Karl found his parents, told them he'd be out a couple days to pick people up, then swung back for Daphne and took off.
High above the clouds, the two of them sat cross-legged on a billowing bank of white, streaking across the sky.
"This high-altitude ride is amazing! So—who first? Princess Shirahoshi?" Daphne's eyes sparkled; she'd dreamed of visiting the Deep Sea for ages.
"Hold your seahorses. First stop: Amazon Lily. Then Sabaody Archipelago. I already asked Rayleigh to prep a coated ship—once we arrive, we dive straight to Fish-Man Island."
Karl understood her excitement. Fish-Man Island wasn't just a man's dreamland. The lights, the sweets, the fashions—Daphne was going to shop till her legs gave out.
…Which made his head throb just thinking the word shopping.
"Mm, that's more efficient anyway. Oh—why'd you haul so much treasure from the Holy Mountain? Planning to liquidate it?"
"Nah. It's for Amazon Lily. They're not like us—resources are tight. It's Hancock's home, so I'm showing respect. Call it a bride price."
"They're that strapped? No signature exports?"
"They do have one—Gorgonzola Sea King Ramen. But even that barely feeds their own."
"Oh… then—Karl, what's my bride price?" Daphne leaned in, tracing circles on his chest with a finger.
"Huh? Didn't I hand you the purse strings? Take whatever you like."
"Boo, no fun." She snorted and poured on more speed toward Amazon Lily.
—
In Amazon Lily's palace, Elder Nyon (Gloriosa) and Hancock's two sisters were already waiting.
"Damn that Karl! He just ran off with Hancock! My poor baby!" Nyon was a storm cloud; she'd been scolding the air all morning. The little cabbage she'd raised had, yet again, been claimed by a pig.
"Elder, you've been railing for hours. Breathe," Sandersonia fretted.
"Right, and Big Sis is happy—plus Lord Karl treats her well," Marigold added.
"It's a curse, I tell you—a curse! Every Kuja Empress meets the same fate: runs off with a man, or dies of lovesickness."
Her gaze drifted to the tall girl beside her: Aforandrala—half-giant blood, towering already. With that height alone, most men will retreat. This time we're safe… right?
Aforandrala felt the stare shift from alarm to relief, and smiled nervously. "Elder Nyon?"
"Aforandrala, remember this: men are trouble. Many Empresses died because of them. Keep your distance. Understood?"
"Mm-hm! I'll stay away from men!" she promised with the purest face imaginable.
Nyon squinted. Too pure… but she's still young. With training, she'll be fine.
"Elder—there's a cloud coming down from the sky! With people on it," Sandersonia reported.
Nyon snapped her head up. A heartbeat later, the cloud arrowed down and stopped before them.
"Yo! Elder Nyon, long time no see," Karl waved cheerfully.
Daphne studied the elder. She was a beauty in her youth… how did she turn into this? Damn you, Oda…
"Long time nothing! You swindled away our Empress!" Nyon huffed—then her eyes widened. Piled before them: a hill of treasure.
"Ahem. This is my bride price for Hancock. How's that look?" Karl said, dumping the trove in one glittering heap.
"Hmph! She's already gone; what else can I say?" Nyon's tone softened immediately.
"And this—Elder—is for Aforandrala. A Paramecia: the Perfume-Perfume Fruit." Karl offered a swirled, patterned devil fruit.
"Eh? A Devil Fruit?" Aforandrala blinked, surprised. Training with Nyon had taught her the basics: eat one, gain power.
"At least you brought something decent. What does Perfume-Perfume do?" Nyon asked. She didn't doubt a Paramecia; those abilities could be terrifying if developed well.
"As the name suggests—it creates fragrances. But not just pleasant smells. She can enthrall foes, draw them into scent-woven illusions, even poison them without notice. The rest depends on her creativity," Karl explained.
"Not bad at all," Nyon nodded, then turned. "Aforandrala, eat it."
"O-okay." She bit down—then her face crumpled.
"Ugh, it's awful! Elder, I can't—"
"It's fine. One bite is enough to gain the power. You don't
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