On their way to Vaelon, they noticed the difference it has with Ipraecia's. While Ipraecia is a fairy-like dreamland filled with overflowing brightness, Vaelon, on the other hand, is different. The Palace occupies the whole mountain, sitting on top of it, surrounded by clouds.

Its beauty is different but still mesmerizing. Luffia can't help but gasp at the sight, excitement building up as they got closer to the Palace grounds.

"There are two ways how to get into the palace. Through the ground, which will take about an hour before we reach the top, or through flying." Chopper explained. He has been in Vaelon's Palace several times. The creatures are welcoming for they know that the High Prince is friendly towards Chopper. Although that may not be the case right now. His offense will remain engraved in the minds of Raftelians.

"This place is amazing!" Luffia exclaimed. The twins cannot deny that Vaelon in beautiful.

The carriage landed right in front of the gate of the Palace.

"Flying is to the Royal Palace is forbidden. If we enter the Royal residence, we must get past the gate."

"Why is that?" Ann asked.

"Vaelon's customs remained the same. No one aside from the Royalties should fly into the Royal residences. It is disrespectful to fly through their residence." Chopper explained. This is why they must get past the huge gate to get through the Royal residence.

The guards are expecting them and let them get past the gate where they are greeted with enormous buildings with intricate but sturdy designs.

"This is the Royal residence. This is where direct descendants of the Vaelon's Royal family resides." The Royal residence feels like it is empty. The manors surrounding the main Royal residence looks like no one is residing in it.

"Where are the residents?" Luffia can't help but ask.

This made Chopper hesitate first, but he answered nonetheless. "Zoro is the only one who lives here. He has no relatives to occupy the residences." That made the sisters sad, especially the twins. They are reminded, once more, about the predicament with their parents. How are they supposed to tell Luffia?

"Chopper!" A voice resonated not too far away.

"Johnny! Yosaku!" Chopper greeted them with familiarity.

"So, you've brought the Human Princesses." Yosaku's eyes roam at the three women behind Chopper. Ann frowned, suspicious again at the man in front of them. Sab remained calm yet observant while Luffia is smiling at them.

Johnny's eyes landed on Luffia's. The two of them remembered the first time this woman appeared in front of everyone. Her entrance to the scene leaves a lot of impression to the Raftelians, especially to the Vaelonians. They have never seen someone disrespected their High Prince to that extent.

"Where's Zoro?" Luffia asks, smiling innocently. This irked Johnny and Yosaku. Not because of the lack of the title, but the way she sounds familiar with their High Prince.

The High Prince of Vaelon is not as friendly and interactive as Marco's. He's quite aloof, prefers to be alone most of the time. He rarely talks to anyone as well, but all Vaelonians know how much he cares for all of them which made them respect him. Above all else, they respect his discipline and prowess. It is said that he is the strongest Dragon that everyone has ever seen in the entire history of Vaelon.

For this woman to casually refer to their High Prince by his name is utterly preposterous. It is insulting. The two Warrior Commanders can't help but frown at Luffia who remain unbothered by the glares. The twins noticed the animosity and even Chopper did.

Yosaku and Johnny are friendly to him, but it appears the friendliness does not extend to his human companions.

"What is going on here?" A baritone voice took everyone's attention. They all looked at the newcomer and recognized the man.

"Zoro!" Luffia immediately greeted. "Hi!"

The High Prince nodded at Luffia before looking at Yosaku and Johnny who are bowing down to him.

"Are you going to show us around?" The question is directed at Zoro. There it is again, Luffia's sense of familiarity towards the High Prince of Vaelon.

"I'll be accompanying you around. There is nothing to see here."

"Eehh? The place is beautiful! I want to explore your palace! Do you have dragon eggs? How do they hatch? Does it feel hot to touch? Did you come from a Dragon egg?" All of them stared at Luffia due to her questions. Yosaku and Johnny are at their end's wit before their patience diminishes. This woman knows no bounds. Disrespectful! How could she casually ask if the High Prince came from a dragon egg?!

"I won't answer those questions, especially the last one." Zoro's voice remained the same as if the question did not offend him.

"Why not?! Answer them!" Luffia demanded which almost made the twins have a heart attack. They are not in a position to demand anything especially from someone like Zoro.

"Why should I?" Zoro's getting annoyed at her questions.

"Because I want to!" Luffia did not back down from the demand.

"I did not come from a dragon egg, you idiot." Zoro said. "If you keep asking such questions, I won't show you around." His voice sounds like he is blackmailing Luffia.

"NO! I want you to show me around! I am not going to ask questions about Dragon eggs." Luffia conceded with a pout before whispering. "Stingy."

Zoro acted like he never heard the last word of insult. He just signaled all of them to follow him, which they did. The twins wanted to pull Luffia at the back so she won't be standing next to the High Prince, but they are already a few steps away from the twins.

While walking around, Luffia still asks questions, but not about Dragon eggs. This time, she asks how Zoro can wield three swords. They thought he would have been offended a long time ago, but he looks like he is not. He just keeps on listening to Luffia while she rambles about a lot of things she can think of.

This time, she was telling Zoro about their childhood, how they caused trouble around the kingdom, and how they stole food from the vendors in the Royal Capital.

"Why would a princess steal food from a commoner?" Zoro asks.

"It is fun! The owner chased us when we did not pay."

"And how many dishes did you eat?"

"Only a few bowls of noodles." Lufia sounds disappointed that she was not able to eat more.

"You should have eaten faster."

It is odd how the High Prince of Vaelon is being talkative like this. It's the first time for Yosaku and Johnny to see him very engaged in a conversation. With a human, nonetheless.

While the two are conversing, the rest just followed them around. From time to time, Chopper will explain certain areas in the Royal residence. The Palace that occupies the top of the mountain has different parts. The outer areas are where the Warrior Commanders live while the inner area is the Royal residence. In the lower parts of the mountain is where the other residents live.

"Can we see your chamber?" Luffia asks.

"Uh, Luffia..." Chopper called out. No Raftelians will ask such a request as all are forbidden to enter a Royalty's chamber unless invited. Most of the time, someone is invited inside to clean the chamber, nothing else.

"We can't?"

"Luffia, you should stop asking such things." Sab reprimanded once again.

"Okay. Then can we have a banquet?" Luffia thinks that if she can't see the chamber, she might as well request something that they won't have a reason to deny.

"Fine. That can be arranged." Zoro looked at Yosaku and Johnny, signaling them to start the banquet for the sisters.

It did not take long before they arrived in the dining area. The long dining table is filled with food and alcohol.

While Luffia is busy gulping down the food in front of her, Zoro is doing almost the same thing, only with alcohol. The twins can't help but stare in shock at him. How many jars has he finished now? They can't fathom how he could drink so much.

"You can breathe fire, can't you? Will you be able to roast meat?" There she goes again, asking ridiculous questions that baffled everyone. What was going through her mind when she formulates such questions? They can't tell.

"Why would I use my fire to cook your meat?"

"Because it's convenient!"

"Why don't you just make a fire on your own?"

"But I think it is amazing to breathe fire to roast the meat then eat it."

"Too bad I won't be doing it for you." Zoro answered before taking another jar of alcohol.

"Stingy!"

The conversation looks like an interaction between people who have been friends for years. That, itself is an oddity that they can't explain.

Even after their sightseeing around Vaelon, Luffia never stopped conversing with Zoro. Even though his answers are not as long as Luffia's, he still answers her.

As it is time for the humans to leave, Luffia promised to drop by and visit Zoro again which he did not deny.

Johnny and Yosaku can only stare at the retreating form of the High Prince with a puzzled look on their faces, questioning if some evil spirit possessed the High Prince that day.

===XXX===XXX===XXX===

The sisters spent the rest of the day inside the manor. They forbade Luffia in going out to explore the Central Forest. Instead, they used the Manor's backyard to do a couple of exercises to enhance their strength. For now, strength is important. Should the future comes wherein they need to go back to Cresta, they need to be strong to take back their kingdom.

Ann used the huge tree to initiate punches and some movements that she learned from their father. Aside from her fists, she uses a knife that was given to her by their mother.

Sab, on the other hand, used a thin pipe. When they were children, all three of them uses a pipe as a weapon. All of them can still use it but she is far more proficient in using a pipe compared to her sisters.

Luffia, on the other hand, is comfortable in using her own body as a weapon. She started to train her unconditioned body as well as she noticed how her sisters are trying so hard to gain their strength back.

Chopper had provided a strict reminder not to overwork themselves as that might affect their healing injuries. Despite the reminder, the three sisters continued to work harder in gaining their strength back. The sooner it is, the better.

All their frustrations were forced out in their exercises. The day had passed with them still proceeding with their exercises. Dawn came and the sisters came to a stop to fix themselves.

"Get yourselves fixed. The Commanders of Ipraecia have come to visit you." Chopper appeared at the backyard, carrying herbs in both hands as he announced the arrival of the Commanders.

Upon hearing this, Luffia instantly smiled.

"Thatch and Izou are here?" She liked the Commanders. She felt that they can be good friends.

"Yes. They are all waiting for you in the receiving area."

"Luffia… Refrain from trusting just anyone." Ann reminded her. She does not like how her sister is too trusting. She is afraid that she might find herself in deep danger should she continue trusting everyone she meets.

"They can be trusted. They mean no harm to us." Luffia reasoned out. Ever since she was young, she could feel people's intents and she can immediately tell if the person wanted to harm them or not. Her parents have called it innate instincts.

"Ann, I think we should try to be civilized with them. We owe our safety to them and it is best to avoid offending them." Sab said. There are no advantages in being hostile towards them and they certainly can't be too overfamiliar either.

Ann only sighed but said nothing. They all continued inside the house and fixed themselves before gracing the Commanders their presences.

They found Thatch and Izou having a good conversation with Chopper. As soon as they saw the sisters, they immediately graced them with a bright smile.

"Thatch! Izou! Did you come here to give us more food?" Luffia eagerly asked. She never hesitated in asking such a crude question.

"Hahaha. Do not worry; I brought food here since I know how a glutton you can be."

"What are you doing here?" Ann's hostility cannot be hidden. She looked suspicious and guarded towards the two Commanders. Despite her crude question, Izou and Thatch still managed to smile towards her. Izou made Ann uncomfortable. Her gaze makes it look like she can see every thought and feelings Ann had.

"Why, we are visiting you of course. Dear, it will not be an advantage for you if you just stay in this manor for the duration of your stay here. We would like to be friends with you." Izou reasoned out. Ann did not say anything. So Izou continued. "We mean no harm and we swear that in the name of Xavaria." Swearing in the name of Xavaria is the most binding oath the creatures of Raftel can make. Even Ann is aware of such facts but it does not make everything seem easy.

"Luffia told us stories when all of you are just children. You three were rascals as princesses, so it seems." Thatch let a teasing tone emerged from his voice. The twins looked at Luffia with a little redness in their faces.

They knew too well how Luffia can be exaggerating in her words and if she told their adventures to Thatch and Izou, that must mean they were aware of how unruly they are.

"She must have said too much." Sab said.

"Oh, I told them when we used to prank our Jii-chan. We always stick glue on his fingers as he likes to pick on boogers in his nose!" Luffia burst into laughter upon remembering the old Garp being so furious at the princesses. The glue they used lasted for three days and Garp has been picking on his nose in those days.

Ann and Sab couldn't help but laugh a little upon remembering it. Now that they thought about it, they also missed Garp. Where was he now?

"What a brilliant move! I should have thought of such things! Making a fool out of Marco using those methods can be entertaining, don't you agree?" Thatch asked. He loved to make a fool out of Marco, though he was always caught, that does not make him stop doing it.

"Thatch, let me remind you, the last time you schemed against Marco, you were hanged upside down in a cold fire for three days." Izou muttered. Whilst entertaining to watch, she does not want to have Thatch undergo such things as it is an embarrassment for herself as well.

"That was the last time and I was alone since you do not want to help me. Now, I have them to help me out."

"Who said that we are helping you out? We never agreed to that." Sab said. They still do not have enough familiarity with Marco to play jokes.

"I want to! I want to!" Luffia volunteered. She is not afraid of ant punishment at all.

"Luffia…"

"Ann, you should play a part as well! I loved your prank ideas!" Luffia even invited Ann. Her mischief is way beyond Sab and Luffia. Her head is literally full if mischiefs which is why they were able to prank different people in Cresta.

"I am not stupid to do that." She said. She wanted to avoid Marco as much as possible. She does not like these lingering feelings any longer. The more she thinks of him, the more it grows.

"Why not? Marco will not get mad at you." Luffia reasoned out.

Thatch and Izou smiled knowingly. They interpreted the words deeper than it is. Luffia may seem to have said it casually, but in truth, Marco will not get mad at her.

"No. I have so much to do rather than play pranks towards strangers." Ann snapped at Luffia but the youngest just laughed at her.

"Before we forget, you three have to attend the Feast of Fortune in three days, We will not be taking no for an answer. You must attend." Izou said in a serious tone.

"We can't. Some creatures are still hostile towards us. Wouldn't they feel furious if they see us in the Feast?" Sab reasoned out.

"They can't do anything. The Peacekeeper and the three High Princes have all consented for the three of you to stay here. Regardless of what they feel, they still have to follow the Royalties." Izou said. She did not add the fact that should anyone be daring enough to hurt them, not to mention Whitebeard but Marco alone is enough to annihilate whoever will do it.

Marco will not let anything happen to these three, especially Ann. She held an important position in Marco's life, even though she is not aware of it. If Kidd were to make a move against the three princesses, then Marco is not afraid to go all out.

"We will see." Sab only answered. Ann did not say anything. She let Sab do the talking. For now, all she has to focus on is to gain strength. That is what she badly needed right now.

Thatch and Izou did not take too long. They just dropped by to see how the sisters are doing.

Once they were gone, Sab faced Ann.

"Befriending them can be beneficial. They might give us little help when the time comes that we take back Cresta." Luffia looked at Sab with a blank expression. Ann, on the other hand, stared in huge disbelief at her sister.

"Are you going to ask them to fight for us? They will never do it."

"I am not expecting them to do so. But they held a huge advantage in terms of magic. They have capabilities that might help us. I am not so cruel as to ask them to fight our battle, but a little help and favor can be accepted. We have to be practical. Besides, Luffia already said that they mean no harm."

Sab's point is to gain favorable impressions to the Commanders. There might come a time wherein they have to ask for small help.

"They will help us if we ask them." Luffia said. "Marco already told me that if there is anything he can help us with, he is willing to do so."

Sab only nodded, appreciating what Luffia said.

"At what price?" Ann asked. She knew too well, nothing comes free in this world. There must be a price to pay. The big question is if they can pay for it.

"Why would he ask something in return?" Luffia innocently asked at Ann.

Ann was taken aback by her words. She can't coherently form a sentence.

Seeing that there will be no progress in the conversation, Sab intervened.

"Let's get to bed. We still have to train tomorrow. We will talk about this tomorrow."

They all nodded and prepared to go to bed. Hoping that they will arrive at a certain conclusion…

===XXX===XXX===XXX==

Opening her eyes, Ann can't help but be puzzled at the place she is at. There it is again, an almost realistic dream. The last time she had such a dream is when she encountered Marco in front of the mystic falls.

She was afraid that it may be the same again, but her worry vanished because the place she is in is not in Raftel. It is in Cresta.

Looking around, a sense of nostalgia washed over her. Her heart started to ache as she is being reminded by the memories the place holds.

Ann can still remember when their mother scolded the three of them for writing words on the walls towards the library.

In this hallway is where they will run while being chased by their father, playing with the three of them. It was filled with laughter and happy memories.

A tear escaped Ann's eye while reminiscing the memories. She does not know why her dream brought her here, but she is glad and at the same time, she is sad.

Walking towards the doors of the library, she heard voices quite familiar to her. The door of the library is open. When her hand touched the handle, she is surprised that she can't feel it. As if she is a walking spirit that can get past through all objects.

The voices grew louder which made her curious. Her foot stepped forward towards the library where she found two familiar people she's been wanting to see.

Tears found its way streaming down her cheeks.

"Dad. Mom." She called out but neither of them can hear her. They can't even see her. When Ann reached to grab her parents' hands, she finds that she can't touch them at all. Her slipped past through their bodies and it made her feel sadder.

Left with no choice, she stood there, smiling yet full of sadness while staring at the King and Queen of Cresta.

"I worry about our daughters." Roger said.

"You are not the only one who is." Rouge answered.

"As much as possible, I don't want them to meet the High Princes of Raftel." Hearing Roger's words, Ann can't help but be surprised. Their father knew that Raftel exists as well as the Beasts living within. What does he mean by those words?

"Roger..."

"I know what you want to say, my dear wife. But is it wrong for me to desire such a thing? If I can help it, I won't let them meet the High Princes."

This puzzles Ann even more. Why is her father worried about the sisters meeting the High Princes? Will they be in danger if they meet them?

Ann is in deep thoughts about what her father said that she fails to notice the smile gracing their mother's lips. Rouge is not worried at all. As Ann's mind continues to circle what possible danger meeting the High Princes could bring them, she did not notice how Roger's facial expression is not full of worry but an expression of someone sulking.

Before Ann could arrive in any conclusion, her body is slowly being carried away by an unknown force, forcing her back to reality...

As soon as she woke up, Ann ponders on the dream last night and what it could mean.

"You want to say something to me?" Sab can't help but be curious when Ann brought her a little bit away from the manor. The blond woman noticed this since this morning. Ann is restless - she always is, but her restlessness today is different. She is worried about something.

"I dreamt last night." She started. "Our parents are there. Conversing in the library."

"And?" Sab is curious about what this could mean.

"Dad said that he does not want the three of us to meet the High Princes and it worries him."

"Ann, that's - "

"I know it may sound ridiculous, but the dream is not like anything I've had before. It's as if it happened in the past. Their conversation looks real, Sab. For Dad to say something like that, it's worrisome."

Sab supposes that it is indeed worrisome for Roger to say those words. What could he mean? Why is he worried about them meeting the High Princes?

"What do you want to do, then?"

"There is nothing we could do, but I suggest we don't trust them. I know they might mean well, but how could we be sure that we won't be betrayed again? We've been betrayed by the people who have been working with our father for years. They had no qualms when they threw away their oaths to our father, to our kingdom. What proof do we have that these people won't do the same given that we've never known them all our lives? If the people we knew for years can easily betray us, so are them!"

Sab is silent while listening to her sister's reason. Ann has a point - a fair and practical one. However, deep inside Sab, she still holds a tiny hope that maybe, these creatures won't be like the humans who betrayed their family. However, that sliver of hope is being buried deep down when she is reminded of the history between Raftelians and humans.

"I supposed you are right."

"We should leave as soon as possible. We can't stay here for too long. This is not where we belong."

Sab only nodded while looking intensely at her older twin sister. In her mind, she had doubts about why their father said that. Given how Marco treats Ann, there's no way he means harm at all. There is a possibility that Ann could be his mate. Instead of voicing this out, Sab kept the thought to herself. This idea will complicate things more than they already are...

===XXX===XXX===XXX===

Luffia's rather feeling uncomfortable ever since her visit to Vaelon. Her back is itching. It feels hot whenever she gets close to Zoro. She never paid any attention to it because she thinks it must not be important at all.

Whenever she thinks of him, her back will feel hot, startling him for a second. During her bath, there is a big mirror in the bathroom that she used to check if there is something wrong at her back.

Turning her back towards the mirror, she expected that there will be something there, but there's none. There are no wounds either that could explain the weird feelings she gets whenever she is near Zoro. It must be just the atmosphere or maybe it is because they are in a magical world.

If there is anything wrong with her back, Chopper would have told her when he was dressing their wounds, but there was none.

Shrugging the thoughts off, she decided to not pay attention to it any longer. As she steps away from the mirror, she failed to notice how the skin on her back slightly changes, showing a symbol - like a tattoo - revealing green scales of a dragon.

The symbol faded as quickly as it showed itself as if it's hiding.

When will it be revealed... Time will only tell.

===XXX===XXX===XXX===

AN: Shortest chapter.

Ok, I deleted the other chapters I published because from here on out, I'll be modifying some parts and it may be confusing.