South Blue, Baterilla Island.
Inside a house, Portgas D. Rouge lay on the bed, her belly high and protruding. At this moment, her already delicate face showed even more tension.
She was 22 months pregnant in order to prevent her unborn child from being killed.
She was almost ready to relax after 20 months, as the search and capture efforts in the South Blue by the Marines and the World Government had lessened.
But who could have imagined that a group of CPs would suddenly appear in the area where she lived, and that they would use her facial features to search for her.
This made her anxious, and she forced herself to persevere for another two months.
She could feel that her body had almost reached its limit, and she had even fallen into a coma a few days ago.
Rouge was now unsure whether she would be able to give birth to the child successfully.
She had never regretted doing it so much.
If it had been initially out of love for that person, later, feeling the life slowly growing inside her, she had genuinely come to love the little life inside her.
This was the little life she had conceived.
No matter what, she hoped the little life could be born safely and grow up healthy and safe.
Rouge's only remaining wish was this.
Yesterday, someone was whispering at her door, and she overheard it.
Those searching for her said they would prepare to leave if they couldn't find her by tomorrow.
She hadn't left the house recently, and she relied on the little girl next door to bring her meals.
She had done it this way during the previous search operation in the South Blue, so she didn't feel like she had been exposed this time.
If she could just hold on for one more day, she could ask her neighbor for help to deliver her baby and find someone to look after the baby.
The neighbor was a very friendly old woman who had taken in several orphans from the village. She had a good relationship with the girl and would likely help her take care of the baby in her womb.
That's enough.
As Rouge thought about it, a happy smile appeared on her face.
But the smile didn't last long before it was followed by a knock on the door, and then it sank to the bottom.
Who is it?
Rouge covered her mouth, staring at the doorway in horror.
At this time, her neighbors would never come looking for her.
As for the other people on the island, they all thought she had left and had no idea that she was still on the island.
How could anyone be coming at this time? Were they the people who were searching for her?
"Sorry to bother you."
A gentle male voice came from outside the door, and then the door was pushed open, letting sunlight flood the closed room, making it hard for Rouge to open her eyes.
To prepare for the sudden search, Rouge had already closed the doors and windows of the room and drawn the curtains to make it appear as if no one was there.
This was the first time Rouge had been intruded upon by a complete stranger, which made her extremely nervous.
She heard footsteps nearby, as if they had stopped in front of the bed.
Rouge's eyes had adjusted to the sunlight, and her gaze fell on the uninvited guest who had entered the room.
He was a very handsome and tall man, like a prince in a fairy tale, or an elegant nobleman.
The man before her was unlike any other man she knew.
Even the prince of the kingdom to which Baterilla Island belonged was not as dazzling as this man.
As for the father of the child in her belly... Rouge felt a bit conflicted when she thought of that person.
He had suddenly barged into her life, half-forced her, and then suddenly abandoned her.
She didn't know how to evaluate it; if it weren't for that person, she wouldn't have had such a miserable life these past few years.
However, that person had eventually died, and died a spectacular death, causing the deaths of countless innocent people.
Baterilla Island hadn't always been as peaceful as it was today. After the Great Pirate Era began, many pirates came to Baterilla Island, and most of the island's residents were killed.
Especially those young women, Rouge knew them all, and she had even attended their weddings and served as a bridesmaid several times.
When the pirates arrived, all that was left was a mess.
Just hearing about the tragedy from her neighbors made Rouge feel an endless sorrow enveloping her.
So, she probably felt more anger and hatred towards that person.
However, the child was innocent.
All she hoped for was that the baby in her womb could be born and live a good life.
"And you are?"
Seeing that the man remained silent, Rouge finally couldn't bear the unease in her heart and took the initiative to ask him a question.
She didn't have much experience, nor had she traveled to every corner of the world like that person.
To her, the nobleman in front of her was the most handsome and elegant person she had ever seen.
If such a person were a member of the World Government, he would surely be a member of the Celestial Dragons.
"Saint Jaygarcia Ross, that is my name."
Ross smiled and gave his name.
Finally, we made it.
He gazed at the pale, sickly woman on the bed and examined her closely once more.
Rouge's looks could only be considered above average, and the system's overall rating was only G+, but she exuded a maternal glow, and her gentle temperament was so captivating that even he was somewhat moved.
There were too many beautiful appearances, but few strong souls.
The woman in front of him, who had insisted on carrying her pregnancy for 22 months to protect her child, deserved that he made a special trip to see her.
"Portgas D. Rouge, that name should be correct, right?"
"Yes, hello, Lord Saint Ross."
Rouge became even more nervous when she realized that Ross knew her name.
She didn't know the meaning of "Saint," and simply assumed it was Ross's name.
"Call me Saint Ross, or any other name you like. Saint is already a respectful title, Mrs. Gol."
Ross smiled at Rouge and then revealed her other identity.
The Pirate King's real name was Gol D. Roger.
His address of the woman before him as Mrs. Gol was enough to reveal her identity.
"My lady, you can just call me Rouge. I don't want to hear that name again. Are you from the World Government?"
Rouge's body trembled slightly, but at that moment, she relaxed completely.
Finally, they've discovered me.
At that moment, she let go of all her tension, because it was no longer meaningful.
Based on what Roger had done, Rouge had heard so much that she wanted to petition the World Government to kill his entire family, let alone the World Government itself.
The World Government should have done it more angrily and questioned her before killing her.
"It seems Roger didn't tell you."
Ross had been observing Rouge and could see her reaction when she heard Roger's name, as well as her resistance to getting involved.
As far as he knew, the time Rouge had spent with Roger was less than the time she had been pregnant.
Furthermore, Roger had left gracefully after Rouge became pregnant, without even waiting for the child to be born, which led to the Great Pirate Era.
These things might not have mattered to a son of the sea like Roger, but for Rouge, being hunted down for no reason and not being able to give birth to her own flesh and blood were definitely invisible pressures.
Rouge may have harbored a hidden hatred for Roger for a long time, but under such high pressure, she simply hadn't had time to think too much; giving birth to the child had become her obsession.