my savior. He is Luiz Crallum, the man you are looking for."

"I finally meet you, Sir Luiz. I am Malaya Venizever. And I heard plenty of stories about you that I want to confirm." Malaya lent her right hand in front of the old man.

"Likewise, Lady Malaya." The old man accepted her handshake.. "It seems, we will have a lot to talk about."