IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOU
Robin is from a rich family and her father arranged her to wed for alliances to expand their business but all her father's plan was ruined when she falls in love with a commoner. A medieval-ish AU
A/N: this story is inspired by medieval shows/movies I watched.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.
hope you enjoy... :)
CHAPTER I
It was a very long time since Robin went back home. It was her first time returning home since her mother died. She spent most of her childhood and adolescence in a school abroad. She spent most her time reading books and didn't really fit in with the other girls. After ten years of studying abroad she is finally coming back home. But the trip to Ohara was bumpy and uncomfortable. Robin wanted to read during the trip but the terrain was too rough and it was hard for her to read. She spent her time thinking of her mother instead. She remembered so little about her. She recalled her mother's wavy, silver white hair and her blue eyes that looked at her with love and compassion. Robin was only eight when her mother passed away. It was also the last time she saw her home. Her father sent her away to a school abroad.
"After ten years of being away, did my father even miss me?" she asked herself.
She would soon find out for the road was no longer bumpy and she could hear noises outside. Robin peaked through the curtains and saw the town as they passed by. The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of their estate where the servants were waiting for her arrival.
"Lady Robin, you've grown so tall and beautiful just like your mother." An elder woman sobbed and hugged Robin as soon as she stepped out of the carriage.
"I missed you too Mrs. Wilson." Robin giggled. Mrs. Wilson was her mother's maid. She took care of Robin when her mother was sick.
"Look at you, you've grown to be a fine looking lass" a tall red haired man spoke.
"Saul." She guessed. Robin looked around to find the familiar voice. She walked passed through the other servants and excitedly ran to Saul's arms.
"I came as soon as I heard you were coming home." He hugged her. Saul was her mother's close friend. Besides reading, Robin also liked to spend time with Saul when she was young.
"Let's talk later. Lord James is waiting for you in his office." He said.
"Why can't he just greet me down here instead?" Robin complained.
Saul chuckled "Your father is a busy man and an impatient one too."
"Don't keep him waiting." He advised.
Robin sighed and went upstairs to his father's office to greet him. She knocked at the door and announced, "Father, its Robin. I have returned."
"Come in." she entered as soon as she heard her father's stern voice. Her father was standing near the window, looking outside. She recalled her father's hair used to be dark as night but now it was already grey. His face was not as good looking as he was when she was younger. He had grown old.
"My daughter has finally returned." He walked closer to Robin to see her face more clearly.
"You've grown taller and more beautiful, just like your mother." He smiled as he hugged her daughter.
"Father, it's a long time. I've missed you." She confessed.
"Yes it has truly been a long time." He agreed as he walked towards his desk and sat down.
"Since you are now of age and soon to take over our business," he went on while Robin sat down at the opposite site of the table.
"This business will be my legacy that will be passed on to you and to my grandchildren." He added.
"But first we need find you a suitable husband to marry." James proposed.
"Marriage?" she murmured. She hadn't spoken to her father in years and the first thing they talked about was marriage?
"The best way to forge a lasting alliance is through marriage. It can help expand our business." He explained.
"I will not marry someone I don't love." Robin objected.
"Yes, you will." He argued.
"I am not some game piece you can shove in your board." She burst out.
"You will do as I command" Lord James raised his voice.
"And you will marry someone of my choosing." He calmly continued.
Robin shakes her head "Don't make me do this father, please." She pleaded.
"Not another word." He ordered.
Robin had no choice but to agree to his plan even though she didn't liked it. She stood up and walked out the door. Robin went to her old room to unpack her things and settle in. She sighed as she laid down her bed. It's been a long and exhausting day for her. She turned around and saw a picture of her and her parents when she was young. Life was simple back then. They were happy. She missed her mother so badly.
"I wish you were here." she said out loud.
"I wish she was here too." Saul barged in to her room. She quickly sat straight up.
"So, what did your father say?" he asked as he grabbed a chair and sat down in front of her.
"He doesn't miss me at all. He just told me he would find a suitable husband for me." She blurted out.
"Maybe your father wants what's best for you." Saul reassured her.
"What's best for me or for him? Sometimes I wonder if I'm just a piece in his game and he doesn't love me at all." She argued.
"You're smart lass. I'm sure you'll do what you think is right." He remarked.
"Now, tell me all everything you that happened to you these past ten years." He smiled.
Robin rose out of bed and went to the dresser to brush her hair. She planned out everything she would do today. Part of her plan was to visit her mother's grave later in the afternoon. After eating lunch, she went to the florist to buy some flowers. People were whispering as she passed by.
"Is that Lord James' daughter?" a woman chattered
"I think so. I've heard she returned home yesterday." The other woman replied.
"She really looks exactly like Olivia." She added.
Robin ignored the townspeople and continued to walk and pass through town. She put the flowers down her grave as soon as she arrived.
"I miss you. I miss those times when we were complete and happy." Robin said.
"When life was less complicated." She added.
She talked to her as if her mother was there listening to her. It was quiet and peaceful there. She stayed at the cemetery for about an hour or so before going back to her home. On her way back she noticed a green haired man following her. She tried to shake him off by turning to the nearest alley but was instead cornered there by two other men.
"Hello missy? What's a noble lady like you doing out here on the streets all alone?" the older man smirked.
Robin tried to run but was blocked by the younger man.
"Uh-uh where do you think you're going missy?" the younger man caught her and put his hand in her mouth to prevent her from screaming. He threatened her with a knife on the other.
"Ransoming you is way better than stealing from a-" He grunted. The older man was suddenly knocked into the ground with a dagger on his back. The green haired man from earlier appeared. He immediately drew his sword before the other guy could move. He stabbed him through the leg and the thief let go of Robin. The thief knelt down in pain and the swordsman drove his sword through his chest, killing him.
Shocked, Robin just stood there and watched as the green haired swordsman grabbed his dagger and cleaned his sword with the thief's shirt.
"Are you alright?" he asked her.
Robin was still in shock but she nodded slowly.
"Over there!" they heard a group of guards run towards the alley.
"Shit. Let's go." He cursed.
They were about to escape when Robin stopped him.
"You're going the wrong way. Come with me." She immediately pulled him and led him to the right way. They hid at the forest near Robin's house.
"Thank you by the way for saving me Mr. Swordsman." she expressed her gratitude.
"It was no problem Lady Robin." He replied.
"How did you know my name is Robin?" the raven haired lady wondered.
"I am actually one of your father's men. I was hired to make sure that you are safe." He explained.
"What's your name?" she inquired.
"Roronoa Zoro."