Chapter 58: Hey guys! Randomly came across this...been so long haha im sorry! If anyone is still out there let me know and I'll try getting this up and running again! Hope you enjoy! 3
"What am I doing?"
Kuki looked down at herself in the floor to ceiling mirror. She knew something deep down that none of this was adding up. The memories she had, or lack of, was concerning to say the least. There was so many gaps and missing pieces. But what about that pirate last night? When he grabbed her, when he was close to her, the way he looked at her... it made her heart jump and not from fear. It wasn't adding up, but she knew in her heart that this was her home, that the prince was supposed to be her fiancé ….
"Supposed to…"
But that green haired pirate from last night. He had the nerve to sneak into her bedroom last night. Where did he get the nerve?! But then again, she didn't tell a soul. She also knew in her heart that he was someone special, and he knew and could explain the gaps in her own memories.
"Princess you look absolutely breath taking!" one of the maids exclaimed, clasping her hands together in awe.
She was finally done with the process of getting ready for her wedding. The white ball gown was covered in lace and crystals that shone in the light. Bouncing little twinkles of light in all directions. The top was a sweet heart neckline, paired with white satin gloves and a gold tiara that almost blended in with her hair. The veil clasped behind her fell down and cascaded onto the floor.
"Thank you…" Kuki mumbled, not taking her eyes off of her reflection
For being a princess, she really did not enjoy the process of getting ready in the morning. It didn't feel natural. Just another of the many reason's things felt…. off.
"It's starting soon," the older maid stated, "are you ready Kuki?"
The other two maids glanced at each other over the informal way she had just addressed the princess. Kuki raised her gaze to catch the lady's gaze in the mirror. Something about her look was throwing her even more off.
"Ladies, do you mind if we have a moment alone?" Kuki asked the other two younger girls politely.
They both bowed and turned to leave, softly closing the large door behind them.
"Um…" Kuki started, wanting to ask more but not knowing how to start or even if it was a good idea.
The older maid shuffled up closer, looking Kuki in the eyes before sighing.
"My name is Tessa, and I know this isn't what your supposed to be doing.
"It's Luffy, where do you think he is?"
Zoro grumbled, still slightly embarrassed about dancing. Lily instantly turned to face the buffet snack tables across the back. And sure enough there Luffy was, eating snacks. Surprisingly enough he wasn't stretching his arms, Nami was standing beside him glaring at him as if she caught him doing it.
"So, I'm assuming your doing the snatch and grab?" Lily asked, massaging her forehead as if she was second guessing the original plan.
Zoro watched as people started walking towards the section where the elaborate archway was placed. It was starting soon. His back stiffened with a small bit of anxiety. This couldn't fail they just needed to get Kuki safely to the boat.
"Well, Luffy can't touch this stuff or he'll be just as useless…" the swordsman muttered, sticking his hand into his pocket and fiddling with the sea stone cuffs that resided in there.
Lily nodded in agreement, and tucked her arm in with Zoro's turning him and leading him the second row on the far side of the crowd. Close enough to the Arch where the couple will say their vows but not to close to cause a commotion.
"Hey, I can walk there just fine myself." Zoro grunted under his breath, just enough for the inventor to hear.
Lily got Nami's attention to let her know it was time. The red head nodded and punched Luffy in the arm, leading him to their place in the back near the walkway where Kuki will be walking down.
"I know that but to not draw attention we have to look like a couple." Lily grunted back through a fake smile.
Kuki's face dropped.
"What do you mean?"
She had such a hard time reading this lady's face.
Tessa signed and reached for the golden bracelet that was Kuki's mother's. It was laying ontop of the vanity by the mirror.
"I knew your mother," she started to say, clasping the bracelet onto Kuki's arm, "I know why she left and took you away."
Kuki's breath got caught in her chest. This woman knew her mom? Mari? She had so many questions.
"We do not have enough time to go over all the details but know your place is not her."
Tessa wouldn't break eye contact, holding onto Kuki's hands.
"Wait, what do you mean?" the blonde princess asked.
She was so confused, so lost. This was just adding to the scrambled mess that already was swirling in her mind.
"The prince has a devil fruit," Tessa began to explain, "It effects memory Kuki, but he can't plant things he doesn't know in there." her hand pointed at Kuki's forehead
"Is that why I have so many blanks?"
Tessa nodded. Affirming Kuki's suspicions.
"But please don't blame the prince too much, he went through a lot of hardships during the incident. Losing his father, then losing his mother. He's just trying to uphold what his mother asked of him."
Kuki's hand couldn't stop shaking. This was it. Her heeled foot steps echoed off of the marble flooring. She could hear the music kicking in and the rambling of a large crowd. It was starting to make sense, but why would Tessa go out of the way to tell her all of that and still send her to get married?
"It's okay princess, no need to get nervous." A suited gentleman stated, holding out his hand for her to gingerly take.
The prince had told her that her father was not going to be walking down the isle, she never pressed the issue to lost in everything going on with the planning but it was just one more issue. These red flags were all coming together and rising Kuki's panic.
"Okay…" the blonde nodded her head and slowly took his hand; they were positioned on the inside of the gigantic doors that lead to the outdoor courtyard.
Beyond these doors was the aisle, beyond the aisle was the Prince…. waiting for the ceremony. Her breath quickened and the hair at the back of her neck raised up. How was she going to get out of this? What did that green haired pirate say last night? 'Wait till tomorrow'? Did that mean they had something planned, was there going to be an issue or was this ceremony going to go through without a hitch. Kuki didn't know which option scared her more.
"Ready?" the stranger who was supposed to walk her down the aisle asked.
Two guards started to prepare to open the doors.
Kuki swallowed, "Yes"
Nami straightened up, and gave her captain a little jab to get his attention, they were opening the doors.
"It's starting" she warned Luffy
The music clicked in, and as the doors slowly opened to full there Kuki was. Standing in the middle of the doorway in a beautiful traditional princess dress.
"Can't we just grab her and go now?" Luffy whined, tugging at Nami's side like a child.
"No! stick to the plan!" Nami shushed him as Kuki and the gentleman walking with her slowly started walking.
Kuki couldn't pay attention to anything that was happening. There were hundreds of people in attendance.
'I suppose that makes sense being a royal wedding'
All the faces were hidden behind different colors and shapes of masquerade masks. But even with their identities covered they all seemed completely unfamiliar. This isn't what a wedding should be, this is wrong.
Zoro looked above the crowd and finally caught a glimpse of Kuki walking down the long isle towards the prince. She looked…. well…. great, and that just made him that much more upset.
Kuki looked up and finally made eye contact with the prince. He looked dashing, in a dark blue and gold extravagant traditional formal wear. His black hair was slicked back and he was grinning softly at her. With every step closer her heart was fluttering even faster….and not in a good way.
"Kuki," the prince started to say slowly, taking her hand from the stranger walking her, "You look amazing."
Kuki somehow got most of her nerves under control, faking a smile.
"T-thank you." She mumbled stepping up on the ledge with the prince.
Zoro couldn't stand it any longer, as he watched that prince take her hand. They were placed on the far side behind Kuki, he turned his head to Nami. Catching her eyes finally and a swift nod, he was ending this now.
"On this day we have come together to finally join the Royal prince and princess together." The Priest started to bellow out in a low monotoned voice, "It has been long awaite-"
"Oh my!"
A scream interrupted the proceeding.
The entire crowd went into an eruption of chatter. A slender beautiful lady had fallen her limp body in the middle of the aisle Kuki had just walked down near the back.
"What is the meaning of this?!" The prince yelled, his nerves on edge as he expected some interference.
His guards all shift walking towards the back.
"There seems to be an unconscious lady in the back of the group, sir!" a guard explained, coming up and whispering to the Prince.
Kuki tried to glance to see what was happening, but before she could get a good look the Prince squeezed her hands, making her look up at him.
"Just a second." He muttered, obviously irritated.
He let go of her and took two steps down the aisle along with his men to see what was happening.
"Help my friend fainted!" Luffy's voice rang out over the crowd.
There it was, Zoro's signal.
In a flash of wind, he sprinted out to the archway. Kuki barely had time to gasp as she saw the tall muscular figure of a man wearing a masked appear behind the prince. He easily goes to the back of him as all the guards were currently in front of the prince walking towards the unconscious woman on the floor. Before anything could be done in response there was a distinctive click.
"What in the-" the prince hardly got the sentence out before he fell to the ground, all of the energy was sucked out of him instantly.
Kuki's eyes blinked in that instant, as if the veil was pulled up off of her mind.
The crowd ran into an uproar again, watching their Prince fall to the ground as an unknown figure attacked him.
"Zoro-kun!"
The swordsman then turned and just as fast got to Kuki.
"Finally, back with us Neko-chan?" Zoro chuckled with a smirk.
A heavy blush fell over the blonde's face, again with that nickname. The guards turned their attention behind them, instantly coming to the Prince's aid.
"Sorry to crash your wedding here…" Zoro laughed, picking her up in a cradling motion.
The priest looked flabbergasted but did not dare to interfere with the over powering man picking up the princess. Kuki's heart fluttered as he picked her up with ease, her gown flowing down towards the floor.
"What are you doing?" the helmsman asked, blushing and automatically placing her arms around the swordsman's neck to balance her self.
"Don't worry about me! Get the princess now!" the prince yelled at his men, unable to stand with the cuffs still on his wrists, "Don't let them leave!"