Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Proud Hancock
"Me?"
Rindo was a little surprised, then turned to look at Elder Nyon.
Hancock was the most beloved and respected Empress of Amazon Lily, and being able to serve her was an honor everyone desired.
"Go ahead, and take good care of the Snake Princess," Elder Nyon said.
Sandasonia and Marigold, Hancock's two sisters, were clearly reluctant to part, but they didn't object.
"Well then, thank you for your help, Caelan. We'll take our leave now."
After giving a deep bow, Elder Nyon led the Kuja Pirates away.
Only Hancock and Rindo remained on Caelan's ship.
The mood aboard the Wind Rider was tense.
Hancock, who had just arrived, already considered herself the mistress of the ship.
"All of you women, listen closely. Caelan is my man. Don't even think about getting any funny ideas!"
Facing Nami and the others, Hancock pointed at Caelan and declared her claim over him in a domineering tone.
Behind her, the guards waved flags and shouted, cheering Hancock on.
"It's not that I became your man, it's that you've become my woman!"
Caelan knocked Hancock on the head, his face dark.
"Ow, that hurts!"
Hancock looked at Caelan aggrievedly, then quickly brightened up.
Caelan had said she was his woman—that must mean he had fallen for her.
As expected, her charm was irresistible, even to someone like Caelan.
"Caelan, since I'm your woman now, can't you get rid of them?"
Hancock pointed at Nami and the other girls, full of hope.
"That's impossible."
"Love is selfish. Especially mine. Understand?"
Caelan lifted Hancock's chin, gazing into her bright eyes.
"…I understand."
Hancock nodded, a bit wronged.
Though she didn't want to share Caelan with others, if it was his request, she'd learn to endure.
At the same time, she trusted in her own charm. She believed she'd eventually become the most special one in his heart.
"Good. That's your reward."
Caelan gently touched her cheek, then stepped back.
"Not enough!"
That brief moment of affection wasn't enough for Hancock.
Before Caelan could react, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.
Soft. Warm.
Caelan switched from defense to offense, but after a few moments, he pushed her away when she started getting carried away.
Calmly wiping the saliva from his lips, Caelan refused her attempt to continue.
When it came to having multiple women around, he had to assert control.
Especially with someone like Hancock—obsessive and domineering—he had to stay firm, or the whole ship could go down.
"Get along with the others. Don't start any fights."
"And the same goes for all of you. Hancock is one of us now, so get along."
Caelan spoke seriously to everyone.
"I understand."
Hancock nodded obediently.
"We get it too."
The other girls exchanged glances.
Since Caelan wanted to be with all of them, they would at least try to accept her.
Seeing their reaction, Caelan was satisfied. He picked up his suitcase and headed into the cabin.
Once Caelan's back disappeared, Hancock's obedient expression vanished. She returned to her proud, overbearing Pirate Empress self.
"See? We just met, but Caelan loves me most."
"You women, just be my background characters!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Hancock touched her still-warm lips and proudly flaunted herself in front of the other girls.
Only Gion, Uta, and Nojiko reacted. The others looked unfazed.
They had experienced that level of intimacy with Caelan before.
"You just promised Caelan to behave, so why is this happening already?"
Robin held her forehead, visibly distressed.
"So what? I'm the most beautiful. I'll definitely capture Caelan's heart completely."
"If you know what's good for you, accept being maids. Serve me and Caelan obediently."
Hancock gently stroked her own face, intoxicated by her delusions.
"In other words, you're not planning to get along with us at all?"
Robin asked with a teasing smile.
Behind her, the other girls stood with arms crossed, half-smiling.
"Of course not. Caelan is mine alone. I won't let you interfere!"
Hancock lifted her chin proudly.
She was so caught up in her love-struck fantasy that she didn't notice the figure behind her.
A loyal guard tried to alert her, but Caelan's sharp glare froze her in place.
"How impressive, Hancock."
"You really didn't listen to anything I said."
He hadn't expected her to act up so soon.
Caelan's cold voice came from behind her, sending chills down Hancock's spine.
"I was wrong…"
Hancock shrank back, immediately admitting fault. Her behavior just now, full of arrogance, vanished in an instant.
"It's too late."
Caelan picked her up and sat her down on his lap.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
In front of everyone, Caelan smacked Hancock's full backside. The sound echoed clearly.
Rindo had no time to stop him. Even if he did, he couldn't. He could only watch the Empress he admired getting disciplined by Caelan.
"Yeah, that feels satisfying."
Seeing Hancock punished, the other women—furious just moments ago—finally relaxed.
They looked graceful on the outside. But on the inside? Pitch black.
"Hmm!"
Being treated like that by Caelan in front of her love rivals…
Hancock lowered her head in shame, both embarrassed and angry.
How could she show off after that?
She had gone too far!
"So, will you keep acting arrogant?"
After a few smacks, Caelan finally stopped.
Though it felt pretty good, doing too much of it didn't feel quite right.
"…Nn~"
It was quiet, but audible.
Like a kitten's soft whimper—ashamed, weak, yet strangely pleased.
"…Sigh."
Caelan sighed, his hand lingering with leftover warmth.
He'd thought the cold, proud Empress and the obsessed lover she became after falling for him was already a huge contrast.
Turns out Hancock had even more hidden traits.
"I was wrong. I'll get along with them from now on."
Hancock's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's, but it was surprisingly sincere.
She didn't want to show this side of herself in front of so many rivals.
Or rather, she no longer had the strength to oppose them.
No, there was still Rindo!
But when she saw Rindo's anxious face, clearly wanting to intervene but unable to act, Hancock sighed again.
That wouldn't work either!
"Just listen to me."
Caelan helped Hancock up and said calmly.
Listen to me. You're all my wings. Only by flying together can we truly be happy.
At that moment, the other girls, having witnessed Hancock's embarrassment, quietly withdrew.
Now, they might finally be able to get along.
(To be continued.)
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