"Just because he's not my subject, he doesn't need to kneel?", Rosse's gaze carried a smile that wasn't a smile, as if it could pierce through Igaram and look directly at Princess Titi behind him, "Princess, do you think so too?"
"This Celestial Dragon Highness... Igaram's opinion is my opinion...", Princess Titi's voice trembled slightly, but she still managed to express herself clearly.
Previously, she had caught a fever and was sent by Cobra with Igaram to Drum Kingdom for treatment. Unexpectedly, upon arriving, all the doctors had been summoned by the sudden arrival of the Celestial Dragons, and she was sent straight to them.
They said Rosse would take over her treatment, but Cobra had told her about the Celestial Dragons' reputation. How could she believe they were that kind-hearted?
"Is that so?", Rosse's questioning tone had barely fallen—
RIP!
A narrow gash suddenly tore across Igaram's back. He let out a muffled grunt, stumbled forward two steps, and nearly collapsed to the ground.
This movement also revealed Princess Titi behind him.
"Igaram!", Seeing this, Titi panicked and cried out in extreme urgency.

"Princess, I'm fine," Igaram replied in a dull voice, his eyes fixed sharply on Rosse, "Your Highness, Arabasta is one of the allied nations."
'So stubborn?'
Rosse was a bit surprised.
He hadn't expected young Igaram to have such backbone.
"Hmm? I can represent the World Government. Can you represent Arabasta? Or are you saying Arabasta wants to be enemies with the World Government?", Rosse spoke casually as he activated his water ability again.
A fine high-pressure water blade once again formed on Igaram, slicing another deep, bone-reaching wound into his back.
This time, Igaram could no longer endure it. He collapsed to the ground, unable to get up again.
"Igaram, are you okay?", Princess Titi was already panicked by now. She struggled to rise from her wheelchair and rushed to Igaram's side, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.
"Your Highness, I speak only for myself. But I hope you will respect Arabasta. We are an allied nation," Igaram's tone had weakened considerably, but he still emphasized it again.
It didn't matter whether it was Arabasta or not. If something happened to them here, perhaps not even the truth would ever get out.
He didn't care if he died today, but the princess must not be harmed.
"Princess, what do you think?", Rosse ignored Igaram and instead turned his gaze toward the tear-streaked Princess Titi.
"Please, spare Igaram. He already knows he was wrong," Princess Titi pursed her lips and knelt before Rosse.
Igaram had stepped in front of Rosse for her. Although his actions might have been a bit excessive and somewhat disrespectful to Rosse, she didn't want anything to happen to Igaram.
"Since you're willing to plead for him, I can let him go this once," This sentence allowed Princess Titi to breathe a sigh of relief. But before she could show any gratitude, she heard Rosse continue, "However, since he spoke to me on behalf of Arabasta, then let's discuss compensation, shall we? The Celestial Dragons cannot be insulted, you should understand that well."
"Of course. Arabasta is willing to offer compensation for Igaram's offense," Princess Titi quickly nodded in agreement. No matter what the compensation was, it was a small matter, as long as he survived.
She had accompanied Cobra to the Levely, so she knew even better what kind of villains the Celestial Dragons were.
If Cobra hadn't protected her last time, she would've been taken away by a Celestial Dragon. Even when a conflict broke out, the Celestial Dragon had suffered no consequences.
So upon seeing Rosse this time, her fear was truly from the heart.
"Since the princess has agreed, then drag him out. I'll discuss the compensation with her."
"Princess!", Igaram panicked and tried to ignore his pain and get up.
But Rosse merely gave him a warning glance. In that instant, it felt as though a mountain was pressing down on him, making it hard to even breathe, let alone get up.
"Your Highness, please, don't make things harder for Igaram," Seeing this, Princess Titi grew even more anxious and could only use the same method Cobra had used to plead in the past, she kept begging Rosse to let go.
"I'm giving the princess face, so please don't make it hard for me," Rosse spoke slowly and unhurriedly. Igaram was a useful tool, he had no intention of discarding him so soon.
"Igaram, you go for now. I'll continue the discussion with His Highness," Even though she was still afraid, Princess Titi showed her dignity as a princess and signaled Igaram not to continue.
Her words had far more sway than Rosse's could. Igaram instantly fell silent, only staring at her with worried and unwilling eyes.
After he left, who knew what might happen.
But he didn't dare disobey Princess Titi's order.
'In the end, it is my lack of strength that put her in danger...'
"Princess..."
"Igaram, LEAVE!", Princess Titi shouted in a hurry. She didn't know if Rosse would dare touch her, but Igaram truly was no different from a slave in front of him.
Last time they went to the Holy Land, the people protecting her had been killed in front of her by the Celestial Dragons to vent their anger. Even Cobra hadn't dared say a word.
She never wanted to see someone die protecting her again.
"As you command..."
Once Rosse released his Conqueror's Haki, Igaram became like a walking corpse, staggering slowly and painfully out.
He was supposed to protect Princess Titi, but in the end, she had protected him. It was a crushing blow.
If not for fear that she might be harmed, he would have fought Rosse to the death right then.
"Gion, for the princess's sake, get someone to bandage Igaram up," The corner of Rosse's mouth curved slightly, not minding giving out a small act of charity.
"Got it," Gion gave Rosse a speechless glance, looked Princess Titi up and down, shook her head, and then followed Igaram out of the reception hall.
Anyone targeted by Rosse, regardless of their status, could never escape in the end.
But Gion had to admit: Rosse had quite the eye for choosing prey.
Bang!
As the door shut, the reception hall fell into silence.
"Your Highness...", Princess Titi was at a loss. It was her first time alone with someone of higher status, she had no idea what to do.
"Princess, how is your illness now?", Rosse didn't bring up Igaram again. Instead, he stood from the sofa and walked up to her.
"Your Highness, my illness is no major issue. With some rest here, I'll recover. What do you want to do?", Seeing Rosse approach, Princess Titi became clearly more nervous.
"Drum Island is cold all year round. Sitting on the ground like that might make you sick," Rosse chuckled softly, reached out, and embraced the kneeling, frail, helpless Princess Titi.
"Your Highness, I can stand up myself...", It was the first time Princess Titi had been held by someone outside her family. Her whole body instinctively resisted.
"Like Igaram did?", Rosse's retort instantly sapped all her strength to resist. She let Rosse lift her and carry her to sit by the sofa.
"Your Highness, we're already here. Can I..."
"Can you, like Igaram?", Rosse chuckled again.
"Your Highness...", A trace of pleading flashed in Princess Titi's eyes. But feeling the strength in Rosse's arms, she finally gave up struggling.
'If I resist... Igaram will definitely die, right?'
'Sorry, Cobra...'
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