The dark sheet slid lightly over Riser's exposed skin as he sat upright against the headboard. His eyes scanned the newspaper unhurriedly. Sunlight sliced through the room, outlining his relaxed muscles and the golden strands falling over his shoulders.
Hancock leaned against him, her face half-buried in his shoulder. Her fingers traced slow circles on his stomach, as if etching the moment into his skin. Her eyes remained closed, but the smile on her lips betrayed her contentment.
"Riser… the world's watching us now…"
Her voice was low, almost dreamy. She slid her lips to his neck, leaving a slow, unhurried kiss.
"Ace, Whitebeard, the Celestial Dragons… all gone. By your will. That's what it means to be a king."
Riser didn't respond. His eyes stayed on the paper, though his mind had already drifted from the lines. His right hand rested on Hancock's hip—firm, without intent, simply there.
"I could die right here. By your side. It'd be the perfect death."
"You're not dying."
His reply was curt, mechanical. Hancock bit her lower lip, laughing silently.
"But… if you do, I'll kill whoever kills you."
Riser's gaze didn't waver. The newspaper rustled between his fingers.
"I'm the only one who can kill me."
Hancock sighed, laughing again. She slid her body over his, settling partially atop his chest.
"Then I'll have to love you faster than you destroy yourself."
He tilted his face and brushed his lips against hers. A brief, light gesture. Then he returned to the paper.
Hancock stayed pressed against him, as if she were part of him.
Outside the room, footsteps echoed in the corridor.
---
Merlin's POV
My feet glided over the smooth marble, the light fabric of my robe trailing behind me. The sea breeze slipping through the open arches carried a pleasant salty scent. The faint cry of gulls blended with the soft click of my steps.
'The perfect weather for good news.'
I held the newspaper with both hands. The fresh ink betrayed the weight of the events. My eyes skimmed the front page one last time before folding it carefully. It was always better to deliver news with flair—especially for him.
Riser-sama.
The long palace corridor reflected the golden glow of late afternoon. The runes guarding this wing shimmered faintly on the walls, like arcane breathing.
'That name… Phoenix…'
I bit the tip of my lip, stifling a laugh. Sometimes, the universe had a sense of humor. But today, the one laughing would be our king.
I stopped before the tall, polished onyx door. The sound beyond it was muffled. A pulsing silence.
I raised my hand.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Riser-sama? I brought the newspaper."
I smiled, holding the paper like a sacred offering.
'Is she still with him…?'
I leaned slightly forward, awaiting permission.
End of POV
---
On the other side of the door, the mood shifted. Hancock frowned without opening her eyes. The sound of the knock still echoed through the room, and her faint sigh turned into a suppressed growl.
"I swear, if it's another one of those idiots wanting to talk to him… I'll break this door."
She nestled closer to Riser's body, as if that could shield their moment.
"It's always like this. The whole world wants a piece of him. But when I have him… they don't even last ten damn minutes."
Riser's eyes flicked toward the door. His face showed no trace of emotion.
"Come in."
Hancock shot him a wounded look.
"You're letting them in? Now?"
He didn't answer. His voice had been final, simple. The door opened slowly.
Merlin appeared, newspaper folded in her arms, an enigmatic smile on her face.
"Interrupting something?"
Hancock pulled the sheet tighter around herself and sat up slowly, her eyes sharp as blades.
"You know you are."
"Good. Then we're on the same page."
Merlin strolled to the bed unhurriedly. She sat on the edge, letting her legs dangle, and handed the newspaper to Riser like she was offering a loaded weapon.
"Fresh news. Hot off the press."
Riser took the paper without a word of thanks. His eyes were already scanning the headlines.
Hancock flopped back onto the bed, turning to her side with an impatient sigh.
"If it's about some fifth-rate pirate chasing attention… spare me."
Riser's eyes moved swiftly over the headlines. Most were irrelevant.
"Admiral Kizaru clears Sabaody's scum"
"Ace's execution thwarted by unknown intervention, pirate dies hours later"
"Updated bounties: Riser Phenex – 1,500,000,000 berries"
"Boa Hancock declared high-risk criminal: 1,000,000,000 berries"
"Three Tenryuubito mysteriously killed"
"Global State of Emergency limited to main routes"
None of it fazed him. All predictable. All controlled.
But then… a smaller line at the bottom of the page:
"Marco the Phoenix temporarily takes over Whitebeard's territory defense. Vows to uphold the former Yonko's legacy."
Riser paused.
His fingers tightened, crumpling the paper. The sound broke the room's silence.
Merlin watched him from the corner of her eye.
"What is it, Riser-sama?"
Hancock noticed the gesture too and propped herself up.
"What's wrong?"
Riser didn't answer immediately. He reread the line.
'Marco. The Phoenix.'
The issue wasn't Marco.
It was the name.
Phoenix.
In that sea, there was room for only one.
He rose from the bed. The sheet slipped, revealing his bare body. He walked to the window's edge, where the breeze carried the scent of salt and blood.
Riser's gaze fixed on the horizon. The wind stirred his golden hair as the sun sank lazily toward the sea. Outside, the vastness seemed calm. But inside, something had already shifted.
"It's time."
Merlin leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming.
"Time for what, Riser-sama?"
He turned just enough for his words to be clear, without looking directly at either of them.
"To go to sea. To take what's left of Whitebeard."
Hancock stared at his back, the sheet wrapped around her. Her chest rose and fell faster. A smile crept across her face, almost childlike.
"You're doing this for me?"
Riser glanced over his shoulder.
"You need a name that makes the world tremble."
Hancock's smile widened. She bit her lip and walked to him slowly, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, pressing her body to his.
"Then let the world tremble, love."
She held him as if she could meld their bones together.
But Riser's gaze remained distant.
'Marco. The Phoenix.'
He didn't want territory.
He didn't want fame.
He wanted to crush the other name.
To erase any symbol of rebirth besides his own.
Marco's era would end before it could begin.
There was only one Phoenix. And it wore black.
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