Seeing Hancock, Lloyd gave her a brief, measured look before speaking in a calm tone.
"You are Boa Hancock?"
Hancock immediately lowered her head in respect.
"Yes, Young Master."
A faint blush crept across her face. Lloyd had mentioned earlier that he could hear certain sounds even while asleep, and she had not exactly been silent over the years.
Lucia, still resting in Lloyd's arms, spoke softly.
"Young Master, Hancock was sent by Spandine. She now serves as one of your personal maids."
Lloyd nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing.
"That man really went that far, to think he actually captured her."
"Young Master, Hancock's talent is exceptional. She has already awakened Haoshoku Haki."
"Hmm. Lucia, you have been training all of them all these years, haven't you?"
"Yes. Monet and the others have mastered both the Six Powers and Haki."
Hearing this, Lloyd shook his head lightly and let out a quiet chuckle.
"Then keeping them here as maids truly is a waste."
Bang.
The door burst open as Monet rushed in.
"Young Master, I only want to be your maid."
"..."
Before Lloyd could respond, Ginny followed right behind. Lucia shifted slightly, allowing Ginny to throw herself into Lloyd's arms as well.
Ginny clung to him tightly, already sobbing too hard to speak.
She had just been accompanying Shirahoshi. With her current size nearing twelve meters, the room itself could accommodate her, but the doorway was far too small for her to enter.
Lloyd gently comforted Ginny for a while. During that time, Monet stood nearby, staring at him. She bit her lip, her expression on the verge of breaking.
Once Ginny finally calmed down, Lloyd stepped off the bed and walked toward Monet. He reached out and gently patted her head.
"Monet, did you misunderstand? I never said I was sending you away."
Monet nodded quickly. She raised her hand slightly, then lowered it again. She wanted to hug him, but she understood her place. She was not Lucia, and she did not feel she had the right to take such initiative.
Lloyd noticed her hesitation.
Without a word, he pulled her into his arms.
"What are you afraid of? If you want to hug me, then do it."
Monet did not dare meet his eyes. She pressed her face against his chest and spoke in a low voice.
"Young Master, I was giving you massages. Lucia Senpai allowed it."
"I see..."
A subtle, knowing smile appeared on Lloyd's face.
He then turned his attention to Robin, who had remained quiet.
"Robin, the book I asked your mother to compile, is it finished?"
Robin immediately answered.
"Reporting, Young Master, it was completed long ago. She has been waiting for you to review it."
"I will look at it when I have time. If it meets my expectations, you and your mother may meet freely from now on."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"If you wish, you may leave this place with me and see the outside world. However, your mother cannot. Her crime is too serious."
To Lloyd's surprise, Robin nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, Young Master. Mother understands her mistake now. She has chosen to remain here and atone."
Lloyd was momentarily silent before nodding.
"Good. It seems she has finally come to her senses."
In truth, he found it hard to believe that someone as stubborn as Olvia could change so completely. However, having just awakened, he had more pressing matters to deal with.
For now, he needed to meet Garling.
Over the years, Garling had visited him frequently. Each time, he would dismiss everyone and speak alone in the room. If Lloyd had not been half-conscious during his slumber, he would never have known how much his uncle talked.
Those words had never sounded like something a king would say. They sounded more like a lonely old man.
Lloyd let out a quiet sigh.
"Uncle Garling... if only you had brought that red-haired boy back to keep you company while I slept. Now he has become one of the Four Emperors."
Originally, Lloyd had intended to take Shanks during the battle with Roger. However, Roger's use of the Nika Fruit had drained him completely after the fight. He had no strength left to deal with anything else.
Fortunately, Rayleigh had taken Shanks away.
Thinking further, Lloyd's expression shifted slightly.
"Wait... his arm."
He suddenly turned toward Lucia, startling her.
"Lucia, the Red Hair Shanks you mentioned earlier, have there been recent reports about him? Any signs he lost an arm?"
Lucia blinked, recalling carefully.
"Young Master, there was a photo in last month's newspaper. He looked completely fine."
Lloyd nodded slowly, a trace of satisfaction appearing.
"Good. Sakazuki handled things well."
What he did not know was that the matter had actually been resolved by Kuzan and Aramaki. After shattering the Sea King, they had unintentionally devastated entire stretches of ocean along their return route. In some regions, they were now known as the Ocean Calamity.
As for Zephyr, Lloyd did not inquire further. Sakazuki and Borsalino had already reported the matter during one of their visits, and he had overheard everything.
With both issues resolved to his satisfaction, Lloyd's lips curved faintly.
"Lucia, prepare a change of clothes. I am going to see Uncle Garling."
The moment he spoke, Monet and the others called out in unison.
"Young Master, let me do it."
Ginny giggled softly, her hands clasped behind her back as she watched him with smiling eyes.
Lucia, however, had already stepped forward with the clothes. With practiced ease, she began assisting Lloyd, her voice gentle.
"Young Master, before you were sealed in crystal, I had them learn how to change your clothes for you."
Lloyd paused slightly.
During the early years of his slumber, his consciousness had been completely absent. Those years had been nothing but a blank void to him.
___
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