Chapter Fifty-Three: The Meeting of Two Women

Amazon Lily was already close at hand. Kamille sat anxiously on a deck chair, his heart pounding with uncertainty, a hint of impatience flickering across his face. Several cigarette butts littered the deck beneath him. Nearby, Ice Phoenix was equally uneasy, sitting by Kamille's side as if afraid this man might leave her behind.

Robin had been with him for over eighty years now. There were no secrets left between them. She knew much about his previous life; those decades spent inside the ring were often passed discussing interesting tales from before—naturally, wild fantasy novels were a staple topic. In those stories, the main characters would often have seven, eight, even more than ten wives, which made Robin feel both amused and incredulous. Whenever Kamille recounted such stories, she would inevitably ask why the hero could be with so many women—weren’t he and his lovers afraid of jealousy?

Kamille always struggled to answer that question, but Robin would not let it go. Eventually, he chose one of the more reasonable novels and recounted its plot: the tangled love and hatred, the way the hero’s relationships with each heroine developed. Robin, being a lover of books, would listen with rapt attention. When the story was drawing to a close and the hero finally found happiness with all his beloveds, Robin was astonished by the twists and turns. Afterward, she would pester Kamille with endless questions: How many wives would you want in the future? Would you abandon me for a new one? Such questions always left Kamille feeling helpless.

Now, he was about to bring a new companion to join them. Would Robin turn her back on him, angry and unwilling to speak? She must be furious, he thought. Still, he had told her plenty of those wild stories; surely, she could distinguish reality from fiction. They had been together long enough to have celebrated a diamond anniversary—surely their love was unbreakable. But if Robin truly refused to accept Ice Phoenix, what then?

Unable to find an answer, Kamille gave up pondering. At worst, he could keep Ice Phoenix elsewhere, visiting back and forth—wasn’t that always an option?

He glanced at Ice Phoenix, who was just as anxious as he was. Kamille’s heart ached; she must be even more frightened than he.

“Ice Phoenix.”

“Hm? Mmm—”

A lingering kiss. Their faces parted, breathing ragged and eyes locked, barely ten centimeters between them.

Suddenly, Ice Phoenix smiled. Kamille started and instinctively tightened his grip on her hand.

Her heart warmed. Those beautiful eyes gazed at Kamille as she spoke softly, “Maybe I should leave—”

Before she could finish, Kamille sealed her lips with his own. “Don’t overthink it. I know her temperament. Trust me, she’ll accept you.” His tone carried a hint of irritation.

Seeing his concern for her, Ice Phoenix’s eyes grew misty. She nodded gently. “Alright.”

...

“Hancock, why aren’t you asleep yet? You trained all day—you should rest at night,” Robin said, sitting atop the palace roof and gazing at the moon. Suddenly, Hancock climbed up beside her, prompting the question.

Hancock grinned, her smile as lovely as a morning glory in bloom. At fifteen, she was already one meter sixty tall, looking more and more like a young lady.

“I don’t know why, but I have a strange feeling tonight. Like something is about to happen. I couldn’t sleep, so I came to keep you company, Sister Robin.” Hancock frowned as she spoke. Her heart had skipped a beat earlier, as if something momentous was imminent. With no sleep in sight, and seeing Robin’s room empty, she guessed Robin was on the roof and joined her.

“Really? I feel it too,” Robin replied, startled. Could something truly be about to happen tonight?

Neither pressed the thought further; each could guess what was in the other’s heart.

“Robin!” Robin’s body tensed at the familiar voice. A pair of arms wrapped around her from behind.

Kamille had returned! Robin realized.

She turned to see him, no words exchanged. They simply embraced.

Hancock watched the pair enviously, thinking, “I wish Brother Kamille would hold me too!”

“You’re back so soon. Why not spend a few more years away? When I’m not around, you get to gather beauties at your side. Go comfort Hancock—she’s missed you dearly,” Robin teased after leaving Kamille’s embrace. She had already accepted Hancock. After reading the comics, she had little to say about Hancock’s personality. Luffy might have many virtues—brave, helpful, passionate—but could he truly make Hancock happy? Hancock, falling for such a man! Better to leave her to Kamille. The two were already as close as sisters.

Kamille’s eyes flickered. He approached Hancock, but before he could reach her, she leapt into his arms. Clearly, the young girl was genuinely fond of him.

“Hancock, careful—gently!” he cried. To his surprise, her embrace was so tight it hurt.

At his plea, Hancock blushed crimson and quickly stepped back, wringing her hands together in embarrassment.

“Hancock, you’ve grown taller,” Kamille said, gently ruffling her soft hair.

Robin watched them with a smile, not the least bit jealous. She had always known Hancock liked Kamille. Sometimes, Robin would even bring him up, hoping Hancock would think better of him—and it seemed to be working.

“Yes, I’m growing taller—so I can marry Brother Kamille one day,” Hancock replied shyly, cheeks burning.

Her words stunned both Kamille and Robin, who burst out laughing.

“Then grow tall quickly!” Kamille said, patting her head.

“Alright! I’m off to bed. I’ll leave you two some space—goodnight!” Hancock nodded, uttering a line that nearly made Kamille cough blood, then hopped off the roof and into the palace.

Kamille turned to Robin.

“Where is she?”

“Bang!”

A fist smashed into his jaw, sending Kamille flying into the air. Robin followed with a flurry of punches and kicks, sending him soaring higher.

Kamille clutched his face against the pain as Robin’s blows propelled him up.

“Wham!” With a final roundhouse kick, Robin sent him even higher.

He soon hovered over a thousand meters above the ground, finally halting mid-air. Robin appeared before him.

Seeing Kamille’s panda eyes and disheveled clothes, Robin couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Still trying to hide her? Aren’t you going to call out your confidante?” she said with a smile, though her gaze was fierce enough to devour him.

Kamille breathed a sigh of relief. Robin must have already discovered Ice Phoenix. He felt a pang of guilt. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

Robin’s laughter faded. She looked at the tense Kamille and smiled softly. “What are you apologizing for? Call her out—do you want to make that beauty sad?”

“Ice Phoenix, come here,” Kamille communicated telepathically to the woman a thousand meters away.

Soon, a figure appeared beside Kamille, glancing nervously at Robin and immediately lowering her head, clearly terrified of her.

Robin sighed inwardly. The woman beside Kamille was truly beautiful—perhaps even more so than herself—but Kamille certainly loved her more.

“Hello, Sister Robin. I’m Ice Phoenix. I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have fallen for him. I hope you can accept me. Please say yes,” Ice Phoenix said suddenly, lifting her head, voice trembling with nerves.

Robin looked at Kamille, catching the anxiety in his eyes. She was actually very satisfied with this woman; it seemed her earlier display had sufficiently intimidated her.

Robin slowly approached Ice Phoenix, sizing her up, making her even more nervous.

“Well, Kamille, you have good taste. I’ll let you off this time! But don’t think you’ll be sharing my bed again!” With a playful wink, she took Ice Phoenix’s hand and led her away, leaving Kamille alone in the sky.

At that moment, Kamille’s heart finally settled. He paid no mind to Robin’s parting words.

He glanced at the receding figures of Robin and Ice Phoenix, wishing them well together.

With a lift of his right foot, Kamille vanished from the sky, reappearing in a palace suspended in midair. He found an empty room, lay down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling in a daze.

The injuries on his body healed instantly with a surge of vital energy. His thoughts drifted to Robin and Ice Phoenix. Judging by Robin’s reaction, she had already accepted Ice Phoenix. No need to overthink it—time to sleep.

...

“Robin?”

“Yes, I missed you!”

“Then why did you hit me earlier?”

“Don’t ask. I just wanted to.”

“In that case, I’ll have to turn the tables on you.”

“Come then—see who’s afraid!”

A night of springtime passion...

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