The time Rosse returned to the Holy Land wasn't early. By the day he arrived, only 7 days remained before the World Conference.
On the morning of the second day after his return, sunlight streamed through the delicate lace curtains, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across the room.
Rosse sensed a faint stir beside the bed. Turning his head, what entered his eyes was a scene beautiful as a painting.
Sora was lying on her side next to him, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall, catching the sunlight and glowing brilliantly, like countless flecks of gold shimmering in the light.
A few mischievous strands of hair scattered across her smooth cheek, adding a touch of laziness and allure, making Rosse reach out involuntarily to brush them aside.
Sora's bare arm rested gently across him, her skin smooth and delicate like congealed cream.
Those blue eyes, usually full of vitality and spirit, now glistened slightly with moisture as they slowly opened, hazy with sleep.
"Don't move!"
Sora gave a soft, coquettish scold and lightly smacked Rosse's hand.
But her protest didn't stop him. Instead, it only made him all the more persistent.
A wonderful breakfast always began with a warm-up exercise.
———
[An Hour Later]
"I really should've eaten a Mythical Zoan fruit."
Feeling the weakness in her lower body, Sora shoved Rosse irritably.
"Then go research properly, see if you can figure out how one person could hold two fruits."
Rosse teased with a smile as he rose to his feet.
Before he could do anything, Stella, already waiting in her maid uniform, stepped forward and carefully dressed him.
In the vast palace hall, the only sound left was the rustling of clothes.
Sora propped her cheek with one hand, half sitting up, quietly gazing at Rosse, savoring this moment of warmth.
Yesterday, the palace had only her and Rosse. Stella had only arrived that morning.
Being able to spend the entire night with him was already more than enough for Sora.
"Anything I should keep in mind today?", Rosse asked casually.
His memory was actually excellent, but since Sora was here, he couldn't be bothered to think about such things.
With Sora arranging these matters, he was at ease.
After all, he had been away from the Holy Land for months, there were still things that needed tending to.
"Today, just some trifles."
Sora's lips curved slightly as she spoke without hesitation:
"Ace is two years old now. According to your plan, it's about time to begin his early education. Since you weren't back, I didn't arrange anything. It's better for you to talk with Rouge about this yourself."
"Any good candidates for a teacher?", Rosse asked offhandedly.
"No one particularly suitable. You know, if it's about teaching physical training or awakening talent, there are plenty of options. But when it comes to intellectual and moral enlightenment, there aren't many who can do it, much less for a two-year-old child," Sora shook her head gently.
"But hearing you, sounds like you already have someone in mind. If I don't like your candidate, I'll make you take the job yourself," Rosse said with a laugh.
He didn't know who Sora had in mind, but he knew if Sora herself taught, there would be absolutely no issue.
Rosse placed great importance on the next generation.
Among his children, he could already form a fine little class.
Ace, Robin, Reiju, Hiyori, Sanji, Black Maria... Soon there'd be the child in Otohime's belly, and before long Titi would be bringing Vivi to the Holy Land. And he'd keep finding more promising seeds.
By the looks of it, he really did need an early-education teacher for them.
Rosse didn't want these promising seeds, twenty years later, to all turn into reckless brutes with brawn but no brains.
"Let Rouge handle it. But I suggest you talk with her first," Sora said.
"Rouge?", Rosse froze for a moment, surprised Sora would actually recommend Rouge.
In fact, he thought Sora might suggest Stella.
Though Stella was the head maid of the household in name, she was also the chief physician. Even if her expertise leaned toward medicine, teaching basics wouldn't be a problem.
And Stella's loyalty was beyond question. She'd been with him from the very beginning.
Truth be told, he trusted Stella even more than Otohime.
"You've paid less attention to Rouge these past two years. And this matter comes from seeds you planted yourself," Sora smiled.
"The Holy Land is safest. Rouge and Ace aren't suited to follow me wandering around," Rosse shook his head. Of course he knew he hadn't spent much time with Rouge.
These past two years, he'd mostly been at sea, rarely meeting Rouge at all.
And in those short meetings, it was mostly first about the body, then sweet talk, then Ace. He rarely paid attention to Rouge's own growth, and Rouge never took the initiative to bring it up.
"So it's because I often talked about Ace's education ideas before, that Rouge worked on it herself, huh," Rosse immediately understood why Sora linked this matter back to him.
He had high hopes for Ace's future, and since Rouge cared so much about Ace, naturally the two of them often discussed him. Rosse would talk a lot, too.
Rouge didn't need to train, her daily needs were served by others, so in her free time, what she likely thought about was Ace's growth.
"That's right."
Sora nodded, then continued, "I've spoken with her often. She holds your educational philosophy in high esteem. 'Without learning and self-restraint, a man is no different from a beast', that's a view you often shared with her, isn't it?"
"I did say something like that. This world is ruled by the strong, sure, but when strength alone can't decide the outcome, brains become critical," Rosse nodded.
He wouldn't deny it. Having power meant you could do as you pleased, after all, he lived that way himself.
But not everyone could be invincible like him.
When it came to the next generation, his principle was simple.
Have a mind before you have strength. At the very least, know why you throw your punch, what you gain from it. Don't let yourself be sold off and still laugh about it.
"So talk to Rouge. I think she's very fit to guide the children. I've already entrusted Reiju to her," Sora smiled.
"I'll go speak with her later. Anything else?", Rosse nodded slightly.
"Saint Saturn, it'd be best to visit him these next few days. This time he's the Five Elder hosting the World Conference. Some things are best discussed in advance," Sora advised.
"I've already set a meeting with him in three days. No need to see him so soon," Rosse replied.
"As for Robin, bringing Olvia away this time made her a little uneasy," Sora said with a small laugh.
"Does she have a chance of reconciliation?", Rosse asked.
He never cared about loyalty or disloyalty. Those loyal to him, he treated well. Those not loyal, he still put to use.
And besides, he had instigated the killing of all of Robin's friends, her not accepting him was only natural.
In fact, he had never planned to reconcile with her.
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