Galette's expression changed instantly. She quickly reached up and pressed Lloyd's mask over his mouth, lowering her voice.
"Are you crazy? What nonsense are you saying?"
As she spoke, she glanced around nervously. Fortunately, everyone's attention was focused on Perospero, who stood above delivering the opening speech for the wedding. No one seemed to have heard Lloyd's earlier words.
Lloyd calmly raised his hand, gently gripping Galette's fair wrist and moving it away.
"I only stated a fact. Why are you so nervous?"
Galette let out a short, irritated laugh.
"It seems I was right to sit here. Didn't I just tell you who Monkey D. Dragon is? He is..."
Lloyd tilted his head slightly.
"Isn't he just a rebel leader?"
Galette fell silent for a moment, clearly frustrated.
At that moment, Stussy, who had been quietly smiling, spoke up.
"Miss Galette, perhaps you should be more cautious. Doesn't he know the saying that misfortune comes from the mouth?"
She shrugged lightly, her tone carrying a hint of amusement.
"I'm sorry, Miss Galette, but I really can't restrain him."
Galette's face flushed red with anger at the two of them. Just as she was about to respond, two figures suddenly appeared behind her.
Brûlée slapped her shoulder.
"Big Sister Galette!"
Startled, Galette turned around.
"Why are you two here?"
As she spoke, she subtly pulled her hand away from Lloyd's grasp.
Brûlée had already noticed the small movement but chose not to mention it. Instead, she chuckled and pulled Boir along to sit beside Galette. Her gaze shifted back and forth between Galette and Lloyd with clear curiosity.
"It was getting boring over there. I saw you chatting so happily, so I came to take a look."
Boir nodded eagerly, her expression clearly saying the same.
After sitting down, the two greeted Stussy and Lloyd politely.
Galette avoided Lloyd's gaze and looked down at her plate, her tone slightly stiff.
"What's so interesting here? And shouldn't you be helping in the kitchen?"
Brûlée stretched lazily.
"Long Bread has taken over everything. There's nothing left for me to do."
Galette frowned.
"Is his health alright?"
"He seemed fine. He said this wedding is important for the Charlotte Family, so he feels better handling it personally. He should be working on the main cake now."
Lloyd suddenly spoke.
"Is this Long Bread in poor health?"
Galette nodded slightly.
"You must have heard about the time Admiral Black Dragon fought Roger and Mom here, right?"
What she did not know was that the very person involved in that battle was sitting beside her.
Lloyd gave a small nod.
Stussy added,
"That incident caused quite a stir. It is said he came alone. Escaping unharmed from two Yonko level pirate crews is hard to imagine."
Galette sighed.
"I was still young back then and could only hide in my room. Big Brother Katakuri said the battle was extremely intense. Long Bread was severely injured and nearly lost his ability to fight. Even now, he hasn't fully recovered."
Boir's face showed lingering fear. She had hidden with Galette at the time and still remembered the deafening roars and the violent tremors that shook everything around them.
When they finally came out, everything had been reduced to ruins.
Brûlée, on the other hand, was less affected since she had not been born yet. Instead, she looked curious.
"Big Sister Galette, is that Admiral really that strong? I saw his picture in the newspaper, he looks very young. Even Mom and Pirate King Roger couldn't defeat him?"
Galette took a slow breath.
"You need to understand, that man once ended an era."
Lloyd let out a faint chuckle.
"I didn't expect someone of your standing to praise a Marine so highly."
Galette glanced at him indifferently.
"There's nothing strange about it. People all over the world say the same. After all, the moment he killed Pirate King Roger was broadcast live across the world."
Lloyd nodded slightly.
"I saw that broadcast too. It was quite something. Tell me, Miss Galette, have you ever imagined meeting Admiral Black Dragon one day?"
Galette froze for a moment before giving a bitter smile.
"What would that even look like? With his methods, I doubt I would even be left with a complete body. I heard he likes to twist off people's heads and use them as weapons."
Brûlée shivered and moved closer to Galette.
Lloyd tilted his head again, his tone casual.
"You're quite beautiful. He might not treat you that way."
Galette shook her head.
"Don't joke. There was someone in the Whitebeard Pirates, Whitey Bay. She was beautiful too, but he still twisted off her head. He even used it to kill Vista. Just thinking about it is terrifying."
Brûlée clutched Galette's arm tightly.
"Big Sister, stop, you're scaring me."
Even Galette herself looked pale as she spoke, her body trembling slightly.
Seeing this, Lloyd reached out and lightly patted her shoulder.
"There's no need to be afraid. I will protect you."
Brûlée suddenly burst into laughter.
"Mr. Zero, are you sure you're not exaggerating?"
Galette, now regaining her composure, discreetly pinched Brûlée's thigh under the table. Although she also felt Lloyd's words were overly confident, they stirred a strange warmth in her chest. She did not want him to be mocked.
Stussy spoke in his defense.
"My Zero is not exaggerating. His strength is quite remarkable."
Brûlée raised an eyebrow, her thoughts racing.
Your? Looking at Big Sister, she is clearly interested in him. Once this wedding ends, there is no way I am letting him leave so easily.
Just as their conversation continued, a loud voice echoed from the wedding entrance.
"The bride and groom have arrived!"