"It's good to see some excitement on your face, Your Grace. Far better than that pout you wore earlier."

I chuckled at Killer's observation as we approached the doors to the throne room, where we would be making the big announcement.
"How could I not be excited? I no longer have to worry over who I may be married off to. Finally, some relief!" With a step and a twirl, I paused at the doors, looking back to my knight in shining armour. "Perhaps when this is over we can celebrate at that quaint little tavern again?"

Killer lifted his hands almost defensively, shaking his head.
"Uh, for both our sakes, I think it would be best to avoid copious amounts of alcohol for a while, Your Grace..." I hadn't the faintest clue why he would think that, but I just shrugged it off, brushing off my dress as he moved to open the doors for me.

Lords and Ladies were still filtering in, but the King and Queen were already seated, and I hurried myself to join them. Lucci made a beeline to escourt me himself, directing Killer to stand far off to the side, much to my dismay.

"Beautiful, Your Grace, as always. Excited for the momentous occasion?" He questioned, dusting off my smaller throne before I sat down.
"Of course I am. I know, without a doubt, who I wish to marry. Who would not be joyous?"

The look Lucci gave me in return was a little confusing. A quirk of a brow, and thinned lips, but I didn't think much of it. Even if I had, the clearing of my father's throat took all of my attention away.

He needn't be standing to dominate a room, but he chose to anyway, taking several steps towards the court, chest out.
"Suitors! Step forward!" As instructed, my group of suitors moved to the front of the crowd, lining up and bowing to their King. I briefly caught Marco's eye and smiled.

Brilliant. This shall be a piece of cake.

"On behalf of my daughter, I wish to thank you for your efforts and shows of affection. You have each proven yourselves as strong, capable Lords, and potential King Consorts." I knew my father hated giving speeches, but he did, however, thrive off the undivided attention.

If only you were a kind man. Things could have been different.

"After much deliberation, one of you has been chosen to win the privilege of taking my daughter's hand in marriage. Come, (Y/N)." The second my father called for me, I stood up and made my way over, allowing him to welcome me under his arm. "What have you to say to these fine Lords?"

Dipping into a curtsey, I lowered my head as respectfully as possible, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.
"I am so very touched that you all came to Marineford on my account. Thank you, My Lords. I wish all of you nothing but good fortune."

That was true, at least for a few of them. Marco, Koby and Trafalgar, mostly. I could not have cared less about whatever would happen to Doflamingo or Perospero in the future.

"Let us not drag this out any longer! From early on, it was obvious who would be best suited as husband to the Princess! Congratulations, Lord Donquixote! You will make a fine King Consort!"

Wh..what..?

Every fibre of my being froze, even as the crowd began to cheer. My eyes snapped up to meet Marco's, and he seemed just as shocked as I was. With my father's arm over me, I could do nothing but stand there as the beastly Lord of whom he chose approached, lowering himself down to one knee and seizing my hand.

"I thank you, Your Majesty! Ah, Your Grace, my dear, sweet (Y/N)...Nothing could have ever made me happier! I swear to you, I shall be all that you need and more!" I tried to snatch my hand away as he went in to kiss it, but he had it in a vice grip. There was no way he couldn't tell I was horrified, but I was helpless.

This cannot be happening..! Absolutely not..! What is this?!

King Sakazuki traded me off to Doflamingo, and the heaviness of his arm over my shoulders crushed every last hope I had left. I tuned the world out, every sound, sight and feeling, until the ceremony was over. I was sure both of them said things to me, but it all fell on deaf ears.

When I was finally permitted to leave, I walked briskly out the doors without a word, entirely aware of the set of footsteps following me, and at the same time not at all. On and on, up stairs and through long, gloomy corridors, until I reached my quarters, I barely managed to hold myself together.

Though, the second I passed the threshold, I broke down. Screaming out in some horrendous hybrid of terror and rage, I swept the contents of my vanity onto the ground, stumbling back and pulling at my hair.
"I CANNOT DO THIS! I REFUSE TO MARRY THAT VILE BASTARD! HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO ME?!"

Tears cascaded down my face as I felt myself crumble, but again, like times before, somebody was there to catch me before I reached the ground.

Killer's arms were strong, and with them came a sense of safety I hadn't felt in a long time. He held me from behind, my back to his metal-clad chest, and I could feel his breath fanning through the small holes in his helm.

"Calm yourself, My Grace. Please..." He spoke quietly, gently, moving with me as my breath heaved and rattled my body. "If you keep screaming and breaking things, the other guards will come, and then you'll have to deal with your father again. You don't need that right now, okay?"

He spoke sense. He always did, but I was inconsolable. Knowing my father, he would ensure that the wedding came quickly, which would seal my fate. I wasn't as ignorant as many may have thought. I knew what happened on wedding nights. I couldn't bear the thought of it.

"K..Killer...I c..cannot...I do not...I would sooner d..die than be touched by that a..awful brute..!" I sobbed, barely able to breathe, turning in his arms and throwing my arms around his neck. He didn't try to push me away, he just held me, which was what I needed.

"I won't let that happen. You hear me, Princess? I'm between the two of you. I will always be between him and you." He swore to me, his armour creaking with the slight movements he made to keep me steady. "You're gonna be alright. Remember, it isn't just me looking out for you, Your Grace."

I just held onto him with all I had. It was all I could do to not fall apart completely and seep into the cracks of the stone floor. I wanted to believe he could save me, that Marco could save me, but now it all seemed like such a fantasy. My life was playing out just as my father had planned it, and it looked as though my future was confirmed.

"I came as soon as I hea-" I heard Perona's voice peter off as she entered the room, followed by the faint click of my door lock. "Killer, carry her to the bed, will you?" If I hadn't been in such a state, I possibly would have been blown away by how easily Killer lifted me up into his arms, but I just kept my eyes squeezed shut, internally praying for some kind of miracle.

I seldom wanted to let go of Killer once he had placed me on my bed, but I could not fight the way he gently pulled my arms from around his neck.
"I'll be right here, Your Grace. You need to rest."

Just knowing he was there was a comfort, so I tried to do as he told me to, despite the anguish storming inside of my head and guts. If Donquixote Doflamingo were to be my husband, I would simply desire any manner of death instead.

I wish I had never been born as the Princess...or perhaps even at all...

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***KILLER POV***

"I can't believe the King would do that to her..."

Perona carefully brushed the (H/C) out of the Princess' eyes as she slept, her tear stained face almost too much for me to look at.
"I can. He's a twisted cunt of a man." I allowed my more natural use of vulgar language to slip through now that the Princess wasn't conscious, and it didn't seem to bother the pink-haired hand maiden. "I have to go see to a few things. I'll be back before she wakes."

I headed towards the door, readjusting the position of my helmet, as she had skewed it slightly when she had embraced me.
"Y'know, you're not so bad, Mister Massacre. I guess I can appreciate you being there for her." Perona hummed, but I didn't turn back to look at her.

The second I made it out to the hall, I could feel the urge to commit my namesake. I longed for nothing more than to drive my blades deep into the chest of that foul beast Doflamingo. It would take a blind man to miss the filthy lust oozing from his being whenever he looked at her.

But I couldn't do it. Everything would be compromised if I lost control of myself, and that couldn't happen, no matter the reason. I just had to steel myself and make sure things went according to plan, along with keeping Princess (Y/N) safe.

Her raw emotions had hit me deep in my chest, and I could still feel the aftershocks of her bone-deep shivering as she clung to me for dear life. She may not have been the reason I had come to Marineford, but she had certainly become my cause for staying.

"Killer, is she alright?" I lifted my head to see Marco coming down the hall, stress lines creasing his usually much more youthful features. "I wanted to come sooner, but got cornered by Lucci."

I glanced back to the closed door, the vision of her tear-soaked cheeks almost causing my fury to rise once more.
"I was actually on my way to find you. She's asleep now, but the poor girl is scared out of her wits. With good reason, too..." I sighed, trying to make sure my anger wasn't seeping into my tone.

"I should've seen it coming. Donquixote was rigged to win from the start." Marco muttered bitterly, dragging a hand down his face. "All we can do for now is keep her safe. I can see what I can do about getting her out of here, but it isn't something I can organise overnight-yoi."

If Kid was closer by, we could just raid the castle and whisk her away...but we'd likely lose too many men...

"Leave her safety to me. I'll slit his throat ear to ear if he tries anything." I swore, placing a hand on the hilt of one of my scythes. The Lord nodded in thanks, a mutual understanding forming between us. Right now, the Princess was our top priority. Even if she wasn't in danger, there wasn't much else we could do whilst waiting for everything to fall into place.

"I put my full faith into you. It shouldn't be long until the true king arrives with his fleet, but we cannot be too careful. Just stay by her side wherever possible, and leave the rest to me-yoi." He placed a hand on my shoulder for a brief moment and nodded before turning to take his leave. "A war draws near. Let us hope we can prevail."

As I watched him walk away, I felt my jaw tighten. Would Ace arrive before the impending wedding day? If he did, that would be ideal, but if not, what were we able to do?

Leaning up against the wall, I let my head tilt back, a long, heavy sigh escaping from my throat as I thought of all the endless possibilities, only few of them working out in our favour.

Dammit...I should never have been caught up in this...but for her sake, I'm glad I was...

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***It is 4am my dudes and I am the opposite of thriving.

Next Time: Duty***