About Your Pride and My Prejudice

Chapter 57: Both of Us In Same Ship

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~Terminologies related to ships~

-> Fanfare: A short ceremonial tune or flourish played on brass instruments, typically to introduce something or someone important.

-> Deck: a floor of a ship, especially the upper, open level extending for the full length of the vessel.

-> Sunbed: an apparatus used for acquiring a tan, consisting of two banks of lamps between which one lies or stands.

-> Cabin: a private room on a ship or boat. / a compartment below deck on a boat used for living accommodations. b : the passenger or cargo compartment of a vehicle (such as an airplane or automobile)

-> Ferry: a boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods.

-> Stern: The rearmost part of a ship or boat.

-> Cellar: Cellar deck will be your lowest deck normally reserved for storage.

-> Hull: the main body of a ship or other vessel, including the bottom, sides, and deck but not the masts, superstructure, rigging, engines, and other fittings.

-> Bow: The front of a ship is called the bow.

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There are many strange things in the Moonlight.  For example, a loud fanfare resounds three times a day.  It is impossible to know from where the idea of ​​announcing meal times in this way came from.

I’m just ignoring that rule, for a simple reason— because I am afraid to go out of the cabin.

It’s hard for me to mingle in the air of elegance and gracefulness. I’m even afraid to step on the bright red carpet in the hallway. As if I was a fish, and the outside of the cabin was all land.

Under these circumstances, eating three meals a day feels like a luxury.  Foolishly, I took my meals only twice, very early in the morning and very late at lunch. I came only to satisfy my hunger without having time to appreciate the scenery.

I was lucky to have a small mouth(less appetite), but the problem was that the longer I stayed in the cabin, the more severe my motion sickness became.

Having never been near a port in my life, I had no opportunity to realize how serious my seasickness was. This unpleasant throbbing was usually tolerable, but sometimes it was unbearably severe. At that time, I had to go up the deck without a choice.

Actually, I liked being outside.  I wanted to lie down on a sunbed on a sunny spot on the deck, enjoy the warm sun, and listen to the appreciations of the passengers about this overwhelming scenery.

But I was afraid to be mixed with them, and I didn’t have the courage to go down to the third class and get along with the red-faced men*.….

(*Drunk men)

That is why I left the cabin shuddering only when the nausea was so intense that it was unbearable.

By the way, it was yesterday that I went on the deck after suffering from unbearable motion sickness, but the same thing happened today.

The first-class area is at the top on this huge passenger ship. In other words, it means that you can see the spectacular view of the dazzling open sea from the highest and the farthest point.

“Wow… “

It was a particularly blue day. In the strong sea breeze, the hem of my clothes fluttered. There were no patterns or decorations, and yet, there was a rather rugged poplin dress that stood out here.

I looked out at the distant horizon, praying that the first class passengers who came out to enjoy the sunlight did not pay attention to me in shabby clothes. The huge jewel-like sea was so deep that just looking at it makes you forget all the miscellaneous thoughts, and it was as blue as eternity.

As I bowed my head a little, I saw brilliant foam that crashed into the hull and shattered.  The transparent and dazzling thing looked like a crystal made of light. I finally felt the blood rush to my head.

Then my gaze turned to the lower deck.  People in plain or shabby clothes. It was a cargo room and workers in the boiler room were also seen. Their appearance, neither splendid nor noble, was as different as the sky and the earth from the passengers of the first class, but they were shining with healthy vitality. Like a flock of free dolphins.

Naturally, I was lost in thought.  What if I mix in between them?  Perhaps compared to the first class area, my visual difference would not be so great.

But it’s true that it is uncomfortable when they’re drunk, screaming and dancing.….

The point is that there is no place for me to stay on this huge ferry. The loneliness of this fact forced me to reflect again.

The people I miss are not here.  And I was the one who decided to leave them ashore and board the ship.

“Why are you crying….”

I’m not even halfway to the Principality. I hated myself for being weak already.

* * *

Whether it’s first or third class, the people here party day and night.

In the middle of the day when the sun was shining above the waves, the gentlemen burned cigars and talked about politics and business, and the women enjoyed a tea party with sumptuous desserts under the awnings on the terrace.

As the sun goes down, there is always a concert on board, capturing the ears of the passengers. I often shed tears while listening to the performance. There are few things in the world more romantic than listening to an orchestra performing in the hue of the setting sun and evening breeze.

At night, in the palace-like first-class banquet hall, there is a ball held every day—On the second night, when I was sick with severe motion sickness, I went in to get a glass of champagne and it was so dazzling that I was tired of the overwhelming sight—My impression of seeing the ball was precisely, ‘Who on earth thought of decorating the inside of the ship with a dome ceiling and a golden staircase?’

The ball was crowded with aristocrats of all nationalities and emerging rich people, and some of them appeared to be royal. It was natural that I, dressed in shabby clothes, was nothing more than an uninvited guest. It was as if I had accidentally fallen into a beautiful landscape painting. Even the skilled servers who came and went busily with shining silver trays were surprised that I was a first class passenger.

But thanks to the ball, the deck at night was relatively quiet. At night, even the third class passengers were busy throwing a party in the cellar. Thanks to this, I was able to appreciate the countless stars in the night sky for a long time without anyone’s interference.

Even that day I was suffering from severe motion sickness. It was the worst vomiting I’ve ever had. After struggling for a long time because I couldn’t read or sleep, I was eagerly waiting for the fanfare to ring to announce the dinner time.

Of course, I wasn’t hungry. I didn’t even think about eating something. It was just the thought of getting on the deck and looking at the stars and enjoying the breeze while the passengers enjoyed a leisurely meal and ball.

But the fanfare didn’t ring. At that time, when the puzzlement was gradually amplified, there was the sound of firecrackers and the cheers of the people drowned in excitement

It was only then that I remembered hearing at the restaurant about the masquerade.

“Was that today?”

I felt like my headache was getting worse. The place where many people gather is like hell to me. Without my one and only friend, Viola, it’s like hell…….

I never wanted to go out, but it was even worse to die suffering from extreme motion sickness.

“…at least the hall is empty.”

That’s good. If I quietly exit and go over to the dark side of the stern, the party atmosphere would definitely be diluted. It had to be so. I feel like I can vomit on an empty stomach at this rate.….

I managed to pull myself up and put my feets back in the shoes that I had taken off. I felt dizzy for a moment, but I turned the heavy doorknob with a determination to breathe fresh air.

“…….”

As expected, the corridor was empty. However, only the excited air in the hull was so thick that it was impossible to pretend not to know. I patted my stuffy chest and rubbed my nauseous stomach, while rushing towards the door. Why is it so wide….

After all, there were quite a few people near the entrance. A pleasant drunkenness floated around them.

“There are 2,000 passengers!”

The moment I approached the door, a man giggled loudly and blocked the entrance. I frowned.

“There’s no way you don’t have a partner!”

“Let’s ask her  today—if she’s an immature rich lady. Hehe.”

…..I’ve always had a hard time with the socialites who have elegant faces with arrogance buried to their bones, but these lowly bastards are the worst I’ve ever seen. I did not hide my displeased expression and I pushed through the ridiculously masked men and opened the door

“Ah… “

As soon as the door opened, the first thing that greeted me was the cold wind that poured over my face, which made it hard to believe that it was early summer. Then there were colorful fireworks that embroidered the dark night sky.

“It’s so beautiful…….”

I looked up blankly at the feast of bursting lights. The color-changing fireworks were so dazzling that it made me forget the loud noises. Even in the cabin, I thought it would be just an annoying noise that obstructs stargazing……

I couldn’t wait to move to a quiet place and rest, but I was curious about the appearance of people who would be in the same colours as the fireworks. Let’s take a look and go to the stern. Having concluded so, I went to the front of the deck of the cabin floor and leaned closely against the railing.

Not surprisingly, the widest space on the deck, near the bow, had been transformed into a huge ballroom with torches burning everywhere. It would have been very painful if I were in there, but it wasn’t so bad to look down at people who were dressed in colorful masks and beautiful clothes and smiled happily.

As if bewitched by a truly magical ball that changed from red to golden to purple, I rested my chin on my hand and my elbow at the railing. As I was carefully examining each and every one of them…… I almost fell down.

He was in the middle of the place where the most splendid and beautiful people gathered at the splendid masquerade.

I couldn’t help but notice that he was wearing a mask, even though he was so far away. Even down there, covered with all kinds of dazzling light, his black hair was the most ecstatic color.

His height and beautiful shoulders look like a picture. The arrogant chin and the neckline that runs below it. Even the delicate fingers holding the glass and the upright posture…….

“Alan… “

I shut my mouth in a hurry. I hate myself for secretly calling out his name.

“Haa,”

I turned away because I didn’t want to see him anymore. The iron railing that reached my waist was as cold as ice.

Did he send the ticket to get on the same ship with me? With a bad heart?

“…no, Melissa,”

That’s impossible. If it was true, he would have come into my room sooner. I’ve been having a peaceful and lonely time all along.

Ironically, the destination is the same, and this great first-class ticket is nothing more or less favoritism to Leopold’s next head.

The most dazzling and beautiful place.  Even there, his seat is only in the centre. Standing like this from a distance and watching him secretly is something that only Melissa Collins deserves.

He must have been curious about a woman who had no color or scent in his wintery world. So he toyed with the girl until he got bored and quit.

It was certainly a good thing, but strangely, my heart ached. It would be nice if it was just because the wind was cold…….

However, Alan was not there when I looked around.

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“…Where did you go?”

How can he leave the ball so easily that was just for you? It was funny that I was anxious. I couldn’t help but understand the hearts of women who regretted his absence.

At that very moment, a strange firm hand gripped my arm.

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