Chapter 212 – The Fake Bride Discovered
"Well, well, well!"
Accompanied by shrill laughter, Charlotte Linlin, the captain of the Big Mom Pirates, twirled her massive figure into the hall, moving with a disturbing sort of grace as she danced in.
Her arrival instantly silenced the murmurs in the venue. Every guest turned their eyes toward her.
"Welcome, everyone, and thank you for traveling from far and wide to attend my grand tea party!"
Linlin raised her arms high, her booming voice echoing through the candy-colored hall. "Everything here — top, bottom, left, right — every last inch is edible! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves to your heart's content!"
As she spoke, the King of Chess Soldiers approached solemnly, holding a framed photograph. With careful reverence, he placed it before Big Mom.
"Nuuun!"
The moment Linlin saw the photo, her face softened into a rare, almost tender smile. "Mama-mama! As expected, there's no light in this world brighter than Mother Carmel!"
"Oh, that's wonderful! The lady in the photo even smiles today," said a clueless underworld broker, flashing an ingratiating grin as he looked at the portrait. "If I may ask, Big Mom—who exactly is this woman to you?"
Before he could finish, Linlin's enormous face suddenly loomed right before his eyes.
Her expression darkened. "You dare… to pry into my memories?"
A suffocating Conqueror's Haki burst forth. The unfortunate broker convulsed, foam spilling from his mouth, before collapsing unconscious to the floor.
"What an idiot," sneered 'Lucky God' Lu Field, glancing disdainfully at the fallen broker. Stepping forward with a box in hand, he smiled at Linlin. "Pay no mind to such fools, Big Mom. I came bearing a gift—something special for your daughter's engagement."
"Oh? Is that a treasure chest?" Linlin's eyes gleamed. Beside her, Baron Tamago and Charlotte Perospero both leaned forward eagerly. "Mama loves those! What's inside?"
"We'll open it later," Stussy interjected smoothly, stepping up with another ornate box. "I've brought a gift as well, Linlin."
"And mine too!"
"Take this one!"
"This was sent from the South Blue—very rare!"
"I traveled all the way to the far north for this one!"
Linlin's laughter shook the hall. "Mama-mama! So many gifts! You've made me so happy!"
She twirled in glee, humming a song as mountains of treasure chests piled before her.
Just then, her eighth daughter Charlotte Brûlée hurried over, clutching a hand mirror.
"Mama, mama! I caught the intruders who broke into the Seducing Woods! What should we do with them?"
"Oh?" Linlin turned her massive head toward the mirror. Within it, three terrified women could be seen, trapped and flailing helplessly.
From his seat, Portgas D. Ace's sharp eyes caught sight of the mirror. Recognition flashed in his gaze.
Those were the women from Amazon Lily—the same trio who, in the original timeline, had discovered Luffy after Bartholomew Kuma sent him flying across the seas.
Especially the one in the middle… she seemed far too familiar, someone who clearly shared a bond with Luffy.
What are they doing here? Ace frowned. This can't be good…
"Leave them for now," Linlin waved dismissively, eyes gleaming with greed as she turned back toward the treasure pile. "Once the engagement ceremony is over, deal with them then."
"Yes, Mama." Brûlée bowed and stepped aside carefully with the mirror.
Linlin clapped her enormous hands together. "As much as I'd love to open these treasures right now, today's spotlight isn't mine! Mama-mama! Let the ceremony begin!"
At her cue, a Homie with a loudspeaker amplified his voice:
"Ladies and gentlemen! The highlight of today's celebration begins now!"
"The engagement ceremony between Charlotte Lola, the 23rd daughter of the Charlotte Family, and Prince Loki of Elbaf, the strongest nation in the world, is about to commence!"
"The union of these two will mark the alliance between the Big Mom Pirates and the mighty Elbaf Kingdom!"
"Now, let us welcome the couple to the stage!"
Music and singing filled the air. Riding on the thundercloud Zeus, a radiant "bride" descended from above—the woman believed to be Lola, but in truth, Charlotte Chiffon in disguise, her hands trembling as she tried to act calm beneath her wedding veil.
Across the hall, Prince Loki of the Giants rose from his seat, eyes wide with excitement. "Lola, my beautiful Lola!"
The giant prince's enormous frame strode toward her, his infatuated gaze fixed on the veiled figure. His smile was wide—too wide—and his steps thundered across the floor.
With that face and figure, he actually fell in love at first sight? Ace thought dryly. The prince's taste is… truly unique.
Chiffon's steps were stiff as she approached Loki. Her palms were slick with sweat beneath the veil. Pretending to be her twin sister was nerve-wracking, and she could feel every pair of eyes on her.
"Now," the announcer declared, "Prince Loki, please lift your fiancée's veil and seal your engagement with a kiss before all the guests!"
"Lola! My fiancée!" Loki said excitedly, reaching out with trembling fingers.
He gently lifted the veil—
And froze.
The lovestruck gleam vanished from his eyes, replaced instantly by fury. "You… you're not Lola!"
In a single motion, he shoved Chiffon to the ground and turned to roar at Big Mom.
"BIG MOM! This woman is an impostor! You old hag, where is my Lola?! Hand her over—now!"
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