"Your Highness, please don't joke about such things," Igaram said with a nervous laugh. "Even if Alabasta isn't the most powerful among World Governnt mber states, we still rank among the elite nations."
The mont the words left his mouth, Igaram realized his mistake. The princess wasn't concerned about Alabasta's standing—she was worried about sothing far more personal.
His pulse quickened as he scrambled to correct his blunder. Decades of palace service had taught him to read between lines, especially with the young woman he'd watched grow from childhood.
"Of course," he hastily added, "those won can only dream about him. You, Princess Vivi, are his genuine friend who fought alongside him. From now on, won across the Grand Line will envy your special connection with him."
Vivi's lips ford a small pout as she turned away with an unhappy snort, returning her gaze to the window.
"No," she murmured, "they just think I'm not worthy of him. Luffy has beco so remarkable..."
The mories of their shared adventures flooded back.
But now?
The princess hesitated, doubting herself. The real princess felt unworthy of the "hero" who had once been her companion.
One was just a girl from what others considered a "minor" desert kingdom—albeit one with history and pride—who could only dream of fairy tales coming true. The other had beco the world's savior, a Marine Admiral recognized as one of the planet's strongest fighters, and apparently, the dream partner of countless won across the seas.
Comparing herself to his legend, Vivi felt hopelessly inadequate.
If others could hear her thoughts at this mont, they would surely be consud with jealousy and disbelief. Was she mad? A crown princess of a World Governnt mber nation, future queen to millions, thinking herself unworthy of a man? A princess blessed with natural beauty, intelligence, and compassion?
Under these circumstances, Luffy's more fanatical admirers would have deed themselves perfectly suited for their idol without a second thought.
Even Igaram tilted his head in confusion as he observed the sighing princess, imaginary question marks practically visible above his carefully styled hair.
What strange notions had taken root in the princess's mind? When had his confident, determined Vivi begun harboring such self-doubt?
Shaking his head to dispel his bewildernt, Igaram stepped forward with renewed purpose.
"Your Highness exaggerates," he said firmly. "If even the Princess of Alabasta isn't worthy of him, then who in this world could be? Is the daughter of King Cobra, beloved by an entire nation, sohow insufficient?"
Igaram's voice carried absolute conviction as he continued, "As princess of the Alabasta Kingdom, no one is more suitable for Admiral Luffy than you."
Vivi's gaze remained distant as she asked softly, "What about Boa Hancock? Compared to the Empress of Amazon Lily, would you still claim I'm more suitable?"
"Ah... well..." Igaram faltered, his confidence montarily shaken.
Noting his hesitation and inability to et her eyes, Vivi's suspicions seed confird.
"Even you think she's more suitable than ," she pressed, her voice gaining intensity. Igaram frantically shook his head in denial, but Vivi had already turned away.
"Don't lie to ," she continued, speaking more to herself than to him. "I've seen it all in the newspapers. Amazon Lily is universally acknowledged as a formidable nation, and its ruler, Boa Hancock, was forrly one of the Seven Warlords recognized by the World Governnt. Recently, she accepted their invitation to beco a mber of the alliance."
Her voice faltered slightly as she added, "Besides, I've seen her picture... she's..."
Vivi's gestures grew increasingly animated as she spoke, her slender hands moving expressively above her head and across her body, indicating curves and features she felt she couldn't compete with. Too embarrassed to complete her thought aloud, she abruptly left the window and dropped into a nearby chair.
The plush velvet cushions seed to swallow her slight fra as she crossed her legs and began bouncing one foot restlessly—a habit she'd picked up from commoners during her undercover days that had scandalized her etiquette tutors upon her return.
"The newspapers claim they're a couple," she said dejectedly. "That they've been living together for years. Compared to that, I rely encountered him briefly."
Her shoulders slumped further. "We've only spoken via Den Den Mushi a few tis since then. I hardly know his favorite foods, let alone shared a ho with him."
Igaram's lips twitched slightly as he suppressed an inappropriate smile. If those rumors of cohabitation were true, King Cobra would likely have declared war regardless of Admiral status or past services to the kingdom.
But seeing genuine distress in Vivi's eyes, Igaram recognized what truly troubled the young princess. With renewed confidence, he approached and knelt before her chair, eting her reddened eyes directly.
"Princess Vivi," he said gently, "you will have your chance with Admiral Luffy. Not simply because you're among the most beautiful royals in the world, but because you possess what matters most—a sincere heart."
He placed a paternal hand atop hers, rembering countless tis he'd comforted her childhood tears.
"If you truly care for him so deeply, express your feelings honestly. I believe once he understands the depth of your emotions, he will recognize who truly holds the key to his heart."
Igaram's unwavering conviction seed to ignite sothing within Vivi. She raised her head, newfound determination illuminating her eyes.
Perhaps, she thought, what made Luffy special had never been his strength or position, but his ability to see people's true hearts. If that remained unchanged, perhaps she still had reason to hope.
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