"Eh?"
Jabal Shiro froze, his mouth hanging open so long that the piece of roast meat he hadn't swallowed yet slipped from the corner of his lips and landed on the white tablecloth, leaving a greasy little stain.
Inwardly, he muttered, "Has my luck with women gotten a bit too good lately? First Smoothie, then Doll, and now a princess? This is moving a little fast…"
It wasn't just Shiro. Every member of the Virtue crew stared at King Riku in shock, their cups halted halfway to their mouths.
The once lively banquet hall suddenly fell into a strange silence. Even the crackling of the candle flames seemed louder than before.
"I object."
A crisp, domineering female voice shattered the quiet.
Everyone turned toward the source. Unsurprisingly, it was Smoothie, who had been sitting next to Shiro with an expression that had grown darker by the moment.
King Riku frowned slightly and looked at her, puzzled. "May I ask… what is your relationship to Captain Shiro?"
"I… I am…"
Smoothie opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat.
To call herself Shiro's fiancé would be a stretch; the two of them had never formally agreed to anything. To call herself his lover… well, there was also Doll by his side. She had no confidence saying that out loud. So she could only stand there, wanting to speak yet unable to.
"In that case, since you are not Captain Shiro's wife, there is no need for you to weigh in on this matter."
The king's voice carried the quiet authority of a ruler, cutting off Smoothie's hesitation.
He turned his attention back to Shiro, his tone softening. "Captain Shiro, what impression do you have of Princess Scarlet?"
"Princess Scarlet is gentle and considerate, soft-spoken, and her character and looks are both excellent. In terms of temperament and appearance, she's a truly remarkable girl."
Shiro did not hide his thoughts and spoke frankly, his voice full of genuine approval.
"In that case, all the better!"
A smile bloomed at the corner of King Riku's mouth and his eyes shone with expectation as he leaned forward slightly. "Why not agree to marry Scarlet and become my son-in-law? Would that not be a wonderful outcome for both sides?"
"Your Majesty, this is the first time Princess Scarlet and I have met. We barely know each other, so to speak of marriage already seems a bit too rushed."
Shiro frowned slightly, his tone courteous but clearly declining. After a brief pause, he added, "Besides, my voyage is far from over. I'll be continuing to sail across the seas and have no way to stay in Dressrosa for long. So… I'm truly sorry."
"This…"
The smile on King Riku's face froze. He suddenly found himself in a difficult position, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop as he rapidly weighed his options.
At his side, the flush slowly faded from Scarlet's cheeks, replaced by a trace of disappointment she could not quite hide. She lowered her head a little, long lashes veiling the sadness in her eyes.
After a moment, a sudden spark flashed in King Riku's gaze. He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, as if struck by inspiration, "Captain Shiro, how about this!
"Let Scarlet travel with you on your voyage. That way you can deepen your feelings without delaying your journey. Would that not solve everything?
"When your sailing comes to an end, you can return to Dressrosa together. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"
He paused, then hurriedly added, as though afraid Shiro might refuse, "And since you possess the Paw-Paw Fruit's teleportation ability, if any crisis should befall Dressrosa, you can return here at any time to help. That way, you need not worry about the kingdom's safety either."
The Virtue crew exchanged looks, stunned.
This arrangement was almost identical to what "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin had once proposed for a political marriage—sending the bride along with the ship.
Scarlet's eyes lit up again at her father's suggestion. Hope rekindled within them as she looked at Shiro, her breathing growing just a little quicker.
Shiro lowered his head, thinking it over. Scarlet truly was beautiful, with a kind personality—a dream girl for many men. Bringing her along on the voyage would not really cause any trouble.
He finally made up his mind and nodded to King Riku. "That could work."
Smoothie, sitting to one side, watched as Shiro gained yet another "companion." Her chest tightened with anger and anxiety, but there was no room for her to interrupt.
At last, she could not bear it anymore. She rose abruptly, left without a word, and stormed out of the hall, heading straight back to the Virtue docked in the harbor.
Once the banquet ended, King Riku immediately instructed Scarlet to return to the palace and pack some clothes and personal belongings, preparing to depart with Shiro's crew.
Early the next morning, at Dressrosa's harbor, a gentle sea breeze blew as King Riku held Scarlet's hand, repeating his advice about the dangers of the voyage over and over, his eyes full of reluctance.
Just then, a small figure suddenly burst out from the crowd and ran up to them.
It was a girl of about ten, with healthy chocolate-brown skin and a pair of big, bright, sparkling eyes that made her look especially adorable.
A small bundle was strapped to her back. She stopped in front of King Riku, lifted her little face, and shouted, "Father! Father! I want to get on the ship and go on an adventure with Sister too! I've always wanted to see what the sea looks like!"
King Riku recognized his younger daughter, Viola, and could only raise a hand to his forehead in exasperation. "Viola, don't make trouble! Sailing is not a game. It's dangerous. Go back to the palace and behave yourself."
"No! I'm going with Sister!"
Viola puffed out her cheeks, hurried to Scarlet's side, and clung tightly to the hem of her dress. She looked up at her elder sister, eyes filled with pleading. "Sister, please take me with you. I'll be good, I promise! I won't cause you any trouble!"
"You… you really are such a stubborn child!"
King Riku slapped his thigh in frustration, his expression darkening, though he still could not bring himself to truly scold her.
Scarlet looked at Viola's face—half defiant, half hopeful—and her heart softened. She turned to King Riku and said gently, "Father, since Viola wants to go on an adventure so much, let her come with me. It'll be good for us sisters to have each other for company on the ship and to look out for one another. I'll keep an eye on her and won't let her cause any trouble."
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
Thanks for reading! Be sure to collect and vote for more chapters!