Inside the main hall of the Gawain Family mansion.
Just a few dozen seconds after Gawain left, the maids carried out a super-sized sofa for Shirahoshi.
But just as the maids were carrying the eight-meter-long, six-meter-high sofa into the living room, they looked towards the door with a hint of regret.
Shirahoshi was lying by the door, wagging her tail expectantly, and excitedly said to Jinbe Gion.
"Gawain Gawain's castle is so tall! It must be almost forty meters from here to the roof. It really is a castle, much more beautiful than my father's castle!"
And there's grass everywhere, and flowers too! Wait, did you see any bees? I think I did! And butterflies too!!!
"Let's go, I don't want to stay inside. Take me out for a walk... uh..."
Just then, Shirahoshi saw the maids carrying a large sofa out of the corridor.
Noticing Shirahoshi's gaze, the maids immediately resumed their smiling demeanor, and even as Shirahoshi said she was leaving, they quietly moved the sofa in.
Seeing this, Shirahoshi glanced reluctantly at the sunlight and flowers outside the gate.
In the blink of an eye, she turned around and moved towards the giant sofa.
"Thank you so much for bringing me a sofa that's perfect for my size!"
With a sweet smile for the maids, Shirahoshi swayed her fishtail as she sat down on the sofa. Her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed in praise.
"So comfortable! No wonder it's Gawain's sofa!"
Around Shirahoshi, the maids blushed slightly. They had to admit that the giant Merfolk girl in front of them was really too lovable, especially since she was so kind and polite!
The maids immediately surrounded Shirahoshi.
"Sir, you're too kind. It's nothing we should do!"
"Yes, sir. Do you need professional tail care? We've practiced thirteen tips for Merfolk scale care."
"Let's give it a try. Gawain doesn't have any other Merfolk, so we usually don't have a chance to see any."
"It's very comfortable, really comfortable! After our treatment, your tail will be shiny!"
"Furthermore, we offer professional scale beautification services, where we can paint exquisite patterns on each of your scales and embellish them with agate and gemstones~~."
Hearing the maids' voices from the sofa, Shirahoshi happily covered her mouth.
"Humans are so friendly! You're all so kind to me. I should have come to land a long time ago. Mom was so right~~~."
You can even maintain a tail? By the grace of Sea God, could you teach me?
I have so many scales, it will be very tiring for you to keep busy. If you teach me, I can do it myself and won't tire you out!
Hearing Shirahoshi's innocent and kind words, the maids beside her were almost intoxicated. This guest was so gentle; they liked him so much.
And so, suppressing her desire to go out and play, Shirahoshi huddled around the giant sofa with a group of maids, chattering away about countless tips for maintaining Merfolk scales...
Not far away, Gion and Jinbe sat on two sofas placed side by side.
Brooke stood gracefully between them and gave them a slight bow.
"Welcome, distinguished guests. I am Brooke, the head maid here."
You are the first guests I have received since I came to the Gawain Family.
Even so, please abide by the rules of the Gawain Family. This is Gawain's ancestral land, and I ask that you both show sufficient respect!
"Don't worry, Head Maid."
Gion nodded slightly.
"Just tell us the rules. We're all his subordinates, and we'll follow them since they're his rules!"
"I feel the same way!"
No Jinbe Gion finished speaking than Jinbe continued, saying something to Brooke.
Hearing what the two said, Brooke nodded in satisfaction, and then she spoke with great enthusiasm.
"The Gawain Family currently only has one rule, and that is what the adults just said."
Therefore, please make your requests to me, and I will do my best to fulfill them!
"Cough cough, what?!?"
Jinbe was genuinely taken aback by her energetic demeanor. He straightened his still rather rounded body, even when it was upright, and gave a serious reply to Brooke.
"I see. So this formal style is Gawain's rule. No wonder it's the home of Gawain, who is always impeccably dressed and meticulous in his work!"
If I have to make a request to comply with the rules, then I would like a grilled scorpion!
Over a decade ago, I had a taste of grilled scorpion by chance in Water 7. Since then, I've searched the entire ocean, but I've never found that flavor again!
"Uh... Stop messing around, Jinbe, I feel like something's not right!"
Gion interrupted Jinbe's Jinbe serious request, and looked at Brooke, asking in a low voice.
"Head Maid Brooke, you... you only recently took on the position of head maid, right?"
"Ah, I've been found out. Indeed, I was just assigned to your side five days ago. If I've done anything wrong, please be sure to remind me."
You are all people who follow adults around, and I also want to try to get closer to adults. I hope you can give me some guidance so that I can understand adults better!
"Just as I thought!"
Gion gave a knowing look, and with a look of satisfaction, she reached out and put her arm around Brooke's shoulder.
She is 2.71 meters tall, and when she sits down, her height is about the same as when Brooke stands up.
When Gion embraced her like that, Brooke was extremely flustered. She struggled to break free while nervously trying to persuade him.
"This... this... I'm sorry, we are Gawain's personal maids, and we absolutely will not provide special services to guests, even if we are all girls!"
If you truly have this need, I will arrange it for you immediately; Mary Geoise has never lacked servants specifically for this purpose!
"Don't be silly, little Brooke. I'm just teaching you how to get along with adults."
It's quite a coincidence, actually; I also came to serve under you five days ago.
Although we arrived at the same time, I've been with him for five whole days, so believe me, I know him a little bit now!
Just like he just told you, she doesn't want you family members to be too reserved in front of her, so you should be natural!
Is... that's how it is?
Brooke was a little confused by what she was being told, and then Gion pulled her onto the sofa.
With her arm around Brooke, Gion smiled slightly.
"Of course it is. Don't you think adults can be very kind sometimes? He seems to really enjoy that warm and natural way of getting along."
Of course, he remained strict with orders, but beyond that, the stronger a man like him was, the more he longed for a warm and natural haven, right?
So listen to me, you can't go wrong, just be natural!
"I see!"
Brooke gave a determined look.
"Although I'm worried about upsetting the adults, I don't mind doing something a little impulsive from time to time if they like it."
But that's all for the future. Let me get down to business now.
Mr. Jinbe needs grilled scorpions, right? The most famous grilled scorpion you're talking about is probably the Alabasta Roasted Scorpion!
The roasted scorpions were originally in high demand and short supply, since scorpions are rarely seen in the unique, rain-rich desert environment of Alabasta.
However, about a few months ago, Alabasta suddenly experienced some water shortages, which led to a significant increase in the production of roasted scorpions!
"As long as there is the capacity to store and transport food to Mary Geoise will never lack anything. This is the land inhabited by the descendants of the gods. Please wait a moment, I will make the arrangements immediately."
"Huh? There really is one!"
Jinbe was overjoyed; his wide eyes suddenly lit up.
"Truly worthy of Mary Geoise!!!"
"Haha, Jinbe, this is where all the wealth of the entire ocean gathers, the essence of the world is all here, how could there be no scorpions!"
Gion smiled and shook her head, then released Little Brooke and said.
"Brooke, could you please prepare some Ryugu Kingdom's Blue Algae Tea for me as well?"
That's a new flavor! Our stay in the Dragon Kingdom was too short; I haven't had enough of it yet.
Also, could you prepare some ingredients for making ochazuke (rice with tea), as well as enough spirits and Trick Cup?
I haven't had a good drink in five days, and now I finally have the chance!
Although the adults are decisive and efficient, this is, after all, a meeting with the Five Elders, and they will definitely talk for a long time.
In addition, the adults have very important requests to make to the Five Elders, so I guess they'll have a lot to talk about. For example, every time Fleet Admiral Sengoku meets with the Five Elders, they end up arguing for a long time!
As soon as she finished speaking, Gion gave Brooke a devilish look.
"So, Brooke- chan, let me teach you Drinking Game!"
"I... I'll go prepare the drinks and tea right away~~."
Brooke was overjoyed. So the master enjoyed Drinking Game? She had to learn as soon as possible.
So the head maid quickly led several maids away.
Only Jinbe remained, like a stone statue called "Yearning," as he whispered to Brooke's retreating figure.
"My roasted scorpion... please don't forget it."
"Thank you so much, Head Maid!"