"In love with her?" Hancock repeated as if scandalized. "Why, don't be ridiculous! My heart belongs to my dear Luffy!"

Grandma Nyon all but rolled her eyes at this. "You may have fallen prey to love-sickness once upon a time, Princess, but nigh three months have passed since you and that boy have met, and you've yet to fall ill again! Can't you accept it was merely a crush which got out of hand?!"

Hancock flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I will not. Regardless, your statement is ludicrous! Who could love that arrogant woman, anyway?! Her visage and locks may be only second to mine, but I have no such feelings for her!"

"Deny it all you want, Princess," Nyon said, turning away, "but I stand by my words. I give you two my blessing."

A moment later, the old woman went flying out of the building.

Alvida glanced up from the couch as Hancock stormed into the room. She had been staying in the palace for nearly a week, having originally arrived with a message from Buggy and offered shelter when a storm had begun to rage on the sea.

"What's got you all worked up?" she asked, resting her head in a hand.

Hancock threw herself dramatically onto the couch, head lolling back as she closed her eyes. "That stupid old woman was spouting some nonsense, thinking I had some sort of romantic feelings for you! How ridiculous!"

A small frown appeared on Alvida's pretty face. "Oh, you mean you don't have feelings for me?"

Hancock turned her head to stare at her incredulously.

"I thought for sure . . . well, forget it." She folded her arms.

"What are you talking about?" Hancock demanded.

"Oh, you know . . . I've been catching you staring at me on occasion," Alvida said, staring into the distance. "You've complimented my looks, and your sisters informed me you'd never done that for another woman before."

"I—"

"You've spent nearly every waking hour with me since I arrived," Alvida continued. "And on that note, it's been four days since the storm passed, but I've not been ordered to leave yet."

Hancock glanced away. "Come to think of it . . ."

"You're beautiful."

"I know."

"And I've been wanting to kiss you."

No response.

"But if you don't want to, that's fine, too. I'll go and join up with that clown again, and—"

Hancock stood, and Alvida fell silent.

"No one tells me what I want or don't want to do."

She turned, knelt, and cupped Alvida's head in her hands, kissing her softly on the lips.

When she pulled back, both their faces were quite red, and they smiled after a moment.

"Get the Snail, Mr. 3," Buggy said as the Transponder Snail rang insistently.

"Alright, alright," Mr. 3 snapped, heading over. He picked up the receiver. "Yes, you've reached the ship of the Star Clown."

"Mr. 3, let me speak to Buggy."

"Oh! Right away—Buggy, it's Alvida-san!"

"Finally! Where is that woman—?" Buggy ran over and grabbed the receiver. "Buggy here! Alvida, report!"

"I've passed on the message, and I'm not coming back."

"Oh, good, good," Buggy said. "WAIT, WHAT?!"

"I've got a girlfriend now."

"A girlfriend—?! What are you talking about?!" Mr. 3 yelled.

"I got together with Boa Hancock. Most beautiful woman in the world, you know. We're dating. Anyway, it was nice knowing you two. Thanks for joining up with me. I'll see you around."

With a click, the call ended.