Carina lowered her eyes, quietly suppressing that trace of impatience.
She knew who she was.
She was Boer's woman.
Not some little girl demanding candy at a formal occasion.
So after Boer sat down, she did not sidle up to him as she usually did, did not act coy, and did not hook her tail around his arm. She simply stood quietly behind him, still holding that glass of juice elegantly in both hands, the practiced smile she had honed at banquets in Oykot Royal City appearing on her face.
Poised.
Proper.
Just the right degree of distance.
Boer turned his head and glanced at her.
There was surprise in that glance, approval, and a trace of warmth.
Carina smiled back.
Is this all right, Boer?
Very good.
Their silent exchange took place through their eyes.
Boer looked away, gently swirling the glass of red wine in his hand.
The wine swirled in the glass, gleaming dark red beneath the lights.
He looked at Sakazuki across from him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"So," he drawled, with the composure of someone who saw through everything, "those five old men above you want you to clean up the World Government's mess."
He paused.
"Wipe away all those things that were submerged, the things they don't want anyone seeing."
He raised his glass toward Sakazuki.
"Am I right, Admiral Akainu?"
Sakazuki's face twitched slightly.
Not because Boer was wrong.
Quite the opposite-because he was far too right.
The discomfort of being seen through so completely pricked his heart like a needle.
But he did not deny it.
He merely remained silent, staring intently at the languid man across from him.
Carina stepped out from behind Boer with an elegant stride.
Her steps were light and unhurried, her heels clicking crisply