?Chapter 569:


    Freya caught his reaction, confused by whatever unspoken meaning lingered there, but unable to grasp it fully.


    She let it go without pressing, continuing to chat with her friends in an easy, offhand way.


    n noticed the sky slowly shifting into dusk. After checking the time, he said, “You guys keep chatting. I need to get a few things ready.”


    This was the moment they’d been building toward all evening, and he couldn’t afford a single misstep.


    Freya didn’t think much of it and waved him off without question.


    Once he disappeared, Freya finally asked the question she’d been biting back ever since n arrived, “Has the Captain mentioned when he’sing back?”


    “Why so curious?” Trent asked, eyebrows raised with genuine interest.


    “Did you do something to tick him off?”


    “No.” Freya’s denial came quick and firm.


    Trent adjusted his sses again, the skepticism in his expression hard to miss.


    Mina’s behaviortely had been far too unlike herself.


    Freya knew better than to run her mouth. “Just tell me if he’s gotten in touch with you.”


    “He has,” Trent admitted without hesitation.


    Freya’s eyes widened, caught off guard. “Seriously? What’d he say?”


    “He’s nning a surprise return on the 7th,” Trent answered, pulling out his phone to show her the chat. “He mentioned he wants a gathering.”


    Freya scanned the screen.


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    It was there, in as day: the 7th, with strict instructions not to let her know.


    She had ns to meet Josiah on the 6th. If all went smoothly, she could wrap things up and catch a flight immediately after.


    Once the Captain was gone again, or too preupied, she’d make her return without giving him time to dredge up the past, keeping herself in the clear.


    “What’s with the look?” Trent asked, watching her expression shift.


    Freya fibbed with practiced ease. “Nothing. Just wondering what we’ll even talk about when the Captain’s back. Without those four around, the vibe might get a little… quiet.”


    She was calm by nature. So was Trent. And the Captain? Even quieter. Frederick was the only one who could talk a mile a minute.


    But in their captain’s presence, even Frederick would tone it down—for a bit, at least.


    “We don’t need chatter,” Trent replied, fully aware of the dynamic. He and Frederick were just supporting characters. Their captain’s eyes were only ever on Freya.


    But Freya still hadn’t figured that out.


    She didn’t think too deeply. “Really?”


    “He’ll probably make us do a fitness check,” Trent said with a teasing glint, half-joking. “That alone will bring the energy back up.”


    “I see…”


    The conversation never really left Melvin out. He was in the know—at least a little—but rarely said anything unless necessary.


    “Just messing with you, don’t take it too seriously,” Trent said with a chuckle, noticing her slight frown. “It’ste. Let’s eat and chat over dinner.”


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