By the time they returned to the palace chambers, an intoxicated Boa Hancock had already followed Carl into the bedroom, leaving Monet and the others exchanging glances. Shalria looked as if she were about to cry—she had been completely cut off by Hancock.
...
Inside the bedroom, Hancock, who had just moments ago been exuding her usual regal demeanor, now stood by the bedside with her head lowered, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers.
Seeing this, Carl couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hancock, why are you just standing there?"
Hearing his words, Hancock quickly moved to Carl's side and reached out to undo his collar.
"Forgive me, Master. I will assist you in changing your clothes."
However, before she could make a move, Carl suddenly pulled her into his embrace.
Seated on the bed with Hancock in his arms, Carl let one hand slowly trace along her soft figure. He was well-versed in such matters, and in no time, the inexperienced Hancock's eyes turned misty, her entire body flushed with unbearable heat.
A charming blush spread from her pale neck to the tips of her ears, her breath fragrant and warm, making her look like a ripe fruit ready to be picked.
Carl teased, "Hancock, I liked the way you acted on the way back. Why don't you switch back?"
Hancock bit her lip and trembled. "I... I won't do that again. Please don't tease me... it's so hot..."
As she spoke, she clung tightly to Carl's clothes, pressing her warm body even closer against him. The thin fabric between them only amplified the sensation of her scorching skin. Yet Carl remained composed, merely brushing aside a stray strand of hair stuck to Hancock's forehead as he whispered,
"You're sweating a lot. Why don't you take a bath before bed?"
Hearing this, Hancock suppressed her restlessness and propped herself up. With a sultry voice, she murmured,
"Master Carl, please allow me to bathe you."
Carl chuckled and raised his arm slightly. Hancock immediately stepped forward to embrace him, and as they walked towards the door, she reached out and pulled it open—only to be met with two startled gasps, followed by a loud thud.
Hancock blinked, looking down to find Shalria and Sugar sprawled on the floor.
"Shalria, Sugar, what were you doing at the door... Ah!"
Mid-sentence, Hancock suddenly realized what had happened, her face flushing red as she buried herself in Carl's chest in embarrassment.
Carl had already sensed their presence. Smirking, he looked down at Shalria and Sugar, hands in his pockets, and bent slightly forward.
"You two sure have a lot of free time. Especially you, Sugar—your courage has really grown. You even dared to eavesdrop?"
Shalria lowered her head in guilt, practically burying her face in her chest. Sugar, on the other hand, blinked her large eyes mischievously before forcing a smile.
"Master, I was just here to remind Shalria to take a bath. If you still have something to discuss with her, I'll just head back first~"
With that, Sugar transformed her lower body into a small whirlwind and whooshed away, leaving Shalria alone, kneeling on the ground in despair.
Just moments ago, it was Sugar who had coaxed her into staying, and now that little trickster had abandoned her. What was she supposed to do now?
Of course, escaping wouldn't be that easy. Carl watched Sugar trying to flee and, with a smirk, lifted his hand. Instantly, a swirling vortex of darkness gathered in his palm. The gravitational pull of the Dark-Dark Fruit acted like an invisible hand, yanking Sugar right back from the doorway of her room and dropping her onto the ground with a thud.
Rubbing her sore backside, Sugar looked up at Carl with teary eyes and whispered,
"I was wrong, Master..."
Carl tapped her forehead lightly and, under her pitiful gaze, smiled as he lectured,
"I just gave you the Wind-Wind Fruit this morning, and you're already using it to run away? Looks like you need a proper punishment."
With that, he effortlessly lifted Sugar by the back of her collar and turned to Shalria, who was still trying to shrink away.
"And you—come along. Time for a bath."
...
Hancock helped Shalria to her feet. This was the first time Shalria had ever done something as reckless as eavesdropping, and to be caught red-handed... her face burned with shame, and she didn't dare look up. She let Hancock support her, wobbling into the bathroom.
Monet hadn't gone back to rest. Instead, she had already prepared the bathwater. As Carl and the others entered, she was just about to step out.
Noticing them, Monet paused before bowing. "Master, the water is ready. Would you like me to assist you, or...?"
She trailed off, glancing at Sugar, who was still being held up by Carl, and at Hancock, who was trying to shrink into herself, her face bright red.
Carl pointed to the massive bath behind her and grinned. "That tub is big enough for all of us, isn't it? Strip down."
Without hesitation, Monet smiled and undid the belt of her loose robe, letting the garment slip to the floor, revealing her smooth, pale skin.
Carl released Sugar, who let out a small yelp as she landed on the floor. Without missing a beat, she swiftly stripped off her clothes.
Hancock didn't hesitate either. She delicately removed her garments, standing proudly before Carl, baring herself with natural grace before moving to undress him.
Shalria, on the other hand, was frozen in shock, watching the scene unfold before her, utterly petrified.
Hancock, Sugar, and Monet had all served Carl from a young age. They had long since shed any reservations about such intimate situations. The only difference between them was that Monet had already crossed the final threshold, while Hancock and Sugar had yet to.
Once Hancock neatly folded Carl's clothes and set them aside, she turned back and pressed her bare body against his. However, the moment they made contact, a shudder ran through her, a tingling sensation spreading through her entire frame.
This wasn't the first time she had touched Carl like this. They had played together in pools before, but tonight was different. Tonight, she couldn't keep calm.
Her knees buckled slightly, but before she could collapse, Carl caught her in his arms and burst into laughter. Effortlessly, he scooped her up and leapt into the bath, sending water splashing everywhere.
Monet chuckled softly at the sight and, together with Sugar, stepped into the warm bath, their figures merging into the steamy waters.
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+180 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg