Before Elder Nyon even arrived, her aged voice had already echoed through the great hall.
"Snake Princess! Snake Princess!"
Everyone in the hall turned their heads to see Elder Nyon, clutching her serpent staff, rushing into the palace with her tiny legs moving as fast as they could.
"Elder Nyon, how did you get in here?"
Someone asked in surprise.
This old woman rarely came into the village, let alone Kuja Castle.
"I can enter from anywhere I please," Elder Nyon replied casually.
Her sharp gaze swept over Hancock, scrutinizing her closely from head to toe.
Noticing Hancock's flushed complexion, Elder Nyon's heart clenched.
Damn it… The most beautiful flower of Amazon Lily has been plucked after all…
But with so many people around, she decided not to say anything for now.
"Why are you here?" Hancock asked impatiently from her throne, resting her chin on her hand.
"I came to check on you. I heard you were treating a curse," Elder Nyon replied.
"Well, now that you've seen me, you can leave," Hancock said, clearly irritated.
She never had much patience for this old woman who constantly lectured her.
Standing up from her throne, she looked at the others in the hall and ordered:
"Go tend to your duties."
"Sandersonia, bring some food to the Tenshu Pavilion."
Without waiting for their reactions, Hancock swiftly walked away.
Back at the Tenshu Pavilion
As soon as Hancock entered, she saw Sanders reclining on the sofa with his eyes closed, resting.
By now, he had changed into a fresh set of clothes—he must have flown up to his ship while she was gone to switch outfits.
"You're back," Sanders said, opening his eyes and smiling.
Hancock nodded softly.
Then, her gaze flickered to the clothes she had taken off earlier.
Memories of what had happened between them flooded her mind, and her face instantly turned red.
Quickly, she moved forward and gathered up the garments.
Normally, this was something her attendants would handle.
But with the Tenshu Pavilion now under strict orders to prohibit entry, she had to do it herself.
"Sanders, are you alright?"
Noticing the slight paleness of his face, Hancock asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Didn't I tell you? I'll just be a little weak for a while."
"By tomorrow, I'll be back to full strength."
"And when that happens, I'll show you what I'm really capable of."
With a sudden pull, Sanders drew Hancock into his embrace, leaning close to whisper into her ear.
Hancock's mind flashed back to his incredible power.
For a moment, she found herself… anticipating something.
Then, realizing what she was thinking, she quickly shook her head, trying to banish the thought.
I am the Pirate Empress!
How could I have such shameful thoughts?
But then again… Sanders was her man…
So maybe… it wasn't so bad to think about it?
Seeing the usually proud and arrogant Empress acting so shy in his arms, Sanders felt a surge of warmth rise in his throat.
A prideful, willful Pirate Empress behaving like this…
It was almost too much for him to handle.
However, what interested Sanders the most was Hancock's natural demeanor.
Her elegant brows furrowed, and she looked at him with an air of arrogance, making him feel as if he had dragged a celestial maiden down from the heavens to the mortal realm.
Sanders was drawn to Hancock not only because of her breathtaking beauty but also because of her status as an empress.
Just as he was about to take action, his Observation Haki picked up a presence near the Tenshu Pavilion.
Immediately, he stopped and lifted Hancock from his embrace, placing her gently on the sofa.
"What's wrong?" Hancock asked, puzzled.
Sanders motioned toward the pavilion's entrance.
Hancock turned her head, and the blush on her face instantly disappeared, replaced by a cold and indifferent expression.
At some point, Elder Nyon had arrived at the Tenshu Pavilion, peeking her head inside to observe the situation.
Hancock had been so focused on Sanders that she hadn't even noticed her presence—something that shouldn't have happened given her powerful Observation Haki.
"Old woman, what are you doing here?" Hancock's voice was ice-cold.
"Did I not make myself clear? Without my orders, no one is allowed to enter!"
Realizing she had been discovered, Elder Nyon stepped out from her hiding spot and entered the pavilion openly.
"Snake Princess, don't forget who brought you back to Amazon Lily."
"I am your benefactor."
Elder Nyon was displeased at being called an "old woman."
Though, well… she was quite old.
Hancock scoffed, raising her chin haughtily.
"Hmph, as if I'd ever care about such a trivial favor."
After escaping from Mary Geoise, it was Sanders who had taken them in, bringing them to Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Though it was Elder Nyon who eventually brought them back to Amazon Lily, Hancock had never seen it as a favor worth repaying.
Elder Nyon had long since grown used to Hancock's prideful and dismissive attitude. Instead of arguing, she turned her attention to Sanders, eyeing him up and down.
"So, you're the one who defeated Whitebeard?"
"Not bad. Beating that old man is no easy feat."
Sanders smiled and nodded.
"That's me."
He wasn't the least bit bothered that Elder Nyon had interrupted his moment with Hancock.
There will be plenty of time to be with her later.
"Hancock, are you aware of Amazon Lily's absolute law about men?"
"If word gets out that you're hiding a man here, how will you maintain the people's trust?"
Elder Nyon looked at Hancock, speaking earnestly.
"So what?" Hancock responded indifferently.
"No matter what I do, I will be forgiven."
"Because I am simply too beautiful!"
In an instant, the gentle woman in Sanders' arms had vanished.
Now, before them stood the proud Pirate Empress—the noble ruler of Amazon Lily.
"I'm saying this for your own good," Elder Nyon continued.
"Don't forget, you are still one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. But Sanders… he has killed a Celestial Dragon. He is an outlaw despised by the World Government."
"If they find out you're involved with him, you will be stripped of your Warlord title."
"Without that protection, Amazon Lily will become just another pirate nation. The Marines will come for us. And when they do, it will be a disaster."
Elder Nyon's tone was grave.
She was old and didn't care about her own fate, but she couldn't bear to see Amazon Lily fall under attack.
The island was home to many, young and old alike. No matter how powerful Hancock was, she alone could not withstand the full force of the Marines' fleet.
"I don't need you telling me what to do!" Hancock's expression turned stormy.
"And don't forget—you betrayed Amazon Lily first!"
"The fact that the people even allow you to live in exile is already an act of mercy!"
"Besides, if it's for Sanders, why should I care about being a Warlord?"
"I'll abandon the title if I must!"
"After all, no matter what I do… I will be forgiven."
Hancock flicked her hair back with a defiant air, completely indifferent to Elder Nyon's warning.
If not for Sanders watching, she would have thrown the old woman out of the pavilion already.
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T/N:
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