Alubarna
The night breeze carried the scent of Alubarna's flowers, slipping into the princess's room through the open balcony. Moonlight bathed the city in a soft glow, reflecting off the white towers of the castle.
Vivi stood there, by the balcony, her eyes lost on the horizon. The kingdom was safe. Alabasta could breathe again.
A sigh escaped her lips.
'It's over… So why do I still feel this way?'
The shadows behind her rippled. A familiar warmth, subtle, and a presence that made her skin prickle before she even heard his voice.
"You're different."
Her heart quickened.
Vivi turned slowly.
Riser leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his golden eyes gleaming in the dimness of the room. The candlelight flickered around him, casting sharp shadows across his features.
She swallowed hard.
"You shouldn't be here."
His smile was lazy.
"I should be in a lot of places, but I chose this one."
Silence hung heavy between them.
Vivi's fingers tightened against the balcony railing. The wind played with her blue hair, but the chill she felt didn't come from the night.
"Why?"
Riser took a step forward. The sound of his boots against the marble echoed through the quiet room.
"You know why."
Her eyes flickered with something undefined.
"I'm grateful for what you did."
Riser watched her, unhurried.
"But you're still afraid of me."
Vivi looked away.
"It's not that simple."
His steps were slow, almost ethereal. Before she realized it, he was beside her, his imposing presence and low voice like a whisper carrying the weight of something inevitable.
"What do you see when you look at me?"
Her heart pounded.
Her hands trembled slightly, but it wasn't just fear.
It was something she didn't want to name.
Vivi took a deep breath.
"I see someone with no limits."
Riser raised an eyebrow.
"And that scares you?"
Her gaze lifted to meet his.
"Shouldn't it?"
His reply came swiftly.
"Yes."
The silence between them grew heavier.
Riser raised a hand, his fingers brushing lightly against a loose strand of her hair. A fleeting, almost absent touch.
The air seemed to vanish from Vivi's lungs.
She stepped back, eyes wide.
He only smiled.
"You're not ready to handle me yet."
She clenched her fists.
'He's enjoying this…'
"I'm a princess. I have responsibilities. My place is here."
The gleam in his eyes intensified, as if he saw something she was trying to deny.
"How long will you keep telling yourself that?"
The candle flames flickered, casting long shadows across the room. The night breeze danced between the curtains, bringing the scent of the royal garden's flowers. The silence between them was thick, charged with something Vivi couldn't name.
She gritted her teeth.
"Then tell me… What do you want with me?"
The question came out firmer than she expected, but inside, her heart hammered against her ribs. Riser's gaze slid over her, appraising her with lazy interest.
"What do I want with you?"
He stepped closer, his voice low, laced with something that made her hold her breath.
"That's a dangerous question."
Vivi didn't back away this time.
"You show up without warning. You watch me like you know something I don't. You test me, like you're waiting for me to fail."
Riser's smile widened.
"Maybe I just enjoy watching you try to grasp something beyond your reach."
Her blood boiled.
"I'm not stupid!"
He tilted his head slightly, golden eyes glinting with amusement.
"No… But you're still a child."
Vivi's stomach twisted.
Her nails dug into her palms.
'A child…'
The words echoed like a blow.
She lifted her chin, her gaze burning with restrained fury.
"I'm the heir to the throne of Alabasta. I'll be a queen."
His laugh was low, almost a whisper.
"Maybe one day."
The air felt heavier.
Vivi felt her pride twist inside her. Her position, her struggle, everything she'd done to save her kingdom… And he saw her like this?
"You think everything I did means nothing?"
Riser glanced at the city beyond the balcony. Smoke from torches still rose from the streets, signs of a people trying to rebuild what had nearly been destroyed.
"It means you got lucky."
She blinked, confused.
"Lucky."
His gaze returned to her, and the smile faded.
"You're a spoiled girl who got lucky that our goals aligned."
The blow landed hard.
Her heart clenched, as if a cold gust had swept through her chest.
She pressed her lips together, swallowing her anger.
"So… If it weren't for your own interests, you'd have let me die?"
Silence answered for him.
Vivi felt something snap inside her.
Pride, anger, fear… It all tangled into a tight knot in her throat.
She hated admitting it, but he was right.
And that made her hate him even more.
Riser turned, walking toward the door.
"Sleep well, princess."
The words were cold, lacking the earlier teasing edge.
The sound of the wood closing behind him echoed through the room.
The wind rustled the curtains.
Vivi stood there, frozen, her breathing rapid and her fingers trembling.
Moonlight illuminated her reflection in the mirror.
She didn't see a queen there.
She saw a girl who still had growing to do.
---
The moon hung high over Alubarna, spilling its pale light across the royal castle. The silence of the night was deep, broken only by the distant sound of waves crashing against the docks.
Inside the castle, a candlelit room glowed softly. Curtains swayed with the night breeze, casting rippling shadows across the stone walls.
Nami was there, seated by the window, her red eyes glinting in the dimness. Her gaze drifted to the horizon, taking in every detail of the city below.
The night air smelled different.
She felt it before she saw him.
A shiver ran across her skin—not from fear, but from recognition.
The door opened slowly.
Riser stepped in, his boots echoing faintly against the marble floor. The golden glow of his eyes met hers.
Nami smiled.
"You took your time."
Riser leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his gaze assessing her with lazy interest.
"I had other visits to make."
She slid off the windowsill, approaching slowly, her movements carrying a feline grace.
"I bet the princess wasn't nearly as happy to see you."
Riser raised an eyebrow, a brief smile playing on his lips.
"She still has a lot to learn."
Nami stopped in front of him, tilting her head slightly.
"And me?"
His eyes traced her face, taking in every detail. Her servitude was absolute, but her mind remained sharp. She wasn't like Vivi.
He raised a hand, his fingers brushing the side of her face, feeling the coolness of her pale skin.
"You've already learned."
Her breath quickened for a moment.
Nami's smile widened faintly.
"So why'd you come?"
Riser stepped away, walking slowly to the window. The city sprawled below them, lit by torches and oil lanterns.
"I left the ship at the docks."
She crossed her arms, waiting.
"It's for you to head to Drum Kingdom."
Her smile faltered for an instant.
"You want me to leave?"
Her red eyes glinted faintly, tinged with something close to frustration.
Riser turned to her.
"I need you to stay with the Straw Hats."
Nami took a deep breath. Her instincts urged her to refuse, to follow him, to stay where she belonged. But…
''He's not dismissing me. He's giving me a purpose.''
She lowered her head for a brief moment, absorbing his words.
"It'll be strange without you."
His gaze softened for a second before vanishing beneath his usual golden gleam.
"You can serve me better there."
She lifted her face, her red eyes shining with acceptance.
"So that's it."
The wind blew, carrying the scent of the sea.
Riser tilted his head slightly.
"You'll keep cataloging the world's seas, like you always wanted."
Nami let out a soft laugh.
"You always knew I wanted that."
He didn't reply. He didn't need to.
Silence stretched between them.
She stepped forward, her eyes locked on his.
"If I ever want to come back?"
Riser smiled.
"Then I'll let you."
The answer was simple, but heavy with certainty.
She nodded slowly.
Nami's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Then it's settled."
She turned back to the window, gazing at the horizon once more.
Riser watched her for a moment before heading to the door.
As he crossed the threshold, his voice echoed softly through the room.
"Don't disappoint."
Nami smiled into the night.
"Never."
The wind blew again, carrying the silent promise that, even apart…
She was still his.
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A new life, a new Clark Kent — with all the memories of his past life intact.