Robin, Nami, and Hancock's residence.
Hokage Konan saw that Hancock was dressed in a purple slit cheongsam, accentuating her tall and voluptuous figure, making her look stunningly beautiful.
"Are you going out?" she couldn't help but ask.
"I'm going to the palace today to serve His Majesty," Hancock said while standing in front of a full-length mirror, admiring her own beauty.
She knew that His Majesty liked her this way, and now most of her clothes were cheongsams or similar outfits that perfectly highlighted her figure.
Originally, she could have stayed by His Majesty's side to serve him all the time, and Hancock believed that if things continued this way, His Majesty would surely fall in love with her.
But one day, he suddenly sent her back and told her that she no longer needed to visit so frequently—just once every few days would suffice.
This sudden change filled Hancock with anxiety.
She didn't know if she had done something to displease His Majesty or if he had grown tired of her.
She believed she had devoted herself to him completely.
As the former Empress of Amazon Lily, she had never served anyone else before.
Later, she heard from Samui that His Majesty had taken in a new woman, who, like her, held the status of a servant.
According to Samui, His Majesty liked novelty, and rotating different women to serve him was actually a good thing for Hancock—it prevented him from growing bored of her.
Even Samui herself had breaks, occasionally switching duties with Mabui or Yugito.
Hancock was quite interested in meeting this new woman by His Majesty's side—the one who had taken over the time that used to belong to her.
She wanted to see how she compared, though she was certain the woman couldn't be more beautiful than her.
His Majesty was probably just looking to try something new.
After Hancock left, Konan found herself dazed again.
She had been deeply anxious about her situation these past few days, fearing that the Emperor would suddenly summon her and force her to do such things—afraid that he might come to her residence and, while indulging in pleasure with Robin and the others, compel her to join them.
Because of this, she remained on edge all day, distracted and restless.
Robin came out of her room, glanced around the living room, and asked, "Hancock has left, hasn't she?"
Hokage Konan nodded. "She just left."
"I'm planning to go out and buy some things later. Do you want to come with me?" Robin asked again.
"...Alright."
Robin was an intelligent and beautiful woman.
Aside from her imposing height, she had almost no flaws.
Being around her gave a sense of comfort and reliability.
But how had such an exceptional woman become the Emperor's… lover?
Konan felt that calling her a "plaything" was too harsh, so she tried to think of a more tactful term.
"Nami isn't coming?" she asked.
"Nami wants to prune the tangerine tree."
Konan knew that Nami treasured the tangerine tree in the yard, and Robin also kept some greenery there.
They both seemed to have a deep love for life, maintaining their own way of living in an orderly manner.
Their relationship with the Emperor didn't seem to matter much to them.
Aside from what Konan already knew about their connection, there had only been that one time when Samui had come to summon the three of them.
Other than that, there was nothing in their daily lives that hinted at any involvement with the Emperor.
Konan felt that women like Robin and Nami could never truly like the Emperor.
They were probably just oppressed by him, yet they faced it calmly and continued living their lives as they wished.
Could she do the same?
She began to contemplate her own future.
.............
After that day, Pakura never sought out Mei again, while Mei had been waiting for the right opportunity to talk to Konan.
If she brought up such a matter too suddenly, she feared Konan would overthink it.
She had tried to meet with Konan several times, but every time, Yahiko and Nagato were also present.
Whenever Nagato saw Mei, he would even show an awkward and embarrassed expression.
But Mei no longer had the energy to care about him.
Finally, one day, when she visited Konan's home, she found that Konan was alone.
"Mei?"
"I... have something to talk to you about."
Mei's demeanor surprised Konan.
"What's wrong?" She invited Mei inside and asked.
Mei sat on the sofa in the living room, hesitating, as if struggling to find the right words.
"Konan..."
"Hm?" Konan tilted her head slightly, looking at her.
"When do you plan to marry Yahiko?" Mei suddenly asked.
Konan was stunned for a moment, then her face immediately flushed red.
"Eh? Why are you suddenly asking something like that?" Clearly caught off guard, she stood there, unsure of what to do.
Mei chuckled softly. "I just want to attend your wedding, to see you happily marry the one you love."
Konan smiled as well. "I don't believe you. Just say it—what's really on your mind?"
Mei hesitated before saying, "Tell me your plans first. When are you and Yahiko getting married?"
Konan sighed helplessly, looking somewhat troubled.
She sat down on the couch beside Mei, thought for a moment, and said, "Marriage between Yahiko and me isn't just about the two of us. It actually concerns three people. Yahiko, Nagato, and I—we're a family. If I were to marry Yahiko, we would also have to consider Nagato's feelings."
Mei asked, "So? What does Nagato think about it?"
Konan replied, "Nagato wouldn't stop us, of course. But if Yahiko and I move in together after marriage, Nagato would be left alone. So Yahiko and I were thinking of finding him a suitable partner first."
Mei was momentarily stunned.
She suddenly realized why Konan had previously tried to set her up with Nagato, and she couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated.
At this moment, Konan gazed at her with deep, thoughtful eyes.
Mei said, "I only like His Majesty."
Konan sighed helplessly. "Yahiko and I aren't in a rush. We're already like a family, so the formalities don't matter much. We'll wait until we settle Nagato's situation first."
Mei also sighed.
Given how dense Nagato was, who knew when he would actually find a girlfriend?
Her original plan had been to hurry up and get Konan and Yahiko married.
Once they officially became husband and wife, His Majesty should lose interest in Konan.
No matter how much of a womanizer he was, he wouldn't possibly go after a married woman, right?
But now, it seemed like Yahiko and Konan's marriage was still far off.
She pondered whether she should take the initiative and find a suitable woman for Nagato, setting them up as quickly as possible.
But even if she did, it would take quite some time for them to meet, develop feelings, and officially get together.
Only after that would Konan and Yahiko consider their own marriage.
The whole process could take forever.
Would it be too late…?
His Majesty's face flashed through her mind, and she pressed her lips together in silence.
"Mei? What's wrong?" Konan asked, noticing the heavy look on her face.
"…Nothing," Mei replied, but in her heart, she was wondering—if she aggressively pursued His Majesty during this time, would that be enough to divert his attention away from Konan?
But she didn't want to go through with that plan.
Konan was indeed a dear friend, but Mei wasn't willing to sacrifice her own happiness for this.
Konan frowned. "You came to see me, suddenly asked about my wedding, and now you're sitting here with a gloomy face. If there's something on your mind, just say it already!"
"..."
Mei fell silent upon hearing this.
After a long pause, she finally spoke, "Konan… have you ever considered…?"
"Considered what?"
Mei hesitated, her voice faltering.
After some time, she finally forced out the words, "What if… His Majesty has feelings for you?"
Konan's expression froze, and then she too fell into silence.
His Majesty… having feelings for her…
That question resurfaced in her mind.
His Majesty had brought another version of herself from a different world to this one—was it really just because of a promise?
And he had specifically arranged for that other version of herself to live with his women—was that truly a coincidence?
Konan thought back to the time in the Amegakure, when the Emperor's gaze had swept over her entire body, sending shivers down her spine.
Recalling it now, it was as if an invisible hand had lightly caressed every inch of her skin, leaving behind a sensation that was both strange and tormenting.
But if His Majesty had already brought over another version of her, why would he still be interested in her?
That other version of herself was clearly more mature and alluring, wasn't she?
Wouldn't men prefer that kind of charm?
A shiver ran down Konan's spine.
She let out a dry laugh and said, "That's impossible. His Majesty has so many beautiful women around him. What am I compared to them…"
Mei retorted, "Don't say things you don't believe yourself. You know exactly how beautiful you are, don't you?"
Konan fell silent again before replying, "I think you're overthinking things. I hardly ever see His Majesty. I only caught a glimpse of him a few times in the past. How could he possibly have any thoughts about me?"
Mei let out a long sigh. "I hope I am overthinking it… but if—just if—Konan, have you thought about what you would do?"
"..."
That question left Konan completely lost.
What would she do?
The man in question was the Emperor—the ruler of the entire world!
He held the power of life and death over countless people.
The entire world belonged to him.
When the time came… would she even be able to refuse?
Konan didn't know.
She didn't know how to deal with a situation like this.
Before this, all that had troubled her was the matter of the other version of herself.
That person was supposed to be her, and yet when faced with the same problem, Konan found that her thoughts and feelings were completely different.
The other version of herself was ultimately not her, which was why she could wholeheartedly try to find a solution.
But now that such a thing was happening to her personally, she had no idea what to do.
She wanted to ask Yahiko what she should do.
She longed for someone she could rely on.
But after thinking it over, she had no idea how to even bring up such a topic with him.
In a low voice, Konan murmured, "If… what you're saying is true, then I really don't know what to do…"
Mei also had no words.
She had come here just to warn Konan—there was nothing else she could do.
She couldn't think of a real solution either.
Seeing Konan like this, she tried to comfort her. "Don't worry, it's just my speculation."
Mei chuckled lightly. "His Majesty has so many beauties by his side—even I haven't caught his eye."
There was even a trace of self-mockery in her words.
She didn't know what her future would be like, but she had a feeling that His Majesty might do something that would make her very uncomfortable.
With no real solution, Mei simply left after speaking her piece, leaving Konan alone in her home, lost in chaotic thoughts.
...........
That evening, Yahiko and Nagato came over.
Konan had started preparing dinner late, so when they arrived, she had only just begun sorting the vegetables.
Yahiko eagerly volunteered to help, washing vegetables at the sink.
Meanwhile, Nagato, being tactful, sat on the couch watching TV, avoiding becoming a third wheel.
"When are we getting married?" Konan suddenly asked out of nowhere.
Yahiko, who was washing vegetables, froze for a moment and looked at her.
"What… did you just say?"
But Konan didn't want to continue the conversation.
She simply lowered her head and resumed picking the vegetables.
Yahiko hesitated for a moment before saying, "Didn't we already agree that Nagato's situation should be our priority?"
Konan remained silent.
She suddenly felt so foolish—why did she even ask such a question?
That's right, they had already agreed… Nagato's situation had to be resolved first.
A wave of grievance surged within her.
Why did she suddenly have to bear such pressure?
She hadn't done anything wrong.
She and Yahiko had been doing just fine…
She thought about the other version of herself—how she had already endured so much suffering in that other world, yet even after coming here, she still couldn't find peace.
How could His Majesty be like this?
She had always respected him so much…
Seeing Konan's eyes suddenly turn red, Yahiko panicked.
He hurriedly put down the vegetables and rushed over to her, flustered.
"Konan, you… what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
He seriously thought over his previous words, then seemed to understand something.
After a brief silence, he said, "Let's get married, Konan. Nagato will give us his blessings and support."
Konan looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
Seeing the sincerity in Yahiko's expression, she suddenly burst into tears of joy.
"Idiot… Let's just stick to the original plan. A wedding isn't just about the two of us."
Yahiko looked completely lost. "So… you're not mad anymore?"
Konan shook her head and said, "I was never mad. You didn't do anything wrong… Neither of us did."
Then, she turned back to sorting the vegetables, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
The next day.
She went to the residence of the other version of herself and arranged to meet Hokage Konan alone.
The two went to an izakaya, but Hokage Konan said she didn't drink much, so Konan ordered more dishes and got herself a drink.
Looking at the other version of herself sitting across from her, Konan slowly said, "I've thought of a… not-so-great solution. I'm not sure if you'd be willing to accept it."
Hokage Konan remained calm. "Let's hear it."
Konan pursed her lips. "I was thinking… if we get married, His Majesty should… give up, right?"
Hokage Konan was slightly taken aback and asked, "Who do you want me to marry?"
Konan averted her gaze. "...Nagato. If we tell him the truth, he will understand. It would just be a fake marriage anyway, and we're already like family…"
The other Konan fell silent for a moment, but then, to Konan's surprise, she heard a quiet chuckle.
It made her uneasy.
"You've been worrying a lot on my behalf," Hokage Konan said.
"..."
"It's fine. I've thought about it. That man is the Emperor—opposing him or making things difficult for him probably won't lead to any good outcome, will it? I don't want my situation to affect your lives," Hokage Konan said slowly, her expression calm, her gaze deep like a still lake.
"So, don't worry about this anymore, Konan. Just live your life well. I… have come to terms with it."
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