Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.
During this period, the world situation grew increasingly chaotic. After accompanying Rayleigh to Marine Headquarters once, Straw Hat Boy followed the old man to a deserted island for secluded training.
Enel's group, bored out of their minds, also tagged along to listen to Rayleigh's lectures on Haki.
Bahr paid no attention to these matters, spending his days leisurely on Amazon Lily.
Sitting up on the plush velvet bed, Bahr casually picked up a wine flask from the side table and took several gulps of sweet fruit wine. When his gaze caught his reflection in the mirror across the room, he suddenly froze.
The man in the mirror looked somewhat pale, with faint dark circles under his eyes and lips that had lost some color. Though not exactly disheveled, he exuded an undeniable weariness, completely devoid of his usual vigor.
Bahr's heart skipped a beat as his fingers tightened around the flask. "The wine has wounded me, leaving me so haggard."
With a clatter, he tossed the flask aside, its purple-red contents staining the luxurious carpet. "Starting today, I quit drinking!"
The noise disturbed the two women in bed. Blonde Margaret, clearly exhausted, merely frowned and turned over before falling back into deep, even breathing.
Hancock, however, woke up. Stretching lazily like a graceful serpent, she wrapped herself around Bahr from behind, arms encircling his waist as she nuzzled her cheek against his back. Her voice carried the huskiness of sleep and a hint of seduction. "Lord Bahr, why awake so early? Does my lord desire my services again?"
Bahr turned his head slightly, taking in Hancock's raven hair spread across the pillow and her radiant, well-tended face. The corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.
Truly, the old saying held: the field never wears out, only the ox grows weary. After a month, he was the first to show fatigue.
After a moment's silence, he finally spoke. "I've stayed too long on Amazon Lily. It's time I left."
"L-leave?" Hancock's body stiffened instantly, her arms tightening around him until her nails nearly pierced his skin. All languidness vanished as her voice filled with panicked disbelief. "Lord Bahr is leaving?"
Could it be... abandonment?
She scrambled upright, bare shoulders trembling, eyes reddening visibly. "Have I failed my lord in some way?"
Tear drops the size of pearls rolled down her cheeks, scalding against Bahr's hand. "If my lord finds me lacking, I'll summon the finest sisters of our tribe for your choosing... I beg you, don't go!"
Seeing Hancock's tear-streaked face stirred something unexpected in Bahr.
Initially, it had been mere attraction, but after nights of intimacy, Hancock's wholehearted devotion and unreserved dependence had left their mark on him.
Perhaps this was how affection grew with time.
Bahr cupped Hancock's face, gently wiping her tears, his voice softening unconsciously. "Why cry? A man's journey belongs to the Sea of Stars. What merit is there in being trapped on one island?"
If he stayed any longer, even an iron pestle would wear down to a needle—he might truly exhaust himself to death on Amazon Lily.
Pausing, his gaze lingered on her reddened eyes. "You have your Amazon Lily to protect, just as I have my own path to walk."
Hancock's title as the world's most beautiful woman was no empty boast. The joy of her company and the freedom of Amazon Lily had grown dear to him. But as the "Sea Clam King," his fundamental principle was "to pass through a forest of flowers without a single leaf sticking."
Even the finest things grow stale with time. Novelty reigns supreme.
Hancock's tearful eyes searched Bahr's face. Sensing his resolve, she choked out between sobs, "Then... will my lord return?"
"Of course." Bahr stroked her smooth cheek with certainty. "When I've conquered these seas, I'll return in glory to make you my queen, so the whole world knows Hancock is Bahr's one true consort."
"R-really?" Hancock's teary gaze clung to him, her long lashes glistening like dew-kissed butterfly wings.
"Would I lie to you?" Bahr pinched her cheek lightly, relieved to see light return to her eyes.
This love-struck girl truly responded better to honey than vinegar.
Hancock's tears turned to smiles as she hastily wiped her face, clinging to his arm as if fearing he might change his mind. "I'll wait! However long it takes, I'll wait for Lord Bahr's return!"
Any wait was bearable, so long as it wasn't abandonment.
Bahr exhaled quietly. Had Hancock thrown a tantrum with her Warlord authority or stubbornly clung through tears, it would have been difficult to handle.
After all, when the Queen of Amazon Lily lost her temper, mere words couldn't pacify her. A standoff might require hours of coaxing.
Enemies could be dealt with mercilessly, but could one raise a hand against one's own woman?
The thought of parting brought fresh sorrow to Hancock's heart. She burrowed deeper into Bahr's embrace, her warm breath brushing his neck as she pleaded with palpable longing. "Lord Bahr... stay with me a little longer? Just a while..."
Knowing she couldn't halt his departure, she greedily sought to claim every remaining moment. Those usually proud peach-blossom eyes now brimmed with clingy affection as her fingers traced restless circles on his chest, her serpentine body winding tighter around him.
Seeing Hancock like this, Bahr's alcohol-fueled resolve weakened considerably. He pinched her chin lightly. "What? Want another try?"
Hancock's cheeks pinkened, but she didn't retreat. Instead, she tilted her head up for a kiss, her voice carrying a willful determination. "I must... must commit my lord's essence to memory, so when you return, I'll never mistake another..."
Passion reignited, their bodies entwined once more.
The bed's vigorous rocking finally disturbed Margaret. Frowning in her sleep, she barely cracked her eyelids to see the Snake Princess coiled around Bahr like an octopus, their breaths mingling.
She sighed inwardly, marveling at how their stamina surpassed even the island's mightiest leopards.
As exhaustion washed over her, she turned away, burying her face in the bedding before sinking back into slumber.
Hancock, meanwhile, had forgotten all else. Clutching Bahr's shoulders desperately, she seemed determined to carve her mark into his very bones.
Only this extreme intimacy could slightly soothe the terror in her heart as he prepared to leave.
She would make Lord Bahr remember—Amazon Lily would always have her waiting.