Fandom (One piece: Ace x Vivi) Princess and piracy {ClOsEd}

Vivi wasn’t unused to political missions where she had to go and talk with neighboring kingdoms to keep Alabasta’s political relations, being invited to a Prince’s Ball even though she’d refused the invitation 3 other times, was unfortunately part of that duty to keep up appearances especially since Alabasta was just getting back on its feet after the trouble with Crocodile.

Vivi knew that this mission was of the utmost importance for trade routes and because there had been rumors that the Queen here had been discussing ideas of invading while Alabasta was still recovering and Vivi wanted to put her citizens at ease while also perhaps strengthening some relationships. However, this involved spending quite a bit of time with the country’s obnoxious Prince Scias was everything Vivi knew that a Prince shouldn’t be, the first time she’d met him when they were children she’d thought he was obnoxious, spoiled, rude, and unethical.

Over time, those thoughts hadn’t changed, he was still all of those things and unfortunately his personality hadn’t developed in a positive way either. Since she’d stepped off the ship, Scias had made a show of escorting Vivi from the ship, which wouldn’t be a problem if he hadn’t turned it into a spectacle like he had turning the whole thing into a parade with carriages, confetti, and the likes. Vivi thought it was all a bit much, Scias had even gone as far as when Vivi politely refused the carriage so she could ride Karoo to take one of the white horses that he clearly didn’t know how to actually ride so he could ride beside her.

Vivi was also surprised by Pell’s self restraint when Scias snapped at him and tried to demand that he lead the horse for him which he refused and now one of Scias’s servants was doing so as Pell walked on the other side of Vivi and Vivi could feel his own frustration with every backhanded compliment that Scias gave her clearly thinking he was making a good impression as Vivi was carted through the streets of the capital city. At least until everything suddenly stopped with a lurch that surprised everyone

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!” Scias immediately snapped with an angry huff, Vivi hopped off of Karoo to look ahead wanting to investigate and ignoring Pell and Igaram’s protests. From the looks of it, someone had fallen into the road and the local guards were trying to get them to move though rather aggressively which Vivi would have been upset about to begin with but then she realized the orange hat that sat in the road beside them now and it clicked that she knew this person. This was Luffy’s big brother! She remembered meeting him and how he’d helped them and travelled with them for a couple of days when they were trying to get to Yuba

“Well don’t just stand there you idiots,” Scias huffed Vivi hadn’t even realized that he’d approached behind her “Do something, cart him off to prison, call the marines.” Scias said waving his hands dramatically and Vivi knew that was an issue, if anyone called the marines they’d know who ace was in an instant and Vivi couldn’t let that happen to Luffy’s brother.

“Ace!” she said quickly hurrying over and quickly standing between Ace and the guards turning to face Scias with as innocent of a face as she could “Forgive me Prince Scias, I meant to send word that I was sending someone ahead to ensure that everything was safe for our arrival.” Vivi said as there were a few confused looks, Vivi did her best not to make a face that would show she was lying through her teeth right now, especially when she saw the looks from Pell and Igaram (particularly when they were able to see Ace’s tattoo on his back.

“Ace is my personal bodyguard.” Vivi lied Scias quirked a brow
“I thought Pell was your guard? He asked her clearly uncertain and Vivi nodded agreeing with him

“He is! Ace is his apprentice.”
God she owed Pell so many vacation days after this as she saw the look on his face as Scias turned to him and thankfully Pell nodded agreeing with her much to her own relief as Vivi turned to Ace to see if he’d woken up and was very careful in stepping close to try to hide the tattoo on Ace’s back, Karoo even helped by tugging at the cape on Vivi’s shoulders to throw over him in an attempt to hide it as the clasp released

“Right, he’s uh still training clearly we’ll have to talk with him later about what scouting ahead entails but he is with us.” Vivi assured him and then turned to Ace to poke at him hoping he’d wake up, Luffy said he was narcoleptic right? It had to be what happened, just bad timing.

Vivi turned to look at Ace and smiled a little although she was briefly horrified about her asking who Scias was in such a rude way and by the way his face turned red he heard him and Vivi let out a nervous laugh before she turned her back on Scias to let Pell and Igaram handle him so she could whisper to Ace

"This is Prince Scias, I'll explain the rest later but for now you're my bodyguard just pretend," Vivi whispered to him before turning back to Scias who was giving them both a dirty look now as he huffed
"If he's your guard why does he look like that?" Scias said with an air of disgust to him and Vivi had to strain to keep the smile on her face

"Well if he's investigating for my safety he's not going to look the part of a guard I think that defeats the purpose don't you?" Vivi asked him Scias looked Ace over for a moment and seemed to accept that answer

"Well it's a good disguise then, he certainly smells like a peasant," Scias said with a wicked smirk and Vivi narrowed her eyes at him this time
"Your Highness, you can say what you wish about me but I will not tolerate you insulting my friends," Vivi told him slightly warning him before she turned to Ace

"Let's ride the carriage the rest of the way and you can brief Pell and me about your mission," Vivi said before she walked to the carriage much to Scias's annoyance Vivi entered the carriage that earlier she'd refused in favor of riding with her guards. Karoo was clearly upset that he wasn't allowed to ride inside as well but there wasn't enough room and Vivi didn't want to leave Igaram to deal with Scias alone.

Vivi waited until the parade to the palace continued and made sure the windows were closed and the curtains drawn on the carriage before she let out a sigh of relief to no longer being a public spectacle

"Princess what you did was reckless, if we're caught in aiding one of White Beard's men you will be marked as a traitor," Pell said to her sternly trying to emphasize the danger of her actions even though Vivi was quite aware of what she'd done, it was a similar situation to telling the world that the Straw hats had helped to save Alabasta in the first place and that Vivi had briefly been apart of their crew, they had protected her the day that they'd left by not responding to her message vocally but Vivi would never forget their sign of friendship, Ace had helped them when going through the desert and he was Luffy's brother so vivi couldn't just sit around and do nothing in the scenario.

Vivi looked up to him

"I know, but I couldn't let a friend get into trouble and do nothing," Vivi assured him the gravity of the situation she knew wasn't something that would be taken lightly and she felt bad for dragging Ace into this now, surely he had better things to do than pretend to be her guard for a day or so just to avoid suspicions from the spoiled Prince outside. Vivi turned to Ace then

"You fell asleep and interrupted the parade that Scias had put on to show off that I'd come to help celebrate his birthday, he wanted you arrested and I said that you were my guard to stop him from calling the marines, Karoo thought fast and covered your tattoo up too." Vivi finally explained to him sure he was confused by the whole thing which would be understandable though Vivi had a few questions fo her own.

"What are you doing here? I thought you said you were chasing down someone who betrayed your crew?" Vivi asked him curious as ever and perhaps a little eager to hear about adventures again, Vivi had read a few of the adventures of the Straw hats in the papers but she also knew that the papers lied quite a bit she wanted someday to be able to ask them again for the real stories and perhaps if it were possible to go on a few of her own with them again. Vivi couldn't lie and say she didn't miss going on adventures with them, feeling more free than she ever had before when she sailed with them and she truly wished she could have taken Luffy up on his offer to join his crew but Alabasta needed her.

Vivi nodded listening to Ace explain about the person he was looking for, she wasn’t surprised it was the short version, he either didn’t want to bore her with the details or didn’t wish to tell them in front of Pell which was also understandable since he didn’t know him. The question about Scias though vivi laughed a little bit as she pondered over it for a moment.



“Well usually I only have to deal with him once a year when his mother and my father usually meet up to discuss new terms for remaining peace and I can usually avoid the invitations to Scias’s stupid parties unfortunately with the state Alabasta has been in the last few years and I’ve been absent it was better for diplomatic relations that I attend his birthday so I try to remind myself that I won’t have to see him for another whole year and once at the party I can avoid him like the plague.” Vivi explained to him although there was absolutely nothing inside of her that believed that she could actually avoid Scias at the party, he always liked to seek her out to brag and think he was wooing her and a few other of the upper class women thinking he was quite a ladies man when really he wasn’t he was just…well obnoxious.

“Besides I’ve dealt with worse,” she explained she then turned to explain to Pell “Ace is Luffy’s big brother, he helped us get through Alabasta so we owe him our thanks for helping us to stop Crocodile. I think we can probably put on a little act for a day or so before we can figure out an excuse for Ace to ‘go back home’ right?” vivi asked Pell let out a sigh and nodded agreeing

“If you’re sure Princess,” he conceded Pell knew there was no arguing with Vivi when it came to friendships and her morals, something that many people adored about her was that she would defend anyone she called friend, through everything that had happened with Alabasta she’d even still referred to Koza as her friend and Pell was grateful that he still saw her that way in the end but this was a much finer line to have to walk. Ace was one of White beard’s pirates, there were a lot more dangers just like when Luffy and his friends had been there and Pell knew how much the Princess missed them. Perhaps this would be a good way for the princess to get some closure for her pirate days? Although he highly doubted it, he had to admit seeing her relax considerably with the other familiar face around was a nice thing and it would be good for the princess to have additional allies in dealing with Scias.

“Once we’re at the palace with some of Scias’s other guests that are staying until the party it will be easier to avoid him other than dinners and other small events that the Queen no doubt has planned.” Pell added to also help reassure Vivi.

Pell nodded at Ace’s question
”Yes, Igaram and I will make sure that you are well prepared for the ball.” Pell said before eyeing Ace for a moment
“Starting with a bath, Prince Scias was rude but he was correct in that you need one.” Pell said and Vivi tried her best to hold back a laugh at Pell’s much more polite way of telling Ace that he stank. Vivi knew Ace rode around on that peculiar water scooter rather than a ship when he was on his own so it would make sense that he wouldn’t be able to have the luxury of a daily bath.

“I’m sorry to have dragged you into this, it was just the first thing I could think of that would have gotten you out of trouble.” Vivi apologized to Ace again “Besides, once Scias moves on to something else we can say you’ve got to return to Alabasta for something and you can continue your mission.” Vivi assured him she wished she had the time to think of something else to tell Scias, with he heat of the moment she’d just looked to Pell and Igaram and figured that a Princess could never have to much security, she was sure that if her father could he’d make sure she always had several guards watching her that or she’d be glued to his side but Vivi had always been a more adventurous spirit that you couldn’t tie down so easily and Cobra knew that the more he tried to pin her down the more she’d figure out a way to run from it. Vivi had a deep sense of duty but she also had a duty to herself that she tred to balance out as best she could without causing trouble for others (although trouble had a habit of finding her either way)

Thankfully their carriage ride to Scias’s palace wasn’t to much farther and soon they were being ushered into the lush palace grounds that were always a stark contrast to Vivi’s own desert home, with all kinds of flowers and tall hedges, fruit trees from everywhere that the Queen had imported and while it was beautiful Vivi always thought it was a waste of the countrys funds but she supposed that wasn’t technically her business either. Scias welcomes them when they arrived and they were escorted by some of the servants there to a suite that had been prepared for Vivi and her guards, with a few attached bedrooms all lavishly decorated with the intention of showing off the wealth of the family and the first thing that was done once the doors were closed was Igaram shoved Ace towards the bath.

“You need a bath, if you’re going to pretend to be a guard you can’t stink like a pirate.” Igaram told him and Pell nodded his agreement before he turned to Vivi
“I’ll see what I can find for suitable clothing,” Pell said before he bowed out and Vivi laughed a little bit at the situation

”Be nice,” She told them both she flashed an apologetic look in Ace’s direction before going into her own bedroom to unpack her things and make sure that her dress for the ball had made it there in one piece. The last time she’d had to attend a ball with Scias, one of his suitors for some reason had become insanely jealous and chose to take a pair of scissors to her dress which Vivi had been upset about but simply spent the time fixing it up to the best of her ability and wearing it anyway. Her excuse being that it was the height of fashion in Alabasta much to the annoyance of the woman who had tried to wreck the dress in the first place. Vivi was thankful that the woman had married a different noble and got off her back when realizing that Vivi truly had no interest in Scias but it didn’t mean that she wasn’t just the slightest bit paranoid of a repeat incident. Vivi wanted to make sure that there was nothing that would draw any extra or unwanted attention to her. When she was settled she exited the room to see Igaram was taking care of some odds and ends, Pell had returned with a few suitable outfits for Ace before popping out to do something and from what Vivi could see Ace was still in the bath. Vivi gathered up one of the outfits that appeared to be the most comfortable in her opinion and some towels that had been left in a gift basket for her to use but Ace deserved the excuse to have a fancy lavish bath as well. She approached the door and knocked gently and when she heard no answer she poked her head in assuming that he hadn’t heard her

”Ace? I’ve brought your clothes?”

Vivi set the towel and the clothes aside for him before she glanced up towards the bath and paused for a moment, Vivi hadn’t gotten to see much of Ace’s physique when they had wandered Alabasta’s desert, everyone had been covered with the bulky protective robes to avoid getting damaged by the sun and though she knew from his own wanted poster that he typically did go around shirtless she couldn’t help but pause to briefly admire the sight before her. The pirate looking relaxed like he hadn’t a care in the world and Vivi did take a brief moment to appreciate the view though her cheeks turned bright red when she did realize what she was doing and she quickly turned away and did her best to sneak out without him noticing. Thankfully Igaram didn’t notice her either and all this reminded her was that she really missed having Nami around.

Vivi didn’t have many girl friends, most of the girls she’d known were spoiled noble girls who got catty or growing up had only wanted to play with dolls and have tea parties or talk about the beautiful Prince’s they’d marry someday (gag) Vivi appreciated those things sometimes but she’d also appreciated her time with Koza and the gang much more than dolls and tea parties much to the anxiety of her protectors. Vivi leaned against the wall beside the bathhouse door and for a brief moment she couldn’t get the image out of her head, she felt a little guilty for peeping on Ace, it was an invasion of his privacy after all and it wasn’t like she’d never seen a man before but still she just hadn’t been able to help herself.

”Princess?”
Vivi jumped a mile as Pell returned and gave her a quizzical look “Are you alright? Your face is rather red“ He said and pressed a hand to her forehead to see if she was sick, Vivi offered him a nervous smile

”Oh I’m fine, just a little warm is all I’ll probably step outside in a bit to get some air.” Vivi assured him waving off the gesture she couldn’t exactly explain that she’d accidentally-on-purpose peeped at their guest after getting him into this mess. Nope that was something that Vivi was probably just going to have to take to her grave at least until someday she met up with Luffy and the others then, at least in accordance to the papers she’d have Nami and evidently Miss All-Sunday to talk to about (Though Vivi still wasn’t sure how she felt about that but she also knew Luffy wouldn’t let someone on his crew that he didn’t think was a good person at heart.)

Vivi turned to Ace and took a moment to appreciate that he looked very nice when he was cleaned up, although her mind did briefly wander back to the bath she finally managed to push that aside and smiled

”You clean up nicely,” Vivi said to him happily “The Ball isn’t until tomorrow so we have down time to settle in and dinner isn’t for a little while. You’ll see all the other guests there but if you wouldn’t mind I’d like to explore a bit, Scias and his mother redecorate the place ever so often so I’d like to take a look and see what they’ve done with the place this time.” Vivi said to him after all it had been a few years since she’d been able to come here and Vivi did adore the gardens.

“I’ll accompany you,” Pell said but Vivi shook her head at him insistently

”Ace and I will be fine, besides it might look strange to have to much security on me at all times and I’d really appreciate it if you could stay and make sure no one messes with our things like the last time.“ Vivi said Pell and Igaram both exchanged worried looks but Vivi kept her smile

”Ace is Luffy’s older brother and a perfect gentleman, he’ll be fine protecting me.” She insisted to them she knew they at least trusted Luffy since he had helped to save Alabasta after all though the still worried glances and silent conversation the two overprotective surrogate parents seemed to be having was nothing new to Vivi and honestly expected at this point.

“Ace needs to be seen with me in order to avoid suspicions anyway and I can help make sure he keeps under the radar.” Vivi insisted she was already headed to the door as a way to not leave room for them to argue with her this time around. Before there were any verbalized objections she slipped out the door bidding the two goodbye before she simply started walking hoping that Ace would keep up. Vivi knew that for the most part she was safe within the palace walls but that didn’t mean with all these snooty royals around that she didn’t need a guard. Sometimes royals could be just as nefarious as pirates but they got away with a lot more. Vivi was positive she could take care of herself but still.

The marble corridors were nothing new to the princess she knew how to get to most of the places that were open for them to wander through and of course she did note a few others royals that were on their own wanderings though usually paired up and whispering no doubt gossiping as they tended to do and Vivi of course noticed a few off stares in their direction whether it be because Ace was with her and was obviously attractive or because she herself was being seen for the first time in quite a while.

“You’ll have to ignore people, they stare and gossip quite a bit at things like this.” Vivi said to ace softly “Alabasta is already in the gossip radar because of all that happened and now throwing in a new bodyguard is going to give us a little attention but it works out for selling your story.”

Vivi noticed the woman approach too, she knew her as a Duchess with quite the attitude to match her lavish expenses and at first Vivi forced herself to smile politely at the girl thinking she was approaching to talk to her but instead the girl was right there to speak with Ace.

”So you’re the new guard that everyone is whispering about hm?” She asked making it a point to put her hand on Ace’s arm to draw his attention to her. Vivi quirked a brow at her curious and while she didn’t want to believe that she was attempting to flirt with Ace right off the back, she could see he looked a little uncomfortable and made a point of clearing her throat to draw the Duchess’s attention

”So nice to see you again your grace,” Vivi said keeping her cheery tone as she stepped between Ace and the Duchess to offer her a slight bow of respect despite that Vivi was a higher status to her as it was Vivi’s excuse to move the Duchess’s hand ever so subtly away from Ace, the Duchess didn’t look amused at the fact that her affections were being thwarted as Vivi turned to Ace like nothing had happened at all

”This is Duchess Abelone,” Vivi introduced him but the Duchess quickly cut in
”But everyone calls me Abby”

Vivi chose to play the fool as she smiled
”Really? I’ve never heard anyone call you that before.” Vivi said giving a thoughtful look as she “tried to recall” such a thing and perhaps she enjoyed a little more than she should as the Duchess’s cheeks went bright red with anger and embarrassment

“They do.” She insisted and Vivi simply nodded along agreeing with her
”My mistake then, I will say your face is rather flushed though perhaps you should get some air while Ace and I grab a drink?” Vivi said she didn’t wait for an answer as she ushered Ace away to the refreshments and heard the angered growl from the Duchess

”Does that happen a lot?” Vivi asked him curiously

Vivi could sympathize with Ace on the matter, she quite often had people that flirted with her as well though often she didn't realize that was what they were doing and usually when she did it was because it was someone that she knew only wanted her to be a prop and increase their wealth and status rather than actually like her.
"Unfortunately, I get a few suitors here and there but no one that actually wants me for me." Vivi told him the idea of marrying for love was a very rare thing in her society and probably a bit childish for her to consider but she'd at least like to be friends with someone before they were married. That was sort of difficult around here when she knew what most of these snotty royals wanted from her.

Vivi accepted the glass from him, she wasn't much of a drinker herself and frankly wine wasn't actually much to her liking, drinking with the Straw hats had been the height of her partying really and she missed it ever since. However Vivi also knew how well she could hold her liquor and that wasn't much, especially compared to Nami and Zoro who she often questioned how they still had livers.

"Basically everyone dresses up in fine clothes, likely the latest fashions from their homes and jewelry that is much to expensive for anyone to actually wear for anything else, you enter and are announced by someone, usually couples of highest status go first and it trickles down to single people of status, a lot of people will try to bring dates specifically so they can go first, there's a lot of mingling and usually a dance or two, then a banquet, sometimes there is entertainment and more dancing until you've had enough of each other and find a polite excuse to leave for your room. Because it's for Scias's birthday and he's single, he's expected to dance with every unattached woman of status kind of their excuse to try and make marriage connections. It's great for making political connections and being able to discuss important matters without the pressures of councils or anything like that but it does come with a lot of unwanted attention and advances sometimes." Vivi explained it was a bit of a brief summary but it was the best she could do on short notice, usually it depended on the type of ball.

hearing his confession about dancing had Vivi raising a brow though
"I'll have to teach you then, it's never unheard of for noble women who have had a few drinks to ask for just about anyone to dance and if Abelone has her eyes on you then she won't be the only one and you'll probably have to learn." Vivi told him she felt sort of bad about it but she didn't want Ace to be embarrassed either in front of all the nobles attending, plus it was also her excuse to practice since she hadn't been to an actual ball in a few years herself.

Vivi smiled
"I don't need you to announce me, there will be someone there to do that just an escort so we can keep things looking how we want. All you have to do is look pretty and walk with me." Vivi said she was mostly teasing him as she took another sip of her drink and glanced around them, definitely weird looks, a few curious whispers and envious stares though if they were jealous of her or Ace was a mixed bag depending on who it was. At least Scias wasn't here to start trouble, Scias seemed to think he had some kind of 'dibs' on Vivi since they'd known each other for so long even though she'd shown virtually no interest in him.

Vivi got distracted from her own thoughts when Ace asked about his hair and she smiled at him sweetly
"I think you'll be ok as long as you brush it and make it look nice." Vivi assured him she was tempted to reach up and ruffle his hair further but she didn't want it to look odd. Gosh she could only imagine the rumors going around already she didn't want to add fuel to the fire and draw more attention to them than needed.

"Vivi!" One of the friendlier princesses called over as she headed over and pulled Vivi into a hug happily, thankfully not all the royals were snotty and pompous so Vivi relaxed a little seeing a friendlier face

"It's nice to see you again, Briza this is my new guard in training Ace, Ace this is Princess Briza of the Kisiwa Archipelago." Vivi introduced the two the Princess was of darker skin and wearing a gorgeous dashiki dress and matching jewelry of various colored beads to match Vivi had known Briza since they were around eleven and she was usually one of the very few fun people that came to these things.

"I just wanted to warn you that everyone is talking about you and your new date," Briza whispered so that only the two of them could hear, Vivi's face immediately lit up bright red

"Briza he's my guard not my date." Vivi insisted waving her friend off the best she could, Poor Ace what had she gotten him into with all of this chaos? Briza laughed at her reaction and leaned playfully on her shoulder

"You see, I know that and you know that but no one else believes that you two aren't playing out one of those trashy romance novels that these girls don't want to admit that they read." Briza said with a wicked grin, Vivi couldn't help but do a little face palm at her friend, she was fun but she also was very much the kind that liked to stir the pot a little bit with some of the hot headed and more pompous ones, she liked to refer to it as taking them down a peg. Vivi looked over to Ace and mouthed a little 'i'm sorry' perhaps showing him around had been a mistake in the long run but they just had to deal with it until the Ball then he could sneak away and this would all be over right?.....Right?

Briza smiled at Ace and nodded
”I saved her from some mean girls during an event when we were eleven and she’s been stuck with me ever since.” Briza said grinning as she put an arm around Vivi’s shoulders happily. Vivi shook her head

”I was mistakenly invited to a Mother’s Day brunch and people seem to notice when you come alone.” Vivi explained as briefly as possible and of course tween girls were brutal to begin with, throw entitled royals into that mix and it can get kind of soul crushing. Vivi remembered almost being in tears before Briza stepped in, she’d made sure to accidentally-on-purpose trip with a small pitcher of juice that splashed the girls that were picking on Vivi and cause them to run crying to their mothers. Briza and her mother had made Vivi sit close to them the entire rest of the event and Vivi got to learn all about their home and after that Briza sought out Vivi during events like that they had to attend, Vivi felt bad that she’d missed two years of events and had left her on her own while she was running around with Baroque works but she knew her friend understood and considering some of the gossip around she seemed to have done fine on her own.

”So if I’m hearing some of the gossip right, you’re engaged now yourself?” Vivi asked her and Briaa brightened and immediately held out her hand to show a beautiful ruby ring set in gold, it wasn’t flashy like you’d expect of a royal but it was gorgeous and complimented Briza all the same

”Yes! Samira finally proposed, took her long enough.” Samira said with a soft laugh and vivi grinned before she looked to Ace to explain

”Samira is the daughter of her father’s head of council. She’s a lady in the court and the two of them have grown up together, everyone’s known that they’ve tiptoed around each other forever.” Vivi said ok so she did have a little hand in the Gossip reel herself but it was hard not to when you were surrounded by it, Briza was beaming with happiness

”Yeah just like you and that rebel boy Koza,” Briza teased her and Vivi shook her head this was the point where Scias seemingly over his tantrum about his parade being interrupted joined the group around the refreshments and was chatting with some of the other royals around and Vivi noted how his gaze constantly was flicking over to them and narrowing on her and Ace, Briza seemed to notice too and rolled her eyes before she called Samira over and the two stepped between Scias’s gaze to shield Ace and Vivi from the spoiled little prince. Vivi knew what they were doing but just in case Scias didn’t Briza looked over her shoulder at him and stuck her tongue out

”Don’t provoke him dear,” Samira scolded gently

Vivi didn’t know why she was blushing as she carefully took a rather long and thoughtful sip of her drink and Briza laughed a bit as Samira shook her head

”Koza was the head the Alabasta revolutionaries and Vivi’s first friend other than Karoo,” Samira explained to Ace as Vivi nodded
“Koza is a boy from Yuba and we’ve been friends since I was about seven, he had a gang of kids he called the San San gang and I became an honorary member when I would sneak out of the palace, they even protected me when some thieves tried to kidnap me when I was out of the palace and we’ve been very close ever since.” Vivi explained she didn’t know why she felt so awkward explaining it to Ace, it shouldn’t have been it wasn’t like she was explaining to a potential suitor that she was close with another man. Plus Koza was practically her brother

“My father pardoned him when it was revealed Crocodile was behind everything and we’re still close friends but we don’t get to spend a lot of time together nowadays.” Vivi explained to him with a smile she was wondering if they should move on with exploring the grounds more, something to get away from all the awkward gossip and questions that were no doubt forming but she also worried Shias might follow after them if they tried to leave.

Briza chuckled a little bit
”The way she used to talk a bout him and their adventures everyone thought for sure that he was going to become prince consort of Alabasta by now.” Briza said teasingly and Samira rolled her eyes

“You’re the only one that says it, everyone else knows that because he doesn’t have status that he couldn’t marry her without Cobra’s express permission, I barely got your fathers permission.” Samira said but Briza grinned at her

”Like Cobra wouldn’t immediately say yes“

"Oooo sounds fun" Briza said with a grin hearing about Ace and his brothers "Don't let the other nobles hear or they'll be wondering if they're as pretty as you."
"Briza," Samira scolded gently giving a gentle tug on her wife's hair to get her to stop as Vivi tried not to laugh at the antics

"I see we're enjoying the festivities," Vivi glanced over and her mood almost instantly soured seeing Scias with a strained grin on his face she would have wondered what had him in such a sour mood if she wasn't certain it was because of Ace and the fact that he was drawing all the attention. Oops. The opposite of what she had wanted, she didn't want the focus to be on him but to at least make things seem normal but apparently Ace's natural charisma seemed to be taking in quite a feat with the nobles at the party.

"We were" Briza said her facial expression never changing as if she weren't bothered at all however the implications of those words couldn't be lost on anyone who heard them, Scias apparently was very good at ignoring her antics as he focused on Vivi
"I couldn't help overhear you were talking about the conflict in your country that kept you away for so long, I wanted to see if we could discuss my help in rebuilding your economy Princess." Scias said Vivi knew there were ulterior motives there, Scias never did anything for free and she knew more than anything that he was really just trying to stick himself in the conversation to remind everyone of his status.

"I appreciate your offer but we're doing fine on our own," Vivi said to him which seemed to be a direct hit to the prince's ego he frowned and took a moment to turn his eyes on Vivi again though he had a calm expression Vivi could see by the forced calm that he was irritated

"Even with revolutionaries still running around? Personally I think you should be careful princess you might damage your reputation as being too soft." Scias said to her

"I'm thinking a princess who took on a revolt to protect her country is anything but soft." Briza cut in not even giving Vivi the chance "You're just jealous that she's got bigger balls than you do."

Scias shot a glare at Ace for interrupting their conversation and before he could take a shot at him Samira put a tight grip on Scias's shoulder

"Now, now your highness lets not say things that we will regret. It would be wrong to spoil your birthday party by insulting two future queens especially one that you wish to get involved with right?" Samira asked her words taking on a diplomatic turn however her grip showing there was a threat if he were to insult her wife. the color in Scias's face seemed to drain and he nodded earning the release of Samira's hand and he took a step away from her reach before he glanced at Vivi

"You should tell your servants not to get involved in political matters." Scias told her though there wasn't as harsh of a bite in his tone as he clearly would have liked Vivi seethed at the reference to Ace her grip tightening on her glass to the point she was sure it would splinter if she didn't have that last bit of self control in telling herself that hitting him would start a war.

"Perhaps a prince should have more class than talking politics at an event meant for pleasure rather than work." Vivi said Scias's jaw dropped and before he could say anything more Vivi handed the glass to him and turned to Ace

"I think I need some air, lets go explore the gardens shall we?" Vivi asked him she didn't even wait for an answer before starting off. Once they were out of earshot Vivi let out a long sigh and forced herself to relax

"I'm sorry about that, he shouldn't speak to you like that." Vivi apologized to him "Scias is a spoiled rotten brat and can be a pain but because of political ties I can't do much to cut him off, I didn't think he'd have recovered so fast from the parade he did when I arrived earlier." Vivi felt terrible Ace didn't need to be exposed to this sort of thing she wanted to make sure she could get him out of such a tense royal spat as soon as she could but for now they had to play the part.

"Maybe it would be easier if we just hid in the suite until the party when I can sneak you out, I don't want you to take any more of his ire than necessary"