Chapter 321: Charlotte Linlin's Fury
Brett woke very early the next day.
Originally he'd had no intention of rising early, but he couldn't help it. His Majesty the Giant King had run over to wake him, insisting they have a morning training session.
Having just deepened his friendship with the Giant King and made the cooperation between Fish-Man Island and Elbaf even more substantial, Brett didn't want to dampen the king's enthusiasm.
So he could only reluctantly beat the guy up again.
Which made His Majesty laugh heartily.
After morning training, His Majesty prepared to take Brett for breakfast. But on the way to the dining hall, they encountered Charlotte Linlin.
"Mamamama! Are you going to eat? Perfect timing—I'm hungry too. Let's go together."
Completely ignoring the Giant King's look of distaste, Charlotte Linlin said cheerfully.
"We can discuss something while we're at it." She looked at the Giant King. "About the children's wedding."
"Wedding?"
Brett smiled meaningfully. "Isn't it a bit premature to discuss that now?"
"Premature? Not at all."
Charlotte Linlin assumed Brett meant that Loki and Lola had only just met yesterday, so talking about marriage was too hasty.
She smiled. "Didn't you see last night? They got along so perfectly! They're probably dying for us to arrange their wedding right away!"
The only one dying to arrange a wedding immediately is probably you.
Brett chuckled softly.
Actually, Prince Loki probably also longed to marry Lola immediately.
But unfortunately—
"I don't really care."
The Giant King said casually. "That brat of mine really does like your daughter."
"As long as they both agree, we can hold the wedding whenever."
Brett heard clearly—after the Giant King spoke these words, indescribable joy welled up from the depths of Charlotte Linlin's heart, immediately expanding like cotton candy to occupy her entire being.
She must be incredibly excited now, feeling she was only one step away from obtaining the giants' strength she'd dreamed of.
But—
Brett felt like laughing.
Don't celebrate too early, Linlin.
Bad news came very quickly. Just as the three entered the dining hall preparing to eat, Prince Loki stumbled in.
His expression was terrible, his face filled with disappointment. "Miss Lola is gone."
"What?!"
Charlotte Linlin's expression changed dramatically as she shot to her feet.
"I went to find Miss Lola just now, hoping to invite her to breakfast."
Prince Loki sighed. "But no matter how long I knocked, no one answered. I thought something had happened and was forced to break down the door."
"But Miss Lola was already gone. She only left this."
He opened his palm. In it lay a piece of paper small to him.
"I'm sorry, Prince Loki. You're a wonderful man, but you're not my type. I'm setting sail to find my true love."
The paper bore this single sentence.
Loki sighed. "Seems I really did trouble Miss Lola greatly."
Charlotte Linlin was practically grinding her teeth.
She ran away!!
That damn Lola—she actually ran away!
She'd been so close to obtaining the giants' strength!
With the giants' power, even Kaido or Whitebeard would be nothing to fear. She could have become the new Pirate King!
But—
Lola!!!
Conqueror's Haki began spilling uncontrollably from Charlotte Linlin's body.
"Mama."
At that moment, Katakuri appeared at just the right time. "Should I pursue Lola and bring her back?"
"Go immediately!"
Charlotte Linlin roared furiously. "Drag that worthless brat back to me!"
"There's no need."
Prince Loki shook his head dejectedly. "If this is Miss Lola's own decision, then there's no point forcing her."
Loki had fallen in love at first sight after seeing Lola's photograph.
But he wasn't willing to force Lola to marry him because of it.
Charlotte Linlin paused.
With Loki saying this, what could she say?
Should she promise to drag Lola back, that even if she had to break both her legs, she'd make her marry him?
Given Loki's feelings for Lola, that would only repel him further.
She could only say, "Lola actually has a twin sister. Prince Loki, you should have seen her when looking through the photographs. What do you think of her?"
Katakuri's eyes remained calm.
After Charlotte Linlin finished speaking, Loki shook his head.
"Miss Lola is Miss Lola. Even if her sister looks identical, she's still a different person."
"..."
Charlotte Linlin clenched her fists.
This brat was ridiculously devoted!
Earlier this had seemed like the greatest advantage—Loki's persistence could sway the Giant King's will.
But now it backfired. He'd set his heart on Lola alone.
And Lola didn't like him—had even fled the marriage.
Which meant—
"Looks like the marriage alliance won't work out."
The Giant King said casually. "That's that, then. This matter ends here."
"Ends here?"
The fat on Charlotte Linlin's face twitched. Her teeth were practically grinding to dust.
You're saying—it ends here?!
Then what were all my days of anticipation and excitement for?!
She immediately smiled without mirth. "No need to say it ends here. I have plenty more daughters. Prince Loki, you can take your time choosing. Once you find someone suitable, I'll have her come marry you right away."
Prince Loki only sighed and shook his head. "Forget it, Big Mom. The only one I admire is Miss Lola."
"How childish."
Charlotte Linlin looked toward the Giant King. "What about you, Your Majesty? Don't you think it's a shame to let such a wonderful cooperation fall through because of a child's preferences?"
"A shame?"
His Majesty the Giant King smiled. "What nonsense are you spouting, Charlotte Linlin?"
"If Loki hadn't insisted he liked that girl, you think you'd be standing here? Don't tell me you've forgotten your relationship with the giant race."
Charlotte Linlin's expression had already turned ice-cold.
"Besides, I'm nothing like you."
The Giant King said coldly. "Let children do what they want. Parents should guide, not control!"
"Don't try to judge me by your standards!"
Hearing the Giant King say this, Katakuri pressed his lips together.
"Mamamama!!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed—a wild, maniacal laugh. Her hair flew upward as if caught in wind. The wind came from her very being—an invisible force spreading outward like a gale.
"Are you looking down on me?!"
"You can interpret it however you like." The Giant King showed no weakness.
"Seems I really have been underestimated!!"
Charlotte Linlin's hand reached toward the hat on her head.
All for nothing. Great joy turned to bitter disappointment. Various emotions intertwined—Charlotte Linlin was about to explode.
And at precisely that moment—
"Calm down, Big Mom."
Brett spoke calmly. "Don't make this difficult for me."
Charlotte Linlin froze.