Carrot clenched her teeth tightly, her small fists trembling with frustration as she blurted out,
"Joy Boy is such a bad guy! We have to drive him out of Zou!"
Wanda gently placed a hand on Carrot's head, softly stroking her fur to soothe her.
"Don't worry, Carrot. Joy Boy won't be causing trouble for much longer."
Carrot nodded slowly, her earlier anger easing as she turned her gaze toward Lloyd, her eyes bright with renewed certainty.
Lloyd noticed the stare and tilted his head slightly, his tone carrying a faint edge of amusement.
"What are you looking at me for? You are not afraid anymore?"
Carrot straightened immediately and raised her arm, declaring with conviction,
"I am not afraid anymore! I know now, you are on the side of justice!"
Violet could not help but smile at the sight, covering her mouth lightly as she spoke.
"Little one, in this world, who could possibly represent justice better than a Fleet Admiral? The Navy has always been the embodiment of justice."
Carrot froze for a moment, blinking.
"Oh, right..."
Lloyd gave a small shake of his head.
"Foolish."
Carrot scratched her head awkwardly, but instead of stepping back, she quietly moved a little closer to him.
Wanda noticed this shift in behavior, a faint sense of relief appearing in her eyes. She thought to herself that this girl had finally understood at least one thing, knowing where safety and strength truly lay.
After this brief exchange, the atmosphere eased noticeably. At least from Violet's perspective, the tension that had clung to her earlier had finally loosened.
However, just as she considered continuing a more meaningful conversation with Lloyd, they arrived at the Royal Palace.
If Lloyd had not reminded her earlier about handling the guards, she might have even forgotten her original duty entirely.
Violet quickly stepped forward, instructing the palace guards to move aside. Then she hurried back to Lloyd's side and personally guided the group inside with unexpected enthusiasm, leaving the guards completely bewildered.
As soon as Violet led Lloyd, Wanda, and Carrot into the palace, the soldiers outside began whispering among themselves.
"Who were those three just now that Lady Violet brought in?"
"Didn't she say they were distinguished guests?"
"Nonsense, if they were not important, would Lady Violet act like that?"
"What I mean is, did you actually see their faces clearly?"
"Anyone treated like that by Lady Violet has to be some kind of big shot."
"I did not dare stare. I only caught a glimpse. Two of them looked like members of the Mink Tribe, and the man was tall, I could not see clearly."
"The important one is definitely that man."
"When he passed by, I almost knelt down on instinct."
"His presence felt even more oppressive than King Doflamingo back then."
"Shh, lower your voice."
"People like that are not someone we can talk about."
"Yeah…"
Inside the Royal Palace, Violet led the three of them into the reception room.
She summoned a maid and received a tea set before dismissing her. Then she personally prepared and poured tea for everyone seated on the sofa.
Wanda and Carrot sat on either side of Lloyd, both maintaining a straight and proper posture.
When they saw Violet, a high ranking official, personally serving tea, both of them instinctively tried to stand in respect. However, Lloyd's gaze alone stopped them in place.
Carrot, still slightly confused, was gently pulled back into her seat by Wanda.
Wanda ignored Carrot's puzzled expression and simply nodded toward Violet in polite thanks.
Violet did not find anything unusual about this at all.
Who was Lloyd?
Not only was he the Fleet Admiral, he was also a member of the Figarland Family, a noble lineage even among the Celestial Dragons.
In front of him, even kings of the world were no different from ordinary civilians, let alone someone like her, a mere minister.
As for Wanda and Carrot, Violet had no knowledge of their so called "pet" status.
Even if she did, she would still have treated them with caution and respect due to their connection to Lloyd.
To put it plainly, anyone associated with Lloyd could move freely in almost any nation without obstruction.
It was clear that Wanda and Carrot still did not fully understand this reality.
After finishing the tea service, Violet immediately instructed a guard to go to the royal quarters and inform King Rosinante that the Celestial Dragon Marshal had arrived.
The guard first froze in shock when he looked toward Lloyd, then sprinted away at maximum speed toward the sleeping quarters.
Not long after, Rosinante arrived in a panic, wearing a black feather coat over white pajamas and slippers.
The moment he saw Lloyd seated on the sofa, he slipped on the polished floor in shock and slid forward uncontrollably, ending up kneeling directly in front of Lloyd.
Violet, Wanda, and Carrot were completely stunned.
Fortunately, the hall had already been cleared of attendants, otherwise the king's dignity would have suffered greatly.
Even Lloyd paused for a moment at the unexpected entrance.
He looked down at Rosinante, who was sprawled awkwardly at his feet, and spoke with a faint sigh.
"Rosinante, you are a king now. Why are you still so unsettled?"
Rosinante lifted his head quickly, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"My apologies, Celestial Dragon Marshal…"
Then, in a sudden motion, he stood up straight, snapping into a rigid military posture.
Under the stunned gazes of Violet, Wanda, and Carrot, Rosinante slammed his heels together, raised his hand sharply to his temple, tilted his head back, and shouted,
"Celestial Dragon Marshal! Former Marine Colonel Rosinante reporting!"
Lloyd fell silent for a moment before the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"I thought you had already forgotten your Navy identity."
Rosinante responded without hesitation, voice firm and loud.
"I will never forget that I am a Marine!"
Lloyd raised a hand slightly.
"Sit down."
"Yes, sir!"
Rosinante turned sharply and sat across from Lloyd, placing his hands neatly on his knees, posture perfect and disciplined, as if awaiting direct orders.
Seeing this, Lloyd exhaled lightly, almost resigned.
"There is no need to be so formal. Relax a little tonight."
He then took out two cigarettes, tossing one to Rosinante while lighting the other and bringing it to his lips. Looking at him, Lloyd added casually,
"I remember you still smoke."
Rosinante caught the cigarette, hesitation flashing briefly across his face before he lit it as well.
After the first inhale, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.
He looked at Lloyd with respect and asked,
"Celestial Dragon Marshal, is there something you require here?"