Chapter 256: A Royal Alliance Proposal Arrives

“Good news—really good news! This arrived at the perfect time!”

Inside a finely decorated room, a man dressed in yellow robes was practically bouncing with excitement as he read the invitation in his hand.

The reason was simple—the content of the invitation was truly shocking: “From Perospero, eldest son of the Rocks Family, inviting Carven Hendy, Lady Lex and their daughter Karl Ariel to attend the wedding ceremony between Perospero and Karl Ariel.

Date: Year 1485, April 15th, Sea Calendar.

Location: Cake Island.

With highest respects!

Perospero”

The wording was concise and direct, but the message was clear: Carven Hendy’s proposal for an alliance through marriage with the Rocks Family had been accepted.

Though Perospero and Karl Ariel had never met, not even sharing a hint of affection, Carven Hendy had only sent over a photo to express his intentions.

And yet, they’d now received this extraordinary response.

Compared to borrowing money from Rufid, this was hundreds of times more reliable. With the Rocks Family’s backing, his bid for the Red Blossom Empire’s throne was no longer a distant dream—his second and third brothers would never rival him again.

“What’s this great news that has you this giddy?”

As the door swung open, a striking woman, dressed in elegant finery, entered the room. Nearly forty, she showed not a trace of age, exuding a regal charm. Watching her husband’s exuberance, she chuckled, but there was a bittersweet edge to her smile.

Since the old king’s health had started failing, he’d all but stopped handling affairs, and the second and third princes had been making moves nonstop.

One side had the secret support of the World Government, with half the court ministers on his side. The other was allied by marriage to the Grand Chancellor. He was less powerful than the second prince, but since the Grand Chancellor ran nearly all state matters now, he still held sway.

Only the eldest prince’s power base was thin. Except for a few generals discreetly backing him, he only managed the Ministry of Rites and Music—minor positions. Behind his back, some even called him the ‘Crown Prince,’ but it was mostly in jest.

But this was the One Piece World—here, only strength mattered. No scheme could succeed before overwhelming might.

Without powerful allies or strength to match the times, even if you managed to take the throne, you’d lose your head before long. There was never a second ending.

All these years, Carven Hendy had rushed between the Four Seas and New World searching for help and power just to challenge his two brothers. How he regretted that his last deal with Rufid fell through—things would be far smoother now if it had.

This invitation arrived right on time, taking a heavy weight off his mind.

“Hahaha! This is truly fantastic news!”

“Remember the Rocks Family I mentioned before?” He started toward her as he spoke.

Lady Lex nodded slowly, replying, “Of course. I remember.” Then, not hiding her displeasure, she added,

“If not for the Rocks Family’s interference, your brothers wouldn’t have been able to corner us like this.”

“Rumor is even Rufid died by the Rocks Family’s hand. Was that your doing, or did your brothers orchestrate it?” Lex’s voice was tinged with concern. If that really was the case, the throne would be even harder to grasp.

Carven Hendy, invitation in hand, moved over and pulled Lex down beside him on the sofa, spreading the invitation out on the table.

Pointing to the letter, he explained word by word: “My dear, this isn’t just any invitation. The Rocks Family wants to ally with us by marriage.”

“Marriage alliance?”

“Would the Rocks Family really choose to form an alliance with us?”

“When did this happen? Why wasn’t I told?”

The Rocks Family was a powerhouse in the New World. Why would they choose an alliance through marriage?

Lex voiced her unease. “Could there be some hidden scheme?”

“Maybe they just want our country?”

She had a point. The Red Blossom Empire sat on the boundary between Whitebeard and the Rocks, in the later half of the New World—recognized by both as a buffer zone.

The island’s main specialty was a peculiar red flower—the Raksha. Despite its faint fragrance, its scent lingered when worn.

Perfumes made from Raksha were highly effective at masking body odor, a necessity for seafarers who barely wasted precious fresh water on bathing.

Going too long without a bath could leave a strong smell, and some fishermen even reeked of the sea. Raksha perfume solved that problem, making it popular worldwide and earning the Red Blossom Empire billions of Berries yearly.

These huge annual profits made the Red Blossom Empire far from weak. They even had a general considered on par with the top fighters—that man was their Grand General.

But compared to the great pirates of the New World, they still fell short. There were at least ten or more pirates of admiral-level strength—never mind the crews they commanded.

Back when Rocks ruled the New World, the Navy and World Government couldn’t even reach this region. Few allied nations escaped pillaging by the Rocks Pirates back then.

Thankfully, they changed course early, withdrawing from the World Government and avoiding disaster. Aside from paying annual tribute to the Rocks Pirates, life had stayed relatively stable.

After the Rocks Pirates collapsed, the general on the island kept most pirates at bay—no one tried their luck here in over a year.

Unfortunately, seas were calming again now. The old king was even considering joining a larger force for protection.

Who knew when Rocks and Whitebeard might clash? If war broke out, the Red Blossom Empire—caught between both powers—would be turned into a bloody battlefield.

Carven Hendy waved it off. “I don’t think so. I believe Perospero is simply interested in our daughter.”

“Still, a marriage alliance is no small thing. Without Charlotte Linlin’s or Karl’s approval, this would have never been made public so soon.”

“Otherwise, it would have made noise long before now.”

Lex nodded again—he had a point.

Until now, Perospero had led fleets and conquered lands without troubling the Red Blossom Empire even once.

From what she knew, Cake Island and the Sweets Sea were now wildly prosperous—far surpassing her own kingdom’s wealth. Surely they’d never covet something so modest.

But even so, uncertainty gnawed at her. Something could always go wrong.

What if it did?