Chapter Text
Honestly it feels good to get out of the crowded city we were in but I kind of miss it. The castle is so quiet I'm sure I'd be able to hear someone blink. On the bright side though, the city is full of life and new things for me to experience and appreciate. The old city used to be so boring and mundane, I think it affected me a bit to be honest; mainly on how I acted towards other people. Being in O'Hara so far though, I think it won't take me too long to break that habit or way of acting towards people. Although it may change me and I'm praying I don't change to the point where you both don't recognize me anymore, I still want to be the little girl that you love.
Hopefully I can see you soon, I've been gone for a lot longer than I thought; how long had it been? A month? Maybe six? Time is truly flying by. I'm nineteen now and I honestly wish I could've celebrated my birthday with you both, I love the cake Mother always makes. Nico did throw me a party though and the food was great but nothing beats the food from home.
Speaking of Nico, you guys would absolutely love her! She's very kind and caring towards all of her maids and butlers and even the villagers when she meets them. Her, her son and I are like a small family - we're closer than anyone else but only because I help her with her son. Her son is truly the most adorable kid I've ever met; his name is Tony but for some odd reason he likes to be called Chopper. I don't know where he got that nickname from but if it makes him happy when I call him that I'm fine with it, as long as he's happy.
Nico tells me I do great with him but I get scared that my bad habits or just my mannerisms might rub off on him and I don't want that to happen; I'm not perfect I know that much but he's next in line for the heir and if he ends up doing something or even saying something it might come back on me. Maybe that's just me overthinking but I have a good reason! I don't want people to hate me because of that, kids are impressionable as hell and I always keep that in mind.
Enough about all of that though; I'm doing great overall and I love it here. I feel very welcomed and I can't wait for you both to meet Nico. I hope you'll get along like I think.
Also, I will just say that I'm not too worried about finding a lover just yet, I'm still young and I need to live my life and have a bit of fun. I want to explore many things, people and experience wise. Don't even worry, I'll find someone, I promise, just give me a bit of time please.
Much love, sincerely your daughter,
Your/Name~
I sigh, as I place the pen down. I hold up the letter as I scan it, my handwriting has improved drastically in the time I've been here with Nico and I love it. Smiling, I say "Perfect." Putting the letter back down, I twist myself at my hips to pop my back but also to wake me up.
As I finish Chopper burst in, mud and a worried look covering his face. " Y/N, the girl in the garden was chasing me!" He runs into the room and hides behind my chair.
The girl? What girl? Right after Mrs. Yule bursts in, her hands on her hips. "That little boy is nothing but trouble! He got mud everywhere and tracked it into the castle!" She glares at Chopper who has a firm grip on my dress, it now covered in dirt and mud. "You need to get him under control!" She points her finger at me, yelling. "Just because you're closer to the Queen doesn't mean you can slack off."
I'm a bit taken aback, but don't say anything, they always say this and for what? I do my job and watch him, he's a child he's going to get into trouble. "Sorry..?" I mumbled, "I'll get him cleaned up and get the mess in the halls." I stand up, rolling my shoulders a bit.
"Hmph." Mrs. Yule huffs down the hallway and I turn to Chopper, a grin spread across his face.
"What did you do this time?" I asked as I picked him up and put him on my hips. I walk out of the little office and down the hall to the nearest bathroom.
He frowns as he looks away from me. "I just wanted to help..." I place him on the floor as I grab a rag and wet it down a bit.
So she misunderstood? "I'm proud of you for trying to help, maybe next time ask Mrs. Yule so she doesn't yell at you again?" I start wiping the dirt off his face as he starts to sniffle. "How about I let you help me with your lunch?"
He immediately perks back up. "Really?" I nod and he hugs me. "Thank you!" I promise I'll do good!"
I smile and hug him back, grabbing his arms and wiping them down. "You're gonna need a bathroom later." I say softly. I got what I could for now, I need to feed him before I do anything else.
Picking him back up, I place him on my hip. We head back up towards the little office and I look at my letter, the ink looks dry, but I think I need to leave it out just a bit longer; I can't afford for it to smudge.
"What's that?" Chopper asks, peering around me and staring at it.
"It's a letter for my parents. Remember what I told you about them?" I smile, bringing it closer to him.
"Yeah! They live far, far, far away!" He reaches out to grab it but I hold it up and away from him.
"No, don't touch it. The ink is still wet, we don't want to ruin it!" I place it back on the desk and hold him up in front of me. "Time for lunch love."
"Do you miss them?" He asks, a sad look in his face.
"Yes, everyday but you and Mom make me feel better." I hug him tightly. He giggles a bit but it's soon interrupted by the sound of metal hitting the ground.
(First Floor Layout)
I race to the kitchen, looking around, Chopper now glued back to my hip. "Are you okay?" I say, waiting for whoever it is to reply. I place him on the counter and walk around to the other side of the Island, Nico there with pots and pans around her. "Nico!" I bend down quickly and go to touch her but she stops me, holding her hand up.
"I'm fine Y/N, no need to worry." I stand up a bit taken back but I guess I'll take her word for it. She gathers the dishes up and puts them on the counter as more people rush in but she quickly dismisses them. "Whoever put the dishes up did an awful job.
Thinking back she was just crouching down, nothing too serious so I guess I got too worried because of the noise. I focus my attention back on Nico. "We were about to come in here anyways, it's time for Chopper to eat lunch."
Nico studies my dress. "Did you get in a fight with Mrs. Yule?" She giggles, "Hopefully it comes out, don't want to ruin the dress." She smiles. "Thank you for being worried about me though Y/N dear." She looks over to Chopper. "I take it you did too?" She scoots him across the island and grabs onto his face. "Y/N is going to give you a bath and then it's nap time, okay?"
"A nap?" I ask, "It's awfully early and he hasn't eaten since about eight or so. He needs to eat."
"He needs to nap earlier to get through the rest of today." She says firmly.
"Is it cause Uncle-"
Chopper starts but she's quick to cut him off. "Tony what did I tell you about that?" She crosses her arms and stares at him. "That stays between only the two of us."
"But I wanna see him..." he whines, starting to tear up.
"Not today, Mommy needs to be alone for this."
Chopper looks at me and I give him a confused look. Who the hell are they talking about in the first place? On top of that, what am I supposed to do? "Mom said no hun, so let's go give you a bath." He loses it, beginning to bawl like I've never seen before. His screams are so high pitched, it starts to give me a headache.
"Tony, you know better than to act like this." Nico says, picking him up and heading towards his room, me closely behind them. "You can stay here Y/N, I'll be needing to get used to this."
I stop at the bottom of the stairs watching as the two of them head upstairs. I feel a bit of pain in my heart as I just stare, everything around me fading away. Does she not want me around him anymore?
✦✦✦
I sit on the edge of Chopper's bed, happy to just be around him again. Maybe she just meant for the time being? I shake the thoughts from my head as I focus my attention onto him. He's calmed down a bit but still heavily upset. "Once you get up, I'll get you some cake to make you feel better, how about that?"
He sniffles, not even acknowledging what I said. He's so hellbent on seeing whoever it is, but why? He can't be that important if he's just an uncle. As he lays down I let out a sigh of relief, the crying must have made him tired. Thank god. I stand up as I pull the covers further up and kiss his cheek. "Do I still get cake?" he asks and I giggle.
"Of course love." I hand him his stuffed reindeer. "Now get some sleep so you can have some." I walk over to his blinds, closing them just a tiny bit before pulling his curtains almost all the way shut. "Sleep we'll love." I turn back around, my heart sinking. The door wide open and his covers thrown back. "God dammit." I hiss, rushing out of his room.
(Second Floor Layout)
"Chopper!" I yell, racing down the stairs after him. "You're going to be in so much trouble." Honestly I don't know who I'm saying that to, me or him. I slow down as I hear the front doors of the castle opening. Shit he's here.
I slow down as I get closer to the bottom, still searching for Chopper. Scanning the room, I can't see him hiding anywhere but then I see some quick movement darting towards the door, there he is.
"I'm so glad you could make it here safely." Nico says, clapping a bit, curtsying as she greets a blonde man at the doors. Chopper stops by a nearby table, peering around it.
He has a black hat with a singular white feather sticking out. There's a cigarette that hangs from his mouth. He had a black and blue cape covering his back, with a thing that has the similar color scheme covering his white long sleeve undershirt; both are mainly blue with yellow trim. His pants are a darkish brown almost black cover. His hands have dark brown leather gloves that come up right underneath his elbows.
(Reference Image)
"Of course, I wouldn't miss seeing you for the world." He bows, smiling.
Chopper jumps out from behind the table and I rush further down the stairs to the very bottom. Dammit. "Uncle Sanji!" He yells, jumping on the stranger.
Sanji? There's no way that could be him. I study the man a bit more, the blonde hair and facial hair hits me after so long. It is, god dammit. I didn't know Nico had any siblings, let alone Sanji being one of them.
"Tony what the hell do you think you're doing? I thought you were supposed to be napping." Nico says going to grab him. "Where is Y/N?" Nico sounds pissed and honestly it's scary, I know she's trying not to cuss around him but I feel like she's going to snap at any moment.
Chopper points in my direction and giggles. Sanji laughs and hugs him. "It's been a while, little guy." He smiles at Nico. "He's fine. I'll get him to nap before I leave. I promise."
Nico sighs, looking over at me. I look away, biting the inside of my cheek. "I'm sorry Nico." I bow.
"Oh don't be shy, we don't bite." Sanji says, "Come here Y/N."
A chill goes through my body. Why is he using my name so casually? He acts as if he's known me for years. Reluctantly I walk over to them. "I can take him off your hands sir."
He grins. "No no, it's fine." He looks me up and down, studying me. "Is this the girl you've been telling me about?" Sanji looks over to Nico who hits his arm. "Right," he adjusts himself. Nico has told him about me?
"Y/N dear, why don't you go out for a bit now that you have some free time." Nico says. "Just make sure to come back before sunset." I stand there in slight disbelief. Everything seems so fake, this can't be real right? "Y/N?" Nico waves her hand in front of my face.
"Are you sure? I'm sure I could help out with Chopper while the two of you talk."
"We'll be able to handle him, love." Sanji says, grabbing a hold of my hand and kissing it.
I blush a bit, not knowing what to do. I feel eyes digging into me and I turn and see some of the maids and butlers glaring at me, their eyes digging into my skin. I need to get out of here.