Walking into the royal palace, Shirakawa didn't think much of it — he'd visited a kingdom's palace before, all the way in the New World. But the others were a different story; exclamations of wonder spilled from their mouths nonstop.
Hearing their admiration, Chaka's face broke into a faint smile, as if proud of their praise. After all, this was the most magnificent place in all of Alabasta.
"The throne room is just ahead. Please follow me."
"Yeah."
Shirakawa and his crew answered lightly, then watched as Chaka pushed open the tightly shut doors. In an instant, the sight befitting a royal palace unfolded before their eyes.
Gleaming floors that reflected like mirrors, walls of glittering gold, a long carpeted walkway, and at the end, the man seated upon the throne.
Below him stood two rows of people — the civil and military officials, by the look of it.
"Quite a lot of ceremony," Shirakawa muttered under his breath. That kingdom in the New World hadn't had such an elaborate process for meeting the king. That king had even come to the city gates to receive him personally.
"Your Majesty, your servant has fulfilled his duty and brought the members of the Silver Pirates before you."
Chaka knelt on one knee before the king, his tone deeply respectful.
"Good. You may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty." With that, Chaka rose and walked over to the row on the left, taking his place at the very end.
"So this is the king? Doesn't look like much."
A voice suddenly sounded right next to Cobra, startling him badly. He whipped his head around — the young woman from the Silver Pirates had somehow appeared at his side.
The kingdom's ministers were equally startled. They had allowed a dangerous individual to get so close to their king with such ease.
"Get away from His Majesty at once!"
The guards flanking Cobra leveled their weapons at Adala.
Cobra swallowed hard. For a moment, it felt as if he had been teetering on the edge of life and death.
"Alright, Adala, come back now. That's enough playing around."
Shirakawa spoke, the necessary intimidation now delivered.
"Okaaay." Adala's voice stretched out lazily. Under Cobra's gaze, she walked step by step back to stand behind Shirakawa.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. My subordinate was out of line and caused you trouble."
Shirakawa offered a slight bow to Cobra, a token of apology.
"It's nothing. Young girls are bound to be a little mischievous."
Cobra wiped nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead, still shaken. They had intended to put the Silver Pirates in their place with a show of authority, yet in the end, it was they who had been cowed.
"Heh." Shirakawa let out a dry laugh. Even now, the king had to make it seem like he held the upper hand. Truly worthy of being a king — heart in turmoil, but wearing a mask of perfect composure.
"Right, Your Majesty, you ought to thank us. On our way here, we helped you take care of a rather big problem."
"Oh? What problem?"
"Riddle." Shirakawa called out, and Riddle stepped forward, dumping the man he'd been carrying on his back — Marquis Kuroor — onto the floor.
"Your Majesty, you recognize this man, I presume?"
"Of course. He is a marquis of our kingdom. May I ask what offense he has committed to be tied up and brought here like this?"
Cobra's tone turned hostile. This was the moment to display a king's dignity.
Kuroor lifted his head to glance at Cobra, but upon meeting that intimidating gaze, immediately lowered it again.
"Your Majesty, on our way to the capital, we happened to catch this man preparing to raise an army in rebellion. So, for the sake of your upcoming grand wedding, we decided to lend a hand — consider it our wedding gift to you. How about that?"
Hearing Shirakawa spin such utter nonsense, the crew members behind him struggled to hold back laughter. They'd never known their captain had this kind of talent.
Cobra's expression soured considerably. He hadn't expected the other side to seize the advantage on this matter.
Now they were insisting Kuroor was a rebel, and that their actions were entirely for the kingdom's sake. What could he even say? Best to take the out while it was offered.
Cobra suddenly realized how hard it was to be king. Behind him stood every citizen of this kingdom; he couldn't gamble with their safety.
"Then you have my thanks. Might I ask if you would now hand Marquis Kuroor over to us?"
No matter what, Kuroor was still one of his men. The priority was getting him back. Even if he'd committed a crime, punishment — be it execution or flogging — should come from Cobra himself.
"Sure, no problem. But you'll have to pay a little something to ransom him back."
As Shirakawa said this, he raised one hand and rubbed his fingers together meaningfully.
"Didn't you say this was a wedding gift? How can a gift cost money?"
Cobra's eyes went wide as bronze bells, an expression of utter disbelief.
"That may be what I said, but we are pirates. Have you ever known pirates to be reasonable?"
Shirakawa asked with feigned confusion. Calling it a gift was just talk — how could the king actually take it seriously?
"Fine. Fine."
Cobra bit out the word twice, suppressing the fury rising in his chest. If he weren't so thoroughly outmatched, he'd have thrown them out that very instant.
"How much do you want?"
"Not much. Just one hundred million Berries. For the royal palace, that should be easy enough to produce, no?"
"Fine."
Cobra breathed a sigh of relief. He had truly feared Shirakawa would demand an outrageous sum.
"There's one more condition."
At those words, Cobra's just-settled heart lurched again.
"Name it."
"Our main purpose in coming here is to attend your wedding. So for the coming month, you'll need to arrange a place for us to stay within the palace, won't you?"
"That's easily done. No problem."
In fact, Cobra was more than happy to have Shirakawa and his crew stay right here. Once the Marines arrived in a few days, there'd be a show waiting for them.
"Do you have any other requests?"
"None. This idiot marquis is now returned to you."
Upon hearing those words, Cobra's heart finally settled completely.
"Chaka, escort the members of the Silver Pirates to their quarters, and while you're at it, give them a proper tour of the palace."
Cobra commanded the same Chaka who had led them in earlier.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I can't shake the feeling that king still has something up his sleeve. Why did he look so pleased when we said we'd stay? You think there's a trap waiting for us?"
After leaving the throne room, Jora leaned in close to Shirakawa and whispered.
"Who knows? Still, when soldiers come, we'll send a general; when water floods, we'll build a dam. Nothing to be afraid of."
/-\
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