Dearly Devoted

Chapter 7

For perhaps the first time in her life, Yuna felt truly small. Really, anyone would, sitting amongst the many daughters of Charlotte Lin Lin and the monstrous Yonko herself at the head of the tea table. All in attendance for their mother's tea party, it was the first gathering of the Charlotte family that she had been witness to. Other than her own wedding, of course. Not all of them were on par with Smoothie's or even her own height, but the ease with which they interacted with one another was intimidating. Brulee-the sole person in the room that Yuna could tentatively call an acquaintance-sat at the far end of the table, barely within earshot to the former princess.

After the incident in the bakery, she wasn't sure what their standing with each other was, but she had parted from Yuna with a much more pleasant expression than when she'd first met. That spelled...something positive? Yuna could only hope.

The castle's tea room sported high ceilings and painted walls to make you feel as though you were out in the garden and gave it a sense of size that couldn't be matched anywhere Yuna was familiar with. It would have made more sense to hold the gathering in the actual garden, but she knew better than to question Big Mom's decision.

The large circular table was topped with dozens upon dozens of the finest china, ornate and pastel and...animated. When the chefs had poured the tea for the 40 or so women seated around the table, the green-haired woman had picked up the tea cup upon her plate and nearly dropped it when it smiled back at her.

"Drink from me, Miss Yuna! Oh, please, won't you?"

"Ahem..." Covering her surprise with a quiet cough, the former princess had glanced around at the others, noticing that none were at all concerned that their cups were talking. They sipped and talked amongst themselves, not even acknowledging the cups' words. It took a good few minutes to convince herself to take her own sip, feeling strange as it wiggled against her lips. Ehhh...

There was no official beginning to the gathering, and for the most part, the former princess was ignored by those she sat around. That was fine, she didn't particularly want to stand out for any reason, especially with Big Mom in attendance with them. Even the outgoing part of her had a limit, and surrounded by 40 people who disliked her so much wasn't the time nor place she'd prefer to win Katakuri's family's favor.

Watching the Yonko in her natural element didn't assuage the former Princess any of her fears. Her mother-in-law ate and drank alongside her daughters with a mad sort of glee, grinning at the talking plates and cups, and even the silverware. There was something so disconcerting about that woman's demeanor. Yuna couldn't say exactly what it was that made her so uncomfortable, she just...was.

She remained quiet through most of the affair, content to be left alone and ignored by her sisters-in-law. Big Mom jovially laughed and spoke with those closest to her at the table, not having paid her a shred of attention this entire time. Was there even a point to her invitation? Why was Yuna here?

The waitstaff finally brought small crackers and cookies to the table to enjoy with the tea, and Yuna saw with dismay that they too had faces and spoke. The one blessing about Komugi Island was that, for the most part, the country was devoid of the homies that Big Mom created for...whatever reason. Yuna had little experience with them other than during the time she'd prepared for her own wedding.

Steeling her nerves she picked one up, inspecting it with a furrowed brow.

"Eat me! I'm delicious and sweet!"

"Umm...please, don't speak." She requested in a whisper, holding the smiling dessert close to her mouth. It only laughed harder, making her grimace.

Trying not to think about it too much, her teeth sank into the cookie. The...thing only laughed with glee upon being devoured, and Yuna decided then that she really wasn't that hungry after all. She placed the rest back on her small plate and pushed it away, barely able to swallow the small bit she had eaten. The taste was overshadowed by the terrible thought of having eaten something living.