Noblesse Privilege 22 (Patreon)

Noblesse Privilege
Chapter 22

-VB-

We prepared our wedding to take place in Alabasta and not Mary Geoise.

We wanted a happy wedding, not one surrounded by potential enemies and too many World Nobles disliked me enough that they would crash a wedding.

And so we were sailing once more upon the Grand Line, heading towards her home!

Of course, being a rich and powerful romantic couple did not exclude us from the harsh whims of reality.

Namely, the details of the marriage. As much as I loved Vivi and she seemed to like me, we weren’t childhood friends or long time acquaintances who knew every little detail about each other. If we didn’t establish our wants, needs, compromises, and boundaries from the start, then misunderstandings, miscommunication, and accidents lead to unnecessary conflicts that sour our relationship. I did not want that, and Vivi didn’t want that either.

This meant that before we got married, we had to sit down and hammer out the details of our future, because if we cannot come to an agreement now - if we cannot compromise now - then can we expect to compromise later when more would be at stake?

“Personally,” I began. “I would rather not have us live in Mary Geoise, but we might have to.”

“Why is that?” Vivi asked me.

“It’s not a great place to have a family,” I replied with a sigh. “I mean, sure, it’s safe. It’s probably one of the safest places in the entire world. The people there though…”

“They’re World Nobles,” she said in understanding.

“Yes. I don’t want to raise a family where they are around. It’ll be like an ever-threatening poison, just waiting to sicken our family with their debauchery, sadism, and cruelty.”

“Then why can’t we leave there?”

“Aside from the fact that I’m a World Noble?”

“Yes?” she asked me quizzically as if the question itself was too obvious.

“It’s because I’m in line to be an Elder.”

For a moment, she didn’t understand.

“What… is an elder?” she finally asked.

“An Elder,” I began with a knowing smile. “Is one of five individuals who rule over the World Government when Levely is not in session.”

“...” And then her eyes widened. “Oh.”

“Yes, oh. It’s quite important that I live in Mary Geoise,” I chuckled. “Can’t train to become the ruler of the world when I’m not there at the capital of the world, don’t you think?”

“That would be hard,” she nodded.

“At the same time…” I began. “You’re the heir of the Alabasta Kingdom, so you can’t leave the kingdom indefinitely, either.”

She nodded. “And I’m my father’s only child, too.”

“Ahh,” I sighed. “The situation is quite tricky, but I’m willing to travel as often as feasible,” I added.

She looked at me before nodding with a smile. “I’d like that.”

Okay, one compromise down! What was next? … Oh, right! I should warn her!

“My father probably didn’t think that you were going to become … an Elder.” She giggled. “Is it weird being called that even though you’re barely in your twenties?”

“What?! I’m not even twenty yet!” I squawked indignantly.

“Really?” she looked at me in surprise. “I thought with how much you’ve achieved…”

I loosened up at that. Her thoughts made sense.

“I think I took action at just the right time and place to grow as much as I did in power and influence,” I replied with a smile. “It helped that the Marines were all too happy to work with me. And then the independent kingdoms saw what I was doing and jumped into it.”

“Oh, speaking of the alliance,” she began. “Father has asked me to speak to you regarding Alabasta’s inclusion into the alliance.”

I blinked. “Really? This quickly?”

He did allude to it when I was there.

“Yes,” she replied. “Crocodile incident has … changed some of his thoughts on how Alabasta should approach its international relations. My marriage to you, suggested by me, is part of that.”

Oh, we were heading into the political side of our marriage then.

“Is he looking for any specific political kickback?” I asked. As much as I loved Vivi and she apparently suggested the political marriage (which proved to me that she was a capable future partner), this was not a purely romantic marriage as much as I would have liked it.

So on top of personal agreements, compromises, and expectations, there was a political level to consider. Alabasta’s inclusion would … not be taken lightly by my alliance, mostly because Alabasta held neither a strong defensible position nor a decent military to contribute to the alliance. Adding Alabasta wouldn’t be a problem if Alabasta spent more money, but Alabasta was still recovering from the damages left by Baroque Works and Crocodile’s rampage.

Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if their capital city wasn’t completely repaired yet.

I did help open up more trade with Alabasta, but, again, not enough time has passed for the kingdom to have accumulated wealth.

“I think father wants your help in industrializing Alabasta,” she responded. “But the details are …”

“You are unsure.”

“Yes.”

Her ignorance could mean either that King Cobra didn’t trust her or her ability or he was keeping the details close to his chest.

He most likely wanted to meet me in person.

I’d been too optimistic that it would have been a purely romantic marriage.

I noticed the morning sun rising to become noon sun.”

“Well, no rest for the wicked,” I grinned as I stood up, and walked up to where she was sitting in her armchair. She looked up at me and then realized what I wanted. Her eyes flickered as I leaned in, and I stole a quick kiss from her. “The things I do for my love. We’ll talk later tonight, okay?”

“Okay,” she replied with a light blush.

It was time to train, study, work, and eat, because Luponte was a (metaphorical) slave driver.