"Seraphina."
Hancock suddenly spoke during a quiet moment in the room.
"What is it?"
Seraphina was still carefully working the comb through Hancock's hair.
It had been difficult at first because Hancock's long hair was slightly tangled.
If Seraphina pulled too hard, Hancock would feel pain.
Therefore, she could only move slowly and carefully, concentrating on every strand.
"Well…"
"I have two younger sisters who want to meet you."
Hancock finally told her that Sandersonia and Marigold wanted to meet her.
"Oh!"
"That's right!"
"I almost forgot!"
Seraphina suddenly remembered.
"What a terrible memory I have."
Hancock couldn't help smiling faintly.
"Don't worry."
"They're nearby."
"Really?"
Seraphina immediately became interested.
"Then bring them here!"
"I want to meet them."
She paused before adding,
"And from now on, you three can come and go between the servant quarters and my wing whenever necessary."
"I don't want you to feel like prisoners."
Hancock was slightly surprised.
"Thank you."
Seraphina smiled.
"I promised you."
"If you ever need something, just tell me."
Hancock nodded.
The distance between Hancock's quarters and Seraphina's residence was not particularly great.
It was well within the grounds of Roselith Manor, and the servants regularly moved between the two areas.
Therefore, Seraphina had no difficulty arranging for the two younger Kuja to visit her.
After a short while, the door opened.
Two familiar figures entered.
"Hancock!"
Marigold immediately looked toward her older sister.
Sandersonia followed closely behind.
Then both girls noticed the silver-haired young lady sitting nearby.
Their expressions changed instantly.
"This must be Hancock's sisters."
Seraphina sat up straight and smiled warmly.
"Welcome."
"Young Lady!"
Marigold and Sandersonia immediately bowed.
"Don't call me that."
Seraphina waved her hand.
"You can call me Seraphina."
"Just like Hancock does."
The two younger girls glanced at Hancock.
Hancock nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Seraphina!"
Marigold immediately smiled.
"Seraphina!"
Sandersonia followed.
"Much better."
Seraphina smiled.
The two girls were curious about her.
They had heard Hancock talk about the blind young lady living inside the manor.
However, hearing about her and actually meeting her were two completely different things.
The silver-white hair.
The calm expression.
The closed eyes.
The elegant clothes.
Everything about Seraphina seemed strangely different from the World Nobles they had encountered before.
She certainly didn't behave like Saint Roselith Victor or the other Celestial Dragons they had seen.
More importantly, she spoke to them as though they were ordinary children.
Not slaves.
Not possessions.
Not people beneath her.
Just children.
After spending some time talking and playing together, Marigold suddenly remembered something.
"Ah!"
"What?"
Sandersonia asked.
"We still have work to finish!"
The two younger sisters exchanged glances.
Their fellow maids had asked them to help with several chores before they came to visit.
The servants of Roselith Manor had generally treated them kindly, and neither girl wanted to abandon the work they had promised to complete.
Seraphina smiled.
"Then you should go."
"You can come back whenever you want."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Marigold immediately smiled.
"Thank you, Seraphina!"
Sandersonia bowed.
"Thank you."
Hancock watched her sisters leave.
She couldn't help feeling relieved.
At least they were safe.
At least they were being treated well.
And most importantly…
They were still together.
…
After the two younger sisters left, the room gradually became quiet.
Seraphina reached for a book.
Hancock's eyes widened.
She remembered that books had been the beginning of their friendship.
Seraphina carefully opened the book and began feeling the raised markings and edges of the pages.
Without Observation Haki, reading was extremely difficult for her.
"Hmm…"
"This part is difficult."
Hancock looked at the book.
"Seraphina."
"What is it?"
"I can read it for you."
Seraphina immediately smiled.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Hancock took the book from her.
The book contained information about the strange weather of the Grand Line.
Hancock turned several pages.
Then she began reading.
"The weather of the Grand Line is extremely unpredictable."
"Geomagnetism, atmospheric conditions, ocean currents, and the surrounding seas can all behave differently."
"There are places where storms can appear without warning…"
"There are also hurricanes…"
Hancock paused.
She wasn't entirely certain about some of the words.
After all, she had grown up among the Kuja of Amazon Lily.
The Kuja were warriors first.
Formal academic education was not their greatest priority.
She could read, but there were still many words she had never encountered.
"That word is pronounced 'hurricane.'"
Seraphina gently corrected her.
"Hurricane."
"Hurricane."
Hancock repeated it.
"Good."
Seraphina smiled.
"You learn quickly."
Hancock's cheeks became slightly warm.
"Don't praise me for something so simple."
"Why not?"
"Because it's embarrassing."
Seraphina laughed softly.
"You really are interesting, Hancock."
Before they realized it, several hours had passed.
The sunlight gradually disappeared beyond the windows.
The sky darkened.
Night settled over Mary Geoise.
Hancock looked outside.
"It is already late."
"Yes."
Seraphina nodded.
"Would you like to stay here tonight?"
Hancock hesitated.
"I…"
She glanced toward the window.
"I should return to the servant quarters."
Seraphina tilted her head.
"You don't have to be afraid."
"I know."
Hancock looked down.
"It's just…"
She didn't finish.
Seraphina understood.
Hancock still wasn't completely comfortable inside the manor.
Even though the people here had treated her differently, the memories of her captivity had not disappeared.
Seraphina didn't force her.
"All right."
"If you want to return, I'll have someone escort you."
"Thank you."
Hancock nodded.
Then she hesitated.
"Seraphina."
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"How do you know where everything is if you can't see?"
Seraphina smiled.
"Observation Haki."
Hancock immediately understood.
"You really use Kenbunshoku Haki to perceive your surroundings?"
"Yes."
"But I can't maintain it forever."
"I have to conserve my stamina."
Hancock nodded thoughtfully.
"So when your Observation Haki is active, you can perceive people and objects around you."
"That's right."
"But when you stop using it…"
"I can't see."
Seraphina smiled calmly.
"Being blind doesn't mean I'm helpless."
Hancock remained silent.
That sentence stayed in her mind.
Seraphina possessed extraordinary potential.
She had already manifested Haoshoku Haki.
She possessed Kenbunshoku Haki.
And despite being born blind, she had adapted to her surroundings instead of allowing blindness to define her.
"Hancock."
Seraphina suddenly spoke.
"Since I told you one of my secrets…"
"Would you tell me one of yours?"
Hancock froze.
Her expression gradually became serious.
"…I'm sorry, Seraphina."
"I can't."
She lowered her head.
"There are some things I don't want to talk about."
Seraphina remained silent for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"That's okay."
"You don't have to tell me."
"I was just curious."
Hancock looked up.
"You aren't angry?"
"Why would I be?"
Seraphina tilted her head.
"Everyone has things they don't want to talk about."
"If you're not ready, then I'm not going to force you."
Hancock's heart tightened.
That simple response touched her more deeply than Seraphina could have known.
Hancock had spent years learning that powerful people took what they wanted.
They demanded answers.
They demanded obedience.
They demanded everything.
Seraphina was different.
She asked.
And when Hancock refused…
She respected the answer.
"Hancock."
"Yes?"
"Let's do something else."
"What?"
"Tell me about Amazon Lily."
Hancock's expression softened.
"Amazon Lily…"
For the first time, she began talking about her homeland without fear.
She told Seraphina about the Kuja.
About the island.
About the warriors.
About the forests.
About the traditions of her people.
She even told her about the Nine Snake Pirates.
Seraphina listened quietly.
Although she couldn't see Hancock's expression, she could hear the difference in her voice.
The girl who had spent so much time surrounded by darkness sounded different whenever she spoke about home.
There was warmth in her voice.
Pride.
Longing.
Hope.
"You really love your homeland."
"Yes."
Hancock's answer was immediate.
"It's my home."
"I want to go back someday."
Seraphina smiled.
"Then one day…"
"You will."
Hancock looked at her.
"How can you be so certain?"
"Because I believe you will."
Seraphina's expression was gentle.
"And if you need help…"
"Just ask me."
Hancock's eyes trembled slightly.
She quickly looked away.
"Thank you."
Seraphina smiled.
"You're welcome."
The room became quiet again.
But this time…
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was peaceful.
Hancock suddenly realized something.
She still wanted to escape Mary Geoise.
She still wanted to return to Amazon Lily.
She still hated the Celestial Dragons.
Nothing had changed about that.
But there was now one person inside Mary Geoise whom she didn't hate.
One person she could trust.
Saint Roselith Seraphina.
The blind daughter of the Roselith Family.
A Celestial Dragon unlike any Hancock had ever known.
…
Later that night, Hancock returned to the servant quarters.
Marigold and Sandersonia immediately surrounded her.
"Sister!"
"How was it?"
"Did you have fun?"
Hancock looked at them.
"You two are more curious than I expected."
Marigold grinned.
"What is Seraphina like?"
Hancock thought for a moment.
"She's strange."
"Strange?"
"Yes."
"She's kind."
"She's playful."
"And…"
Hancock paused.
"She doesn't feel like a Celestial Dragon."
Sandersonia smiled.
"I knew you liked her."
"I didn't say that!"
Hancock immediately denied it.
Marigold laughed.
"Your face says otherwise."
"Enough!"
Hancock lightly tapped her sister on the head.
The three sisters laughed quietly together.
For a brief moment…
They forgot where they were.
They forgot about the collars they had once worn.
They forgot about the cruelty they had endured.
They were simply three sisters together.
And somewhere inside Roselith Manor…
Saint Roselith Seraphina sat beside her window.
Her silver-white hair reflected the faint moonlight.
Her eyes remained closed.
Yet through the subtle perception of Kenbunshoku Haki, she could sense the presence of countless people throughout the manor.
Among them…
Three familiar presences stayed close together.
Seraphina smiled.
"Hancock is happy."
She leaned back against the chair.
"That's good."
✦ [SYSTEM] ✦
[SYSTEM: Relationship Development Detected]
[Boa Hancock → Saint Roselith Seraphina]
[Current Relationship: Cautious Friendship]
[Trust Level: Increasing]
[Emotional Attachment: Developing]
[Important Note: Boa Hancock continues to conceal the full details of her past from Saint Roselith Seraphina.]
[Saint Roselith Seraphina → Boa Hancock]
[Current Relationship: Close Friendship]
[Protective Instinct: Increasing]
[Observation: Saint Roselith Seraphina has recognized Boa Hancock's desire to return to Amazon Lily.]
[Observation: Saint Roselith Seraphina has chosen not to force Hancock to reveal her past.]
[Kuja Sisters]
[Boa Hancock: Older Sister]
[Boa Sandersonia: Younger Sister]
[Boa Marigold: Younger Sister]
[Current Status: All three sisters remain together within Roselith Manor.]
[Slave Status: Removed]
[Seastone Handcuffs: Removed]
[Current Objective: Protect the Boa sisters while preserving their freedom and safety.]
[Potential Future Development: Friendship may significantly influence the future decisions of both parties.]
✦ [SYSTEM] ✦
That night, Hancock lay quietly beside her sisters.
She stared at the ceiling.
For the first time since arriving in Mary Geoise…
She wasn't thinking only about escape.
She was thinking about a friend.
A strange, blind Celestial Dragon girl who had somehow managed to make Hancock believe that kindness could exist even in the Holy Land.
Perhaps fate had brought them together.
Perhaps it was simply coincidence.
Hancock didn't know.
But she knew one thing.
Until the day she returned to Amazon Lily…
She would protect her sisters.
And if the opportunity ever came…
She would protect Saint Roselith Seraphina too.
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