The crowd jostled me to and fro as I craned my neck to see the doomed couple. The shackles connecting my wrist to the overexerted guard behind me bit into my wrists. Lane stumbled, then confidently rose as she paraded to the platform. Stray hairs comforted her face. A boot flew out of the crowd and hit her on the face. A crimson flower bloomed where it had hit her, but the pirate carried on regally."Let the hanging begin!" the executioner yelled overenthusiastically.

I shuddered at his blatant disregard for the pirate's lives, but the disregard was evident in the crowd as well.

"I wish I could help you," I whispered helplessly to the air.

I watched her lips move. I made out the word "Father." With a start, I realized she was looking directly at the king. The final pieces of the puzzle clicked into place.

"Wait!" I hoarsely screamed in vain. "That's the Princess!"

"Wait!" the king's voice echoed mine. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he had heard me. "You, Bluebeard. You look familiar. Are you by chance related to Richard Bluet?"

"Who's that?" the pirate replied, as I attempted to push my way to the podium.

"He was king in Azul a while back."

"My grandfather's name was Richard. He acquired the Rogue Revenge"

"Was your father's name Jacob?"

"No, his name was Harold."

"Secretary! This perplexes me! What is the genealogy of the ruling family of Azul?"

"The original document states that Richard's son was Harold, but the newer documents claim Jacob is the heir." The secretary shouted.

"And Harold Bluet's boy must have been you." The King told Bluebeard.

"I'm a ruler?" Bluebeard -no- Bluet asked in disbelief.

" Bluebeard does sound a lot like Bluet," Lane suggested.

"Yes, it does." The King replied. "Wait, that voice. I haven't heard anything similar since..." I realized he was finally recognizing his true daughter.

"Hi, Father." Lane squeaked.

"Alaniana? My daughter! My daughter has come home! Don't ever leave me again!" The couple's nooses were removed, although the executioner was reluctant, and the father and daughter embraced.

"If I wouldn't have left, I never would have found John." She laughed. "John! The Kids!"

"Pardon me, Princess, but I presume your first mate knows where the children are?" I heard over the crowd."Oh, Zach! You're ok!" Lane yelled to the old sailor. "Yes, Jack knows where the kids are." The crowd parted for a running sailor, followed by one in a wheelchair.

"I'm so happy I could burst!" the princess exclaimed.

"Lane!" I cried as the guard pulled me away.

"Let her go!" the future queen told the guard. Seconds later, my shackles clattered onto the cobblestones. "Harmonia, you have helped me so much. I am very grateful."

"And you, to me. I hope you like your regained position."

Lane grimaced. "I'll stay this time. Please, call me Lanie, though."

"I will, Queen Lanie."

"I will like my position more with Lady Harmonia." She raised her voice.

"Wait. Lady?"

"I like you. Plus, you've seen me in a moment of weakness and you were willing to impersonate me. What would you be willing to do if I didn't hire you?"

"Of course, Queen Lanie. I will serve you forever."

"It will be more about friendship than servitude."

" That I can be assured of. I was wondering, what happened to Colbin?"

"Oh, I sent him to a friend, one of his kind."