Alle Kapitel von After Seven Years, I Left the Earl Who Chose My Stepsister: Kapitel 11 – Kapitel 16

The navy ships reached the shore.A squad of soldiers jumped down from the deck.Their armor gleamed, and they were armed to the teeth.Lucy rushed down from the beacon tower to meet them.“Sir!”She pointed at Arthur and Lily.“It's them!“These pirates burn, kill, and loot. There's nothing they won't do!“Arrest them, quick!”Her voice was shrill, and her eyes burned with the thirst for revenge.The navy officer in the lead glanced at her.He ignored her.Instead, he walked straight up to Arthur.Everyone stared in disbelief.He dropped to one knee.“Captain.”One word, full of respect.The smile on Lucy's face froze.“You... what did you call him?”The officer stood up.“Captain.“Our boss.”He smiled.“Sorry. We're pirates too.“We stole these navy ships.”The color drained from Lucy's face.“You... stole the navy's ships?“What about the men on them?“You killed them all, didn't you!”One of the pirates poked his head out from behind.“Don't make stuff up.“We just stripped them a

Torches flickered ominously in the judgment hall.I sat in the high seat.That seat had once belonged to Chris.Now it was mine, and my face was calm.Lucy was held down below the bench, her hair disheveled, her whole body shaking.The courtroom was full of people.Nobles, servants, and soldiers alike.“Lucy Moran.”My voice was quiet, but every word carried.“Seven years ago, you poisoned my food, intending to take my life.“By law, that is attempted murder.“I sentence you—“To ten years in prison.”Lucy's head snapped up.“Ten years?!“What right do you have to sentence me!“You're nothing but a lowly slave!“What right do you have to sit there!”I didn't bother explaining.I gave her a single flat answer.“Because I'm the lord of this land now.“I have the authority to sentence you. I don't owe you an explanation.”The court was silent.Not one person dared make a sound.Only then did Lucy panic.“M-my mother... my mother is a noble!“You can't do this to me!“Chris! Chris!”She wa

Seagulls circled over the deck.I leaned against the rail, the sea wind blowing my hair into a mess.Arthur came up behind me and handed me an apple.“The men on the ship all treat you like the captain now.”I rolled my eyes.“Cut it out.”On deck, the pirates were busy.Some were drying nets, some were polishing axes, and others just grinned at me.Garrick, a burly pirate with one eye, sidled over, winking and making faces.“Captain's wife!“I hear you can find the blind spots in arrow towers?“Teach me sometime. I can't even find my own left eye.”The men around him burst out laughing.I couldn't help smiling too.“Sure. Sometime.”Arthur strode over and gave Garrick a kick.“Get back to work.“And keep your eyes off my woman.”Garrick yelped and ran off.Later, in the cabin, Garrick pored over a tattered sea chart, scratching his head.“We've lost three ships on this stretch of reef.“But if we go around, it's another seven days.”I leaned over and glanced at the chart.“No need to