The pulling of a corset snapped the harsh thoughts from your mind. The seamstress apologized briefly, moving back to her ministrations. Across the way, your sister is in a similar state, only her seamstress is more talkative. That was typically how it was; everyone wanted to talk to her more than you.

Looking out the window, you see a group of men approaching the palace, all laughing. They were definitely there for your sister—their smug looks said it all. Lately, she's had more male suitors than ever. They usually all leave quite disappointed, though. They have no idea what they're truly signing up for.

"Your Highness?" The voice of the seamstress cut into your mind. "You're fidgeting. Please remain still."

You apologize, though it comes out harsh. That’s how they usually sound; everything you say seems hostile.

Your sister finally looks out into the courtyard, seeing all of the young men. She sighs and smiles.

“Another poor group of helpless lords.” She giggles, turning to you. “Father wants you married before I. It’s a tragedy, really.”

You raise an eyebrow. “What’s the tragedy? That none of these awful men can court you?”

“The tragedy is that I can’t pick!”

You sigh and roll your eyes, but there was a smile behind that charade. You had always taken your sister to be somewhat of a drama, though this recent arrangement has seemingly made it worse.

Your father had grown tired of your attitude towards your suitors. Ever since you were young, any time someone showed a semblance of interest in courtship, you drove them away. Rumors began to spread in your town, and they all named you a shrew. You were aggressive and ill-tempered, at least, according to the town.

Now no one wanted to court you, or even be your friend. No one besides your sister.

So, your father made a decree; no one was allowed to marry the younger princess until the older was wed. That way, a man truly devoted to the younger sister would manage for the older to find someone. If no one married the older, then no one was good enough to marry the younger.

The seamstresses finished up, quickly leaving the room to draw out their sketches. As you sit on the edge of your bed, your sister rubs your shoulder comfortingly.

“Hey, I’m not upset about the whole suitors thing. It really isn’t your fault.”

You shrug. “I know, but you could have been married by now if it weren’t for me, Vivi. Father’s rule is ridiculous.”

Before the conversation could continue, a maid entered, informing Vivi she was being summoned. She gives you an apologetic smile before walking out of the room, as graceful as ever.

You look back out the window, the port of Alabasta in your view. A few ships are slowly pulling in, including a pirate ship. Though most of them are definitely there for your birthday party the following night, a pirate ship is something out of the ordinary. Regardless, you choose to ignore the curiosity in your heart.

You had to think about how to drive away the annoying suitors of tomorrow.

Sanji steps off the deck of the Going Merry, taking in the fresh, desert air. His fellow crewmates were also taking their first steps, absorbing the feeling of a new island. Alubarna was visible in the distance, a good sign they were in the right place.

"Woah! It's all desert!" Luffy exclaims, holding his hat from the wind. "Hey, look! There's Alubarna! Let's go get some food!"

There was some bickering between Usopp and Luffy, but Sanji paid it no mind. Instead, he chose to look around the entrance. It was pretty heavily guarded, accompanied with a multitude of guests also arriving.

"Must be some kind of event going on." Sanji muttered.

As they reach Alubarna, Sanji and Usopp locate a bulletin board, curious about directions. Usopp begins staring at the map, finding the nearest restaurant. Something different catches Sanji's eye.

"'Celebrating the eldest Nefertari daughter's eighteenth birthday'. Hm.."

As Sanji looked over the flyer, a local whistled. "Don't show too much interest, boy! Those girls are off limits."

"What do you mean?" Zoro chimes in, crossing his arms.

"I mean that those girls are impossible to marry! The youngest is such a pretty one, everyone wants a piece of her. There's probably hundreds in line for her hand."

Sanji glances back at the poster. "And what about her? The eldest?"

The local laughs, as if asked a rhetorical question. "She's an utter shrew. The King declared that if she's not to marry, then the younger can't either! No one has enough will to deal with her. The only reason they're throwing a ball tomorrow is to get a suitor for the girl."

Sanji raises an eyebrow, looking closer at the face on the poster. You didn't seem to be this terrible, intolerable girl the local described you to be. You seem to have this glimmer behind your eye, despite no smile gracing the picture. There had to be more than others let on.

A ball tomorrow? Hmm..

"No one has enough will, or no one actually understand the eldest daughter?" Sanji proposes, turning back to the man. "Maybe she purposely acts that way to scare you all off."

Zoro laughs, shaking his head. "You don't actually think you could possibly be different, Shitty Cook?"

"The ladies love me, unlike you, Mosshead. I could very easily win her love."

Sanji had been a ladies man for as long as he could remember. He held a secret to wooing them that other men didn't. There was a larger amount of respect in Sanji that allowed him that secret. Surely if this girl was such a shrew, maybe no man has just respected her enough.

"Wanna bet?" Zoro asks, stepping up to Sanji. "A hundred thousand berries say that you could never get that princess to fall for you."

Sanji chuckled, taking out a cigarette from his pocket. "You don't even have that kind of money."

"Doesn't matter. I'm so confident I won't need it because you can't do it."

"You're on."

Sanji was not one to make bets at a woman's expense. You were someone with autonomy, a life and a mind. Your affection was not Sanji's for the taking. And yet, Zoro's smug expression drove him to decide to take the bet. Who was he to think Sanji couldn't woo you?

Besides, it could serve as a message for others. If anyone truly wanted to love the princesses, maybe they could take from Sanji and treat them right. Especially you.

As Sanji shook hands with Zoro, a group of slumped lords passed by. They seemingly heard the conversation.

"You're going to go for the eldest Nefertari daughter? Dude, you'd be doing us a favor!" One of them says, taking out some money. "Let me pay you for your trouble."

Sanji was taken aback. "What?"

Another lord shoved some berries in Sanji's hand. "You'd be doing everyone a favor! We could finally marry her sister if you took away the older."

Before Sanji could say anything, Nami stepped in, swipping the money from them. There was that gleam in her eyes that reminded Sanji why she was known as "the cat burglar".

"Happily, gentleman! Go get your girl!"

After paying Nami a large sum of berries, they all ran off, in happier moods than before. She turned to Sanji with a smile.

"Looks like you've got a girl to woo!" She says, tucking the money away. "You'll need something to wear for that ball tomorrow."

As they began to move to the restaurant Luffy ran off to, Sanji took one last look at the poster. He studies your face, completely entranced by how you look.

'Surely she isn't that bad.. right?'

You take a deep breath, trying to ignore the pounding in your head as another lord walks up to your sister. He does the same routine as the others: bow, a hand kiss, a bit of flirting, then a nasty side eye to you. Though, they'd still greet you. It was the respectful thing to do.

"Your Highness, happy birthday." The lord said in a deep bow. "It's always a pleasure, Princess Nefertari."

"Oh, I'm sure it is." You respond, looking elsewhere.

His eyes narrow, but he doesn't bite back. Instead, he turns back to Vivi, continuing to converse with her. His demeanor is immediately cheery, so you were definitely his issue.

Glancing to your side, you see your father at large, scanning the room. You slip from the conversation, making your way to him.

"Father." You say with a smile. "Any meaningful discussions?"

Your father chuckles, shaking his head. "You know that's not your concern here today. You're in the market for a suitor."

"You should allow me to handle royal matters instead."

"This is a royal matter." Your father insists, patting your shoulder. "Try to make a friend, at least one."

As your father walks away, a small sigh escapes your lips. Your father wants what is best for you, you knew that. He thinks marriage is what you need. It was some good old fashioned tough love.

But maybe he was right. The only person who you could really call a friend was Vivi. No one wanted to be friends with the shrew of a princess. You've always been too mean, too nasty, too awful in their eyes.

They truly had no idea.

"Well, looks like the belle of the ball is all alone." A voice speaks behind you.

Turning around, you see a tall man with gorgeous blonde hair. He's dressed differently than the lords, which meant he probably wasn't an elite. Still, something about him felt enigmatic. Who was he?

"Can I help you?" You ask, arms crossed.

The man steps forward, taking your visible hand in his. "Your highness, allow me to introduce myself." He says, kneeling and placing a kiss on your hand. "My name is Sanji. I was utterly mesmerized by you when I first laid eyes on you, and had to meet you personally."

Oh, another suitor.

You yank your hand away, rubbing it carefully. "With all due respect, I'm not interested."

"Well, unfortunately for you, I am." He says with a wink.

You started thinking about how creepy that was of him to say. But then again, the other lords were more crude with their words. Regardless, he wasn't going to woo you with a few words and some winks.

"Yeah, no thanks." You say, excusing yourself quickly after.

You move past him, bumping your shoulder into his. Your eyes set to Vivi, who's trying to get herself out of a conversation. You reach her, shooing the pesky lord away.

Your sister grins. "Thank you! He was really pushy." She picks up her drink, glancing at you. "Find anyone who catches your eye?"

You glance back down at Sanji, who's speaking with someone with green hair. His eyes meet yours, but you quickly look away. He was not special, nothing different. Just another man trying to marry for the riches.

"No, not yet."

Better luck next time.

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"No one wants to play with you!"

"Yeah! Go find some other loser to be your friend."

"None of us want to play with you! Stop bothering us!"

Your little body trembles as the other kids run away from you, laughing at their cruelty. Your tiny hands ball into fist, holding back tears. You were never their first choice. Nobody cared to be kind. Even at just nine years old, others were never kind to you.

You find some nearby steps outside a local store, taking a seat. Opening your bag, you take out a small notebook and pen. Some adults pass by, but they don't dare to stop and ask if you're okay.

With trembling hands, your pen slowly begins to write. You pour your feelings onto the page, detailing the cruelty you deal with on your home island. It always helped, even if it was another thing for them to laugh at you for.

You reach the final line and rewrite the dream that keeps you going.

'I'm going to become a pirate and document all of my adventures.'

A call of your name snaps you from your journal. You glance up to see everyone ready to leave the ship to explore the newest island. Sanji's waving his hand frantically, waiting for you to join him.

You laugh apologetically, standing and tucking the book into your bag. You rush to Sanji, allowing him to help you off the ship with a guiding hand. Your eyes immediately look around at the beautiful buildings in the town.

"Hey! This place is amazing!" Luffy exclaims. His eyes settle on a local passing him with a tray of meat. "Meat! There's meat here!"

Before Nami could stop him, Luffy's already racing away to terrorize the local. She sighs, looking back to the rest of the crew.

"Alright, I have berries for whoever wants to do the grocery shopping."

Sanji immediately steps forward, holding out a hand for the money. "My wonderful partner and I will get it done."

You look back to Sanji, noticing his gaze on you. Your cheeks redden as you clear your throat.

"Me?" You question, as if it was unbelievable.

Was this an attempt to humiliate you? Sanji had been nothing but kind, but maybe he finally saw what others did. Maybe he was finally changing his mind about you.

Robin chuckles, shaking her head. "Who else would he be talking about?"

Sanji stands next to you, gently taking your hand. "Of course I mean you. You're my first pick for anything, mon cher."

Your cheeks burn again as the two of you walk off into the town. Besides Luffy recruiting you for his crew, this was the first time you truly felt chosen. You were a first pick.. Sanji's first pick.

And as you watch him smile and converse with a vendor, you couldn't help but smile as well.

“Ew! No! Who in the hell would date her?”

“She’s so weird! Her head is stuck in that journal.”

“What is she even writing in there?”

“Let’s find out!”

You lay your head on the table, continuing to mindlessly sketch in your journal. It wasn’t anything artistic, just your breakfast. But you were committed to documenting your adventures, even if they weren’t so grand at the moment.

Suddenly, your journal was yanked from your hands. Looking up, you see an annoying group of boys who never liked you.

"What's this? Something important?" He taunts.

You reach for the journal, but he yanks it back. "Give it back!" You yell, but it's futile.

"No thanks. I wanna read it!"

He begins reading it aloud to everyone as they giggle. You tried to get it back, but they kept passing it around. Tears pricked the corners of your eyes as they got to the page from yesterday.

"No way, you have a crush?" One boy says, pointing at you. "You really think someone would want to be with you? Like, actually?"

You remain silent, sitting back on the bench at the table. They continue to pour through your journal, laughing at every possible bit. Finally, the boy who stole your journal throws it back, leaning down to face you.

"You are so pathetic. You'll never be a pirate. Who would want you on the crew anyways?"

They finally walk away, laughing at your misery. You allow your tears to fall silently as you open the journal, writing about your dream again.

'I'm going to become a pirate and document all of my adventures.'

"Ma douce fille."

You immediately look up upon hearing Sanji's voice. He was drying his hands, having finished washing the dishes from dinner. There was a soft candle glow near you, illuminating his face. He was breathtaking.

You tried not to stare too long.

"What did you think of dinner?" He asks, setting the towel down. "I made it with you in mind."

You smile sweetly, grateful the candle hid your red cheeks. "It was wonderful, just like always. Thank you, Sanji."

You go back to writing in the ship's journal about the day's events, oblivious to Sanji's eyes on you. You were so immersed, you also didn't notice Sanji opening the fridge to grab a small plate. He takes a deep, shaky breath, before sliding it next to you.

You glance back up, seeing a dessert appear to your right. "Oh? What's this?" You ask, slowly closing the book.

"A dessert, for you, mon doux amour."

You muse, taking a fork from nearby and taking a bite. It was incredible. There were so many sweet flavors tied into the dessert. All of your favorite tastes were combined into one beautiful treat.

"Oh Sanji, this is incredible." You say with a smile. "Thank you!"

As you continue to eat the dessert, a thought crosses your mind. Looking at the dessert and Sanji's nervous composure, something felt off. Was he planning something..? Something bad? No.. not possible for him.

"Are you okay?" You ask, setting the fork down. "You seem pale. And you're shaking?"

Sanji takes a deep breath, seemingly to calm his nerves. Then, in as grand of a gesture as he could manage, he sinks to one knee and takes your hand. You're shocked, but he speaks before you can.

"Mon amour précieux, you are the most amazing girl I've ever met and I am incredibly fortunate to be by your side." He starts, a smile gracing his lips. "You have utterly entranced me. My every waking thought revolves around you now. Everything I do, the very reason I breathe, is all for you. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy."

You couldn't believe your best friend was confessing to you. After all the hours you spent crying, thinking it was a joke. After the sleepless nights you spent trying to convince yourself he didn't feel that way. Here he was, proving you wrong.

"Please, my angel, do me the great honor of being your boyfriend. Allow me the honor to cherish you all my life."

You let out a choked laugh, tears falling down your face. Wordlessly, you fall to Sanji's level, hugging him tightly. There was someone who wanted you, who thought the world of you. Everything about your past was wrong; you've been given so much more than you ever thought you deserved.

As the candle continued to glow in the background, you couldn't help but feel at peace with everything. You smile, hugging Sanji just a bit tighter.

"You're leaving? Ha! Where are you even going to go?"

"No pirate crew wants you, I can guarantee that."

"If no one here wanted to be around you, what makes you think the Grand Line will be different?"

"That silly dream of yours will never happen."

You stare down as you finish packing the one bag you decide to take with you. Looking out the window, you see a ferry boat, pulling up to the dock. That was your boat, the one that will allow you to leave in the next hour.

You didn't know where you were going, but it would be better than home.

As you look around your room, you absorb the last bits of pain that dragged you down for years. All the teasing, bullying, constant degradation from those who hated you would all be with you for life. But, at least some of it could be laid to rest here.

You can already hear a few locals laugh when they mention your leave. Your abnormality reached everyone in town after the journal was read, so you were shunned. No one likes pirates here.

Slowly, you walk to your journal and pen sitting on your desk. You pick up the pen, writing your last reassurance of hope in this awful place.

'I'm going to become a pirate and document all of my adventures.'

You step off the Going Merry, looking around the town you once loathed daily. Behind you, Sanji steps off, shaking his head.

"If anyone even looks at you the wrong way, I swear.." He mutters, clearly not happy about the situation.

You laugh softly, rubbing his arm. "I appreciate it."

The rest of the crew disembarks, and you all begin your journey into town. It seems your arrival quickly was noticed, as a local started whispering to their neighbor. But of course, you knew the risks of coming back.

This was your personal step.

You gently grasp Sanji's hand as you step into a local shop you once frequented as a child. Looking around, the foods all reminded you of your youth, in a good way and a bad way.

"No way." A voice behind the counter draws your attention. "You actually came back."

Looking over, you see a man who seemingly looks a little older than you. He reminded you of someone..

Oh.

"Nice to see you." You say politely, squeezing Sanji's hand a bit tighter.

He looks over, expression growing grim. "Not really nice, my sweet. You're too sweet."

The man immediately launches into his questions. "So! How'd that pirate dream work out? I always knew you weren't cut out for such a life. I mean, I'm shocked you even-"

His voice is cut off by a loud Luffy entering the shop. "Hey guys! I found a store with some great food for the ship! It'll last us until the next island!"

You smiled, thanking Luffy. As he leaves, you turn back to the man with a tight smile. "My apologies. I'd love to catch up, but my captain doesn't want your goods. You understand, right?"

The man coughs in embarrassment, immediately switching his tune. "Well, I'm sure he would enjoy-"

"Oh, cut it out." Sanji cuts him off, turning you both. "My wife and I do not want your goods. Now then, sweetheart, after you."

You don't pay any mind to the mind once you move to leave. Instead, you let out a held breath and a smile. There was a beautiful sense of relief in knowing they all knew your fate.

And now, you walked with your head held high in a town that haunted you. Not for yourself, but for your younger self. She deserved it.

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The game was pretty basic; create characters on an island you run, and they live their lives while you observe. It has abilities to interact with them and drive conversations, but a lot of the mechanics are up to chance. Everyone on social media was having so much fun with the game, and you wanted to too.

Well, he knew what he had to do. What kind of boyfriend would he be if he didn't buy what his beloved wanted?

So, he went down to the store and bought it, no questions asked. Well, maybe a question to a nearby employee about its whereabouts. But that was his only question before buying it.

When Sanji brought it home, you were over the moon with joy. He could distinctly remember the amount of times you thanked him with hugs. Again, the appeal was lost on him, but it made you happy.

After dinner, the two of you strung yourselves on the couch to play the game. Though it wasn't multiplayer, Sanji didn't mind watching you create your island and characters.

"Mon chéri, I really don't think I look like that." "Trust me, I know you best. It even has the odd shape of your eyebrows." "Well, sure but.. wait, odd? You think they're odd?"

After a multitude of reassurance for Sanji, you became absorbed in the game. There were so many mechanics, fun characters to make, and things to do, you became addicted. By the end of the night, you had added all of your friends to the island to play the game with.

You found yourself completely addicted by the end of the next day. It was a really fun way to wind down after long days. The game was mindless, bringing joy and fun that you didn't have to work for.

The game was driving Sanji insane.

At first, the game seemed fun to him too. He loved watching you indulge in your people on the island and having fun with them.

As the days went on, his attempts at getting your attention began to falter greatly. Instead of hanging out with him in the kitchen, you were curled up in bed playing the game. His new drink inventions no longer garnered your attention. Sanji's grand gestures were no longer your focus.

As much as he couldn't believe it, Sanji was losing you to a video game. And he missed you, despite you being right there.

"My sweet, do you have a preference for dinner? Dear..?" "Hm? No, make what you want, hon." "But mon amor, my life is devoted to what you want!"

Yeah, to say it deeply wounded him was an understatement. Sanji has always been somewhat of a drama, especially when it comes to his love. He was really starting to regret buying you this game.

And yet, a part of him feels somewhat guilty. It seemed that the game brought you a lot of joy, keeping you entertained after long days. That's the way he felt about cooking; it was something he could look forward to after the day ends. That was what this game was for you.

He was caught between a rock and a hard place.

One night, you arrived home after a grueling day. Your feet were hurting, your stomach was growling, and you wanted nothing more than a shower and to curl up with your game. Looking up, you finally notice the dimly lit dining table with your boyfriend standing next to the chair.

He approached you wordlessly, planting a kiss on your cheek and stripping you of your coat. When you asked him what was going on, he just smiled and gestured to the table.

He made you a wonderful dinner with your favorite food and drinks. He sat you down and immediately served you, trying to not completely embarrass himself with his jealousy. And yet, you asked him again what this was all about.

"I simply wanted to give my beloved a grand gesture to serve as a reminder of the love I have for them." "...Sanji, are you upset about the game?" "What? No! I'm not at all jealous about the fact that you've given the game all of your attention instead of me! Why would I be?"

And there it was. You looked at Sanji for a moment before giggling, bursting into full-blown laughter. You couldn't believe you made your boyfriend feel neglected because of a game. Yet, you will admit, your attention has been a bit stuck in the game.

Once your laughter dies down, you apologized to your beloved. Sanji had worked so hard to vie for your attention, so he would have it for the night.

After dinner, though, you did boot up the game for a moment. Once you loaded in, you turn the screen to show Sanji what you had been up to on your island.

On your island, you and Sanji were married with a child, living together in a home. You had worked hard to ensure your characters would fall for each other, which is why you were so engrossed in it.

Sanji nearly fainted. He squeled with excitement and hugged you tightly, apologizing over and over again for his jealousy. He couldn't believe his beloved included him in their game without him knowing.

So, you both spent the night indulging in the game. Turns out Sanji liked it just a little too much too, he just didn't yet know.

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