As the conversation unfolded, Queen Titi quietly approached, her expression serene, though her eyes shimmered with a mix of excitement and greed. Without hesitation, she reached over and took the phone bug from Cobra's hand, her voice cool and resolute.
"We agree to the marriage between Saint Lakeman and Vivi, Saint Nusjuro," she declared firmly.
Cobra's eyes widened in shock as he stared at his wife. But Titi's gaze remained unwavering as she continued, "However, we would like to meet Saint Lakeman first, if that's possible."
"Of course," Saint Nusjuro replied smoothly.
"I'll inform Lakeman to visit Alabasta soon and meet his future in-laws. Then it's settled. Farewell." With a finality, he hung up.
The silence that followed was thick with tension. Cobra, still processing his wife's sudden decision, clenched his fists, his anger barely contained.
"How could you do this, Titi?" he hissed. "Do you have any idea what these Celestial Dragons are like?"
"Marriage is nothing but amusement to them! Some of them have dozens of wives—changing them like accessories the moment they grow bored. How could you throw our precious daughter into this… this fire pit?" His voice trembled with a father's fury and fear.
"Enough!" Queen Titi's voice cut through his protests like a knife. Her eyes were steely as she met Cobra's gaze, unflinching. "Do you think I'm unaware of who they are? Didn't you hear Elder Nusjuro's words?"
"He said Saint Lakeman possesses the strength of an admiral at the mere age of ten," she continued, her voice laced with a fervent conviction.
"An extraordinary genius like that—have you ever seen or even heard of someone like him? How can you compare him with those other Celestial Dragons who simply indulge and waste away?"
Cobra opened his mouth to retort, but Titi pressed on, her tone unyielding. "Even if he takes other wives in the future, so be it. If he's as powerful and talented as they claim, then it's Vivi's good fortune to marry him. What harm is there if he has multiple wives?"
She leaned closer, her voice dropping, yet filled with fervor. "Think of the possibilities, Cobra. A child born of Vivi and Lakeman would be a Celestial Dragon with all the privileges that come with it. That child, one day, could rule Alabasta and lift it to heights we could only dream of."
She gestured out toward the balcony, where Alabasta's vast, arid deserts stretched into the horizon under the relentless sun.
"How many of our people die every year due to drought, thirst, and water scarcity? The World Government offers us aid, but it's a temporary fix. Even if we saved the 10 billion Beli meant for the Heavenly Tribute and used it to build a reservoir or paid the scientists of Weatheria to rain over Alabasta, how long would it last? It's a drop in the ocean. But if Saint Lakeman marries our Vivi, he would surely take care of Alabasta's needs."
Cobra, overwhelmed by her fervor, could only murmur, "But…"
"No 'buts,'" Titi cut him off, her voice firm but laced with a hint of pleading.
"Think of Vivi's safety, Cobra. We have an army of six hundred thousand, yes, but they're of average strength. Countless times, strong pirates have attacked, stealing and killing, escaping before our army could even react. And there's always the possibility that one day a truly fearsome pirate could target Vivi directly. What would we do if that happened?"
Her eyes softened for a moment, her voice thick with emotion. "Saint Lakeman already wields strength comparable to an admiral, and he's still so young. By the time the marriage is even relevant, he could very well be the strongest person in the world. Who would dare harm Vivi or threaten Alabasta then?"
She placed a reassuring hand on his arm, her voice gentler. "Vivi was only born two months ago. We have years before any marriage could take place. Lakeman will come to visit soon, and we'll have the chance to judge his character and strength for ourselves before we make any final decisions."
As Queen Titi finished, King Cobra's expression softened slightly, though he still bore a shadow of reluctance. He sighed, nodding as he came to terms with her reasoning.
"If Saint Lakeman truly is as strong and capable as they say, then perhaps it could be beneficial," he murmured, his voice strained but resigned. "But mark my words, Titi—I will not hand over our Vivi unless I am certain he will respect and protect her."
Queen Titi gave a slight smile, relieved to see her husband's resistance waning, and replied, "Of course, Cobra. We will only decide after meeting him and seeing for ourselves what kind of person he is. We owe Vivi that much."
"I will go and take care of Vivi," she said curtly, leaving the room without waiting for a response.
Once inside her chambers, Queen Titi closed the door behind her and gazed lovingly at the tiny figure cradled in her arms. She held Vivi close, her expression softening as she murmured, "Finally, I can live the life I've always dreamed of."
Her tone darkened, laced with bitterness and resentment. "I married Cobra thinking that becoming queen would bring a life of luxury, where all would bow to my commands. But I soon learned the truth—there's no luxury here because that fool cares for his people more than his own throne. He spends the treasury down to the last coin, save for the Heavenly Tribute, on food and water for the people. My life as queen has been a farce of duty and frugality because of him."
Her lip curled as she continued, her voice filled with disdain.
"And as for passion? He can't even satisfy me in bed. He spends more time with his guards and subjects than he ever has with me. A pathetic excuse for a king," she sneered.
Her eyes grew colder as she reflected on her past frustrations. "I tried to assert myself, to show the servants who was queen. Once, I scolded a maid for insolence, but Cobra scolded me in front of everyone, accusing me of cruelty and lack of compassion. Since then, I've played the role of his 'perfect queen,' the woman he wants me to be. But now… Now I can finally be myself."
She looked at Vivi with an almost obsessive affection, whispering, "You are truly my lucky star, my dear daughter. Thanks to you, I will be the mother-in-law of a Celestial Dragon—no, one of the most powerful Celestial Dragons." Her eyes gleamed with ambition as she imagined the power and influence that would soon be hers.
A chilling shadow crossed her face as she murmured darkly, "If that foolish Cobra dares to interfere with this… then I'll have no choice but to remove him for our happiness."
She leaned closer, her voice barely audible. "You'll forgive me for this, won't you, my dear Vivi?"
She gently rocked Vivi to sleep, the baby's soft breaths filling the silence. Queen Titi then lay down beside her, drifting off with a serene smile, dreaming of the life she believed she deserved—the life she was determined to claim, no matter the cost.
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