All Chapters of The Cruise Ship Royal: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The melody she played was unlike anything Jake had ever heard before—a fusion of classical technique with something more primal and modern. The transparent violin glowed with subtle blue lights that pulsed with the intensity of the music, casting ethereal patterns across her face.Jake leaned against the doorframe, forgetting himself for a moment. His weight caused the hinges to creak, and the sound pierced through the music like a discordant note.The woman's eyes snapped open. Her bow paused mid-stroke, the final note hanging in the air between them."I'm sorry," Jake said quickly, embarrassed at being caught. "I was just passing by and heard... I didn't mean to interrupt."She regarded him with a measured gaze, neither angry nor welcoming. "Most people knock before entering a private rehearsal.""You're right. That was rude of me." Jake took a step back toward the door, then hesitated. "That violin—I've never seen anything like it."A hint of pride crossed her features. "It's custo

The first note pierced the air like a shard of light, clear and haunting. Jake recognised the melody from her rehearsal, but hearing it in this grand setting, surrounded by the soft clink of crystal and the gentle sway of the ship, was entirely different. The music seemed to tell a story of longing and rebellion, of someone caught between two worlds.Jake found himself leaning forward, his promise to truly listen forgotten in the face of being completely transported. Around him, he could hear the subtle sounds of an audience being won over—the cessation of quiet conversation, the careful setting down of wine glasses, the almost imperceptible shift as people turned their full attention to the stage.But it was more than technical skill or even the novelty of the illuminated violin. There was raw emotion in every note, a vulnerability that made Jake's chest tighten with recognition. She was laying her soul bare before a room full of strangers, and somehow making each person feel as thou

Amity looked at his outstretched hand for a long moment, then slowly placed her fingers in his. "Just this once," she said, though her voice carried a warmth that suggested she wanted more than once.Jake drew her into his arms, and they began to move to the distant waltz. Here on the deck, with only the stars as witnesses, the careful boundaries of their upbringing seemed to dissolve. Amity was lighter than he'd expected, following his lead with the same grace she brought to her violin."You dance well for a shipping magnate," she murmured, close enough that he could smell her perfume—something subtle and expensive that probably cost more than most people's monthly salary."You dance well for someone who claims to reject high society," he countered."Finishing school," she admitted with a rueful smile. "Some things stick despite our best efforts to forget them."As they turned, Jake caught a glimpse of movement through the ballroom's windows. Several faces were pressed against the gl

Amity looked up, her expression softening. "What did you do?""What was expected. Business school, internships at the company, the perfect trajectory for the perfect heir." Jake shrugged. "I still paint sometimes, when no one's watching.""I'd like to see your work someday," she said quietly."I'd like that too." Jake hesitated, then added, "But only if you'll play for me again—not for an audience or critics or your father. Just for yourself."The door behind them creaked, and they both turned to find Liam standing there, his expression unreadable."I thought I might find you here," he said to Amity, then nodded at Jake. "Your father is looking for you. He's quite... determined.""Let him look," Jake replied, not moving from Amity's side.Liam sighed, entering the room fully. "This isn't just about tonight, you know. There's history between our families that you're both ignoring.""Business rivalries," Amity dismissed. "Corporate games.""More than that." Liam looked genuinely trouble

Before Miles could respond, Jake slipped out the door. He heard his mother's voice rising in his defense as it closed behind him, buying him time he desperately needed.The ship's corridors were quieter now, most passengers having retired to their cabins after the evening's entertainment. Jake wandered aimlessly at first, replaying the night's events in his mind. The revelation of Amity's true identity had been shocking, but it hadn't changed how her music made him feel—or the connection he'd sensed between them.Without consciously deciding, he found himself heading toward the crew deck again. This time, however, he was intercepted before he could get far."Mr. Monroe." Liam Jenkins-Whitmore stepped out from an alcove, blocking Jake's path. "A word, if you don't mind."Jake tensed, expecting another confrontation, but Liam's expression was surprisingly conciliatory."I owe you an apology," Liam said, gesturing toward a nearby sitting area. "For what my sister revealed about my person