Near an island almost an hour's voyage from the docks, a black sailing ship lay anchored in the shadow of a cliff. A huge flag bearing white bones fluttered above it.
Black Death!
In the captain's cabin, warm lamplight glowed from golden stands, while thick carpeting kept out the chill of the floor. Tracy reclined behind her desk, her beige-trousered legs crossed and propped atop it, sitting in a distinctly masculine manner.
Beneath her long, straight brows, her azure eyes were sharp and bright. Since the room was quite warm, she wore only a white linen shirt, its collar unbuttoned enough to reveal a glimpse beneath, though most of it was hidden by her cascading black curls.
On the other side of the desk stood a tall girl in a gold-and-red gown. The satin ribbon around her waist was tied into a flower and cinched tightly, emphasizing her slender figure.
The girl's hair was red, but her roots were dark brown, making it obvious that she had dyed it. Too frightened to look at Tracy, she could only stare at the hem of her dress.
"Come here." Tracy raised her left hand and said with a half-smile, "Tell me, how should I punish you?"
She lightly flicked the black whip in her hand.
The red-haired girl's legs went limp, and she collapsed to the floor, trembling all over. "P-Please don't punish me."
Tracy's expression froze, and her gaze gradually turned cold. With a crack, the whip struck the girl's hair, sending scarlet strands flying.
"Forget it."
"How boring."
"No matter how you dress up, you're still not her."
"You may leave."
The girl thought she had misheard. She raised her head and stared at the pirate admiral in disbelief.
Disgust had already appeared in Tracy's eyes. "Get out!"
The red-haired