Reiju didn't remember the time she was kissed. It was not that she cared about romance and her husband-to-be. She knew the wedding was going to be a disaster. The Emperor Big Mom wasn't known to have allies. She had subordinates and considering Judge was not a man to agree to such a thing (due to his enormous pride), Big Mom would resort to anything. Reiju laid in her bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to ignore the noises behind her door. The soldiers were rushing, screaming about pirates and intruders.

But, honestly, what woman didn't think of her first kiss? It was just a passing thought. She didn't think it through like a girl in her teens. Was there something wrong in Katakuri-san's mouth that he covered it? Surely, it was not an accessory. There was no way she was going to kiss him through his scarf.

She imagined herself pulling it down and dropping a kiss in his mouth.

Noiselessly, she got up, watching her lady-in-waiting sleep in the dresser. Reiju grabbed her blazer and wrapped it around herself. The chateau was boring. Her brothers and father were in another room, drinking and drowning in debauchery. She was disgusted and always separated herself from them. Yonji only laughed at her apparent distaste for their activities.

"Reiju-sama, do you need anything?" The girl asked, rubbing her eyes,

"No, Cherry-san. I just need a glass of milk." She lied. "Please rest. I'll be back for a while."

The half-asleep girl yawned, mumbled her thanks, and slumped back. She snored slightly.

Her pink nightdress was short and cut above her knees. When she entered the garden, Reiju slightly felt the chill seep in her metallic bones. She looked over the view of the palace and listened to the cicadas.

"You don't look like you're being held against your will." A baritone voice commented. Reiju whipped her head to the direction of the sound, her guard up and ready. The man was blond, wore a chef's apparel, and had a lit cigarette in his mouth. His most distinct feature he had was the curly brow. The curl was opposite to the rest of her and her brothers but she instantly recognized him.

Reiju opened her mouth, gaping. The man felt slightly conscious and pocketed his hands.

"Uhh, it's been a while."

She stared at him with wide eyes. The blond groaned. "Say something would you."

"Sanji." She breathed, choking. "It's been a while."

Her younger brother grinned, blowing a puff of smoke. "Speechless?"

"What are you doing here in Wholecake?"

"Ah yes. The million belli question." He grinned again. Reiju felt a smile creeping in her lips despite the dread. "I'm a gourmet chef. Isn't it obvious?"

"You shouldn't be here." She said.

"My crew is here." Sanji said. "They're guests."

"What?" Reiju didn't know what to make of this man who was Sanji and her brother. She didn't know if she was reacting properly.

"With my baking skills, I presented to help bake the cake and the deserts. Big Mom invited us." He blew a puff of smoke and watched it fade away in the night sky. "We're trying to get copies of the poneglyphs here in the chateau." He said. "We're technically undercover."

"You're the intruders?" She asked. "Are your friends insane?"

He shrugged. "They are, aren't they?" Then he laughed. "When I heard Germa's involvement, I initially wanted to skip this island. My captain won't let me as he promised to kick Big Mom's "ass". And then I heard you were the one going to be married." He sighed. "I don't want anything to do with the Vinsmokes but it's you and I know you. At least, I used too. So I thought perhaps you needed my help."

Reiju smiled wryly. "Returning a favor?"

"You're not like them." Sanji said. "You deserve better."

She didn't answer immediately. When a minute had passed, she spoke, "what if I wanted this?"

"Wha- what?" He asked. "You want this?"

"I'm not sure." She muttered.

Sanji parted from his cigarette a second and looked down thoughtfully. "A clean alliance isn't what Big Mom wants." He paused. Reiju noted he was tired but he didn't seem to look unhappy. Perhaps this was what freedom felt. "Tomorrow, your groom will give the cue to kill Vinsmokes."

"Cue?"

Sanji clenched his jaw. "The murder of his bride will be the cue."

Reiju's hand grew cold. But she remained steady. "I know this alliance is doomed." She dismissed. "If I am to be free from them through this, then so be it."

"Reiju." He called softly. "My captain allied with someone here. Close to the emperor. He'll help us assassinate Big Mom."

"W-what?" She scowled. "Why are you telling me this? You know how loyal I am to Germa. How can you be sure I will not disclose this information to these pirates."

"Damn." Sanji dropped the cigarette, crushing it beneath his soles. "You're still family. Judge and the other assholes are," he seemed strained. "family.If I didn't fucking do something, I won't be able to sleep at night." He gulped. "Myfather would kick my ass if I let you all die."

His father?Reiju blinked.

"You were the one supposed to be in my place, you know." She breathed. "They were about to hold that old man from East blue as hostage. But I took your place." She looked at Sanji. "I have had enough of this family for years. Perhaps, I only remain loyal to Judge because of his modifications but I wasn't about to let them bully you into doing something that would infringe your freedom."

Sanji only stared at her back. "I am a failure, I kn—"

"No." She shook her head calmly. "You are not. You're what our mother hoped for."

The blond reached for his pockets and opened another cigarette. "Fucking jerks." He said, pocketing his lighter. "I'll strangle them if they lay their hands on that old fart." He turned to her, cracking a smile. "Thank you. I want to share this burden with you."

Surprisingly and to her frustration, tears spiked her lashes. "You don't have to."

Sanji finally saw that she was losing this.

"I will play the part as Katakuri-san's bride." She conceded. "I'll put my faith on you, Sanji."

He nodded reassuringly. "My captain, Luffy is a pain in the ass. But everything goes in his way. I don't know how he does it. Trust in him, please." He said. Sanji looked down and shouted, "Oi, marimo. What the fuck are you doing out here?!"

Somebody replied below, "shut up, dartbrow. I'm looking for Robin and the others. Where the fuck are they?"

"They're on their way to level 2! How the hell did you go from there to here?! I'll kick your ass if you lose my Robin-chwan!" Reiju looked in amusement as Sanji continued to exchange vitriol to his friend.

Sanji sighed heavily. "Stupid swordsman always loses his way. I don't know how Robin-chan puts up with it." He muttered.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Reiju, remember our plans. I have to help this mosshead to level 2. I have to leave." Before she could wave goodbye, the blond jumped from the garden. She watched below as he landed a kick to the green-haired man who blocked his kick with his swords.

Reiju rubbed her arms and walked back inside the chateau silently.

This is not the wedding yet. I do apologize if I have wasted your time and found the chapter quite bland.

In this AU the Strawhats are invited to the Wedding and Sanji helps the chefs and Streusen bake the cake. Big Mom is a weensy bit lenient compared to her counterpart. Obviously, Sanji and Reiju's reunion was not tearful since I thought it would be out of character for them to just hug and cry and apologize.

It's a casual conversation strangers and I thought it fitted. Also there's no Katakuri/Reiju interaction here so let me say I'm sorry. There'll be plenty in the next though. I won't be updating until next week.

If you have complaints about this story, feel free to drop them. I can't promise to listen to them bec I wrote this to indulge myself and my stupid fantasies.