The sisters knew their elder sister's personality all too well. Proud, impenetrable, almost untouchable — and yet, there she was, murmuring something unthinkable.
"I think... I should take care of him myself," said Boa Hancock, in a soft, almost timid tone.
Marigold, surprised, quickly fetched a thin robe and draped it over the Empress's damp shoulders. Hancock didn't resist; she accepted the gesture with a silent nod.
As she walked out of the bath, her eyes sparkled in a different way. Something was changing inside her.
"Marigold, Sandersonia," she whispered, deep in thought.
"The fruit Luffy gave me... there might be more of them. I might be able to find two more. I want you both to be healed as well."
Sandersonia smiled gently, shaking her head.
"Little sister... that kind of thing must be incredibly rare. And it surely comes at a high cost. Don't worry about us."
"Just seeing you recover what you lost is already a gift," added Marigold — though her tone hinted at a touch of jealousy.
"But I still think that man has ulterior motives!"
"Marigold..." Hancock warned, her expression more serious now.
"Don't speak that way. It's disrespectful to him."
Even so, deep down, she still wondered how to ask for more of that fruit. Luffy had said "not right now." That left room for "maybe later." A faint hope... or perhaps just a kind excuse from him.
"Sister, are you really letting this man influence you...?" Marigold asked, suspicious.
"Don't worry," Hancock replied with a graceful half-smile as she finished dressing.
"I would never beg or wag my tail for a man."
But inside, she knew it wasn't that simple.
Shortly after, the three sisters appeared in the palace corridors, with Hancock leading. Her steps were firm, but her face still carried the rosy glow of the bath — and something else... a subtle anxiety.
She pushed open the doors of the dining hall.
"Luffy~!" she called sweetly, like greeting an old friend.
"Does the food here suit your taste?"
Calendula, one of the palace's oldest maids, nearly tripped upon hearing that tone.
"Princess...? What did you just say...?" she stammered.
"Since when... do you speak so gently to a man?"
Luffy grinned, mouth full, with a piece of bread in his hands.
"It's delicious! The food on this island is great. It's even like the dishes back home... there's even fluffy bread!" he said enthusiastically, like a kid at a festival.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Hancock replied, sitting beside him with elegance.
But her gaze drifted to the far end of the hall, where a small, wiry — but far from fragile — figure glared with a severe scowl.
"Old Lady Nyon...? What are you doing here?"
"Now the tone changes, huh!?" the elder snapped, slamming her staff on the floor.
"You talk to that brat like he's your fairytale prince, but treat me like a bug!"
"I have nothing to say to traitors. Get out of my palace," Hancock retorted, cold as ice.
Marigold let out a breath of relief. That was familiar.
Still, she couldn't take her eyes off Luffy.
He was the problem.
"Snake Princess! Who do you think brought you and your sisters back to Amazon Lily? I still hear complaints about that to this day!" Nyon shouted, her face already turning red.
"It was a small favor! Stop acting so ungrateful!"
"Hmph. And since when do small favors equal a lifetime debt?" Hancock replied, not even raising her voice.
"Someone, remove her."
"Wait! Snake Princess, at least hear this!" Nyon exclaimed.
"We've learned from your... guest... that there's a Marine warship anchored in nearby waters!"
"This time the Government isn't bluffing. If you don't answer the summons, they'll really revoke your Shichibukai title!"
"Without that title, Amazon Lily will lose its protection. We'll be seen as a threat... just another pirate country."
Hancock fell silent. Her face was serious, her eyes clouded with old memories. She bit her lower lip — something she did whenever she felt angry... or cornered.
"I hate the Government. That's no secret to anyone," she said in a low but sharp voice.
"And no... I won't join the Revolutionary Army, if that's what you're wondering."
"Snake Princess, stop being so stubborn," said Nyon, exasperated.
"And what can they do about it?" Hancock raised her face with a venomous smile.
"No matter what I do, everyone will forgive me... because I'm too beautiful!"
She raised a finger, pointing with arrogance. Her chin lifted, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"I forgive you~ I forgive you~" Nyon mumbled, her eyes glassy and full of hearts.
"Tch!" the old woman stepped back, wiping drool from the corner of her mouth.
"I almost fell for it again! When did you become so cold?! I don't remember raising you like this!"
Luffy burst out laughing, nearly choking.
"You two are like a comedy show!" he said, wiping tears from his eyes.
Hancock turned to him, surprised, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Luffy...? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you laugh at me..."
"No, no..." he said, shaking his head with a smile.
"I just meant maybe you should consider going. The summons isn't a bluff. Now that you're free, there's nothing holding you back. You can choose whatever you want. No regrets."
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then, with a quiet sigh and steady eyes, she nodded.
"Alright. If that's how it is... I'll go."
Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged shocked glances. Marigold bit her lip.
"Sister... please, don't let yourself be fooled by that damned man!"
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."