Katakuri gave a brief explanation about Chiffon to a few of his sisters, but he didn't mention the child in her belly. Even so, Galette and the other two sisters couldn't help but sigh after hearing the news.
Poire let out a heavy sigh.
"I never thought Chiffon would fall so deeply for that Teach. Is he really that charming?"
Katakuri paused for a moment before saying,
"Carl-sama once described Teach as... a true pirate."
"What does that even mean? A 'true pirate'? Like Mama? Or Whitebeard?"
Katakuri shook his head.
"In Carl-sama's eyes, both Mama and Whitebeard are just two overgrown babies..."
Hearing Carl's evaluation of Big Mom and Whitebeard, Galette and Poire were momentarily stunned. But when they thought about it more, they realized... there wasn't much to refute.
In the past, nobody dared think this way, intimidated by the terrifying strength of Big Mom and Whitebeard. But in the face of Carl's overwhelming power, stripped of their might, the two Yonko really did seem like they were just playing pirate.
...
Then, Poire suddenly asked,
"What about Red-Haired Shanks? He's Carl-sama's younger brother, but now he's the Pirate King. Is he also... just playing?"
Katakuri's expression froze for a second before he scolded,
"Watch your mouth! That's Carl-sama's brother you're talking about!"
Poire shrank back, murmuring,
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it... it just popped into my head..."
Galette also scolded her from the side.
"Don't let your thoughts run wild. You dare gossip about Carl-sama's family?"
Poire lowered her head even more, eyes full of grievance.
"I'm sorry... I really respect Carl-sama. I was just asking..."
Brûlée was about to speak up on Poire's behalf, when suddenly Carl's voice rang out, calm but with a weight that silenced the room.
"Alright, enough. You're making a fuss over nothing. What Poire said wasn't wrong."
Carl's figure appeared behind Poire like a ghost. Galette, who was sitting beside her, was startled and stood up quickly.
"Carl-sama! Didn't you already return?"
Carl lightly patted Poire on the back. She, too, had been scared stiff by his sudden appearance and nearly choked.
"Who told you I went back? I was just strolling around the Totto Land."
He swept his gaze over Katakuri and the others who had stood up and waved a hand.
"No need to be nervous. Keep eating. Katakuri, are donuts really that good?"
Katakuri hadn't expected such a question from Carl and was stunned for a moment before answering firmly,
"They are! I think donuts are the most delicious thing in the world!"
Carl smiled and casually sat down in Galette's seat. With a wave of his hand, a sugar-glazed donut flew into his grasp.
He took a bite.
The sugar burst in his mouth instantly. Even Carl, who wasn't picky about food, found it a bit overwhelming. Still, he ate the whole donut without complaint and then grabbed a bottle of red wine in front of him and downed it in one go. He didn't care about flavor—he just needed to wash the sweetness away.
Despite his rugged appearance, Katakuri was quite sensitive. From Carl's subtle expression while eating, he could tell Carl didn't really like the donut. But Carl still ate it without a word. That, in itself, was a form of respect.
It might seem like a minor gesture, but consider who Carl was. For Katakuri, that kind of accommodation from someone like him was deeply moving.
At the very least, Big Mom had never done anything like that. On the contrary, she would mock his mouth without hesitation.
...
As the queen of the Totto Land, Galette now stood beside Carl like a maidservant—but no one found it strange.
She knew the donuts prepared for Katakuri were custom-made and much sweeter than usual. Carl's sudden gulp of wine clearly showed he'd been overwhelmed. So, she considerately brought him a glass of ice water.
Carl gave her an approving look. Honestly, that donut had been way too sweet. He now had a newfound respect for Katakuri, who could apparently eat them like steamed buns.
Galette asked in a soft voice,
"Carl-sama, will you be resting here tonight?"
Before Carl could respond, she added quickly,
"If so, I've already prepared a room for you."
Carl raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you just say you thought I had gone back? Why prepare a room then?"
Galette's cheeks flushed faintly as she answered,
"A room for Carl-sama must be prepared to the highest standards of the Totto Land. And the highest standard... is my room. It's cleaned every day and kept spotless."
Poire blinked twice and asked,
"Huh? Then where will you sleep, Sis? Want to sleep in my room?"
Galette gave her a sideways glance and tried to maintain a calm tone.
"No need. Carl-sama needs someone to attend to him. I'll be staying with him."
Poire's eyes widened in shock.
"Staying with him? Don't tell me..."
She quickly slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes blinking wildly.
Brûlée also stared at Galette in disbelief. She hadn't expected her usually quiet sister to be so bold at a moment like this.
As for Katakuri, he showed no particular reaction. He could tell this was Galette's own decision, and since that was the case, there was nothing more to say.
He silently stepped forward and took Brûlée and Poire by the hands. Then he bowed toward Carl and said respectfully,
"Carl-sama, we'll be taking our leave."
With that, he led the dazed Brûlée and Poire away, leaving the room to Carl and Galette.
...
As the three left, the calm Galette finally started to feel flustered. Since she had suggested Carl stay, he hadn't said a word—only looked at her with a faint, unreadable smile.
Under his gaze, Galette's cheeks grew redder and redder. Just as she was about to panic and flee, Carl suddenly reached out and took her wrist, smiling as he said,
"Let's go, then. I'll have to trouble Lady Galette to entertain me tonight."
Galette stared at him in a daze, then softly replied,
"It would be my honor."
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+120 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg