Chapter 319: Prince Loki's Unrequited Love
Lola was completely stunned.
Did Mama mean she was supposed to marry this man before her?
That was impossible! The size difference was far too great!
This Prince Loki was over ten times her size!
How could she possibly marry him?
Lola stared at the bouquet Prince Loki presented, her expression somewhat dazed.
Brett sighed softly.
Seemed even in this timeline, Prince Loki's romance could only end in miserable failure.
"Hey, Lola."
Miss Lola's hesitation greatly displeased her mother. Charlotte Linlin frowned. "I didn't raise you to be this rude."
"Oh, yes, yes Mama!"
Lola's body trembled as if awakening from a dream.
Right. Her own will wasn't what mattered now.
She hurriedly grabbed the bouquet from Prince Loki's hands.
She could only cradle it in both arms—after all, the bouquet was as large as she was.
"Thank you."
Lola's face was completely obscured by the massive bouquet. Prince Loki couldn't even see her expression, only hear her voice. "I really like it."
Though her voice sounded somewhat muffled, Prince Loki didn't mind too much. He simply said happily, "I'm glad you like it! I got up early specially to pick these flowers for you!"
Brett shook his head lightly.
If he'd already realized he should win the girl's favor, why hadn't he thought more carefully about whether this bouquet was actually appropriate?
"Mamamama! Isn't this wonderful?"
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily. "Looks like they'll get along splendidly in the future!"
His Majesty the Giant King's mouth twitched. He glanced at his foolish son, then at Lola.
With a soft snort, the Giant King said to his son, "Then take the young lady for a tour around the city. Show her our country properly."
Prince Loki looked at his father with delight, then lowered his head to look at Lola. "Would that be alright?"
"Of course!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed loudly. "You're going to be married eventually. Take this chance to develop your relationship."
Having received both parents' approval, Prince Loki gained some confidence. He carefully lowered himself and said to Lola, "So, Miss Lola, would you be willing to tour the city with me?"
Lola fell silent for a moment, then replied, "Of course. That would be fine."
"Wonderful!"
Prince Loki beamed. "Then please follow me! Let me show you around!"
Lola followed him as they departed together.
"Young people's affairs should be left to them."
The Giant King chuckled, then looked down at Brett. "As for us, Brett—you're ready, aren't you?"
Brett smiled. "Anytime."
"Excellent!"
The Giant King laughed heartily. "I've been looking forward to this day for so long!"
"I've become even stronger since last time! Don't you dare take me lightly!!"
The battle was about to begin.
"Oh? A battle?"
Charlotte Linlin's eyes lit up. Perhaps this was a good opportunity.
"Could I join in as well?"
"You?"
The Giant King looked Charlotte Linlin up and down, then sneered coldly. "I only wish to fight stronger opponents!"
"I see."
Charlotte Linlin's smile grew somewhat stiff.
This bastard—was he looking down on her?
Did he think Brett was stronger than her?
But now wasn't the time to lose her temper. Charlotte Linlin ultimately said nothing, simply following Brett and the Giant King calmly to the battle grounds.
Brett and the Giant King stood facing each other. The Giant King had already drawn his massive weapon.
"Brett!"
The King of the Giants called out loudly. "Last time we fought, I didn't even know you were a Devil Fruit user!"
"This time don't hold back! Come at me with everything you've got!"
"Very well."
Brett nodded. "Then I won't hold back."
His body elongated. The next instant, a crimson dragon was already floating in the sky.
"Oh!! Magnificent!"
The Giant King gazed up at Brett floating in the heavens. He exclaimed in admiration. "Such power—it's visible to the naked eye!"
Charlotte Linlin's expression became somewhat strange.
After all, she was the one who'd personally given Kaido that Mythical Zoan Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon years ago.
"Prepare yourself for defeat, Your Majesty."
Brett's voice resonated vastly across the open sky.
"Hahahaha! Don't underestimate me, Brett!"
The Giant King gripped his weapon tightly, laughing excitedly. "Who wins and who loses—we'll only know after we fight!"
Brett grinned wide. "Heat Breath!!"
Scorching flames descended. And so the battle began.
As the battle raged fiercely on one side, on the other, Prince Loki and Lola were strolling through Elbaf's capital.
Prince Loki—who'd appeared quite composed before Brett last time—was now extremely nervous.
He could barely speak clearly in front of Lola, somewhat stuttering.
Clearly he genuinely liked this girl very much.
But Lola's attitude was far colder. She basically only responded once for every sentence Prince Loki spoke.
Such was the nature of love. No matter how much one party gave, if the other felt nothing, it was ultimately futile.
Gradually, Prince Loki realized—compared to his enthusiasm, wasn't Miss Lola being far too cold? Had she not looked forward to this meeting at all?
And so, somewhat disappointed, Prince Loki finally suggested they stop touring and return.
Lola readily agreed.
The two returned together to Elbaf's palace, just in time to see a bruised and battered Giant King loudly praising Brett's strength.
"Hahahaha! It's like a joke—you're ridiculously powerful!"
Though his body bore numerous wounds, His Majesty didn't mind in the slightest. His face was filled with nothing but brilliant smiles.
So Loki understood—the battle his father had anticipated for so long had ended in defeat once again.
"It's nothing, Your Majesty. Your strength is also extraordinary."
Brett appeared very modest. Then he turned to look at the returning pair. "So then, Prince Loki, did you show Miss Lola around the city properly?"
Prince Loki appeared somewhat dejected, his spirits clearly low, but he still forced a smile. "It went well enough."
Though he'd tried hard to hide it, who among those present was a fool?
The Giant King shook his head helplessly.
As for Charlotte Linlin—her expression had already turned very dark.