Chapter Text
"It's always you, mm?"
Emrys cracks a small grin, taking the pink-feathered coat off her shop counter, examining the material.
"What did Mr. Doflamingo do to you this time, eh?"
She was amused, very amused. It was not the first time the Donquixote family sent her their clothing for her to fix; she was the best tailor in all of Dressrosa after all.
Waving off the footman, she goes to work, humming softly to some music in her head as she fixes up the rip in the coat's side.
She had never personally interacted with any of the family, often sending the garment back with whatever footman or grunt was sent in with it.
Emrys preferred it that way.
She enjoyed not having any of the boisterous, loud family in her little shop. Not to say that there was anything inherently wrong with them or that they were awful (even though they were in reality).
She just liked silence. She liked her simple, quiet, mundane life.
No prideful executives. No cocky, charming king.
Just herself, her music, and her sewing kit.
It takes about 30 minutes, maybe more—Emrys never kept track of time very well.
Once she's sure her stitch will stay, she sets it back on the counter, smiling kindly at the footman.
"Tell Mr. Doflamingo I appreciate his continued trust in me."
The footman nods, picking up the coat carefully and setting down a small satchel of berries before taking his leave.
It's maybe an hour after, and she's closing up early.
Her soft hums the only prominent sound as she tucks away fabric scraps and puts needles into their rightful places in her kit.
Heading out once her tidying was done, Emrys makes her way down the cobbled streets of Dressrosa.
The city was gorgeous in the daytime; everyone was out and about while the sun beamed down. Children skirted past her, playing with the toys that ran around the city. Couples walked together.
In a city of passion and love, she had yet to find her one.
10 years ago, she'd have told anyone who asked what her type of man was that she liked men who were kind and gentle, men who had personality without being too loud or boisterous.
Well, that's what she had always thought before Doflamingo had taken over Dressrosa.
Since that day, she had been utterly and entirely in love with the pirate.
Did Emrys know he was bad news? That he spelt trouble with every silvery, sappy word that dripped from those honeyed lips?
Yes.
She, in fact, did. She was not completely blinded by her infatuation with the older man.
She could taste it in the air around him.
Wrath, greed, and lust followed him like a swarm of locusts.
Every time she came within a few yards of him, spicy, sour, and sweet notes attacked her tongue.
Doflamingo was as guilty as the next sinner.
He truly was.
Maybe more so.
That's probably why they call him the heavenly demon, now that she really thinks about it.
Emerys hums, looking around, taking in her surroundings.
She had always loved Dressrosa.
Her family had moved here when she was about 8 or 9, her mother a tailor and her father a shop owner.
They had good lives up until a few years ago, when her mother and father both passed away from uncertain circumstances.
Even then, being the optimist she was, she still thrived.
Combining her mother's and father's passions to open her own tailor shop, along with a small baking business on the side.
She heads into the market, picking out everything she'd need for a few special desserts someone had ordered.
A cherry tart, a fruit salad cake, and a peach cobbler.
Picking out fruits, flour, and all the other things she'd need, she quickly wrapped up her shopping trip.
She tried to make her time out in public as quick as possible; she just wasn't a fan of people.
She skips back to her shop, quickly getting started on her work.
As she kneads the dough for the cherry tart, her mind wanders to Doflamingo.
Standing at 10 feet tall and almost 20 years older than her, she was completely taken by him from the time he had made his first appearance as Dressrosa's savior.
She sighed, and her teeth caught her bottom lip to gnaw on as her thoughts swirled.
Doflamingo was certainly a character.
Charming, intelligent, arrogant, and oh so seductive when he needed to be.
Every time he made any kind of announcement to the people of Dressrosa or showed up at the Colosseum, she clung to every honeyed word that dripped from his lips.
Emrys felt like a lovesick teenager all over again when he dared to exist within her vicinity.
It's silly, she knows, but she couldn't help herself.
Her stupid ability to literally taste sin was a blessing and a curse.
Doflamingo's presence always set off strong tastes of spicy peppers, sour fruit, and sweet candy.
It was a molten combination on her tongue.
Yet, she savored it every time.
It was the closest she ever got to personal with Doflamingo.
And it probably would be the only way she ever would, always having been much too cowardly to approach any of the Donquixote family, much less Doflamingo himself.
Some days, she wishes she could build the courage to utter just a single syllable to the blonde man. She had seen him in public often enough and had come close to bumping into him more than once—her attention always taken by him, and she hardly paid attention to her surroundings until the last minute.
She doesn't even realize she's already halfway done with the tart until she's about to put it into the oven, blinking a few times to recenter herself.
"Oh my… I did it again."
Emerys sighs, shaking her head as she double-checks her work, thankful she's done this enough times to just go off muscle memory.
She pops the tart in the oven and begins the other two desserts, not even registering the bell jingling above the shop door, before someone clears their throat.
And when she looks up to greet them?
Her heart starts rapidly beating, damn near pounding on her ribcage. Eyes widening and her breath hitching.
The smell of greed, wrath, and lust floats to her, and she swallows down the combo of tastes on her tongue.
"D-Doflamingo! I wasn't expecting you-"
She practically stumbles over herself and her words as she quickly dusts her hands off and scurries over to the counter.
Doflamingo just grins and chuckles as he watches Emrys have a mental come-apart while trying to look presentable.
"Calm down, my dear, I'm only here to thank you, personally, of course."
Emrys stops in front of the counter, thin white brows furrowing in confusion.
"I- You don't have to thank me! I'm always happy to do it."
Doflamingo hums in amusement, brows raising a bit.
"Can't a king show his hardworking citizens some appreciation occasionally?"
Emrys blushed a bit as she smiled sheepishly, rocking on her heels.
"Ah, I suppose that it isn't… unwelcome."
Her voice was a soft murmur, almost airy with bashfulness.
Doflamingo hums softly, a lilt of amusement in the noise. He had been keeping a few tabs on the bashful tailor.
He had seen her peeking around a few times when he and the family came around.
She piqued his interest, which to most would either be very, very bad or the opportunity of a lifetime.
And for Emrys?
Well… she's on the verge of having a fucking heart attack.
Her cheeks are tinged pink, fingers twisting themselves, and a sheepish smile on her lips.
She was absolutely elated.
Doflamingo chuckles softly, leaning his hip against the counter and his large hand splayed across the cool stone top.
"I'm also here to extend an invitation."
That causes her to pause, blinking a few times, and her brows raise slightly.
"In…vitation?" She murmurs.
His grin stretches across his face, his head tilting slightly to the side.
"An invitation, I'm sure you know what that is, don't you, dear?"
The condescending lilt in his voice isn't missed by her, but she chooses to ignore it.
"I-I… Of course I-I do! I'm just confused…"
He hums as he leans forward a bit, looming over her small frame and tipping her chin up to look him head-on.
"Confused about what, dove? It shouldn't be surprising that my family and I would like to enjoy your lovely company. "
The way he emphasizes the word 'lovely' sends a bolt of something she'd rather not name at the moment down her spine.
"U-um… What is it that you would like to invite me to?"
Her voice comes out trembling; her nervousness palpable.
He hums, and his tongue laves over his bottom lip before he speaks in a low rumble.
"Just a small dinner party. My family. a few other associates, and, of course, myself. Nothing serious, just a casual event. Though I'd love to see you in a dinner dress. Something red, mm?"
Emrys felt like she was about to implode with joy and a whole other slew of emotions.
A dinner party? With Doflamingo?
She's gonna explode.
She swallows and manages a small nod before squeaking out,
"S-sure! I-um… yes, yes! I'd like to go."
Doflamingo chuckles at her fluster and grins.
"Good. Very good. I'll send for someone to come get you tomorrow, just before 7."
She nods, breathing a little harsher than before.
He taps her chin once more before pulling away and turning to leave.
"I'll see you tomorrow, cariño."
And he disappears out the door, leaving Emrys reeling over the pet name.
Well, she supposed she had to find a dress for tomorrow night…