You didn't often take strolls through the kingdom, but when you did, you made sure everything was peaceful. Today, was no exception.

A ruckus ahead of you catches your attention, a man with blood red hair falls back. You could only see his back, but the horrified expressions from the locals tells you he was injured. You quicken your approach as Sir Axel lifts his axe, eyes on the man's neck. Gritting your teeth you take a step and a haki pulse leaves you, making Axel stagger.

There's a shocked pause and you walk past the injured man to strike Axel across the face with your hand. He blinks in surprise and turns his head to glare at you but freezes when his eyes lock on yours. He falls to a knee, bowing his head. "Your Highness I-"

"No excuses! Are you blind there are children present you brute!!" You yell at him, tossing back your cloak's hood to clearly glare at the man.

"I'm sorry princess! Please forgive me!" He says, bowing his head lower. You let out a slight growl before turning to the shocked red haired man who seemed the same age as you, blood covered half his face. You soften, taking in the injury.

"Here, allow me to-"

"Princess don't touch that pirate filth-" You turn on Axel suddenly, dagger pointed at his eye.

"He is an injured man that you have no doubt scarred, his occupation does not matter to me. Do. Not. Order. Me. Around," You retort, anger obviously radiating off you. He drops his head again.

"F-Forgive me!" He gasps. You sheath your dagger and turn back to the red head.

"I apologize for him... Please allow me to take you to the infirmary," You say softly, extending a hand to the shocked man. He stiffens and swiftly backpedals away from your reach. You blink and frown.

"Don't concern yourself with me princess," He huffs, standing up. He turns away and your eye twitches, hand swiftly swiping out to grip his ear. You pull him back, earning a pained gasp. "Ow! Owowow! Let go of me woman!" He snaps.

"How rude! I just offered to get you medical assistance!" You growl.

"I don't want your help! Let me go!" He retorts.

"No, I'm taking you to the infirmary!" You inform him stubbornly.

"Like hell I am!"

"Watch your tongue! And yes you are!"

"No I'm not! <i>Your Royal Highness</i>!"

"Yes you are! <i>Mr. Pirate</i>!"

"Captain, just go with her," A masked man says as he and a few others are restrained by guards. You give the guards a stern look and they swiftly release the pirates.

"Fine..." The captain scoffs. You give the masked man a smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Pirate," You tell him, taking the red head's wrist before pulling him along, stopping briefly to look back at Axel. "If there are anymore problems today Sir Axel, I will not be so kind," You warn before leading the pirate to the small clinic close by.

"Princess! Please, have your companion sit here!" Dr. Evans greets, gesturing to an empty bed. Before you can move, the pirate frees himself from your grasp and stalks over to the bed, sitting down and folds his arms. The doctor swiftly goes to work as you fold your arms and lean back against the wall, peering out the window.

"Is she really a princess?" You hear the pirate murmur to Dr. Evans. The doctor chuckles deeply.

"She is!.. Hard to tell right? Normally princesses are either timid or selfish. But she's quite different from the rest," The doctor muses.

"Yeah, even the guards are intimidated by her," The pirate mutters.

"That's because all the suitors that have come for her hand have lost a limb, or have been badly beaten," The doctor chuckles.

"All of them?" The pirate huffs, obviously wondering just how many.

"One hundred and two," You inform him with a smirk, he looks in surprise that you had been listening. "They pretty much gave up once I hit the the triple digits," You add. He snorts.

"Cowards," He grunts. You almost giggle at that.

"My thoughts exactly." You comment. He glances at you and smirks.

"Its because that the attempts have gone down so much, that the king is allowing anyone who can beat her to have her hand in marriage." Dr. Evans informs him. Your eyes narrow and you frown at the floor briefly, something that didn't go unnoticed by the pirate.

"He's given up on having me marry another royal. Apparently I'm not princess enough," You muse, with a fake smile.

"That's because you should be queen." The pirate mutters as Dr. Evans finishes bandaging him. You weren't sure if you were meant to hear or not, but it made you smile for real.

"All done," The doctor chimes. The pirate stands up and you straighten, looking at the bandages briefly.

"Well then Mr. Pirate, I'll leave you alone now. Enjoy your stay here in Reckshaw," You say holding out a hand for a handshake. He reaches for it but swiftly takes back his hand.

"It's Kid, princess," He tells you with a slight blush. You blink, oblivious to the blush.

"Oh, okay then, Kid... I'm ___," You tell him, dropping your hand with a smile. He gives a slight, rigid nod.

"Right... Thanks.... I think..." He manages, looking to the side.

"Farewell Mr. Kid. Please try to behave while you're here," You tell him before leaving.