The deck fell so silent that the sound of waves lapping against the ship became audible.
"Is that... the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock?" Mr.5 stared fixedly at the shore, his pupils transforming into heart shapes. "She's... unbelievably beautiful..."
Even the usually stoic Mr.1 narrowed his eyes slightly, flexing his knuckles.
Nico Robin leaned against the ship's railing, recalling the Vivre Card Bahr had casually handed her days earlier. So that had been the Empress's all along.
When did the Boss get involved with the Pirate Empress?
Enel lounged against the mast, spinning his golden rod between his fingers with practiced ease. He spared only a disinterested glance toward shore before looking away.
Empress or queen, she was just another woman by Bahr's side.
On the opposite side, Porche's eyes widened until they seemed ready to pop out, pink hearts densely filling her pupils. "Heavens... How can someone this beautiful exist? She outshines every legendary beauty!"
Miss Valentine's arms froze mid-fold, all her prepared sarcastic remarks dying in her throat. Gazing at Hancock's flawlessly sculpted face, even her voice carried an unconscious note of infatuation: "No wonder... no wonder she has such presence..."
Perona peeked out from behind Robin, her stuffed rabbit doll slipping from her grasp to land with a soft thud on the deck. Strings of hearts floated in her eyes. "A million times prettier than any picture book illustration!"
The God Enforcers and Sky Island guards completely lost their composure—some blushed and looked down, others couldn't help whispering, their breathing growing noticeably ragged.
Bahr glanced up at the commotion on deck and called out, "Rest on the ship. I'm going ashore."
Only then did Hancock shift her gaze from Bahr's face to survey the crowd on deck. When her eyes swept over the women, she initially lifted her chin with haughty pride.
Hmph! Even women should naturally fall for my beauty!
But as her gaze landed on Porche and Miss Valentine, then met Robin's calm eyes, Perona's timid peeking, and even Paula's assessing look, her heart suddenly sank.
So many women surrounding Lord Bahr... all eyeing the position by his side!
Hancock subtly pressed closer to Bahr, her fingers tightening almost imperceptibly around his arm as she suppressed the anxiety churning inside. Her sidelong glances swept across every woman on deck like searchlights, a silent challenge in her eyes.
Don't even think about it! Lord Bahr belongs to me alone! No one will take him away!
Noticing her subtle movements, Bahr glanced down at her tense profile, a playful smile curling his lips as he squeezed her hand. "Let's go. Show me your Amazon Lily."
"Yes, Lord Bahr!" Hancock responded immediately, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness even as she subtly pulled him closer, as if physical proximity could ward off all covetous gazes.
As they entered Amazon Lily, citizens along the way curiously observed the man their Empress had brought. Some couldn't resist whispering, though the court ladies silenced them with looks, leaving them to stare from a distance at the black-clad figure in awed astonishment.
Before the palace, gray-brown stone walls gleamed coldly in the sunlight, pillars entwined with lifelike serpent carvings. The roof's dark crimson tiles matched the color of Hancock's cape, while snake-shaped wind chimes tinkled delicately from the eaves—every detail exuding the untamed luxury and regal dominance unique to this island of women.
"Lord Bahr, this is my palace." Hancock paused, gesturing gracefully with evident pride and anticipation in her eyes.
Inside the main hall, Nyon sat on a stone stool beside the throne, leaning on her serpent head cane. As the pair entered, a glimmer of understanding flashed through her clouded eyes.
Her gaze held a measure of scrutiny when it landed on Bahr, but ultimately she remained silent—just as she'd acquiesced to Luffy's presence before. If this was the man Hancock had chosen, what right had an old woman to interfere?
With a wave, Hancock dismissed the attending court ladies. Even Nyon wordlessly rose and departed, leaving the hall empty save for the two of them.
Turning to Bahr, some of Hancock's regal pride melted away, replaced by maidenly shyness. "Lord Bahr, you must be tired from your journey. Shall I have food prepared for you?"
Before she finished speaking, Bahr suddenly pulled her close by the waist, his breath hot against her reddening ear. "I want to eat you."
Without waiting for a response, he captured her lips in a kiss.
Hancock's body stiffened momentarily before melting like spring water, her trembling lashes fluttering shut as her hands instinctively rose to his shoulders, their breaths tangling together.
As the kiss deepened, Bahr's hand drifted toward Hancock's collar. Just as his fingertips brushed the fabric, she suddenly stiffened, desperately clutching her collar with panic in her voice. "No!"
Bahr paused, raising an eyebrow in silent question.
"It's—it's not that I don't want to..." Hancock's face burned crimson, her eyes darting away as she whispered, "But I bear a curse... Anyone who sees my back will turn to stone..."
Biting her lip as if steeling herself, she added with heartbreaking humility, "If Lord Bahr desires... I can summon others to serve you... Any woman in the kingdom, you may choose whomever you wish..."
Seeing her fingers white-knuckled with tension, understanding dawned on Bahr instantly.
This was no curse—that mark on her back was clearly the Celestial Dragons' slave brand, those characters carved into flesh like burning shame seared into every victim's bones.
He cupped Hancock's cheek, thumb gently stroking her trembling lips as he spoke low and clear. "What's on your back is the Celestial Dragons' 'Dragon's Hoof' brand, isn't it?"
Hancock's eyes flew wide, her pupils contracting with shock as all color drained from her face.
It was as if lightning had struck her—her entire body trembled violently, breaths coming in ragged gasps as she clutched Bahr's sleeves with bone-white knuckles. "H-how could you...?"
This was her deepest, most shameful secret—a disgrace etched into her very soul.
She'd thought no one would ever know, yet Lord Bahr... Would he think her filthy? Would he scorn her like those lofty nobles?
Fear flooded her like icy seawater, nearly buckling her knees.
Gently wiping the tears from Hancock's eyes, Bahr's touch remained tender, his voice carrying unprecedented sincerity. "That wasn't your fault—it's the Celestial Dragons' evil. I won't think less of you for it."
Hancock stared at him through welling tears that fell like broken pearls, her voice choked with fragile hope. "R-really?"
Instead of answering, Bahr kissed her trembling lips again—deeper this time, with undeniable reassurance and certainty, as if telling her: None of the past matters. The you right now is who I cherish.
When his hand moved toward her collar again, Hancock instinctively tensed, her fingers curling to block—but upon touching Bahr's warm fingertips, they slowly, slowly relaxed.
Sunlight streamed through the palace windows, catching on her trembling lashes like scattered gold.
This time, she didn't resist—as if shedding chains she'd carried for years, letting her defenses melt away bit by bit in his tenderness.
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