On the other side, Princess Audrey, led by the W.G officials, arrived at Romantis's massive warship.
"St. Romantis, Princess Audrey has arrived."
"Let her in."
The guards at the door pushed open the grand entrance, allowing Princess Audrey to step inside. Romantis set down the book he had been reading and gazed at the approaching princess.
"St. Romantis."
Audrey gracefully curtsied before him, executing a noble's bow with practiced elegance.
Romantis observed her carefully, noting the meticulous effort she had put into her appearance. He spoke softly, but his words carried an undeniable weight.
"I have just received a report from the World Government.
Your kingdom's Minister of the Army, Azor, launched an unauthorized attack on the Minister of Commerce's residence, slaughtering a great number of nobles, including Minister Fort.
I have already given the order for his execution. It seems that your Heim Kingdom is in quite a state of chaos—it will require careful governance."
Romantis's words struck Audrey like a hammer. The two most powerful nobles in the kingdom were dead.
Rather than feeling relieved that her rivals for the throne were gone, a deep fear settled within her.
If the Celestial Dragons could so easily eliminate the kingdom's strongest aristocrats, then getting rid of her would be just as simple. With Azor and Fort gone, was she next?
As she stood frozen in thought, Romantis reached out, tilting her chin upward with his fingers.
Their eyes met. The sheer dominance in Romantis's gaze left Audrey breathless, her heart pounding with fear.
"Not bad. As expected of the 'Rose Princess.' You truly have a beauty that could topple nations. I believe you will make the most stunning queen in the North Blue."
"I am honored by your praise, St. Romantis."
Relief flooded through Audrey. It seemed she had secured her throne.
"Remember, from now on, you will be the sole ruler of Heim Kingdom—but only if you remain obedient."
"...I understand."
Romantis wasted no time. He pulled Audrey into his arms and carried her to the bed.
To him, she was merely a tool for controlling the kingdom. He had no interest in romance, nor did he have time to indulge in such trivial matters. As long as she remained obedient, that was enough.
Besides, love was like a ghost—everyone talked about it, but no one had ever truly seen it. Romantis had no intention of wasting his energy chasing an illusion.
In this world, everyone had their own agenda. The one who believed in sincerity was the one who lost.
The nations of the One Piece world were all island kingdoms, the largest spanning only a few hundred thousand square kilometers.
While Romantis had grand imperial ambitions, he knew the reality—this world simply did not allow for a vast, centralized empire.
Furthermore, as a Celestial Dragon, he could not directly rule a kingdom unless he abandoned his status.
After careful consideration, Romantis abandoned the idea of modeling his rule after the Roman Empire and instead formulated a governance system more suited to a maritime world.
He called it the "Divine Right of Kings."
The inspiration came from the religious rule of medieval Europe, where the Pope wielded divine authority over monarchs, making kings submit to the power of the Church.
The Celestial Dragons already saw themselves as gods, and for eight hundred years, their rule had ingrained this belief into the people.
Under Romantis's "Divine Right of Kings," he would establish himself as a divine figure, shaping the faith of the lower classes while controlling the ruling elite by granting them their thrones.
The Navy and the World Government would serve as his enforcers, crushing all opposition.
Just as the Pope could make the Holy Roman Emperor kneel in the snow, Romantis was confident that he could become the true god of this world—forcing all kings to kneel before him.
The North Blue's four kingdoms would be the first step in his grand plan.
Audrey lay in Romantis's arms, her heart racing as she felt the strength radiating from his body.
As he gently placed her onto the bed, he gazed at her exquisite features before leaning down to kiss her. What followed was an indulgence in passion.
By the time morning arrived, Romantis was as energetic as ever. He glanced at Audrey, who was still asleep, exhausted from the night before. A satisfied smirk played on his lips.
As expected, the physique of a true warrior was in a league of its own.
Without disturbing her, Romantis left the room and began his morning training. He had no intention of drowning in pleasure—his ambitions left no room for such distractions.
Ever since he had vowed to rule the world, he had followed a strict training regimen.
With limited space on the ship, he performed only basic exercises before taking a bath, assisted by his attendants. Once refreshed, he prepared for the day ahead.
At nine in the morning, Romantis arrived at the dining hall, where a variety of exquisite dishes had already been laid out.
As he sat down, he turned to his head attendant, "Has Princess Audrey awakened?"
"Yes, St. Romantis. She has already risen."
"Then bring her here to dine with me."
The attendants were visibly surprised.
Romantis had never allowed anyone to share a meal with him—not even his own family.
They had been meticulously trained to remain composed, so despite their astonishment, they did not voice their thoughts.
Soon, Audrey was brought into the dining hall. Romantis gestured for her to sit beside him.
Though he had no intention of making her his official wife—since only those born to Celestial Dragons could inherit their status—he still regarded her as a part of his inner circle.
Dinner table etiquette dictated silence, so Romantis did not engage in conversation. Audrey quietly ate her meal, sneaking occasional glances at him.
Romantis's appetite was staggering. He consumed his food with refined efficiency, and in no time, half of the towering plates of dishes had disappeared.
When he noticed that Audrey had stopped eating after finishing just one plate, he raised an eyebrow.
"Not to your liking? There are chefs from all over the world on board. If you want something specific, just ask."
"I've had enough."
Romantis stared at her, baffled.
"…That's all?"
That amount wouldn't even be enough to get stuck between his teeth! Were all noblewomen starving themselves for the sake of maintaining their figures?
Of course, he failed to consider that his own appetite was anything but normal.
The stronger one became, the more food they required. Every powerhouse in the world of pirates had an insatiable hunger.
Romantis had been dining alone for so long that he had completely forgotten what a normal meal looked like.
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