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Dalton meeting a princess at the Levely and falling for her would involve…

Dalton x reader. Spoilers for the Levely Arc!

(moodboard) (picture)

This fic is dedicated to the amazing @jintaka-hane, one of the best writers -and people- on Tumblr. I hope you like this!

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🦬 Dalton meets you at the Levely, his first after his election to King of the Sakura Kingdom. At the end of a first long day of meetings and talks with the other royals, some of which seem much more interested in maximizing their own power than in the good of their people and look at him as a parvenu unworthy of their noble company, he feels the ardent need for some peace and quiet, to reflect on the events of the day and prepare to the formal beginning of the negotiations, tomorrow.

🦬 He’s been assigned an elegant, even opulent set of rooms at the castle, with servants ready to obey his every command and a bedroom which alone is bigger than his house back home, but Dalton has always preferred to spend his free time outside, enjoying the beauty of his kingdom. The luscious gardens surrounding the castle are exactly what he needs, and he spends a few pleasant minutes walking aimlessly around under the watchful but discreet gaze of the guards; he assumes to be alone, until he sees you.

🦬 Given your choice of attire, fine but practical clothes more appropriate for an army officer than a court lady, he assumes you to be a guard as well, maybe part of the retinue of one of the other royals. With a bow in your hands and a quiver slung across your shoulders, you are practicing your archery with a round target hanging from the trunk of a tree, each of your arrows hitting bullseye. You stop to look curiously at Dalton, who without realising has interrupted your practice session, immediately struck by his noble bearing, and the quiet countenance of a man who feels at ease in his own skin. “Good evening. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to impose.” “It is quite alright; I have trained enough for today. You are King Dalton from the Sakura Kingdom, are you not? I am (name) from (kingdom’s name), pleased to meet you.”

🦬 Even though you had both chosen the gardens to escape the hubbub of the castle, neither of you minds the other’s company as you spend a few minutes talking to him and then accompany Dalton on his stroll. You are immediately fascinated by his sense of duty, only matched by his deep humbleness. The fact that he was elected King proves the deep admiration and trust of his people, not to mention that Dalton chose to step up to lead the country, previously known as the Drum Kingdom, in a period of turmoil and uncertainty after the raid of a pirate crew had led the previous King to flee in fear. Completely devoid of personal ambitions, he is clearly, exclusively interested in the good of his people.

🦬 “The previous ruler of your country was Wapol, the current King of Evil Black Drum Kingdom? I met him this morning; what a moron.” you mention, a comment someone in your position should probably avoid making out loud -what if the King or the Queen you are accompanying heard, and decided you are taking liberties with your station, and therefore deserve to be punished?- but that is enough to earn you Dalton’s approval. He asks you about yourself, and you mention your lifelong passion for archery, and preoccupation with your brother’s health, since he’s been sick for a while and none of the doctors of your kingdom seems able to help him.

🦬 Dalton offers to introduce you to doctor Kureha. “She is the most capable doctor we have in Sakura, and she’s part of my retinue; perhaps she’ll be able to help your brother.” he says, and you, having suddenly remembered the Sakura Kingdom is well known for having the best doctors of the Grand Line, smile as if he had offered you a hand to pull you out of shark-infested waters. You have a lovely smile, Dalton can’t help but notice. “And how may I repay you for the consultation with your doctor? Please ask away, and if it is in my power I will grant it.” “What? I require no payment; I‘m simply happy to be of help.” Dalton says, surprised by your reaction; who would expect to have to reciprocate such a small favour?

🦬 You blink, openly surprised and almost amazed, staring at the man in front of you, at his open and sincere expression, as if you had never met anyone like him before. “You are an unusual fellow, King Dalton of Drum.” “Is that a good or a bad thing?” he asks then, suddenly unsure; has he made an unforgivable blunder he is not aware of, given his still limited experience as a King? “Positive, I’d say, for the time being; but I believe only time will tell.”

🦬 You spend a little more time together, discussing similarities and differences between your kingdoms, until it’s time for both to return to your rooms; you share a smile as you shake hands. “It was a pleasure meeting you, King Dalton.” “The pleasure was mine, (name); I hope we meet again.”

🦬 Dalton finds himself thinking about you, and the pleasant hour you spent together talking and enjoying the beauty of the gardens, for the rest of the day, at dinner -a meal he shares with a few other royals who invited him to join them; Wapol is sitting at another table, fortunately, otherwise he would have been unable to enjoy the food- and then later, when he’s finally free to retire to his bedroom. The moment he spent with you was the sole, in the course of that stressful and tiring day, he felt comfortable and at ease, as if the two of you had been trusted friends for years. He really hopes he can see you again, and he does… only not in any situation he might have envisioned.

🦬 On the next morning, Dalton puts on the rich clothes the kingdom’s tailors have prepared for him -he looks good, he has to admit observing his reflection in the mirror, even though he still feels more comfortable in his old guard uniform and armor- joins the other Kings and Queens in the great meeting room for the first conference of the day… and he’s absolutely flabbergasted to see you there, wearing a gem-studded dress and a precious diadem on your head, talking on equal terms with the most powerful royals present. But how…?

🦬 “Oh, that is the princess (name) of (kingdom’s name); the King is her brother, but she took his place at the Levely because he has taken ill.” someone explains to him; you turn, as if having perceived he was talking about you, see him and smile, a smile that Dalton finds himself returning, still stunned. The rest of the morning passes among various conferences and meetings; Dalton sees you interact with the other royals, most of whom are older than you are, stubborn and relentless when you are convinced of the rightness of your opinion or of the importance of the matter at hand, and unafraid to argue your case even in the face of an opposing majority. A few royals treat you condescendingly because of your status as a stand-in Queen, only admitted to the Levely because your brother was too ill to participate, but you refuse to be cowed and make sure your voice is heard by the assembly as much as anyone else’s, and Dalton finds himself cheering every time you win a verbal skirmish.

🦬 You, on the other hand, are favourably impressed by Dalton’s humble but self-assured nature; not at all intimidated by his status as a newly-elected King as a Levely novice, he listens patiently to others’ opinion before expressing his own, polite and respectful but not flattering, letting no one sway him and refusing to betray his convictions through alliances or favour exchanges. You observe him out of the corner of your eye, curious for reasons you can’t quite explain, and find yourself developing a deep admiration for Dalton.

🦬 It’s only when the meetings stop for lunch that you have the chance to talk in private. Dalton feels the need to apologise for not having realised that you are a princess, and you assure him that he did nothing wrong, since there are so many people gathered at the castle for the Levely that he couldn’t very well have met and remember the faces of all of them - even though you had noticed him, and felt the desire to meet him. “So that is why you offered to compensate me for the doctor’s consultation.” “Exactly. That is how it works here; I am not saying anyone else would have refused to help if not in exchange for a handsome reward, but occasions like the Levely also serve so that royals can build alliances, and exchanges of favours are the norm.” Since there is very little you wouldn’t be ready to do to ensure your brother’s recovery, Dalton could easily earn a favourable trade agreement with your kingdom, or a large sum of money for Sakura’s treasury.

🦬 Still, even now that he knows about your status and, consequently, the benefits he could receive from the favour he has offered you, he has no intention of taking advantage of it, rather he introduces you to Kureha; the doctor listens intently to your plight and then speaks over Den Den Mushi with your brother’s doctors, ordering them to stop everything they’re doing and to start following her instructions to the letter. Even though it will take a few days at least to see whether the change in therapy actually improves your brother’s conditions, you find yourself trusting Kureha, a clearly intelligent and resolute woman, and thank her profusely for her help.

🦬 You and Dalton spend some more time together over the next few days, and when it’s time for you to part and return to your respective homelands you have become fast friends. “Travel safe, (name); I really hope your brother’s conditions have improved.” “Thank you, Dalton; I am really glad I made your acquaintance.” You both leave the Levely in a good mood, satisfied at both a personal level and for what concerns the future of your kingdoms. Both you and Dalton look forward to returning home, him to leave the grandiose, formal environment of the Levely to go back to the simpler life he feels more comfortable in at Sakura, and you to see your brother, your friends… and your fiancé, to whom you have been engaged for three years already.

🦬 When you arrive home, you are overjoyed to find out that your brother’s conditions began to improve as soon as his doctors changed his therapy to the one Kureha suggested, and by the time you meet him he’s on the mend, for the first time in weeks able to leave his bed and take a short walk in the gardens, or meet the councillors for a brief meeting; even his appetite has returned. You embrace him, shedding a few tears of joy and telling him how happy you are to see him well; your brother, on his part, approves of your behaviour at the Levely, and is grateful for Dalton’s help, and impressed by his generosity. He orders his attendants to prepare a handsome reward to be shipped to Sakura, including a large quantity of gold and, at your suggestion, foodstuffs that are common in your kingdom but that a country with a cold climate like Sakura would have no way of producing. Your brother writes a formal but cordial letter to his fellow King to thank him, and you add your own to send together with the gift, to inform Dalton of your brother’s recovery… and then three more pages in which you simply tell him about yourself, your thoughts and your past, freely and informally as you would do with a friend you have known for decades.

🦬 You also tell your fiancé about him.

🦬 When he receives the gift, carried to Sakura on a ship flying the flag of your kingdom, Dalton is astonished -really, all he did was asking Kureha to talk to your doctors, and you have already thanked him many times!- but grateful, since both the gold and the foodstuffs will be of great help for the kingdom and its people, both still suffering from the years of mistreatment at the hands of Wapol. On Kureha’s suggestion, he sends back symbolic gifts to your brother and a letter of his own… and one to you, as friendly and fond as the one he received.

🦬 Soon, the exchange of letters becomes a regular and frequent occurrence. Both you and Dalton own a Den Den Mushi, but instinctively you prefer your friendship to develop at a slower, more comfortable pace; your missives often touch subjects you wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing out loud, and each of you looks forward to receiving news from the other. In the meantime, relations between your kingdoms also flourish; some of your kingdom’s doctors visit Sakura to learn the secrets of medicine from Kureha, and your mediation helps Dalton sign his first official alliance, with a neighbouring kingdom yours has been on good terms with for decades, but that had initially looked at Sakura with distrust due to past grievances with King Wapol.

🦬 A year after your first meeting, unwilling to wait the three more that separate you from the next Levely, and with your brother’s approval, you invite Dalton for a visit, wanting him to meet your brother, and to show him your kingdom. He thanks you for the invitation, but points out that he can’t very well leave his country for an extended period of time, since unlike your brother he has no family to occupy the -metaphorical in his case- throne in his stead.

🦬 The most natural solution would be for you to visit him in Sakura, but no matter how happy he would be to have you see his beloved country and enjoy your company again, Dalton hesitates, because of a feeling he had rarely experienced in his life: shame.

🦬 Dalton is proud to be the King of Sakura. His people are good, brave and resilient, his kingdom a beautiful place where peace reigns and no one, even the humblest, are left without a roof or food. After suffering for so long under Wapol’s rule and then in the ensuing period of chaos after the King had fled, everyone is working hard to rebuild a peaceful, thriving homeland; schools are being opened for the children, destroyed or neglected buildings rebuilt, and the economy encouraged as much as the royal treasury can afford. While the kingdom can’t be called wealthy, or powerful, Dalton knows they have much to be grateful for, and he has never cared for vast armies or piles of gold. Armed troops can defend a country from invasion and a well-stocked treasury can help a kingdom survive a bad harvest or a natural disaster, and those are matters that as King he does need to occupy himself with soon, should a sudden emergency arise that he’s unable to confront; and yet, Dalton finds himself loathe to address those issues, enlisting soldiers for a country that only wants to live in peace, and amassing coin when until two years ago there were so many of his people who could not afford three meals a day.

🦬 His own life is quite unlike those of most royals: he prefers living in his own house in the village rather than in Wapol’s old palace, he only had a few sets of King-worthy clothes made because he didn’t want to embarrass Sakura in front of the other royals and he has no servants excluding the governess his own people literally had to beg him to accept pointing out that a man who spends every waking moment -and several others he should have spent sleeping, but he didn’t- ruling the country and worrying about every little problem couldn’t reasonably be expected to also take care of housework and meal preparation. He doesn’t mind his simple lifestyle; rather, he quite likes it, and wouldn’t be able to live otherwise.

🦬 You, on the other hand, are a completely different case, or at least this is what Dalton can infer from what he knows about you. The princess -once even the heir to the throne, until your brother’s first child was born- of a large, powerful kingdom, you were raised in luxury and riches, being afforded opportunities that most other people can only dream of: a grand palace as home, a new wardrobe every year, precious jewels, several horses (!) for your love of riding, frequent trips abroad every time your court duties allow you to take a vacation. On the day of the official beginning of the Levely, Dalton remembers you wore a diadem of silver and precious stones that, even to his untrained eye, was probably worth more than all that Sakura’s treasuries contained.

🦬 Which is not to say that you are shallow, materialistic, or the sort of person who judges people by their wealth and considers the less affluent as unworthy of kindness or respect; quite the opposite. Unlike some other royals at the Levely, Dalton saw you treat the servants and attendants with dignity and respect, and many of the friends you mention in your letters are common people, citizens you got acquainted with growing up or members of your staff. You like nice clothes and are used to wearing them, which is not something a person should be reproached for; and still, you seemed equally at ease in the simpler clothes you wore when practicing archery in the gardens or during the private dinner you invited Dalton to share in your quarters at the castle.

🦬 So while you are used to and enjoy the luxuries you are afforded by your status, you have never allowed those privileges to influence the sort of person you are, or to judge others depending on their wealth; you also knew Sakura was probably the poorest kingdom among the fifty whose royals participated in the Levely, and still you offered Dalton your friendship, listening with sincere admiration as he told you of how his kingdom was starting to recover and even to thrive after the years under Wapol’s thumb. Dalton is sure your reaction at seeing first hand the simplicity of his way of living wouldn’t be one of distaste, nor would it change your opinion of him. And yet, if that austere lifestyle were something you had to experience… is it so unreasonable on his part, to feel embarrassed about not being able to offer a guest of his kingdom the same standard of living they are used to in their own home?

🦬 “Dalton, are you hearing yourself? Do you really think (name) would complain because you can’t offer her to stay in a castle? Just write to her that she’ll have to bring her own maids and to make do without most of the frills she’s used to; a few days living like most people will not kill her.” Kureha points out, more than reasonably “From what I’ve seen of her (name) is not the sort of person who would throw a tantrum because she doesn’t have an entourage of servants at her orders; that girl is better than that, and you should know it better than anyone.”

🦬 The doctor is right, Dalton thinks, suddenly ashamed of himself. Your epistolary friendship has allowed him to learn much about you, about your thoughts and habits and feelings, and while you enjoy the life of luxuries you’ve been raised in, thinking you would allow them to influence you when judging others is a grievous insult to the clever, kind-hearted person you have proven to be. What is happening to him? Dalton does want you to see you again, and his kingdom and his people deserve better than a King who is ashamed of them; so he stops agonizing over it, and writes to you to explain the circumstances and invite you for a visit.

🦬 The speed with which he receives your answer suggests you have written within a few hours after receiving his letter - probably, as soon as you could obtain your brother’s consent. Your answer is an enthusiastic acceptance, and also a reassurance that you don’t mind being hosted with one of the families living in the village. I really cannot wait to see you again, to talk to you face to face rather than by letter and to see the land you speak with so much love of, you write with the neat calligraphy Dalton would by now recognise anywhere, if that is all right with you I will depart as soon as the celebrations for my sister-in-law’s birthday conclude, which means that I could be there in two weeks.

🦬 Dalton spends those two weeks counting the days, and then the hours, until your arrival; he has not felt so excited about anything in years, and it’s a sensation he feels himself enjoying. Finally, the ship flying the flag of your country appears on the horizon. Dalton is waiting for you at the harbour with guards standing at attention lined up behind him, flags bearing the kingdom’s coat of arms flying and a crowd waiting to welcome Sakura’s first royal visitor, but when he sees you descend the walkway, dressed in a style more similar to the one you wore that day in the gardens than what one would expect from a princess, any thought about the formality of the occasion disappears.

🦬 He’s happy, almost unbearably happy, to see you again.

🦬 You meet at the bottom of the walkway. He bows. You curtsy. And then your eyes meet, smiles blossom on both of your faces, and a moment later you’ve jumped into his arms, and he’s spinning you around, both unconcerned for the dozens of people witnessing the scene. You and Dalton had never been so close to each other, at most exchanging handshakes or clasping arms -there had been a ball to celebrate the end of the Levely, but he had not dared inviting you, and looked on in admiration and regret as you gracefully waltzed with this or that prince- and it feels his heart with joy… and fear.

🦬 Fear, yes. Because as he discovers the softness of your body in his embrace, and the sweet smell of your skin -not due to some costly perfume or lotion, rather it’s your scent, something that is intrinsically yours and that it feels almost indecorous to perceive between friends- and as you meet his gaze with the biggest, happiest smile he has ever seen in his life, something that Dalton should have realised long ago finally becomes clear, and it’s like feeling the ground give way from under him.

🦬 Dalton has arranged for a family of the village to host you, good people in whose company you find yourself immediately at ease, treated more like a much-loved relative who came visiting than like an honoured guest of the King. You immediately offer your help with household chores and other duties, and accompany your host around the village. The curiosity quickly abates, and the people of the village get used to your presence, put at ease by your easy manner and friendly disposition; you, on your part, enjoy your stay in Sakura immensely, touched by the people’s warm welcome and generous nature.

🦬 You and Dalton spend as much time as you can together. Knowing how busy and tiring a King’s day often is, you offer your help with whatever matter you might assist him in, and your ear whenever he wants to discuss a problem he’s struggling with or simply to vent. He brings you to visit all his favourite places in the country, and you are fascinated by the pristine beauty of the white-covered mountains and valleys; being used to the warm, dry climate of your own kingdom, the simple sight of snow is enough to thrill you, and you had never seen so much snow altogether! One afternoon, you and Dalton even join the village’s children for a snowball fight, laughing as you hadn’t done in years; on another occasion, he brings you on a sleigh ride and finds a nice place to stop, where you and your friend enjoy some peace and quiet, content with each other’s company so much that neither of you feels the need to speak, because in your heart you know the other feels the same.

🦬 Seeing you at ease in his home, getting along with his people and admiring the beauty of the kingdom’s nature, fills Dalton’s heart with joy. At certain moments, he allows himself to fantasize your presence in Sakura is due to a more permanent arrangement than a simple visit he invited you on; that when on a walk he could take your hand and hold on to it as long as he wanted, rather than hurrying to leave it as soon as he’s sure you no longer need help climbing a snow-dotted hill path; that at night, when you sit side by side on the porch enjoying a warm beverage, he could put an arm around your shoulders and feel your body snuggle against his…

🦬 Dalton knows it’s imperative that he keeps the feelings he now knows he has developed for you secret, not even sharing them with the people he is closest to; Kureha, on the other hand, has quickly noticed the way he looks at you, with yearning and an admiration that speaks of something much different from friendship. Their good King is in love, and the doctor sees no reason to keep that realization to herself.

🦬 “So, are you going to ask for permission to court her or what?” she asks Dalton one day, and the King almost chokes on a glass of water. “Wh-What? Why would I…?” “Because you are in love with her, obviously! Come on, (name) has already spent a month in Sakura, soon it will be time for her to return home. Are you going to let her leave without… shooting your shot?”

🦬 That, it turns out, is exactly Dalton’s plan. Spending his days by your side, enjoying your full attention and even touching you -only when it’s objectively permitted, obviously, to support you when you were about to fall during your first skating lesson or you had asked him to pass you something at dinner, and no matter how chaste his intentions are, Dalton can feel the warmth of your skin on his long after the contact has ended- would be a dream, but one he knows he cannot afford to entertain. “No, I don’t think I will.” he answers in a carefully flat tone, as he places the now empty glass on a tray. “Why not?” Kureha insists; she has clearly taken the matter to heart, something Dalton is both grateful and regretful for “Don’t tell me it’s because her kingdom is richer than this!”

🦬 It is not. Dalton knows it was foolish to worry about that, and offensive towards you as well. “Doctor Kureha told me you hesitated before inviting me here, and why. Dalton, what sort of person do you think I am?” you told him soon after your arrival in Sakura, looking stunned and even hurt, as if the thought of having him think so low of you were unbearable “I am not the sort of person who judges people by their wealth; you are one of the most honourable people I have ever met, the King of a gorgeous kingdom and a kind, generous people. Anyone would be proud to call you a friend, as I do.” You were right, and after he apologised for thinking ill of you he had almost forgotten about it, vaguely embarrassed about his past fears but sure the matter would never constitute an obstacle to your friendship.

🦬 No; that is not the reason why Dalton knows that confessing his feelings for you would be highly inappropriate, and have potentially disastrous consequences…

🦬 “(name) is engaged.” he confesses quietly, feigning a sudden, deep interest in the empty cups lined up on the tray to avoid meeting Kureha’s gaze; he has to end the conversation as soon as possible, because he knows the doctor enough to imagine what she is going to suggest he does, and Dalton, a man who has always believed in honour and respect, doesn’t know what he could do if the option he couldn’t help at least considering in the hiddenmost part of his heart were spoken out loud “She has been for years, to a commander of her brother’s army.”

🦬 You have spoken of your fiancé many times, and always with sincere affection; you have known each other since childhood, and both your brother and your people approve of them as your partner. Dalton never dared asking whether you are in love with them, or if the two of you plan on tying the knot soon -and you, on your part, volunteered no information on the topic- but it’s clear that your relationship is more than a shallow fling or the sort of union arranged without the consent of the people concerned. You are spoken for, therefore any relationship between you and another person -between you and him- would be illicit, and Dalton would not insult both your and his own honour proposing you embark in such an affair, even if… if you agreed to it. For all intents and purposes you are already taken, even if still unmarried, and he has to accept it. Having you as a friend must be enough, and it is - it really is; and as long as you’re happy he will be as well, even if you found that happiness by someone else’s side.

🦬 “So you’re going to give up on her? If you really care about (name), and I know you do, you should be willing to fight for her.” Kureha argues, and Dalton, who normally would be amused -since when is the good doctor such a romantic?- sighs and begs her never to mention the topic again, since it pains him too much, and never to discuss it with you either. “I just want to enjoy the last days of her stay without tension and embarrassment.”

🦬 The last days. Yes, because just yesterday you received a letter from your brother, who informed you that the royal family of a long-standing ally of your kingdom will honour you with a visit, and your presence is required to welcome them. Dalton knew it would happen soon -you’re a princess after all, you can’t stay away from your kingdom indefinitely, no matter that he would be happy to host you in Sakura for the rest of your life- and yet, knowing that he’s going to see you leave soon breaks his heart. You’ll go back to writing to each other, and maybe one day you’ll meet again for another visit or at the next Levely, but he’ll miss this - he’ll miss having you by his side, sharing quiet moments of peace and talking into the wee hours of any topic, no matter how small or dramatic. You have settled in among his people as if you had lived in Sakura all your life, and the villagers have grown equally fond of you; you could be happy here, but Dalton has ordered himself not to ask you.

🦬 And even if I did, she would no doubt say no.

🦬 The village decides to throw a party on the eve of your departure. There is food, a bonfire, music and street artists - and dancing. You have chosen to wear a dress in Sakura’s style, to honour the people and the land who so readily welcomed you among them, and Dalton thinks you’ve never looked more radiant and beautiful. You enjoy the banquet sitting side by side at the head of the table, as usual not feeling the need to talk to express what you feel, your feet casually touching under the table; across the room, a few couples have started dancing, men and women moving more or less gracefully while the melody produced by the small orchestra fills the room.

🦬 “Shouldn’t the two of you dance together?” Kureha suggests innocently from her seat “After all (name) is the King’s guest, I’m sure the people would appreciate seeing the two of you share a dance.” You immediately accept, but your enthusiasm abates when you notice Dalton’s less than thrilled expression. “Is something wrong?” you ask gently, and while he hates the disappointment evident on your face, all he can do is stammer that he is a terrible dancer and the last thing he wants is to step on your foot or embarrass you in front of the others.

🦬 Which is not a lie; he’s far from a capable dancer, but the true reason he would never dare invite you is the dance currently taking place in the hall is one traditionally a person only shares with their intended or spouse, never with a friend or relative or a casual partner. Seeing the two of you dance together now would give the people of the village a dramatically wrong impression, and the last thing he wants is gossip to spread across the country that their King and princess (name) are courting. And what if those same whispers reached your ears, before you depart tomorrow? Still, he could do it; he could ignore the stares and the whispers, since the people would probably understand that your partnering has no particular meaning and it’s simply a host dancing with a guest, nothing more, and enjoy the feeling of you in his arms, and the illusion of being your intended, your husband even, just for a minute, without you being none the wiser…

🦬 He could. But he won’t. “I’m sure many of the village’s men would be honoured to dance with you.” he says -after looking at Kureha in a way that conveys how unamused he is by her meddling, which the doctor reciprocates with a completely unrepentant smile- but you shake your head, mention that you don’t feel like dancing after all, and remain in your seat.

🦬 At the end of the evening, as the hall starts to empty out, you ask Dalton to accompany you on a brief walk, since you want to enjoy some fresh air and silence after the pleasant bustle of the hall before retiring for the evening, and he happily accepts. You spend a few pleasant minutes walking side by side on the outskirts of the village, alone and surrounded by the snow-capped trees. “I will never forget this, you know?” you ask after a while, the serious tone of your soft voice making those words sound more like a promise or a vow rather than a simple comment “Those weeks that I have spent with yo- with your people, in your country… I think they have been the happiest of my life, and I’ll never forget them. So thank you, Dalton; thank you for sharing your home with me.”

🦬 He could answer it was our pleasure, and mine, or thank you for your visit, since both he and the rest of the village have enjoyed your presence immensely, and invite you to return any time you want. He could, and it would be the pure -albeit not the full- truth; but he doesn’t. What Dalton does, standing in front of you in the middle of a tiny square surrounded by closed shops, is to bow, and extend a hand towards you in a silent invitation.

🦬 Dalton is not a good dancer. In his youth he was too shy to approach girls to invite them to dance, and on the few occasions he did anxiety got the best of him, leading more than one partner to limp away after he had stepped on their foot; moreover, he’s always thought he’s too large and stocky to move gracefully. He never particularly minded; ever since he was young, barely thirteen when he enlisted in the army of Wapol’s father, he had been much too worried for his people’s wellbeing and the rising instability after the King had disappeared, to think about past-times like dancing - or romance. Women do find him attractive, he’s been told, but his experience with courting is limited to a couple of short, awkward affairs, more than a decade and a half ago, out of a mixture of exhaustion, shyness and lack of sincere interest. No matter how deep and intense the feelings he has developed for you, he doesn’t even remember what it means to be close to a woman, let alone to dance with them. And still…

🦬 You are not smiling -rather you look deadly serious and even solemn, as if about to fight for your life or to make a choice that will influence the rest of your life- as you accept the hand Dalton is offering you, and let him pull you to him, a strong arm wrapping around your waist as you rest your hand on his shoulder. Without music, without an audience, without the specific steps of this or that dance, you move together, swaying gently, close enough to make both of you feel that your hearts beat as one. It is a beautiful, sweet moment, both you and Dalton aware that your departure is only a few hours away and for this determined to enjoy the little time you have left. You lose yourself in the dance, enjoying the warmth and chaste intimacy of the embrace you’re sharing, feeling as if the rest of the world had disappeared and that night would never end…

🦬 And that is when your lips meet Dalton’s in a kiss, sweet and chaste but long and intense, not exactly possessive but expressing more than any long speech or grand declaration could. He breathes in, filling his senses with your scent, while you can’t believe you felt cold when you arrived in Sakura, because suddenly you have never felt warmer, actually scorching hotter, in your life…

🦬 Hard to say who looks more stunned when you finally part, and you and Dalton can’t help facing each other; him, at having given in to temptation without even realising he was about to, as if his body had acted without his consent, or you, who on the contrary had had to keep a similar urge in check several times over the last few weeks, but had never had the slightest suspicion that he could feel the same…

🦬 Silence falls on you, apart from the pounding of your heart; you stare at Dalton, still overwhelmed, and for a moment something very close to hope starts blossoming in your heart, hope that your close friendship, built on loyalty and trust and respect, might become something else… Yes, for a moment you do hope that Dalton’s kiss -you still can’t believe it; he kissed you! It’s like living a dream!- might mean what you think it does, until you see his face… the face of a man who has never been so ashamed of himself. “Dalton, I…” you begin to say, but your friend cuts out before you can finish. “I’m very sorry; I… forgive me, I really shouldn’t have, I don’t know why I did that. I… I should probably walk you home now.”

🦬 And he does, maintaining a safe distance as if fearing one of you -but who?, you wonder- might lose control again, no longer speaking or looking at you until you have reached your destination; seeing him so uncomfortable in your presence breaks your heart, but you can’t decide what to say, or do, to fix things, and so you remain silent too. Dalton waits until the house door has opened to receive you, murmurs “Good-night.” and leaves, without even a backward glance, while you remain where you are, willing but unable to move as if your feet were glued to the ground, still struggling to come to terms with what happened.

🦬 You spend a sleepless night, and the next morning your ship is ready to sail to bring you home. You say good-bye to all the friends you have made in Sakura, a whole crowd having gathered to see you off at the harbour… and to Dalton, who still behaves as the kind-hearted, honourable man who you have known for more than a year now, but seems determined to keep as much distance between you as he can. You’re not offended, since you can feel he’s troubled and upset, rather than dismissive or simply fed up with your presence, but in the hecticness of the moment, with so many people wanting to say good-bye and the captain of the ship begging you to hurry because the tide is going to change soon, you can’t find the right moment to talk to Dalton about what happened last night, or at least to try since you have no idea what you would tell him. You exchange a simple good-bye, and it seems a moment later that you’re on the bridge of the ship, staring at the outline of Sakura getting smaller and smaller on the horizon, taking you away from the land that has welcomed you as one of its children, and their King, a man who has become a part of you you have started to suspect you can no longer do without.

🦬 You arrive peacefully home a few days later, and as you help your brother prepare for the imminent visit of your allies, you find yourself thinking about Dalton almost constantly, desperately trying to make sense of what happened between the two of you that night. He kissed you, something that was completely unexpected and, at the same time, felt perfectly natural. It was, no matter how sudden, the perfect kiss, sweet and intense, and over too soon: it was the sort of kiss you wouldn’t mind experiencing over and over again.

🦬 Why did he kiss you? The most natural explanation would be that Dalton had developed feelings for you, feelings he had not planned on sharing, given the stunned, shamed expression on his handsome face once you had parted; was he already regretting it, or did he think kissing you was inappropriate, for whatever reason? Perhaps, you reflect one day as, in your brother’s absence, you lead the council in organizing the celebrations for the impending visit, the matter treated with the same seriousness and gravity that if you were expecting the arrival of an enemy army bent on conquering and destroying, he thought the kiss was inappropriate given that your relationship is one of strictly platonic friendship, and moreover that you are engaged to someone else.

🦬 He shouldn’t have, since while you are genuinely fond of your fiancé, your relationship has never been characterised by the sort of commitment most engaged couples choose. Since the council kept pressing you to marry, arguing that since your brother’s children hadn’t come of age yet it wouldn’t do for the kingdom to have an unmarried heir to the throne, and fearing that sooner or later they’d start presenting you foreign royals as potential spouses, you asked a trusted friend to pose as your fiancé, with the secret agreement that as long as he stood by your side at dinner and acted as a loyal, affectionate partner in public in order to get the council off your back, he was free to live his life as he wanted.

🦬 You planned on carrying out that ruse for a few more years, until your brother’s eldest child came of age and was officially recognised as his father’s heir -at which point they would be required to get married, poor kid- and in the meantime, your fiancé pursued a secret relationship with another nobleman, the sole who had been informed of the ruse. Unless something irreparable happened to your brother and you were actually called to sit on the throne as regent, in which case the council would surely insist on you marrying, it felt like the perfect arrangement for all, since your fiancé and his intended didn’t mind waiting for a few more years before living their relationship in the open… and you had never felt the desire to pursue one of your own.

🦬 Until now. Poor Dalton! You had never told him the truth about the pact between you and your fiancé, therefore he must have thought he had kissed a woman who was happily and lovingly engaged, which was both improper and hopeless. You should have been more honest with him, since your close friendship deserved there to be no secrets between you, no matter that you and your fiancé had sworn to share your secret with no one safe his intended; if he knew… and he knew about the feelings that in the course of those weeks spent side by side in Sakura you had started developing for him, things that night could have taken a completely different course.

🦬 Because you have developed feelings for Dalton. How could you not? You have thought him attractive, more attractive than any man you have met in a long time in fact, since your first meeting, but since then it was his kindness, his honourable spirit, and his complete devotion to the good of his people and his land that charmed you, and now you are completely lost, in love with a man who rather than with grand declarations and ostentatious gifts earned your affection offering you the hand of friendship and welcoming you in his home as happily as if you had been a member of his family. The Gods have mercy of you… you have fallen in love with Dalton, and when he proved to feel the same, or at least a strong fondness, for you -he said nothing, but a man doesn’t kiss like that on impulse, without a sincere feeling pushing him into action!- you reciprocated but did nothing else, you didn’t speak, you didn’t act, and more than twelve hours later you departed without giving him a sign that his affection was reciprocated.

🦬 How could you be so stupid, and cruel? Poor Dalton must have thought his kiss had displeased and upset you, and since by now you know the sort of man he is, he probably felt guilty at having pursued an engaged woman. Both assumptions couldn’t be farther from the truth, but since you were too stunned to speak, and hadn’t completely realised the true essence of your feelings for him, you sort of lied by omission, letting him believe his feelings were not reciprocated. If only you could turn back time, seize the moment and tell Dalton how important he is to you…

🦬 All is not lost though, you reason one night as you lie staring at the ceiling of your bedroom, exhausted after yet another day spent taking care of the visiting royals, who are meant to depart tomorrow, but unable to sleep. Maybe you’re still in time to explain the truth to Dalton, to tell him that far from upsetting you, his kiss made you indescribably happy and even though you’ll never forgive yourself for not telling him sooner, you care for him more than you could express in words. You’ll write to him, you decide, immediately, to beg for his forgiveness and ask for just one chance to prove how deep and true your feelings are; and then, if your prayers are answered, you and Dalton could speak to your brother together…

🦬 You spend the rest of the night sitting at your desk, composing what is probably the most important letter of your life, pouring your heart into the sheet of paper, but at breakfast, before you have time to entrust the letter to the News Coo to have it delivered to Sakura, terrible news reach the court: Wapol has declared war to Dalton, and is soon to invade Sakura to annex it to his kingdom.

🦬 Your kingdom has always been at peace in your lifetime, but you know well the destruction and suffering a conflict brings to a land and its people, and your heart cries for Sakura and the men and women who have welcomed you among them, and who have already endured the oppression of their former ruler. It seems that, no longer satisfied with his new kingdom, Wapol has decided to claim Sakura as his own to unify the two lands under his power, invoking his rights as former King of Drum. That pathetic bastard!

🦬 You immediately talk to your brother, begging him to help Sakura. After all, while there exists no formal alliance between the two kingdoms, without your friend’s intercession and Kureha’s help his illness would have probably killed him, and your army is fortunately large and powerful enough to afford to send a few regiments to fight abroad without leaving the land unguarded. And of course I’ll be honoured to lead the troops in battle myself, you add. Your brother, a wise and peaceful man who nonetheless feels honour-bound to help those whose disinterested help no doubt saved his life, uses his Den Den Mushi to call Dalton… and has his offer politely, but firmly, refused.

🦬 “He thanked me for the offer, but said that he has no intention of involving others in a matter that after all only concerns Sakura and its people. Since it was a crew of allied pirates who liberated the Drum Kingdom from the yoke of Wapol, King Dalton now considers it a duty to defend his people autonomously, without having to rely on others.” your brother reports to you, which is exactly what you should have expected from an honourable, generous man like Dalton. It is a decision you need to respect, since it’s your friend’s privilege as King to decide how to best defend his kingdom from an invading enemy, and rationally speaking the matter has nothing to do with you, but you can’t help feeling guilty over it. Had you confessed your feelings to Dalton that night, rather than just staring mutely at him, would he have decided differently in response to your brother’s offer? Perhaps his honour compels him to refuse the help of a King who is not formally his ally, but he would have accepted if that same man was the brother of the woman he had begun courting…

🦬 So the Sakura Kingdom is preparing for war, so soon after its people started experiencing peace and comfort after years under the oppression of their former King. The thought that the kind, generous men and women you have come to love, and the beautiful nature that has filled your heart with awe as you enjoyed a trek through the snowy mountains with Dalton or witnessed the beauty of the sakura trees from the windows of your bedroom, are soon to be ravaged by the merciless cruelty of an invading army, is enough to bring tears to your eyes. Even more, it’s Dalton you are mainly worried about: you know well how strong he is, especially thanks to the powers of his Devil Fruit, but Wapol is not the sort of man one can expect to fight fairly, and your friend would be ready to sacrifice himself to defend his people. It’s not uncommon for Kings to die in battle, and you have no reason to believe the same could not happen to your friend…

🦬 To pray for him, and to prepare food and other essential supplies to send by ship to Sakura to succor the people once -hopefully- the invading army has been repelled, is not enough. You should - no, you must respect Dalton’s desire of non-interference on your kingdom’s part, but remaining idle once more, doing nothing to help as your friend risks his life and his land faces invasion and destruction… you can’t, and you won’t, let it happen. You will act to defend them, you decide as you experience another sleepless night, tossing and turning in your bed as the concern for Dalton keeps you awake; you doubt a single bow will make much of a difference against Wapol’s invading army, but your presence can’t hurt, can it?

🦬 Tradition dictates that members of the royal family require the King’s consent to leave the kingdom, therefore you present yourself to your brother and ask his permission to depart for a while. “And where would you go, pray tell?” “Oh, you know… around.” you answer vaguely, not wanting to lie but fearing that your brother would forbid you from leaving if he knew you are planning to join Sakura’s army against Wapol’s “I thought I’d, err, visit a few Winter Islands, you know, they’re beautiful this time of the year…”

🦬 Your brother, unfortunately, knows you too well not to realise you are lying, and what your real intentions are; he stares at you, stern and protective, from his throne, knowing fully well that he could stop you, and that if you got hurt -or worse- he’ll never forgive himself, but also that you’re acting on a matter of honour, and to assist those you consider friends. As your King and as your brother, does he really have a right to stop you? “Very well then; enjoy your trip, and… be careful.” he tells you; you embrace, and an hour later you have departed, travelling alone on a small, fast ship, your bow and quiver slung across your shoulders, fear and determination battling each other in your heart.

🦬 You sail pushing your little ship to its limits, in your anxiety forgetting hunger and tiredness, and by the time Sakura’s snow-capped mountains appear at the horizon you have beaten Wapol’s invading army by a few hours only. You approach flying the flag of your kingdom, in case the people mistook you for an enemy from afar and started shooting, and you reach the harbour safe and sound. The village, as well as the rest of the island, is on state of alert -barricades erected to protect the buildings, every able adult armed with a weapon, makeshift hospitals raised by the doctors to take care of the wounded- but you are recognised and welcomed as a friend, even when you admit you have come alone rather than at the head of an army to oppose Wapol. Then the crowd parts, and you and Dalton are once again face to face.

🦬 Your poor friend looks like he hasn’t slept in a week, but he grins happily when he sees you. “I seem to remember I told your brother I did not require assistance from your kingdom.” “I don’t come as a princess leading an army, rather as a friend of Sakura wishing to do her part to defend it. Don’t ask me to leave, please.” you say, and Dalton shakes his head, his hand resting on your shoulder. “It’s good to see you, (name).” he murmurs, and you answer that it’s the same for you, deciding in your heart to save everything else you need to tell him for when you won’t have a kingdom to fight for.

🦬 You barely have the time to be caught up to speed regarding Dalton’s strategy and to position yourself with the kingdom’s archers on the parapet of a tall building, when Wapol’s army appears on the horizon, a flotilla of three well-armed ships. Dalton rallies his troops to battle, encouraging them to fight bravely to defend their home and their loved ones; in your heart, you promise yourself to defend him with your own life if need be, not so much to redeem yourself after failing to express your feelings that night, rather because your friend, a kind, noble-hearted man, deserves better than to die on his first battle, leaving his kingdom in disarray once more.

🦬 “Ready!... Aim!... Fire!” you command from your place in the front row as you lift your bow in position, and your arrow leads two dozen others flying towards the approaching ships. There appear to be no archers among Wapol’s troops, which prevents them from retaliating, but the soldiers’ sturdy armors protect them from your attack, and many of them reach the harbour unscathed. The troops led by Dalton move to meet them, and a moment later the two armies are engaged in close-range combat; the battle has started, a ferocious, violent conflict that sees blood staining the pristine snow-covered streets, and cries of pain fill the air. Your heart in your throat, from your elevated position you see Dalton make his way through the invading army, no opponent able to even slow him down as he moves towards his destination… Wapol’s command ship, anchored at the dock, where the King had remained, letting his men risk their life as he stayed safe on the bridge, ready to depart if things went sideways.

🦬 You know Dalton plans on taking Wapol prisoner, hoping that will be enough to force his troops to drop their weapons and depart; it might work, but it might also mean your friend’s downfall, you think seeing several well-armed soldiers -Wapol’s personal guard- shield their King, ready to battle. Despite the slightly lower number of soldiers on the field, the courage of Sakura’s men has started tipping the scales in their favour: many among the invasors are wounded and forced to fall back, and a few of your friends in the village manage to neutralise the war machines Wapol has brought from his kingdom, forbidding the King from spreading death and destruction as it had been his intention. You and the other archers do your part, covering the troops under you and taking advantage of your arrows’ long range to neutralise as many enemy soldiers as possible. At one point, you see a group of villagers surround Wapol’s general, unarm him, and take him prisoner; this causes disruption among Wapol’s men, many of whom abandon their posts and, no longer having orders to follow and a commander to guide them, take flight.

🦬 The people of Sakura cheer, celebrating the hard-fought victory, but you’re not ready to heave a sigh of relief yet. Where is Dalton?, you wonder as you anxiously scan the still-chaotic battlefield under you, hoping to spot your friend’s imposing figure, wounded perhaps but still alive; you can’t, there seems to be no trace of him, as the still able soldiers help carry the wounded away. Is Dalton still fighting, or does he lie wounded somewhere? Has he been captured by Wapol’s guards, or…?

🦬 Preoccupied as you are for your friend’s fate, you have lowered your guard, turning your gaze away from the battlefield where some of Wapol’s men still linger, refusing to hand over their weapons and fighting even as they’re led away, and that is a mistake you pay dearly, because one of the soldiers notices you, standing alone on the parapet as you cry Dalton’s name, hoping to hear him answer. The man’s weapon, a long spear, has not been taken from him yet; without hesitating, he lifts it above his shoulder, aims for your heart, and throws it. Someone sees, and shouts your name in alarm, leading you to turn; you see the metal spearhead fly towards you, and a moment later everything goes dark.

🦬 When you wake up, an hour later, you’re lying on a bed - the same bed, in fact, where you slept during your previous stay in the village, your chest bandaged but still sore under your undershirt, while Kureha washes her hands in a basin near you. “You were lucky; five inches to the left and that spear would have pierced your heart.” she mentions, grinning despite the clear exhaustion in her eyes “Well, you should feel better in a few days; now you just need to rest.” It’s an advice you decide to follow, since the mere act of sitting up causes you excruciating pain and you wouldn’t even be able to leave the room unassisted. “How long have I been here? How are the others? What of Wapol’s men?” you ask anxiously, and the doctor smiles again, unexpectedly amused for someone who hasn’t slept in forty-eight hours. “I could tell you, but I think there’s someone else who can’t wait to answer all your questions.” she says, and then she goes to open the door, letting Dalton in.

🦬 Your poor friend looks even more exhausted than the doctor, but healthy apart from a small bandage on his arm and a bruise around his eye; he smiles warmly as he approaches. “It’s good to see you have woken up. How are you feeling?” he asks; he takes a chair to sit next to your bed, and smiles softly when your hand reaches for his. Kureha leaves the two of you alone, and for a minute you and Dalton enjoy each other’s presence, sitting quietly side by side. You can’t stop looking at him, the relief of seeing him safe and sound and the guilt for how you have inadvertently hurt his feelings battling inside you; you’d want nothing better than stay in bed for the rest of the day enjoying Dalton’s company, but there are things, many things, the two of you have to talk about.

🦬 You ask Dalton to tell you what happened after you got wounded, and he explains that after getting rid of Wapol’s guards, he was able to take the King prisoner, which definitively put an end to the battle; the rest of the army was allowed to depart, but Wapol is still at the village, guarded day and night in case he tries to escape. Your friend plans on writing to Wapol’s wife to offer to liberate him in exchange for the official promise to never attack Sakura again, a choice you approve of. In the meantime the doctors are taking care of the wounded… and the men and women who gave their lives to defend their home from the invasors are being mourned and hailed as heroes. “I’m very sorry, Dalton; you and your people have suffered so much already, you deserved better than having to fight again.” you murmur, and your friend nods mutely, a sad smile on his lips, as he admits that while rationally he knows that he has done all he could to defend his people and couldn’t very well fight the whole of Wapol’s army on his own, he can’t help feeling guilty for each and everyone of the victims.

🦬 “You should speak to your brother; he must be very worried about you.” he suggests, and you promise you will, but there is something else you want to talk to him first. “The last time we spoke… that night, while you walked me home, and we kissed… no, don’t apologize, please; it’s I who should ask for your forgiveness, because I was too stunned to speak, and so I’m afraid I gave you a completely wrong impression…”

🦬 Alone in the small, cozy room, Dalton’s hand in yours, you confess your feelings for him, telling him that while you still considered him a dear friend and would be happy for the two of you to remain so for the rest of your life, your feelings had shifted to something completely different. You also tell him the truth regarding your engagement, which is actually a ruse to stop your brother’s councillors from pestering you rather than a sincere romantic bond, and apologize for not having told him sooner. You really, really care about him, and, err, if his kiss meant what you hope it meant, nothing would make you happier than if the two of you began a courtship, and of course it’s fine if he needs to think about it, but you do love him, and all you ask for is one chance to prove it…

🦬 Dalton stares at you, his expression blank, and you struggle to swallow, almost shaking with anxiety. “Please, say something; if you don’t feel the same I’ll accept it, and I hope we can still be friends, but believe me, I never meant to hurt you or to play with your feelings…” you stammer, and finally, slowly, the happiest smile you’ve ever seen appears on Dalton’s solemn face, even more handsome than usual in his joy. “Do you really love me, (name)?” he asks as he takes your hand in both of his, and you nod, joy and relief filling your heart. “Of course I do! I could I not? I have probably loved you longer than I realised… and I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you when I should have.” Smiling broadly, Dalton comments that in that case you can tell him as often as you want from now on, and then kisses you - on the forehead, since you are still formally engaged and therefore it wouldn’t be proper for him to take liberties with you, not to mention that he should ask your brother’s permission before anything happens. It’s just what you should have expected from an honourable man like him, something you’ve always admired… even though at this moment you can’t help feeling vaguely frustrated.

🦬 Later that day, you speak to your brother via Den Den Mushi, assuring him that you are safe and on the mend; you also tell him the truth regarding your engagement, and about you and Dalton, who has formally asked for permission to court you. While disappointed -“I understand you wanted the councillors to stop tormenting you, (name), but why didn’t you tell me the truth? You know we have promised to never lie to each other, and I would have supported you in any case.” he points out; you admit he deserved to know the truth, and apologise profusely- he gives you permission to begin a courtship with the King of Sakura. You also call your fiancé, explaining the situation to them; your engagement is formally dissolved, and you promise to remain good friends as you have always been.

🦬 You and Dalton take part together in the celebrations for the victory against Wapol’s army, a happy but solemn affair, the recent loss of lives still vivid in the hearts of the people, and even more in that of their King. You sit quietly by Dalton’s side, unbothered by the many eyes observing with interest your hand held in his; you also notice several coins change hands, several of which ending up in Kureha’s possession, and blush at the realization that the good people of Sakura had bet on whether, and when, you and their King would end up as a couple. You open the dances together, and you feel ridiculously happy, even euphoric, as you think back on that day little more than a year ago, when you decided to spend a few free hours practicing archery in the gardens of the castle, having no idea that your life was going to change forever.

🦬 At the end of the celebrations, you and Dalton take a walk together around the village, taking the same route as the one you shared the night before you departed, only a few weeks ago. It’s on the exact spot of your first kiss that Dalton takes your hands in his and quietly, his voice almost shaking with emotion, confesses his love for you, a feeling he had never experienced before and that he promises to spend the rest of his life cherishing. Alone, the darkness of the night enveloping your bodies, you share a kiss, awkward and breathless and passionate and sweet, your mouth and Dalton’s chasing after each other as his strong arms circle your waist to pull you close.

🦬 “You know, I can’t stay long this time; in a few days I’ll have to return home.” you murmur as you enjoy the warmth of Dalton’s embrace, his strong body pressed against yours, and your intended smiles before kissing you once more. “We better make the most of the time we have, then…”

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