A few days later, in a simple yet elegant room on Nine Snake Island.
"I see, so that is your decision~"
Sunlight filtered through the carved wooden window, softly spilling onto the tatami mats. Charlotte Linlin sat cross-legged, her fingertips lightly tapping the table. Her tone was calm, without the slightest sign of anger.
This calmness made Gloriosa even more uneasy. She lowered her head, yet her voice was exceptionally firm:
"I'm sorry, Lady Linlin, I... I cannot disregard the people of Nine Snake Island."
Her heart was filled with guilt. Lady Linlin had come to recruit Nine Snake Island and had even saved her and her entire crew; by all rights, she shouldn't refuse.
But as the Empress of Nine Snake Island, she had to prioritize the safety of her subjects. Once they raised the flag of the Rocks Pirates, the Marine would inevitably target their faction, which was operating right under the nose of Marine Headquarters. The risk was too great.
"No! You did the right thing; it was I who didn't consider things thoroughly," Charlotte Linlin said in a gentle voice.
"In that case, just act according to your own thoughts."
She had originally been determined to succeed, but after what she had seen and felt on the island these past few days—especially those buildings filled with ancient Huaxia style—she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and attachment.
She already saw this place as her hometown in this world. Whether she recruited them or not was no longer important; she hoped more to protect this pure land.
Moreover, making a woman who liked her shed tears was not something she wanted to see.
Possessing Observation Haki that could sense emotions, how could she fail to read Gloriosa's feelings? It was a complex mix of admiration, gratitude, and a faint hint of adoration.
It was just that she herself was only a woman now and wasn't ready to respond to such heat. Besides... being watched like that by a beautiful woman didn't feel bad.
It wasn't that she had any particular views on men, but when women looked at her, it was mostly a kind of appreciation, admiration, and the thought of wanting to be together.
Men were different, especially those pirates on Beehive Island who had already been with women; their minds were full of strange thoughts.
"Also, just call me Linlin. 'Lady Linlin' sounds quite awkward."
She said with a light chuckle, trying to ease Gloriosa's current tension. However, what she didn't expect was that this bit of comfort seemed to have far too much power.
"Really! Linlin~"
Gloriosa snapped her head up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
After spending a few days together, she knew Charlotte Linlin was kind and gentle, but she never expected the other woman would change her original goal just because of something she said—and even let her call her Linlin!
She must love her!
Charlotte Linlin felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at by that burning gaze and subconsciously swallowed. She instantly retracted her previous thought.
Wait! This woman's thoughts aren't exactly normal either!
"Yes," she nodded with difficulty, trying her best to remain calm.
"Linlin, you really are a gentle person~"
Gloriosa instantly lunged at Charlotte Linlin, hugging her waist and rubbing her cheek against her well-defined abs, murmuring happily to herself.
Charlotte Linlin's whole body stiffened. Her vision was blocked by the obstacles on her chest, so she couldn't see Gloriosa's movements at all. She only felt waves of itchiness and couldn't help but blush.
She reached out, wanting to pull the person hanging off her and put her back in her place.
"I won't! We can talk like this."
Gloriosa gripped her clothes tightly, refusing and pushing her luck.
Charlotte Linlin was speechless.
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