"Oh my goodness, Your Grace! You look like a literal angel!" 

Both Rebecca and Perona gushed over my form as I looked at myself in the floor-length mirror. 
"You're always beautiful, Your Grace, but this dress? It's incredible!" It certainly was a beautiful dress, I couldn't deny that. A deep, rich red with golden trimming, the colours of my father and his house. 

The only real downside was breathing. It was cinched so impossibly tight that if I so dared to even sigh my corset would crack my ribs. 
"Thank you...but I feel like I should be crawling beneath my bed with the chamber pot..." I murmured, still unrecovered from the ceremony two days prior. 

Luckily, there had been business for each of my suitors to attend to, so I had managed to avoid them until now. Sadly, my luck had run out, as my darling step-mother had invited each bachelor to a garden party to rub shoulders, and hopefully nothing more. 

"Then you would stink of pi...You would stink." Perona censored herself, even though it was hardly necessary. "Just smile, pretend you have interest in each of them, then come back here and tell us how dreadfully simple they all are." Rebecca nodded along with her. She often followed Perona's lead, which was sometimes a good thing. She was definitely coming out of her shell. 

"I have doubts I can even look any one of them in the eyes..." I groaned, trying to duck away from Rebecca as she tried to smooth down my hair. 
"Why not order that pet barbarian of yours to cut them down, Your Grace?" Perona joked, flinching back when I snapped an offended glare in her direction. 

"I certainly will not be risking Killer in such a way, Perona!" I scolded, quickly deflating and pinching the bridge of my nose. "No matter how tempting the thought might be..." Fetching my golden lace shawl from the end of my bed, Perona ushered me towards the door. 
"You really have a soft spot for that guard of yours, Your Grace. Maybe he should be your suitor instead?~" 

Better than what was presented to me... 

"S..Stop with your jests..." I stammered with a forced chuckle, nodding to Rebecca as she opened the door of my quarters for me. Killer was waiting for me outside, adjacent, and Perona rushed to thrust my shawl into his chest. 
"Guard this with your life, big guy. If my princess comes back with a chill I'll be using your hair as kindling to warm her up agai-" 

"Perona! Thank you and goodbye!" Shooing her back into my room, I turned to Killer and heaved a long sigh. "I have a feeling that my apologising on her behalf will become ritual, but I am truly sorry for her behaviour. She's spirited." 

Killer folded the shawl he had been entrusted with so it would fit in only one of his large hands. 
"I'm used to feisty women, Your Grace. She doesn't bother me." He replied, pausing for a moment as he faced me. "You look like a dream...but can you even breathe in that..?" 

A dream..? Why did that make my chest flutter?

Pursing my lips, my hands found their way to the corseted bodess of my dress.
"Hardly, but this was what I have been instructed to present myself in, so..." I laughed flatly before offering a small, genuine smile. "But thank you. You are very kind."

Clearing his throat, Killer motioned for us to head off, and I did as he suggested with him following behind. The trip to the garden was too short for my liking, and the sight of so many people made me feel queasy.

I curtseyed upon presentation, and watched after Killer as he moved to stand a distance away, as per his role. Among so many I wished he could have stayed close, but it just wouldn't have been approved of.

"Your Grace! Why, it's been ten years if it's been a day!" I jolted upon hearing such a booming voice, turning to find Lord Garp approaching me, his small knight in tow. He bowed and took my hand, pressing a closed-lip kiss to my knuckle. "Your beauty never ceases to amaze! I pity for the hundreds your king father rejected in favour of these small few!"

Hundreds?! By Gods!

Mindful of my posture and expression, I smiled at the seasoned Knight. I was not scared of him, but he had always been an odd man. Jovial and loud.
"My Lord, it is a pleasure to see you again. You, also, Lord Koby. I do hope you are enjoying yourself?"

Once Garp realised I was addressing his ward, he nudged the young man forward, startling him so he became as stiff as a board, nearly snapping in two when he bowed.
"Y..Your Grace..! Thank...y..you for taking me into consideration..!"

He was so nervous, I wasn't even sure if he wanted to be there. I could not have blamed him if that were the case. I myself had no desire to be there either.
"You seem so very charming, Lord Koby..." I tried to keep my focus on him, but from over each of his shoulders I could see eyes on me. Perospero and Trafalgar, both preparing to swoop in when able. "You strike me as a kind ma-"

"Forgive me for the interruption, Your Grace. My Lords."

One moment my side was vacant, then the next it was filled with blush-coloured feathers. For a large man, Doflamingo was much too silent.
"We shall reconvene later on, Your Grace. Come, Koby." Garp shot a dark look towards his fellow lord before ushering the catatonic boy away, leaving me alone with the flamboyant nightmare.

"Lord Donquixote...How very good to see you again..." I murmured, unable to stop myself shrinking down when he stepped directly in front of me, kissing my hand with a little more than just closed lip.

Now, let me never lay eyes on you again...

I could see myself in the reflection of his amber-tinted glasses, so strangely shaped and sharp. I looked far less frightened than I felt, which was a relief.

"Your house colours suit you well, Your Grace. Red marks passion, did you know? And gold...gold means luxury, riches..." He threw fact at me from nowhere, reaching into his coat before pulling something out. "I do hope you will do me the honour of accepting this token of my affection?"

When he motioned for me to turn around I did as told, not wanting to upset the man. He was dangerous. Anybody with the sense of hearing had heard the rumours, but few knew them to be true. I had overheard many of these truths before within the castle walls.

Feeling something cold and heavy click around my neck, I looked down to see a preposterously large ruby in the center of my chest, bordered with carat upon carat of gold.
"M..My Lord, you have rendered me speechless..."

Trying to buy my affection? What do you take me for? A common whore? This is too heavy...

"Thank you. It is truly beautiful..." Posing a smile for portraits and ceremonies was what I did best, and I did just that for the menacing blond, hoping to appease him.

"Oh, how I wish to keep you all to myself this fine afternoon, but alas, you have my fellow lords to greet, and I myself have business elsewhere. I do hope you will allow me to steal you away one evening for a private dinner?" Doflamingo leaned in a little closer, cologne strong and overwhelming. "Something a touch more intimate."

No. Ew. Disgusting. No. You are old enough to be my father.

"That sounds delightful, My Lord." I curtseyed in farewell, my corset too tight to allow me to breathe out as much as I wanted to in relief. I glanced towards where Killer was stationed, but his head was slowly following Doflamingo as he walked away.

Gaining courage, I went to move towards Trafalgar, but a pointed figure stepped in my way. Perospero, of House Charlotte. Just my luck.
"Looking delectable as always, Your Grace..." I had no choice but to allow him to kiss my hand, but thankfully he did not lick it. I half expected him to.

"How...kind of you to say, Lord Perospero. How is your mother doing? I heard she had a grand tea party last month?" I tried to steer the topic away from courtship, and thankfully my prayers were answered. Like any Charlotte spawn, he had a maternal complex.

"She's wonderful, and as radiant as ever!" The man gushed, completely distracted and not noticing how I slowly side-stepped my way around him. "Her tea parties are the most extravagant events! So many cakes, biscuits, candies, teas, cho-"

He continued to talk to thin air, and I continued my way over to Trafalgar, who was seated upon the edge of the marble fountain. Beside him lay his grand bear, looking rather bored.

"My Lord, I thank you ever so much for coming. I hope Marineford is to your liking?" I smiled as I had been doing all my life, but he offered no return.
"If I am to be honest, Your Grace, it seems to be a stifling place."

Friend.

Taking a seat beside him, but not too close, I looked around me before lowering my voice.
"If I am to be honest, My Lord, I must wholeheartedly agree. I may know not of other lands or citadels, but stifling seems to be a fitting word for this one."

There was a mild scepticism in Trafalgar's brooding eyes, but his shoulders seemed to relax.
"Rare for a princess to never have travelled." He pointed out, the bear yawning and shifting down by his side, catching my attention.

"Rare to not have travelled, yes, but common to have an overprotective father who not only his subjects with an iron thumb, but his family as well." I replied, hands fidgeting in my lap. "I must ask, your bear, is it tame enough to pet?"

Quirking a brow, Trafalgar followed my eyes before he made a slight clicking sound with his tongue.
"Bepo. Up." Upon his command, the great bear rose to its feet, stretching before it plodded the two short steps over to me and rested its chin on my knee.

Oh my lord, I'm making friends with a real live bear!

Running my hands through its fur, I beamed at how soft it felt for how thick it was.
"An honour to meet you, Lord Bepo." I chuckled, so taken by the majestic creature that I even imagined that it smiled back at me.

"You aren't at all what I expected." Trafalgar hummed, studying me with those tired eyes of his. "Forgive what I'm about to say, Your Grace, but you are nothing like the King, and I mean that as the highest of compliments."

I took no offence to that whatsoever. In fact, it was likely one of the kindest compliments I had ever received in all my days.
"Thank you, Lord Trafalgar." I smiled, turning my gaze to him as Bepo nuzzled between my hands. "If I am to be married to one of the men here, you are quickly becoming my preferred choice."

A ghost of a smile played at the lord's lips, genuine but still flat, which just seemed to be his natural state.
"I appreciate the consideration, Your Grace." It looked as though he was about to continue, but before he could a figure appeared before us, already bowing before we even noticed.

Marco had a hand to his chest, eyes downcast as though he were feeling guilty. As he should have.
"I pardon the interruption, Lord Trafalgar. May I request a moment to speak, Your Grace-yoi?" He asked politely.

Traitor.

Carefully moving Bepo's head from my lap I stood up, trying to force my face not to scrunch up and show outsiders looking in my anger and hurt.
"No, you may not." I rejected him firmly, the Lord appearing to be taken aback.

"Y..Your Grace, I implore you, give me a moment to expla-"
"I have nothing more to say to you." I cut him off, my chest aching the longer I looked at him. I could still hardly believe what he had done.
"Please, I-"

"She said no." Even I flinched at the guttural tone of voice when a figure stepped between us, and I came face to face with my distorted reflection in silver armour. Marco straightened himself up, lips pursed tight as he had to crane his neck.

"Very well. My apologies, Your Grace. I shall let you be-yoi..." Solemnly, he turned and left, and I reached forward to touch my hand to the metal shoulder plate in front of me.
"Killer, thank you." I verbalised my appreciation, and my personal knight turned and bowed his head to me.

"Ser, I believe Her Royal Highness is growing tired of this event. Perhaps you should escourt her back to her quarters so she can have some peace and quiet?" Trafalgar spoke up, not having moved from his seat. One of his gloved hands had made its way into the thick tufts of Bepo's fur, and the bear leant heavily against his leg.

Killer faced me again and waited patiently for my decision, and I offered a curtsey to the tired Lord, including an appreciative smile.
"You are quite right, Lord Trafalgar. Thank you for the conversation. I look forward to our next meeting."

Finally standing up, the raven-haired man took my hand in his, but instead of pressing his lips to the backs of my fingers he just ghosted them above, which I found to be incredibly respectful.
"As do I, Your Grace. Until then."

Yeah, if I absolutely must marry, he seems to be the most suited. I guess...

Taking my leave, trying not to bring too much attention to myself, I waited until we were far enough away before I spoke, my posture slacking once I confirmed nobody else was watching.
"I cannot see myself surviving an entire fortnight of this..." I groaned, slowing in hopes the Massacre Soldier would catch up to my side. "Again, Killer, thank you for stepping in. I am not at all prepared to speak to him. Not yet."

Killer caught up, but not to my side. He was at least walking much closer behind me now, which was a small improvement.
"You two were very close, Your Grace?" He asked, and I nodded sadly.

"Very much so. Lord Marco was like family to me, and was always prepared to lend an ear, or a shoulder...but perhaps that was all a ruse to get to this point..." I sighed, eyes catching the faintest specks of blue peeking out from beneath the fresh coat of red on Killer's helmet as he passed me to open the rear door to the castle.

"There might be a reason for what he's doing. I understand why you don't want to talk to him, but it wouldn't hurt once you've had enough time to cool off." He advised, clearing his throat once he realised I was staring at him. "But...I don't expect you to listen to me, Your Grace. I don't know a thing about this stuff, and it isn't my place to offer opinions...I apologise..."

I wish he spoke more, like this. He has a soothing tone of voice...

"No, I appreciate your council, Killer. In fact, I urge you to speak your mind more often. Your opinions matter to me, and I value them." I smiled softly, and the man shifted from left foot to right, clearly not having expected that kind of response.

"It isn't exactly my place, Your Gra-"
"Your place is at my side. Nobody has robbed you of free will, or forced censor upon your speech." I pointed out, lifting the skirt of my dress from the ground as we reached the foot of the staircase. "View me not as royalty, but as a compeer. A friend. How many times must I remind you that I requested your companionship over your services?"

Just as I was about to start my ascent, Killer stepped up to my side and offered me his arm as a means to keep myself steady. He had not done that before, and it took a lot of self control not to break out into a wide grin. More progress.

"I guess I'll have to try harder to remember that then, Your Grace. It'll take some getting used to..." He spoke quietly, less grit to his voice, and I placed my arm atop his, starting up the staircase.

"Then we shall just take it one step at a time."

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***I finally finished Game of Thrones and 3 of my favourites died within an episode of each other ;-;

I'm finally getting over the flu, but I'm colossally pissed that I've had to take a week off work. Time off always throws me out of my groove.

Anyway, Traffy 👀

Next Time: Good Enough to Eat***