Chapter 6: I am a pirate, not a prince
After living with someone like Luffy all your life it is weird to spend your time without being dragged anywhere or called with a loud voice or not tried to keep them alive and got eaten by an alligator or any other beast. The reasons? One, because I live in the palace, hence there are no beasts or any huge dangerous animals here which is boring I tell you. Two, because unlike Luffy and Sabo, my brother is not really like to spend time with me, not that I also am allowed to spend time with him, which is stupid in my opinion, we're brothers how can we're not allowed to play together? Brothers are supposed to go and have fun together! Find an adventure together! Well, not that I said we have to be together all the time but at least having fun together is a must, don't you agree? (see, even Sabo and Marco in my head nodding along with me and Luffy's excited yell).
Being a Prince is suck. There are too many don'ts in it. Please don't climb the trees because it's dangerous, his Highness. Please don't go without your knights because it's dangerous, his Highness. Please don't do this, please don't do that. His Highness this, his Highness that. The reason is always that it's dangerous. Gahhhh! I'm a pirate damn it! The dangerous thing is what makes my life exciting. It's too damn boring to be protected all the time. What would Luffy say if he finds out that his big brother is being protected like some damn baby? Sabo must be rolling in his grave. How am I going life a free life if it's always doing this is too dangerous and going there also dangerous so I can't do that?
They say my priority should be my study. I need to learn our kingdom history and stuff. Oh and don't forget about politics and math and other important things that I forgot what is it because I don't listen. They're boring. I might be a pirate but I'm familiar with politics, as a second commander of Whitebeard pirates, of course, I too know how to read and count. A commander job is quite hard, I tell you. There are too many paperwork, reports, things to calculates, action to decides, strategies to makes. Because you have your subordinates slash brothers lives in your hand, you have a responsibility to take care of them too. If you don't know how to do that, it is as same as you send them to their own death. Yeah, so comparing to that, my study is just too boring. I'm only 11 years old right now but I already think that I'm going to die by boredom.
It might be less boring if I could see Kii right now, sadly I was not allowed to visit her. They (my Royal family) said I was intruding too much in their household because I came every day in the last years. Well, what is the point of having a fiancee if you can't see her any time you want to see her?
Hmm...
Geh, what the hell? Let's just go to see her. Fuck the rules! Since when I'm following it anyway?
Kii's house is beautiful but not as beautiful as her of course. It seems well maintained. It is too flowery and sparkly for me though. It doesn't suit Kii either. Kii is a calm, elegant, cute, beauty... Nah, I'll stop there before I ramble on and on about it. Her family always all smiley and said that I will always welcome in their house. They're too nice. It looks more fake than real in my eyes. I'm a pirate, I don't trust people easily. There is only Kii that I know happy to see me and one other that I know unhappy to see me.
"You're here again, Huh? I thought today is not the day you supposed to come here? What excuse you have now?"
Ah, speaking of the devil. His curt voice always makes you can feel his scowl even without seeing it yourself. My little big brother-in-law seems not really like me spending time with Kii. I suspect that he has a sister complex? It was fun though, no one treats me like him. Always honest about what he feels.
"Nah, I don't have other reasons besides I want to see Kii. Miss her," I smile charmingly at him. And there his scowl again.
"Kii is busy," he said
"not busy enough to not able to see me, I'm sure," I replied carelessly
"You know, for a Prince, you're too carefree and selfish. Not too mention have too much time on you. Don't you have a full schedule to prepare yourself to be a fine King, your highness?" he jabs.
I would feel offended if it was not true. I never plan to be a king though. Here, a king is someone who held so many responsibilities in his hand. He needs to think about his people first before he thinks of himself. Don't forget about political thingy with our neighbouring countries. If I am to be a king someday I also will need to think about marrying other countries Princess just for the sake of our country. It's a big no-no in my list. The only woman I want is Kii and Kii only. Too many women in your life will give you a headache I'm sure. My king father only had two wives and never married other princess country, with my queen mother passed he only has one wife left and he still has too many things to consider when he was interacting with us his own family. There is no way I'm going to follow his steps. Beside my plan to go on an adventure when I'm strong enough is going to fail if I become a king. So, be a king equal to big no for me.
I told Kii once that my dream is to go on adventures. To see the world, I told her. When I asked her what she thinks about it, it's nice she said. She looks surprised when I asked if she willing to come with me but then she gave me the cutest smile she ever gave me and said "I'm going to wherever Ace-kun is going. I want to see the world as well". It was soon become one of the happiest things I heard in this life. I was about to daydream about how exciting our adventures going to be when an annoyed voice come to my attention.
"are you even listening to me, Prince Arzen?"
My oh so-called a brother-in-law said impatiently. I was about to retort when I noticed Duke and Duchess Wallace comes with their eldest son Akai and first daughter who I don't know what her name was and Kii in tows. Honestly, they need so many people to fetch Kii?
"Greeting to his highness, Arzen-sama," they said in unison. To be honest I don't really like it when people call me Arzen. It's my name but at the same time doesn't feel like it's mine as well. I detest being called his highness more but look, I can still say likewise with a smile when people call me that. I sure have grown up, yeah?
I told them that I would like to ask their permission to take Kii out as I have something that I want to discuss with her. They're happy to let us go (except Aoi who immediately silenced by his mother when he was about to argue. Poor guy). With the promise to let her back in the evening, I held my hand to Kii, she took it with a smile and off we went in our merry way.
As soon as we're on the carriage, Kii turn at me and ask "Ace-kun, where are we going? Doesn't Ace-kun have a class today? I don't see Lexy-san anywhere?"
Ah, she grows up as well. Lexy is my knight or bodyguard. His full name is Alexander McCais. His name is too long so I call him Lexy and soon he asks Kii to call him Lexy as well. Nice guy he was. In the past, she wouldn't have asked this many questions when we go out. Even if she noticed something off she would just go along with me. I'm so proud of her. She is nine now but she already is a beauty. I kiss her hand and pull her closer to me.
"Hmm, we're going to our training ground and Lexy is not here because he doesn't know I'm here," I told her as I hug her and rest my head on hers.
"Lexy-san wouldn't be happy when he found out and will say that this is dangerous for Ace-kun" she sigh.
"I know," I said
"but don't care?" she asks
"but don't care" I agree
She giggles. I used to hate it when a woman giggled at me. I love hers though. I've really really high over heels for her it seems. And I don't regret it. Her smile, which is still rare, always make my day brighter than usual. Her soft voice is like a melody that always lightens my heart. She is so precious. She is the best thing I ever had since Luffy, Sabo and Oyaji's crews. In this life, she is my treasure.
She was right when she said Lexy is going to be mad. He is not only mad but also livid. His lips thinned and his eyes burning as hot as my Mera Mera Mi, not that I still have it but I'm sure it will be as hot as the way his gaze burning me right now.
"so..." he starts.
"so?" I ask
"Arzen-sama. "
"it's Ace" I cut him
"Ace-sama" he pressed at the words "decides that studying is too boring yet again and went to visit Kii-sama and thinks that training is more fun? Am I correct?"
"Bingo!" I beam at him
He glares which is rude and then tells me "I'm sure his highness is aware that it was dangerous to go by himself?" he prods.
"it's Ace. And yes, I'm aware. That is also why we're here now. I want to go on adventures after we are older and we need to be strong for it. That's why we need to train more" I tell him
"what about Kii-sama? Wouldn't she get bored waiting for Ace-sama training to finish?" he asks again
"Hmm, you're right" his triumph smile drop when I turn to ask Kii if she would like to train with me and turn incredulous when Kii answer with "am I allowed to?" while looking up at me.
"I would love to train with Ace-kun," she said happily to Lexy.
By now Lexy was busy messaging his temple. "you two are going to be the death of me" he sigh.
After that, we change into our training suits. I lend my spare one to Kii which is way too big for her. Thought She looks adorable in it I promised her to prepare one for her next time as an unfit suit will be in the way for her training. She looks happy with the prospect so I count it as my win.
After we finished our training Lexy goes again with his lectures, he said that that's okay to want to train and be strong but as a Crown Prince I also have other responsibilities. I have to be able to manage my time between training, studying and visiting Kii. Have I mentioned that being a prince is suck? Yes, it really sucks. No, I'm not pouting at him nor I brooding as he accused me. I'm just unhappy with his explanation which is sadly true for my current position. I don't like authorities but I know what responsibility is. He said I should start with finding a butler again which I immediately refuse.
"a butler can manage Ace-sama schedules and also hopefully will be able to advise on how to fully establish Ace-sama time. Beside Ace-sama wouldn't go everywhere alone if Ace-sama has a butler. I maybe even will feel less worried when I found out that Ace-sama has run away yet again" he explained.
"You know I don't trust people. The last time I had a butler he was out to kill me. You still remember that don't you? You almost die to protect us" I remained him.
"of course I do remember but not everyone is bad" he tried again.
"no, unless you volunteering to be my butler than the answer will always be no," I tell him.
"I'm flattered that Ace-sama trusts me that much but I'm just a knight. I came from a commoner family. I wouldn't have a specification to be a butler let alone a Crown Prince's butler"
He sighs at my "Nah, then I'm just fine without one" answer. Kii was looking at us with a worry glance. I take her hands in mine to lessen her worry. I knew she must be remembered that day.
When we went out to the town in incognito, one and half year ago, we were ambushed by assassins that were trying to kill me on our way back. We were in the carriage and there were only four of us. Lexy, my butler whose name I forgot, Kii and I. Lexy was fighting the assassins and trying to defend us. He asked us to stay in the carriage to make it easier for him to defend us and at that time the carriage was the safest place. Even I, who actually itching to go out and fight along with him, agree with his way of thinking. There were only two of them attacking us and I was sure that Lexy would have defeated them in a blink of eyes. But my stupid butler accidentally or should I said purposely made us fall out from the carriage and when the attackers noticed us he urged us to follow him even as Lexy said to stay close to him. I'm a pirate, I lied, and I knew when people lie. So I told him to lead the way while I pretended to help Kii up then, of course, I led Kii to run the opposite way from him which was the smart thing to do I tell you as he was actually leading me to other assassins that time.
By the time he found us. Lexy was already dealing with the two attackers and was fast to save us. Even so, he was hurt badly because that coward butler was pleading for his own life and was trying to convince Lexy that he was just a victim. That he had no choice because they took his family as hostages. Lexy had a scary face but he was actually a very nice person. He believed him and he stabbed him with a hidden knife. His death was to fast to my liking but at that time I was focused on Lexy and the need to bring him to a doctor soon. Luckily Kii was not a fragile weak girl like other and I was not a sheltered Prince either. We were able to stay calm and did first aid on him as best as we can, so by the time we managed to brought him to a doctor he was still had time. It was close though. The doctor said that by how far away we were from the town and how badly his injuries were it was lucky that he was still alive by the time he reaches the infirmary.
So yeah no. No butler for me. Being a prince is suck. Have I told you that?
"when Ace-sama becomes a king in the future, Ace-sama will need someone to stay in Ace-sama side as a butler so even if it is not now Ace-sama will still need them" I was startled at his voice. I almost forgot what were we talking about.
"I don't want and plan to be a king," I told him "I want to have an adventure. I want to see the world"
"Please not this again" he groans "What about Kii-sama if his highness does that?" he pleads to me.
"Kii is coming along of course," I tell him. Kii's nodding along with me.
"Kii-sama is a Crown Prince's fiancee. Kii-sama would have to marry the King to be" he remains us.
I was about to tell him how wrong he was when Kii's soft voice reach us.
"I'm Ace-kun's fiancee. The contract said so that Kii is to be Ace-kun's and not the crown prince's fiancee so I go wherever Ace-kun goes" she told him.
I'm aware that my grin is as big as Luffy's right now, maybe larger. You can't imagine how happy I'm to hear that comes from her.
"please don't tell me that his Highness is going to pass the title of Crown Prince to His highness Arren-sama... " he pleads with a weak voice.
"of course not," I said. "Arren Nii-Sama is smart but he is not very good at fighting if I pass him the title now. Can you imagine how many people will be out to kill him? How can he survive? Giving him the title is as same as killing him. So no. I don't plan to pass it to him. I want him to be the king thought" I told him.
"Forgive me but I'm not following" he puzzles.
"I don't know what to do yet. I want him to be the king not only because I don't want to be one but also because I thought he is more suitable to be one. I'm selfish while he is always considerate to others. I hate politics and studying while he is always diligent in his study and seems to enjoy learning about politics. Big brother is a hard working person I'm sure he will be a good king" I tell him honestly.
"Ace-sama... "he trails
"I don't know how to make him be one thought. If I told Chichi-sama, I worry that he would think I am being pressured to hand over the title. Their relationship is already fragile. I do not wish to make it worse. The family is important after all. Yet talking to Aniiue-sama also impossible as he always seems to be suspicious of me" I say frustratingly.
Kii leans her head on my shoulder to calm me down. I close my eyes and lean on hers. I feel so lucky to have her. She always knows when I was going to explode and she always has a way to prevent it. For me who in my previous life only have brothers as I grew up, being hated by my own brothers now is a really painful experience. I'm not a stranger at being hated but the word brother was always chained with the word warm in my heart. So to put brother and hate together in the same sentence is just unacceptable for me. I don't really care about parents as the parental figure I have been only Oyaji who was the coolest and the best, not really my biological one but the one I choose myself. Gramp who was his idea of love was his fist on our head. Dadan and the bandits who were pretended not care while actually were really care about us. My mother who trades her own life so I would have a chance to live. Roger who I never know but hated because of rumours that I never found out whether it was true or not. Yeah, I do not really know about parents. But brothers are important.
"then talk to them at the same time," Kii says.
"excuse me?" I ask
"same time?" Lexy says
"Uh-huh, Ace-kun said that the royal family always have dinner together in private. Tell them Ace-kun plan then, and ask for their opinions. Don't forget to tell them Ace-kun reasons too, so they would fully understand what Ace-kun wants. Ace-kun said himself that family is important. But communication between families is far more important, don't you think? You'll always think that they don't care had you not communicate with them" she said.
I wonder sometimes if it was what she feels about her own family. As worry as I am right now, I am still an outsider I don't have the right to meddle with her family. Yet.
"It is a good idea," Lexy said
"I agree. I'll try to talk to them tonight" I tell them.
"ah, but Ace-sama will still need to study though. Even if Prince Arren is the one that going to be a king. As a Crown Prince Ace-sama still need to make an appearance as a splendid Crown Prince to people. So that they will not suspects anything"
I groaned because he was right
"that's why if I am allowed to propose a solution it might solve all of our problems," he tells us
"and the solution is?" I prod.
"Kii-sama will be studying with Ace-sama until Ace-sama goes to the Academy, also training together both in magic and physical exercise. It is of course if Kii-sama doesn't mind with it, as the training will be quite tiring for a lady. We don't want to force anything that Kii-sama doesn't want to do after all" he explains.
It is the best solution. I don't think I will feel bored with Kii beside me. Though, like Lexy said I don't want Kii to do anything that she doesn't want to do. But my worry was immediately appropriated as Kii once again smile brightly at us and said "I'll be honoured to be able to spend more time with Ace-kun"
Spend more time with Ace-kun and not studying or training with Ace-kun. She said spending time with Ace-kun. Do you notice that? Yeah, I know I smile like crazy right now.
After I drop Kii in her house as I've promised them. Aoi was glaring at me (what is his problem? Wonder what I ever did to him?) all the time I said my thanks and goodbye to Kii's parents. I told them that I have something I would like to discuss with them about Kii in the future. They were a bit wordy so I reassure them that it was not something bad. I said goodbye to Kii with a kiss on her hand. Well, I would like to kiss her in other places but I don't think her family will appreciate it.
Dinner is always been quiet and tense in our house. No one talk, no one tries to steal your food. Every one just concentrates on their own food. I hate it. The food that Thatch made were far far better than here. If I had to choose, I rather hunt my own food and cook it with my Mera Mera mi than eating here with this atmosphere. It made the food tastes worse from bad. I also usually just focus on my food and trying my best to wash out the bitterness and homesickness that I felt every time I remember my past lives. Tonight is different though. Tonight I have a purpose. So I speak. I told them my plan with Kii, about the adventure that I've been longing to have. About my feelings to be a king about what I think about Arren Nii-Sama. About what I've been worrying about.
I didn't forget to tell them my reasons. I told them what I told Kii and Lexy in a very detailed version. By the time I've finished, My king father is frowning. Lady mother is crying (I don't know why she is crying. Did I say something wrong? I hope I'm not messing it up) and my big brother is looking at me strangely as if he is looking at me for the first time.
"what?" I said. I knew I'm being rude and impatient not to mention unrespectful but I just don't Ike the way they look at me. It as if I'm being judged and I'm done at being judged in my previous life. I don't want being judged here as well, Thank you very much.
"why?" my brothers ask
"I've told you... " I tried to tell but he cuts me
"I've heard you, let's call it official reasons, or the big reasons. What about your personal one? What makes you think that you're not fitted to be a king?" he asks again
What the hell he means by 'official reasons'? if I have to answer that question... I took a breath and exhale it slowly. I told him...
"I love this country but I never have an attachment to it. I love this family but I don't feel like we're family at all. The family are not supposed to hate each other. Really really hate each other. Brothers aren't supposed to compete with a reason to down each other. We're supposed to compete to make each other better. To strengthen each other. Brothers suppose to protect each other. I don't like our relationship as a family. This is not what I want in a family. Because of our family situation, I never want to stay. I always want to go on adventures." I told them
"I know it was not a strong enough reason. But how will I be able to be a king, a protector to this country if I don't have enough love for this country? I'm a selfish person, I think about myself first before I think about others. I wouldn't be able to think about this country wellness. All I think is an adventure and the one I love, which is only Kii. Tell me, how would I be a good king if I think a woman is worth more than a title asking?" I questioned them.
"Is that why you asked the contract to written lady Kii as Ace fiancee rather than the crown prince fiancee? Because you want Lady Kii to follow you had you not a Crown Prince anymore? Was lady Kii aware of it?" my father asked.
"when I spoke to her that day I asked her who she wants to be a fiancee of. If it was me or the crown prince. She asked who choose her back in the ballroom. I told her it was Ace that chooses her. Then she said she would like to be Ace's fiancee. So, no I'm not cheating her. She is aware that she won't be marrying a king to be if someday I am about to lose the Crown Prince title". I explained to them
"prince Arzen, you love her that much?" lady mother asked.
I look at her eyes "I love her that much" I tell her.
I look at my father and my brother's face. I show them how serious I am.
"the first one that able to change my heart is Kii. Right now I've been falling too hard. The value of my own life and she is already in a point that hers is mattered more for me. If Kii died or killed so I would be. If she is not by my side, I will just feel empty. I don't want her to know about this. She will be troubled. It is not her fault. I'm the one that loves her this much, so I told her the reasons that I told you all before. It was also my reasons. It was also what I really feel. But honestly, if Kii never came to my life, I might be not here to talk to you. I would be just left when I thought I strong enough without even telling you. It would be worse because I don't think that I would ever care. That is just how selfish I am"
"You think so bad about yourself my son. The fact that you have those feelings means that you care. About this country. About this family. It was my fault that both of you become this estranged. Because I never talk to both sides. I want to protect you all but my way was not right. I love your mother, Achillea, the previous Queen, so much and I respect her too" he told me then noticing lady mother's own face, looking at her he continues "but it doesn't mean I love you less, my dear. Arren and Arzen are my proud sons. I never think any of them is lesser than the other. But we both know if I'm to make you the Queen not only Arzen's life that will be in danger but also yours as well as Arren"
"what do you mean, Your Highness?" my brothers ask
"on both your side and Arzen side, not everyone is really supporting you both. Most of them just want powers. Right now they think you and your mother are an easy pawn for them to play as a stepping stone. They poise your mother as an unfortunate lady who is dedicated to the king but never been recognized. They support you because they think that she is vulnerable and will easily manipulate once she becomes the queen. I knew they are wrong. I know how strong your mother is and I also know that both your mother and the previous queen never harbour any ill feeling towards each other. If she becomes the queen and they found out how strong she actually was, I worry that they will deem her as useless and kill her like what happened to the previous queen. It was my biggest failure to not be able to protect my loved one. I don't wish to lose her too but it seems by doing so I was not protecting you but just make you all suffer" he sighed regretfully.
My brother is listening quietly while holding lady mother who is crying on his shoulder. I'm not good with dramas. Or tears. Or feeling. In this situation, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. So I tell them that if everything is clear now and we now that we don't hate each other, can big brother please be a king in the future? I'll still be a Crown Prince. I will be his shadow, I told him. People who want our country down will be hunting me, while he is the one that will always be a king. He will be safe I said. It will be like a prank, I told them. The biggest prank we, as brothers, even make. Besides, if the one that truly supports him don't leave him even after I'm officially Crowned later on my 14th birthday, that means they really believe and like him as a person that capable to be a king and not only stay for the power that he has. I thought it was a smart thing when I told him that the lady that will choose to be with him without knowing his future as a king is a good one, and as long it is not Kii I'll fully support him. I don't get it why he is rolling his eyes at me or why lady mother laughing while still crying or why my father king sigh proudly at me. Can a person even sigh proudly? Whatever though, at least I got what I want. I proud of myself. I pat myself on the back as I go back to my room.
Gah, I'm tired. There are too many things happening in one day. Being a prince is really tiring not to mention suck. Have I told you that? I feel like I want to shout to the world that I'm a pirate not a prince for heaven sake. And being a prince is suck!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone