Chapter 1
It has been two years since the news of the Donquixote Family taking over the kingdom of Dressrosa. Everyone talked about it frequently as if it were a catastrophe, and it was, but not when the man had obviously been manipulating King Riku to attack and kill his own people. The method, however, was currently unknown.
Now, a new topic has spurred even more gossip among the townsfolk and even the maids in the royal castle.
"Did you hear?! Donquixote Doflamingo is coming here tomorrow!"
"What?! How come? Is it because of Lady Rosetta's birthday gala?"
"I would believe so! What if King Doflamingo came to ask for Lady Rosetta's hand-in-marriage?!"
"Well, he wouldn't be the first to do that and get rejected."
"Oh, come on now! Maybe she'll accept it this time around. Especially since I hear that he's actually taller than her!"
"Really?!"
In her room, Lady Rosetta thumbed through her mail with a patiently thorough eye and gently fingers. Her dark brown eyes skimmed the letters as her thick, fluffy, snow white hair flowed down her back towards her butt in gentle waves and layers as her nearly albino pale skin glowed in the light of the morning sun hidden behind tinted curtains. Her white dress covered her whole body except for the v-neckline that showed her overly abundant cleavage and neck. The lady was a very thick and curvy woman that could rival those of normal size while standing at 8' 7" tall on top of that. The only other person here that stood taller than her was her godawful brother-in-law, Vinsmoke Judge. He was such a pain in the ass to deal with on a good day.
A sigh left her full lips as she through 2/3 of the letters in the fireplace before pausing for a moment after seeing a rather interesting letter in the pile. She picked it up with ease and opened the envelope before taking out the parchment inside. Her kind, downturned dark brown eyes widened a little bit as they scanned the words on the paper with interest and curiosity.
Dear Lady Barrineau Rosetta,
It has come to my attentions that your older sister, Sola, has died recently and I would like to give my sincerest apologies for it. However, that purpose of this letter is to inform you that I will be coming to your birthday gala. Having heard about you, I had gained an interest to meet you in person. Also, be sure to save me a dance.
Sincerely,
Donquixote Doflamingo, King of Dressrosa, Shichibukai, and Captain of the Donquixote Pirates
Rosetta blinked owlishly quite a few times at the letter before reading over it quite a few times to make sure that she hadn't missed anything.
"Hmm, it seems that I might actually find a noble who is more interested in me instead of my political power and dowry."
The deep, warm, yet subtly commanding tones that resonated from her voice was quite unexpected from a woman who had such kind and soft features. A sigh escaped her lips as she set that one letter aside before taking the twin four feet tall stacks of proposal letters and threw them into the fireplace to be used later tonight.
"My Lady? It's time to get you ready for the gala tonight."
"Oh. Thank you Mariane. Do you mind getting my dress out of the wardrobe and ready the grooming supplies as I take a bath?"
"Yes, ma'am. It should already be drawn for you."
A warm, but small, smile was brought to woman's face as she stood to her full height and made her to her adjoining bathroom. The three feet difference between her and her maid was astonishing to say the least. Especially since the slightly older woman was only five inches short of being nine feet tall. Everything was built to accommodate the large woman as she got into the warm water let out a relieved and contented sigh as the warm water touched her pale skin perfectly. It took her much longer than it did with her body to wash her thick and fluffy white hair due to it being semi-waterproof.
The next 15 minutes were spending drying everything off before wrapping herself in a white fluffy bathrobe that touched the floor as she exited the bathroom and placed herself at the vanity. Mariane got to work almost instantly brushing out the thick waves as curled towards the ends and got to work on how to tame the large thickness that was her mistress's hair. Eventually all of that hair was slicked back into a poofy pompadour while two side French braids held it all back from her face as her much shorter maid brought out the make-up that she was going to be using this evening. Soft brown smoky wings highlighted her darker brown eyes at the corners while clear lip gloss was applied to her full lips. Mascara wasn't needed for already very thick voluminous black eyelashes and neither was eyeliner. Her skin was already so pale that foundation, rouge, and/or blush wasn't needed either. Rosetta stood up with Mariane only reaching her stomach as she went over to her bed picking up the metallic silver dress that she would be wearing tonight.
"Is there anything else you need me to do My Lady?"
"Mm, no Mariane. Why don't you go get ready for tonight's gala? Surely, you'll have the time to relax and socialize."
"B-but, my Lady! You know how your nephews are towards th-"
"You let me deal with Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji. They won't bother you or your sisters while I'm around. Especially since it's my birthday gala."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Thank you. Now, go get yourself ready. I'm sure that I can dress myself in the meantime."
Rosetta gave her maid a kind smile in which was returned before the shorter woman left the room just as her mistress had just started to untie her robe. The nearly nine-foot-tall, thick, and very curvy woman placed her robe down as she picked up a low-cut, V-neck silver dress and put it on after covering her assets with her choice of white undergarments. It showed her cleavage quite well while hugging all her curves in all the right places as it brushed the floor. She smiled as she placed a grey fur shawl over her shoulders before putting on a pair of metallic strapped high heels on her feet. Her assembly was then finished with a golden ring with diamonds surrounding a black sapphire on her left middle finger. This was to show that she was single and available for the picking. So to speak. Though honestly, she picked it out because it was pretty and it went well with her outfit.
A chuckle escaped her mouth as she saw that the sun had gone down in the west signaling that it was time for her to head for the ballroom. She had gotten many looks at jealousy, happiness, and lust all of which she ignored as she reached the ballroom. Rosetta turned to the guards and nodded as a signal done many times before to let them know she was here. The booming voice of the announcer could be heard all the way from out there.
"Entering the sister of the late Queen Sola, and known to us all as the 'White Lady', may I present Lady Barrineau Rosetta!"
The doors opened as she began to walk with her back straight and head held high. Gasps and murmurs of surprise and awe rang out throughout the large spacious room. Either they were talking about her immense height, her beauty, or the curves she sported compared to the much smaller women around her. Most the men here were at least two feet shorter than she was and there was no away that she would want to be married to a much smaller man than she was. However, there was one that towered even the ones that were her height. "Those pink feathers are quite interesting to see on a man. Mm, I wonder who he is."
What she didn't know was that Donquixote Doflamingo hadn't taken his hidden eyes off of her since she walked through those doors. The bright indigo eyes looked at her in immense glee and astonishment that can't be seen through his wide smile unless you knew him very well. But even that is a stretch in itself. "Diamante was right. She is absolutely perfect. I must have her at all costs. Even if I have to kidnap her while she's sleeping tonight I will do it." A quiet chuckle escaped his mouth as a rush of determination ran through his veins and his long spindly fingers twitched as if the urge to use his strings to whisk her away was there. It was.
She was easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life and that is including the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock. Those curves practically ruined him for any other woman that he may or may not lay his eyes on and he doubts he'll ever meet another woman like her. Her wide, plump, and well-defined hips swayed as she took her place in the throne that was reserved for the regent to the right of the king. This was because the king's wife was much closer to his heart and therefore had more sway and say in the King's affairs than the regent did. However, their words of advice must always have some sway in the matter since the regents were designated as the Chief Advisors to both the King and Queen.
This also meant that his chosen bride knew more about politics than most and it only made him want to pursuit her even more than before. His hidden indigo eyes looked towards the three princes and princess, who was the eldest out of the four children, and saw that they gave their aunt a look of admiration and respect that wasn't commonly seen among the noble families. Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji relaxed completely in their aunt's presence and even gave her small, albeit mostly empty, smirks; whereas, Reiju's was more meaningful despite her best attempts at hiding her emotions. This was very … interesting.
He watched as she looked at everyone in the room with an openness that was not found in any noblewoman whatsoever. Doflamingo should know. He's around them for the majority of his day in Dressrosa and the only woman who was even remotely similar to this 'White Lady' was his mother.
"Welcome. Thank you all for coming to my birthday gala. It's really a privilege to meet so many faces among the Noble Families in the New World and in Mariejois. Shiya, it really is. I know that you are all just dying to get this done and over with. So, let the festivities begin! Maestro!"
"Yes, my lady!"
"Play something with a nice rhythm and beat to it. Nothing slow and calm. Shiyashiya, we need to get the heart's pumping with energy and vigor."
"Yes, ma'am! Alright, you heard her! Let's get our grooves on!"
This woman was something else. Even her chuckles were uniquely different than most. Her warm and very deepened voice was also something that was very, very different from the more high-pitched, sugary sweet voices that he was so used to hearing day in and day out. It sent shivers up and down his spine every time he heard it come out of her mouth. "I must get close to her somehow. Hmm, oh that's right. I believe I promised a dance. Fuffuffu."
Rosetta watched the tall man wearing the pink-feathered jacket trying weaving his way through the crowd walking exactly like a flamingo. It brought soft giggles out of her mouth as she watched him with her dark brown eyes and shivered as she felt the harsh and cold eyes of her brother-in-law looked her way.
"Why you insist on these parties is beyond my comprehension."
"You know for a fact that waging war with everyone in sight will eventually be your downfall Judge. Throwing a birthday party once a year will not kill you."
"You infuriating woman! I sure hope that the bastard that takes you relieves me of the stress you constantly give me."
"And deprive your children the only reminder of their mother that they have left? I do not think so. Especially Reiju and San-"
"Do not say that name Rosetta!"
"Why? Because it reminds you too much of the boy that in turn reminds you of my sister?"
"How dare –!"
"Pardon my intrusion."
The curious eyes of the Regent Queen and the furious eyes of the Vinsmoke king turned towards the rather bold and rather determined Dressrosan King, Donquixote Doflamingo. Seeing him up close caused her eyes to widen a little bit more and for her heart to race and pound against her ribcage as her gaze locked with the one hidden behind those sunglasses.
"If you don't mind Your Highness, I would like to ask My Lady for a dance."
The 10-foot-tall man bowed with his right hand stretched out while the other was folded behind his back. His signature smirk came to play on his tanned face, but both respective monarchs knew that he was very serious despite his flamboyant tones. Judge scoffed and waved his hand dismissively as if it meant nothing to him.
"Do what you want with her. She isn't my wife. Only my sister-in-law."
Ooooh, if that didn't boil his blood as much as it did just then, he didn't know what else would have done just that. Doflamingo, despite popular belief, he hated it when men used and treated women as if they were nothing but mere objects to be thrown away. He could feel his smile and body tense up in response to his anger that was only placated with when the beautiful white-haired woman in front of him spoke up.
"That's right. I'm not you wife. She's dead. So, don't treat me as if I am her."
The mere spunk and cold rage directed at Judge was enough to get his blood boiling in a much different way than it did when he was angry. The look of disbelief and astonishment on the older man's face was enough to ignite a sense of amusement in the Warlord's chest even as the gorgeous woman in front of him stood to her full height and gently took his large hand with her smaller one. It just happened to be the one with her ring on it. Seeing where the ring was, made him slightly puff out his chest as his figurative feathers ruffled in his mainly pride.
"I would very much like that dance now."
"Why of course, My Lady."
Rosetta shivered as his long yet large hand took a hold of hers in the gentlest of touches while also kept a firm strength that made her racing heart race even faster than before. Her dark brown eyes looked at him as he took the lead and begin to dance in the infamous flamenco dance that she quickly moved into dancing with a wide smile on her face. Everyone soon followed their example and danced to the beat of the fast-paced dance.
It was exhilarating. It brought excitement and relaxation to her senses as she danced with a man who is finally taller than her and knew how to get her blood pumping in ways that didn't cause any anger-related emotions. The soft, but wide, smile seemed to affect the large man leading the dance as his won wide smirk softened. His hidden indigo eyes took in every single detail and expression that befallen her soft, kind features. It was a sight to see even if he didn't know her personally, but he was absolutely looking forward to it. Once the dance ended, everyone clapped to the couple's enjoyment as well as the orchestra's fine musical talents for the night.
"If I may borrow more of your time tonight, My Lady?"
"Shiyashiya, just call me Rosetta. No need to be formal after we just shared a dance."
"Fuffuffu, in that case, call me Doflamingo … Rosetta."
The already present twinkle in her eyes became more prominent as she smirked in amusement before leading the taller man towards one of the outside balconies. Once the doors were shut, Doflamingo noticed that the white-haired woman relaxed as all of the tensions of being a noble melted away right before his eyes.
"What do I owe the pleasure of having a king and Shichibukai asking for my company?"
"Fuffuffu, well to put it simply, you have intrigued me quite a bit Rosetta."
"Oh? How so? I don't believe that besides my so-called 'beauty' that I would find myself appealing to the opposite gender Doflamingo."
The way that she spoke her words like they were a fact and the now present cold and confused frown on her face, made the 10-foot-giant a bit irritated. He wanted to go and kill whoever had the gall to make those words come out of her mouth. This will not do at all. With that being said, or thought of, Doflamingo moved closer to the 8' 7" tall woman and gently took a hold of her chin catching her attention as he seemed to break her out of her train of thought.
"Your spunk and quick wit was what intrigued me Rosetta. Your beauty is only but a mere bonus that I find quite enjoyable. That, and your smile as well."
"My … smile?"
He had never seen a more confused and astonished expression than he did now. Had no one complimented something as simple as her brightly kind smile to her face before? It was quite scandalous in all honesty.
"Yes, your smile. So, kind and full of warmth that would only be seen in the most motherly and purest of souls."
The heavy blush that appeared on her albino pale features as she diverted her gaze for a moment before looking back to the sunglass-covered gaze of the 17-inch-taller man.
"I don't think anyone's ever said that to me besides my nephew Sanji. He was such a sweet boy."
"Is that so? I'll have to meet him someday to thank him for keeping that lovely smile on your face. Fuffuffu."
"Shiyashiya, he would be around 13 by now. I don't even know where he is right now."
"Have you tried sending letters to him?"
"Yes, but no matter what I do, they are intercepted by the bastard that calls himself my brother-in-law before they can get to Sanji."
"Hmm, that's unfortunate."
Seeing the sadness and worry in her eyes made his ever-black heart clenched itself inside of his chest to a point of being painful at such a look on her features. "Now might be the time to reveal the real reason I am here. However, it all depends on how she would react."
"Rosetta," Once he had her attention, he continued as he took hold of her hands and gently squeezed in a reassurance that this was in fact real and not some twisted fantasy. "The real reason I originally came here was to look in search of a bride."
Seeing the confused and slightly offended look on her face, he chuckled and elaborated.
"One of my advisors, Diamante, suggested that the people needed someone they can relate to. A queen was what he said –"
"Doflamingo, while I am flattered that you have chosen me as a candidate for a bride, I do not fall to the charms of men easily. You want me? You'll have to work for it."
She slowly released his hands as the look of astonishment appeared on his face before he belted out in a hearty laughter. She smiled a teensy bit before she turned to walk away before he firmly grabbed a hold of her arm and brought her back against his chest. Rosetta didn't know how to react to such a forceful and determined move on his part, so she stiffened and waited to see what would happen next. The blonde, tanned man leaned in smirking wildly at the new challenge laid in front of him, both literally and figuratively. He was more than very excited and up for the challenge.
"Then prepare yourself for I am not an easily swayed man when I have my eyes on the prize, Rosetta. And you are very much the prize that I want to win and cherish once you are my queen."
This was not what she expected nor did she even know how exactly to react to this possessively determined devil. However, she too was up for the challenge.