Chapter Text
Monday, July 31st, 1826
Two in the afternoon
Maynila, Las Islas Felphirnias
At the Maynila port:
It's a warm and sunny day in Maynila. The crew of The Empress has just arrived in the city, and have secured their ship.
“Alright everyone! We will be staying for a week, which means, enjoy yourselves in the city! And please, avoid getting in trouble.” captain Lothar says.
“Yes captain!” the crew screams in unison.
The crew goes their separate ways. Dolores Belmonte, a fiery Alspanian girl who's the pilot of the ship, goes to see her friend Dalio Nevetti, a charming Itafacian sailor.
“Dalio! How about we explore the city together?”
“Of course! Besides, Minoru said he was going to find an apothecary to buy medicine, which isn't particularly fun, even if I do enjoy being with him.”
“So are we going or are you just going to talk about Minoru?” Dolores sassily asks.
“We're going!”
…
They both walk around the city, but a bunch of girls admire and talk about Dalio.
“I know that I am handsome and charming, but why does it seem like every single girl is admiring me as if I could be a potential husband? I have a sweetheart!”
Dolores grabs his arm and whispers in his ear.
“And for today, I am your sweetheart, because otherwise, we will all be in trouble!”
Dalio nods.
“Right, I forgot that while the crew accepts us and Minoru as a couple, the world does not.”
“How about this,” Dolores starts whispering, “we act as a disastrous couple, so that no girl will ever want to look at you again?”
“It sounds like a good plan for me.”
They both, awkwardly, hold hands as they walk.
“Oh Dalio! Aren't you the most handsome and charming man in the world?” Dolores says in a dramatic tone.
“Yes, I am,” Dalio dramatically replies, “and you Lori, are the most crazy keep I have ever met.”
“Crazy?! What is wrong with you?!” Dolores yells as she lets go of Dalio's hand. “I am not insane! You are!”
“My dearest Lori, I am merely speaking the truth.”
“Oh really? Well then, you are a disgusting and selfish man!”
Dalio exaggeratedly gasps.
“What are you talking about? I'm not like that!”
“And yet you have kept secrets from me!”
Dalio thinks before answering.
“What secrets?” he asks, genuinely confused.
“I saw you kissing Katerina on the deck last night! Tell me, do you not love me anymore?!”
“I never kissed her! I have no idea what you're talking about!”
At that moment, Katerina Zervas arrives. She approaches Dalio, and slaps him. Dolores tries not to laugh at the scene, and simply gasps.
“I thought I was the girl that you loved! But you were with Dolores all along?! How dare you!”
Dalio stays quiet for a few seconds before answering.
“Katy, please, I love you.”
“Stop lying!” Katerina yells as she cries, “You are a selfish man, I don't know why I ever fell in love with you!”
Dolores goes to comfort Katerina.
“It's alright Katy, we were both fooled by this man. Let us go.”
They both walk away, leaving Dalio in the streets, with everyone staring at him. They all whisper as they walk away.
“Well then, that was quite an unexpected yet entertaining play.” a strong voice speaks from behind.
Dalio turns around, and sees Mattias Strömberg, the composed Svearikian boatswain.
“Mattias?! How long were you watching for?”
“Almost as soon as it began. I was looking at accessories nearby when I heard both you and Dolores yell.”
“Lori and I only intended on making me look bad so that the ladies here would stop admiring me.” Dalio mentions. “But suddenly, Katerina arrived and slapped me! I have no idea where she even came from!”
“That girl enjoys drama. She must have seen you and Dolores acting, understood your intentions, and joined to add more chaos.”
“It certainly worked, as every single person here is staring at me as if I had done something horrible.”
“Heh, it was fun to watch. Now come on, I believe that Minoru is done at the apothecary.”
Dalio's eyes light up.
“So the two of us can explore the city now?” he asks, trying to sound as normal as possible.
“If that's what he wants, then yes.” Mattias replies. “And Dalio, try to act normal, at least when you are with the doctor. It's best if we avoid trouble with the authorities.”
Dalio nods.
“I will try my best.”
They both walk to the apothecary, as Mattias makes fun of Dalio for what happened.