Rouge

On Baterilla Island, a solitary stone house stood on a narrow stretch of coastline.

As World Government personnel who had turned the entire island upside down, they naturally had no reason to overlook this place. They discovered the beautiful woman living there alone, but none of the World Government agents suspected her.

The reason was not complicated.

In the dim room, the curtains by the floor-to-ceiling window swayed in the breeze, allowing sunlight to filter through and fall upon the beautiful woman seated in a rocking chair.

The woman stroked her slightly protruding belly and calmly listened to every movement outside.

Just then, a knocking sound came from the door.

A trace of nervousness flashed across the woman's face, but she quickly regained her composure. Supporting herself against the chair, she stood and asked softly,

"Who is it?"

An equally quiet reply came from outside the door.

"My name is Ye Mu. I wonder if you've heard that name!"

A clear trace of surprise flashed across the woman's face. She slowly walked over and opened the door.

Standing outside was a red-haired youth, accompanied by two girls, one older and one younger.

Seeing the boy's red hair, the woman relaxed slightly, though she still said nervously,

"Please... please come in..."

"Thank you..."

Ye Mu entered with Freya and Ayala in tow.

The woman spoke gently as well.

"Please, sit wherever you like. Don't stand on ceremony!"

"Thank you."

Only after the three of them sat down on a nearby sofa did Ye Mu look at the woman before him—the greatest mother in the world of pirates, one could say—and speak.

"Looks like you know me!"

The woman sat back down in the rocking chair. Somewhat nervous, yet carrying a hint of nostalgia, she said,

"He told me about his adventures