Wow! I never expected this fast response from any of my fanfics like this o_O. Anyway, thank you for the reviews, favs and follows! They always keep me forward!

Happy reading!

Chapter summary: She gets out of the establishment and met someone familiar outside. They... talked as always.

(Reuploaded because chapter is heavily edited, especially the second half; there might be some mistakes still.)


Chapter 1:

"Redemption. That's what I meant as justice."


CONSORT.

According to her master, CONSORT plays the role of an informant or an Intel broker. The person of interest can be anyone or anywhere—it actually doesn't matter as long as you can benefit and gather a data. An information will be always be an information.

"But why am I chosen in this role?" She recalled asking.

"Do you wonder why I sent Rob Lucci to you? The mission I gave to him was a lie. It doesn't matter if he failed or not, the true purpose of his mission actually depends on you."

"Me?"

"Yes. Overall, you passed the test and in turn, led his mission to success. You did a great job following the rule of self-preservation. I said you managed to satisfy him; that was the result that I wanted from his report. But wasn't the only thing I sought from him."

"What is it?"

"He smiled."

"…Isn't that natural? I mean, he came here for… intimate services, right?"

"Does he look like that type of person who walks away happy from this building?"

"…actually, no. He left without a word."

"Oh my, oh my…" Her master shook their head as if amused by her words. "You have no idea."

She decided to leave the rest of the conversation ambiguous since she doesn't want to find what the assassin said to her master. Words of criticism was not exactly a concept she wanted to receive, especially from Rob Lucci who sat coldly throughout her services.

CONSORT was… according to them, a one-time thing in the past. Prostitutes used to take this type of job—correction, prostitutes was assigned to this role in the past and their lack of preservation makes them ideally perfect due to their identity being worthless and unnecessary in the history.

"Wait, doesn't that mean I am no different from them?"

"…did you just forgot what I told you?"

Make a name of yourself and race into the history—that was they said to her.

"...isn't it because I'm a hostess not a prostitute?"

"That's not the point."

CONSORT was uncommon role for a sla—err, 'employees' to take these days. The history about CONSORT barely exist which explains the lack of practice and presence in the present. Additionally, the risk of being betrayed would be a common thing.

"Don't give me that look. I know what you're thinking."

Her master suddenly quipped. Their hands hovering ominously close to her neck.

"You might be thinking you're finally free after taking this role. No, you are not. Sadly mistaken. Why did you think I'll let you go in the outside after such test that I even have to pull out Rob Lucci?"

It was trust, they said. The reason why she was... 'freed' because they had hopes of her… talent to succeed. Her presence she practiced as Green Hostess and the ability to gain trust from unlikely people—these were the skills her master trusted for an Intel gathering. And also, the unspoken obedience she applied to her master as her way of survival was used against her—as they expected her silence about her occupation.

Of course, she was not free. The idea was a conceited notion. She was only given the role of CONSORT to work for them, not to let her roam free. She may have been freed from her cage, the chains will be tighter than it used to be. Wasn't that the purpose of the gift tied to her neck?

"The one on your neck will be used as an exchange. Who, you may ask? Hehehe… you'll know when you met him."

Those were their parting words as they left the establishment. Their visit and explanation was brief and short. They didn't go in detail nor left her hanging about her role. It was an adequate information for her to comprehend and understand.

But… honestly, hearing those words, she doesn't know whether she should be relieved or terrified about it. Sailing to the seas like she always wanted and meeting new things in strange places… everything about it had come with a price.


(Day 1)

She was no person who likes materialistic things. Putting her things in her handheld case bag, it was already to her expection it won't be filled. The accessories used to be with her… either she had gave it away or stolen, she no longer care about it. Those gift were given by customer who wanted to keep her smile, some who proposed her and rejected them but still insist on giving it to her. She does appreciate the sentiment behind it but objects doesn't stay forever. Those things can be replaced.

She closed her bag and walked to the mirror, fixing her hair to the usual braided updo. In the reflection, she wore a long black skirt with combat boots underneath and midnight blue open jacket, showing the golden-colored tank top. She also tied a dark-colored scarf to her neck to hide the double choker. The scarf was actually unnecessary but she wore it to spite her master and the person who will use the choker for exchange—even though she was curious of his identity.

When she was done with her hair, she swept her bangs to the left to cover the left eye and grabbed the muffle mask and wore it. She doesn't want to receive looks from others because of golden cracked skin of her face and neck—the other purpose of the scarf—and snatched the bag from her bed and jumped down from the second floor of her room.

Landing with ease at the ground, the purple dawn swept her sight, the environment around her telling the time of day. Since she doesn't want questions thrown in her way, she figured that she'll leave at dawn to escape from the establishment. It will make a small uproar in the building but that is no longer her business to manage because she would be no longer there to fix it.

Who the hell would get attached to the prison they are leaving behind?

She stretching her arms overhead and took a deep breath from her nose, nudging her mask lower to smell the cold morning and heave a large sigh. To think this was her setting of her role… she smiled at the silent dawn. Even though it's just a temporary freedom, she'll never waste the moment and etched the scenery she'll see as a beautiful memory.

"You finally came out."

"AAAHHH!" She let out a loud scream at the voice she heard behind her. Even though her mouth was covered with a mask, it echoed in the silent area. Turning her attention to the voice, she widened her eyes in surprise. She pointed at the person beside the door. "R-R-Ro-Ro—"

"Don't say my name carelessly."

"…then, Robert-san?"

He walked without a word and went past her with a whisper. "Let's go."

She chased after him. "Go? Go where?"

"Orders to be your escort for today." He said with tinge of exasperation in his tone.

"Ah…" She felt a bit bad on his behalf. "So your mission got extended…"

"No need to show pity, woman. This is my job."

She pouted under her mask. "Woman is not my name!"

"Green Hostess."

"Not that either!"

After a few moments of silence, she sighed at the lack of response from the man in front of her. She was expecting him to ask her name but only failed to rouse him from doing it. Even though it was a embarrassing name... she shook her head to clear her thoughts an decided to distract herself at the surroundings around her, glancing at the buildings that was different she used to remember when she taken in. Something must have happened in three years of isolation she missed.

She nearly collided to the assassin when he stopped. Turning around, he held something out to her. She took the object from his hand with a frown and observed it to the rising sunlight. It seems to be an earring with a tiny snail attached to it.

"That's a stealth Den Den Mushi. According to your owner, that will be your way of communication. They said to report every seven days." He explained before he walked away from her.

"Oh, I see…" She trailed off, following after him as she blinked at the bizarre design of the object in her hand. This looks more like a piercing than an earring… she thought as she brought it to her right ear. And I can't put this on by myself…

"Um, Ro…bert-san, shouldn't I search for someone who knows how to put this on?"

"Do whatever you want." He replied without a beat.

"Thank you." She nodded at his approval. As she looked left and right at every corner of the road, realization came to her.

…of course, it's still early. Who the hell is up at this time of day?

Dark clouds of shame hovered above her, hanging her head in defeat as she silently followed after him. I can't believe my first time being outside… I brought myself to an embarrassment… How uncool…

Both of them silently walked without a word as the sunrise light their path to their destination.


"Wha…!"

"This will be our room." The assassin entered after her in the luxurious room.

She gaped in shock. Golden shine of furniture, the silver blanket in the bed and copper colored floor—it was already obviously what class she was in. She turned her head at the black-haired man who laid at the expensive bed with his eyes closed, hoping for an explanation. He opened an eye when he noticed she just stood there.

"What's wrong? Are you just going to stand there?"

She sweat nervously. "Um, Rob-san, if I am allowed to ask, why are we in the same room…?"

"Because it's cheaper this way."

"Eh?! Then how did you register our names? What did you use as our names?"

"Robert Licht. Emilliene Lily. Lovers."

She riled up at the last word, blushing profusely. "Why that?! And also, that's not my name!"

He clicked his tongue, scowling. "Stop running your mouth, woman. I'm going back to sleep."

"Eh?" She blinked. "Sleeping?"

He just closed his eyes.

She stood by the door, staring at the man in the bed. She looked down with a hard look and clenched her fist. "Are you even wary of me, Rob-san?"

He opened his eyes, glaring at her. "Should I?" His deep voice echoed in the room, loud and clear.

She closed her eyes. "No. I'll be in the deck if you want to see me." She softly replied.

She didn't attempt to look at his reaction and closed the door behind her. Without a word, she walked to the left, which she assumed to be the deck of the passenger's ship. When she arrived, there were people scattered around the large deck. Laughing, drinking, talking… it was already obvious what kind of ship she got into with the assassin.

Her master must have little faith in her… she thought, holding the railings. They even sent Rob-san to be my escort… She closed her eyes, sighing while taking the strong breeze to her face as her clothes billowed wildly to the wind. Standing at the very front of the deck, she raised elbows and spread her arms to welcome the wild wind to her body. She smiled at the familiar feeling of the smooth yet rough touch of the air, her hair flying away as she removed the hair clip.

Really… with this sense of freedom, it feels like my slavery was just a long bad dream.

"Woman."

Of course, as always, reality would set in... Equipped with a usual smile, she turned around. "What is it?"

She buckled her legs in a flash, her eyes widening at the leg that went over her head as she dodged his kick. Tightening her grip at the railing, she managed to regain her balance and backed away from the assassin. "I-I thought you're going back to sleep, Rob-san…"

"I just remembered something." He simply said with a blank look as he raised his leg. She braced herself for incoming attack.

"Rankyaku."

She forced her body to bend, dodging the compressed air went by above her as it hitt the random objects behind her in horizontal cut. She recovered herself, unbending her back as she met the gaze of the assassin in front of her.

"Do you recognize that, woman?" He promptly asked.

"..." She pursed her lips, her expression anticipating his next move.

He narrowed his eyes. "I see. Then, what about this?" He curled his hand, leaving only the pointed finger. She tighten her grip at the railing, readied herself at the sight of it.

"Hey! What's going on there?!" She heard a faraway voice. "Don't go destroying the ship, you damn agents! You'll disturb the other passengers!"

The assassin seemed to freeze at the voice before he put his hand back to his pocket. "Tonight. Same place."

She sighed in relief as she leaned against the railing. She stared at the walking assassin, his back facing her. What was that about?

"Hey." Someone called behind her. "Is something wrong?"

She looked behind her and saw a well-dressed woman approaching. "No, it was nothing. I just had an argument with my boyfriend." She lied through her teeth.

"I see." She replied, turning her gaze at the assassin. "…why are you with that dangerous man?"

She choked a gasp, startled at her words as she tried to give her a smile. "E-eh? You have mistaken him with someone else."

"No need to hide it. This ship is funded by the World Government, it's natural to see them here."

"Eh?" She looked around her. "…by World Government?"

"Yes."

No wonder everything looks luxurious… Ah.

"Um, miss." She stood up with the support of the railing. "Is it possible to help me with something?"

She arched an eyebrow to her. "What is it?"

She grabbed the stealth Den Den Mushi earring from her jacket. "With this."

The woman narrowed her eyes at the sight of the object from her hand and raised her gaze to her face. She smiled. "As a fellow woman, I will. But under one condition."

"Eh?" That came out just nowhere.

"You have to break up with that man."

"Ehh?!" That's a hard thing to do since they weren't together in the first place!

"Well?" The woman inquired, waiting for her response.

"Y-yes." Fortunately, lying is an easy thing to do. Well, she doesn't even have to do anything since they'll 'break up' by tomorrow.

Tomorrow…

That reminds me, what does Rob-san wants tonight?


After the help of the mysterious woman to put to piercing to her right ear, she tried to get her name out of politeness. But the woman only replied cryptically and left with a smile, speaking of a promise that they'll meet again in the future which made her a bit confused, even adding a few words as a fellow woman in the every sentence she can.

The sun is nearly hitting the horizon, painting the sky into an orange portrait. She figured she would skip dinner for tonight, remembering the words of the assassin of the promised place they'll meet. In that incident earlier in the morning, she wondered the reason behind it since she was told he was going to rest. But that sudden attack... she frowned. Why was she attacked with Rankyaku and asked her familiarity to it? It doesn't make sense. Well, it is familiar to her since someone showed it in her childhood and promised to keep her silence that she saw it.

"Ah." She was surprised to see the assassin already standing at the promised spot, facing the sunset when she arrived.

"Woman." He said without even turning to her.

She blinked, staring at the relaxed posture of the man in front of her. His curly hair tied in a ponytail bellowing at the calm wind. "…what is it that you—"

She froze. Just above of the choker and through her scarf, there was a singular touch at the back of her neck at the same time he disappeared in front of her.

"Do not move. You can defend yourself but do not move." His voice came behind her.

How is that even possible?!...is what she wanted to say but her voice didn't came out from her locked jaw.

"Shigan."

Goddammit…! My aunt will yell at me but I have no choice!

"Tekkai!"

Her body recoiled at the force connected from the back of her neck and was thrown to the railing, nearly falling to the sea. Relaxing her body from the technique, she rubbed her neck at the stinging sensation. "Ow, ow, ow!" She hissed in pain as she looked behind her, seeing Lucci with his index finger out.

"Where did you learn it?" He glared.

True to her promise, she kept her silence.

His eye twitched. "What a persistent woman. Do you really want to die that early?"

"…why do you want know about it?" She finally said.

"Rokushiki is not something to be taught outside. Since you are just an ordinary woman who barely had connections to the marine, it is obvious someone taught you from the inside." He narrowed his eyes. "So answer me, who taught you?"

"…I see. I honestly don't know about that." That's why she told me to not show it and keep my silence… she thought while standing up, facing the assassin. "Is there a reason why you want to know?"

"If it's someone from the marine, it will be an act of treason." She widened her eyes. "If it's a commoner, they will be killed."

"…on whose order are you acting now?"

"Don't worry. I won't kill you." He seemed to caught the implication of her words. "Both are to be expired tomorrow morning."

"So you're under the orders of someone other than my master, huh?" She muttered under her breath. "What would you do if I don't?"

A graze of wind passed beside her face, a drop of blood sliding inside her mask at the slit cut from her temple.

"I won't miss next time." He said with an outstretched finger.

Killed? She's gonna get killed? Her mind was in disbelief along with annoyance to her aunt for not telling her the reason why had to keep her silence. Why didn't tell me that if she's gonna get killed?! I didn't know there would be consequences!

I shouldn't have asked her to teach me about it!

But its too late to lament now. According to her aunt, Cipher Pol agents can use Rokushiki—abilities exclusively for them as tools of assassination. Despite knowing the purpose, she still asked her aunt to teach her as her way to get stronger to amend her weakness when she was attacked by pirates, the incident which resulted her amputated arm. If I tell Rob-san who taught me, she will be killed. She closed her eyes, testing the weight of the other option.

"…and if I do?" She said after the pregnant silence.

"Join as a Cipher Pol agent."

Huh? She looked at him with a startled look. That was something she didn't expect to hear. "Why?"

"Orders. Someone caught their eye on you and recommended you to enter as one."

Who would never thought someone would recommend her... She frowned. Huh? There's something wrong…

"That's strange, Rob-san. I've been in custody for three years, how can someone caught their eye on me?"

"You're a smart woman. Think about it."

Someone had already set their eyes on me since then? The thought crept her out.

Wait, that's not the current concern…! "Don't change the topic! Answer my question first!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Personal curiosity. As mentor of yours, they clearly failed to teach you how unrefined your technique is. Well, based on your appearance, I think I had an idea who it is." He added the last part as an afterthought.

Wha—?! "If you already knew, why are you threatening me to spill it out?!" She yelled in aggravation.

"Confirmation."

She grabbed the railing, feeling getting dizzy at his words. He threatened me for just a simple curiosity…? She felt like she was about to faint right there but a tight grasp from her arm steadied her.

"Well?" He looked at her expectedly.

"Well?" She huffed repeatedly.

"Will you join or not?"

She touched her temple using her free hand to ease her headache. Her hand twitched when she felt something wet and pull it away to see stains of blood from her fingers. She frowned. "I'll think about it."

"No." A tight grip from her arm made her winced. "Will you or will you not? Now."

"Ow, ow, ow! Okay, okay! I'll tell you! I'll tell you now!" She rubbed her arms when he let her go, taking a few good steps from him. She sighed. "I'm grateful for the offer but I'll have to refuse. Master entrusted me something important." Probably. "And I can't distract myself to join the Cipher Pol agents and lost my sight to the mission." She bowed to him. "I'm sorry for refusing the offer."

All she heard was silence from him. Still bowing, she heard footsteps walking away from her before it stopped. "Even though you were taken away from the world, lost your connection outside, being forced to serve as a hostess—you are still loyal to this 'master'?"

that's right. He doesn't know about me being a CONSORT now… She raised her body, standing straight as she faintly smiled behind him. "Rob-san… what were you expecting as an answer?"

He turned his head slightly to her, not showing his face. Without a word, he walked away from her which she assumed to be the dining room. Even though she said she'll skip dinner, she decided to go after him. It was, after all, a once in a lifetime experience to eat in a passenger ship with a restaurant owned by World Government.

At least, her aunt will be safe if she didn't say about it. She inwardly sighed in relief.

Both of them went to their room after eating their dinner. Without arguing who will take the bed, they laid in the same bed as they faced back-to-back after both of them took a shower.

She closed her eyes, raising the blanket to her shoulder—which both of them also shared—and fell to the darkness without her noticing.


She hugged the pillow tightly to her arms, feeling herself getting awake involuntarily. Glancing with her half-lidded eye, she saw the dark sky outside the window, the night still apparently young. She dropped her head back at the pillow and closed her eyes, tightly hugging the pillow which was… warm and strangely breathing for some reason. She raised her head to look and her eyes went wide.

"R-Rob-san…! I'm sorry! I—" She whispered profusely while trying to get away from him but his arms in her waist preventing to do it. Are you kidding me, he's still strong even in his sleep…?! She struggled against him which made him held her tightly in his arms as her head fell beside his, face-planting at his pillow.

She reluctantly relaxed against him in defeat. Resisting against him seemed to be useless and careless actions would probably result death. But… she carefully moved her arms as if she was afraid that he'll attack her in his sleep. Why is he holding me tightly like this? I'm not a pillow for hugging... She had no problems with him at the idea holding a pillow in his sleep, after all, it was a way to lessen the insomnia. And his occupation as a killer, he probably had nightmares and see things in darkness. At least, to her assumption.

Her body was loosely draped on his body, his arms to her waist and she can't move. And most of all, she can't go back to sleep because of her position. She was a bit amazed he wasn't bothered at all that half of her body was on his body. She attempted to move her legs, nudging her upper body to raise it while carefully loosen his arms to her. When she finally moved his hands, she gradually raised her body from him, her hands in either sides of his head. She inwardly sighed in relief when she successfully separated their bodies to each other.

"Hey! What are you doing?!"

She stiffened. Looking at the man below her, she swore she heard something high-pitched so unlike and unsuitable from him.

Hoot, hoot, hoot.

She snapped her head to the side and saw a white bird sitting at the window.

...was it a bird? No, no! It came below me, there's no way it came from the window.

She looked back at the assassin, still pinned under her and sleeping soundly. Seriously, if it came from him, she's going to hit herself and pretend that it didn't happened in real life—just something she just made up in her head.

"Robert Licht. Emilliene Lily. Lovers."

She blushed profusely at the remembrance. Without realizing that her arms was already trembling at the weight of her body (and the pressure at their proximity), she fell back to his body as the assassin grunted under her. She froze, shocked as their bodies reconnect before she inwardly hitting herself, fuming at her mistake. Idiot, idiot...!

"What..." She heard him groan under her. Realizing his arms was no longer on her, she immediately threw herself at the other side of the bed, her back facing to him.

"It's nothing, Rob-san! I'm sorry if I was on top of you..." She trailed off, unsure of his response.

There was a pause. After that, she felt the bed shifted which she assumed he went back to sleep. She breath out in relief as if she just got out from a battlefield.

"Woman."

She nearly had a heart attack when he called her. "Y-yeah...?"

"Why are you taught with Rokushiki?"

She opened her mouth but closed it back. Is it even safe to tell him...? He was chasing after her aunt for teaching the abilities to her. She turned her head behind her but only to snap her head back when she saw him facing her, lying in his side. "W-why are asking me that?"

"Does it need a reason?"

Goosebumps broke out to her skin as his breath caressed at the back of her neck. "No. It's just... it's a bit personal."

"..."

"...is it personal curiosity, Rob-san?"

"...maybe. A woman like you from the outside shouldn't have learn it."

She let out a wry laugh. Being inside that establishment for three years, she kinda find it funny someone telling her that she came from outside. "If it is, I don't mind telling you. Just... don't put it in your report...?"

"..."

She sighed. No promises. "I... needed something to defend myself."

"From who?"

"Pirates."

She heard him made an unimpressed noise as if it was obvious.

"But that was a long time ago. That's why my technique is bad. I wasn't able to learn all the abilities."

"Why?"

"Like I told you, I needed something to defend myself. I only learned the defensive ones of your Rokushiki."

"You're not interested in revenge?"

She sighed. "Revenge is not my thing. Didn't I already told you? Vengeance is an exhausting quest."

"You're not even angry to the pirates? Not in the slightest?"

She shifted to lie on her back, facing the ceiling. "Angry? Hmm... not at all." That was actually strangest thing about her. There was no anger built up within her during that day. It was just a feeling of resignation. Her obedience to her master is an example for that. The familiar feeling of she had no choice.

"You're a strange woman. You don't think they don't deserve justice? Their death?"

She turned her head to him with a frown. "Instant death for their actions? Shouldn't you hear out their reasoning first?"

He had a blank look directed to her. "Pirates speaks through their action. There's no need to hear their reasoning."

Ah. I forgot he's an assassin. "I guess we have a different idea of justice then. I don't like your way of things."

"Oh? You actually have the nerve to say that. Then what is justice to you?"

She looked at him straight in the eye. "Redemption. That's what I meant as justice."

He returned her look. "Ridiculous. Pirates are absolute evil. They don't deserve redemption."

"Because the World Government said so?"

He didn't respond but instead, he laid on his back. She decided to continue her words. "Humans are natural sinners. Arrogance is just a disguised loneliness. Wish can be distorted into greed as an imitation. There are no such thing as absolute good or evil in this world."

She heard him sigh beside her, so softly that she almost missed. "You're way too kind. Who would dare to see this world as decent one? The world had been always chaotic."

She huffed, frowning at him. "How can you be so sure about that? If you look at the right places, the world had always been good."

"You expect me to search for the right place? I am always in the right place."

"Because you came from the righteous place?"

He turned his attention to her with a hard look. "I was taught right. I was discipline right. I was expected to be right. Who would question that place to be wrong?"

Is this... blind loyalty? "Rob-san... are you aware of the actions of your higher-ups?"

He scoffed. "Only a blind man doesn't."

So he is aware... "That's an insult to blind people. Apologize when you see one."

"I have not offended a single blind man in vicinity. I have no need for apology."

She gave him a tired smile. Well, he's not wrong... She turned her head to the side and saw the bird still perched at the window. That's reminds me...

"Rob-san..." She gestured at the bird, turning her head to the assassin. "Is that Hattori-san?"

He turned to his back to her. "What about it?"

"...nothing really." According to her aunt who likes telling stories about marines (and anything related from it), the bird was the pet of Rob Lucci which she just realized until now.

"Go back to sleep, woman. The ship will arrive tomorrow early in the morning."

She pouted. "My name is not woman."

"Green Hostess."

"Not that either..." She sighed in defeat, wondering if he's playing around or it was just an automatic retort.

"If that's not your name, then what is it?"

"Oh." She actually rouse him when she didn't intend to. She hummed, thinking about her embarrassing name. Well, she didn't have to tell him if she'll just give him her surname. "It's Trueheart."

She almost freaked out when she heard him chuckle. "How fitting. A person who sees good and bad of the same place. A true sight for a Trueheart... wait, it's Trueheart?"

"Yeah... is something wrong with that?"

"...go back to sleep."

He didn't answer my question... "Umm, good... night...?"

"...see you tomorrow, Trueheart."

I guess, that's his way of saying good night. She accepted the notion and closed her eyes to sleep.


(Day 2)

"My job ends here." Rob Lucci suddenly announced, startling her when they arrived at the port.

"Eh? That's it?" He gave her a pointed look. "Okay, okay... I was expecting something grand so... Thank you for your services, Ro...bert-san." She bowed to him in gratitude.

"..."

She looked up to him when he still didn't leave from his spot. She nervously sweat as she saw his blank yet concentrated look directed at her. "W-what is it?"

"Trueheart Beatrix is your aunt, isn't it?"

She froze. He figured it out?! "What gave it away?"

He rolled his eyes. "You introduced yourself last night. Did you forgot?"

She hanged her head, reaching out an apology to her aunt. I'm sorry, Bea-san... I failed to keep the promise...

"But... as long as you don't tell a single thing about me to others..." He lifted a finger to his lips. "It's an equal trade off."

She raised her head at him. Did he just... "But I don't know a single thing about you."

"Good." He returned his hands to his pocket. "Until we meet again," He started to walk away. "Trueheart Beauty."

Her jaw dropped in shock. She didn't realize that uttering her surname would give away that much information. He's an assassin for goodness sake, of course he would have that much with him. And intel gathering was supposed to be her job. She inwardly hit herself. What a failure she's turning out to be! But... Gazing at his back, she gratefully smiled at him. As the first person whom she recognized from the outside, he was also the one who accompanied to her to the outside.

She bowed ninety degrees at him, despite the distance between them. "Thank you, Rob Lucci-san. I am honored to be in your presence even though you were ordered to do it."

Her name is Trueheart Beauty—Bea as she preferred. Being ironically captured as hostess because of her appearance, Green Hostess was not just an appropriate title for her.

It was her name.


Ring, ring, ring… Ring, ring, ring… Ring, ring, ring… Clank.

"Yo, Lucci! How's the recruitment going?"

"It didn't go well."

"Really? Ah, what a shame. I was excited since she was recommended."

"Aside from being excited, I'm actually curious of her abilities."

"…wait, she rejected the offer? Why is that?"

"She was already ordered to do something."

"Something? What 'something' is that? Do you know?"

"How foolish of her. It was a guaranteed safety under the World Government."

"Did you force her to accept it, Lucci?"

"Are you deaf? He already said it didn't go well."

"Ah… you're right. Must have missed that."

"What are you going to do, Lucci? Your mission was a failure."

"…"

"Aside from his mission, death was a punishment for someone outside who knows Rokushiki, right?"

"Oh! You're right! Ahahaha! I wonder what she was thinking when she rejected it…"

"Does she even know the consequences when she learned it?"

"Did you manage find out who taught her, Lucci?"

"…no."

"Really?! Wow. She must be someone skilled if she managed to run away from the great Rob Lucci, Robber of Light! Hahahaha!"

"What 'Robber of Light' nonsense are you talking about?!"

"You know what 'Robber of Light' I'm talking about!"

"You two, be quiet! Lucci is listening!"

"…back to the original question, what are you going to do?"

"I'll kill her."

"Well, that's obvious. She's basically a criminal at this point."

"When are you gonna kill her? We're stuck in our current mission."

"For now, I decided to let her go. The next time we'll meet each other, I'll befriend her and get close to her. When I do, I'll snap her neck and watch her eyes go wide in terror as the light that shines from it dims at the edge of her death."

"…as expected from Rob Lucci, Robber of Light. You're brutal as always."

"Of course."


a/n: first things first... AHH I CANT BELIEVE I FORGOT ABOUT HATTORI IM SO SORRY I WAS SO FOCUSED ON LUCCI

ahem. a little bit of fun fact: Emilliene Lily was the name of my OC from my older one piece fanfic. Not that in order, her name was actually Trueheart D. Agnis Emilliene and title of my older ff was "Trueheart Lily"-"Lily" as her nickname from Emilliene. But in here, my OC at first had a different name but I really liked the name "Trueheart" so I carried it over here. Her name was supposed to be "Fagerstorm Evangeline" but I compromised with a new one.

I am sorry if I made Lucci a bit OOC. My idea of him was very rough and I would have to rewatch one piece if I wanted to.

...the sea is broad and wide, of course the first person she befriend outside became her "enemy". Don't expect characters to go lovely-dovey with her, its full of different kinds of people and you cant expect them to tolerate our MC.

Speaking of broad and wide, I kinda planned ahead for 4-6 chapters of what content I would write. But beyond that? Oh shit. I'm in trouble for writers block so I'm asking you guys for an idea which is the question below.

Review for this chapter that I wanted to know: what canon arcs in anime/manga are you expecting Bea(uty) to get entangled into? And who are the characters you want her to meet? It doesn't matter if its impossible or not, go get crazy with ideas! (I'll give you a shout-out for giving me one!)

another fun fact: her master and the woman she met are canon characters. You can speculate their identity if you want! (Again, it may give me some ideas!)

...does cruise ships exist in one piece world? I've been thinking about that since I've started writing this chapter.

Next chapter! This person is a fan-favorite!

(I reuploded this chapter because I realized it was messy. Sorry for the inconveniece.)

See you next chapter! (I fucking talk a lot sorry for the long a/n!)