𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙄𝙣 𝙀𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 ꒐ ℤ𝕠𝕣𝕠

(12) 𝓥𝓮𝓵𝓿𝓮𝓽 𝓛𝓲𝓮𝓼 & 𝓢𝓲𝓵𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓔𝔂𝓮𝓼

.•♫•♬•Song •♬•♫•.
• 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘞𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘵 – 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘏𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘯
______________________________________

"These are so good," Luffy said with a cheerful smile, chewing enthusiastically.

"I know, right? Reminds me of that one time I slayed a dragon, cooked it over an open flame, ate the whole thing myself," Usopp said, reclining like a man who'd lived through epic battles, clearly lying.

"You ever had dragon?" Usopp asked, nudging Luffy with a grin.

"Nope," Luffy replied without missing a beat.

Then he turned to Sham, who was passing by with a tray. "Do you have dragon?"

Sham paused, gave him a flat look, and replied, "Afraid we’re fresh out."

"Oh well," Luffy said, still grinning. “Hey, Zoro. You gotta try this!”

Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Zoro entered first, his presence solid and unbothered, wearing a golden-brown button-up with the collar slightly open under a black blazer, his usual swords slung neatly on his back.

Then came Scarlet.

She stepped beside him like a flicker of controlled fire, her crimson dress catching the candlelight with every move. The gold trim shimmered as she walked, elegant and dangerous in equal measure. There was a grace to her she rarely showed, like she was letting them glimpse a version of herself she usually kept locked away.

Usopp stared, blinking. “Okay… wow.”

Nami smirked. “Scarlet, that’s criminal. You look stunning.”

Scarlet lifted an eyebrow, a subtle smile tugging at her lips. “Just trying to match the interior.”

“You are the 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳 now,” Usopp said, eyes wide.

She gave a soft laugh, brushing a hand over the side of her dress like she was trying to play it cool. “Didn’t think red would suit me anymore.”

Zoro walked past them and dropped into a chair, grabbing the nearest wine bottle. “Mmm. I’ve got all I need right here,” he said, pouring himself a drink, barely glancing at the food.

Scarlet rolled her eyes but smiled faintly, following and sitting beside him with a quick flick of her gown.

"So you manage all of Kaya’s finances?" Nami asked Merry, turning her charm on smoothly.

"Oh yes," Merry replied proudly.

"I’ve handled her family’s accounts, both personal and professional, for years," he continued with a sense of practiced elegance.

"Fascinating," Nami said, leaning in slightly with a flirtatious lilt to her voice.
"You know, I’ve always been interested in learning about the intricacies of the shipbuilding business."

"Oh," Merry said, blinking as her attention clearly caught him off guard.

Klahadore stepped forward, spine rigid, white gloves crisp and perfectly creased. He cleared his throat with precision, the sound echoing in the grand hall.

From the top of the staircase, Kaya appeared. Her hand gently resting on Klahadore’s arm. She descended gracefully, her gown a flowing shade of soft cream, delicate embroidery catching the candlelight. Despite her fragile frame, there was something quietly determined about her.

“May I present… Miss Kaya,” Klahadore announced with a formal nod.

Merry stepped forward, ascending a few steps to meet her, his expression lighting up with genuine warmth.

“Kaya, you look absolutely radiant,” he said, smiling up at her.

Kaya’s face softened. “Merry, I’m so glad you could make it.”

“This is a milestone I wouldn’t miss for the world. Your parents would be so proud,” Merry added, his voice touched with emotion.

Kaya gave a small nod, lips trembling briefly before she composed herself. Her eyes scanned the room and stopped on Nami.

“Nami, I love that dress on you.”

“Thanks.”

“It belonged to my mother,” Kaya continued gently. “It was one of her favorites.”

Nami’s face fell slightly. “Oh, I’m sorry, I…”

“Not at all,” Kaya interrupted with grace. “I’m sure she would agree it suits you splendidly.”

Nami gave a small smile, touched.

Across the room, Zoro stepped casually toward the end of the table where Klahadore had just finished placing a wine glass. He leaned slightly on the table corner, cool as ever, his expression unreadable.

“Have we met before? You look familiar,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

Klahadore blinked once, thrown slightly off rhythm. “Highly doubtful, sir.”

Zoro tilted his head. “Funky Bar? Mirror Ball Island? Funky Bar?”

There was a flicker of something.... nervous recognition? — in Klahadore’s eyes.

“Well, I can assure you I’ve never patronized that type of establishment,” he replied, a bit too quickly, straightening his gloves.

A small laugh escaped from Scarlet, standing near the end of the table.

She looked at Klahadore through narrowed eyes, her voice low and smooth.

“Relax. No one’s accusing you of anything. Though people do strange things when they think no one’s watching.”

Klahadore shot her a tense glance, but she simply smiled and sipped her wine, as if bored already with the conversation.

Zoro looked at her from the side, lips twitching faintly into a smirk.

Scarlet, cool on the outside, slowly curled a hand behind her back to steady her breath — the attention was always easier to command than it was to carry.

Then, as if nothing had happened, Kaya gestured toward the dining table. “Shall we sit?”
______________________________________

Word Count: 1000