"She really is anxious!"
Amidst the bustling crowd near the shore, Liam watched Hancock's departing figure. The moment she set foot back in Amazon Lily, she wasted no time in grabbing Bonney and heading straight for the palace. It was clear she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
"All those months at sea, she never once mentioned the former Snake Princess, but she must have been thinking about her all along. The moment she learned about Bonney's abilities, she made sure to keep her close— just for this." Robin stood beside Liam, her gaze following Hancock. "To Hancock, the former Empress is like a mother..."
"You're not so different," Liam remarked.
Robin blinked and looked up at him. He smiled and continued, "Over the years, she's been like a mother to you too, hasn't she?"
"..."
Robin fell silent.
Three years ago, she was named the Princess of Amazon Lily because of her Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi). In those three years, the former Empress had treated her with immense care.
Robin often wondered why— after all, her own time with her mother had been so brief. And during the years she spent with her aunt, she had never known the warmth of family. Even if the Empress's kindness had been less, even just a fraction of what she had given, Robin would have cherished it forever.
Every book and record on Amazon Lily had been made available to her. The former Empress would take her on walks, discussing the history of the island and sharing stories from the past rulers, especially those who had wielded the Flower-Flower Fruit.
For Robin, the Empress had quietly become someone deeply important to her.
Not as important as Liam, of course. But still, very important.
"Go on." Liam flicked her forehead lightly. "You know where to find me."
Robin rubbed the spot and gave a small nod. Before heading to the palace with Sandersonia and Marigold, she paused, took Liam's hand, and hugged him briefly. She whispered in his ear, "If you're planning to set sail, wait for me."
"It's fine," Liam reassured her, patting her back. "I'm not even seventeen yet. No rush."
Robin chuckled. She didn't quite understand why seventeen mattered, but Liam always had his reasons.
As they embraced, Marigold and Sonia exchanged glances.
"See you later."
Robin turned and walked away. Liam stayed behind, waving her off. Sander, flicking his long snake-like tongue, grinned at him. "I'll come find you later, Giorno."
"Anytime."
As Sonia and Marigold caught up with Robin, Liam remained in place for a moment. Before the passing Kuja warriors took more notice of him, he leaped into the air. "Pā pā!"
His feet struck the air beneath him, producing bursts of sound as he quickly ascended to the high city wall. Below, excited gasps and whistles erupted from the Kuja warriors.
That man… The legendary outsider! Hidden somewhere in Amazon Lily, only Princess Jolyne and Lady Hancock could find him whenever they wished…
Liam had never truly integrated into this country of women.
In fact, he had no desire to integrate into any nation in this world.
During his years on Amazon Lily, he had kept a certain distance from its people. Apart from Hancock's sisters and the former Empress, he never grew too close to anyone.
He wasn't cold— his attitude toward the Kuja warriors was much friendlier than his disdain for pirates from the outside world or the bounty hunters he once worked with— but he was never particularly familiar either. It was strange how, despite that, he had somehow become a legend in this ancient city…
———————
Amazon Lily, Royal Palace
Hancock passed through the palace halls without resistance. The moment the maids saw her, they gasped in surprise and lowered their heads in respect. By the time they looked up, she was already gone, leaving only a lingering fragrance in her wake.
"Lady Hancock has returned!"
"But who is that she's carrying?"
"She doesn't look like one of us..."
The maids whispered amongst themselves, but Hancock paid them no mind. She strode directly to the chamber of the former Empress and pushed the door open without hesitation.
The room was empty. The large bed was neatly made.
A breeze stirred the curtains, brushing against Hancock's flowing black hair and her unreadable expression.
Bonney yanked her wrist free, confusion written all over her face. "What do you want from me?"
Upon meeting Hancock's icy gaze, Bonney shuddered and quickly shut her mouth.
Hancock stared at the untouched bed, her heart sinking. Her voice, barely above a whisper, trembled with suppressed emotion. "Damn it… Who allowed you to die like this? I won't allow it…"
"Hancock? You've returned?"
A familiar voice called from the balcony.
Hancock stiffened. She pulled aside the curtain, revealing the former Empress— golden-haired, clad in a simple nightgown, barefoot as she stepped back into the room. Though she looked paler and thinner, her regal presence remained unchanged.
Having watched Hancock rush to the palace, Tritoma smiled at the increasingly striking young woman before her. "What were you just saying? I didn't quite catch it."
Hancock's expression didn't change. "Useless people should leave quickly. You have no right to command me."
The former Empress chuckled, unfazed. "There has never been a retiring Empress. Only death can strip the Snake Princess of her throne."
Hancock remained silent, her gaze piercing.
Since learning that the previous Empress had succumbed to lovesickness, she had understood— no Empress of Amazon Lily would ever abandon the country to save themselves.
What Hancock didn't know was that Tritoma was well aware of a different tale. Long ago, an Empress named Galan Lily had indeed fled, vanishing into the outside world. Whether she had found a cure or met her end in exile, no one knew.
Tritoma didn't care.
Her attention shifted to the pink-haired woman beside Hancock. She had a wary frown but clung to Hancock's side as if both reliant and fearful of her.
An outsider.
Amazon Lily had never welcomed men from beyond the Calm Belt. But women… there was a precedent. The island's way of life made it inevitable that, from time to time, the birthrate would decline. Occasionally, outsiders were accepted to balance this.
"Who is she?"
Before she could finish her question, Robin and Hancock's younger sisters entered.
"Jolyne is here too…" Tritoma stepped forward, barefoot, and took Robin's hands, patting them with affection.
Robin, however, noticed something unsettling.
Hancock's hair was shifting— transforming into writhing snakes.
Bonney's face flushed as she tried to pull away, but a serpent-like strand suddenly shot forward and sank its fangs into her delicate neck, making her gasp in shock.
"This woman is sick." Hancock looked at the Empress, then turned to Bonney. "I want you to heal her."
———————
On the vast stone surface of Amazon Lily's city wall, faint traces of past activity remained— scorch marks, as if someone had been cooking here.
Naturally, it was Liam's doing.
Whenever he felt restless, he would leave Hancock's home to sleep beneath the stars, grilling meat, chatting with B.I.B., simply living as he pleased.
Whoosh… whoosh…
Standing atop the wall, Liam gazed at the dense jungle and the tranquil waters of the Calm Belt beyond.
"I have been in this world for six years already, huh?"
(End of Chapter)
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