Chapter 126: THIRD POV.
At least the young guard wasn't glaring at him all the time now.
And he definitely stopped reaching for his hip every time Jacob walked past, and he even managed to say a few brief words during their coincidental encounters in the last days.
Even if he still seemed a bit guarded and careful around the first mate, it was a massive improvement from before.
Jacob, of course, had absolutely no problem with this slow change, since progress was progress, no matter how small it might seem at the start.
He knew that breaking down years of royal training and deep trauma would take a long time, and he was perfectly content to let him move at his own pace.
As long as Flounder wasn't trying to actively sabotage his plans with the little princess, Jacob was more than happy to play the role of the patient, wise companion.
******
The morning of the fourth day arrived with a clear sky and a strong, steady wind.
