Chapter 213

**Chapter 213: The Status of Slaves**

Jona **stretched** her waist and let out a **deep breath**.

"**Alright, time to get you both ready for a bath.**"

Then, with a playful chuckle—

"**Ah, I really shouldn't be telling you all this, but since you're now Saint Carl's people… I might just rely on you someday. Hahaha!**"

With that, she **turned and walked ahead**.

---

Monet, pulling Sugar along, **hurried to follow**.

Yet, something **lingered in her mind**.

She hesitated for a moment before asking again,

"**Sister, aren't you also… Carl's people? We're just slaves…**"

Jona, still walking, **responded casually**.

"**It's different. You don't know enough about Carl yet.**"

Then, with a meaningful glance—

"**He's nothing like the Celestial Dragons you know.**"

Monet **nodded silently**.

The **Celestial Dragons**—

To most, they were the **epitome of arrogance**.

They killed freely, viewed life as **worthless**, and saw themselves as **untouchable gods**.

But Carl…

He was different.

Even his **rank alone** proved it—

A **Celestial Dragon** holding the title of **Admiral**.

After all, the **Navy** was seen as the **symbol of justice**.

And while pirates had **taken countless lives**, the Navy had saved **far more**.

Monet had **seen Carl's arrogance**—

But only when dealing with **other Celestial Dragons**.

He wasn't like **them**.

---

Lost in thought, she was suddenly **snapped back** when Jona asked,

"**Oh, I don't even know your names yet. Why don't you introduce yourselves?**"

Monet quickly responded,

"**I'm Monet! And this is my sister, Sugar!**"

Jona smiled.

"**Ah, I'm Jona. Let's take care of each other from now on.**"

With that, she **expertly guided them** through the grand estate's **corridors and courtyards**.

---

### **A New Home**

Finally—

They arrived at a **small yet elegant building**.

Jona pushed open the door, smiling.

"**This is where we all stay. Everyone's out working during the day, but I'll introduce you to them later tonight.**"

Monet **nodded** and led Sugar inside.

The moment they stepped in—

A **warmth embraced them**.

The room was **modest but refined**, each bed covered in **fresh white sheets**.

Photos hung on the walls—

Individual pictures of each resident, with a **large group photo** at the center.

It felt… like a **family**.

For a **servants' quarters**, it was **far from what Monet expected**.

Compared to this, the place she and Sugar had lived before truly felt like a **slave's dwelling**.

Jona, noticing her expression, chuckled.

"**Not bad, huh?**"

Monet **didn't respond**, but deep down—

She **agreed**.

---

### **A Bed with Meaning**

After a quick tour, Jona led them to a **corner of the room** where a **large bed** sat.

Monet **immediately liked it**—

It was spacious enough for both her and Sugar.

But before she could speak—

Jona pointed at it.

"**There's only this one bed left for now, so you'll have to share. But don't worry, it's wide enough.**"

Monet **paused**.

Her gaze drifted toward a **small bed nearby**.

Jona, noticing, **smirked**.

"**Oh? Thinking about that bed instead?**"

Then—

She chuckled and **shook her head**.

"**Forget it. That bed's not for you two.**"

Her voice grew **slightly serious**.

"**I should warn you—lying on that bed might get you into trouble if anyone finds out.**"

Monet frowned.

"**Why?**"

Jona **glanced up**, her eyes resting on a **photo above the small window**.

The image **stunned Monet**.

A young girl—

**Cold, expressionless, breathtakingly beautiful.**

Her **porcelain skin** glowed against the dim light, and her **long black hair** draped over her shoulders.

She looked **younger than Monet**—yet carried an **undeniable presence**.

Jona let out a **soft sigh**.

"**That bed belonged to Lady Lucia.**"

"**She told us to keep it in place. We only clean it occasionally.**"

Monet's curiosity grew.

"**Lady Lucia… What's her status within the family?**"

Jona **smiled slightly**.

"**She's the captain of the Third Guard Team and currently serves as Saint Carl's personal aide in the Navy.**"

A pause—

Then, with a **knowing look**, she added,

"**But more importantly—Lady Lucia, like you, started as a slave.**"

---

Monet's breath **hitched**.

A **slave…?**

And now she was a **high-ranking officer in Carl's forces?**

Jona's voice lowered.

"**I told you before—Carl is not like the other Celestial Dragons. He only has one slave—Lady Lucia.**"

She met Monet's eyes.

"**Now, do you still believe being a slave is a lowly status?**"

Monet **remained silent**.

But the meaning was **clear**.

Being **Carl's slave** was not a **curse**—

It was an **opportunity**.

A **path** to something greater.

And it was **up to her** whether she would **grasp it**.

---

### **Bath Time**

Jona didn't push further.

Some things needed **only a hint**—

The rest depended on **Monet herself**.

Instead, she turned to **prepare the bath**.

Soon, steam **filled the room**, the tub now **brimming with warm water**.

"**Alright, come in!**"

Sugar, **wasting no time**, stripped down and **jumped in**, giggling.

Monet, however, **hesitated**.

Jona **noticed**.

"**Monet? What's wrong? Are you feeling shy?**"

Monet **blushed**, stammering—

"**Jona… Sister Jona, the water's too hot… I'll just rinse off with the shower… I-I'm not that dirty.**"

Jona **blinked** in surprise.

Then, she **grinned mischievously**.

"**It's not hot, it's just right! You're just not used to it. Haha, you're cute! Get used to it—because we'll be bathing together often.**"

Then—

Without warning, she **helped Monet undress** and **lifted her into the tub**.

"**W-Wait—!**"

The moment Monet's foot **touched the water**—

She let out a **soft squeal** and **squirmed**.

Clearly **uncomfortable** with the heat.

Jona, amused, **held her firmly**.

But suddenly—

A **chill spread** through the room.

Monet's skin **shimmered**—

Turning into **crystal-clear snow**.

Then—

She **vanished into a flurry of snowflakes**.

Jona's **hands went numb from the cold**.

The snowflakes **floated away from the tub**—

And in seconds, they **reformed** into Monet's figure a few feet away.

Jona **stared in shock**.

"**Wha…?**"

Monet—

Standing **unscathed, unharmed, unbothered**—

Had just **turned herself into snow**…

And Jona realized—

She was **far from an ordinary girl**.