"You think the giant serum is all Dr. Hughes has to offer?" Katakuri shot Oven a sidelong glance and spoke in a low voice.
"Forget the future—before the giant serum there was the E·S drug. That alone can boost the mid-to-lower ranks of our crew by a huge margin."
"Use your heads. Don't you think Dr. Hughes will create even more incredible inventions down the line?"
"The World Government has that so-called 'brain five hundred years ahead of humanity,' Vegapunk."
"Our Dr. Hughes is no less."
"With the giant serum, Mama has the capital to claim the throne. But Dr. Hughes is the backbone that gives us the courage to stand up to the World Government." By the end of his speech, Katakuri sounded like a full-on Hughes fanboy.
"So the guy's really that amazing… In that case, I guess I'll have to show more respect from now on," Oven muttered, genuinely stunned.
"Whoever dares harm Dr. Hughes, I'll use the power of the Netsu Netsu no Mi (Heat-Heat Fruit) to tear them to pieces. From today on, I'll be his guard." Oven's eyes practically sparked.
As the family's pillar and most revered son, Katakuri's words carried weight.
Hearing his explanation, many of the Charlotte sisters suddenly found a new, peculiar charm in Dr. Hughes.
"Dr. Hughes, what do you think of me? I'm Custard."
"My little sisters don't seem too willing, but for Mama's dream, I should set the example as their elder."
"I believe my looks and figure fit your tastes, Doctor," Custard said, confidence glowing on her face.
"Of course. You're exactly my type," Hughes replied.
"Custard… sis?"
"Nonsense!"
"That's not it. We were just excited to meet Dr. Hughes for the first time—so we hesitated."
"Honestly, big sis, you're not leaving any room for the rest of us."
Custard's bold confession landed in the crowd like a depth charge.
"Sorry, little sisters—why not let me have this one?"
"I'm getting older, and I've finally found someone I like."
"You wouldn't want me to grow old alone, would you?" Custard pressed, half-retreat, half-advance.
"How can a marriage be 'given up' like a seat?" someone grumbled.
At the start, if an elder sister had stepped forward, they would have offered sincere blessings.
But now that they knew how valuable Hughes truly was—and since he hadn't turned anyone down—who could give up so easily?
Besides, who knew whom Mama would assign any of them to in the end?
If she married them off to someone ugly, they'd have nowhere to cry.
So he's a bit weak—so what? If trouble came, their brothers could stand in front and shield them.
And with a scientist like Dr. Hughes, maybe he'd invent medicine to strengthen the body.
As his spouse, wouldn't they be the first to benefit?
Which made Dr. Hughes the perfect husband, all told.
What were they waiting for? Time to act.
Custard was just banking on their youth and inexperience.
Thanks to Katakuri's reminder, their minds sharpened.
No way they'd let big sis sneak off with the prize.
The Charlotte jewels began planning what to say when it was their turn to introduce themselves.
Seeing the sudden shift in attitude, Hughes smiled. Good—more options for him.
When the sisters started wising up, Custard grew anxious.
She needed to play a trump card—to crush thoughts that shouldn't be sprouting.
"If you feel something for the Doctor, then answer a question—quietly, in your hearts."
"Can you truly accept everything about Dr. Hughes?"
"Marriage is about mutual affection. Dr. Hughes strikes me as a man of broad love."
"As for that—I don't mind. As long as I hold a place in his heart."
"And if the Doctor has… needs—wants to try something new—I can even help find the right person for him."
Hughes's eyes brightened.
This one had the makings of a first wife.
In his mind, she jumped from the shortlist straight to the front.
"How can you say that?"
"Custard, lowering the bar like this—it's unfair to us," one sister protested, clearly miffed.
"Which is why you can't handle the Doctor. Leave him to your big sister."
"You can wait at home for your fated one, hehehe…"
Watching their momentum sag under Custard's pressure, she smiled like a victor.
Riding that gust, Hughes cleared his throat, drawing every gaze.
He nodded to Custard first, acknowledging her… practicality.
"Just as Custard said—setting aside my title as a scientist—I'm an ordinary scoundrel."
"I love money and beauty. Beautiful women lift my mood and spark my ideas."
"Money turns into the resources science needs."
"In the Marine Science Unit, I partied every day—and never with the same company twice."
He sighed at the memory—vanished youth—and now, perhaps, a step toward the grave called marriage.
"After marriage—unless you can drain me so thoroughly I've no desires left—"
"I'll toe the line and focus on research."
"Otherwise… I might not restrain myself. I might slip, and do you wrong."
"But there's one thing I can swear: my feelings for you won't change."
"The most important place in my heart—will be yours."
"So think carefully: am I the right man for you?"
"Marriage is a long run. I don't want to deceive you now and have you suffer later when you see my true face."
"I'm a simple man. So I'm laying it all out the first time we meet."
"I'm done. Who's for it—and who's against?"
"If you can accept it, we'll move to the next step. If not, bow out now—spare yourselves the grief."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!] [[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]