Almost at the same time, in Mariejois, inside the office of the Five Elders.
"Ian and Big Mom are about to make contact."
"Unbelievable. Charlotte Linlin is really going to marry into the Giant Kingdom."
"This isn't good news. If this becomes a chance for Charlotte Linlin, Ian, and Elbaf to unite their forces, who in the New World could stop them?"
"Impossible. Ian would never allow Charlotte Linlin to meddle with the Giant Kingdom. He will stop it."
"Let's wait for news from Stussy."
At the port, the Queen Mama Chanter was already approaching.
The arrival of this ship naturally caused a huge sensation.
Both pirates and civilians were stunned beyond words.
This was the flagship of one of the Four Emperors, Charlotte Linlin!
Are the two Pirate Emperors really going to meet today?
The massive ship docked at the port, and a huge gangway was lowered.
Under the gaze of everyone on the dock, Charlotte Linlin stepped down from the deck, dressed in a pink dress and holding a parasol.
The entire dock fell silent in that moment.
Is that really Charlotte Linlin?
Sasaki, responsible for maintaining order at the port, widened his eyes.
Just looking at this woman, one could feel a terrifying aura.
This was the Pirate Emperor standing shoulder to shoulder with Lord Ian!
Truly strong—like a monster.
Just seeing her with your own eyes made every part of your body scream: this is an enemy who can never be defeated.
"Mama, Mama! Where's Ian?"
Linlin scanned the port but didn't see the person she wanted to meet. She asked, "That brat didn't come to welcome me?"
"Lord Ian is already waiting for you at the venue, Big Mom. Prince Loki and the members of the Giant Warrior Pirates are also there," Tesoro, who had been waiting at the port, stepped forward at the right moment and bowed slightly.
"Please follow me."
Linlin looked down at Tesoro, honestly her expression wasn't very pleasant.
It was one thing that Ian hadn't come to pick her up—after all, that boy had changed a lot from before.
But not even sending a single well-known official to greet her? Wasn't that a bit too disrespectful?
If Ian knew what Linlin was thinking, he'd probably protest it was unfair.
Tesoro was now practically the chief steward of Hive Island, a close aide to the Emperor—definitely not some random nobody.
Sending him here was far more reliable than sending Yamato or Hancock.
Still, despite her dissatisfaction, Linlin didn't show it outwardly.
Because at this moment, the most important thing for her was to have Prince Loki meet his beloved daughter.
Thinking of this, a bright smile blossomed again on Linlin's face.
"Then lead the way," she said.
"Please, follow me."
Tesoro turned smoothly.
Unfortunately, there were no vehicles on Hive Island, so even someone as distinguished as Linlin had to walk step by step.
Thankfully, the island wasn't very large, and before long, Tesoro had already brought Charlotte's family to the venue.
Ian stood up, naturally wearing a warm smile.
"Welcome, Aunt Linlin."
"Long time no see, Aunt Linlin!"
Yamato, sitting beside Ian, waved cheerfully.
"Mama! Mama!"
Linlin's face bore a kindly and incredibly gentle smile.
"Ian, and Yamato, it's been so long. You've both grown quite a bit."
"Not bad," Ian chuckled lightly.
Compared to last year, he had indeed grown taller, his body developing further into maturity.
"This must be Prince Loki, right?"
Linlin only exchanged a few words with Ian, not even bothering to glance at the officials gathered around him. Her eyes eagerly landed on Loki instead.
"Where's Lola?"
Prince Loki's gaze was even more impatient than Linlin's.
He stood up straight and looked past Linlin's back.
Ian couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Right now, he really wanted to give Loki a piece of advice: a man's charm comes from strength.
Strength in ability, power, wealth, and spirit.
But strength and weakness are opposites.
Right now, you are very weak.
Still, it was probably for the best.
"Mama, Mama! So impatient, huh?"
Linlin laughed so hard her face practically crinkled like a chrysanthemum flower.
She quickly called behind her, "Lola! Come see your future husband!"
Future husband already?
Aunt Linlin, don't be too eager.
Dressed in her finest, Lola hurried out from behind Linlin.
Ian instantly became expressionless.
But Prince Loki's eyes practically sparkled with hearts, his face flushed bright red, and he almost instinctively wanted to walk over to Lola.
Ian quickly shot him a look.
Dorry and Brogy, one on each side, grabbed Loki's shoulders and forcibly pushed him back into his seat.
While Prince Loki gazed at Lola, she was also sizing him up.
Visible to the naked eye, the fourteen-year-old girl showed a look of disappointment on her face.
Their tastes clearly didn't match.
"Miss Lola!!"
Even while being restrained by the two giants, Prince Loki's face was radiant.
"Please marry me. I promise I will make you happy!"
Weren't they here for a matchmaking meeting? How did it turn into a marriage proposal all of a sudden?
Ian glanced at Lola.
Linlin bent down gently, softly stroking Lola's head.
Her tone was full of surprise and urgency.
"Lola, what are you hesitating for? My child, my dearest daughter! Say yes quickly!"
"Say yes!!!"
Her saliva dripped uncontrollably from the corner of her mouth, eating into the floor below.
Lola trembled.
She stared blankly at Loki.
Ian smiled. This won't do, Aunt Linlin.
In modern society, love is supposed to be free. How could anyone still insist on arranged marriages?
Poof!
Ian vanished like a phantom.
"Ugh!!"
Linlin grunted softly.
Ian pulled her hand away from Lola's head.
"Ian!!"
Linlin forced a smile, but her voice was sharp and cold. "What are you doing?"
"Loki, you want to hear Lola's true feelings, right?"
Ian looked back.
"Of course!"
Prince Loki nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice. "I want Lola to marry me with all her heart!"
"Then," Ian glanced at Lola, who was still trembling, "Lola, boldly speak your mind."
"With me here, no one can hurt you."
Miss Lola shivered and instinctively looked back, her face filled with shock as she stared at Ian.
Ian smiled. "Not even Aunt Linlin!"
"Ian, what are you saying?"
Linlin strained her arm and broke free from Ian's grip. Her smile was now extremely forced. "Lola truly wants to marry Prince Loki."
She looked at her daughter. "Right, my daughter?"
Lola shuddered again.
Then she looked at Ian and saw the encouraging look in his eyes.
So,
"I refuse! Mom!"
Lola shouted loudly. "I don't want to marry Prince Loki!"
She said it.
Ian's lips curled into a wide smile.
Perfect.
**********
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