HST: Chapter 129/130

Chapter 129: Proud Hancock

"Me?"

Rindo was a little surprised, then turned to look at Elder Nyon.

Hancock was the most beloved and respected Empress of Amazon Lily, and being able to serve her was an honor everyone desired.

"Go ahead, and take good care of the Snake Princess," Elder Nyon said.

Sandasonia and Marigold, Hancock's two sisters, were clearly reluctant to part, but they didn't object.

"Well then, thank you for your help, Caelan. We'll take our leave now."

After giving a deep bow, Elder Nyon led the Kuja Pirates away.

Only Hancock and Rindo remained on Caelan's ship.

The mood aboard the Wind Rider was tense.

Hancock, who had just arrived, already considered herself the mistress of the ship.

"All of you women, listen closely. Caelan is my man. Don't even think about getting any funny ideas!"

Facing Nami and the others, Hancock pointed at Caelan and declared her claim over him in a domineering tone.

Behind her, the guards waved flags and shouted, cheering Hancock on.

"It's not that I became your man, it's that you've become my woman!"

Caelan knocked Hancock on the head, his face dark.

"Ow, that hurts!"

Hancock looked at Caelan aggrievedly, then quickly brightened up.

Caelan had said she was his woman—that must mean he had fallen for her.

As expected, her charm was irresistible, even to someone like Caelan.

"Caelan, since I'm your woman now, can't you get rid of them?"

Hancock pointed at Nami and the other girls, full of hope.

"That's impossible."

"Love is selfish. Especially mine. Understand?"

Caelan lifted Hancock's chin, gazing into her bright eyes.

"…I understand."

Hancock nodded, a bit wronged.

Though she didn't want to share Caelan with others, if it was his request, she'd learn to endure.

At the same time, she trusted in her own charm. She believed she'd eventually become the most special one in his heart.

"Good. That's your reward."

Caelan gently touched her cheek, then stepped back.

"Not enough!"

That brief moment of affection wasn't enough for Hancock.

Before Caelan could react, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.

Soft. Warm.

Caelan switched from defense to offense, but after a few moments, he pushed her away when she started getting carried away.

Calmly wiping the saliva from his lips, Caelan refused her attempt to continue.

When it came to having multiple women around, he had to assert control.

Especially with someone like Hancock—obsessive and domineering—he had to stay firm, or the whole ship could go down.

"Get along with the others. Don't start any fights."

"And the same goes for all of you. Hancock is one of us now, so get along."

Caelan spoke seriously to everyone.

"I understand."

Hancock nodded obediently.

"We get it too."

The other girls exchanged glances.

Since Caelan wanted to be with all of them, they would at least try to accept her.

Seeing their reaction, Caelan was satisfied. He picked up his suitcase and headed into the cabin.

Once Caelan's back disappeared, Hancock's obedient expression vanished. She returned to her proud, overbearing Pirate Empress self.

"See? We just met, but Caelan loves me most."

"You women, just be my background characters!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Hancock touched her still-warm lips and proudly flaunted herself in front of the other girls.

Only Gion, Uta, and Nojiko reacted. The others looked unfazed.

They had experienced that level of intimacy with Caelan before.

"You just promised Caelan to behave, so why is this happening already?"

Robin held her forehead, visibly distressed.

"So what? I'm the most beautiful. I'll definitely capture Caelan's heart completely."

"If you know what's good for you, accept being maids. Serve me and Caelan obediently."

Hancock gently stroked her own face, intoxicated by her delusions.

"In other words, you're not planning to get along with us at all?"

Robin asked with a teasing smile.

Behind her, the other girls stood with arms crossed, half-smiling.

"Of course not. Caelan is mine alone. I won't let you interfere!"

Hancock lifted her chin proudly.

She was so caught up in her love-struck fantasy that she didn't notice the figure behind her.

A loyal guard tried to alert her, but Caelan's sharp glare froze her in place.

"How impressive, Hancock."

"You really didn't listen to anything I said."

He hadn't expected her to act up so soon.

Caelan's cold voice came from behind her, sending chills down Hancock's spine.

"I was wrong…"

Hancock shrank back, immediately admitting fault. Her behavior just now, full of arrogance, vanished in an instant.

"It's too late."

Caelan picked her up and sat her down on his lap.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

In front of everyone, Caelan smacked Hancock's full backside. The sound echoed clearly.

Rindo had no time to stop him. Even if he did, he couldn't. He could only watch the Empress he admired getting disciplined by Caelan.

"Yeah, that feels satisfying."

Seeing Hancock punished, the other women—furious just moments ago—finally relaxed.

They looked graceful on the outside. But on the inside? Pitch black.

"Hmm!"

Being treated like that by Caelan in front of her love rivals…

Hancock lowered her head in shame, both embarrassed and angry.

How could she show off after that?

She had gone too far!

"So, will you keep acting arrogant?"

After a few smacks, Caelan finally stopped.

Though it felt pretty good, doing too much of it didn't feel quite right.

"…Nn~"

It was quiet, but audible.

Like a kitten's soft whimper—ashamed, weak, yet strangely pleased.

"…Sigh."

Caelan sighed, his hand lingering with leftover warmth.

He'd thought the cold, proud Empress and the obsessed lover she became after falling for him was already a huge contrast.

Turns out Hancock had even more hidden traits.

"I was wrong. I'll get along with them from now on."

Hancock's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's, but it was surprisingly sincere.

She didn't want to show this side of herself in front of so many rivals.

Or rather, she no longer had the strength to oppose them.

No, there was still Rindo!

But when she saw Rindo's anxious face, clearly wanting to intervene but unable to act, Hancock sighed again.

That wouldn't work either!

"Just listen to me."

Caelan helped Hancock up and said calmly.

Listen to me. You're all my wings. Only by flying together can we truly be happy.

At that moment, the other girls, having witnessed Hancock's embarrassment, quietly withdrew.

Now, they might finally be able to get along.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 130: Doctor Caelan

At night, all was quiet.

Hancock, who had just boarded the Wind Rider, had a lot on her mind—about Caelan and Nami.

Her lovesickness had temporarily eased after seeing Caelan and following him.

Her intelligence, too, seemed to return after being spanked in front of so many rivals.

"It seems impossible to monopolize Caelan," Hancock, now thinking clearly, reflected to herself.

From Caelan's attitude, it was obvious—every one of them was a bond he wasn't willing to abandon.

As expected of the man she had chosen. He was so affectionate.

In that case, once Caelan truly fell in love with her, it would be a bond for life.

And among all those bonds, she wanted to be the most dazzling one.

"II want to be his first choice!"

Suddenly, Hancock made up her mind.

The first step toward that goal was to form a deeper connection.

And to reveal the secret she had hidden in her heart.

She got up from the bed and carefully washed herself in the bathroom.

Every inch was cleaned meticulously, perfectly.

Except for her back, where an ugly mark remained—one that couldn't be washed away.

She knew it was there. And it caused her deep pain.

"…Hah."

Hancock exhaled and stepped out of her room.

Soon, she arrived at the door to Caelan's room.

After hesitating for a moment, Hancock pushed the door slightly.

With a soft creak, it opened a crack.

Caelan, lying alone on the bed, opened his eyes.

He didn't have the habit of locking his door—or rather, he preferred to leave it open.

Nami, Robin, Vivi, Tashigi, Perona, Kalifa—they all could come.

Who would it be this time?

Caelan didn't use Observation Haki. The unknown made it more interesting.

But when a soft, snake-like figure slid onto the bed, Caelan was momentarily stunned.

Hancock?

"Caelan, I have something to tell you."

"You're not asleep?"

Hancock's voice sounded surprised, then shy.

"I wasn't sleeping."

"If you have a secret, tell me."

Caelan's expression remained calm, but inside, he was stirred.

What kind of secret would lead someone to come to his room this late?

After a moment of thought, Caelan had his answer.

The only true "secret" on Hancock's body was the mark on her back.

Sure enough, Hancock turned her back to him and slowly removed the clothes from her upper body. She even moved her waist-length hair to the front. Her skin was smooth like silk, white and unblemished, her figure graceful and elegant.

It was a back worthy of poetry… except for one ugly mark.

"This is my biggest secret."

"When I was young, I was branded as a slave by the Celestial Dragons."

"It's ugly, isn't it?"

These few words seemed to drain all her strength.

She was sure that Caelan, who shone like the sun, would never accept such a disgraceful mark.

"It's very ugly."

Hancock trembled, tears nearly welling up in her eyes.

As expected, this mark was the most humiliating thing in her life.

"But it can be removed."

Caelan gently touched her silk-like back and replied calmly.

"It can't be removed."

Hancock only felt warmth spread across her back. Her trembling body slowly relaxed.

"I said it can be removed, so it can."

"Besides, I like you for who you are, not because of the mark on your back."

Caelan hugged Hancock from behind and spoke softly.

"…Ah!?"

In that instant, Hancock was overwhelmed with joy. She couldn't help but cry out in surprise.

"Really? You're not just trying to comfort me?"

Hancock asked, still in disbelief.

"Of course not. You walked into this room and made me want to act."

Caelan pressed his body closer to Hancock, letting her feel the fire of his desire.

He had originally intended to build feelings gradually before accepting Hancock. A woman like her could easily turn obsessive if not handled properly.

But since she came to him with such sincerity, if he didn't accept her now, she might turn yandere on the spot.

"Can I turn around?"

Hancock asked shyly.

She wanted to show him her best side.

"No."

Caelan refused without hesitation.

If he let her turn around, wouldn't that mean he was just sweet-talking?

"…"

Without another word, Caelan gently laid Hancock down on the bed. Her waist was slender, her legs long, smooth, and pale. Even while being pinned down, she had an air of seduction.

Truly, she was worthy of the title "most beautiful woman in the world."

"There's no need to say anything more."

Leaving that sentence behind, Caelan began to move.

Words—no matter how beautiful—were ultimately powerless.

Only actions could fully convey one's heart.

To cure Hancock's lovesickness, her extreme possessiveness, and the trauma caused by the Celestial Dragon's brand, Caelan had no choice but to play doctor and give her a full treatment.

"…Mmm~"

With a painful moan, Hancock truly matured.

"Caelan, can you love only me?"

Hancock asked hopefully, overwhelmed by emotion.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Let's discuss that in two hours."

Caelan curled his lips and intensified his efforts.

In other words, treatment was still ongoing and the disease not yet cured.

Hancock wore a dark expression. Sweat trickled down her cheeks.

"You must get along with everyone from now on. Understood?"

Caelan gently brushed the hair away from her forehead, reminding her again.

"I understand, Caelan."

Hancock lowered her eyes and answered obediently.

She must build good relationships with Nami and the others.

"By the way, Lord Caelan, earlier you said the mark could be removed. Is that true?"

Hancock asked, recalling Caelan's earlier words.

Though she had gained Caelan's love, she still wanted to erase that hideous mark.

"Of course, it's true."

"I know someone who has the ability to heal anything. As long as we find her, removing the mark won't be a problem."

Caelan said seriously as he gently played with Hancock's hair.

That person was under his old acquaintance Doflamingo—the little princess of the Tontatta Tribe with healing powers.

"…Mmm!"

With a blissful smile, Hancock fell asleep in Caelan's arms.

Overnight—

Hancock's lovesickness, intense possessiveness, and the inferiority complex she had harbored deep in her heart…

These three deeply rooted emotional ailments were mostly healed by Caelan's multiple rounds of "cardiotonic" and doses of "special medicine."

(To be continued.)