When Carl appeared, the previously "mighty and imposing" Sugar instantly threw herself into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest. Tilting her little face up, she put on a pitiful, teary-eyed expression.
"Young Master, you're finally here! They've all been bullying me!"
Carl gently stroked her soft, silky light-green hair and smiled.
"How did they bully you? Tell me, and I'll see that justice is served."
In front of Robin and the others, Sugar gave an exaggerated, embellished recount of what had just happened.
Carl listened, then raised a brow.
"Uh, Young Master, that's not the point!"
Robin slowly stepped forward, a cold smile tugging at her lips.
"Young Master, you don't know the half of it. This girl Sugar wasn't ashamed in the slightest—if anything, she was proud. Honestly, I think she was more upset that you weren't there to see it."
Sugar scoffed.
"That's exactly what I wanted! What's wrong with letting the Young Master have a look? My whole body is—mmph!"
Monet turned into a swirl of blizzard, rushing over to clamp a hand over Sugar's mouth, her face flushed.
"You shameless little...! You're getting bolder by the day!"
Sugar puffed out her cheeks and gave Carl a pleading look.
Carl shook his head with an amused smile.
"Alright, Monet. I don't think Sugar said anything too bad—don't scold her anymore."
Monet, who obeyed Carl without question, immediately let go of Sugar's mouth, muttering softly,
"Young Master, if you keep spoiling her like this, she'll be impossible to handle."
Sugar stuck her tongue out at Monet, then turned to Carl with a sweet smile.
"I like Young Master best!"
Robin could only shake her head at Sugar's smug little face.
"To think you two are real sisters—how can the difference be so big?"
Sugar's ears twitched, and she instantly fired back.
"And to think you two are mother and daughter—how can the difference be so big? Olvia-san is so gentle and kind! But you're just a little schemer!"
Seeing Robin's expression darken, Sugar quickly burrowed deeper into Carl's embrace, feeling instantly safe.
Carl couldn't help tapping her on the head.
"You… why do you always like provoking Robin?"
Robin pressed her lips together, then suddenly took a few steps forward and dove into Carl's arms as well, her voice turning soft.
"Young Master~"
Everyone stared in shock. When had Robin learned to act spoiled? Even Sugar tilted her head back in disbelief, staring at her sister. Robin shot her a challenging look, mouthing words without sound—but Sugar understood perfectly.
"Don't think you're the only one who can pull this trick."
As the saying goes, women who know how to act spoiled always have the best luck.
Carl was no exception—he fell for it. Wrapping his arm around Robin's waist, he gently rubbed her back.
"Alright, alright. Sugar's just a little lively, don't take it to heart. And you, Sugar—stop messing around. Say something nice to Robin."
Since Carl had spoken, Sugar instantly softened. Her big eyes rolled mischievously, and she leaned toward Robin's ear, breathing warmly.
"Robin~ I'm sorry, I won't peek at your books anymore, and I'll stop teasing you~"
Robin's ears turned scarlet under Sugar's breath.
"If you want to read them, just say so—no need to sneak around. Ah! Don't breathe into my ear—it tickles!"
Sugar giggled and nuzzled into Robin's ample chest.
"I just wanted to make sure you heard me clearly~"
Robin quickly pushed her away, frowning.
"What are you up to now?"
"Hehe, it's so soft and comfy. No wonder the Young Master likes it!"
"Cough… cough…"
Carl cleared his throat. Robin's face went crimson in an instant. She shoved Sugar away.
"You little pervert!"
Sugar laughed, puffing out her own chest.
"Mine's not bad either! Young Master, do you like them?"
This time, Carl clapped a hand over her mouth. In the world of pirates, women were naturally well-endowed—it wasn't even an exaggeration to say that in some cases, their chests were bigger than their heads.
Sugar's big eyes blinked, and in her ear came a voice only she could hear.
"I do. Tonight, I'll eat you up."
Sugar's eyes curved into crescent moons, and she cheekily ran her tongue across Carl's palm.
Damn! She's becoming more and more like a little vixen.
Carl thought so inwardly, though his face remained calm. Looking toward Robin, he found her red-faced, looking like she wanted to say something but was hesitating.
After a moment's hesitation, she leaned in close to his ear, just like Sugar had earlier, and whispered.
"Young Master, can I come to your room tonight?"
Carl—who had only just decided on tonight's "menu"—took less than a heartbeat to nod in agreement. Robin smiled shyly, completely unaware of the strange undertone in Carl's expression.
Sugar and Robin had no idea about each other's plans for the night, and Carl had no intention of telling them. He was very much looking forward to seeing their faces when they ran into each other in his room later.
The thought made his smile deepen.
...
"What are you thinking about, Carl?"
Ginny's voice sounded beside him, snapping him from his thoughts. Looking up, he saw her watching him with an amused, knowing smile.
Though Sugar and Robin had kept their voices low earlier, Ginny—born with exceptional perception and now the wielder of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—had heard every word.
Leaning forward in a mock-listening pose, she grinned.
"I heard everything~"
"Ah! Ginny-san!"
Sugar and Robin gasped in unison, then looked at each other with puzzled expressions, thinking the same thing.
"What did she just say to the Young Master?"
Ginny shrugged helplessly.
"Carl, looks like you're in for a busy night. Those two are really a quarrelsome pair."
Carl smirked.
"Ginny, want to come to my room tonight too?"
"E-eh?! Carl, you're awful! I'm going to find Lucia!"
Crackle!
With her face burning red, Ginny turned into scattering arcs of lightning and vanished on the spot.
...
In the training room, Lucia was sparring with Hancock when Ginny suddenly appeared.
"Ginny? You've awakened an ability too? Huh… why's your face so red?"
Ginny gave a vague nod, covering her cheeks with her hands.
"Lucia, you really need to keep an eye on Sugar and the others. They're… ah!"
Lucia and the two Seraphim—one big, one small—tilted their heads in unison, wearing the same puzzled expression.