Bab 97: Welcome to the Family!
The next morning arrived, bringing with it the weight of impending farewells. Jack stood at the beach, his calm blue eyes watching as his family said their goodbyes to the Kuja women they had befriended over the past months. His face was stoic, betraying none of the emotion that bubbled beneath the surface.
Sandersonia was in Luna's arms, her little hand clutching a strand of Luna's hair, while Marigold was in Sophie's arms, her wide eyes taking in everything around her. Aria, his brave princess, was hanging on Jack's shoulder, her small face determined but her eyes betraying a hint of sadness. Robin was in one arm, occasionally uttering words and phrases as she clung to him, and Hancock was in the other, her eyes wide with anticipation.
But Shakky was not there.
Gloriosa, the former Queen of Amazon Lily, approached Jack with a stern look in her eye. Her voice was firm as she began, "Jack, we need to talk about the girls."
Jack's calm blue eyes met Gloriosa's, his face expressionless. "What about them?" he asked, his voice level.
"They are Kuja girls, orphans or not. They belong here," Gloriosa insisted, her tone betraying her concern.
Jack said nothing, his face a mask of calm. He simply watched Gloriosa, his eyes steady.
Amelia, sensing the tension, moved to Jack's side. Her voice was gentle as she explained, "Gloriosa, the girls have become very attached to Jack. They see him as a father. It would be cruel to separate them now."
Gloriosa's eyes softened slightly as she looked at the young girls, their faces filled with trust and adoration as they clung to Jack and his family. But her voice remained firm as she pressed, "But they are Kuja girls. They were raised here. Their heritage, their culture is here. It's not right to just take them away."
Amelia's eyes met Gloriosa's, her voice filled with understanding and compassion. "I understand your concerns, Gloriosa. But Jack has already adopted them in his heart. They are his daughters now. He will ensure they are raised with love, care, and an understanding of their heritage."
Gloriosa's eyes flicked to Jack, her expression searching. "Is that true?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Jack's eyes never wavered, his voice calm and resolute. "They are my daughters."
The silence that followed was heavy, filled with the weight of the decision that lay before them. Gloriosa's eyes were filled with conflict, torn between her duty to her people and the undeniable bond she saw between Jack and the girls.
Amelia then said, "And there will be a Kuja woman who will lead them, teach them their heritage. You have nothing to worry about."
Gloriosa's eyes widened in surprise. A Kuja woman? Then her face turned dreadful as realization washed over her, and she quickly looked around. Shakky was nowhere in sight. "Where is the Queen?" she demanded, her voice tinged with panic.
One of the Kuja women answered, "She is in the Palace."
Gloriosa's body relaxed as she sighed in relief, but that relief was short-lived. The sound of footsteps grew closer, and she turned to see Shakky, leading a bunch of women carrying many items, walking towards Jack and the others. There was a shy smile on Shakky's face, a sparkle in her eyes that Gloriosa had never seen before. She had made her decision.
Gloriosa stood in front of Shakky, her voice sharp with disbelief. "What are you doing, Shakky?"
Shakky's earlier smile vanished, replaced by a look of determination. She looked Gloriosa directly in the eyes and said, "I decided to leave with Jack."
The words hung heavily in the air, and the beach fell into stunned silence. Gloriosa's face went pale, her eyes wide with shock. "You... you can't be serious," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shakky's voice was firm, but there was an undercurrent of vulnerability. "I am serious, Gloriosa. I've made my choice."
"You are the Queen, the Captain of the Kuja Pirates!" Gloriosa's voice was rising now, her emotions spilling over. "You have responsibilities here, to our people, to our heritage. You can't just abandon everything for... for..." Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
"For love?" Shakky finished for her, her voice gentle but unyielding. Her eyes found Jack's, and the connection between them was palpable. "Yes, for love. And for a new path."
Gloriosa's eyes were filled with desperation as she turned to Jack, as if pleading for him to intervene. But Jack's face was calm, his eyes a deep, unyielding blue. He said nothing, simply watching the exchange between the two women.
Amelia placed a comforting hand on Gloriosa's arm, her voice soothing. "Shakky's decision is her own. She will be a part of our family, and she will help raise the girls. They will learn their heritage and embrace their culture. But they will also explore new horizons and grow in ways that they never could here."
Gloriosa's eyes were filled with tears now, her body trembling with emotion. "But she's our Queen. She belongs here. With us."
Shakky reached out and gently touched Gloriosa's face, wiping away a tear. "I will always be a Kuja, and I will always carry our heritage with me. But my heart has found a new home. I hope you can understand."
Gloriosa's body sagged, the fight draining out of her. She looked at Shakky, her face filled with a mix of sorrow, understanding, and reluctant acceptance.
Gloriosa's emotions were evident, the weight of the choice in front of her heavy on her shoulders. She too once chased love, she knew how strong it was. She sighed in reluctant acceptance as she moved, making way for Shakky.
Shakky approached Jack, her steps tentative, her face flushed with the emotions of a young girl experiencing love for the first time. Her eyes were cast downward, too shy to meet his. "Jack," she started, her voice trembling.
Jack put a hand on her head, his eyes calm blue pools that radiated an unspoken understanding. His face remained stoic, but the tenderness in his voice was clear as he said, "Welcome to the family, Shakky."
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