Revoking the Bounty

Charlos closed his eyes and pulled the blanket higher. Beside him, Amina reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Hey, hurry up and tell me, Charlos," Rukia called anxiously.

"Ask her yourself," Charlos said from under the blanket.

Nico Robin smiled awkwardly and looked at the girl in front of her.

"Um, hello. My name is Nico Robin."

"Oh, so you're Nico Robin? My name is Rukia, and I'm eight years old this year."

Nico Robin was slightly taken aback.

"Ah... eight years old? I'm eight too."

"Huh? You're eight too?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Don't call me big sister. Just call me Rukia."

"Ah, okay." Rukia nodded and said seriously, "But since you've come aboard, you have to follow the rules of the ship. Today, you're going to clean."

"Okay."

Nico Robin got out of bed and picked up the broom beside it.

Beside them, Amira slowly sat up and gently patted Amina's arm.

Amina looked at her. "Don't worry, big sister. I'll keep an eye on her."

Amira nodded and got out of bed.

"You don't have to clean today."

Rukia looked puzzled. "Why not?"

"No reason. Hurry up and prepare breakfast. If Charlos wakes up, he won't have anything to eat."

Rukia muttered softly, "Is he useless or something? Why does he need someone to serve him even when he eats?"

Amira chuckled softly.

"Hehe, stop complaining. Let's go."

At noon, Charlos slowly woke up.

Amina looked at him and asked softly, "Are you awake?"

"Mm, I'm awake."

Amira got up from the bed and said, "Since you're awake, get up and have lunch."

"Huh? It's already lunchtime?"

"Yeah, it's time for lunch."

"All right."

Charlos threw off the blanket and stretched lazily.

"What should I wear today?"

Amira walked over, took out a set of casual clothes, and gently undid his buttons.

"Wear this today. Something casual."

"Mm, sounds good."

Amira asked softly, "Do you want to look around the royal city during the day?"

"No need." Charlos shook his head. "There's nothing interesting about this kingdom. I want to leave."

"Back to the Holy Land?"

"No."

"Then where are we going next?"

"Anywhere is fine. We'll just travel around and have some fun."

Just then, the Den Den Mushi on the table suddenly rang.

"Buru buru buru—"

Charlos walked over and picked up the Den Den Mushi.

"Hello, this is Rosy Charlos. What can I do for you?"

The steady voice of the Rosy Family patriarch came through the Den Den Mushi.

"Boy, I heard Nico Robin has fallen into your hands?"

"Yeah, your information is pretty good."

"The Five Elders told me."

Charlos smiled knowingly.

"Looks like those people from CP0 reported it."

"That's right." The patriarch's voice continued, "The Five Elders said that you should keep an eye on Nico Robin and make sure she doesn't run around. You don't need to do anything deliberate to her."

"Okay, I understand, Grandpa."

"So when are you coming back to the Holy Land? Grandpa misses you."

"I don't want to go back yet. Oh, right, Grandpa, can you have someone revoke Robin's bounty? She's already fallen into my hands anyway."

"Sure, I understand. I'll discuss it with the Five Elders later."

"Then thank you, Grandpa."

The patriarch's voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, tinged with teasing. "You brat, after growing up over these past two years, you want every woman you see."

Charlos chuckled. "Hehe, what can I do?"

The Den Den Mushi made a sound as the call ended.

Charlos shrugged and turned to look at Amina beside him.

Amina's cheeks flushed bright red.

Charlos reached out and patted her head.

"What are you thinking about?"

Amina's voice grew softer and softer. "If you need me, Charlos, I-I'm always willing."

Charlos tilted his head slightly and looked at her.

"What did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly."

"I said..."

"Stop. You don't have to say it. I can guess."

Amina slowly raised her head and gazed at Charlos.

"Um, does what happened before still count? You lost, remember?"

"Huh? What? I lost?"

"You're going back on your word again?"

"Who said I wouldn't honor it? I will. Tell me, what do you want?"

"Mm, I want..."

"What do you want? Just say it."

Amina leaned gently toward Charlos's ear.

At the dining table, Nico Robin held a spoon and quietly took bite after bite, eating with refined yet nervous manners.

Beside her, Rukia chewed voraciously as if she had a grudge against the food, glaring viciously at Charlos with displeasure written all over her face.

Only Amira looked gloomy. She pulled a long face and silently lowered her head to eat.

Amira spoke softly. "Little sister, that's enough."

Amina blinked, looking innocent. "What is it, big sister? Are you jealous?"

Hearing that, Charlos smiled, picked up a piece of food from the plate, and held it out to Amina's mouth.

Amina obediently opened her mouth at once and took a bite. Her eyes curved into crescents as she murmured softly.

"Mm, it's so sweet."

Amira turned her head toward Charlos.

"Charlos, did she really sweet-talk you into this?"

"I didn't. Really."

Amira held out both hands.

"Guess. Is the coin in my left hand or my right hand?"

Charlos put down the food in his hand and stared at Amira's two hands.

"Your left hand."

"What shall we bet on, then?"

Looking at the scene before him, Charlos vaguely felt that it was somewhat familiar.

Amira burst out laughing.

"Of course it feels familiar. Isn't this my little sister's usual trick?"

Amina hurriedly waved her hands.

"Hey, big sister, don't give it away. I won't play this trick in front of you anymore."

Charlos stared at her two hands.

"No. The two of you have to explain exactly what's going on today."

"All right, all right, I'll tell you." Amina slowly began, "Actually, there are coins in both my hands."

Charlos frowned.

"But I remember that when you opened your hands, there was clearly nothing in them."

Amira slowly opened her left hand. It was empty.

She shook her head, then opened her right hand. It was empty too.

"Then where did the two coins go?" Charlos asked in confusion.

"They're here."

Amira shook her sleeves, and two coins rolled out of the left and right cuffs respectively, landing on the tabletop.

"This is the truth." Amira explained, "If you guess which hand has the coin, she hides the coin from that hand in her sleeve. If you guess which hand is empty, she takes the coin back out. No matter how you guess, you can't win."

Charlos looked at Amina.

"You little rascal, Amina."

Amina giggled and hurriedly waved her hands. "Charlos, how about we just call off the bet?"

"No. I have to teach you a lesson."

Amina lowered her head.

"All right, I'm willing to accept the punishment."

Charlos walked over and pinched Amina's cheek.

"We're going out to buy supplies this afternoon, and you have to stay by my side the whole time."

Rukia snorted from the side.

"Hmph, of course. You really don't hold back."

Amira slapped both hands on the table.

"No! How is that a punishment?"

She turned to look at Nico Robin.

"This afternoon, she can watch Nico Robin and stay on the ship to guard it. I'll go out with you."

Amina turned to Amira with a pitiful expression.

"Big sister, Charlos already decided on my punishment. How can you do this?"

Amira said indifferently, "As if I don't know what you're thinking."

Looking at the scene before him, Charlos nodded.

"You're right."