Hearing that Sanders had a gift for her, Hancock's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"What kind of gift?"
"Whatever Sanders gives me, I'll love it!"
When she saw the small box in Sanders' hand, the light in her eyes grew even brighter.
Such a delicate box… Could it be that Sanders was about to propose with a ring?
Should I accept immediately?
Would saying yes too quickly make me seem too eager?
But if I don't accept, what if Sanders never proposes again?
Hancock was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, her face flushed with a faint blush, and her expression turned shy.
In reality, the box in Sanders' hand was quite ordinary.
It had no intricate carvings, no inlaid gems or gold.
If it weren't for the fact that pure gold's glow could attract "Lantern Master," Sanders wouldn't have even bothered preparing a box.
It could only be said that after falling in love with Sanders, Hancock saw everything related to him through a ten-level beauty filter.
Sanders didn't immediately open the box.
Just as he was about to get up and close off the palace to prevent the glow of pure gold from leaking out, he realized something—
The palace windows were covered with fine, thin curtains that wouldn't be enough to block the brilliance of pure gold, even if drawn shut.
After a brief moment of thought, Sanders raised a finger toward the window.
A blast of extreme cold shot out, instantly freezing the doors and windows solid.
The ice created by the Chill-Chill Fruit wasn't completely transparent.
When thick enough, it could effectively block out light.
"Is this really okay? Sanders, you're still recovering. I heard that doing too much could be bad for your health."
Hancock's face turned red as she watched Sanders seal the doors and windows.
Though she voiced concern, the anticipation in her almond-shaped eyes was unmistakable.
Clearly, she had been very satisfied with Sanders' earlier performance.
"What are you thinking?"
Sanders flicked Hancock's forehead lightly and chuckled.
"The thing inside this box can't be exposed to light."
"Otherwise, it could bring trouble to Amazon Lily."
Amazon Lily was surrounded by Sea Kings, but "Lantern Master" was no ordinary creature.
It had survived for hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years in the perilous depths of the sea.
No one knew whether the Sea Kings of the Calm Belt could hold off such a being.
Oh no! Does Sanders think I'm a shameless woman?
This is too embarrassing!
Realizing that she had completely misunderstood, Hancock's face turned an even deeper shade of red.
She lowered her head in embarrassment, not daring to meet Sanders' eyes.
At this moment, the arrogant and domineering Pirate Empress looked no different from a bashful young maiden.
Sanders pulled Hancock onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her while holding the small box.
Instead of taking out the pure gold ring immediately, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered—
"That Elder Nyon… when she was young, she was quite a beauty among pirates."
"Hancock, Will You Look Like That Too?"
"How did she end up looking like this?"
"She even shrank!"
Sanders' eyes gleamed with amusement as he playfully teased Hancock.
He wanted to make Hancock realize just how ugly aging could be, so the gift in his hand would seem even more precious.
Hancock froze for a moment.
She began recalling what Elder Nyon had looked like in her youth.
A few seconds later, her eyes widened in horror, and she let out a shriek.
"Ah!"
"Will I look like that old woman when I get old?!"
"That's terrifying!"
A dreadful thought struck her.
"If I turn into that… will Sanders stop liking me?"
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Hancock struggled in Sanders' arms, trying to get up.
"What are you doing? Sit still."
Sanders pulled her back into his embrace.
"I need to start taking care of myself! I'm already in my twenties—if I don't take care of my skin now, it'll be too late!"
"Don't move. No matter what you look like, I'll always like you."
Sanders held her in place, whispering sweet words into her ear.
But Hancock wasn't listening at all—her mind was completely consumed by the horrifying contrast between Elder Nyon's youthful beauty and her current aged appearance.
Although Amazon Lily admired strength above all, believing the strongest were also the most beautiful…
Looks were still looks.
Hancock couldn't bear the thought of her tall, elegant figure shrinking into a tiny old woman.
Nor could she accept the idea of her smooth, youthful face being covered in wrinkles.
That was simply too terrifying!
Seeing her desperate attempts to escape his embrace to go "take care of herself," Sanders decided to stop teasing her.
He chuckled and said—
"Relax, I have a way to preserve your beauty and keep you young forever."
"Really?"
Hancock immediately stopped struggling, looking up at Sanders with wide, expectant eyes.
Sanders had never lied to her before.
Every promise he made, he had always kept.
"It's right here."
Sanders handed her the small box and opened it.
Inside lay a ring.
A tiny golden grain was embedded in its inner band, radiating a dazzling golden light.
"This ring contains pure gold."
"Pure gold can significantly slow aging, essentially granting immortality."
"With this ring, your appearance will remain exactly as it is now—it won't change."
"So, you don't have to worry about skincare anymore."
"The moment you put on this ring, your beauty will be frozen in time."
Sanders took out the ring and smiled.
Hancock's eyes reflected the golden glow as Sanders' words echoed in her mind.
A ring… preserving her beauty… eternal youth…
So this is… a proposal?
Sanders wants to be with me forever?!
Sanders is too wonderful!
"Pure gold's glow can attract sea monsters—that's why I had to seal the windows," Sanders continued explaining.
But as he finished speaking, he noticed Hancock wasn't reacting at all.
Curious, he leaned in, only to see Hancock staring blankly, her mouth slightly open, a foolish grin spreading across her face.
Clearly, she was lost in some happy fantasy.
Seeing this, a warmth surged in Sanders' chest.
Unconsciously, he tightened his grip slightly.
Hancock let out a soft "Mm…", snapping back to reality.
Her cheeks turned as red as a ripe apple, looking like they could drip with sweetness.
Sanders swallowed, suppressing the impulse to pull her into a passionate embrace.
Instead, he simply asked—
"Do you like it?"
"I do…"
Hancock replied softly.
It was unclear whether she meant the ring or the man who gave it to her.
"Then let me put it on you."
Hancock immediately stretched out her hand.
Sanders carefully slid the ring onto her finger.
He had already memorized all of Hancock's measurements long ago.
And when changing outfits earlier, he had adjusted the ring to fit perfectly.
As expected, it wasn't too big or too small—it fit just right.
Hancock beamed with joy as she admired the ring on her finger, turning her hand this way and that, utterly captivated.
Sanders inhaled the faint fragrance of her hair and, out of the corner of his eye, glanced at the sealed doors and windows.
Hmm… I just ate a lot.
I'm not feeling weak anymore.
With his stamina fully recovered, Sanders began having… ideas.
—Outside the Tenshu Pavilion—
Sandasonia and Marigold carried furniture to the front of the pavilion.
The Tenshu Pavilion was originally a place for bathing, so it lacked proper furnishings.
Since Sanders was going to stay here for a while, they had prepared a bed, a wardrobe, and other necessities.
But as they reached the entrance, they saw—
The door was frozen shut.
Before they could react, sounds from inside reached their ears.
Their elder sister's… enthusiastic voice.
The two sisters exchanged glances.
A trace of awkwardness flickered in their eyes.
"She's being so loud… Elder Sister isn't going to die, is she?"
Marigold asked with some concern.
Sandasonia clicked her tongue.
"Elder Sister's physical skills are very strong—there's no way."
"Can't you hear? Her voice is full of joy."
She turned decisively.
"Put the stuff down. Let's leave quickly and stand guard outside."
Dragging Marigold along, she walked away without hesitation.
Before leaving, they cleared the surrounding area of any maids.
Then, like dutiful soldiers, they stood at attention—
Standing guard for their elder sister.
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T/N:
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