For as long as Sevika could remember, she's always been on the sea. The gentle rocking of the water had lulled her to sleep since she was a little girl, while the crashing waves tossed her ship in wild dances that both challenged and excited her. Sevika knew one thing for certain: she belonged on the water. The salt air stung her cheeks as she stood at the helm, listening to the creak of wooden planks and the cries of seagulls circling above.

She never ported anywhere long enough to truly get to know anyone, her crew serving as her family - a rowdy but good-hearted bunch loyal to Sevika because they knew she was loyal to them until the end. The scent of pine tar and salt clung to her leather jacket as she walked the deck, the warmth of the sun beating down on her back.

Some nights though, when the water was calm and the air warm, she'd turn in her narrow bed and feel an ache in her chest when there wasn't a warm body beside her. The memory of countless brothels and broken hearts along various coasts brought a bitter taste to her mouth, though she'd never admit to anyone that these encounters left her feeling more empty than satisfied.

One morning while docking on the shores of a particularly prosperous kingdom, Sevika quickly realized a grand festival was underway. The sound of music drifted across the water, mingling with the shouts of vendors and the laughter of townspeople. Her crew seemed pleased at the prospect of cheap food, good music, dancing, free-flowing booze, and the lowered inhibitions of curious locals.

Sevika maneuvered through the large square where most festivities were concentrated, people parting before her imposing stature and hard stare. The festival air hummed with energy - the spicy aroma of street food, the bright colors of banners fluttering in the breeze, the rhythmic beat of drums from a nearby band. When she reached the front of the crowd, she saw what everyone was so excited about: the royal family.

A king, queen, and their daughter - the princess - sat smiling and waving to the excited people. Sevika's heart catapulted into her throat, her eyes never leaving the princess as she sat between her parents on an elevated platform. She had a delicate beauty, like a flower in full bloom that could so easily be crushed in someone's fist, yet seemed to radiate even brighter colors because of that fragility.

Their eyes met across the crowd, the princess's long lashes fluttering against her cheeks before she looked away, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Sevika felt a jolt of electricity at the connection, something she'd never experienced before with any of her usual conquests.

Watching and waiting, Sevika observed as the princess slipped away from the celebration, a loyal knight following close behind. She tracked them to where the princess emerged from an empty tent in commoner's clothes: a worn blue dress with her hair down, partially obscuring her face, and some spectacles perched on her nose. Sevika couldn't help chuckling at the naive disguise.

Blocking the princess's path with her body, Sevika let a smirk tug at her lips as she got her first close look at the object of her sudden fascination. "That's quite the disguise there, princess," she began, before finding herself abruptly pinned against the wall by the royal knight.

The man stared daggers into Sevika, his hands digging into her shoulders with painful intensity. But Sevika only smirked wider, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Woah, hey, I don't mean any harm. It's just... with Fido the guard dog following you and that pretty face in plain view, I'd be surprised if that little getup worked."