Days flew by quickly.
Roya, acting as Shalria's knight, went everywhere with her. Slowly, they started smiling and talking more.
It was like setting up two people who might like each other. Even though they didn't love each other yet, if they both tried to make it work, they could get along well.
Roya knew his good looks definitely helped!
The Five Elders were secretly watching them get along and were very happy. They called a private meeting.
It was in the Holy Land, in a big meeting room.
All the important people from the Marines were there.
The Rosward family, who were important in the Holy Land, also came to the meeting.
The meeting was led by Saint Worcury, one of the Five Elders. He was bald, had whiskers like bull horns, and was known as the God of Law.
"We've asked you here today to get your thoughts on the idea of Shalria getting engaged to Vice Admiral Roya."
This announcement was a huge shock.
The Marine leaders were stunned. The Three Admirals were sweating, and even older leaders like Sengoku and Tsuru were speechless.
That Roya kid?
Just a few days ago, Sengoku had been confused.
Why did Shalria come down to the lower world and ask for Roya to be her guard? Did she like him?
No, that's impossible!
How could a Celestial Dragon like a regular person, and why would the Five Elders arrange for them to get married?
Soon, everyone understood.
This was a marriage for political reasons.
Saint Worcury said he wanted their opinions, but it was just for show. No one would dare say no to a Celestial Dragon's marriage.
"Strange, why him?"
Many of the Vice Admirals were puzzled.
Roya was strong, and would likely become an Admiral soon, but that shouldn't be enough for a Celestial Dragon to marry him.
Plus, with the Five Elders involved, it wasn't just a simple marriage. It meant Roya might become a Celestial Dragon himself!
Was that kid really worth so much?
Envy, jealousy, and confusion filled the room.
Only a few top officials knew that Roya, having the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, was qualified to become a Celestial Dragon.
He was basically a walking weapon.
Also, Roya was young. He was just starting out, and in twenty years, he could be as strong as Kaido or Whitebeard.
A force that could control an entire era!
Saint Worcury said calmly, "Today, we will agree to the engagement between Shalria and Roya. Once Roya becomes a Marine Admiral, we will have a formal wedding for them."
"..."
The Vice Admirals felt choked.
Roya's promotion to Admiral was already decided.
Damn it, why couldn't it be them?
The room was silent. No one objected.
Vice Admirals were important to the Marines, but marrying a Celestial Dragon with just that rank was too low. It wasn't worthy of a Celestial Dragon.
Once Roya became an Admiral, his status would be closer to a Celestial Dragon's, without making the Celestial Dragon look less important.
As for when.
Marshal Sengoku was getting old and would retire in a few years, opening up an Admiral position for Roya.
There was another reason.
A wedding between a Celestial Dragon and a Marine Admiral would be great publicity, especially for the Marines' image.
Who didn't dream of becoming a Celestial Dragon!
Soon, the meeting ended.
In the bubble elevator.
The Marine leaders stood at the edge, feeling very mixed up.
They couldn't see Roya the same way anymore. That kid always did something big, and now he had somehow gotten a Celestial Dragon interested in him.
The next time they saw Roya, would they have to call him "Saint Roya" out of respect?
That damned little rascal!
----
Meanwhile, in Dressrosa.
A fancy Celestial Dragon warship slowly docked at the port.
King Riku Doldo, Princess Viola, and many nobles were at the port, respectfully welcoming the Celestial Dragon.
It had been over a year since Doflamingo was locked up, and Dressrosa was doing well again. People called it the "Country of Fairies of Love and Passion."
With a new Royal Family, the Holy Land would send a Celestial Dragon to Dressrosa to keep the people calm.
Really, it was to see if the new king was obeying orders and if the country was still strong enough to be a member.
The port was filled with people kneeling.
"We welcome Palace Shalria!"
"You may all rise."
Shalria said calmly, her noble look making others envious.
Most royals, nobles, and regular people thought of Celestial Dragons as the creators of the world, like gods!
It was even written in school books.
"Huh? Vice Admiral Roya?"
Before, the people didn't dare to look up. Now, they noticed Roya standing next to Shalria.
Everyone was surprised.
Vice Admiral Roya, the hero of Dressrosa who beat Doflamingo, was famous in the kingdom. They even built a statue of him in the biggest square.
Roya was a great hero to Dressrosa.
So, seeing him there made everyone feel closer and safer, including King Riku Doldo.
Then, they saw Shalria smiling as she lifted her skirt with one hand and put the other on Roya's hand, letting him help her off the ship.
Such a close gesture was unexpected.
It was like a princess holding hands with an army general in public. It was very unusual, even wrong.
But after Shalria and Roya got off the ship, even though she let go of his hand, they still walked side by side.
Only Celestial Dragons could walk next to another Celestial Dragon.
This was sending a message!
"Click, click!"
Reporters, who were ready, quickly took out their Den Den Mushi and started taking pictures like crazy. This was a huge story.
To welcome the Celestial Dragon, Dressrosa had made big preparations. Lover's Avenue was covered in flowers, and the streets were lined with excited people.
"Not bad."
Shalria was happy.
She had gone with her father to other countries before, and few were as beautiful and clean as Dressrosa.
Seeing people calling out Roya's name, Shalria was surprised. "It seems they like you a lot."
"The previous king of this country was Doflamingo. I was the one who put him in prison, so the people here welcome me."
"That traitor family, right?"
Shalria understood.
She had heard about the Donquixote family traitors many times. They were a bad example in the Holy Land.
Shalria tilted her head to look at Roya.
Sensing her looking at him, Roya smiled at her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, you're quite amazing."
Shalria's face turned slightly red.
From hating the idea of socializing to now trying, she felt that Roya was very capable, much better than some of the Holy Land's own people.
Roya shook his head and smiled.
"I'm amazing in many other ways. I promise you, marrying me will be the best decision of your life!"
*
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[T/N:
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