Ren and Shakky entered Gloriosa's room without knocking. She immediately turned toward them with irritation, her expression sharp and annoyed. "Knock when you come into someone's room."
"Tsk, no big deal," Shakky waved it off casually and tossed a red, tomato-like fruit toward her. Gloriosa caught it instinctively, her eyes narrowing as she examined it. "A Devil Fruit?"
"Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Vampire," Ren said calmly. "It grants the ability to manipulate blood and drink it to steal life force, giving pseudo-immortality."
Gloriosa frowned slightly, still staring at the fruit in her hand. "And why give this to me?" The idea of something that could grant immortality being handed to her so casually left her unsettled.
Shakky winked lightly. "Well, we're already ageless, or you could say we age very slowly, like giants now." She stepped closer, her tone softening. "Come on, just eat it."
Gloriosa hesitated, her grip tightening around the fruit. "No… you should give it to someone you trust—"
Shakky placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her mid-sentence. "Please, Gloriosa. I don't want you dying and leaving me. You promised, as my sister and friend, that you would share my burdens."
Those words struck deep, and Gloriosa's expression softened. Still, something about Shakky's tone felt off, but she pushed the thought aside. "Are you sure?" she asked, glancing at Ren.
Ren nodded calmly, giving her silent reassurance. Taking a deep breath, Gloriosa raised the fruit and bit into it. Her face immediately twisted in disgust at the taste, but she forced herself to swallow it.
A strange warmth spread through her body, her veins pulsing with new energy. Her eyes turned red, her ears sharpened, and two bat-like wings appeared on her back. She stood there, transformed into her vampire form.
"Good," Shakky said with a satisfied smile. "Now go drink some blood and regain your prime body. There are plenty of pirates and slave traders around here, so don't hold back."
Gloriosa nodded slowly before turning toward the window. Her body dissolved into a swarm of bats, which flew out into the night sky. Shakky immediately wrapped her arms around Ren from behind.
"So, when will you cure her lovesickness?" she asked playfully. Ren smirked slightly and leaned closer, whispering into her ear. "What about tonight?"
Shakky grinned, and the two quickly moved onto the bed without another word.
Meanwhile, Gloriosa flew through the night, hunting down pirates and slave traders. She drained their blood without hesitation, her body gradually restoring itself. Her wrinkles faded, her strength returned, and soon she stood in her prime, looking like she was in her thirties.
"This feels… so good," she murmured, stretching her body slightly before heading back toward the inn.
As she entered her room, the scene in front of her froze her in place. Her face flushed red instantly. "Y-you shameless people! Go to your own damn room!"
Shakky, breathing heavily, turned toward her. "Hah… Gloriosa, you finally came. Help me…"
Gloriosa blinked in confusion. "What?"
Shakky looked at her innocently, her expression teasing. "Didn't you say you would share my burdens?"
"Y-you—" Gloriosa pointed at her, her face burning with embarrassment and anger. She finally understood why something had felt off earlier.
"I only like Roger, Shakky—"
"He already had a child before he surrendered to the World Government. He never liked you, Gloriosa," Shakky said softly as she hugged her.
Tears fell from Gloriosa's eyes as she clutched Shakky. "Shakky… you knew about the lovesickness—"
Shakky looked at her gently. "Trust me." Before she could resist further, she was pulled onto the bed.
Early the next morning, Gloriosa woke up feeling sore all over. A faint moon-shaped mark glowed on her forehead for a moment before fading away. She frowned slightly, her thoughts conflicted.
"Damn… he's a monster. No wonder Shakky dragged me into this," she muttered under her breath, glancing at Ren.
Her eyes hardened with resolve. I won't cling to the past… but I won't fall for you just because Shakky said so. Let me see what kind of man you really are.
With that thought, she closed her eyes again and went back to sleep.
When the sun rose, Ren, Shakky, and Gloriosa stepped out of the room and waited for the others to gather. The inn was quiet, with only faint morning sounds echoing through the halls.
Yamato's door opened first, and she stepped out stretching. "Good morning, every—" She suddenly froze, her eyes locking onto Gloriosa.
"Who is she?" she asked, pointing directly at her.
Ren and Shakky both laughed lightly. "That's Gloriosa," Shakky replied.
Yamato blinked in disbelief. "What?????"
Soon, Jack, Page One, Ulti, Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold also arrived. Except for Sandersonia and Marigold, who were still waking up, everyone stared at Gloriosa in shock.
Yamato puffed her cheeks in frustration. "Oi, Ren! Why didn't you tell me there were Devil Fruits that can make you grow up?"
Ren sighed and ruffled her hair. "Oi, don't get stupid ideas. Yours is already a very strong Devil Fruit. And stop always thinking about growing up."
Ulti pouted, crossing her arms. "What if you run off when we aren't good enough?" Yamato looked at him silently, clearly thinking the same thing.
Ren paused before pulling both of them into a hug. "Tsk, stupid girls. You're all precious parts of our family. Don't say things like that."
He opened one arm and gestured toward Hancock and Page One. After a moment of hesitation, Hancock stepped forward shyly, her cheeks slightly red. Page One ran forward and hugged Ren tightly.
Gloriosa and Shakky watched the scene quietly, both smiling as they observed the growing bond between them.