"Igaram, that's how things are."
"His Highness forgave your offense and is willing to station his army in Arabasta to help us drive out the pirates."
Due to his injuries, Igaram had been unconscious for two days, but he finally got to see Princess Titi again.
Lying on the hospital bed, Igaram let out a slight sigh of relief after hearing Princess Titi's words.
"Thank that prince for his kindness. Princess, then what price did we pay?", Although it was a bit hard to ask, he still brought up the question.
What comforted him was that the princess looked completely unharmed, her illness fully cured, and even her spirit seemed refreshed, glowing with radiance.
However, Igaram still felt a little uneasy.
Rosse didn't look like someone easy to deal with. Otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up unconscious for two days.
He was just afraid that Princess Titi had secretly agreed to something, in which case he'd be unable to eat or sleep in peace.
"There's nothing like that, Igaram. That prince is a good man. It's just that, in order to resolve the pirate issue, we need to pay a rather large fee," Princess Titi felt a bit guilty, even weak in the knees.
How could there be no cost?
After the initial plan was set, she and Rosse had another talk about the scale of the military. Considering the size and situation of Arabasta, the number of ordinary soldiers didn't matter much, but at least one Marine Vice Admiral and a hundred officers would be needed to properly defend all the coastal cities.
But that many powerful people would be enough to arm a naval base. How could it be that easy to hand over to Arabasta?
In the end, Princess Titi made Rosse her specialty, cream puffs, and only then did Rosse reluctantly agree.
However, to avoid suspicion, Rosse proposed a public front of hiring them at a price of 10 billion Berries per year. That way, it would seem reasonable to outsiders.
Princess Titi didn't even think before agreeing. She was afraid Rosse would ask for too low a price and that someone within the kingdom or even Cobra would sense something.
If King Cobra really found out, then she'd truly have no face left to see anyone.
10 billion Berries wasn't much for a great country like Arabasta, and if covered by the royal family, it would be easy to gather this wealth.
Arabasta had considered using money to hire powerful individuals before, but currently, their strongest was Igaram. If they hired outsiders, there was a risk of being overtaken.
Moreover, outsiders willing to work for money usually had poor character. Arabasta didn't want to cooperate with those kinds of people.
In comparison, no matter how bad the Celestial Dragons' reputation was, at least they had the World Government as a guarantee. The Marine at least truly carried out their duties.
Besides, even if some disciplinary issues arose with the private army, Princess Titi felt she could handle it.
'It's just that... I might have to give up a little bit...'
"Princess, thank you for your hard work," Igaram didn't really want to deal with Rosse and the others anymore, but since the matter had already been decided by Princess Titi, he could only comply and quietly listen to her explain the cooperation details.
He didn't know if it was just his imagination, but every time Princess Titi mentioned Rosse, her tone seemed slightly different.
But when she spoke of King Cobra, it was with a calm and unremarkable tone, just like a girl who had fallen out of love.
'No way. Why would I have such terrifying thoughts?'
Smack!
Igaram suddenly slapped himself hard, trying to drive away these chaotic emotions.
"Igaram?", Princess Titi looked at him in confusion, not knowing why he hit himself.
"It's nothing, Princess. Please continue," Igaram hurriedly shook his head. There was no way he could voice the thoughts he just had.
But looking at Princess Titi now, she really looked like a woman who used to be unsatisfied but was now thoroughly satisfied.
'Don't think about it, don't think about it!'
'This is the gentle and kind Princess Titi. The princess and the king love each other deeply, and yet I actually have such thoughts. I deserve death.'
'And that prince, maybe he really is just as the princess said.'
Igaram put on a serious listening face, but deep inside, a lingering shadow took root in his heart.
———
[Three Days Later, Drum Kingdom Dock]
"Your Highness, it's far enough. You may return now," By the dock, Rosse and Princess Titi walked side by side to the ship bound for Arabasta.
Igaram silently followed behind them. Thanks to resting in bed, his injuries had mostly healed.
However, seeing Rosse and Princess Titi walking side by side, he sometimes felt they were a perfect match of talent and beauty.
Compared to Cobra, Rosse was much better in terms of appearance.
Even though Cobra was only 30, he already looked like a sloppy old man.
'Damn it, I am the royal bodyguard loyal to the king. Why am I thinking about such things?', Igaram gave himself another slap, filled with guilt.
"I'll stop here. You return to Arabasta first. Once I finish my schedule in Drum Island, I'll stop by Arabasta for a short stay and happen to meet with King Cobra."
"Saint Rosse, Arabasta welcomes your arrival," Princess Titi didn't really want Rosse to visit, but when the words came out, they sounded completely different.
She was conflicted both emotionally and rationally. Especially after spending three days constantly around Rosse, yet Rosse never touched her again.
"I will. When that time comes, I'll have to trouble the princess to show me around and let me experience the customs of Arabasta," Out of noble etiquette, Rosse gave Princess Titi a hug and a noble-style cheek kiss.
When his cheek touched hers, Rosse could clearly feel that her breathing had become a little rapid.
Just as Rosse expected, sometimes marks forcibly carved into the body were far more intense than any time spent together.
After just the ceremonial cheek kiss, Rosse quickly let go of Princess Titi.
After saying goodbye again, Princess Titi walked onto the ship with a blank face, but as she walked, her long, full legs pressed slightly inward, giving off a faint sense of unease.
Igaram didn't notice Princess Titi's strange behavior. After respectfully kneeling and saluting Rosse, he then walked onto the ship.
Rosse and the princess's interaction just now had been very natural, and there hadn't been any strange expressions afterward, which actually put him at ease.
He was just overthinking and didn't really believe that Princess Titi was a frivolous woman.
Since Rosse didn't make any suspicious moves, it meant everything he had worried about was only imagination. This completely reassured Igaram.
His greatest fear had been that he hadn't protected Princess Titi properly this time, allowing her to fall victim to Rosse and ultimately betraying King Cobra's trust in him.
'King Cobra, I did not betray your trust!'
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