There was a king visiting this year. In fact, several kings and royalty were at her fathers palace along with most of the celestial dragons for this certain event- an event that her father hosts every three years purely for entertainment. It's only for those who can afford to enter, like royalty or servants of the royalty.

In this event, several sports are played. Taming sea-kings or defeating one in battle (which would result with the individual becoming the owner of the sea-king), football was a popular one though it was only played by women, handball was played by both, and golf was only for the men. It was the most popular of them all.

Shila's least favourite was football, and to her dismay, her fathers favourite. It was a game that is played just as it sounds, with the ball at your feet with two teams where the objective is to get the ball into the net. She preferred swimming. Something about treading through the waters was so pleasing to her, especially when someone seemed to free while doing it.

She wants that kind of freedom.

But then Shila reminds herself that so many have been craving that freedom since birth, and so she gets to work.

"You want to watch the king-games with me?" Her father instantly narrows his eyes. "What has gotten into you? Don't you understand the celestial dragons will try and wed you if you show your face?"

"So be it, father." Shila's never been so bold, standing in front of her fathers thrown with her chin held high. "You have the ability to deny their request."

"I would rather not," He sighed, "fine. But keep away from them the best you can. And Javaaid will accompany you."

She opened her mouth to protest when something deadly glinted in his eye, and she smiled.

"Thank you."

~

Shila is filled in by the captain of the guard who's name is Javaaid LLyr, and he tells her that the favoured team this year had been the ones with the red and blue coloured jerseys, the team name of 'Anqas' seeming foreign to her. 

She questioned him of what it meant and he only shrugged and replied by informing her that such knowledge was limited to the mind of the team captain. So she watched the game silently in her throne, leg crossed over the other and hands linked together.

Every event had always been the same with football. Both teams would fight hard to either entertain the celestial dragons or gain their favour. Often times, neither happened and the woman would be individually selected to entertain the celestial dragons privately. Either by freestyling with the ball, or by... other means.

Being on any of the teams in this event granted all athletes rights. They wouldn't be taken in as slaves, they could ask for money regularly and were treated basically like royalty. The football teams always took full advantage of that, and she hated it. 

Shila could even go as far as to say they were carbon copies of the celestial dragons, but she doesn't have much room to speak as royalty herself.

This year however, had something different to it. Some kind of feeling that she couldn't quite understand, but she could see exactly who was the cause of this feeling and it happened to be none other than the captain of the 'Anqas' herself.

She moved with the ball so beautifully, as if it was like second-nature to her and she didn't hesitate to pass it away to her teammates who passed greatly as well, but not as gracefully. She played the game like her life depended on it and didn't give herself a moment to breathe.

 The leadership was clear as she informed her teammates of what to do, and the respect in return was clearly well-deserved.

"That one, the captain," Javaaid spoke next to her, "has been favoured by everyone. She was recruited at a young age, twelve, I believe. Yet despite the age, she's become captain already."

"Where is she from?"

"North Blue."

"Where in the North Blue?"

"She was born on the sea's. The rest is unknown."

"Hm..." Twelve was unbelievably young for someone to be playing in the king-games, and to be captain no-less. There was still that feeling, like there was power and confidence rolling off of the girl. Her youth only seemed even more intimidating, and knowing that her body was still-growing worried Shila whenever the opposite team tackled her to the ground.

"Javaaid?" Shila questioned, standing once the first (of three) half of the game had ended. He Instantly followed her. "How long until the second half begins?"

"Ten minutes."

"I want to speak to her."

Surprisingly, he fail's to deny her. "Of course, princess."

~

When she approached the girl, she instantly felt a type of tension form between them both. The shorter girl stood with crossed arms, calm eyes that bordered a glare. She had beautiful green hair and brown eyes and her face still had some baby-fat to it that only proved her youth, but her arms along with her legs were muscular and defined, and the many bruises on them showed how passionate she seemed to be about the sport.

"Why have you joined so young?"

"I have no reason to answer that."

Javaaid placed his hand on the hilt of his sword but she quickly ordered him to be at ease, and the captain obeyed. The girl sent her an odd look but it faded as soon as it came.

"You're right. I wouldn't trust a random stranger either," She continues, "Just tell me this; why do you play this sport?"

The girl's arms tighten but she replies nonetheless, "It's the only thing that's stayed with me all these years. It's my family."

"And what about your mother and father? Maybe you have some siblings or cousins?"

"They're all dead," She muttered quietly, face expression barely changing except the annoyed twitch of her eye when her coach yelled for her. "What do you want with me, princess?"

"Javaaid, leave us."

"Princess-"

"I said, leave us."

The captain is hesitant but he eventually leaves and as soon as he is out of sight Shila looks at the girl with pleading eyes.

"You have siblings. Younger ones, don't you?"

The football player's stance grows more wary. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm no one but an individual asking for your help. You'll be rewarded handsomely if you accept."

"Will it endanger my role as a captain?"

"Possibly."

"Then I refuse." She turns around to walk away but Shila quickly halts her, nearly begging for the girl to wait. The desperation in her voice has the captain halting.

"Please, I just need you to deliver a letter to someone. They're from the North Blue, wherever you can go to give it is good."

The football player stared at her for a couple more moments, searching for something that she seemed shocked to find. Quickly, the tightly crossed arms loosened and she took a step closer to the older woman and spoke, eyes wide with recognition. 

"You've got that look in your eyes."

Intrigued, Shila questioned what look she was speaking about.

"It's that glimmer, that desire to... how do I say this... that desire to be free."

And Shila didn't find it too surprising, though the next part was. "But at the same time, you'll sacrifice that freedom for the sake of others."

The football player roughly grabbed the paper from the hands of the princess, glaring at her. "I hate people like that."

And she walked away.

"What's that in your hands?" Her coach nodded to the piece of paper.

She quickly thought up a lie, "A contract renewal copy, thats all."

"Well then get to the field!"

"Yes, ma'am."

~

The rest of the event goes surprisingly well, though Shila barely bothers to stay any longer for the football game and instead heads over to the swimming area, smiling whenever her favourite competitor passed by her. She waved at the man shyly and he grins, waving back and seeming to snicker when she blushes a little. He approaches her with a towel drying his hair, water dripping down his toned chest and belly. She pays little attention to that and looks up at the brunette with a kind smile.

"This is the third time in a row that you've cheered me on," He picks up her hand and pecks it, struggling to lean down with the height difference. "thank you, princess."

She giggles and softly retracts her hand, "You're welcome, Ara."

A chill washes over her when she feels her new ability rise, burning at her hand for some reason as if to remove the wet kiss from her hands. Shila quickly hides her hand behind her and continues to speak with him, allowing herself even a moment of relaxation.

 Ara was a kind swimmer who she had been supporting ever since he joined nine years ago as a young athlete. Much like the football captain from before, he had joined at the young age of twelve.

She was captivated by his swimming, the way he refused to swim the way his coaches commanded him to yet still managed to win every competition he was placed in. Today had been the first time he'd struggled to keep ahead of an opponent and she made sure to question him about that.

"You don't recognize him?" Ara's brows rose as he nodded his head at the silver-haired competitor across the pool from him. Shila struggled to lean to the side and catch a peek as well with his height, but once she did she still shook her head.

 Ara scratched his ear and let out a sigh, one that made her feel sick for some reason. Once the tall swimmer looked back down at her his eyes lowered and he offered her a soft smile. "Well, that's the prince of the west nation, Oli Lockhart."

"Oh," She huffed. Arthur Lockhart had never favoured her, though she supposes that's a good thing since it's managed to keep and proposals from Oli away.

She faces the Ara once more and tilts her head in confusion, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Is that a problem?"

His laugh was soft and made the red on her face intensify. "A little, but don't worry about it."

He turns around to stare into the eyes of Oli who returns with a cold look that trails off to Shila, and Ara moves his body to hide her from the prince's view. For a moment he swears the prince turns red.

"Hey," A hand lightly taps his arm, "what's wrong?"

"Shila..." He mutters and looks back at her, staring at the flames licking her fingers that had touched his arm. A small smile curls his lips when she squeaks and hides the fingers. 

The swimmer leans down to whisper in her ear, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing them close together. To anyone looking it might have seemed like they were kissing.

The princess struggles to focus as her stomach fills with butterflies and her body freezes but Ara remains calm. She doesn't realize what's happening until he whispers in her ears and her eyes widen.

When he releases her, he lowers onto one knee and lowers his head slightly- not quite bowing but still showing a form of respect to her. To think he had been watching her for as long as she had been watching him...

"Thank you," He clenched his fist, "For supporting me all of these years, my queen."

He stands and turns around, walking away and she barely manages to reach her arm out to him. The swimmer pauses and lowers her hand for her, walking towards the men's locker before disappearing behind the wall.

Her power burns the feeling of his hand off of her own, and she purses her lips to keep any tears at bay before turning around to leave.

She's had enough of the king-games for today.

~

Marco had been grumpy all day, crossing his arms and avoiding his brothers whenever they wanted to talk to him. It wasn't until Pop's asked if anything was wrong, that he took a seat and sighed. "Her colours are changing the way they usually do with me, but we weren't talking when it happened."

"She could have always been thinking about you."

"No, pops. I just know it wasn't that."

"Is lil-bro Marco jealous?" Thatch snickers and ruffles the blondes hair, receiving a glare in response. He retracts his hand quickly as if it was burned- which it was. "Come on, man. Don't get so mad, maybe she has a boyfriend?"

"She doesn't." Marco sighs, "I mean, she never talked about him so..."

"Don't worry, Marco. Perhaps it was just a crush, I'm sure it was nothing important."

"Probably, yoi." That probably sounded more like a hopefully.

Pop's grinned slyly and laughed quietly though it was loud enough for Marco to look up at the man and to slowly realize why his father was laughing. He pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to shield the embarrassment and heavy blush on his face.

"You're smitten," Izo laughed.

"Enough, yoi. It's just a small crush, it'll pass."

"Sure, son. Sure."

~

Ara goes missing in the next few days and Shila remains in her bed with her legs cuddled close to her chest. She cries a little but shrugs the rest of it off, staring at her hand as she slowly calms down. 

Once her breathing steadies she uncurls herself and opens the palm of her hand, staring at it intensely as she waits for something to happen. After a few moments of silence, she hesitantly speaks and huffs.

"Abracadabra? No, thats... open sesame? No, that didn't work either."

"Shila?" A knock startles a yelp out of her and she panics when a flame appears on her palm. Her father didn't normally knock so she guesses he sensed her anger through the past few days. "What are you doing?"

"U-Uh, drugs! No- that's not what I-"

He opens the door with wide eyes and finds her splashing water on her hands and wiping the window with it. Shila laughs nervously and waves at him with her free hand. "Hey, dad! Just cleaning the windows, nothing to see here!"

"Enough foolishness, you aren't responsible for cleaning your room and you know that."

It made her feel guilty for knowing that for some reason. "Yes, sir..."

"Now, come here. I need to speak to you." They take a seat on her bed after she washes her hands, and he quickly gets right to the point. Her father had never been the type to beat around the bush, anyways. "That swimmer Ara has been executed."

She sniffs, "I know..."

"You should have known better than to make contact with one of the athletes. We've lost our champion now."

"I'm sorry, father."

The king sighs and then stares at her hand for a moment. She shifts uncomfortably under the stare. When he stands so does she and he stares down at her with his height casting a shadow over her. He was the same height as Ara was, roughly around six foot three while Shila was still growing from five foot two.

And then that feeling comes back. That feeling of dread where she can't even move a muscle, where her eyes are fixed on his own and filled with caution, that feeling that forces her body to shake and brings tears to her eyes. There had never been once where she could lie to him out of this feeling, but whenever she felt it, there was always a sudden need to confess everything.

A hand wraps around her throat and she closes one of her eyes in pain.

"F-Father, please..."

"Shila, my dear daughter. You would never betray me, would you?"

Tears begin to spill from her eyes and they trail down his fist. "N-never. I would never d-dare, father!"

He seems satisfied and releases her, continuing to stare down at her coughing form as he questions her. "What did he tell you?"

When she hesitates he yells at her. "What did he tell you!"

"He wanted my hand in marriage!" She sniffed and covers her head for fear of him hitting her.

"That's all, I swear! Oli got jealous and probably said something different but that was all he said to me."

And suddenly a hand helps her up gently. It's so soft that she almost forgets what happened the moment before. The king grabs her face gently and strokes her cheeks, staring with that quiet rage as he searches her eyes. Then he smiles and sighs.

"I know you wouldn't. You know I love you, Shila?"

"Y..." She swallows past the lump in her throat, "Yes... I know."

It's okay, he feels bad. She lies to herself, He said he's sorry.

No he didn't.

She flinches at the unrecognizable voice.

The king releases her face and turns to walk away but he stops before the doors to her room could close. He turns and stares as they slowly creak to close, and Shila watches in fear as he stares her down.

Once the door closes, the princess falls to her knees and recalls what Ara had told her.

"The revolutionaries have heard you. Don't give up, Princess Shila. And remember, I am not the one for you. Your king is still out there-"

𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂 𝒇𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆, 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒕, 𝒓𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈-𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕

𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒖𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏, 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉, 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈

𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔,𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔.

"I was supposed to let the prince win against me, but I couldn't. I just couldn't. My time is done, I've done everything I need to do."

He had tried comforting her.

"Your people believe in your justice, Shila."

Your people believe in your justice, She clenches her fists

Hey, yoi-guy?

...

Yoi-guy?

What is it?

How do I get out of here?

His colours shift and she guesses he's smirking,

At your service, milady.

Her stomach flutters.

Go read saudade!ALSO THE NEW ONE PIECE CHAPTER OMG