A single sentence froze Pudding in place, leaving her stiff in her chair for a long moment.
She stared blankly at Lloyd, then after a while, her lips trembled as she murmured,
"You… you just said my eyes…"
Lloyd folded his arms and replied calmly,
"Miss Pudding, the eye beneath your bangs is very beautiful. You do not need to hide it."
Only Pudding understood how deeply those words struck her.
Since childhood, she had been mocked and rejected because of her third eye. Even Charlotte Linlin had once called it disgusting. From then until now, no one had ever praised it.
Not once.
A thin mist gathered in Pudding's amber eyes. She rubbed them quickly, her voice shaking as she forced the words out,
"Thank you…"
Lloyd waved it off lightly.
"There is nothing to thank me for. I simply spoke the truth."
In his memories from his past life, the first figure that came to mind when thinking of a third eye was Erlang Shen, a figure known for his striking appearance.
Of course, Lloyd was fully aware of the effect his words would have. Pudding revealing her third eye unintentionally had created the perfect moment. A simple sentence like that could easily win her favor.
It cost him nothing, and it was not against his will.
Pudding tightened her grip on her skirt, her gaze drifting again and again toward Lloyd's mask. Her thoughts began to wander, imagining the face hidden beneath it.
But Lloyd no longer paid her any attention. His gaze had already shifted upward, toward Linlin and the others.
After Teach and Chiffon finished displaying their overly affectionate behavior, they took seats near Linlin's table.
Linlin swept her gaze across the hall and suddenly shouted,
"Praline, why is your husband Aladine not here? Did you not inform him?"
Under everyone's attention, a tall young woman with a shark-like lower body stood. She bowed respectfully before answering in a steady tone,
"Mama, I already contacted him through a Den Den Mushi. He said it was not convenient."
Linlin narrowed her eyes.
"Not convenient? Is it inconvenient for him, or for the entire Sun Pirates?"
A heavy pressure spread from her, pressing down on Praline.
Praline's body stiffened, her face turning pale. She clenched her teeth and replied,
"Mom, Fisher Tiger is a Shichibukai. Please understand."
Linlin let out a cold laugh.
"Mamama… Newgate, did you hear that? Even a Shichibukai dares to disrespect us now."
Whitebeard frowned slightly.
"That is enough, Linlin. Do not ruin the wedding over this."
It was his first time attending his son's wedding, and he found himself unexpectedly enjoying it, almost forgetting this was nothing more than a political alliance.
Below, Lloyd watched the scene with a faint smile, thinking that Whitebeard was far too invested in this family play.
Ignoring Whitebeard's words, Linlin continued coldly,
"The Sun Pirates are tied to Fish-Man Island. Recently, Fish-Man Island and the Navy have grown closer… Katakuri."
Katakuri stood immediately.
"Mama."
"After the wedding, take men with you and visit Fish-Man Island properly."
"Yes."
Praline's face turned pale with panic. She loved her husband deeply and could not bear the thought of his home being destroyed. As a mermaid, Fish-Man Island was also her home.
In desperation, she shouted,
"Mama, no! Fish-Man Island is innocent!"
Katakuri's expression changed sharply.
"Praline, sit down!"
He was trying to protect her.
But Pudding had already lost control.
"Brother Katakuri, please do not harm the people of Fish-Man Island!"
The moment those words left her mouth, Katakuri's heart sank. He said nothing further, only glanced at Linlin.
Linlin's face darkened. Slowly, she raised her hand.
"You ungrateful child…"
Everyone present reacted instantly.
Chiffon pulled the confused Teach into her arms. Galette grabbed Lloyd's arm tightly. Pudding and the others lowered their heads, not daring to look.
They all knew what was coming.
Soul Pocus.
Even Linlin's own children were not spared from it.
Praline shut her eyes, accepting her fate. No matter how much she resisted, fear still gripped her heart.
The once lively hall fell into complete silence.
Then, just as Linlin was about to act, a calm, magnetic voice cut through the tension.
"Miss Praline, if standing there is uncomfortable, you can come sit here."
Silence shattered.
Pudding and the others froze in shock. Galette reacted first, her face pale as she snapped,
"Have you lost your mind?"
She reached to cover Lloyd's mask again, but her wrist was caught firmly by him.
Despair flashed across her face. In her eyes, Lloyd was as good as dead.
Still, she prepared to beg Linlin for mercy.
Yet something was wrong.
Linlin showed no anger.
Instead, her expression grew serious.
Not only her, but Whitebeard and Monkey D. Dragon also reacted subtly.
Linlin stared at Lloyd's mask.
"That voice… it sounds familiar. Who are you?"
Before her words faded, several sharp wind blades shot toward Lloyd.
He remained seated, unmoving.
Behind him, a dark vortex appeared and swallowed every attack completely.
Silence followed.
Then a trembling voice broke it.
"Darkness… that is the power of darkness. There is no mistake… he is the Fleet Admiral!"
Dragon's remaining arm surged with wind, a bead of sweat rolling down his face.
"Heh…"
Lloyd let out a quiet chuckle as he slowly rose to his feet under the stunned gazes around him.
"Monkey D. Dragon… you are still as rude as ever."