Trapped
Her heart pounded inside of her chest. Her legs and feet ached from all the running. Her skin stung from the leaves and branches that whacked her as she rushed through the thick foliage. Her entire body begged for her to stop. But she refused. She had to get away from them. She had to. She jumped when meteors of different sizes shot through the forest. Branches snapped from their passing before crashing into the ground, a few rammed into the trunks of trees causing their bark to snap. The trees groaned, unable to hold their large forms up any longer, they fell. One landed in front of her. She skidded to a stop before she could plow into it.
"So much for running on the ground," she said. Bending at her knees, she shot herself into the air with a single jump. Shooting past the leaves she broke through the canopy of the forest. The world became brighter thanks to the sun.
"There she is!"
"Don't let her get away!"
"After her!"
"Dang it," she hissed. Looking back over her shoulder she saw ten of them flying towards her. But there were more. She knew there were more. Where they were she wasn't exactly sure, but they were there. They always were. She turned forward in time to see several more meteors shooting at her. A curse flew out of her mouth. She dropped from the air. The meteors flew above her and slammed into a few chasing her from behind. She chuckled. They should have seen that coming.
"You idiots! Watch where you're shooting those things!"
"You should have been able to dodge them! Don't blame us!"
"Just shut up and get after her! If we don't get her back we'll be the ones in trouble with the mistress!"
She rolled her eyes with a snort. They were never in trouble with their mistress. She was the one who was always in trouble with her. And this time would be no different. The more she thought about it the more she knew it was pointless for her to try and escape. It never happened. Still she kept trying. It was in her blood to be stubborn. Though she never was sure of whom she got her stubborn streak from, her mom or her dad. She's heard both were pretty stubborn in their own ways.
"Serena! This is futile! Just give up already!"
"Not going to happen!" Serena said. "I will get away from this place!"
"No you won't! Together now! White Fire!"
"Shield!" Serena shouted just as their white fire attack came down on her. A white glow formed around her body. The heat from their attack penetrated her shield, threatening to break through and burn her. Under the pressure the shield cracked. She dropped through the only opening she had. That was right below her feet. Her shield disappeared. The white fire collided.
"Got you!"
Serena gritted her teeth when one of the guards flew right at her. She blocked his punch. Flipping backwards she nailed him in the chin with her boot. Iron filled the air. She had knocked out a tooth. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips as the lost tooth flew through the air. Red splattered onto his crisp white uniform. "And, by the way, get some new clothes. The ones you're wearing right now are stupid. What are you all? Brainless puppets for that witch?"
"You're going to pay for that!" the guard she kicked said.
Serena stepped on his head, using him as a launching pad; she shot herself back into the air. Her magic waivered. She could feel it fading. A sigh passed over her lips. Once again she was going to be hauled back to the mansion. And just ahead of her was the ocean. She could see it so clearly. But she wasn't going to reach it. Her body lowered back to the ground. The ocean disappeared behind the tree line. Her shoes tapped onto the white rocks underneath her. The guards surrounded her. She snarled at them and their matching uniforms. The fabric was silky white with a light purple stripe running down the outer legs and the outer sleeves. And despite the dark purple visors they wore over their eyes she could easily tell that they were glaring at her for the trouble she had just caused. She was so sick of seeing them, both the guards and their stupid white uniforms. If she could she would get rid of them both.
"Serena, that's enough of this nonsense," a nameless guard said.
Well, she knew he had a name. She just didn't know what it was. She didn't know the names of any of the guards, as she wasn't permitted to develop a relationship with them. Her beloved Aunt Azalea, or whom she more affectionately called Aunt Witchy, didn't permit it.
"We've been chasing you for three hours now. It's time to go back home."
"Then go," Serena said waving her had like she was shooing away a fly. "I'm good right where I am."
"You know that's not allowed." He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.
"And when have you ever known me to go back peacefully?" Serena crossed her arms, matching his stance.
He sighed and shook his head. "Why don't you think for a change?"
"Why don't you?" Serena challenged. "All you pawns do is what Aunt Azalea tells you to. You're nothing but her doting lap dogs. You never think for yourselves."
"That's enough, Serena," he said. "It's time to go back." He snapped his fingers. "And we're not going to fight you this time."
Serena smirked as the other guards moved in on her. Just as they got close enough she round house kicked a few before a couple grabbed her wrists. Jerking her hand towards her, she bit down on one of their hands. The man screamed but held firm to her. She kicked the other one in the groin. He dropped her but another one grabbed her wrist while two more grabbed her ankles. She managed to nail one on the nose, bloodying it, and another on the chin before they finally got her locked in sun restraints. The restraints shimmered with a golden glow on her skin, pushed her magic down from within. She was now helpless. She growled, "You're going to pay for this one day! My dad will kill you all when he gets here!"
"You've been saying that ever since you've returned home," the guard said. "And it hasn't happened yet."
"I didn't return here at all, bastard! I was forced back here against my will!" Serena snapped. "And this place will never be my home!"
"It doesn't matter," he said. "This is where you belong."
"It is not!" Serena said before a gag was tied over her mouth. She glared at them. It did no good. With her magic now gone she had no choice but to be dragged back to the mansion. A guard threw her over his shoulder then took off into the air. The ocean came back into her sight. A couple ships were sailing by, none of them able to help her, and none of them belonged to her father. She was still a prisoner.
All too soon she could feel the guards landing. The ocean was replaced by the gardens, the stone fence, and the gray walkway leading from the front door to the main gate. She sighed. She had been brought back like she knew she would. Another failed attempt at escaping.
The world turned right side up as she was placed on her feet. The soldiers lined up behind her. One unbound her mouth then joined the others just before the doors to the mansion opened. The clicking of her aunt's heels on the walkway pierced her ears. Then hot stinging pain shot across her cheek. The feeling was accompanied by a sharp slap of skin on skin.
"I apologize for my niece's little escape. Again," Azalea said.
"No need to apologize, Mistress," Mr. Nameless Guard said. "We are pleased to serve you. It's what we are here for."
"And you do your job so well," Azalea said. "You're dismissed. I'll handle her from this point on."
"Yes, ma'am."
Serena could hear their automatic bowing. She would have rolled her eyes but in doing so she would receive another slap from her aunt.
Azalea grabbed her arm and jerked her inside the mansion. Her long nails bit into Serena's skin.
Like always the six floored building was cold. The foyer was void of people but full of chemicals used for cleaning the white walls, floors, and ceiling. Azalea always insisted everything be spotless, to be white. And it was. Well, almost all of it was. Serena was the exception to that.
"You are so incorrigible," Azalea said pulling Serene down the hall, her long skirt swishing in anger. "I can't believe that you are related to me. What was my sister thinking? Having a child with a pirate of all people."
"If you hate me that much then just let me go," Serena said. She tugged her aunt's grip but her cold fingers wouldn't budge. The chill of her aunt's fingers practically burned her skin. She had never felt any kind of warmth from her aunt.
"And released your unstable magic on poor, defenseless people? Absolutely not," Azalea said. "You will stay here until your magic is stable. You don't want to wake up the Lunar Army, do you?"
"Give me a break. That army isn't real. You've forced me to live here for years and they haven't awakened. And there's nothing wrong with my magic," Serena said.
"Yes, there is." Azalea's hand grew tighter.
Serena bit back the pain from her aunt's long nails digging into her skin again. She focused on the smell of beef cooking in the kitchen as they came closer to it. Soon her aunt pulled her through the door. The kitchen staff barely paused to look at the two as they passed through. It was routine. And no one ever stood up to Azalea, no one stopped her.
"Serena will not be eating with us tonight," Azalea told the cooking staff before pulling Serena through the kitchen door.
Serene scanned the backyard. A couple gardeners were working in the gardens while Azalea's twin girls were causing havoc for them by pulling up freshly planted flowers. Serena felt sorry for the gardeners. Their work was never done thanks to the Terrible Two. But of course the girls never got into trouble since they were Azalea's kids. Anything they did, bad or good, was fine with Azalea.
"You know full well that your half-breed magic is unstable," Azalea said. With another jerk, she pulled Serena under a tree. A chain with a hook dangled down from a branch. She placed the chain of Serena's cuffs on the hook. "You know you're suppose to stay with the guards when you leave the mansion."
"I was with them," Serena mumbled. "Not my fault they can't keep up with me."
"Silence!" Azalea hissed.
Serena focused on the tree bark. Light radiated over it as soon as her aunt summoned her own magic. The light from the white glow was hot yet it never burned her skin. They all were apart of it. The only way it could hurt them is if it was in a weapon form. Which was about to happen. Her aunt loved the whip.
"I grow tired of how childish you act," Azalea said. "You're not going to get off this island. Ever. So stop trying to run away."
"I'll never stop," Serena said. A loud crack sounded. Pain shot across her back. The fabric of her shirt ripped open. Warm blood flowed down her skin. More was to come. This was by far Azalea's favorite way of disciplining her disobedient niece. Another snap followed, then another one, another one, and another one. With each whip her shirt and skin split open more. Sticky blood ran down her hot stinging back and onto the top of her pants. Then it was over.
"I do hate punishing you like this," Azalea said her white glow fading. "But it's necessary. Your magic is out of control. I will do anything I can to fix it."
Serena bit back her desire to verbally lash out at her aunt. Her aunt wasn't doing a single thing to fix her magic. Nothing could ever fix her magic. She was broken, a half-breed and always would be. It would do no good to argue and would only result in more lashes.
"You are grounded until further notice," Azalea said.
Serena rolled her eyes. Grounding was pointless. She had been grounded her whole entire life. Or at least since she was brought back to Hydra. She used to be free when she lived with her dad and mom.
"Go to your room." Azalea unlocked the cuffs. "I don't want to see you until tomorrow."
Pain shot through her body with every little move she made. She did her best to ignore it. Holding her head high she headed back for the kitchen. The staff was still cooking. Though she could feel their eyes on her as she passed through the room, back down the hall, into the foyer, and then up the stairs all the way to the sixth floor. Her dear aunt wanted her to sleep as far way from everyone else as possible. So she stayed alone on the top floor. It didn't bother her. She liked the solitude. And she had a great view of the ocean from her bay window. She could watch for her dad's jolly roger from there.
The sun was just setting as she entered into her room. The golden rays of the sunset poured in through the window, turning the boring white walls into a rainbow of reds, oranges, and yellows. It made her long to sail the oceans again. One day she would. She would get out of this place and be free. A light tap came on the door. She opened it. "Mari."
"I figured you'd need this." Mari held up a jar of salve. She walked over to the voice pipe and shoved a dishtowel into it so they wouldn't be heard.
Serena nodded. The plump woman was always bringing her salve for her wounds and, when needed, she would sneak some food up here. Mari was one of the few friends she did have on Hydra. Though when Azalea was in the room Mari would have to be stone faced and always agree with the woman.
"I really wish you would behave," Mari said as Serena stripped the rest of her shirt off. "It would be a lot easier on you if you did."
"Maybe." Serena lay down on the bed. Crossing her arms over her pillow she felt Mari's weight sinking down on the mattress with her. It was followed by gentle dabbing of a rag before the cool gel was spread out on her hot, stinging skin. "But you know I can't stand being trapped here."
"I know, I know," Mari said. "You're just like your mother."
"I wish she was still here." Serena sighed.
"I know you do," Mari said.
"If only my dad could come get me," Serena said. "Then this wouldn't be happening. He would put a stop to it."
"You know that's not possible," Mari said. "Despite his emperor strength he's still not strong enough to face against Azalea and her minions. Besides he has no way of getting passed the barrier Azalea put around Hydra."
"There's got to be a way to get away from here," Serena said. "It makes no sense for her to keep me here. She keeps saying she wants me to get my magic under control so I don't waken the Celestial Army. But I've been here for over ten years and nothing's happened. That army doesn't exist. She just hates me. She enjoys torturing me. She's nothing but a sadist."
"She's just jealous of you," Mari said. "She was always jealous of your mother. And that jealousy is now being projected on you. You've done nothing wrong."
"I know I've done nothing wrong." Tears stung Serena's eyes. "It's not my fault I was born a half-breed."
"It's no one's fault." Mari placed the lid back on the jar. "Your mother and father had a right to get married and have you. Never let anyone make you think otherwise."
"No one will ever be able to convince Azalea and the people here of that," Serena said. "She still doesn't recognize their marriage. I'm still an illegitimate child to her. I always will be."
"Sad but true," Mari said. "I hate to leave you like this but if she catches me…"
"I know, Mari." Serena turned and sat up. "I'm fine. I'm just going to hang out here since I'm now grounded."
"I'll bring you something to eat later," Mari said capping the jar.
"You're the best," Serena said. She watched Mari leave the room before getting up and heading over to her closet. Pushing open the doors she walked inside and grabbed another shirt from the rack. After slipping it and a new pair of pants on she walked over to her bay window and sat down on the padded bench. Checking her door to make sure it was closed, she opened a secret compartment that she managed to build into the windowsill years ago, being careful to not knock over her telescope that sat with her. Newspapers and bounty posters were stacked inside of it. She pulled out two bounty posters. One was of her father and the other of a childhood friend. A smile came to her face upon seeing them. She thought they had the same eyes, black, bold, and full of energy and freedom. Eyes that she didn't get from her dad. She got her eyes from her mother instead. Their eyes were pure silver. It gave them a ghostly look. What she did inherent from her father was his bright red hair.
She stared at her father's wanted poster. He had grown quite a bit older since his last bounty poster. His shoulders had become broader, his chin more square. His hair was a bit wavier, unlike hers. Her hair was straight and cut at different lengths. It gave her a wild windblown look, something that drove her aunt insane. Her eyes then drifted to the other bounty poster. She really loved Luffy's poster. He had such a big grin on his face. Her heart warmed and fluttered each time she saw it. With a sigh she rest her head back on the wall. "Daddy, Lalu…I want to see you two again."
She turned her eyes to the setting sun and watched the light give way to the darkness and the moon. A couple hours later a knock came on her door. She shoved the bounty posters back into the hiding spot and closed the lid. "Come in."
The door opened, casting the moon light over Mari as she stepped inside carrying a plate of food and some water. "It's just me."
"Good," Serena said. "I was expecting Azalea to come back and lecture me again."
"She's busy fooling around with one of the guards," Mari said walking over to the window. "It's a wonder how the master still stays married to her."
"Probably because he's a cheater too," Serena said. She took the plate and cup from Mari when she handed it to her. "You know he's not doing all business on his trips. He's getting plenty of recreation with his busty assistant."
"Indeed." Mari nodded. "I guess they were just made from the same type of cloth."
"Glad I'm not like that," Serena said.
"Of course not." Mari smiled. "Your heart belongs to Luffy."
"Mari," Serena said. "Lalu's just a friend."
"Sure he is." Mari waggled her eyebrows. "That's why you're always staring at his bounty poster and talking to him through your bond."
"I have to keep myself entertained somehow," Serena said. "He always has great stories of his journeys. I wish I could be with him though."
"One day you will be," Mari said. "You two were meant to be together."
"One day isn't going to be soon enough," Serena said with a sigh.
"You should eat," Mari said.
Serena nodded. She picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of meat. Chewing it she thought about Luffy and her dad, wondering where they currently were. And also thought she should contact Luffy soon. It's been a while since she's heard from him. She wanted to know he was all right and hear more stories from him. Surely he had gotten into some trouble by now.
Mari took the plate back when the girl was done with it. She left the room leaving Serena with her thoughts.
Serena stayed by the window for a few more minutes before heading to her bathroom, picking up her clothes to discard them in the trash. There was no point in keeping them with how torn and bloody they were now. Her eyes went to the giant tub in the middle of the bathroom. With her back the way it was there was no way she could soak in it. It would only irritate her wounds. So she opted for a shower instead.
Disrobing, she stepped over to the corner of the room. She turned on the water and stepped underneath it. The hot water stung her open wounds. She gritted her teeth and pushed through her shower as fast as she could. As she was drying off Mari had returned to apply more salve on her back before wrapping bandages around Serena's body to keep the gel in place. The woman then bid her goodnight to Serena and left the room.
"Lalu?" Serena called as she turned off her bathroom light and crawled into bed. "Lalu, are you there?"
"Hey, Rena!"
Serena's heart fluttered upon hearing Luffy's cheerful voice inside of her head.
"I was just thinking about calling you!" Luffy said. "You must be psychic or something!
"Or something," Serena said. She leaned back against her pillows. The pressure on her back made her wince so she sat back up. "I was just missing you and wanted to see how you were doing."
"I'm great!" Luffy said. "Just got done battling another pirate!"
"Really? Are you okay?" Serena asked.
"Of course I am," Luffy said. "It was hard but we're all okay. Oh! And guess what? We added another crewmate!"
"Really? What are they this time?" Serena asked.
"He's a musician and a living skeleton," Luffy said. "Isn't that so cool?!"
"Um, Lalu, skeletons can't live," Serena said.
"This one can," Luffy said. "He ate a devil fruit that brought him back from the dead. Or something like that."
"I see," Serena said. "I guess I should have know that's what it was. How is he?"
"He's great! He's fitting right in with the rest of the crew," Luffy said. "I wish he could meet you. I wish they all could meet you."
"I wish I could meet them, too," Serena said. "Why don't you tell me more about this adventure you just had?"
Serena leaned back against her thick pillows, wincing again at the pain, and listened to Luffy tell her stories of his recent adventures on an island called Thriller Bark. The pillows did little to ease her pain. But hearing Luffy's voice inside of her head did wonders for her. She closed his eyes and pictured everything he was telling her about.
"Rena?" Luffy asked. "Are you still there?"
"Hm? Oh, I'm sorry, Lalu," Serena said. "I'm still here."
"Talk to me," Luffy said. "You're upset. I can tell. You only get this quiet when you're upset."
"I just miss you," Serena said. "It's been so long since I've seen you." Tears leaked out of her eyes. She brushed them away. "I really, really miss you."
"Rena, did you try and escape again?" Luffy asked.
"I did," Serena replied.
"I know you want to leave that place, but you're only hurting yourself," Luffy said. "I don't like it."
"I'm sorry," Serena said. "I just really want to see you again."
"Rena, we will see each other again," Luffy said. "We're coming to the New World soon. Once we're there I will come get you. I will get you off of that island."
"Lalu, I don't think that-"
"Trust me, Rena!" Luffy said cutting her off. "I promise that I will come find you! We will see each other again! Just wait for me! Okay?"
"Lalu…"
"Promise me, Rena!" Luffy said. "Promise me you'll wait and not fight anymore! Don't try and escape again without me! I don't want you to get hurt anymore! Promise me! Promise me you'll wait for me!"
"Okay." Serena brushed more tears away. "I promise that I won't try and escape anymore. I'll wait for you to come for me."
"Good!" Luffy said. "I will be there as soon as I can! I promise I'll come for you!"
"Thanks, Lalu," Serena said. "I'll be waiting for you to come."
"You should sleep now," Luffy said. "You're probably tired."
"I can stay up a little longer," Serena said. "Why don't you tell me what your plans are? Where are you heading next?"
"We're going to an island that's close to the New World. It's called Fishman Island," Luffy said. "I don't know much about it but it's one step closer to getting to you."
"Fishman Island," Serena said. "I think I've heard of it before but I don't remember. I think Daddy told me about it. Have you heard anything from him?"
"From Shanks? No, I haven't heard anything," Luffy said. "Sorry."
"It's fine," Serena said. "He's probably busy taking care of his territory."
"Maybe," Luffy said. "And I'm sure he's waiting for me."
"I know he is," Serena said.
"He's waiting for you too," Luffy said. "I'll take you to him."
"Really?" Serena asked.
"Of course! He'll be glad to see you!" Luffy said.
"Then I can't wait," Serena said. Relaxing back in her pillows, she smiled. Luffy was finally coming for her. And he was going to take her to see her dad.
…
The next morning Serena woke up early like always. She laid there for a few minutes before pushing up into a sitting position. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked out her window. They sky was cloudless. "I guess I forgot to shut the curtain." She yawned. "All well. It's about time for me to get up anyway."
Standing up she stretched out her body, wincing at the pain from the cuts on her back, then headed to the bathroom. Brushing out her wild hair, she stared at herself until she could see her dad staring back at her. She sighed heavily. "Daddy, I really miss you. I wish I could come see you right now. Maybe if Lalu can free me from this place that will really be possible. We'll see. I hope he gets here soon."
Finishing up her morning routing, she dressed and headed downstairs. Passing through the quiet mansion, she exited through the door in the kitchen. The air was fresh, crisp, and full of the flowers that were blooming in the morning sun.
"How's your back?"
"It's fine." Serena turned to Mari as the woman walked up to her. She cocked her head to the side, eyeing Mari's garden clothes. The woman was wearing worn out bib overalls with several gardening tools stuck inside of a belt and a large straw hat that did nothing to compliment her plump form. "Must you always wear that?"
"What's wrong with it?" Mari asked.
"It's old," Serena said. "And it smells like grass."
"Well, that kind of comes with working in the gardens," Mari said heading towards the gardens she spoke of.
Serena followed her. Kneeling down on the ground they started pulling weeds from the flowerbeds. While pulling weeds her mind drifted back to her conversation with Luffy. Her eyelids fell half closed as a soft smile curled on her lips.
"So what did Luffy have to say?" Mari asked a few minutes later.
Heat rushed across Serena's face. "What makes you think I spoke with him?"
"Because you get that dreamy lost look on your face when you've spoken to him," Mari said. "You really should tell him how you feel."
"Yeah, right." Serena jerked a weed from the ground. "Like he would understand those kinds of feelings. Which I don't actually have for him. Besides he's busy with his dream of becoming King of the Pirates. He doesn't have time for me in that way."
"You are in such denial," Mari said. "That boy would move heaven and earth for you if he knew the trouble you were really in."
"He'd get himself into trouble if he knew the trouble I was in," Serena said. She kneaded her eyebrows and gave Mari a stern look. "And he's not going to find out."
"It's going to be a hard secret to keep when you leave with him," Mari said.
"How did you…?" Serena's eyebrows rose.
"I knew it! He is coming for you!" Mari smiled. "I was just guessing."
Serena cursed under her breath.
"Better not let the mistress hear you speak like that," Mari said.
Serena glanced over her shoulder to make sure Azalea wasn't outside before turning back to Mari. Keeping her voice low, she said, "How did you know we were planning to get me away from this island?"
"You're easy to read when it comes to Luffy," Mari said. "Your mother was also loose with her emotions when it came to love."
"You got to love genetics," Serena mumbled.
"Don't worry about it. You've got a lot from your dad too," Mari said. "According to Azalea you got too much from your dad."
Serena couldn't stop her smile. Mari was right. She did get a lot of traits from her dad. And the top two that she loved was his red hair and his stubbornness. Those were two things that Azalea really hated about her. She sighed. "If only I got my dad's strength. I would be able to get myself off this island."
"Don't feel bad because you're not as strong as your dad," Mari said. "He's a lot older than you and has lived a different life."
"You mean he's not a freak like me," Serena said.
"That's not at all what I mean," Mari said. "And you're not a freak. Don't think like that."
"It's nice of you to say but you know it's not true," Serena said. "People fear me because of my inability to control my magic. For all anyone knows I can explode one day and kill everyone here. Or awaken that fake army. Seriously. Where did the story of that army come from anyway?"
"Well, all of our history books say the army is real," Mari said. "But I too have wondered if it is real why haven't you awakened it yet? And why would Azalea bring you back here in the first place? You'd think she'd want you away from the gate in case you did open it."
"It would be my luck that I'm so much of a freak I can't even open the gate. But the threat is still there. Or everyone else believes it is," Serena said. "And Azalea isn't going to rest until she figures out how she can get my magic under control. I still don't even get why she wants to do that since she hates me. It doesn't make sense. Why is she keeping me here? You'd think everyone would rise up against her just to kick me off the island or have me killed."
"Everyone's afraid of your aunt, you know that," Mira said. "She's the most powerful of us all, with the exception of you. She governs this island because of that. And she has a lot of people on her side, a basic army. I don't think anyone could rise up against her like that without dying."
"I'm not strong like her. Still there has to be some way to stop her," Serena mumbled.
"You're already doing that," Mari said.
"How am I already doing that?" Serena cocked an eyebrow at her friend. "You know I'm no where near as strong as she is."
"Maybe not now. But you are going to be with Luffy and your dad soon. You are destined to fight against your aunt at some point. I just know it. Getting you out of here will be the best thing for you," Mari said.
"You're out of your mind," Serena said. "But I'll be putting Luffy and his crew in danger too."
"Only if Azalea can find you," Mari said. "You'll have time to work on your magic. You'll get stronger."
"You are insane," Serena said. "And not making any sense. I haven't gotten any better while I've been here."
"It will be different once you're away from here," Mari said. "You always feel better when you're speaking to Luffy. Just imagine how you'll feel when you're with him again. It's probably just stress keeping your magic unstable."
Serena smiled. Her heart raced in her chest at the idea of being with him again. "It will be so good to be with him again."
"And then you can finally tell him how you feel," Mari said.
"Not that again." Serena jerked a weed from the ground.
"He'll fine out eventually," Mari said.
"Have you forgotten who we're talking about?" Serena shook her head.
"Oh, you're not denying it now." Mari elbow Serena in the arm.
"Shut up."
"Well, if he doesn't notice then someone on his crew will," Mari said. "Surely they're not all as boneheaded as he is."
Serena opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by one of the other maids.
"Excuse me, Miss Serena," the maid said. "Your aunt wishes for you to join her in the dinning room after you get cleaned up."
"Great," Serena grumbled. "She only lets me eat with her when she wants something."
"Better not keep her highness waiting," Mari said. "I'll put more salve on your back later."
"Right." Serena stood up. Walking towards the mansion she brushed the dirt off her jeans. Once inside she rushed up to her room and quickly changed to a more suitable outfit of her aunt's choosing. It consisted of a short sleeve, silky turtleneck shirt, and a matching pair of pants before going back down stairs. The fresh coffee met her long before she stepped into the dinning room. The smell of the eggs was what met her next. It made her stomach grumble.
"Sit," Azalea said.
Serena walked forward and sat down on her aunt's left side, two chairs down. She wasn't allowed to sit right beside her aunt. Not that she wanted to. She'd rather sit anywhere else. But still she obeyed. Her eyes dropped down to the already filled plate. It consisted of one egg, a small piece of toast, a divide orange, and her glass was half filled with milk.
"We shall eat first then speak," Azalea said picking up her fork. She turned her attention to her girls. The kids were using their forks as swords. "That'll be enough. Eat your breakfast."
"Yes, Mother," the girls said. They clanked their forks one more time before poking them into their eggs.
"Yes, ma'am." Serena forced the words out of her mouth. A cold silence fell over the room as the group ate. She ate as slowly as she could despite wanting to scarf the food down and run as far away from Azalea as possible. And despite eating slow she still beat Azalea. She had to sit there for five more minutes before Azalea was done with her own breakfast.
"Now then." Azalea dabbed her lips with her napkin then placed it on her plate. "Your uncle and I have spoke about this. And we both agree that you need a tutor. The lack of control you have over your magic is beyond pathetic."
Serena bit back the desire to roll her eyes. Her uncle hadn't returned home yet. Azalea made this decision on her own like she always did when it came to her pathetic, weak little niece.
"He is a very special young man," Azalea continued. "He's one of the strongest on Hydra."
Serena's heart skipped a beat. There was no way she was talking about Keres. There was nothing special about him at all. "Please tell me you're to talking about-"
"Keres Everhart," Azalea said. "He'll make a fine tutor for you."
"Yeah, right," Serena mumbled. "As long as he's not trying to sexually assault me."
"What was that?" Azalea frowned.
"Nothing, Mistress," Serena said. "You were saying?"
"He has agreed to tutor you," Azalea said. "He is well known for his skills and helping people grow with their magic."
Serena swallowed back her reply. He was more known for his sexual habits. And some of his sexual conquests weren't consensual. But since he was a noble of the island he always got away with it.
"And he has asked permission to court you," Azalea said. A cool smile pulled across her lips. "Isn't that exciting?"
Serena's body went cold. Her fingers dug into the thin fabric of her pants, ripping multiple holes into them. Her aunt's words pounded in her head like a drum.
"Serena's getting married! Serena's getting married!" the twins chanted.
"This is an exciting time, Serena. A guy has never had any interest in you before. This union could do our family wonders," Azalea said. "I expect you to be on your best behavior for him."
Her aunt's voice faded away from her ears with each word she spoke. Never before has she had such a strong desire to get off this island. She needed Luffy more than ever now. You have to help me. Luffy, I need you now.