NOVEL NEXT Chapter 48: I Swim Fast
As the 10-Day Festival approached, the security burden in Braavos steadily increased. The Sealord dispatched part of his own guard to reinforce the city's security forces, appointing Joseon as the captain. Joseon, a disciple of Qarro Volentin, the First Sword of Braavos, was responsible for securing the area. Besides his official duty, he had another role—an admirer of Falia.
Joseon was acutely aware of Falia's recent troubles. She was unable to speak, and no one could reach her. For three days, Andersen had visited Falia's ship almost daily, causing Joseon immense anxiety. He longed to keep a constant watch on her ship, but Andersen's power deterred him from acting. These days, sleep eluded him. Thankfully, no unusual sounds came from Falia's ship; otherwise, his heart would have shattered.
When Joseon heard an assassin had boarded Falia's ship, his initial reaction was not worry but elation. It was finally an opportunity to see how Falia was doing. He hoped to catch a glimpse of her and even entertained the fleeting thought of eliminating both the assassin and Andersen. However, he quickly dismissed this notion, fearing the repercussions for himself and his teacher.
"People inside! Come out! If you don't come out, we're going to board the ship!" he commanded.
Soon, two men emerged. One was short, with black hair and brown eyes, dressed in disheveled white clothes. It was Andersen, whom Joseon had mentally killed a thousand times. The other man, with silver hair, purple eyes, and striking features, seemed vaguely familiar but unrecognizable to Joseon.
"My lord, I am here to keep an appointment, not to assassinate anyone. Lady Moonshadow can be my witness," Viserys said, smiling while keeping one hand on Andersen's shoulder, ready to use him as a human shield.
A gentle voice then came from inside the boat. "Is this Lord Joseon? This is Lord Viserys. He is indeed here to keep an appointment."
If Viserys hadn’t killed Andersen’s guards, Joseon might have believed him. Seeing that Viserys was still wet, Joseon declared, "Lady Falia, don't worry, I'll protect you!" His tone was so earnest that one might believe he would rush to become Falia's human shield if necessary.
"You said you were here for the appointment. Why aren't you on the boat?"
"Because I can swim fast!"
Joseon was puzzled. "?"
"I really came for the appointment. You can also ask Lord Andersen."
Andersen's mouth went dry, and he opened it to speak but found his throat tight. "Cough cough, that's true. He did come for the appointment. Maybe my escort misunderstood."
However, Joseon still wouldn't relent. "Let go of Lord Andersen!"
"Lord Andersen, it seems this lord thinks I'm holding you hostage," Viserys said, slapping Andersen on the butt and squeezing it hard before stepping back a few steps. Men know best how to please men, and of course, they also know how to disgust men.
"Don't talk nonsense, and I won't either," Viserys whispered in warning.
Andersen felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured into his stomach, his internal organs tangled together, but he couldn't let it show. At the same time, he felt a strong sense of humiliation. He didn't understand how the person he had so easily manipulated had suddenly become a threat to him. Now Viserys had the upper hand, and if word got out, it would be bad for the House. Whether for his own reputation or that of the House, he had to admit he had failed.
"Joseon! Put away your arrows. Viserys is my guest!" Andersen said.
'Viserys! I remember now; he is the Prince of Westeros! I must have been mistaken.'
Although all the signs indicate that the situation is not normal, since Andersen has spoken, he has no choice but to believe them.
"Oh, is it Lord Joseon, right? Lord Andersen is about to leave, you can see him off."
"Okay." Joseon subconsciously responded and told his men to row the boat. When his boat was about to reach Falia's flower boat, Joseon extended his hand and gently made a buffer, worried that his boat would damage Falia's. After the boat had stopped, his hand still wouldn't leave, as if it was stuck to the boat. Andersen got off the boat, and only after he was seated did Joseon let his hand leave the flower boat—first the palm, then the fingers, until the longest middle finger reluctantly brushed the bottom of the boat.
"Lord Andersen, be careful," Viserys waved at him, and Andersen forced a smile.
Joseon was truly confused. He had never seen anything like this before. Even after his boat had left a long way, he kept turning his head to look back. But Viserys, still standing on the boat, kept smiling and waving at Andersen from afar. Viserys did not enter the boat until they were about to land.
"Lord Andersen, are you all right?"
Andersen did not respond but left on his own. It was clear this matter was more complicated than it seemed, yet it was beyond Joseon's ability to interfere, so he had to let it go.
Back on the boat, Falia was applying medicine to Asha's hand. Asha's slender fingers were swollen like radishes, her black almond-shaped eyes filled with tears—whether from pain or feeling wronged, it was hard to tell. The two women looked like bullied kittens, snuggling together and tending to their wounds.
"Let me take a look," Viserys said.
Asha had witnessed Viserys's violent rescue and was deeply affected. A part of her heart that had always been introspective was now stirred. Though Viserys had offered to help, he was Falia's guest, and despite their deep relationship, their statuses differed. She glanced at Falia and, after receiving her consent, extended her hand to Viserys.
Asha felt her palms burning with pain, but when Viserys's cool palm touched hers, the pain eased. He focused on her middle, ring, and little fingers, which were swollen and made his palm look a bit fatter. Somehow, Asha hoped Viserys would notice her other hand, slender and white, rivaling Falia's.
Viserys gently lifted Asha's middle finger and asked, "Does it hurt?"
Asha shook her head.
Next, he touched her ring finger. As soon as he did, a layer of fine sweat appeared on Asha's forehead. "Oh no, it might be a broken bone."
"Broken bone?" Asha whispered, as if it were a serious matter.
Viserys looked around but saw no suitable material for a splint. Thinking quickly, he pulled out a few Braavosi iron coins from his pocket. These square coins, with their sharp edges, could be used as concealed weapons. Since improving his constitution and increasing his strength, he always carried some.
He tore a strip of cloth from his clothing, wrapped the coin in it, and then placed Asha's other hand on his shoulder. "It might hurt a little, so bear with it."
Viserys pulled hard, and Asha immediately turned pale but didn't cry out. Her fingers were connected, and the immense pain made her lose balance, falling into Viserys's arms. The maiden's scent filled his nostrils, and he felt her body’s elasticity, causing him to become momentarily distracted.
"Take a deep breath," he instructed, placing his hand on Asha's shoulder to comfort her and calm himself. However, Viserys did not see that Falia, sitting across the table, looked on with envy. She noticed that the young man before her seemed to have undergone some changes, making it hard to resist wanting to get close to him. Before she could be noticed, Falia suddenly snapped out of it and tried to expel the thought from her mind. But it was like trying to drive away smoke with a stick—futile.