[One piece x reader] The Hearts are Blind

Ch. 22 - The Kingdom

TW: Domestic abuse/violence, blood, mentions of alcoholic and negligent parents.

Truth Seeker

Cold.

It felt cold.

I remember my life before my fathers death. My life before Irene's rule.

My father was never there for me nor my sister, being too absorbed in his palace work and royal duties. He was always nitpicking and nagging us at the smallest details in order to be perfect like royalty should be, this came with physical punishment, just verbal if we were lucky.

When he did have time, or wasn't busy with any duties, his priorities consisted of alcohol, and women.

Alcohol,

Women.

We were never a priority unless a potential suitor was visiting, or we were to prepare for an upcoming social event. Those were the days when he wouldn't harm us, they were me and Odette's favorite.

My other favorite days were when I successfully sneaked out, and met with my dear friend, Irene. She was so beautiful, so kind and caring. So ambitious and determined to change the injustice that this world seemed to ooze. I loved her. I still do.

I do wonder if it's bad that my most favorite day was someone else's demise.

The day my father passed.

It was an hour before the grand ball would start, it was held every two years and nobles from kingdoms all over the sea were invited. Odette, my dear, sweet sister was dressed in a beautiful, angelic gown. It suited her personality quite well, I even felt prideful. As always, nobles poured in from left to right, trying to get to know us and chat with us. There were still about two-three families that hadn't arrived to the palace yet, so my sister and I found it odd that our father hadn't shown up yet.

Odette, despite her justified fear of my father, tapped my shoulder told me she would go look for him. I nodded.

A few minutes went by and the last guests finally arrived. That's when I heard a scream. Odette's scream.

'That bastard!' I rushed through the doors, the guards following behind me. The scream was so raucous, it was heard all over the palace.

"Odette!" I shouted as the doors slammed against the wall from my impact.

My eyes couldn't believe the sight. I expected to walk in my fathers room and find him striking my defenseless older sister, but what I saw was so shocking that neither the guards nor I uttered a word.

It was until one of them spoke up that it really settled in my thoughts.

"Your highness!" They rushed toward the King.

My sister fallen on the floor just next to the door, a hand holding her mouth as tears fell from her eyes.

My father?

Dead, on the cold floor, a long bloody slice on his stomach. Blood covered his clothes and the floor beneath him. It was truly a disturbing sight.

I quickly covered my sisters eyes as I embraced her traumatized form. I wasn't shocked by her tears. I wasn't shocked that her heart would hurt for even the most disgusting scum of a 'father.'

The grand ball was cancelled. As the guards took the corpse, I took my sister to her room, and held her until she finally slept. I carefully got up from the bed and left her room for my own. When I finally shut the door, locking it, I let out my emotions.