I remember a girl. She had to have been about my age, beautiful, short orange hair, and eyes that gleaned with mischief, as she tried to pickpocket my wallet in the marketplace that day. I obviously caught her and she was flustered that she was foiled and tried to flirt her way out. It was really funny, especially when I told her I'm a duke, she looked so panicked I laughed then and now remembering her face. It really was adorable.
I let her have my wallet, because i'm a gentleman but the next day she insisted on paying me back when I came to markets. I needed a fiance to go to the ball and complete my mission so I did what every guy does, I proposed to her.
She was shocked and again, it was incredibly cute and she turned so red, she would've exploded if she was any more red. I then explained my predicament about needing a fake spouse to go to the ball with and she seemed to know about this ball too so she agreed to the fake relationship and was blushing so hard as I slid the ring onto her finger. Fake or not, I still found it funny and cute.
By the time the Sovereign Annual Gala of Noxtillia, we had made enough of a name for ourselves as minor nobles to get an invite. Becoming known in noble society is hard, you need a lot of money and Aiko charged by the hour. Aiko isn't her real name but shes the first, and quite frankly only, person to have ever seen through my lies so she called me by my alias, Duke Jax, and I called her the fake name she gave me, Lady Aiko. Aiko was naturally excellent at noble affairs, snooping, showing off, and she was greatly helpful and would tell me what she learned. I admit, it was the part of the day I looked forward to the most when I wasn't out on side jobs or meeting with some other noble house to establish some connections.
I was wearing a nice jacket and suit with golden cuffs that were very uncomfortable. I adjusted them for the umpteenth time trying to be comfortable and I feel Aiko on my other arm smiling, "Smile darling. We have some company at 4 o clock." She says and I sense the CP0 agents pass by, guarding the gala. I try to ignore how hyper aware I am of Aiko's knuckles on my arm, her fingers tapping gently, by looking around. After scanning the crowd, I find the head guard, treasury keys jingling in his pocket and Count Visdait, who is smiling charmingly as he talks to a group of ladies. Bastard. While this gala, is happening, I know he's got shipments of illegal weapons going to the war front in Vestian. "Dear, I've got some business to deal with but I did see the guard over there eyeing you." I tell her casually, slipping my arm away. I ignore how cold my arm is and how my heart betrayed me, wrenching in a unfamiliar yet sensation I know too well 'I've gotten too attached.Shit.' I think as I go over to Count Visdait, "Count Visdait, its a pleasure to see you." I say smoothly, smiling. He looks at me then recognition flashes, "Ah. Jax, its a pleasure to see you here. How have you been my friend?" He asks. I internally scoff buy nod politely, "I'm doing well. The gala is really quite nice. Thank you for extending an invitation to me and Aiko. We are very grateful to you." I say graciously, bowing slightly and he waves me off, "Oh, its no problem. I'm just doing you a favor after your assistance." He says. I nod politely, "How is Tianni?" I ask. "Oh you know how she is. Shes over with some of the other ladies." He says and I smile, "Ah yes, perhaps i'll go and say hi. Thank you again." I tell him, bowing slightly and excuse myself. I spot Aiko chatting it up with a rather scandalous, mischievous glint in her eye that amused me as I watched her flirt with the guard, swiping the keys with a subtle touch. 'Smooth Aiko' I think with a smirk I soon join her, and hand her a drink. "You did well dear." I tell her. She blushes slightly. "Why, thank you." She says smirking back slightly. "Shall we take a walk?" I ask smoothly, holding out my arm. She puts her arm in mine and we walk out and down the hallway. The halls outside are equally grandiose, tall, imposing with walls lined with paintings of kings of old and heroes alike, with floors so shiny and pristine, one could see their reflection in it. We walk for a while in a comfortable silence, then she speaks. "So.. where are you taking me? The chambers are the other way my dear." She says, voice low with a smirk. I raise a playful brow at her, "The chambers? My, you're quite bold tonight aren't you. I think you might find where we're headed is better than the chambers." I say, voice low, playful and teasing. "And where would that be?" she asks with a glint in her eye that I have come to like, telling me she knows exactly where we're headed. We stop in front of the treasury tall and heavy door. "I believe you know quite well, You had a nice chat with Sir Batrow didn't you." I say with a smirk. She blushes ever slightly but goes to the door and smirks. She puts the key in and opens the big doors to the treasury of Noxtillia. She goes in and then turns back to see I didn't follow. "Coming?" She asks. "No, i'm afraid not. This is where we part." I say, trying not to show the sadness I feel inside. She nods, eyes full of understanding. "Thank you. Truly, you've been an angel to be with." I say, my full of genuine gratitude, She was incredibly helpful to my mission and the most fun I've had in a long time. She smiles softly, "I'll see you again perhaps. Goodbye my Duke Jax of House Rostanilia." She says. I smile weakly at her. "Goodbye, Lady Aiko. It's been a pleasure" I say slip into the shadows, daring not to look back as I head to the courtyard. There, I met the informant, clad in black and leaning on a tree. "The scroll?" They ask. I nod and pull out the scroll containing all the evidence to bring down all the corrupt nobles, like Count Visdait and the even more corrupt monarchy of Noxtillia. He opens it and reads a bit and nods. "Thank you." he says and salutes slightly and disappears. I nod. 'mission complete.' I think to myself with a sense of satisfaction from completing my mission as I slip to the coast and to my getaway.
---------------[3 YEARS LATER- LUMINA CITY]--------------------
I sit in the building, cigarette in hand as I watch the docks. On the floors above and below me there's at least a handful of spies also loitering around and watching the docks. At the docks is currently the biggest news this city has had in a long time, the Straw Hat Pirates have arrived. I scan the deck, looking among the crew. There's some new faces, Reina de Cielo, AKA Fitz D Reina of the Mad Pirates, "Voidsteel" Reiko and... oh my, the myth and legend returns, "Kingslayer" and then... her. Well well... Who would've thought i'd see you here.
Hellooo Aiko. Its been a while.