Rubick happily picked Alex up and played with him.
Seeing Alex laugh so freely in Rubick's arms filled Conis with happiness too.
"That was Boa Hancock just now, wasn't it?"
Rubick answered without hesitation. "Yeah. I was discussing bringing Amazon Lily into Sky Country with her."
Conis said quietly, "Alex is the next king of Sky Country. That's enough for me."
She did not spell it out, but she clearly knew Rubick well. The prospect of gaining another sister did not bother her much.
Now that she was a mother, Conis devoted all her attention to Alex.
In a world like this, how many women could control their own fate? Even someone as powerful as the Pirate Empress had joined the Shichibukai because the Marines had pressured her into it.
Rubick said, "I'll stay with you for a few more days, then I need to go adventuring."
Rubick had already discussed this with Conis and the ministers, so she was not surprised. She only said tenderly, "Please take care of yourself out there."
Rubick drew her into his arms and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. I'll be back almost every day. The Door-Door Fruit makes it that easy."
Conis wrapped her arms around his waist. "I heard Golden Lion Shiki was powerful enough to fight Pirate King Roger. Please don't take any unnecessary risks."
"Don't worry. I can copy his fruit from a distance and run. I don't have to fight him. The problem right now is that I don't know where to find him."
"If you can't find him, that's all right," Conis said. "We still have enough land. I'd suggest finding some doctors and teachers first."
"I will."
Rubick lowered his head and whispered in Conis's ear, "Conis, what about tonight?"
Conis blushed at once. "No. I have