"Dog-type Mink Tribe and Rabbit-type Mink Tribe?"
Lloyd raised an eyebrow before seemingly recalling something.
"They're both female?"
Lucia nodded softly.
"Yes. The rabbit Mink is quite cute, Young Master. Do you want..."
"That's irrelevant."
Lloyd interrupted her casually before continuing,
"Did you ask for their names?"
Lucia thought for a moment before answering.
"The canine Mink is called Wanda, and the rabbit Mink is called Carrot."
Lloyd slowly nodded.
"So it really is her..."
The moment he heard their names, memories of their appearances surfaced in his mind.
He did not remember much about Wanda aside from her close relationship with the Straw Hat crew, but Carrot left a much deeper impression.
The energetic little rabbit Mink possessed considerable combat ability, especially after activating Sulong.
What Lloyd found strange, however, was why the two of them had suddenly come to Marine Headquarters claiming they possessed important information.
Carrot had always been close to Pedro, and Pedro was a loyal subordinate of Nekomamushi.
There was no way Pedro had not known about Nekomamushi's death at Lloyd's hands.
By all logic, Carrot should despise him alongside Pedro.
Yet now she had voluntarily come to see him.
Lucia tilted her head slightly.
"Young Master, do you know these two Mink Tribe members?"
Lloyd returned to his senses.
"I simply know of them."
Lucia did not find it surprising. She had long grown accustomed to Lloyd knowing people from all corners of the world.
Supporting herself against Lloyd's chest with both hands, she slightly straightened her body, unconcerned by her alluring figure pressing against him.
"Since Young Master knows them, I'll have them brought here immediately."
"Fine, but put your clothes on first."
Lucia showed no embarrassment whatsoever. Instead, she held Lloyd's face and kissed him lightly before getting dressed.
Soon after, she left the office and ordered two Marine soldiers to escort Wanda and Carrot upstairs.
Before long, the two bound Mink girls were brought into Lloyd's office.
The instant Wanda entered, her nose twitched instinctively.
"What a strange smell..."
But as soon as she looked toward the desk, her body instantly froze.
Beside her, Carrot reacted the same way.
Lloyd simply sat there quietly, yet an overwhelming presence radiated from him naturally.
Noble, oppressive, and impossible to ignore.
That was the first impression both Wanda and Carrot had upon seeing him.
Standing behind them, Lucia suddenly pushed both girls forward.
Caught off guard by Lloyd's overwhelming aura, Wanda and Carrot cried out in surprise before dropping to their knees.
Carrot even slammed her forehead against the floor from the force.
After recovering slightly, Carrot raised her head with watery eyes and glared angrily at Lucia.
"You!!!"
Lucia lowered her gaze indifferently.
"Your behavior earlier was disrespectful. Consider this punishment."
After saying that, she gracefully returned to Lloyd's side.
Lloyd smiled faintly.
"Lucia, were you this strict with Monet and the others as well?"
Lucia answered softly,
"No. They will become people close to the Young Master in the future, so naturally I should treat them more gently."
Lloyd suddenly asked,
"Then what about you? What are you to me?"
Lucia froze.
The word "slave" reached the edge of her lips, yet this time she could not say it.
Biting her lip lightly, she stared directly into Lloyd's eyes.
Lloyd tilted his head slightly, an amused smile appearing on his face.
"Is the question difficult to answer?"
"I'm sorry, Young Master, I... I am your sla..."
Before she could finish speaking, Lloyd suddenly pulled her into his arms.
Looking down at Lucia's delicate face, he spoke in a low voice.
"You are my wife. Haven't you realized that yet?"
Lucia's beautiful eyes widened instantly.
"Young Master, you... I..."
Lloyd gently stroked her long hair.
"What? That expression makes it sound as though you dislike the idea."
Lucia hurriedly shook her head.
"No, Young Master, I'm willing... I just..."
Lloyd pressed a finger softly against her lips.
"As long as you're willing, the rest doesn't matter."
Lucia's face instantly turned red.
Lloyd's sudden declaration completely shattered her composure. Her body softened in his embrace, and even her breathing became slightly uneven.
Meanwhile, Wanda and Carrot remained kneeling on the floor, forced to witness the entire interaction.
Carrot swallowed subconsciously.
She had always heard Pedro describe Admiral Black Dragon as a ruthless monster who slaughtered people without hesitation.
Yet the man before her displayed a side completely different from those descriptions.
Could someone like this truly be as cold-blooded as Pedro claimed?
Lloyd wrapped one arm around Lucia's waist before finally shifting his gaze toward Wanda and Carrot.
The moment his eyes landed on them, both girls instinctively trembled.
Unable to endure the pressure any longer, Carrot suddenly lowered her head and began sobbing.
Wanda immediately moved closer, allowing Carrot to lean against her while quietly comforting her.
However, Carrot's crying only became louder.
Finally, she burst out emotionally.
"What the heck?! Wanda and I came all the way here to give you important information, but your people tied us up and bullied us! You're just as horrible as that Joy Boy! Waaaaah!"
The moment Lloyd heard the name Joy Boy, his expression shifted slightly.
"Did you just say Joy Boy?"
Carrot ignored him completely and continued crying loudly. Even the fluffy tail behind her shook along with her sobs.
Although the scene looked somewhat pitiful, Lloyd's patience was rapidly disappearing.
His brows furrowed slightly as he spoke in a cold voice.
"Stop crying. If you continue, I'll have someone turn you into spicy rabbit meat."
The office instantly fell silent.
Carrot's crying stopped so abruptly that even Wanda froze.
Carrot stared at Lloyd with widened red eyes, her face filled with terror.
Beside her, Wanda's fur stood on end from fear.
She immediately shifted in front of Carrot protectively, shielding the trembling rabbit Mink completely behind her body.