For more than a week after that, Yami stayed at the palace on Amazon Lily.
Besides Sandersonia and Marigold, no one else knew about Hancock hiding a man in her quarters. After Gloriosa abdicated, she had long since moved out of the palace, only returning to find Hancock for urgent matters. The three Hancock sisters had also declared to the outside world that they were afflicted by the Gorgon's curse, so there were almost only the three of them in the palace.
Therefore, Yami lived there without ever being discovered.
The reason Yami chose to stay was, naturally, to increase Hancock's affection for him. Yami's goal on Amazon Lily was to win over both the person and their fortune. After confirming Hancock was full of goodwill towards him, Yami certainly couldn't choose to leave.
Thus, Yami took the initiative, letting Hancock experience the taste of dating.
He deliberately found topics of conversation, recounting his adventurous experiences and making Hancock full of longing for Sky Island. Immediately after, Yami revealed his Paramecia-type Teleport-Teleport Fruit ability, continuously teleporting with Hancock to Sky Island.
Since birth, Hancock had never left the Calm Belt alone. Even when she was captured as a slave, her two sisters were with her. This was her first time in the outside world by herself. At this moment, the Pirate Empress felt a sense of novelty.
At Yami's invitation, Hancock seemed to have shed the heavy burden of being an empress, revealing the pure and lovely appearance of a young woman she had in her sleep, and strolled through Angel Island with Yami. Seeing the pure white sea of clouds and some magical Sky Shells for the first time, Hancock let out cute gasps of surprise.
However, this different atmosphere was quickly ruined.
Because after Hancock arrived on Angel Island's Lovely Street, she instantly caused a huge commotion. Her charm, which was irresistible to men and women, young and old, caused all the angels who saw her to surround her with hearts in their eyes.
In response, Hancock subconsciously furrowed her delicate brows, about to use her Conqueror's Haki to clear the area. Just then, Yami placed a hand on her shoulder and teleported away from Sky Island with her.
When the two returned again, Hancock had changed into a fashionable white trench coat and black trousers, wearing a flat cap and sunglasses. Although her perfect figure and temperament still attracted countless gazes, thankfully the scene did not spiral out of control as it had before.
After strolling through Angel Street with Yami and experiencing the joy of shopping, Hancock quickly became immersed in the happiness of the date. For the next week or so, Yami took Hancock to visit unique islands in both the first and second halves of the Grand Line.
During their travels, Yami and Hancock experienced all sorts of interesting things. For instance, although they were both in disguise, Hancock's figure and temperament were so exceptional that she attracted the covetous eyes of many local thugs and pirates.
Faced with these pests, Hancock's initial instinct was to turn them to stone. But Yami stepped forward, controlling his strength to knock down all the thugs and pirates. He let the disguised Hancock gradually assume this new identity and experience the feeling of being protected.
This feeling made Hancock gradually sink deeper, and she began to get used to relying on Yami when they were outside. Every time they returned from a trip, as Hancock lay in bed, her mind would replay the scenes of her time with Yami, and her dreams were also filled with his figure.
Just as Hancock thought this kind of life would continue forever, a call from the West Blue shattered Hancock's beautiful fantasy, forcing the Pirate Empress to face a harsh reality.
"Purupurupuru... Purupurupuru..."
In the capital of a certain affiliated country in the first half of the Grand Line, Yami, who was shopping with Hancock, suddenly heard the sound of a Den Den Mushi from his wrist. In front of Hancock, who was holding an ice cream cone and licking it, Yami answered the call.
"Moshi moshi... Master, I've completed the mission."
As soon as the call connected, the Den Den Mushi mimicked a grinning face: "I'm waiting on an island near where we separated. You can find me with the Vivre Card."
"Good work. I'm on my way."
Yami replied immediately and hung up.
Then, pretending not to notice Hancock's slightly dazed expression, Yami placed a hand on her shoulder and said with a hint of apology, "I'm sorry, Hancock, I have something important to take care of now. I'll take you out again when I have the chance in the future."
After he finished speaking, Yami used a series of teleports to bring Hancock back to the palace.
The words "in the future" in his sentence caused Hancock's pupils to contract sharply.
As Yami retracted his hand, preparing to teleport away, his arm was suddenly grabbed by a small hand. Hancock's head was lowered, her flat cap and sunglasses hiding the windows to her soul, making it impossible to see her expression.
"Are you leaving?" Hancock asked softly.
"Yes, I have to leave for a few days." Yami, feigning ignorance of her emotional change, smiled and said, "I'm going to pick up Nami. After that, I'll have to trouble you to guide her Haki training."
"Mm, I shall wait for you here."
Hearing that Yami would return, Hancock's mood finally recovered, and she nodded slightly.
"Well then, I'll be going."
Yami waved his hand, and then his figure vanished into thin air.
Staring at the spot where Yami disappeared, Hancock felt a pang of sadness in her heart, even though she knew he would be back.
Especially when she recalled how, after taking that call, Yami had sent her back without hesitation to go find his maid.
Could it be... that my charm can't compare to a maid's?
The thought that her position in Yami's heart was not as important as those maids made Hancock feel both upset and defiant.
"I want to see just how beautiful this Nami and the un-bountied Carina are. I... will absolutely not lose to them."
Hancock suddenly took a bite of the ice cream in her hand as she spoke.
Little did she know, she had fallen right into a trap specially designed by Yami.
Yami not only wanted to gain a perfect wife and partner and secure both the person and their fortune, but he also wanted to ensure harmony aboard the Pegasus.
Therefore, Yami would not be looking for a matriarch for Carina and the other girls. He wanted Hancock to lower her status and actively join his family.
To do this, Yami couldn't appear too enthusiastic; he couldn't let Hancock realize how much he coveted her body. Instead, he had to switch from being active to passive, making Hancock realize that her position in his heart was actually far less important than that of Carina and the other girls.
If she didn't take the initiative to fight for it, she would surely miss out on Yami.
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