For Vivi, whose experience with romance came primarily from novels rather than real life, Luffy's directness proved overwhelming. The princess had imagined a traditional courtship—one where they would gradually transition to first-name basis, slowly develop feelings for each other, and eventually, when the right moment arrived, consider marriage.
She had, after all, worked up tremendous courage just to express her interest. According to every romance novel in the royal library, Luffy should have responded with gentle encouragement while respecting the proper progression of their relationship.
Instead, he had completely bypassed the expected sequence, jumping straight to marriage discussions! Though Vivi wasn't opposed to the idea in principle, the timing felt rushed. They had only met face-to-face twice!
Her mind raced frantically. "What should I do? What should I do? Should I agree? But isn't it too soon? I haven't even had my royal coming-of-age ceremony yet. And what would Father say? What if he objects?"
Watching Vivi's expression cycle rapidly between delight and distress, Luffy suppressed a chuckle. He retrieved three chairs from the room's elegant sitting area and placed them facing the bed where the women were gathered.
Nami responded with a disdainful snort, tossing aside her half-eaten apple with theatrical disgust. She nudged Vivi's shoulder impatiently.
"Hey! What are you daydreaming about? Snap out of it."
"Oh! I—I do!" Vivi blurted, startled into voicing her internal thoughts aloud.
The other women's expressions darkened instantly. Nami promptly stuffed an unpeeled orange into Vivi's mouth and replied with mock outrage:
"You're accepting his proposal? Ain and I haven't even settled our marriage arrangements yet, and you want to jump the queue as a newcomer? No chance! Get to the back of the line, Princess!"
Ain remained silent but crossed her arms with an imperious look that spoke volumes. She nodded in solidarity with Nami, projecting the unmistakable aura of a senior sister whose authority shouldn't be questioned.
After removing the impromptu citrus gag, Vivi stared at the two women in shock. Just moments ago, they had been chatting and laughing together like friends. The princess abruptly dropped all pretense of royal decorum.
"You conniving wenches!" she exclaimed, her refined palace accent giving way to something sharper. "Sneaking into my fiancé's room in the middle of the night and ganging up on me! Don't forget whose palace this is!"
Vivi leapt to her feet, confronting the women who—in her mind—were attempting to steal her rightful partner.
"I should have known! You were the aggressive ones when we met before. I thought after Luffy and I settled matters, you two would have given up. But your shameless persistence knows no bounds!"
"Whoa, whoa, don't go too far," Ain finally broke her silence, her voice cool but with a dangerous edge. "Listen, little girl—Luffy and I trained together at Marine Headquarters when you were still playing make-believe with your dolls."
The Vice Admiral's eyes narrowed slightly. "Only someone truly brazen would have her father arrange a convenient engagement. Without that royal intervention, you wouldn't even be in consideration as his fiancée."
As she spoke, Ain exchanged a meaningful glance with Nami, who immediately caught the cue.
"That's right," Nami added with exaggerated deference. "Sister Ain is the head woman in our family. All of Luffy's girlfriends, including myself, answer to her."
With a casual flick of her orange hair, she continued, "Just so you understand the order—Sister Ain was first, I was second, Captain Hina was third, and Lieutenant Commander Kujaku is fourth."
Vivi's indignation transformed into stunned disbelief.
"A... a collection of girlfriends? And I would only rank fifth?!" Her voice quavered as she turned pleading eyes toward Luffy. "Luffy... is this true?"
Faced with Vivi's pitiful expression, even Luffy—a man who had navigated the deadliest waters of the Grand Line without flinching—felt a momentary pang of discomfort.
Yet, as someone who had indeed cultivated relationships with multiple beautiful and powerful women across the seas, this awkward sensation lasted barely a second before he composed himself.
With a perfectly serious expression, he gave Vivi a solemn nod, confirming everything.
The princess stood frozen in shock.
She could have accepted one rival, perhaps even two. But to discover there was an established hierarchy, with herself relegated to fifth position? And in her own kingdom, no less!
"These women have some nerve," she thought bitterly. "Don't they know the saying about dragons and local snakes? This is Alabasta—MY territory!"
The more Vivi contemplated her situation, the greater her indignation grew. She felt thoroughly deceived, as though she'd been made a fool of in her own palace.
Her glare at Ain and Nami could have evaporated the royal fountains. She looked ready to abandon all princess-like restraint and launch herself at them in a most unroyal display of combat.
Nami, entirely unfazed by the royal death stare, merely crossed her arms and maintained her smug expression.
"Don't overthink this—I'm actually doing you a favor," she declared airily. "As long as you accept my authority, I'm willing to endorse your application. Besides, fifth place is quite prestigious, all things considered."
She casually examined her fingernails before adding, "You should know that even the Empress of Amazon Lily and the future Queen of Dressrosa rank behind you. So really, Alabasta's reputation remains intact."
Vivi's eye twitched dangerously.
"So... I should thank you?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"No need for gratitude," Nami replied with unwavering confidence. "It's simply part of my responsibilities as second rank."