The steam still hung in the air, swirling gently over the rippling surface of the water. Tiny droplets slid down the edges of the marble bathtub, reflecting the soft glow of candles scattered throughout the room.
The fragrance in the air was intoxicating. A blend of aromatic oils, wildflowers, and something deeper, more primal.
Boa remained still, her eyes fixed on the imposing silhouette that had just crossed the threshold.
Riser's gaze swept over the scene before him.
The dimness of the room cast delicate shadows over the submerged body of the woman the entire world feared and desired. The steam caressed her skin, accentuating every curve as if the environment itself conspired to make her an ethereal vision.
His smile widened.
"Now I understand."
Boa tilted her head slightly.
"Understand what?"
His golden eyes glinted.
"Why they say you're the most beautiful woman in the world."
Her heart leapt in her chest.
The compliment was direct, no hesitation, no trace of cheap flattery.
Something deep within her stirred.
Pride. Desire. The satisfaction of being recognized by the only man who mattered.
A smile slipped out before she could stop it.
"I already knew that."
Her lips curved faintly.
"But I like it better when it comes from you."
Riser moved through the room with the calm of a predator in his own jungle. Each step was a silent reminder that he was never in a hurry, because everything around him unfolded at the pace he set.
Boa watched him like a sorceress entranced by her own spell.
'He's even more commanding than I imagined.'
The wanted posters never did his presence justice.
Riser was gold and darkness at once. His hair, artfully tousled, seemed to absorb the light. His eyes were sharp slits, glowing like embers amidst the shadows.
He stopped beside the bathtub, the candle flames flickering with his proximity.
Boa bit her lower lip lightly.
"You're not bad yourself."
Riser raised an eyebrow, amused by the boldness in her voice.
"Oh, really?"
She leaned forward slightly, the water gliding over her skin like a liquid veil.
"Don't play coy."
Her gaze traveled slowly over his exposed chest, along the line of his jaw, the way the light outlined his broad shoulders.
"If there's a man worthy of standing beside an empress, that man could only be you."
Riser's smile lingered, but something in his eyes deepened.
He already had Robin. He already had Merlin.
And now, Boa Hancock stood before him, surrendered.
'The three most beautiful women in the world… all in my hands.'
The thought was delicious.
But the most fascinating part wasn't possession.
It was that each of them had yielded of their own accord.
Merlin, with her unshakable loyalty. Robin, with her razor-sharp, dangerous mind.
And Boa…
The woman who always had the world at her feet now wanted to kneel before him.
The water rippled as she leaned closer, droplets sliding down her collarbone.
"You want me here, don't you?"
The silence between them was broken only by the faint crackle of the candles burning slowly.
Riser raised a hand.
His finger grazed her chin lightly, warm against her cool skin.
"You already know the answer."
Boa smiled.
'He's mine.'
And deep down, she knew the reverse was true too.
---
The grand throne room was silent, lit only by the flickering glow of torches fixed to the black marble columns. The faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the fresh breeze drifting through the open windows of Amazon Lily.
Riser sat on the throne, one leg crossed over the other, an expression of absolute control carved into his face. His posture was relaxed, but there was a latent strength in the way his fingers lightly touched the armrest.
And in his lap…
Boa Hancock.
Her body curved slightly against his, her arms resting hesitantly on his firm chest. Her head was lowered, long hair cascading like black silk over her shoulders. The flush on her face was evident, her eyes avoiding direct contact with Riser's.
She was submissive.
Silent.
Soft.
The opposite of the arrogant, untouchable empress the world knew.
Hancock's sisters—Sandersonia and Marigold—stood near the throne. Their golden eyes narrowed slightly, watching the scene before them.
They had never seen their sister act like this.
Never.
Hancock wasn't just allowing a man to touch her…
She was nestled in his lap.
Submissive.
They exchanged a quick glance. The bewilderment was clear. But this was him.
And against him, no one said a word.
Hancock's breathing was steady, but every time Riser moved his hand—even a simple brush of fingers along her arm—the flush on her face deepened.
'After last night…'
The thought sent her heart racing erratically.
She turned her face slightly, trying to hide the smile that insisted on forming.
'My master…'
A warmth flooded her chest.
'I'm going to marry my master.'
The idea consumed her entirely. An absolute certainty, an undeniable fate.
But then—
—Robin entered the hall.
Her sharp eyes took in the scene immediately.
And for a brief second…
A curious glint passed through her gaze.
She didn't say anything about Hancock in Riser's lap.
She didn't need to.
Instead, she crossed her arms, leaning lightly against one of the columns.
"So… what's the next move?"
Her voice cut through the silence.
Riser raised his eyes lazily, as if the question didn't demand an urgent answer.
"The Marines."
Robin narrowed her eyes.
"You're really going to visit them?"
Riser's smile widened slightly.
"Consolidating the Shichibukai title. Best to do it in person."
Robin studied his expression for a moment.
"Have you decided how you'll handle it?"
Riser didn't answer right away.
Instead, he ran his fingers along Hancock's arm.
Her body shivered subtly at the touch.
Robin noticed.
"Interesting."
Hancock, however, cared for nothing beyond the warmth of his touch.
Her thoughts were elsewhere.
The Marines? The Government? The outside world?
None of it mattered.
Not after last night.
Her smile grew, her eyes gleaming with something genuinely dreamy.
But then—
She frowned.
Riser noticed immediately.
Her brows trembled.
Her lips curved downward for a second before pressing together again.
Her gaze distant, fixed on nothing.
What was that?
Marigold narrowed her eyes at her sister's strange expression.
Sandersonia watched too.
But no one said anything.
Robin noticed but only gave a faint smile.
And Riser…
He just observed.
Amused.
Hancock brought a finger to her lips, lost in thought.
'I need a wedding dress.'
The idea took over her mind.
The strange expression returned.
Her eyes sparkled, a fresh flush spreading across her face.
Her sisters were confused.
Riser knew exactly what was going through her head.
And that only made it all the more entertaining.
Robin, however, wasn't concerned with that.
She noticed something far more intriguing.
Her eyes scanned the room.
Miss Doublefinger, Mikita, Boa Hancock, the Boa sisters…
The women surrounded Riser.
The men? Dead or discarded.
This was no coincidence.
Robin crossed her arms.
"Riser…"
Her tone was calm, but there was something behind her voice.
He raised his eyes lazily, his fingers still tracing gentle circles on Hancock's arm.
"Yes?"
Robin tilted her head slightly, her eyes locked on his.
"You've spared every woman who's crossed your path."
The statement hung in the air.
Everyone in the hall heard it.
But only Robin dared to say it.
Hancock glanced away, as if she didn't want to dwell on it.
Her sisters remained silent.
Riser showed no surprise.
He knew Robin would be the one to notice it right away.
His smile grew slightly.
"Is that a problem?"
Robin didn't look away.
"Depends. What does that mean for me?"
The atmosphere grew heavy.
The torches flickered.
Hancock shot a quick glance at Robin, then nestled closer to Riser's chest, as if staking her claim by his side.
But Robin…
She didn't need physical reassurance.
She wanted answers.
Riser chuckled softly.
He tilted his head, studying her like a rare piece in a complex game.
"You want to know if I'll spare you?"
Robin stood still.
"If you want to put it that way."
His golden gaze gleamed.
"I don't want to hurt you, Robin."
The answer was direct.
Sincere.
Robin sensed it immediately.
But she was someone who trusted logic more than pretty words.
So, she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Why?"
Riser didn't answer right away.
He ran his fingers along Hancock's chin, as if weighing his response.
Robin waited.
Then, he spoke.
"Because I want to protect you."
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