The next morning, Sanji woke up hanging over the edge of his bed with his blanket twisted nearly around his body. He fell off and lay on his back a moment, stunned not only by the fall, but also by the events of the night before. Besides sneaking into his father's most sacred room, he had also set free a prisoner. These were the acts of a fairy tale hero, not the conduct of an undersized son who could barely lift a sabre.

Sanji was divided on whether he should be grateful or upset at Zoro for his adventure last night. He pulled himself up and prepared for the morning, his stomach trembling the entire time. While he was certain no one saw him go back to bed last night, it did not mean his father wouldn't find out about it. He needed to ask Brook why he was trapped in a glass jar and kept in a secret vault with all the other treasures. The one hard question was whether he should involve his brothers too.

Breakfast was late while they waited for Pudding and Reiju to arrive. Pudding looked beautiful, as always, in a simple yellow gown and her hair fixed in soft loose curls. And as good as Reiju was at keeping her face schooled, there was no hiding her misery over her own garments. Reiju's hair was also curled, but into tight, tense ringlets cutting its length in half. Red bows decorated her hair, drawing even more attention to the new style. She was in a yellow dress, but hers was laid over with a silver sheer netting and underneath the skirt were several stiff petticoats.

While Reiju looked as a child's doll bought from a cheap shop, Pudding was like a princess, elegant and understood his sister's misery. He wondered if he could convince Zoro to sneak into Pudding's room and freeze her toes while she slept. The thought of Pudding waking up with painful blue feet made him smile, prompting Niji to send a quick elbow to his side. "It's not funny. Reiju wouldn't laugh at you," he whispered. Sanji shook his head in denial, but didn't dare say anything as their father had just entered the room.

Judge immediately squared his shoulders back upon seeing his soon to be bride and called out to her, "You become more beautiful with each morning. You are a credit to my kingdom." Pudding simpered, pulled on her dress and gave him a deep curtsey. "You are too kind, my lord." Straightening up, she turned towards Reiju and asked, "Isn't your father the most gracious of men? I have never met his equal in strength and courtesy."

Reiju's mouth moved without speaking for the slightest second and then she answered with a bow of her head, "As you say, Princess." "It is as I say," Pudding smiled at Reiju and turned to her. Reaching her hand over to Reiju's face, Pudding worked her fingers into as strand of Reiju's curls and straightened it out. "I don't know if this is the right look for you after all. Your hair is too thin and it makes all the lovely curls turn frizzy. After breakfast, go wash your hair and make yourself presentable. You represent your father and I want nothing but the best for him."

All four brothers looked at each other, Niji's face was furious, while Ichiji looked uneasy. Yonji was biting his bottom lip, distressed. Sanji wondered what his face showed and he hoped that their father did not glance their way. It was a needless worry. Judge was too enamored of his fiancée's wisdom to bother with sons still waiting for their breakfast. Judge's laughter echoed off the stone walls. "This is what I've needed all these years. A wife who understands the importance of image. A king who allows himself to be surrounded by the weak and inferior will be treated as if he's weak and inferior. Well done, Pudding, well done."

His father's words and the mockery of his past relationships made Sanji's decision for him. Judge had killed without guilt. Sanji couldn't risk his brother's lives for his choice to go adventuring. At the very least, he needed to talk with Brook tonight and learn more information. With his decision made, Sanji found it easier to buckle down and make it through the rest of the day.

Breakfast proceeded, though the porridge was thicker and came accompanied with bread and milk. He wondered if his father was trying to impress Pudding, but Sanji decided he didn't care as to why. He would enjoy the additional food while it lasted. Sanji stayed quiet during their morning exercises, but it went unnoticed. Each brother seemed to be lost in thought. Later, as they rested in the cemetery, Sanji hoped no one would bring up the possibility of visiting the ghosts that night. It was a needless worry as his brothers were instead focused on the treatment of their sister.

Niji and Yonji spun improbable plans of escape, each goading the other to more and more unlikely feats. Ichiji's refusal to participate said more than any words of disbelief and his unspoken skepticism eventually caused his brothers to lose steam. Sanji felt sympathy for both views. He understood the urge to run away, taking Reiju far from their future stepmother and whatever new torments she had in store, but he also felt the impossibility of it. Their father was as relentless as they were powerless and he would hunt them down no matter how long or far they ran.

Not because he loved them and wanted them back, but because they belonged to him and he was a man who coveted possessions, not free will.

However, when they arrived for dinner, Niji and Yonji's impossible plans seemed less desperate and more necessary. Pudding was already seated and Sanji at first wondered where his sister had gone. Then he realized Reiju was next to Pudding, her head finally bowed and broken, unrecognizable not only for its posture but for its new color and length.

Reiju's lovely pink hair was now a deep, unnatural black and cut into a short straight bob that just grazed her jaw. Pudding leaned over and whispered in her ear and Reiju sat up. Now Sanji could also see the short row of bangs that went across her forehead. Next to him, Sanji watched Niji's spoon bend in half. He tried to keep his own face plain, not wanting to make his sister more distressed by seeing his own unhappiness over her punishment.

For surely it had to be some form of discipline?

Pudding held Reiju's arm and pretended to be speaking for her alone, but made sure her voice carried, "You should have trusted me, Rei-Rei. Your new look has even your brothers rendered speechless. You are the very model of Germa strength and training now. Go sit with your brothers. I'm having dinner with your father in his private quarters."

As Pudding released Reiju, she gave a look across the dining hall, her eyes slowing down to rest on some unfortunate soul here and there. "You may eat once I leave the room. Do not, under circumstances disturb us, or Lord Vinsmoke will have your heads!"

Reiju worked her way over to her brothers and Pudding marched, chin tilted up, out an exit. Sanji looked back and forth between them, his sister now wearing a dress of dark blue and grey and Pudding changed out into one of soft pink. When Reiju sat down, Ichiji already had a plate of food ready for her. Yonji poured her a glass of water. Niji was trying to straighten his spoon and under his breath he asked, "What happened? What did she do to you?"

Sanji reached under the table and took his sister's hand. She looked over at him and Sanji tried to give her an encouraging smile, but it felt forced. She looked miserable and Sanji could think of no words to make the situation less terrible.

Reiju took a drink of water before answering. Then, speaking quietly, she narrated her day with Pudding and as she did, her brother's food grew colder and colder. Pudding told Reiju she had heard Judge Vinsmoke had a daughter that was proving to be as beautiful as his late wife.

This was unfortunate.

Pudding had also heard this young daughter had hair that was an unusual, but lovely shade of pink. Not only did it complement the daughter's fair skin, but it made her stand out among other young women.

This was also unfortunate.

As Pudding explained to Reiju, she did not abide competition. When she stepped into a room, all eyes were to be on her. Nor did she want any reminders of the beauty of Judge Vinsmoke's last wife. History was to remember Pudding Vinsmoke as the Crown Jewel of the Germa Empire. And finally, pink was one of Pudding's favorite colors. She would not have her gowns compete for attention with some stepdaughter's hair.

If Reiju decided to complain, Pudding could always tell Judge about how disrespectful her brothers were. Then Pudding demonstrated to their sister her ability to cry on command.

"It's just hair. It could have been worse," Reiju tried to reassure them, though her voice still sounded sad.

Ichiji shook his head, "For now, it's just hair. And it could get worse. We need to think of a real plan, to get you out of here at least."

The Vinsmoke children ate the rest of their dinner, with Niji and Yonji trying to get Reiju on board with their earlier ideas. She nodded along, but like Ichiji and Sanji, understood the poor prospects of their plans.

Sanji had his own half-formed plan in mind, but he wasn't ready to share, at least not with his siblings. He had a long night ahead of him, with many questions for the ghosts in the cemetery. And not the least of which was perhaps some petty retribution if a certain one-eyed ghost boy was willing.

Sanji had the distinct feeling Zoro would not mind at all.