As soon as Sugar finished speaking, Jona, who was walking ahead, abruptly froze, her expression changing sharply. She turned back with wide eyes toward Monet. Monet quickly reached out and covered Sugar's mouth.
Even though Sugar's voice had been soft, both Saint Garling and Lloyd had far keener hearing than ordinary people. The moment they heard a sound, both turned their gazes toward the entrance.
Monet finally saw Lloyd's face clearly for the first time. He was even more striking than she had imagined, radiating a noble presence that did not come from clothing or adornments but seemed part of him naturally.
Monet knew that the Figarland Family's lineage was already exceptional, and combined with Lloyd having undergone various enhancements and wielding a Vampire Fruit ability, his features were close to perfection.
Years later, no matter how many times Monet recalled her first glimpse of Lloyd, only one word ever came to mind: breathtaking.
While Monet stood lost in thought, cold sweat was already beading on Jona's brow. In her mind, Sugar's slip was a serious breach of etiquette.
Everyone in the Figarland Family's service knew that Saint Garling, the Family Head, valued rules above all. If a subordinate interrupted him while he was speaking, they would usually face execution.
This was indeed the custom… but they did not know that with Lloyd present, Saint Garling's disposition softened considerably.
Saint Garling merely glanced briefly at the Monet sisters before shifting his gaze back to his discussion. Lloyd let out a quiet chuckle and lifted his hand, beckoning gently.
Jona immediately retreated behind the Monet sisters and urged Monet forward.
Monet blinked as if awakening from a dream and guided Sugar toward Lloyd.
Both Saint Garling and Lloyd exuded such powerful auras that Monet felt the pressure deepen as she stepped closer. She instinctively held her breath, while Sugar hid behind her, her tiny hand clutching at the hem of Monet's clothes.
Lloyd smiled faintly and reached toward a fruit plate on the table. He picked up a bunch of grapes and leaned slightly to offer them.
The fruit provided for people of their status was clearly exquisite. Each grape was nearly the same size, glimmering like perfect purple pearls. Even looking at them made one's mouth water.
Sugar, who already loved grapes, couldn't help but swallow audibly, her large eyes glittering with longing.
Although she wanted to reach for the fruit, Sugar paused and looked toward Monet for permission.
Before Monet could answer, Lloyd had already placed the grapes gently into Sugar's small hands and said softly, "Eat."
Sugar could no longer contain her excitement. She carefully plucked one grape, placed it on her finger, and then popped it into her mouth.
The sweet flesh burst with flavor. Sugar had never eaten anything so delicious. Her eyes nearly closed in delight, and her face lit up with pure happiness.
Seeing this, Lloyd's smile deepened, adding warmth to his already handsome features.
Monet watched from the side, feeling as though she were in another world. This gentle Lloyd before her seemed impossible to connect with the ruthless figure she had witnessed earlier in Rozwald's downfall.
As Sugar enjoyed her grape, Lloyd's gaze shifted toward Monet. Caught in his heterochromatic stare, Monet instinctively lowered her head.
Then Lloyd extended a finger toward her and gently hooked Monet's fair chin, prompting her to look up.
Monet felt her pulse quicken, and her breath caught, but before her mind could spiral further, Lloyd removed his hand.
From the side, Saint Garling spoke in a teasing tone.
"Lloyd, did you really buy her because she's a Logia user?"
Lloyd smiled slightly and answered calmly, "After all, she was the first person I bought with Berries, so I have to take a good look."
Upon hearing this, a strange warmth spread through Monet's chest that she couldn't quite explain.
But then Sugar spoke again in her innocent voice, "Young Master, what about Lucia‑sama?"
Monet blinked sharply at this, and Lloyd paused before chuckling lightly.
"You know Lucia?"
Sugar nodded proudly and said, "Yes, Sister Jona told us. Lucia‑sama is my sister's and my role model."
"Oh?" Lloyd's lips curved slightly. "Then you two must work hard."
Saying that, Lloyd lifted Sugar into his lap, gently pinching her chubby, fair cheek with a faint smile.
"Lucia was bought by Uncle Garling and given to me. I didn't buy her myself," he explained.
Sugar glanced toward Saint Garling but quickly shrank back into Lloyd's arms, startled by Garling's imposing presence.
Saint Garling seemed unaware that his stern expression had frightened the child. He calmly lifted his teacup and took a sip of tea, observing Lloyd as he interacted with his newest little slave.
Lloyd plucked another grape and placed it on Sugar's fingertip. While Sugar enjoyed her treat, his eyes shifted back to Monet.
"Monet," Lloyd asked gently, "do you understand what your status is now?"
Monet, sharp and perceptive, immediately knelt on the ground and spoke clearly and confidently.
"I am the Young Master's slave!"
Her words came straight from her heart. Not only had Lloyd's aura dazzled her, but his kindness toward Sugar had touched her more than she had expected.
Seeing Monet's reaction, Sugar mimicked her and loudly proclaimed in her childish voice.
Even Saint Garling's stoic expression twitched at the unexpected outburst before he looked down to take another sip of his tea.
A small smile formed on Lloyd's lips as he looked at Sugar in his arms.
He had already confirmed that Sugar had not eaten a Devil Fruit yet, which was fortunate. He did not wish for her to have eaten the Hobby‑Hobby Fruit like in the original story, but she still needed to eat a Devil Fruit of her own.
As for which Devil Fruit she would eat, Lloyd already had an idea in mind.
But first, they needed to begin training the Monet sisters in combat — at least enough so they would not remain as they had originally, unskilled in Haki and physical prowess.
Only by strengthening their martial abilities could they fully harness the powers of their Devil Fruits in the future.
In Lloyd's view, aside from the Smoke‑Smoke Fruit, which was like a blank slate, the remaining Logia Devil Fruits all possessed tremendous potential, even the Flare‑Flare Fruit, which many dismissed as weak in the original story.
Of course, that fruit was still far from weak — it would drive countless people mad if set in the right context.
Just as Lloyd was considering these plans, Guard Captain Carlos entered the hall briskly. He knelt on one knee next to Jona and spoke in his deep voice.
"Saint Garling, Saint Saturn waits in the reception room. He said he has something to discuss with the Young Master."