"Hancock, is your stomach feeling unwell? Come with me to my room, I'll check you over," Ellie said anxiously, worried after hearing Hancock's complaint.
"Alright, sorry to trouble you, Sister Ellie." Hancock followed Ellie into her infirmary.
"Uncle Karl, what did you two eat today? Why does Sister Hancock have a stomachache?" Anne asked curiously.
"Nothing unusual—we all had skyfish for lunch. Look, I'm perfectly fine." Karl frowned, finding it strange.
"Don't panic just yet," Daphne said with a mysterious smile. "Hmm… it might even be good news. Darling, you might want to prepare yourself mentally!"
Karl blinked. During Hancock's fertile days, he and she had spent three very enthusiastic days together. Counting the time… it lined up perfectly!
"You mean—Hancock's pregnant!?" Karl blurted out, eyes widening.
"Pregnant?" Karin echoed blankly. Anne also looked confused—after all, Daphne had only said it might be good news.
"I said maybe! Don't forget those three days you two spent together," Daphne teased.
Karl thought for a moment, combining the timing with Hancock's current reaction. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became!
Before long, Ellie and Hancock came out of the infirmary—both smiling brightly, Hancock's cheeks flushed crimson.
"How is it, Ellie!?" Karl rushed over, eyes shining with expectation.
"Darling, I think it's best if Hancock tells you herself." Ellie smiled—some news should be shared by the one who carries it.
Karl turned toward Hancock, his heart pounding.
"Lord Karl… I… I'm pregnant," Hancock said shyly, her voice trembling with joy. She was finally carrying Lord Karl's child!
"Really? Hancock—am I going to be a father!?" Karl's voice cracked with excitement. This was something he had never experienced in either of his lifetimes!
"It's absolutely true! I checked several times," Ellie assured him. "Hancock's really pregnant!"
"I'm going to be a father!! Hancock!!" Karl swept her into his arms, overjoyed beyond words.
"Then that means…" Anne turned to Daphne, eyes wide. "I'm going to have a little brother or sister?"
Daphne laughed. "Not 'Sister Daphne' anymore—you'll have to start calling me Aunt Daphne! And yes, Anne, you're about to become a big sister."
"I have to tell everyone the good news! We'll hold a feast tonight!" Karl declared, grinning ear to ear. "Karin, I'm counting on you!"
"No problem!" Karin grinned. "Leave tonight's dishes to me!"
Before long, Enel, Benson, Adrian, and Zoe all arrived. When Karl announced the news, even the self-proclaimed "God" was delighted.
That night, the celebration was lively and overflowing with joy—laughter, clinking glasses, and bright smiles filled the hall.
Hancock, not allowed to drink because of her pregnancy, sipped juice on the sidelines, watching everyone celebrate her joy. Her gaze lingered on Karl—her heart overflowing with warmth and sweetness.
The banquet went on until midnight. Karl, utterly thrilled, drank far too much and ended up drunk for the first time in ages.
The next morning, Karl woke up still dizzy but grinning. The reality that he was going to be a father finally sank in—it was exhilarating.
Since Hancock was pregnant, he decided not to send her back immediately. She would stay for a few more days to rest. They even agreed that Karl would visit her every month without fail.
That morning, Karl fussed over Hancock carefully, refusing to let her do anything strenuous. It made her a bit helpless—she wasn't fragile at all! Her body was far stronger than an ordinary woman's.
"Alright, alright, Karl," Ellie said with a sigh. "She can't just sit around all day. A bit of exercise is good for her."
"Yes, Lord Karl, I'm not that delicate~" Hancock said sweetly.
"Then how about a walk along the beach?" Karl suggested. "Ellie, you can come too."
"I'd love to~" Hancock smiled.
"I'll pass," Ellie replied. "My research is nearly complete—I need to push through. You two go enjoy yourselves."
"Don't overwork yourself," Karl reminded her. "We're not exactly short on Devil Fruits right now."
"You don't get it," Ellie said, eyes gleaming. "If I can crack the mystery of Devil Fruits… that feeling would be incredible!"
"Alright, alright," Karl chuckled. "Then Hancock, let's go~"
Karl stowed two beach chairs and some supplies into his storage bracelet, then headed to the shore with Hancock for a little seaside camping.
They played on the beach, splashing and laughing until they tired, then rested on the beach chairs. When hungry, they ate food Karl had prepared specially for pregnant women, following Karin's recipe.
"Lord Karl, do you want a boy or a girl?" Hancock asked softly.
"A girl—she'll be just as beautiful as you," Karl answered without hesitation.
Hancock's heart fluttered. "Then you'll have to come up with a lovely name for her~"
"Hmm… a name, huh? Let me think." Karl rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Zihan? Zihan? No, no, what am I thinking!? He shook his head quickly.
"What's wrong, Lord Karl? Thought of something?" Hancock asked, amused.
"Hmm… if it's a boy, he'll be Levi. If it's a girl, she'll be Lucille. What do you think?"
"Portgas D. Levi… Portgas D. Lucille… mmm~ They sound so beautiful!" Hancock said happily.
"Heh, I went through a lot of names before deciding on those!" Karl grinned. As he gazed at Hancock, thoughts of Daphne and Ellie also filled his heart. Truly, they were the greatest blessings this world had given him.
"What's wrong, Lord Karl~?" Hancock blushed under his warm gaze.
"Nothing," he said softly. "I was just thinking how lucky I am—to have married three such amazing women."
The Pirate Empress blushed even deeper, cupping her face with both hands, smiling dreamily at him.
At that moment, her beauty rivaled the sunlight itself—so radiant that even the sun seemed to hide shyly behind the clouds.
And just then, far out on the ocean's surface… a lone figure appeared—riding a bicycle across the sea!
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