The middle-aged nobleman was ultimately tied up and hauled away by a group of soldiers. His future fate was easy enough to imagine.
The nobles from the various nations attending the meeting immediately became much more restrained in both word and deed:
What they had just witnessed finally woke them from the false sense of superiority created by the title of "partner," reminding them clearly of the fate that had befallen the nobles of the Goa Kingdom.
Still, apart from a few nobles who felt sympathy for a fellow victim, the guests present regarded the matter as an insignificant interruption.
Their excited, fervent gazes all focused on Garen, who had appeared before them.
Of course, Nami, nestled at Garen's side, was also the center of attention throughout the hall:
Unlike the somewhat youthful photographs she had previously appeared in for the East Blue Daily, Nami now wore shoulder-length hair in accordance with Garen's tastes, with a slightly mature bun styled to match her evening dress.
Though Nami had not deliberately assumed the bearing of an aristocratic lady, her dramatically changed appearance and natural beauty still made her seem gentle and captivating, mature and refined. Every movement she made carried the poise unique to an important figure.
"She's even prettier in person than in the photos!"
"Miss Nami!"
Sanji's eyes instantly turned into hearts, while his nostrils and mouth uncontrollably panted out heavy breaths.
That extremely unrefined display instantly ruined the gentlemanly image he had cultivated, causing several workers standing beside Sanji to unconsciously take a few steps away from him.
But neither Garen, his "love rival," nor Nami, the goddess he had fallen for at first sight, noticed the blond pervert at all.
Garen had merely seen an irritating nobleman as soon as he entered, and had not cared in