Shalria finally snapped out of her daze, nervously swallowing hard—only to choke on her own saliva.
"I-I'm sorry, Carl! I just… Monet feels so cool…" she stammered.
As the user of the Snow-Snow Fruit, Monet was essentially a walking air conditioner, her body perpetually exuding a refreshing chill. For someone like Shalria, suffering from the sweltering heat, Monet's presence was a godsend.
Monet formed a thin layer of frost in her palm and gently pressed it against Shalria's forehead. The relief was immediate—her pale face regained a healthy flush, and she looked like her soul was ascending to heaven.
Carl paid her no further attention and moved to sit on the sofa. Boa stood behind him, delicately massaging his shoulders, while Robin and Sugar each brought him tea and fruit, placing them neatly in front of him. All of this had been meticulously orchestrated by Lucia. Off to the side, Pudding watched with an astonished expression.
Robin was about to pour a cup of tea for Shalria when Carl suddenly spoke.
"Robin, how's your mother doing lately?"
Robin froze for a moment, then answered softly, "Thank you for your concern. My mother is the same as always, spending all her time in the library."
Carl pondered this for a moment and said, "It's been nearly 23 years now, hasn't it? I wonder if she's finished the book I asked her to compile."
As he spoke, Carl placed his hand over Boa's, stopping her massage. Rising from the sofa, he turned to Pudding and said, "Pudding, come with me for a bit."
Pudding nodded obediently and followed Carl toward the door.
Shalria blinked in confusion and called out, "What about me?"
Without looking back, Carl waved dismissively. "You can rest here for now. I'll take you back when I return. Unless you want to leave now, of course."
But Shalria had no intention of leaving. Her frequent visits to the Figarland family estate were all for Carl. This was a rare opportunity she couldn't afford to let slip through her fingers.
Determined, Shalria's face hardened with resolve as she stood up and called out, "Carl—wait!"
But Carl was already out the door.
Monet chuckled softly and approached Shalria. "Lady Shalria, some things cannot be rushed," she said gently.
Shalria laughed awkwardly before grabbing Monet's hand. "Monet, do that thing again—it felt amazing!"
Carl led Pudding to the library where Nico Olvia was being "held."
Despite its purpose, the library was an architectural masterpiece, befitting the Figarland family's vast wealth. It resembled a grand castle, towering and ornate.
Two female guards clad in golden armor stood watch at the entrance—an unusual sight, as women were rarely seen among the elite guards.
When they saw Carl, they immediately dropped to one knee, their armor clinking as they saluted.
"Young Master!"
Carl nodded. "Open the doors."
At his command, the guards stood and pushed the heavy doors open. Bowing their heads, they waited until Carl and Pudding entered before closing the doors behind them.
Carl walked through a wide corridor and entered the library's main hall.
Pudding looked around at the endless shelves of books, her eyes wide with wonder.
"This is incredible!"
Her voice echoed in the vast space, startling Olvia, who was perched on a ladder retrieving a book. Her hand slipped, and the book tumbled down. In her panic, Olvia lost her balance and fell as well.
A flash of black light streaked through the air.
Instead of hitting the cold, hard ground, Olvia found herself in a warm embrace.
She looked up at Carl in astonishment. "Carl?"
Carl smiled at her, holding her firmly as he landed gracefully.
Olvia wasn't unfamiliar with being caught like this—Carl had done it before. She didn't immediately try to pull away, her expression a mix of surprise and acceptance.
Carl studied her face. It had been 22 years, and while she now had faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, they didn't detract from her beauty. If anything, they added a touch of maturity and elegance.
It was remarkable. Women in this world often aged in bizarre ways—like Kokoro, or even Big Mom. But Olvia, now in her fifties, had defied the odds.
Then again, Carl thought of Shakuyaku, Rayleigh's 64-year-old partner, and smiled. Exceptions did exist.
Olvia noticed Carl staring and asked, "Is there something on my face?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Carl replied nonchalantly, "I see you're wearing glasses now. Your eyesight failing?"
Olvia's expression turned flat. She adjusted her slightly rumpled white blouse and corrected him,
"It's not failing—just nearsightedness from reading too much."
Removing her black-framed glasses, she added, "It's mild, really."
Carl shrugged and glanced at the fallen ladder.
"I'll assign you a few assistants. Let them handle the shelving and retrieving next time."
The thought of Olvia falling to her death unnerved him. Kuina's infamous fate as the victim of a "ladder accident" was still fresh in his mind.
But Olvia shook her head, laughing self-deprecatingly.
"I'm a prisoner. What right do I have to ask for assistants? Seeing Robin every day is enough for me."
Picking up the book she'd dropped, she dusted it off and said, "Robin's Devil Fruit ability is so convenient—she never even needs a ladder."
Carl's eyes lit up at her comment. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a purple Devil Fruit shaped like an open book.
Holding it out to Olvia, he said, "Eat this, and you won't need a ladder either. Care to try it?"
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+250 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg