The soft, delicate warmth in his arms carried the fresh fragrance of a recent bath, the clean scent slipping into his nose and instantly lifting his spirits.
Feeling a hint of dampness against his arm, Leno realized that this woman had rushed over without even drying her hair.
He quickly settled Hancock onto his lap, took the towel from the attendant beside him, and began carefully drying her dripping long hair.
As he worked, he couldn't help but scold her, though his tone was filled with indulgent tenderness:
"Why the rush? You didn't even dry your hair before coming out. It's not like I was going to run away."
"..."
Seeing how attentively Leno cared for their sister, Sandersonia and her sister both broke into identical, knowing smiles.
But when they looked at Hancock, the corners of their mouths twitched uncontrollably, black lines creeping across their faces.
Hancock was propping up her cheeks with both hands, her face flushed crimson, her eyes turned into heart shapes as she sank completely into her own fantasies.
As for what Leno was saying, she couldn't hear a single word.
All she felt was being wrapped in overwhelming happiness, her mind replaying again and again the image of Leno gently drying her hair.
Layer upon layer of filters piled onto those images, until they finally froze on the scene of Leno personally draping a wedding gown over her.
Then wedding music seemed to ring in her ears, ribbons and balloons drifting down from the air as pink bubbles filled the surroundings…
"Hancock… Hancock!"
"Yes, Leno-sama!"
Snapped out of her fantasy by the gentle call, Hancock froze for a moment before throwing herself blissfully into Leno's arms, rubbing her cheek against his again and again.
Leno instinctively wrapped his arms around her soft body, his mind blanking out for a brief instant.
That fleeting moment of Hancock's innocent, dazed cuteness hit his heart like a heavy hammer, nearly making it stop beating altogether.
Regaining his composure, he took a closer look at her.
Fresh from her bath, she was wearing a form-fitting white cheongsam adorned with a red Nine Snakes pattern. The damp strands of hair clinging to her chest made that area nearly translucent.
The soft contours beneath were faintly visible, an alluring sight that appeared and vanished tantalizingly.
Her skin was crystal clear with a faint blush, delicate and smooth like a baby's, while her long, exposed legs shimmered with an irresistible glow.
That occasional hint of lazy allure made her look like a secluded orchid in a deep valley, radiating a purity and temptation that stole one's soul.
Hancock's beauty was domineering—bold and regal, the kind that ruled over all, drawing people close yet making them afraid to touch.
Even though Leno had only recently finished an intense battle and was firmly in his 'sage time,' his heart still couldn't help but tremble.
Steadying himself and suppressing the stirrings in his chest, Leno patted Hancock's back and spoke softly:
"Hancock, since everyone's here, this is a good chance to discuss how Amazon Lily has been developing lately."
After all, once he left this time, there was no telling how long it would be before he returned.
If the Land of Women had any difficulties, it would be best to resolve them now, rather than letting problems surface after everyone was gone.
No matter how much he cherished Hancock's beauty… he wouldn't just ignore everything else.
"Yes, Leno-sama~"
Nestled in his arms, Hancock replied obediently. But the moment she turned her head, her demeanor shifted completely as she commanded her sister beside her:
"Sandersonia, report the situation Amazon Lily has faced during this period to Leno-sama!"
"Yes, Sister—"
"I'll say it myself!"
A hoarse, aged voice echoed through the spacious hall, interrupting Sandersonia mid-sentence.
Everyone looked down and realized that at some point, the tiny Granny Nyon had appeared at their feet.
Leaning on her snake staff, she stared solemnly at Leno and Hancock on the seats above, her voice low and heavy:
"The biggest problem on Amazon Lily right now lies with you, Snake Princess."
"As the queen, you abandon your people and enjoy yourself outside alone. Don't you think that's going too far?"
As expected. Leno tightened the arm around Hancock's slender waist. He had worried about this before, but he didn't have any good solution either.
Given how dependent Hancock was on him, asking her to stay away from Leno for the sake of her people was simply impossible.
"Shut up! You're the real criminal—the one who abandoned the people and betrayed Amazon Lily back then!"
Hearing this little old woman dare to openly accuse her, veins bulged on Hancock's forehead as she exploded in fury.
In an instant, she appeared beside Granny Nyon, grabbed her by the hair, and lifted her entire body into the air.
"How dare you lecture me, the current queen? That is utter treason!"
With that, she turned and strode toward the window, Granny Nyon swinging back and forth in her grip like a winter melon.
"Sister!"
Behind her, Sandersonia and Marigold cried out in alarm as they saw their sister about to lay hands on an elderly woman.
Granny Nyon was already so old, and she was acting out of concern for Amazon Lily. They didn't want her to be hurt at her age.
But when Hancock reached the window, it was as if she suddenly came to a realization, her voice softening.
"Though you were rude, I truly admire your passion for worrying about the nation."
"I was wrong~"
She lifted Granny Nyon up in front of her, letting the little old woman meet her sincere gaze.
Seeing Hancock finally come to her senses, Granny Nyon beamed with joy—her efforts had finally been understood.
It seemed that although the Snake Princess was usually a bit willful, she was still a very competent queen.
Behind them, Sandersonia and Marigold finally let out the breath they'd been holding.
They'd truly been afraid their sister would act without restraint and hurt Granny Nyon.
Clutching her scalp and enduring the pain, Granny Nyon's wrinkled old face broke into a gratified smile.
"You finally understand my good intentions, Snake Princess!"
After a pause, she looked at Hancock's increasingly gentle expression and continued:
"Everything can be discussed~ Thank you for being willing to listen to my advice, Snake Princess~"
"Then you won't be leaving anymore, right? Right?"
Granny Nyon gazed at Hancock eagerly, hoping to hear the answer she longed for.
She then saw the Empress slowly close her eyes, as if letting out a breath.
When Hancock opened them again, her expression instantly turned wicked, her eyes filled with teasing mockery.
"I lied to you! Don't get carried away! I am the queen of this country!"
"(⊙o⊙)..."
Before Granny Nyon's shocked eyes, Hancock took a stance and, with a sharp 'whoosh,' hurled her out like a thrown ball.
"Get lost already, old hag!"
Smashing through the window, Granny Nyon tumbled through the air, still shouting defiantly:
"You hateful Snake Princess! This old woman will be back~"
Sandersonia: "..."
Marigold: "..."
Everyone else: "..."