Look At My Daughters, Do You Like Any Of Them! (1/5)

Charlotte Linlin's laughter echoed through the room. "Hahaha! Sword Immortal boy, your taste is certainly unique!"

Finn's unusual remarks drew a sly grin from Linlin.

"What's the scariest kind of enemy?" she mused to herself. "It's the one who desires nothing."

Now that Finn had openly shared his preferences, Linlin knew exactly how to exploit them. Turning to her daughters, she spread her hands and said, "Sword Immortal boy, I find you rather pleasing! Tell me, is there one of my daughters that catches your eye?"

This was one of Charlotte Linlin's classic strategies. She never trusted outsiders easily. If she wanted to gain someone's loyalty, she'd marry them into her family. Aladdin, Capone Bege—both men from the outside, now bound by marriage to her daughters.

Of course, the looks of those daughters… well, it was questionable at best.

Finn had his suspicions. It seemed like Linlin always married off the less attractive daughters first while keeping the beauties for herself. Even Pudding, who was betrothed to the Vinsmoke family, was seen as a hideous monster by her siblings due to her third eye.

But now, Linlin was offering him the chance to choose. Was it a genuine proposal or just a test?

Finn, ever the cautious one, decided to turn the game back on Linlin. With a smile, he replied, "I'm not too familiar with your daughters. Why don't you tell me which ones have the best qualities?"

Seeing that Finn was interested, Charlotte Linlin beamed. Marrying a powerhouse like Finn into her pirate crew would significantly boost their strength.

"My daughters are many, but since you like beauties, Sword Immortal, I'll recommend a few."

Unlike her usual dismissive attitude, this time Linlin was more thoughtful. She called out, "Smoothie! Galette! Flambe! Step forward and meet the Sword Immortal."

Smoothie frowned slightly. Why me? She had been intrigued by Finn at first but overhearing his earlier conversation had made her lose any goodwill toward him. Still, Linlin's orders were absolute, and she had no choice but to stand and face Finn with an icy demeanor.

Galette's reaction was similar, though her resistance wasn't as strong as Smoothie's. When Finn's gaze landed on her, she raised her brow ever so slightly, acknowledging him.

Then there was Flambe, who was completely starstruck. She was too weak to resist the allure of the Sword Immortal and waved eagerly. "Choose me! Choose me, Sword Immortal! I'm cute!"

Charlotte Linlin smiled mischievously. "So, Sword Immortal, what do you think?"

"Hmm," Finn mused. "They're all lovely in their own way. But, are these the only daughters you have? Or are you hiding the real beauties?"

Linlin chuckled and waved off his suspicion. "Don't worry, I wouldn't lie to you. These three are the best choices!" She assured him with a thump to her chest.

Hearing this, Smoothie, Galette, and Flambe felt a hint of pride swell inside them. Linlin's words were validation of their worth in her eyes.

The other daughters, meanwhile, wore forced smiles. Charlotte Pudding, in particular, lay her head on the table, feeling the sting of being ignored. Even though she was enamored with Finn, her family constantly belittled her due to her third eye.

Suddenly, Pudding noticed Finn's gaze fall on her.

Is he… looking at me?

Her heart raced. Even just a glance from Finn was enough to send her into a whirlwind of emotions. But as Finn kept staring, her excitement only grew.

He's still looking at me! Could it be?

Finn pointed in her direction. "Who's that? The one over there—this Sword Immortal thinks she's quite pretty."

Pudding nearly exploded with joy. He thinks I'm pretty!

But the room erupted in laughter.

"Sword Immortal, that's Pudding," Linlin said with a smirk. "Sure, she's got a pretty face, but I'd advise against choosing her."

"Oh?" Finn asked, pretending to be clueless. "Why's that?"

Linlin's voice rang with amusement. "Because she's hiding something—a third eye on her forehead! It's ugly! She covers it with her bangs."

The room roared with cruel laughter.

Pudding's face fell. The joy she felt moments earlier vanished, replaced by deep sadness. Her family's constant ridicule cut deeper than any blade. Tears welled in her eyes.

Finn observed the scene, seeing firsthand the relentless bullying that Pudding endured.

"Really?" he asked, his voice calm yet curious. "What kind of eye could be so terrible that you'd laugh at her like this?"

He stood and began walking toward Pudding. The laughter in the room grew louder.

"Sword Immortal, don't! It'll scare you!" someone shouted.

Pudding's heart raced with anxiety. She had heard this ridicule her whole life, and now the man she admired was walking right into it. She wanted to disappear.

"Please… don't," she whispered as Finn reached out toward her forehead, his hand brushing aside her bangs.

And there it was, her third eye.

The room exploded in laughter once again.

But Finn didn't flinch. He gazed at Pudding's third eye, then sighed.

"I was wrong," he said softly, his voice cutting through the laughter.

"Ha! I knew it!" one of the siblings jeered. "You regret seeing it, don't you?"

But Finn shook his head, looking around the room at the mocking faces of the Charlotte family. "No, I was wrong because I almost believed your lies."

The laughter faded as confusion took hold.

"If I hadn't moved her bangs," Finn continued, his voice steady, "I wouldn't have seen the most beautiful eyes in the world."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Pudding's heart leaped into her throat. Did he just…?

She stared at Finn in disbelief as he gently held the back of her head, looking at her third eye with sincerity. "Pudding," he said, "this eye of yours… it's beautiful."

Before she could process his words, Finn leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her third eye.

The room stood frozen in shock.

Pudding's heart felt as if it would burst from her chest. In all her life, no one had ever looked at her this way. No one had ever told her she was beautiful, much less kissed her third eye.

In that single moment, all the ridicule, all the pain, melted away.