Capítulo 23: Chapter 32. Lola's Challenge
Chapter 32. Lola's Challenge
Even the music in the Party Hall had changed. The homies were no longer playing somber instrumentals but had switched to lively pirate tunes, jingling along with everyone's singing as giants and ministers continued to bond.
"Bobobobo..." Prince Loki chuckled as his huge, flat cup was refilled with sake from his ship. "That's an ambitious goal."
I had just finished telling him how we could use our alliance to dismantle the World Government and bring about freedom for everyone. However, to avoid imposing my perception at this moment, I kept the details light and easy, wondering if the wedding could go through so that the odds of overthrowing the World Government would weigh more on our side.
"I'm just saying, the world needs a serious change of leadership," I said, raising my free hand in a near shrug. "Giants may be thought of as ruthless, but all those I know seem good and would make better rulers than the current corrupt officials."
"Either you are too trusting or trying to pamper me with your ideals," Loki replied, his tone slightly serious. "But as much as I might like you, I know better than to trust a pirate."
"That prejudice might be why Elbaf, with all its powerful forces, stays out of worldly affairs despite everything that's going on," I shot him a serious glance while running an extended thought in my mind. 'Or maybe it's a plot point, because instead of the two most powerful giant pirates going to find the One Piece, they decided to get even on who's stronger in Little Garden. How convenient, Oda.'
"Be as it may, once a pirate always a pirate, and you and your kin are no different," Loki accused. "If it suits your interests, you wouldn't think twice about slitting my throat."
"Mh-mh-mh-mh..." I chuckled, the truth in his words undeniable. "With how you're enjoying yourself, you look like you've got your guard pretty lowered."
"Bobobob... If my little sister were here, she'd remind you that I'm not easy to kill," Loki boasted.
"I can relate," I said, raising my cup and downing the sake. The prince hadn't been wrong about his special drink. A few sips in, and I knew it would take me out if I finished it.
"Where did your sister go anyway?" I asked, looking around to hide my cringe from the sake's taste.
Loki remained quiet as he finished his drink. "I'm hoping she's behaving herself and mingling with the others."
"She's a load of fun," I said nervously, but I really wondered about Hela's dramatic entrances and exits. Was it a devil fruit ability or just her personality?
Loki, not amused, gave me a grave stare. "Hela's going through a tough time. She lost someone important to her, so if anything happens with her, let me know first."
"I'm sorry to hear that," I sympathized, reflecting on my first encounter with Hela. "I'll make sure she feels comfortable while she's here."
Loki stared at me for a moment, disbelief etching his face before he erupted into laughter. "Bobobobob... Might the pirate prince be taking a fancy to the Elbaf princess?"
"It's not like that," I retorted, unamused. "I'm just being a welcoming host."
Laughing, Loki declared, "Whatever the case, you have my blessing and Elbaf's to take her as yours when you come of age."
"Hey, we're moving a little too fast here. Go easy on the sake," I said.
"No, it's not the sake," Loki denied. "Part of the reason Hela came along was as a peace offering to the Queen of Totto Land. While I married a princess of Totto Land, Elbaf wished Hela to be betrothed to Big Mom's giant child. The elders believe that Big Mom having a giant child was fate's way of telling them forgiveness was overdue."
"So they thought it was a good idea to bring a troubled child to help wipe away a fifty-year grudge?" I asked, feeling offended. The prince had just told me Hela was going through a tough time. Why would they involve her in a peace treaty under such circumstances? Just how heartless were the giant elders?
My perception of the giants was beginning to crumble when Loki justified, his voice seeming lost in a time far from now. "No, the elders wished to send an older princess for an immediate wedding, but given the age difference, I proposed a betrothal with the youngest princess of Elbaf. It will take longer, but just like in the olden days, the bridge built will only grow stronger."
As Loki spoke, I gritted my teeth, my mind hung up on what he had just said about the older princess. 'I was just beginning to like this guy, and now he's standing in my way of adding a mature giant woman to my baths!?'
Furiously, I blurted out, "The older princess, was she hot?"
Loki looked at me with wonder in his eyes, then finally shrugged, his eyes methodically swerving toward Compote's location, and I got the gist.
"Oh."
"Good call... goooood call," I said, nodding with a smile forming on my lips. "You and I are gonna be great brothers."
"Bobobo... If it makes you feel better, Hela will grow to resemble her mother - the most beautiful woman in Elbaf," Loki added with a raised eyebrow. "And since she'll grow up in Totto Land, you'll get to see every step of that."
I could see that happening. Hela was already beautiful. With just a change of attire, she had the potential to be more captivating than the pirate empress, especially with her sparkling eyes and the cute curl of her lips when she was about to say something uneasy. Not to mention her melodic voice. She would indeed grow into a striking lady.
As time wore on, with drinks and food never seeming to run out, I excused myself from bonding with Loki, finally gathering enough courage to tell Big Mom the news about Galette.
Big Mom still sat on her throne but had considerably relaxed, lazily poking at the soul candies she snacked on them while watching the party like a never-ending show. Her mood seemed to have burned out; she no longer wore a cheerful expression and instead looked exhausted from several hours of bingeing.
During the party, she had had a few interactions, mostly with her children, as the giants didn't seem eager to mingle with her. One or two had approached her, perhaps asking for a dance, but given Big Mom's trance, none had succeeded in getting the honor.
"Mama," I started. Big Mom barely tilted her face to look at me, but her eyes gave me a sharp stare that asked, 'What?'
If not for the consequence of Galette's death, I would have had a servant do this instead.
I bit my lip, wondering where to start. Should I mention Jake's Sunset being destroyed first? Or go straight to, 'Galette is dead. She sank in the sea after a fierce attack by a demon bear...'
I shuddered.
I shuddered even more when Big Mom spoke, commending me for the evening. "For making Prince Loki feel more welcomed in Totto Land, you have atoned for missing the welcome dinner. But there will be no atonement for missing the Tea Party."
---
Being forgiven by Big Mom only made it harder to tell her the troubling news. After bowing to show my gratitude, I quickly left her side, finding myself breathing heavily on the balcony, oblivious to the colorful lights glittering over Sweet City.
I wasn't the only one pacing outside.
"Is something wrong, Lola?" I asked the bride-to-be, seeing her moving back and forth, mumbling and gesturing violently.
"Keki!" Lola exclaimed, trying to compose herself but ending with a nervous startle. I took a moment to observe her, thinking about the woman she would become in ten years. Leaving Loki to find love elsewhere was probably the worst decision she made in canon.
My bromance with Loki aside, Lola (and Chiffon) was a striking woman with exquisite features. It was unfortunate she didn't age well in the future and missed the chance to marry a prince, ending up eccentrically begging anyone she met to marry her.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm good," Lola said, though her nervousness betrayed her. "It's just the dress. I'm not accustomed to wearing something this tight."
"In the dress's defense, it looks marvelous on you," I complimented.
"Yeah, Mama has exquisite tastes," Lola agreed.
"Except when it comes to herself," I mumbled quietly.
"So, how did Loki not confuse you and Chiffon?" I inquired, genuinely curious.
"Loki has a sixth sense that makes it hard to trick him," Lola said. "I know that from experience."
'Well, he has the name of the god of mischief,' I thought. I was expecting Loki to play a trick, but so far, nothing had happened. The closest was when he mischievously replaced one of his giant companion's drink with his special sake. The giant crashed, knocked out as soon as he finished the cup, and it became a big laugh from all sides. In fairness, he lived up to his name at that point.
"Is that how you two met?" I wondered. "With you trying to trick him?"
"Somewhere along those lines," Lola replied, easing up as she joined me in gazing at the lands below. "But it was a beautiful adventure, and Elbaf is a wonderful kingdom."
"I would like to go there someday," I fantasized, wondering how giants lived their daily lives.
"So, what do you think about Loki?" I asked directly.
"What about him? He's a nice guy," Lola replied nonchalantly, not giving me the answer I was looking for.
"What I meant to ask is if you love him, or will you marry him just because Mama says so?" I made my inquiry clear.
"Huhhh..." Lola sighed, her gaze locked into a trance.
"That doesn't sound good," I sighed myself. "You aren't planning on escaping tonight, are you?"
Lola looked at me with a weary expression that said it all.
"Together with what I'm about to tell her, Mama will be wrecked if she hears of your escape," I said, dreading the thought.
Lola slumped onto the stepped and raised chocolate bars, resting her entire self as if hoping the ground below would swallow her.
"Look," I started, patting Lola with my large hand. "You don't have to run and leave Mama broken. There is another way we could play this."
"Like I said, Loki can't be tricked," Lola said with a cynical tone. "He is not going to fall for Chiffon over me."
"It's not that," I said. "You may break Loki's heart, but you don't have to break Mama's, and as far as I see it, both sides might be content, but our side will win the most."
"What are you suggesting?" Lola wondered.
"That you do this the pirate way," I replied.
Hearing myself, I was glad that Loki was firm on not trusting pirates.
---
The next day, after Loki proposed to Lola, she cleverly withheld her response until the second banquet. There, she announced to Loki that if she was indeed his treasure, he would have to win her from Big Mom the pirate way.
And thus, she challenged him to a Davy Back Fight.
---
C/N: It should be noted that, in canon, Lola wasn't there when Loki proposed. In this story, however, it was the easiest way to get Keki himself a giant match.
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