"Stelly!"
Nantacarete smiled sweetly as she stepped out of the cabin and saw the man in a white suit standing at the bow.
Stelly quickly turned from the sea and hurried to her side. He offered his right hand with practiced grace and supported her gently. "Slow down. Watch your step!"
"Stelly, you're so thoughtful!"
Nantacarete beamed and leaned closer to him without realizing it.
Stelly was Sabo's younger brother, the adopted "noble son." He had always played his part well. Not only had he learned noble etiquette, but he was also calculating. He had never forgotten his dream: to become a man worthy of marrying a royal daughter one day.
Sabo's father had originally set that goal for Sabo. But Sabo had joined the Revolutionary Army, and Stelly had not disappointed his adoptive father. He kept cultivating connections among high society until, step by step, he finally met Nantacarete, the king's daughter.
Stelly had other plans for this outing with Nantacarete. Before long, they encountered a band of pirates, and she was terrified. Stelly promptly stepped forward. His fighting skills were nothing special, but he had paid the pirates to put on this little show of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress. Everything went smoothly. Nantacarete grew even fonder of him, and when they returned to the Goa Kingdom, she spoke highly of him at every opportunity.
Stelly even went to the king to apologize in person, taking responsibility for the pirates frightening Nantacarete.
The king took a liking to Stelly and kept him close to help with affairs. Stelly then displayed abilities that made everyone see him in a new light. He handled every task with care and order, and it took little time for him to earn the king's trust.
When Sabo's father had adopted him,