Alubarna, Royal Palace.
As a hero of the Kingdom, Garen had become King Cobra's honored guest.
As a major nation with a population of ten million, Alabasta's royal palace was naturally far more imposing than the one in the Goa Kingdom.
Steady, silent marble pillars, towering domes that radiated grandeur, dazzling enamel windows—the solemn setting made this banquet personally hosted by the king feel exceptionally formal.
But none of those attending the banquet were the type to feel constrained by the occasion.
King Cobra sat at the head of the extraordinarily long banquet table. To his left sat Princess Vivi and her close friend, Miss Nami, while to his right sat the boss-and-secretary pair of Garen and Robin.
Robin's wrist was wrapped in medical bandages Garen had personally applied. She merely maintained an impeccable, friendly smile to deal with this social occasion.
Other than Garen, with whom she could barely be said to have opened her heart, Robin's relationship with Nami and Vivi could only be called a casual acquaintance—a false friendship in which both sides remained wary of one another while she was "undercover."
Robin had not wanted to attend this banquet, but Garen had firmly insisted that this important employee accompany him to the celebratory dinner.
Though the reason of "being pretty" left Robin, who had always relied on her brains, feeling rather helpless, after sensing Garen's sincere regard for her, she still resolved to play the role of Garen's personal secretary properly.
Accompanying her boss to formal occasions was naturally part of a secretary's duties.
Nami and Vivi, however, had quite a few objections to it.
Although Garen had told them that Robin was now truly one of their companions, they still maintained a vague but persistent wariness toward the unfamiliar former female agent.
Not long after