In Dreams
Chapter 1
Count Sanji
du Cuire (1) was a man of infinite grace, sophistication, and style. He
was the most eligible bachelor in France and a man with an immaculate
reputation. Though he was a wealthy man with far more land than he
should boast and a home of his own in Limouges, he preferred to stay at
Versailles for most of the year, trying to win over the affections of a
one Mademoiselle(2) Nami du Diamanta(3). He had even been shameful
enough to start his courtship before she announced her availability.
Love had stricken him immune to the gossip of the courts and he was
determined to win her heart. Along with every other man at Versailles (4) who wasn’t already married. This
included a man whose name would not be uttered from the Count’s lips
without a look of disgust gracing his normally refined features. “Count
Roronoa Zoro, you say? I beg your pardon sir, but that barbarian could
never win over my Mademoiselle’s delicate heart. And it is an absolute
insult to hear you speak of that, Ace.” The man sitting across
from Sanji, Ace D. Portgas, was another courtier of some repute. He had
been a soldier during the war, but after his service was honored by the
kingdom and given wealth and land beyond anything he asked for. The
courtier life, however, seemed to bore the normally adventurous man. He
often yawned when he spoke and was not stranger to falling asleep in
the middle of conversation. The other courtiers humored him, as he had
a cheerful and kind disposition and was (of course) a war hero. “Ah, Monsieur (5) Cuire-“ “Please, call me Sanji. We have known each other that long, I should like to think.” Ace
had the grace to smile. “Of course. But Sanji, it is not so much that
Roronoa Zoro will win over Mademoiselle’s heart, but that she is trying
to win over his. ” This was not the first time the Count had
heard such accusations, but he just could not confirm it in his view.
Why would such a beautiful and refined woman desire such a lummox?
Sanji could not bring this idea to conclusion, so he decided that the
other courtiers must be mistaken. Gossip flew in all directions when
there was nothing better in the kingdom to talk about. He was used to
it. “I refuse to believe that. Why would she want to marry him? Especially when she has someone like me?” Ace
laughed. “Indeed, that is the question, isn’t it? But-...” Ace stopped
mid sentence with his finger in the air. His head drooped suddenly and
the other man began to snore. It still always managed to surprise
Sanji when this happened. But like the other courtiers, he would laugh
it off and move on. So he did. Unfortunately, Ace was to be his only
entertainment today, as Mademoiselle Nami was in Lyon visiting family.
She would be back within a fortnight, or so he hoped. The rest of the
courtiers, with a few exceptions, were dull, petty people trying to
climb the hierarchy. Sanji had no interest in occurring favor. He
simply wanted Nami. To marry her and bring her to his home in Limouges.
He wanted a lot of children. He wanted to cook for Nami. He wanted to
make her the happiest woman in the world- “Monsieur Cuire should watch where he is going, instead of day dreaming in the corridors.” Sanji
snapped out of his reverie to notice that he had bumped into the source
of his only misery in life. That baboon swordsman, Roronoa Zoro. Sanji
looked to his left, then his right. Then he looked at the green haired
man in front of him. He scowled. “Monsieur Zoro would do well to
notice that this corridor is wide enough for ten men to walk abreast.
If Monsieur Zoro bumped into me then it is his own damn fault.” Zoro smiled at the count. “Perhaps. Good day, Monsieur.” The swordsman walked past Sanji, continuing down the corridor. This
is what Sanji despised about the other man. In every way Zoro was
clearly mocking Sanji at every turn. But when confronted, the swordsman
remained cool and aloof, always a little too polite. He never failed to
come out looking like the good man, the honorable fencing master, the
kind gentleman. He infuriated Sanji to the core. Sanji shook off
his anger and continued down the corridor. Maybe he would go stay in
Limouges while Nami was gone. He could not afford to lose his temper in
an altercation with Zoro. Because whether he liked it or not, he was
the next most likely candidate for Nami’s hand, and Sanji could not
look like worse a man than Roronoa Zoro at this point.
Zoro
had a smug smile on his face as he walked into the library where he
assumed Sanji had been coming from. He found Ace asleep with one finger
in the air on a chair by the fire place. He approached the other man,
and tapped him lightly on the head. Ace jerked slightly then lifted his
head and resumed the conversation. “But Sanji, I don’t think Roronoa Zoro... where’d you-“ “Oi. I think your conversation partner left a while ago.” Ace looked up and saw Zoro standing next to him. “I fell asleep again.” He said, blinking. “I do hope Sanji wasn’t angry...” Zoro smiled. “Indeed. Mind if I take Sanji’s place?” Ace smiled and waved to the chair across from him. “Not at all. In fact we were just talking about you.” “So it would seem.” “Sanji still doesn’t believe that Nami is the one after you.” “Hn. Do you think if he didn’t believe I was a contender for Nami’s hand, his opinion of me would change at all?” Ace
gave the swordsman a sympathetic look. “Something tells that your
personalities clash, Zoro. I think he’d hate you if you were his
brother.” Zoro cringed. “So honest, Ace. Brutal, really.” Ace
rubbed the back of his head apologetically. “I’m sorry. But that’s just
how I see it. But you know, you’re not really helping the situation. He
never gets to see the side of you that I do, that Nami does. You’re
always making a fool out of him, making him look like less of a person
compared to you. I don’t see that there’s any reason he should like you
at all.” Zoro laughed. “I can’t help it, Ace. It’s fun. He always
rises to the occasion. I love irritating him. It’s the only attention I
can get from him, so I suppose I’m going to make the most of it.” Ace chided Zoro. “You’re acting like a child, you know.” “You said it yourself, Ace. Even if I was kinder to him, he still wouldn’t like me.” “Well... how does he act in your dreams? Does he hate you there?” Zoro’s
eyes softened. “No. I mean... sometimes we bicker, or we tease each
other simply for the fun of seeing how someone else reacts... but he
doesn’t hate me as he does now.” “Ah... well, I think you’re
obsessed.” Ace laughed. “Stop dreaming about the man. Find yourself a
good wife, and move away from here. Then those dreams will go away, and
so will your problems.” Zoro only sighed. “Oh I know! How about a fencing match this evening, eh? We haven’t a good match in weeks. We’ll make a show out if it.” Zoro’s spirits rose at the idea. Perhaps a good workout would keep his mind off the Count...
Mademoiselle
Nami du Diamanta arrived back at the Palace of Versailles a day late.
Bad weather had delayed their departure from Lyon. Her cousin would not
hear of her traveling in such treacherous weather, so she and her
companion, Mademoiselle Nico Robin were forced to stay another day.
Nami, however, was very eager to return to Versailles. She had not
wanted to leave in the first place, but she could not very well refuse
yet another visit with her cousins without insulting them. So when the
weather cleared up and she and Robin boarded her carriage, she could
scarcely keep still. Robin suggested knitting, or perhaps reading the
book she had bought about ocean navigation in the markets. Of course
both activities only lasted a few days. So by the last few days of the
journey, Nami was positively ready to leave the horse and carriage
behind and walk on foot. Being responsible for Mademoiselle Nami’s
welfare, Robin would not consent, of course. Upon seeing the
palace in the distance, Nami shouted with joy, surprising the coachman.
His whip accidentally lashed the horse’s flank, causing the horse to
start into a run. The carriage sped out of control, flying over bumps
and rocks before smashing back down onto the road, only to fly up after
hitting another rock. Mademoiselle Robin sat calmly across from Nami,
never looking up from her knitting, while Nami laughed and shouted the
whole way. The coachman finally slowed the horse to a stop upon
reaching the stables. Count Roronoa Zoro watched the whole
debacle unfold from the shade of a willow tree next to the royal
pastures. He watched Nami, hair and dress askew, exit the carriage, the
coachman nearly in tears with apologies. Robin was next, not a single
hair of clothing article out of place. He decided to join them. “I am so sorry, mademoiselles! I was not able to bring you around to the front, are you hurt, please don’t move, sacre bleu-“ “No
no monsieur! We are fine. Don’t worry about bringing us up to the front
ha ha! That was the most fun I’ve had in a long time!” Nami laughed as
she brushed herself off. “Bring the horse around for some water,
Jacques, he looks like he needs it. Don’t worry about the ladies, I
will escort them inside.” Jacques the coachman relaxed upon seeing Zoro. “Of course, Monsieur.” “Monsieur
Zoro! It is your face I have been pining to see since my departure! It
is wonderful to see you again! I have missed you much...” Nami said
enthusiastically as she curtsied. She held her hand out to Zoro, who
took it and placed a chaste kiss upon her dainty fingers. “Mademoiselle.
You look... robust as ever. Though I must say, riding in the back of
runaway carriages cannot be good for your long term health. Or
anyone’s, for that matter. Mademoiselle Robin, how fair you?” Robin smiled at Zoro. “Well, thank you Monsieur.” “And...
for Monsieur Jacques sake, let us not mention this incident in front of
Monsieur Sanji. My favorite coachman might find himself in line for the
guillotine if your beloved hears of it, Mademoiselle Nami.” Nami
frowned, but wrapped her arm around Zoro’s. “Monsieur Sanji is not my
beloved, Zoro. But you are right. We’ll not speak of this to anyone,
right Robin?” Robin nodded gracefully, and took Zoro’s other arm, which
was being offered to her. “Very well. Everyone is anxious to see Mademoiselles. Let us not keep them waiting any longer.”
(1) Cuire is
a French verb for “cook”. The noun was something like “cuisiner”, but
that just sounded too corny. And, well, they need last names dammit. (2) Mademoiselle Miss Pronounced “mad-mwah-zell”. (3) Diamanta is the French word for “diamond” allegedly. (4) Versailles – Old Frenchy palace. Some Louis’ stayed there. Like...
Louis the 16th. Now it’s a museum I believe. I’m not great on my French
history, so I really shouldn’t be writing a story with this theme, but
I’ll do the best I can. I took French for two years, so needless to
say, my French is awful. If I’ve gotten something wrong as far as
language and historical accuracy, please let me know. (5) Monsieur Mister Pronounced “mis-yeor”.
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