The bathhouse in Claudius's palace was enormous. Just how enormous? It could easily fit a hundred people bathing at the same time and still feel spacious—it was practically a personal water park. The interior was magnificent, complete with fountains, multiple pools for different types of baths, including medicinal baths, floral baths, milk baths, and even red wine baths. Each section was set at different temperatures to suit any preference. The sheer opulence of the place could meet anyone's wildest bathing dreams.
At this moment, the three Boa sisters were bathing in one of the pools, joined by Stella. Tesoro had to make do with a sink; Claudius's bathroom was exclusive to women and children when it came to guests, with men permitted only under certain conditions. Enel occasionally managed to squeeze in, and little Ace had no restrictions due to his age.
Also present in the bathhouse were Lenny and Mero the two mermaid girls. Lenny was soaking in the milk bath, while Mero relaxed in the red wine pool. Though mermaids were creatures of the sea, they too enjoyed the luxury of a good bath.
Claudius wouldn't have them lounging in an open-air pond all day; that would be beneath them. So, the two often found themselves in the bathhouse, sometimes without even announcing their presence. Claudius himself had walked in on them more than once when he planned to bathe, only to be greeted with a surprise.
"You're quite fortunate His Highness brought you here," Mero said with a smile as she splashed water lightly in the milk bath, looking over at Stella and the Boa sisters.
"Absolutely. His Highness rarely brings anyone back. It's been years since I've seen him bring a slave to the palace. You must be special," Lenny added with a warm smile. "Congratulations on escaping that life."
Stella still looked a bit lost, taking it all in. At their words, she asked curiously, "He's a powerful Celestial Dragon, isn't he? Are you two... slaves as well?"
Lenny chuckled. "His Highness Claudius is indeed a powerful Celestial Dragon. Just how powerful? Well, let's just say it's beyond what you can imagine. Just the other day, I heard from Nia that he had a run-in with Charlos. You've seen that guy, right? Even after Claudius beat him, Charlos wouldn't dare utter a word of complaint. That's the kind of power he holds."
"As for us," Mero said, leaning back in the water, "we're technically his slaves, mermaids he keeps in the palace. But it's not what you think."
Hancock, who had been mostly silent, suddenly asked, "But if you're slaves, why do you seem... content? Shouldn't you be sad or angry?"
The three sisters had been slaves for half a year now, previously owned by Corrinnelu. Although Corrinnelu hadn't been excessively cruel, she had forced them to eat the foul-tasting Devil Fruits and treated them with indifference, no different than any other trinket or object she possessed. The sisters bore the mark of the Celestial Dragon's hoof, a permanent reminder of their suffering. Hancock, especially, resented Celestial Dragons and Mariejois deeply. So, she was baffled at the apparent cheerfulness of Lenny and Mero. Why did they seem so carefree, even friendly with the palace staff like Nia?
"Sad and angry?" Lenny murmured, trailing her fingers over the scales of her tail. "We were at first. Before, we weren't under His Highness Claudius but his cousin's care. He was... let's just say, not the kindest person. Thankfully, we didn't stay there for long before we were gifted to His Highness."
"His Highness Claudius isn't like other Celestial Dragons. He doesn't treat us as slaves, not really. If anything, we're more like friends," Mero said with a soft laugh. "He's often lonely, you know. His heart longs for the freedom of the sea, but his status keeps him here, in Mariejois. We help him forget that loneliness."
"That's true," Lenny added. "He treats us so well. We're free to move around the palace, and though Mariejois itself is dangerous and full of people who aren't like him, we're safe here. And even though he's never said it outright, he promised that when he makes a trip to Fish-Man Island, he'll set us free."
Hancock's eyes narrowed. "He's lying to you. How could he let you go? You're his slaves!"
"No, it's true. If we wanted to leave, we could have many times," Lenny said. "When he takes us on his trips, we don't have any collars or chains. We're free to swim in the sea. If we really wanted to escape, no one could catch us."
Hancock was taken aback, disbelief clouding her eyes. "Then why didn't you? This place is hell. If I had the chance, I'd be gone in a heartbeat."
Mero laughed lightly. "So, we'll have to keep an eye on you, won't we?"
Realizing she had spoken too freely, Hancock stiffened, casting wary looks at the two mermaids.
"Relax," Lenny said with a smile. "Mero's just joking. As for why we stay... maybe we don't want him to feel abandoned. Betrayal hurts, you know? His Highness has been so kind to us; we wouldn't want to make him lose trust in everyone."
Hancock frowned. "Kind? You're still prisoners here. You don't have freedom!"
"Freedom will come," Mero replied, unwavering. "His Highness might be a bit mischievous, and he might have his peculiarities, but he never breaks a promise."
"Until then, we have everything we need here. Sometimes I even feel like we are the Celestial Dragons!" Lenny said, giggling.
Hancock didn't know how to respond. Frustrated, she sank deeper into the water until half her face was submerged, blowing bubbles as she brooded. Still, a small part of her wondered: could there really be a Celestial Dragon who was different from the rest?
"Donquixote Claudius" she whispered, the name lingering in her thoughts.
***
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