Carl offered a chocolate pudding to Galette, who instinctively took a bite. As she chewed, she gave him a look of reproach.
Carl ignored her entirely. Through tonight's banquet, he had managed to gather intelligence on several factions, excluding the Whitebeard Pirates and Big Mom Pirates.
Incidentally, the Whitebeard Pirates had been given special treatment as the most esteemed guests. They were dining elsewhere with Big Mom, hosted by her most accomplished son, Katakuri.
That hardly mattered. Carl already had a clear understanding of the key members of the Whitebeard Pirates.
The banquet's latter half was pleasant enough. Everyone ate and drank their fill, networking and socializing as expected.
Carl sat quietly at his table, his sharp hearing catching every whispered conversation. Some individuals had already made their way onto his execution list.
Take Morgans, for instance. He was busy discussing with his subordinates how to spin the first alliance of the Emperors into sensational news.
After finishing her tasks, Pudding joined Carl's table. It was the quietest one in the hall, free of the nauseating corporate flattery that filled the other tables. Exhausted, Pudding just wanted to rest.
Once seated, Pudding turned to Galette and complained,
"Galette, I regret taking on this task. I'm so tired! And there's an even bigger wedding banquet tomorrow—I feel hopeless!"
Galette consoled her,
"Pudding, thank you for your hard work. Just hang in there a little longer. Mama will see your efforts and might even reward you!"
At the mention of "Mama," a fleeting expression crossed Pudding's amber eyes, but she quickly masked it with a pout.
"I'm not counting on rewards. I just hope Mama doesn't punish me for any mistakes!"
Pudding crossed her arms, shivering slightly, clearly fearful of Big Mom.
Galette sighed, understanding both Big Mom's temper and Pudding's apprehensions.
Carl watched Pudding with a faint smile. He saw through her facade. Among Big Mom's children, Pudding was by far the most astute.
Having endured bullying in her childhood, she had learned to manipulate Big Mom's temper to secure her own benefits.
Noticing Carl's gaze, Pudding looked up, her curiosity piqued.
Carl broke the silence, his deep, magnetic voice catching her off guard,
"Miss Pudding, hello."
Pudding's cheeks reddened slightly at his tone—whether genuine or part of her act, Carl couldn't tell.
She quickly returned his greeting, but Carl merely nodded and said nothing more.
Galette huffed,
"Our mysterious Mr. Zero is as cold as ever."
Carl casually speared a piece of cake with his fork and placed it on Galette's plate—using his own fork.
Pudding, watching this exchange, was stunned. Seeing Galette begrudgingly eat the cake, Pudding's eyes widened in disbelief.
What's going on here? she wondered. Did this brief banquet somehow allow the most stunning woman in our family to get swept off her feet?
After Galette finished the cake, Carl said softly,
"Miss Galette, it's been a pleasure spending the evening with you. I hope we can sit together at tomorrow's wedding banquet."
Galette, now overwhelmed by the sweetness of the cake, sipped water to ease the cloying taste. Mid-sip, Carl's words made her choke. Staring at his masked face, her cheeks flushed red.
Flustered, Galette turned her head away, mumbling,
"We'll see about that..."
Carl stood, not waiting for her reply. Turning to Stussy, he extended his hand,
"Miss Stussy, it's getting late. Shall we return?"
Stussy gave Galette a playful glance before smirking. She gracefully placed her hand in Carl's, allowing him to help her up.
She offered a polite farewell to the group before entwining her arm around Carl's and sauntering out of the banquet hall.
As their figures disappeared through the doorway, Pudding and Poire exchanged mischievous glances. Pudding, especially, could hardly contain her excitement.
"Oh my! Could it be? Is Galette—our nearly-thirty, perpetually single Galette—finally interested in a man? And one whose face we haven't even seen?!"
Galette, catching their amused expressions, slammed her fork onto the table and stormed off.
Pudding, however, called after her,
"Galette, where are you planning to sit tomorrow?"
Without thinking, Galette retorted,
"Not with him, obviously!"
The moment the words left her mouth, Galette froze. Pudding hadn't mentioned Carl at all, but her hasty response made her intentions painfully clear.
Seeing the knowing smiles on Pudding and Poire's faces, Galette's cheeks turned crimson. In a burst of frustration, she flung two globs of butter at their mouths and crossed her arms, glaring.
Pudding blinked, calculating her next move. Tomorrow, she decided, she'd find a way to sit at Carl's table herself—this drama was far more entertaining than any wedding!
On the way back,
Stussy glanced at Carl, her eyes gleaming with amusement,
"Master, did you ask Galette to sit beside you to protect her?"
Carl nodded without hesitation,
"She left a good impression. For instance, when that Drug Peclo caused trouble earlier, she stepped in to defuse the situation."
Stussy tilted her head,
"That's true. She really is a lucky woman…"
Carl smirked,
"And then there's Charlotte Pudding. She's quite the unique individual."
"Oh? Master, what's so special about her?"
"Have you heard of the Three-Eye Tribe?"
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+255 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg