Inside the bedchamber, on the magnificent bed, Hancock's heart pounded, as if it could burst from her chest at any moment.
During those dark days in Holy Land Mary Geoise, the devil, still a child then, had whispered in her ear more than once that one day, he would make her his woman.
At that time, he was still young, and his methods of tormenting her were mostly psychological humiliation, supplemented by some physical contact that made her feel ashamed and furious to the point of death, yet powerless to resist.
Now, he was a true man.
Hancock knew that this day was inevitable.
She forcefully suppressed the fear that originated from her maidenhood, forced a smile uglier than a cry, and struggled to get up.
"Saint Ian, This Humble One... This Humble One will help you change."
Before she finished speaking, a hand gently pressed on her shoulder, pushing her back down.
Ian's face wore that familiar, heart-stopping smile.
"From now on, you, Gunko, and Nami will address This Young Master as Young Master."
Hancock's delicate body trembled, and she bit her lip, nodding gently.
Then, she slowly raised her head, her beautiful eyes, once so proud and arrogant, now only filled with a misty struggle. She mustered the greatest courage of her life, met those eyes that seemed to see through her soul, her lips quivered several times, before finally uttering a barely audible call.
"...Young Master."
"Very good."
Ian was very satisfied with her obedience, and the curve of his lips deepened a bit.
"Next, accompany This Young Master to bathe. After a long journey, This Young Master hasn't had a good bath in a long time."
No sooner had he spoken than, without waiting for any further reaction from Hancock, Ian bent down and scooped her up in his arms. Amidst a somewhat suppressed gasp, he strode towards the indoor hot spring deep within the bedchamber... Two hours later.
Royal Palace Grand Hall.
When Ian's figure reappeared at the hall entrance, everyone's gaze in the hall instantly converged on him.
Following behind Ian was Empress Boa Hancock.
However, the Hancock of this moment was a completely different person from the trembling, pale, pitiful figure of two hours ago.
She was still wearing her magnificent palace dress, but her cheeks were flushed with an intoxicating blush, and her brows and eyes were filled with an unyielding spring-like charm. Her already stunningly beautiful face, which could captivate all beings, now seemed infused with a soul, radiant and vibrant. With every gesture and smile, she exuded a breathtaking allure, so beautiful that all the women present felt a sense of suffocation.
"Wow..."
Nami subconsciously opened her mouth wide, her eyes round, and almost drooled. This ultimate beauty was even more dazzling than gold.
Princess Anna, on the other hand, showed a knowing smile, gently nudging Nami's arm, her eyes conveying the words 'another sister has been added'.
On the other side, although Gion and Tina appeared calm, they were both still amazed by Hancock's beauty.
Even Gunko, who was usually expressionless, couldn't help but let her cold eyes linger on Hancock for an extra two seconds.
Unlike the admiration of outsiders, Hancock's two younger sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, after a brief moment of absent-mindedness, showed a deeper concern in their eyes.
Elder Sister had become more beautiful, but this beauty came at the cost of her dignity being completely crushed.
Only the Amazon Lily female warriors, who didn't understand what was happening, completely erupted the moment they saw their Empress!
"It's Empress!"
"Oh my god! Your Majesty is even more beautiful than before!"
"Great! Our proud and beautiful Empress has finally returned!"
They completely ignored the man walking in front, all their attention drawn to their Empress, genuinely happy for her.
Amidst these complex gazes—some admiring, some worried, some fanatical—Ian seemed to be in a realm of his own, walking directly to the serpent-shaped throne at the head of the great hall, the one belonging to the Empress, and sat down.
Immediately after, he extended an arm and, amidst gasps of surprise, pulled Hancock beside him into his embrace, letting her sit sideways on his lap.
"This Young Master is happy today, no need to mind the rules," Ian said in high spirits. "You can play however you like."
"Really, Young Master?"
Nami was the first to jump out, her eyes sparkling, "Can I go explore the island?!"
Ian didn't answer, he just turned his head, looking at the stunning beauty in his arms, who had already stiffened, with a half-smile.
"This is Amazon Lily. What This Young Master says doesn't count, you have to ask her."
Being held by Ian in such an intimate posture in front of everyone, Hancock's face was so red it looked like it could drip blood. There was no trace of her usual domineering and strong Shichibukai demeanor. She spoke weakly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"With Young Master here, This Humble One... This Humble One dares not make decisions."
"From now on, you make the decisions," Ian's finger gently traced her smooth chin, and he said with a beaming smile, "Not just for them, but also for This Young Master's food, clothing, housing, and transportation during his stay in Amazon Lily, you call the shots."
Hancock's delicate body trembled, and she suddenly looked up.
When she met Ian's gaze again, she was surprised to find that the fear that had plagued her heart for many years seemed to have dissipated a lot without her realizing it.
In its place was an unprecedented sense of dependence that made her flustered, and even a hint of secret pleasure from being pampered by him.
After a brief silence, Hancock took a deep breath, averted her gaze, and for the first time, in the manner of a mistress, looked at the crowd in the great hall.
"Issue a decree: the Amazon Lily Kingdom shall observe a three-day holiday starting today, celebrating throughout the nation!"
"Everyone can participate in tonight's banquet!"
Her words were powerful and resonant, fully displaying the Empress's aura.
But no sooner had she spoken than she immediately reverted to that docile kitten, nervously looking up at Ian, with a trace of imperceptible flattery, and softly asked:
"Young Master, is This Humble One's arrangement acceptable?"
Ian raised his hand and pinched her delicate cheek, smiling.
"Of course it is."
"You are the Empress, you make the decisions."