Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 2: Debut (Part 3)

I took a deep breath as they started getting out. When I stepped out I took Zoro's hand and walked as I had been taught, gracefully and elegantly. I held Zoro's arm tighter as I noticed the bowing and curtsying of guards and some, supposed, nobles. Zoro huffed, but wasn't allowed to talk unless spoken to, apparently. I don't think I had ever felt so lonely before. Will it be like this at the academy?...

We walked like that all the way to the throne room. Zoro guided me to Ace, who led me from a certain point forward before bowing and leaving. Ace whispered, "Follow my lead, ok?" I nodded as the doors opened, "Introducing His Grace, Portgas Shanks, Her Grace Portgas Makino, his royal highness, Prince Portgas Ace and her royal highness, Princess Lyda Iris!" I kept my elegant and graceful stance the entire time besides being filled with loneliness. Sengoku walked up, "Iris!" I smiled and walked up as he opened his arms. I giggled and hugged him, "Hi Uncle Sen." He held my hand and walked me to the throne as Ace, Shanks, and Makino walked with me.

My expression showed heartache as I saw my friends bowing, but I quickly fixed it as Sengoku began talking, "You may rise! Thank you everyone for gathering for my only niece, and our crown princess, Iris's pre-debut party! I hope you enjoy yourselves!" He then turned and sat down with me in his lap. "Happy birthday Iris... I got you something special..."

I tilted my head as he motioned for something. I blinked surprised as he handed me a box. I opened it and smiled brightly at a silver crown with a spiked band with a clear gem hanging in the middle, "Wow! So pretty!" He smiled and picked it up, "I hope you wear it always... It adjusts to your head, so it'll always fit."

I bent lightly as he placed it on my head. The band shrunk and the crystal glowed a pink and purple light before returning to a clear diamond. I jerked as they began clapping and cheering while some were whispering. I smiled at them as instructed before Sengoku motioned to start. Ace walked to me and offered his hand as he bowed lightly, "Would you like to dance?" I looked to the side before smiling and nodding as I took his hand.

I slipped away and made my way to the dance floor as everyone made their way. Ace and I had already taken dance lessons and the training with Praline that she literally beat into me showed my poise. Ace smiled sadly, "Iri... Keep in mind that as this country's princess... You're allowed whatever you want if you wish for it." I just nodded and slowly started enjoying our dancing as he twirled me.

After the dance I curtsied and Ace bowed before making our way back. I returned to Makino as she motioned me over, "Want to eat?" I looked at the people then down and shook my head, "... I'm not hungry right now... I'll eat later..." I jerked as she smiled, "They have strawberry cake.~" I drooled lightly and nodded, "I want some!" She pointed to a table, but I jerked as I saw Zoro, Corazon, and Sabo standing to the side at attention. Luffy was gone somewhere and Law was talking to someone older. 

I glanced down, but Ace took my hand, "Iri... You're the birthday girl. You can do whatever you want! Let's go get some cake!" I smiled softly and nodded as he held my hand and led me to the cake. I blinked surprised as two girls, about fourteen or fifteen, walked to us. They curtsied, "Glory to the Sabaody empire and greetings to his highness, Prince Portgas and to her highness, Princess Lyda. Princess Lyda, we wish you a happy birthday and that you may be blessed with good fortune."

I smiled and nodded as I gripped Ace's hand tighter, "... Thank you..." Ace nodded and went to leave, but one of them moved, "Prince Ace! I-I mean your highness, if I may be so bold to ask you for a dance?" I huffed as I realized what happened. "... I'll return to Uncle Sen..." He went to stop me, but I slipped away and headed back. 

However, I was about halfway back when a few men approached me and greeted me the same way. They bowed, "Glory to the Sabaody empire and greetings to her highness, Princess Lyda. We wish you a happy birthday and that you may be blessed with good fortune." I forced a smile and nodded, "... Thank you very much..."

I looked down as one presented a young bow with straight long blonde hair. He looked about sixteen and was wearing a typical suit, with gloves, and fancy shoes. "Your highness, this is my son Basil Hawkins..." He bowed, as the others introduced themselves to me. A boy that looked about fourteen with a little longer than normal arms and red suit didn't bow as he said, "Name's Appoo." I tilted my head, but glanced up as the older man made him bow, "I apologize, your highness. Apparently he needs to be taught manners again."

I huffed softly, "That's quite alright." They all jerked as I smiled softly, "It's also considered rude to talk to a higher status without permission, but since it's my first time I thought it would be fine to talk with new people. Despite the difference in our status." I smiled softly at them, "I appreciate your apology, but please don't let me think of this as a mistake... You may rise now."

He got up as I then noticed there were whispers. He asked, "May we be excused?" I nodded and motioned, "Any of those that wish to not conversate with me may leave." They, Basil's family, and another boy with flaming red hair walked off, but froze as I walked around them, "Hopefully they will mind their manners next time." I smirked, "As to not talk to someone higher than you without greeting me then waiting for an answer. Once you're answered you may speak. Of course, that's only to the people that walked away. As long as you mind your manners beside that, the others that wish to talk are free to do so."

I was gripping my hand so tight it was turning purple. I blinked as two women walked up and greeted me, "Glory to the Sabaody empire and greetings to her highness, Princess Lyda. We wish you a happy birthday and that you may be blessed with good fortune." I was quiet for a moment as they stayed bowing and in a curtsy not looking up. I smiled, "Thank you very much." They rose as I asked, "May I know your names?" A little girl curtsied, "My name is Riju. I'm from the Vinsmoke family." I looked at three other men as they introduced themselves as Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji. I was about to say something, but I looked up as Ace grabbed my hand, "Iri, the king is motioning for us." He looked at them, "Excuse us..." I nodded to them then held his hand as he led me back up to Shanks, Makino, and Sengoku.