- The King in Yellow - Male Reader x One Piece

Chapter 13: The Golden Age Part. 2

[THE NEXT MORNING]

[Carcosa, The Harvest Kingdom]

The sun broke over the Harvest Kingdom with a regal splendour, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold that reflected off the dew-kissed fields. The morning light bathed the grand castle, turning its towers and turrets into pillars of glowing warmth. The castle courtyard, usually a place of tranquil beauty, now echoed with the determined grunts of a young prince locked in a struggle that was as much with himself as with the challenge presented before him...

[Y/N] stood in the centre of the courtyard, his small frame dwarfed by the ancient sword that lay at his feet. Clad in a tunic that hung loosely from his slender shoulders, the fabric billowing in the gentle morning breeze, he was the very image of youthful determination. His curls, tousled and wild, caught the sunlight, giving him an almost ethereal glow as he stared down at the massive weapon.

The sword was a relic from a long time past, its blade etched with intricate designs that told stories of battles fought and won by warriors of legendary strength. To any seasoned knight, it was a weapon of pride, but to [Y/N], it was a mountain, a seemingly insurmountable challenge that he was determined to conquer...

Sweat dotted the young prince's brow as he bent down, his small hands wrapping around the hilt of the sword. He gritted his teeth, his breath coming out in short, sharp bursts as he tried with all his might to lift the weapon. His tiny arms shook under the strain, his knuckles turning white as he tightened his grip. In his mind, he could hear the echoes of the King in Yellow, the hero from the story his mother had told him before. The words of the legendary figure rang in his ears, urging him on, whispering promises of strength beyond measure.

"I will be strong." [Y/N] whispered fiercely, the words almost trembling with the raw intensity of his determination. "Stronger than anyone!"

Around the courtyard, a small group of palace guards and servants had gathered, drawn by the sight of the young prince's struggle. They watched with equal amounts amusement as they did disbelief, their faces betraying both admiration and doubt. It was unheard of for a child to even attempt such a feat, let alone succeed, yet there was something about [Y/N]'s fiery gaze, something about the way he attacked the challenge with such tenacity, that made them pause...

One of the guards, a grizzled veteran with a scar running down his weathered cheek, chuckled softly, shaking his head with a knowing smirk. "The lad's got spirit, I'll give him that." He muttered to his companion. "That sword is way too big for him. No way he's lifting it."

However, [Y/N] was deaf to their words. His world had narrowed down to the sword, and only to the sword, to the feel of the rough hilt in his hands, and to the overwhelming desire to prove himself worthy. With a final, desperate surge of strength, he let out a small cry and heaved upwards. The sword lifted off the ground, wobbled unsteadily in his hands, and nearly toppled him over, but he held on, his tiny frame trembling under the weight, his face flush with exertion...

The onlookers gasped in unison, their amusement giving way to shock as they saw the young prince accomplish what they had all thought impossible. Some of the servants instinctively stepped forwards, ready to catch him should he fall, but [Y/N] didn't need them.

With a fierce determination that belied his years, [Y/N] straightened his back, planting his feet firmly on the ground as he held the massive sword aloft. His breath came in ragged bursts, but his eyes shone with the triumph of a king who had just conquered his first battle...

"I-I did it!" He shouted, his voice clear and strong, echoing off the courtyard walls with a conviction that left no room for doubt. The courtyard fell silent, the onlookers too stunned to react immediately. They exchanged glances, their disbelief slowly melting into admiration for the young prince who had just shown them a glimpse of the strength that lay within a person stricken with the Yellow Sign.