The doors to the bedchamber were slowly pushed open from outside.
Because the doorway wasn't tall enough, the person entering had to bend slightly at the waist.
It was Black Maria.
She was dressed in a gorgeous long-sleeved furisode kimono, her figure tall and striking, easily over eight ters in height.
Even while bent over, she still towered over everyone else in the room.
Her hair was black, streaked with touches of purple.
A charming, alluring smile lingered in her brows and eyes.
She held a large kiseru pipe in one hand, though it wasn't lit—she didn't want the sll of smoke to bother Rei Ao.
Hancock frowned, clearly displeased by her size.
"Maria, couldn't you rein yourself in a little before coming in? You're practically about to break the ceiling of the bedchamber."
Black Maria gave a soft laugh, her voice rich and mature.
Bending slightly, she sat down on the floor of the chamber, bringing herself level with Rei Ao on the couch.
"My apologies, Empress. I was born like this. I can't exactly change it."
"Besides, His Majesty likes it, doesn't he?"
As she spoke, her gaze settled on Rei Ao's face.
Her eyes were full of warmth and a smile that wouldn't fade.
Rei Ao reached out, his fingertips brushing through the long hair hanging at her side.
It was smooth and silky, carrying a faint scent of cherry blossoms.
"It is pretty interesting," he said.
The smile on Black Maria's lips deepened.
She reached out, her fingertips lightly brushing his cheek, gentle beyond belief.
This man was the true chosen one.
The only one truly worthy of ruling this world.
"Would Your Majesty like to do sothing to cheer you up?"
Black Maria asked softly, her voice so tender it seed to lt into water.
The contrast with her towering size was striking.
Rei Ao nodded. "That's thoughtful of you. I'll leave it to you."
"Not troubleso at all. Not in the least."
Black Maria smiled, though inwardly she was delighted.
Even if she had to remain by his side for the rest of her life, she would do so gladly.
Just then, soone lightly tapped on the floor-to-ceiling window of the bedchamber.
Everyone turned at the sound.
Outside, in the sea beyond the glass, a huge figure was leaning against the window.
Pink hair spread around her like drifting seaweed, and her large eyes were watery and bright.
It was Princess Shirahoshi of Fish-Man Island.
Nami hurried over and opened the window.
"Shirahoshi! What are you doing here? Co in, quick! Be careful not to break anything!"
Shirahoshi carefully swam in through the window.
Her body was simply too large; her rmaid tail, more than ten ters long, swayed gently behind her.
She was clearly afraid of bumping into and damaging anything in the room.
There was a slight smile on her face, though a trace of timidity lingered in her eyes.
Her gaze fell on Rei Ao's face as she said softly,
"Lord Rei Ao, I-I brought the freshest coral pearls from Fish-Man Island for you."
Rei Ao beckoned to her.
"Co over, slowly. Don't break anything."
Shirahoshi nodded and carefully swam closer.
When she stopped beside the couch, her enormous body took up nearly half the bedchamber.
She lowered her head slightly and held out the coral pearl in her hand.
In an ordinary person's hand, it would already have counted as a large and precious pearl.
But in hers, it looked like nothing more than an unremarkable little bead.
"Lord Rei Ao, this is the most beautiful coral pearl from Fish-Man Island."
"It can only form from the thousand-year coral deep within the Sea Forest. I picked it especially for you."
Rei Ao took the pearl.
It was round and smooth, with the faint scent of the sea and a soft luster glowing under the sunlight.
It truly was a rare treasure.
"It's beautiful. Thank you, Shirahoshi. You ca all this way just to bring it to —that must have been tiring."
Shirahoshi instantly bead.
Her eyes curved into crescents, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
Sweetness spread through her heart.
She had once been the princess of Fish-Man Island, yet spent more than ten years locked away inside the Hard-Shell Tower.
She hadn't even dared leave her room, afraid of drawing Vander Decken IX's pursuit.
Afraid her power to summon Sea Kings would hurt others.
She had been timid, quick to cry, frightened into tears by the smallest incident.
Everyone thought she was nothing but a burden who could only cry.
Until she t Rei Ao.
He ca to Fish-Man Island and solved the problem of Vander Decken IX for her.
He protected Fish-Man Island, and he told her that her power was not a disaster, but a strength ant to protect others.
He was never frightened by her size.
Nor did he look down on her for being so tearful.
He would gently comfort her, wipe away her tears, and shield her behind him.
Never letting anyone hurt her.
She had always believed she was a burden, a coward who did nothing but cry.
But Rei Ao had told her that she was brave, and kind.
That her power could protect the entire sea.
Never in her life had she t anyone so gentle.
For his sake, she was willing to beco brave too.
To use her power to help him protect this sea, and everything he wanted to protect.
"Lord Rei Ao, everyone on Fish-Man Island misses you very much."
"They asked to pass on the ssage that you're welco to visit Fish-Man Island anyti."
"Father also said he has your favorite seafood prepared for you at any mont, just waiting for your arrival."
Shirahoshi spoke softly, her voice gentle and timid.
Rei Ao nodded. "All right."
Shirahoshi smiled even more brightly.
Her huge tail swayed lightly—and nearly knocked over the low table nearby.
She froze in fright, imdiately going pale. Her eyes reddened at once.
Her voice trembled as she almost cried.
"S-Sorry, Lord Rei Ao! I didn't an to!"
"I-I was too careless!"
Rei Ao chuckled softly and reached out to gently pat her hair.
"It's fine. Nothing got broken, so don't be scared. Just take it slow."
Only after hearing that did Shirahoshi let out a sigh of relief. Her cheeks flushed red.
She lowered her head shyly, but her heart felt warm.
Being able to et Lord Rei Ao really was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to her.
…
Inside the royal palace of Amazon Lily, every day was lively and bustling.
All the won stayed by Rei Ao's side, and life passed in peace and ease.
Each day, Rei Ao either spent ti alone with one of them, enjoying himself, or slept with them all together under the sa covers.
And every one of them had her own different charms.
Still, Rei Ao had no intention of staying here for the rest of his life.
He would have to go back eventually.
Mai and the others were already calling for him in the group chat.
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