The soft bed was covered with crimson velvet bedding.
Bahr leaned against the headboard, smoking a cigarette, the smoke curling around his fingertips. His gaze lingered on the serpentine embroidery on the canopy as he savored the scene from earlier, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Truly worthy of being the world's most beautiful woman—the experience was indescribable. A thousand words could only be summed up in one: "Bliss."
Beside him, Hancock's cheeks were flushed with a drunken hue, her hair strewn messily across the pillow. Her breathing was still slightly uneven, and those eyes that usually brimmed with arrogance now resembled water-soaked obsidian, exuding an unprecedented allure.
She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze clinging to Bahr, the love in them so thick it seemed ready to spill over.
She had been terrified—terrified that Lord Bahr would see the mark on her back and despise her, loathe her. After all, it was a brand of shame, an ugly scar she herself couldn't bear to look at.
But he hadn't... Not only did he not frown, he had looked at her with such tenderness, as though the mark had never existed.
How could mere words compare? The focus in his kiss, the reverence in his touch, the way he seemed desperate to meld her into his very bones—it all reassured her more than any sweet nothings ever could.
Hancock inched closer to Bahr, her fingertips lightly brushing his wrist like a small creature craving warmth.
Noticing her movement, Bahr stubbed out his cigarette and turned to her. Seeing the undisguised adoration in her eyes, he found it amusing and gently traced her cheek with his finger. "Speaking of which, how did you come to like me?"
Hancock shivered at his touch, her cheeks flushing even deeper, but her eyes sparkled like starlight, carrying a girlish shyness and excitement. "This concubine saw it in the newspaper... You attacked those people in public and even abducted them..."
Her voice trembled with barely contained excitement as she continued, "At that moment, I thought—how could there be such a man of such boldness in this world? The more I looked, the more I couldn't tear my eyes away."
Pausing briefly, she recalled Nyon's words and added with sudden realization, her tone firm, "Nyon was right. Love is like a storm—it comes without warning, leaving no room for escape."
Bahr raised an eyebrow, catching the word "abducted."
No doubt, that act had struck a chord deep within Hancock's heart—the heart of a woman once abducted by the Celestial Dragons. It was defiance against tyranny, a complete overturning of the shackles of her past.
A thought occurred to him, and he asked curiously, "What about the Straw Hat Boy? He also punched a Celestial Dragon. What do you think of him?"
At the mention of Luffy, the blush on Hancock's face faded slightly, but her gaze remained steady. "The Straw Hat Boy is indeed bold. This concubine admires him."
Then, shifting the topic, she nestled even deeper into Bahr's embrace, as if trying to mold herself into him, her voice sweet as honey. "But this concubine has Lord Bahr now. With you here, other men are no different from stones on the roadside."
Hearing this, Bahr instantly understood, and the inexplicable tightness in his chest vanished without a trace.
Just as he had thought, it was all a matter of sequence. He had taken possession of this woman's heart first, so no matter how good others might be, they wouldn't be able to squeeze in.
Lowering his head, Bahr pinched Hancock's chin, his mood growing even more cheerful as he saw her eyes filled only with him. "You've got good taste."
Hancock's brows and eyes brimmed with joy at his praise. She leaned in and planted a light kiss at the corner of his lips, her voice full of flattery and pride. "Of course. The man I've chosen is naturally the best."
She nuzzled into Bahr's embrace, her nose filled with his scent, her heart sweet with contentment.
As long as she could stay by Lord Bahr's side, as long as his eyes always held her, she would willingly offer up all the treasures of Amazon Lily without hesitation.
Just as Hancock was snuggling into Bahr's arms, she suddenly seemed to remember something. Her relaxed brows furrowed slightly, and her serpent-shaped earrings swayed gently.
She looked up at Bahr, her long lashes fluttering, her tone cautious. "Lord Bahr... those women on your ship... are they your companions?"
Bahr raised an eyebrow at her words, instantly understanding her thoughts. This woman's possessiveness was truly undisguised—she even kept such trivial matters in mind.
Holding a freshly lit cigarette between his fingers, Bahr leisurely blew out a smoke ring. "Them? They're all my women."
"!!!"
Hancock felt as if struck by lightning. She jerked upright from Bahr's embrace, her face instantly paling as countless terrifying images flashed through her mind.
Lord Bahr, charmed by those gentle and considerate women, gradually grew tired of her tantrums. He held another woman's hand, saying she understood propriety better than Hancock did. He might even abandon her on Amazon Lily for their sake...
The more she thought, the more panicked she became. Her lips pressed tightly together, her eyes reddening, the sweetness from earlier now completely doused by cold water.
Seeing Hancock's suddenly grim expression, Bahr chuckled inwardly. Just as expected.
Pinching her cheek, he softened his tone slightly. "But they're not the same as you."
Hancock's head snapped up, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes, as if she had grasped a lifeline.
"They're just passersby, accompanying me for a stretch of the journey." Bahr's fingers traced Hancock's chin, his tone deliberately earnest. "Only you are the one I truly cherish."
Hancock's breath hitched, her breathing growing rapid as she cautiously asked, "R-really?"
"Of course." Bahr declared firmly. "No matter how many women are by my side, you'll always be first in my heart. They're just diversions for the journey."
"I understand now!" Hancock's eyes lit up with sudden realization. She straightened her back instantly, the gloom on her face vanishing as her eyes shone brilliantly. "I am the First Wife!"
As the empress of the Kuja, she had occasionally overheard her court ladies discussing the inner courts of monarchs from other lands. How could those frivolous women compare to the status of the First Wife?
Bahr hadn't expected her to jump to such conclusions, but it saved him effort. He nodded along. "Exactly. You're the First Wife, so you must act the part."
"I can definitely do it!" Hancock nodded vigorously, her chest puffed out high, her eyes filled with determination.
She wanted those women to see who was the most valued person by Lord Bahr's side!
Bahr watched Hancock's instantly ignited fighting spirit and couldn't help but sigh inwardly—how easy it was to coax a love-struck mind. A few words were all it took to have her wrapped around his finger.
He pulled her back into his embrace, fingers toying with her long hair, a playful smile curling at the corners of his lips.
This was just as well. It saved him the trouble of her constant suspicions and unnecessary drama.
Leaning against Bahr's chest, Hancock's mind was already racing with plans. Once they returned, she would put those women in their place and make them understand the dignity of the First Wife...
Lost in her thoughts, she couldn't help but smirk, as if she could already see herself firmly seated in the position of First Wife, receiving the reverence of all.
Just as Hancock was immersed in her fantasy of being the "First Wife," she suddenly noticed Bahr's movement—he stubbed out his cigarette in the jade ashtray by the bed, the ember at his fingertips extinguishing with a faint wisp of smoke.
"Lord Bahr?" She looked up, her serpent-shaped earrings swaying lightly, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion, her cheeks still flushed with lingering color.
Bahr turned slightly, pulling Hancock even closer, his palm resting against her back, his voice laced with teasing amusement: "Naturally, I must take good care of our First Wife."
"Ah—" Hancock's face burned crimson, the flush spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears, even her neck tinged pink. Instinctively, she wanted to shrink back, but her fingers clung tightly to Bahr's sleeve, not truly pushing him away.
Yes, she was the First Wife, destined to receive all of Lord Bahr's love!
She peeked up, meeting Bahr's amused gaze, her eyelashes fluttering like startled butterfly wings, yet she obediently nestled closer to him, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum: "Then... then this humble one... will obey Lord Bahr..."
Even she didn't realize that her tone had lost its usual arrogance, replaced only by the bashful submission of a young maiden.
To her, Bahr's will was her decree. Whatever he desired, she was willing to give.
Bahr couldn't help but chuckle lowly at Hancock's display—so obviously shy yet pretending to be composed, a stark contrast to the haughty Empress she usually was.
This love-struck mind really was so easy to coax, no matter the time or place.