Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 15: Shattering (Part 2)

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I grabbed him and held him to me as I nuzzled him and breathed slightly heavily. I felt a soothing stroke, so I looked up to see Gengi in his human form stroking my hair. I nuzzled closer and whispered, "Gengi..." He nuzzled my forehead, "Back to sleep." I relaxed again and breathed softly as he comforted me and sang softly.

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I took a soft inhale as I looked up to see the sun shining on me through the window. I slowly sat up and looked around, but Gengi was gone. "Gengi?" He walked out of the bathroom, "I was just getting things ready for you." I got up and made my way there as he grabbed my dress and undergarments. I washed up a bit before he helped me change before he returned to his small form. I held him in my arms as I made my way into the hall.

I looked to see that Shanks and Robin were about to knock. Shanks smiled, "You need to eat lunch since you missed dinner then Robin will help you get ready for the ball." Robin smiled at me, "It's been awhile your highness." I smiled and giggled, "Robin-san! How're you?" They walked with me as I was taken to the dining area where I saw everyone else having lunch, including my squad.

I sat between Shanks and Mikeal as we all talked and had lunch before Shanks, Mikeal, Minori, Robin, and I made our way to my room. I grinned as I saw Nami, Nojiko, and Bell-mère. I ran up and smiled, "I'll give Minori and Mikeal their suits then Uncle Shanks will help them get ready while we do." They nodded and went in as Gengi went to the closet. I waved them off as we then spent the next three hours getting ready and making adjustments thanks to the machine Shanks managed to get.

After we were washed up, dressed, and had shoes on, Nami, Nojiko, Robin, and Bell-mère put on some make up. I decided otherwise because I remembered Makino's words, even if it hurt. It took us another hour to do our hair before we made our way out. I looked up as the men were waiting outside my door. I smiled softly, "So, who's escorting who?" Shanks held out his hand to each of them, "Sylvar will be escorting you. Lial with Bell. Kytrose with Robin. Mikeal with Nami. Minori with Nojiko. I'll be escorting Art." I looked down as he motioned us forward.

They all stopped as I sighed, "... Fiara with Sylvar and the rest is fine. I'll be walking in with Gengi." I then walked forward as Fiara was around the corner, "Iris! Are you sure?" I giggled, "I only want Law or Gengi to escort me. I already feel bad that Mikeal can't escort Mary." Gengi got onto the ground before glowing and turned into his human form, "I believe I said that it'll create misunderstandings."

I giggled, "I don't mind. I know Law would understand my intentions. Even if he wouldn't like it." I took his arm, but looked back as Nami asked, "That's the little rabbit?!" I blushed softly, "He's quite handsome, huh?" He gently pulled me, so I walked behind Shanks and Art. Then Sylvar and Fiara, Robin and Kytrose, Lial and Bell-mère, Mikeal and Nami, then finally Minori and Nojiko.

Shanks, Art, Gengi, and I rode in one as Fiara, Sylvar, Lial and Robin rode in another. Lastly, Bell-mère, Lial, Nami, Nojiko, Mikeal, and Minori in the last one. I was worried, but it was soothed by the necklace and Gengi. I looked at Shanks as he smiled, "You're especially beautiful today Iri..." I giggled, "Thanks." I huffed softly as they announced our arrival. Shanks got off, then Art, then Gengi than me as he helped me down.

I looked up at Shanks, "... I want to change the order... I want my squad to walk in together... I want their status to be known... I want to be announced as their Captain then my status as princess." He stared for a moment before smiling. "... If that's what you wish." I saw Yasopp trade places with Kytrose as Nami and Nojiko were going to be escorted by Ben. I looked at them, "Is this alright? You're not mad, right?" Nami and Nojiko grinned, "Nope! I'm just happy to have come!" I smiled, "You're my best friend Nami... I would bring you both with me."

I looked up as Lial walked behind me, "Well, Ms. Captain. Let's see you as a princess." I giggled as I walked with Gengi down the halls to the ballroom. I sighed softly as we arrived and they announced. "Announcing his Grace, Portgas Shanks and his son Portgas Artarius." They walked in as there were whispers, but it grew silent as he announced, "Announcing the Captain of the Moon Knights, our Hero of the frontier and our crown princess, Lyda Iris and her familiar, Lyda Gengi!"

I walked, but only enough for him to announce the rest of them. "Announcing her squad. The adamantine adventures, Lial, Sylvar, Kytrose, and Fiara. Along with the platinum adventurers Mikeal and Minori." I looked behind me to see their nervousness before smiling and making our way down. They announced the rest at once again, which was upsetting, but there was nothing I could do about it.

I blinked as Gengi blocked me as I was soon surrounded while the others were pushed to the sidelines. I half laughed, but flinched as I saw Eustass walking up. "Greetings to the light of our kingdom, Princess Lyda." I simply nodded and turned as Luffy ran up, "Iri!" I smiled as he offered his hand, "Let's go." I smiled softly, but turned and curtsied to them, "Excuse me, but I have many people to greet." I then walked with him as he led me to the table where everyone was eating and the others were avoiding.

He plopped in a seat next to Minori, "So you're Iri's friends, right?" He grinned, "That means you're mine too now, ok?" I began laughing as they gaped, but I turned as I saw a few ladies talking with Nami and Nojiko. I walked up as I saw them flushed red and embarrassed. "Excuse me, but what's the issue?" It was a redhead woman with fiery red eyes, "These insolent fools dared to get in my way. I was simply putting them in their place." I looked her up and down before laughing, "I apologize, but their place is by my side as they're my friends. If you have a problem with them, I suggest you bring it to me. Roseland-sama."

My eyebrow twitched as she smirked, "At least you know your place." My eyes glowed, but I began laughing, catching other attention. "Roseland-sama you're too much! There's no way you're saying you're above me in my own country at my welcoming home party!" I looked up glaring, but smiling, "There's no way you would say something that could spark a war. I find it funny, but I suggest you leave that humor outside."

I leaned closer at her flushed red face, "Roseland-sama... I think it'd be best for you to rest now. You don't look too well." I motioned for a guard, "Please take Princess Roseland to a drawing room to rest." I looked up as a man walked up that looked just like her, but I flinched as he smiled, "Please don't be so upset princess. It's not healthy for you to fight with your future sister-in-law."

My eyes flashed and shined with anger, but I simply laughed, "Looks like the Roseland family is full of jokes. I'm glad that our country has such good relations to be able to joke about such things. After all, there's no way a prince would woo a princess from another country that's eng-" I glared as he smiled, "I am indeed interested in your highness. You're not officially engaged, so there's a possibility that you won't be with them. I want to be that person. I believe you'll make the wise choice. Considering your love for your country, there is indeed no need to make jokes of war."

I looked down, so he smirked, but shivered at my glare. I jerked as Gengi put his hand on my shoulder, "Watch how you speak. You are speaking to Yarisa-sama's, our moon goddess, chosen one. You should be grateful she did not demand you to bow and grovel at her feet. As her familiar, it's my duty to enforce her and Yarisa-sama's will. Do you dare to go against Yarisa-sama's chosen one?" The room was dead quiet before I sighed and walked away, "... I've grown tired of your jokes..." Gengi followed along with Nami and Nojiko, "Have a nice rest, Eugene-san. Kyte-san."