A/N: I am so glad that you guys enjoyed the previous chapter, it seems getting that one out of the way opened my writing floodgates lol. Thank you for your comments and messages it really helped me plan out this chapter.
This one is all about dialogue and tying up a few loose ends, with a question that I would like you guys to answer at the end:P.
Chapter XX: Pyrrhic Victory
Two days have passed since Crocodile's dramatic defeat in Alubarna, and the rains haven't stopped since then. Much like the never-ending flow of myriad things that needed attending to. Public petitions, damage inspections, advisory meetings, and so on and so forth.
Vivi threw herself into this whirlwind of activity in an attempt to escape the worries that came with Doflamingo's announcement and of course his presence...
The man oozed charisma and intoxicating charm whenever he felt like it, which happened virtually at all hours of the day. Vivi wondered if she would ever feel truly comfortable in his presence? Despite all this, his unceremonious announcement about their marriage and the lie regarding her Father's blessing revealed just how manipulative he could be.
His mind can be as fatal as his physical strength, but this is where I can keep up with him.
The mind games between the two intensified soon after that pyrrhic victory, Vivi's first step was to hash out a plan with her Father, the goal of which was to reduce the significance of their union as much as possible. King Cobra agreed with her idea and was now locked with Doflamingo in his study to discuss their marriage contract. Cobra was uncompromising in his insistence that Vivi stay out of it, for the time being, excusing her absence as "tradition".
Thus she allowed Terracotta and the remaining servant girls to drag her to the Royal Baths.
As soon as the women undressed and covered Vivi in a simple white towel, they led her into the steam baths and shut the door behind them. The bluenette knew that they were guarding the entrance outside mostly to prevent their Princess from leaving rather than letting anyone inside.
Involuntary relaxation huh? Vivi smiled thinking about the worried palace staff, she no longer saw them as such, for they were like family to her. Growing up, the servant girls were her playmates and Terracotta was there for as long as she could remember.
She practically raised me.
Vivi complied with her "cleansing confinement" mostly because she did not want to worry the elder woman any further.
Sighing in defeat, the Princess looked at her surroundings, nothing much has changed there during the years she was absent. Not that it needed any of that, in the first place.
Left one on one with the white marbled splendour of Alabastan architecture, Vivi took in the beauty of this sanctuary, appreciating its magnificence and practicality.
The enormous domed ceiling created an ethereal effect with the sunlight passing through its round opening and arched windows; their geometric stone grids cast golden mosaics on the marble walls and floors. A circular colonnade surrounded a large round pool of warm water, fed by an underground spring and the occasional rain, it reflected and amplified the natural light.
Tiered, marble benches built into the alcoves surrounding the pool and one large round platform stood at its front, right beneath the opening in the dome. Vivi sat on it, with her knees tucked under, her fingers dipped into the pool which overflowed from the surplus of rainwater.
The gentle sounds of water flowing out of the curved golden faucets, polished to a sparkling perfection over the centuries, amplified the calming ambience of the place.
Baskets filled with aromatic herbs and flowers dotted the perimeter of the round platform, their heady scent would make newcomers dizzy, but for Alabastans this was a comforting smell.
The whole complex was built for the country's busy royals to take a moment of peace and contemplation. Something Vivi didn't appreciate as a child but was now immensely grateful for this respite.
I wonder what challenges faced the women who came here in the past? How did they deal with them?
Lulled by the hot steam air which emanated from the air shafts below, Vivi leaned back to lie down. Allowing the hard, smooth, heated surface to soothe her tense muscles and warm up her body.
"Mmm. This feels so good." Vivi murmured, closing her eyes, she let the warm steam envelop her body and mind.
Vivi didn't think she could remember the last time she felt so safe and comfortable, but as a thin film of perspiration covered her skin, she thought of that particular night in the desert on the outskirts of Alubarna.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist, a hard chest against her back, the comforting heat all around her.
The scent of driftwood and musk...
I felt safe back there too, even though I was in his arms...is it wrong to feel that way?
What difference would that make now anyway, I am to be legally chained to him. But for how long?
Vivi sighed in frustration, turning onto her side, she propped her head up on the elbow.
Her moment of "contemplation" was short-lived.
"Puhhhhhh! How did all this even happen? Is this the fate the Gods," she picked up a neroli blossom from a basket, "have picked out for me?!" She raised her voice at the peaking sky in the dome above and threw the flower into the pool.
Her eyes squinted trying to see how far it would go, but the room was engulfed in a thick, opaque layer of steam, making it hard to make out anything beyond arm's length.
Something clinked in the distance, alerting Vivi. She jumped up, clutching the towel to her chest.
"Who's there?!" her voice echoed throughout the space.
It has to be HIM again.
"Look, I am already marrying you so if you have one shred of decency left, you will turn around and leave. You shouldn't be here in the first place."
A stifled, feminine laugh came in response.
No, that's not Doflamingo, she sighed in relief.
Vivi could make out a silhouette of a tall woman approaching her through the steam.
She smiled, instantly recognizing her elegant gait. As she got closer, Vivi noted the dark hair that contrasted with the white towel wrapped around the woman's body.
"Robin! You're alive!"
"I can't believe it myself hehe." The beautiful brunette finally materialized before Vivi and hugged her.
Vivi smiled sheepishly and tried to protest that she was too sweaty for physical greetings.
"Come sit with me! How did you get in here? Tell me what happened at the tombs?" Vivi pulled away and motioned for Robin to sit with her on the platform.
"Let's just say that Mr.8 sure knows how to repay his debts." Robin smiled mysteriously.
"Igaram?! He's here?!"
"I wasn't lying when I said he was alive you know, somehow he managed to get in touch with Mr.9 who then helped him board a Baroque Works' ship. He spent his days as a stowaway until the ship reached Alabasta and then...well, in short, he pulled me out of the rubble to a safe house. That's how I could come here today. Mr.8 is a bit of an enigma hehe."
"Must be quite the story..." Vivi remarked, but she couldn't help but smile.
"I guess it is, but I'm sure that it pales in comparison to yours." Robin's blue eyes widened when she thought about the dramatic events of the last 48 hours.
No one gets a break around here, well at least Crocodile will be off my back for now.
Until someone else needs to decipher a poneglyph.
"Ah, that..." Vivi trailed off.
"Yes, tell me more about 'that', I heard what happened to Crocodile and your water trick and the speech that followed after. That was a good one, well done Princess." Robin's eyes twinkled mischievously, "but now about Donquixote Doflamingo..."
The bluenette grimaced.
"Right, Doflamingo, Donquixote. Doflamingo. I am still trying to get used to saying his name out loud." Vivi dipped her feet in the pool.
"Well that is something already, go on." Robin nudged her.
Idly paddling the water, the younger woman turned to look at her companion.
"Well, as you know I met him in Jaya..." Vivi began.
Robin bit her lip. I did send her there after all...
"I guess you followed Crocodile's orders to dispose of me there, isn't it ironic that we can sit and talk like this now?"
"Fate works in mysterious ways, and I am sorry about it all. That is something I came to discuss with you but for now, let's stick to the subject, please. Back to Doflamingo. Go on."
"You're a tough one," Vivi snickered, but her eyes darkened. " In Jaya, Doflamingo offered me to help eliminate Crocodile but in return...he asked me to bear him an heir. So here we are."
Robin inhaled sharply. As I suspected, he doesn't joke around that man. In a way, I drove her to accept his offer almost as much as Crocodile. But unlike him, I do experience remorse... now and then.
"..." Robin nestled her chin in the palm of her hand, "I am sorry, Vivi. I truly am. If it weren't for that poneglyph, I would have never worked with Crocodile. But-I, I really couldn't miss this opportunity. It blinded me, I've worked for this for so long, at the end of the day, it's all I have left in my life. "
"Why are you so fixated on finding them?" Vivi instantly regretted asking that question. Of course, she's the last Oharan.
"I always dreamed of finding the Rio poneglyph and somehow complete my mother's work."
"This is about the void century isn't it?"
Robin nodded solemnly.
"I see." Vivi struggled to reconcile how a person could focus so much on the past and the dead with zero regards to the living.
She shuddered when it dawned on her that this was her credo during her time with Baroque Works.
I have blood on my hands too, all in the name of my goal to identify the culprit. It's hard to accept this though.
Vivi's jaw clenched as she turned to face Robin again. "What's done is done. Did you get what you came for?"
"That I did." Robin could sense the mounting tension.
"It's strange, isn't it? We both got what we wanted while working for Crocodile?"
"That's true in my case, but in yours...well at least you identified him and stumbled upon an unusual 'weapon' for his defeat. " Robin smirked.
Vivi gave her a strained smile. "But in all seriousness, can you promise me something?"
"Yes." The brunette could feel her heart pound in anticipation.
"Don't let the suffering and the deaths of my people be in vain. Keep them in your mind whenever you venture out there. Uncover the truth about the past, but don't ever forget the present and the real people in it."
"I promise. I am doing this for a living too," Robin spoke earnestly, "but you are right, you know, I lost a part of my humanity somewhere along this path. And I do regret that. Especially now that I helped Crocodile destroy this incredible land." Robin lowered her gaze. She will never know how much it pains me to destroy living history, but this is my grief. My punishment, alone to deal with.
"Even if there's a-" the archaeologist continued.
"Thank you." The Princess interjected, it pained her to hear this as much as it did for the other woman to admit it. She didn't want to think anymore. "I've been here for quite a while now; I need to cool off for a bit. Excuse me." She got up.
"Sure," Robin gave her an understanding look.
Vivi slipped into the pool.
An uncomfortable silence, more suited for a crypt rather than the opulent baths, filled the space. Robin watched as Vivi went further into the water, her white towel floated away like a little cloud in the bright blue sky. Her flushed skin was in stark contrast with the lapis lazuli inlays of the pool.
Then, a slightly piquant thought drifted into Robin's mind.
This should liven the place up a little hehe. She crossed one leg over the other.
"Tell me, Princess, have you ever been with a man before?" Robin raised her brow quizzically.
Vivi froze with her back to Robin; the water reached just below her shoulders.
Flustered, the younger woman tried to cough out the water that she swallowed upon hearing the question.
"It's alright you don't have to be so shy, we're all women here. Or are you still...a girl?"
Vivi swam closer to the brunette's line of vision.
Hmph. I bet she can tell anyway, why bother asking?
"No, I've never been intimate with a man before if that's what you're asking. Do we need to talk about this?"
"We certainly don't, but aren't you curious in the least?"
Vivi tilted her head to the side and covered her chest.
"Perhaps a little. This isn't something I can discuss with my father. I guess I could with Terracotta...but she, well she's Terracotta! The same woman who changed my diapers and everything. I can't do it with her either. But was is there to discuss anyway? I get the process and how it works."
"Understanding is one thing, actually doing it is another." Robin disagreed.
"One of my books described it as 'short friction with an exchange of bodily fluids', which it all is at the end of the day anyway."
"Eugh, of all the books you could read on this subject, this is the sort you use for reference? How can someone so young sound so clinical about it? "Robin jokingly lamented but noted the curious gleam in Vivi's eyes.
"Aren't you a little bit curious? Especially given whom you're marrying."
"Well, I can tell that he isn't shy in his attempts to demonstrate his skills."
Robin chuckled.
"Well you know," Robin perched over the pool. "His reputation precedes him even in that area, from the New World to the North Blue. Doflamingo is rumoured to have a voracious appetite for sex."
"Is that so?"
"So they say. Apparently, there is an interchanging parade of women at his palace in Dressrosa. He doesn't even need to ask, they throw themselves at him."
"Maybe he planted this rumour himself haha!" Vivi grinned, but somehow this information irked a little.
I wouldn't be surprised if he did! Ha!
"Maybe." Robin shrugged before continuing, "well if it is true, you can at least rest easy knowing that he will KNOW what he is doing. So before giving him an heir you might enjoy the process."
Vivi playfully splashed Robin with water.
"Hey, hey I am a devil fruit user remember?"
"A little too well."
They both giggled. Robin readjusted her towel a and looked down at Vivi in the pool, her face and dark hair loomed right above the young woman's head.
"Honestly, after all, you've been through, and what I put you through," the older woman corrected herself, "I want to help you avoid further difficult circumstances, so I feel I must tell you about it. I am by no means an expert when it comes to seduction or lovemaking, but I know a thing or two. " Robin shuddered remembering her earlier attempts, she probably has a better idea of it than I did at her age!
"If it makes you very uncomfortable then let me know and we can end the discussion right here. But I want you to go into that union and let it benefit you as much as possible, you have a knack for that, but you need to develop it further. So what do you say?" Robin smiled and extended an arm over the water.
"I'm in." Vivi grabbed it and climbed out of the pool.
Sitting in front of Robin, Vivi was all ears.
"I want you to make the most of the marriage situation. Doflamingo is a very influential man and is supposedly very protective of those loyal to him. Likewise, his subordinates are known to have a fanatical reverence for him. Now imagine how useful it will be to have someone like that on your side?"
"I see where you're going. In that case...how should I prepare myself for the days to come?"
"You know the first time's always painful but perhaps even more so in your case, remember to relax as much as possible and think of something positive...like how enjoyable it will become over time. Seduce him, create a lasting bond with him so that he comes to depend on you in certain ways. You have all the tools for it."
Vivi blushed at Robin's indirect compliment. "What about the 'parade' of women at his palace?" she asked cautiously.
"If you satisfy and intrigue him enough, he will forget about them." Robin paused, studying Vivi's face, "it bothers you hm? Doflamingo being with other women?"
Vivi looked away. "It does make me uncomfortable."
For Robin the answer was obvious, but she wanted the younger woman to reach that conclusion herself.
"Why is that?" she asked gently.
"It's hard to explain. He is easy to hate and just as easy to li—APPRECIATE." Vivi enunciated the last word as much as possible.
The brunette smiled warmly at her. You're too good for this Princess and most certainly too good for someone like Doflamingo.
"You know back in Rainbase it seemed to me that he cares a lot about you."
"Well, of course, I'm the 'chosen' incubator. What an honour." Vivi scoffed sarcastically.
"Hmm...if he thought like that then he would have taken you directly from Jaya. But he gave you a choice and let you go instead. Soon after that he came here and destroyed Baroque Works and fights our ex-boss...for you. I know I wouldn't go through all this trouble for someone I view as an 'incubator'." Robin reasoned.
"He also had an issue with Crocodile selling weapons to his clients." Vivi countered.
"Oh please, he could always send one of his crazy executives to deal with that."
"Is there anything you don't know?!" Vivi asked in amazement.
"Comes with the territory." Robin's mellifluous voice cracked with amusement as she gave Vivi a wink.
"I bet being a Revolutionary also helps." Vivi pointed out; she is a jack of all trades!
"Now and then..."
"What are they like? Everyone is so terrified of them."
"They are probably crazier than Doflamingo's executives hehe, but they're a delightful bunch! Always so welcoming and supportive. Although some of them are a little too idealistic but they'll grow out of it."
"Like I did huh?"
Robin frowned. Don't.
"Vivi, may I call you that?"
"Of course, I asked you to in Rainbase."
"Vivi, please don't ever lose that caring, humane side of you. It is so rare nowadays, and I know how easy it is to become disillusioned in this world, but hold on to it. I am sure that you will rise above it all someday. If there is anything I can help you with at any point in time, do not hesitate to ask me. And I will be there. That is another promise I insist on."
"Thank you so much!" Vivi teared up.
"I mean it. I wish I were strong enough to take on Doflamingo myself and get you out of this mess, but we both know how that could end right now, we'd be made into some nice vulture meals eh?" she imitated the Shichibukai's string slashing her neck with her index finger.
Vivi giggled at Robin's morbid sense of humour.
"That's true! But I am glad that we met, I wish it were under better circumstances, and I do appreciate your help."
Vivi hesitated before lowering her voice, "Where will you go now? Do you think the World Government knows you were with Crocodile?"
"I hope not! I will have to leave tonight and go to one of our outposts to report to my superior." Robin answered mysteriously. I wonder what he will make out of this entire situation? Hopefully, he won't break into pieces hehe.
Her eyes twinkled humorously at the thought.
"Do you need a ship? Can I see you off? Father had a few questions for you too." Vivi brought Robin back to reality.
"Oh, no I got it covered don't worry, I gave you enough trouble to last a lifetime or two! As for seeing me off, I don't think it's a good idea with the Marines swarming around. But I wouldn't mind waiting for you both at that magnificent library I heard you got here." Robin nudged her playfully.
Vivi smirked at the unsubtle hint and stood up.
"Perfect, we can continue this discussion there, it's too hot in here anyway. Let me show you the way!" Vivi gave her a wink.
And with that, she led Robin out of the steamy oasis by way of the back entrance to avoid any curious gazes and unwanted questions.
In any culture, time or place, a King's study made for a venerable place, where the fate of millions could be decided, from lifesaving ideas to war strategies- this was the place where history was often made. And King Cobra's study was no exception.
Despite the fact that his current meeting was one of a personal nature, it still held resonance for his numerous subjects and the geopolitical landscape they were all in.
Naturally, he knew this and so did his "guest", another, younger King.
Looking around the surprisingly bright and airy room, Doflamingo wondered how many historical events were written and rewritten there.
It was sparsely furnished, save for a large rectangular table with an ivory centre and an obsidian border, consular chairs of brown leather with gold accents on their arms, and spacious floor to ceiling shelves of darkened Tamarisk wood, that lined the walls all around, except for one place. This housed an impressive wall carving of what Doflamingo assumed to be some ancient Alabastan King.
A map of the kingdom stood behind the table, and many notes and documents filled rattan baskets of various shapes and sizes around the area.
They seem to go for quality and simplicity here. It was a pattern the astute Shichibukai noticed throughout his stay in Alabasta, from the Palace to the local cuisine which was rich in its variety and spices but not overly exotic on flavour and presentation.
It was different to what he was used to in Dressrosa, with its vivid colours, flamboyant clothing and passionate people.
I wonder if it has always been this way in Alabasta, or is it just the locals pandering to the preference of the current King? Remembering what he read about the land, Doflamingo knew it was the latter.
His eyes lazily drifted to the subject of his thoughts.
King Cobra was often lauded for his wisdom and benevolence, so much so that it took someone like Crocodile a Herculean effort to diminish his reputation in the eyes of the world.
Even after the scandals broke out, and the Rebels gained momentum, there were still pockets of staunch Royal supporters throughout Alabasta and beyond; likewise, the Marines had a hard time believing the incriminating evidence they were 'presented' with.
Doflamingo knew that duping the man won't be so easy this time around, yet he also knew that the King's sense of fairness could easily be his weakness.
There is no way he can be so cunning given his friendship with my father- the most celebrated fool of all time.
The blond studied the older man seated across from him.
The years have etched their marks on his face, but they failed to detract from the man's noble features. His aquiline nose and prominent cheekbones gave him an air of authority; he reminded Doflamingo of the kings found in ancient myths he read about as a child; he was handsome but in a very statesmanly kind of way.
The man's dark eyes scrutinised Doflamingo with a mixture of incredulity and curiosity.
Likewise, the blond noticed how the King wanted to showcase his land in all aspects of his appearance.
Charcoal hair, coiffed to the shoulders and anointed with Alabastan oils. The oils left an aromatic trail of frankincense and myrrh in the King's wake. He was dressed in a simple brown kaftan embroidered with native symbols of the sun and various animals on its collar, and a purple cloak— the result of prized pigments found in Alabasta's shellfish. Even his well-groomed beard mimicked the ones found on the sculptures and art of ancient local kings.
And yet, his daughter looked nothing like him, although Vivi already showed that she inherited his cerebral qualities and on second thought, his cheekbones.
In short, King Cobra was a textbook personification of a respectable King, loyal to his land and its people.
You can't come closer to the ideal than that fufu. Let's see if he lives up to his image.
But before he could even open his mouth, King Cobra chose to break the ice first.
"So, looks like you made yourself my son-in-law already." Cobra's rapped his knuckles against the desk, reminding Doflamingo of a drumroll.
"I like your approach, skipping all the formalities and going straight to business."
"Well, no point in wasting our time here. Vivi said she accepted your proposal, and I made a vow to my wife to never force our daughter to marry someone against her will. So I will choose to believe her this time around." Cobra explained. I know that if given a choice she'd rather be free. But the least I can do now is adhere to her plans.
"That's very generous of you."
"It is indeed." Cobra nodded almost stupefying Doflamingo by his simplicity. "a few days ago I asked you a question..." he began.
"I remember, the issue with me being a pirate, Shichibukai and an excommunicated Celestial Dragon, right?"
"Right." You're one complicated man! Cobra scratched the back of his head.
"I prepared a few generous donations to the World Government, which should be on their way to the coffers as we speak. As for the Celestial Dragons, well I have my ways with them.."
Cobra creased his forehead. He has no boundaries...what a madman. I guess his parents' deaths traumatised him as a child.
The elder man sighed as his eyes stared directly into Doflamingo's pink lenses.
"You know I sent out a search party to the North Blue for you and your brother all those years ago...how many has it been?"
That I didn't know. Doflamingo inhaled sharply. "Thirty-three," he answered automatically.
Cobra shook his head in disbelief. "I wish they found you sooner, but the government would not budge, your location was classified. Even your father's murder by the angry mob was never disclosed to anyone beyond CP-0."
"How did you find out then?" Doflamingo didn't bother to correct his father's cause of death.
"I had my men bribe one of the port workers in Mariejois. That's how I found out about the island, by the time the search party got there they heard the news. And you were on your way to...becoming your own man. And your brother was ...in the marines."
"I bet you were surprised." Doflamingo guffawed.
Cobra gave a hearty laugh at the irony.
"You bet I was! But you proved to be a tremendous success in...uh, your line of work. So I was relieved. More so because you are free in this world and living your life on your terms, not by the standards of some lazy freeloaders above. Just as your parents would have wanted."
"I lost everything I was born into, you know." Doflamingo began.
"I know." Cobra agreed.
"No, you don't because you were born a King and you will die a King. I was born a God, and reduced to a nobody because of my father's poor decisions."
Cobra was a lot more intuitive than he ever let on, he could feel the bitterness radiate off Doflamingo.
Vivi was right; he detests Homing.
"But you gained a formidable influence and took back your ancestral lands. That's remarkable in my opinion. I used to talk to Vivi about you as someone to look up to." Thankfully she picked other role models.
"Yes, she said something similar when we first met, I was surprised that you asked your daughter to look up to someone with a very messy past. No wonder she turned out to be so reckless fufu."
Cobra's eye twitched, surely you're not blinded enough to believe that?!
"No not that, although I have to admit she was a handful as a child. The number of fights she got into...we could barely keep up with her." Cobra raised his hands in mock defeat. "I talked about you as an example of someone who could create a prosperous country and pursue his other dreams. We have a saying in Alabasta; it goes: 'every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.'* I was trying to explain it to her and thought you exemplified its meaning correctly."
King Cobra's sincerity felt so genuine to Doflamingo that even he bought into it.
I will quote that the next time I see the desert cat.
"Well, I am honoured that His Majesty would think so highly of me."
"Don't mention it; I have always admired self-made people." Cobra protested as he remembered Vivi's words, "Father, remember to butter him up, praise him whenever you can. This will work to our advantage, trust me."
The charade continued.
"I can assure you that as my wife, your daughter would want for nothing in this world."
Cobra smiled at that, but his eyes instinctively drifted across the room to a black leather chest housed in one of the shelves.
The other candidates would have probably said the same thing...
"Needless to say, I am pleased to hear that!" he remarked awkwardly in response to Doflamingo's assurances.
I spent years compiling a list of suitable spouses for Vivi! Guess we won't be needing this, for now. His dark eyes gave one final longing look to the black chest before refocusing on his "ill-begotten" future son-in-law.
I still can't believe any of this, if it weren't for Crocodile!
The current situation annoyed him to no end, and he hated going against his nature but this was for Vivi, and he would be damned if he didn't try to make the best of this mess for her.
King Cobra grit his teeth as he tapped the smooth surface of the desk once more. Titi will you forgive me?
"Well then let's set out all the terms of the marriage contract between you two." He slammed his palm against a clean sheet of paper.
Behind his coloured lenses, Doflamingo was intrigued.
"Let's do that." he waved his hand in agreement.
Cobra nodded approvingly. It was as disingenuous as it could get, not that he didn't try to be sincere in the beginning. And he indeed was sincere in his gratitude for Crocodile's defeat. But inwardly, King Cobra could feel his veneer of propriety begin to crack.
Sure, one could applaud the Shichibukai's confidence, but there's a thin line between arrogance and confidence and he sure as hell doesn't know the difference!
"Hold on I will summon my scribe."
Doflamingo nodded as the older man got up and opened the double-doors to his study.
"Penthu! I am in need of your services!" he called out, before returning to his seat.
Within seconds, a short man with a bald head, clad in off-white robes waddled into the room.
"Greetings Your Majesty!" Penthu bowed before his ruler and turned repeated the same movement in front of Doflamingo, "An Honour to meet you Sir." he acknowledged the guest with a throaty voice.
Doflamingo only tilted his head in his direction.
If Penthu was offended by the Shichibukai's unfamiliarly indifferent greeting, his placid expression never showed it.
King Cobra, however, was not pleased by Doflamingo's coldness. He probably looks down on me too. But like his scribe, he chose to quash his displeasure as soon as he felt it.
The latter quietly sat on Cobra's side of the table, with his ink pen ready to attack the sheet before him.
"Doflamingo, please state your terms." Cobra requested politely.
"Very well then." the blond gave the king a forced grin.
Leaning back in his chair, he folded his arms behind his head.
Cobra raised his eyebrow, "Yes?"
"Before I begin, it goes without saying that your daughter will be revered and respected in Dressrosa. I will make sure of that, although I probably won't even need to given that she has a natural charm about her that Dressrosans will love." Doflamingo threw in his charm.
"That she does," Cobra answered truthfully, as his lips curled up into a genuine smile.
"First, I want Princess Vivi to stay with me in Dressrosa for a year after we marry, just to be sure you know." he licked his lips.
Cobra shuddered inwardly. I will need to see what we can do about this.
Sensing the man's distaste, Doflamingo readjusted his seating pose and placed both of his feet on the ground. Adopting an air of seriousness about him, he leaned into the older man.
"Naturally she can return to Alabasta to have our child, but after that, I would prefer for her to stay with me in Dressrosa until she ascends the throne here. After she becomes a Queen, Vivi would only need to spend at least three months of every year as my wife in Dressrosa. We can both visit the child anytime we want."
King Cobra had to purse his lips so as not to interrupt Doflamingo's ongoing list of demands. He could hear Penthu furiously scribbling away in his chair.
No one wants to see Vivi go, although to be fair under normal circumstances these demands wouldn't be out of place.
Doflamingo's penetrating voice continued to resonate throughout the room.
"Second: as my wife and the Queen of Dressrosa and currently the Princess of Alabasta, I expect Vivi to maintain a spotless reputation and public image. I would need her to be above reproach in the eyes of the world."
Well, one of you has to be, Cobra thought sarcastically as he listened patiently.
"Third: any child born of our union will bear the Donquixote name and rule over Dressrosa and any other territory I see fit to assign later on. However, ruling Alabasta is entirely up to Vivi's discretion."
Doflamingo noticed how this evoked a surprised pause from the Royal Scribe.
"I am fine with our child ruling both Kingdoms, but if she needs an additional, separate heir for Alabasta, I am happy to help...to avoid a conflict of interest that is. You can add that in the additional terms fufufu." He laughed at his joke.
Hmm, this could be our stumbling block, I will need to warn Vivi, Cobra folded his arms.
"Is that all?" Cobra asked exasperatedly.
"Are they that bad?" Doflamingo asked in mocked sympathy, "I have one more."
"Go ahead."
"The fourth demand is that the child or children" he smirked when he heard Cobra's loud exhale, "will not engage in piracy but act as a legitimate ruler honouring my legacy and that of my wife."
"I find the last one rather surprising, but I am also relieved that you would include that," Cobra remarked as he placed his elbows on the table. "Now what do you plan to offer in return?"
"I love working with you fufu!" What a pragmatic man you turned out to be eh? Shame that didn't rub off on that fool. It may have saved Mother from all that.
"Oh, I think you are going to like what I will offer in return fufu."
"If you say so..."
"Well for a start, I will fund every revitalisation project in Alabasta that you or Vivi deem appropriate."
Penthu the Royal Scribe felt his palms sweat at the prospects that this could carry as he noted the terms.
Cobra stroked his beard in thought, he may think that's generous, but he is robbing me of MY precious daughter!
Irritated by Cobra's indifference to his generous offer, Doflamingo went on.
"I will also offer your kingdom its anti-piracy unit for protection as well as tax-free ports for Alabastan merchants in Sabaody, Wano, Dressrosa and any other territory I can influence/conquer later on."
"You are a magnanimous man Doflamingo," Cobra commented enthusiastically.
"Thank you, but that's not all," encouraged by the elder man's reaction, Doflamingo decided to throw in another "bonus."
"I will defend the interests of Alabasta at all Shichibukai meetings as well as higher-level assemblies involving the CP-O, Gorosei and of course the Celestial Dragons," he concluded triumphantly.
Cobra nodded slowly. "Thank you for that. Penthu I trust you got it all down?"
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Good."
With that taken care of, he turned his attention to Doflamingo.
"Well, first of all, I appreciate the time and care that you put into setting up all these terms and for considering our situation so thoroughly. As Vivi's father and the head of the Nefertari Dynasty and the sovereign ruler of Alabasta, I would like to bring my list of demands to the table."
Of course, you would; you Nefertaris strike the iron while its hot fufu!
"I am sure that His Majesty knows best." Doflamingo assented.
Cobra cleared his throat.
"Before I begin, I would like to strike off one of your generous offers."
"Oh, which one?"
"The last one. We are a humble people, living in a harsh environment, there is no need for us to draw more attention from the upper echelons at Mariejois. Still, I am thankful that you would make such an offer."
Now, THIS is interesting; you're a wolf in sheep's clothing King Cobra fufu. Doflamingo's mind raced at all the possible reasons on why the king would deliberately lay low.
"I see, most people in your position would kill for the opportunity...but you are not 'most people', and I will respect that." Doflamingo acquiesced.
"We are not ready for that; it's all sand and a space on the map especially after the Civil War and Crocodile's schemes," Cobra explained.
"Certainly, I apologise for changing the subject. Please continue."
Both Cobra and Penthu were taken aback by Doflamingo's diplomatic tone.
"Very well then. I would add an amendment to the first term from your list of demands for practical reasons. I need to prepare Vivi for the throne and teach her everything she missed during her absence," the King's voice tightened at that.
"So spending most of her time in Alabasta after the birth of your heir will benefit us all tremendously." he paused letting the last word, and his acceptance of it sink into Doflamingo's mind.
That seemed to do the trick for the blond grinned.
"How much time would you want her to spend here then?"
"Eight to nine months of every year until she ascends the throne. Basically the same schedule you wanted to maintain after she becomes a Queen. " Cobra responded quickly.
"Ah, three months in Dressrosa." Ah, why not? I can visit anyway.
"Alright." he accepted the counter-demand.
Perked by the Shichibukai's swiftness, Cobra raised another point.
"If your child is to rule Alabasta as well, then it cannot solely carry the Donquixote name. Tradition calls for a 'Nefertari' only, but I can change the laws so that a dual dynastic name like 'Nefertari-Donquixote' is acceptable."
"Fair enough, the dual name does sound more powerful." Doflamingo smirked.
"Hm, it certainly does. Another thing we need to consider is the volatile nature of your work." Cobra noted with concern.
Doflamingo knew this was going to come up, but he wanted to hear the other man's take on it first.
"You needn't be so worried about my 'work', I have it all covered," he reassured him.
"I am sure you have but just to be safe and protect your heir and by that also my own, I want to add the following terms: in the event of your death or incarceration the child is to stay with its mother who is to return to Alabasta immediately. Likewise, in the event of Vivi's death," Cobra visibly paled at the thought, " before the child turns sixteen years of age, he or she will stay in Alabasta under the guardianship of someone chosen by Vivi."
"So the child stays in Alabasta in either case." Doflamingo frowned.
Have a little faith in me old man.
"That is correct. Unless Vivi dies after it turns sixteen, which is the legal age here. I am sure that you have a lot of enemies, envious of your success who would pose a dangerous threat to your heir and to Vivi. I am adding this term for their safety... and for the protection of your legacy."
"Very well then. But in that case add the following to the contract: 'upon reaching the age of sixteen, any child borne of this union is to join his/her Father in Dressrosa.' I need to train my heir to the throne too fufu."
This is starting to turn into a competition. Penthu glanced between the two men as Cobra pondered his next move.
"Fine by me, provided that if at any point you are branded a criminal or enemy of the World Government and become a wanted man then Vivi is to abandon Dressrosa and your heir automatically forfeits any claims to the Dressrosan throne." Cobra issued another term.
"His Majesty drives a hard bargain." Doflamingo cracked his knuckles.
"Life has trained him well. Ha!" Cobra threw his head back in laughter.
"It certainly has!" Doflamingo practically sneered, "Is that all?" he mimicked the King's earlier tone when he asked the same question.
"Is it that bad?" Cobra returned the fire. "I have one more."
Doflamingo couldn't hold his laughter at the elder man's sense of humour. If it were anyone else, I would have killed him fufu.
"Go ahead."
"You are to honour Alabastan traditions whenever you are here, which also means that you can never publicly humiliate Vivi. If these points are invalidated then the rest of the terms laid in the marriage contract become void and your union- annulled." Cobra concluded.
"Well I can always learn about your traditions, I obviously see no point in publicly humiliating Vivi either. I can circumvent these demands with ease. His Majesty needn't worry about setting up traps for me fufu."
I will tell Trebol to prepare a list of all their traditions. The humiliation part...well that's covered by one of my terms too. Either way, the Desert Cat will have to maintain stellar reputation fufu.
"I am sure you will manage all that, besides you're not the only one who has to be careful in this union. " Cobra justified his decision before addressing Penthu.
"Add this point just for Vivi: In the event of a conflict of interest for Vivi, Alabastan interests should prevail over any obligations for Dressrosa. Failure to do so will strip her of her rights to the throne. That should be all."
Penthu froze for a moment knowing that he can't contest the King's decision, he gulped, and his hand lost its steadiness as he finished up the all the terms.
"Even the precious daughter is caught in the crossfire." Doflamingo whistled at the harshness of the final term.
What game are you playing at Cobra?
"All in the name of fairness." Cobra smiled at his friend's son.
Frankly, by this point, the Alabastan King raised more questions than answers for Doflamingo. The man was an odd puzzle of juxtaposition.
Doflamingo listened carefully to Penthu read out all the terms of the marriage contract, as soon as the man finished he bowed and left the study.
"He will be back soon with the official contract for us all to sign," Cobra explained his departure.
"I see, he has his work cut out for him. As we all do now, I wanted to discuss the wedding itself with you."
"Ah, in light of the recent events Vivi begged me to hold a private ceremony here at the palace."
"But the people were ecstatic when they heard my announcement; surely a grand ceremony would bolster their spirits and their support for you!" Doflamingo protested.
"You are right, and I am losing sleep over this. But Vivi wouldn't budge, and I promised my late wife that I would respect our daughter's wishes, so I already issued a public statement announcing your nuptials on the day of her coming of age ceremony. It has been delayed by two years already. I can't put it off any longer."
Cobra reached for a small book on his desk. "This would put the wedding at..." he searched for the date in the journal. "To a week from now," he said as a matter-of-fact.
You old fox! Pulling the widower's card again. Now, whose idea was this?
"You are both so efficient!" Doflamingo smiled widely, but behind the cheery facade he was infuriated.
"I understand that you are an incredibly busy man so hopefully I managed to save you some time." Cobra returned the smile.
"That was very considerate of you." Doflamingo lied through his teeth.
You played down my role here eh? This would have been a great chance to show my allies and enemies the scale of the Donquixote Family's clout. But no, you had to ruin it.
Well done.
He massaged his temples.
"Are you alright?" Cobra expressed his concern.
"Never been better!" Doflamingo laughed maniacally. I will have Morgans run the marriage announcement on the front pages of all newspapers then fufu.
"Should I send a masseur from the Royal Baths to your quarters? They know their craft and can relieve almost any pain in the body."
"The Royal Baths eh? I would like to see those for myself."
"I had the entire area closed off for Vivi for today. Even the men's side. You can't see her...in the natural state before the Purification Ritual. It's one of our traditions." Cobra explained awkwardly.
"You mean naked? What does a Purification Ritual entail?"
"Y-yes, naked. A Purification Ritual is a pre-wedding rite performed by the Priests of the Ancient Gods at Karnak, to the north of Alubarna. So both you and Vivi will have to travel there before your ceremony here. " Cobra pointed to an icon of a cubic building on the map.
"Interesting, and after that ritual...?" I will have her all to myself there fufu.
"After?" Cobra felt the blond's lustful inclinations when it came to Vivi. "You will return to the palace to officiate the union and be on your way to Dressrosa," he answered coolly.
"When do we depart?"
"At dawn. It takes two days to get there so that you will be back here in time for the ceremony."
"I would be shocked if we weren't, His Majesty is a meticulous planner fufu." Clever. I underestimated him.
Doflamingo knew that not only was he forced to stick to Cobra's timeline for the sake of honouring "Alabastan traditions" that he agreed to in the marriage contract, but he also had no more room nor the time to leverage his influence to magnify the wedding's importance until after the ceremony.
Doflamingo was no fool, having done his prior research on the Nefertaris he knew perfectly well what the Purification Ritual was.
The Royal bride and groom were isolated in the thick walls of an old temple in the middle of nowhere; he wouldn't even be able to use his devil fruit powers because the walls of the Karnak Temple were built with some rock that had the effect of sea prism stones.
He was being sent to what was basically a spiritual prison.
Well at least I will have the Desert Cat for company fufu.
A/N:The whole chapter was basically blahblabla, but I had fun writing it. Could have done the wedding terms in a clearer manner. Not sure how to go about it. A few points to note.
"Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future."-Oscar Wilde, I used it for Cobra's proverb example.
Doflamingo's line that Vivi should be above reproach is similar to something Julius Caesar said when his wife was indirectly involved in a scandal.
Karnak is a huge temple complex in Egypt, I liked the name and thought it fits the setting. Also Penthu really was a Royal Scribe to the Pharaohs (I googled "Egyptian Scribes" and thought his name was perfect:)).
Pyrrhic victory is basically a victory won at an enormous cost making it almost a defeat in a way. So the question I want the reader to get here is who is the true victor here: Doflamingo or the Nefertari duo?