Part II. Family Album

Charlotte family collection, independent stories in non-chronological order.

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Front Cover (dolls)

Chapter summary: For the youngest generation, a pretty face could worth more than combat capability. This was how the bisque dolls were made. (featuring Raisin, Panna, Pudding)

Please note this chapter contain OC centric storytelling, with Charlotte/OC subplot.

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Front Cover (dolls)

~ 10 to 7 years ago ~
Raisin (age 12 to age 15)

When Raisin was twelve years old, Sister Lola ran away from home. It was a disaster and Mama was furious.

Incident with Prince Loki of Elbaf taught Charlotte Linlin one very important life lesson though, and that was how powerful an emotion love could be to overcome even decades of hatred. An ideal so potent, it could bring down kingdoms even more effectively than overwhelming brute strength.

Raisin was twelve when Mama told him, he was the most attractive among her many sons. After weary wrinkles lined Brother Perospero's pretty features due to age, after a huge ugly scar marred Brother Cracker's face, and after obesity ruined Brother Kanten's physique. Raisin did not know why Brother Katakuri was disqualified, as he had no knowledge of his second oldest brother's pelican eel teeth, but nevertheless. Raisin was stated to be the most handsome Charlotte son.

It was not a compliment.

Love could not be replicated, but perhaps could thrive through artificial manipulation. Sister Lola had already proven that love at first sight was possible. An appealing appearance was the luring hook, an elegant courteous manner pulled taut the line, and a sweet promise of happily ever after the final sinker. In theory it could be done, thus the day Sister Lola ran away from home and Sister Chiffon's subterfuge wedding fell apart, was the day Raisin's life turned completely upside down.

Charlotte Raisin at twelve and Charlotte Panna at eleven, were chosen as the first son and the first daughter to be burdened with duty to actively bait the population. A son and a daughter of course to cover for the entire potential target pool. From then on, Raisin and Panna were no mere child soldier among numerous Charlotte siblings. They were to be the porcelain dolls on display. Ornamental marionettes dancing on their strings for Mama to lure in her enemies, her preys.

Raisin and Panna were both thoroughly changed within a year, to someone unrecognizable compared to how they were before.

Raisin was no longer allowed to dress in slack clown costumes like his eccentric brothers, only pristinely pressed regalia that restricted his every movement, and lavish cape for fashionable decoration. Raisin wasn't allowed to have his own hair cut, was told to let it grow long in young women's preferred style, despite it always getting in the way during combat. He had to put makeup on his face, keep fingernails manicured, and shoes polished. He spent as much time practicing how to properly smile and courtesy in front of a mirror, as he did in swordsmanship.

Most pathetic of all, his brothers were forbidden from damaging his face in their training sessions. It was downright humiliating.

Panna had it both slightly better and infinitely worse, from the brusque tomboy she had been to the delicate little princess she was now. Men were generally easier to seduce than women, so Panna could achieve the same result within minutes as Raisin's days of hard work, simply by showing off her thighs and batting her long eyelashes. The downside were the catcalling and the leers.

The decuplets started their training at eleven years old, shortly after Raisin was deemed a passable success after thirty months of trial and error. They spent half their time with Brother Counter and his wife, to learn the basics on armament haki and Cipher Pol techniques. The boys were required to fight without tearing their tailored bespoke suits and silk ties, nor damaging their quality leather shoes. The girls had to perform 'Moonwalk' and 'Shave' in five-inch heels and miniskirts, when marine soldiers twice their age had trouble mastering these skills in comfortable flats.

Charlotte Newji and Charlotte Nutmeg were the most rebellious. After months of torn clothes and bleeding ankles, Newji got to remove his tie and Nutmeg earned her right to wear hotpants. They still obeyed Mama in the end though, to train in leather shoes and high-heels.

The last project was Charlotte Pudding. She was flawless, and became Mama's favorite.

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Charlotte Raisin first put his talent to the test when he was fifteen, the universally agreed upon age that Charlotte children were required to proactively contribute to Mama's utopian empire. The woman he was told to charm was twenty-eight, of average human height. Raisin was already tall compared to standard at this time, around three meters, so he faked his age by applying cosmetics to make himself seem older than he really was.

Brother Kato was frustrated with Mama's decision, the abysmal catastrophe of his triplet Kanten's marriage still fresh on his mind, having only put to an end just last year. Kato pulled Raisin aside on the day he would meet his first conquest, and gave him the most important advice.

"Don't fall in love."

Raisin nodded, taking the warning to heart.

Turned out Brother Kato need not have worried though, when Raisin began to realize what kind of person he had become, to satisfy Mama's mercurial whims. The words that flung like daggers at him stopped hurting after a while, because that was what he truly was, underneath his beautifully crafted performance.

Monster. Demon. Fiend.

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~ 3 years ago ~
Raisin (age 19), Panna (age 18)

Domaine Merlot was the second daughter of King Domaine Montrachet, a princess of the wealthy Romanee-Conti Kingdom, the largest fine wine production in the world. Romanee-Conti Kingdom was affiliated with the World Government and among the few countries located in the New World that did not rely on any Sea Emperor's mercy for their continued survival.

Merlot had an older brother who served as commodore in the navy, and an older sister that caught everyone's fancy. 'Fairy Princess' Margaux was a renowned beauty around New World, with the enchanting voice of an angel. Margaux was not a real fairy of course, but the owner of a zoan devil fruit. Mushi-Mushi Fruit, Bug Fruit, Model: Butterfly. She could sprout a pair of translucent insect wings that reflected all colors of the rainbow, in addition to manipulate the local fruit butterfly kaleidoscope that allowed her country to grow the richest wine grapes in mass quantity.

Merlot the younger sister, was nothing remarkable.

Merlot was the perfect political tool.

Nobleman from Vidalia Island, second prince of Suzukii Kingdom, or the sovereign of Vinegar Country who already had four wives. Lecherous pigs that treated women like trophies, and among them was a man her father was going to choose at the end of this week-long annual social ball as her groom to secure a diplomatic alliance.

Merlot hated her life.

Margaux tried to console her little sister, but to no avail. Merlot was not in the mood to frolic with distasteful patrician snobs, so she left the dance hall while night was still young and wandered into the vineyard that was the pride of her land.

This was how she met him, running into each other amidst lush grapevines under pale moonlight. He was a handsome man in tailored attire wet with dewdrops from earlier rain, gloves and a katana, with long platinum hair tied in a ponytail and teal-colored eyes. He was very tall, Merlot of average human height only reached above his waistline.

The soil was muddy and slippery. Merlot lost her footing from being startled, and her frippery evening dress was snagged on a branch.

The man immediately bent his knees to place a hand gently beneath her elbow, so she wouldn't accidentally fall. "Whoa, sorry for my negligence," he apologized. "I wasn't expecting a lady like yourself to be out at this time."

Merlot pulled her arm back and inspected the young man suspiciously. "What about you? What are you doing here?"

"I am hiding from my entourage," the man replied, straightening himself again, though mindful of the hanging grapes overhead. "I find the dance ball somewhat stifling, overflowing with pompous egos. I'm sure you can relate."

Merlot coyly grinned. "That means you are also one of them, a pompous suitor with an ego."

"Guilty as charged unfortunately," he said with a soft chortle. "I am Charlotte Raisin, thirty-third prince of Tottoland, at your service."

Merlot was immediately defensive, upon hearing that infamous surname. "You are a pirate," she accused. "What are you doing in this country?"

Raisin raised his hands in the ubiquitous sign of surrender. "As a delegate of course," he answered. "I admit I don't want to be here, but alas, this country's king has the bright idea to send an invitation to our place, so here I am."

"I cannot believe this, my father... invited pirates?" Merlot uttered, incredulous.

"Your father...?" Raisin blinked in surprise. "Oh no, are you Lady Domaine Margaux? I am so sorry for my poor manners."

Merlot crossed her arms and huffed. "Margaux is my older sister."

Raisin blushed in deep scarlet, overwhelmed by intense embarrassment. "O-Oh, I made a mistake," he stuttered. "I was told Lady Margaux is the most beautiful woman this side of the Grand Line, I did not know her younger sister is equally as breathtaking."

Merlot pouted, turning away to hide her smile. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

"A sense of humor, too!" Raisin childishly grinned, taking a dramatic bow. "What did I ever do to deserve such delightful company?"

"Murder and pillage perhaps?" Merlot joked.

"Ouch, straight for the jugular!" Raisin exclaimed, laughing. "Have mercy!"

Merlot giggled. She was actually enjoying this rascal's antics, but the castle clock tower chose that moment to break the spell and chimed midnight. Merlot sighed, how time flew when she was just beginning to enjoy her nighttime stroll. "I should probably get back now."

Raisin agreed, but crestfallen disappointment was clearly written across his expression. "Lady Merlot, before you leave, may I ask for a single dance?" Raisin murmured quietly, almost bashful as he awkwardly offered his hand. "I know this is a very selfish request on my part, and overstepping an acceptable boundary, but I fear I won't ever have another chance."

Merlot nodded, coming closer to slip her palm into his. She liked how easy it was to read this young man, unlike those duplicitous socialites of true nobility, Raisin showed all emotions on his face.

They waltzed to the sound of distant music drifting from the palace, under luminescent moonlight amid luxuriant grapevines, Raisin leaning down to accommodate Merlot's smaller stature. They twirled and danced, one song after another, through these magical hours. Merlot did not return to the ball as per her father's demand. She didn't need to meet any of her other suitors after this night, for she might have already found her perfect match.

King Montrachet set up an arrangement for his second daughter to dine with the second prince of Suzukii Kingdom next day, as his preferred choice for her future husband. Merlot didn't show up at all, much to her father's chagrin, and went to meet Charlotte Raisin in the gardens.

Raisin prepared a serving of fruit salad in a boxed container for her, and a loaf of barmbrack bread with added sultanas. "I made these myself," he admitted.

"Don't you have servants to cook for you?" Merlot asked, genuinely curious.

"Yeah well," Raisin shrugged. "I like to bake."

Merlot nibbled at a slice of bread, the sweet taste lingered on her tongue. "This is delicious," she said softly, in wonder. "Prince Raisin of Tottoland, you are truly not what I expected at all."

Raisin tilted his head. "As a pirate, or as a prince?"

"Both," Merlot chuckled. "You are so odd, but in a good way."

"I'm glad, that your impression of me is positive," Raisin said. "You are so different from what I am used to. It is quite an enjoyable relief, spending time with you."

Merlot adjusted the folds of her sleek dress. "Is life so stressful living in Tottoland?"

That was a complex question, Raisin considered his answer. "I think the best way to describe it is, free, but at a price."

"Doesn't that contradict itself?"

"Perhaps," Raisin admitted, a little sad. "I am not a good man, Lady Merlot. My mother is a very cruel woman and she does not tolerate failures, we are all her puppets in that parody of paradise called Tottoland."

Merlot placed a gentle hand on Raisin's forearm and felt him tremble. She thought of her own father and the suffocating life she had, and understood the Charlotte son's difficult predicament. "You fear your own mother."

"Yes, but that is no excuse. I've still done my share of bad things for my family," Raisin said, shameful. "I am no different from any of my other brothers, and you know of our reputation."

Merlot touched his cheek. "You showed remorse, and that makes you kinder."

Raisin swallowed, taking a deep breath. "You are very compassionate, Lady Merlot. Thank you."

Raisin planted a chaste kiss on her fingertips later that night, before he vanished into the underbrush of the gardens, with a promise to meet again. They did not have much time left, with the countdown clock rapidly ticking away the days. Romanee-Conti Kingdom's annual dance ball was coming to an end, and soon Merlot would be betrothed to someone she didn't love.

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On the last day, Merlot made a choice. When Raisin showed up with a strawberry bouquet in her parlor veranda on the fourth floor, she welcomed him into the palace and took him to the royal privy guest chamber. "I am going to officially introduce you to my family," Merlot told him. "The only chance to change my father's mind. You are a much better candidate than that conceited prick from Suzukii Kingdom. Now, make yourself presentable."

Raisin straightened himself at attention, pulling a twig from his messy platinum hair. It hadn't been easy climbing onto the balcony. "I'll do anything, for an exceptional maiden as yourself," Raisin said, bending down to brush his lips against her temple. "I love you. I won't let you down."

Merlot laughed, a heavy load already lifted off her chest. She sincerely hoped everything would work out fine, before leaving him in the room to get ready. She went to look for her own family.

Merlot ran into her older sister just down the hall, and Margaux immediately noted her good mood.

"What's the occasion?" Margaux asked, pleasantly amused. "I thought you would be sulking this whole day, due to our father's decision. I am actually on my way to find you."

Merlot pulled a face. "I'm still unhappy about that," she grumbled, before beaming. "But I think there is a way to change his mind!"

"Oh?"

"I found someone better!" Merlot said proudly. "He is the prince from a wealthy archipelago kingdom, educated and noble. I have high hope that our father will approve."

Margaux quirked her lips curiously, tucking a strand of silken lavender hair behind her ear. An emerald earring glistened, reflecting the warm light. "I am intrigued by the sort of men to defrost your frigid heart, little sister," Margaux joked playfully. "Would it be inappropriate for me to meet him in advance? I will put in a good word for you."

"He is waiting in the guest chamber, but don't try to seduce him, dear sister. It will not work," Merlot said slyly with a grin.

Margaux chuckled. "It will not be my fault. You know what people say, that my beauty can charm any men."

"Yeah, yeah," Merlot huffed, recomposing herself. "Where is father anyway, Sister Margaux?"

"He is with Brother Vougeot in the conference hall," Margaux replied. "They are in the middle of some assembly, but I doubt it is as important as his daughter's future happiness."

Merlot thanked her older sister and went down the corridors, in search of her father. Margaux headed in the opposite direction, to the guest chamber, wanting to meet the mysterious man that her little sister might actually love.

Merlot found her father and older brother in the conference hall, in the middle of an audience with his advisers. King Montrachet promptly frowned upon seeing his second daughter. "Where were you yesterday night, and this morning?" Montrachet questioned, his tone harsher than intended due to frustration. "Prince Arthropod of Suzukii Kingdom is irked by your blatant disrespect!"

Merlot was annoyed. "The one time I agreed to luncheon with him, that asshole tried to feel up my thigh under the table!" Merlot growled. "I don't like him and everybody knows this. I cannot understand why you are so fixated on that cad, when there is clearly a better option."

"Is that what you have been doing all this week?" Montrachet heatedly accused. "I will not tolerate any commoner swain having a romantic tryst with my daughter behind my back."

"Well, why don't you meet him first, before jumping to baseless allegations?" Merlot crossed her arms in indignation. "He is of noble birth, from a kingdom even more influential than ours, and he came to our country bearing your personal blessing."

King Montrachet was taken aback by this, for he had no recollection of such a person presented on his esteemed guest list. "Who is this man that you spoke so highly of, my daughter?"

Merlot took a deep breath, bracing herself. "He is Prince Charlotte Raisin, from Tottoland, one of the most wealthy kingdom in the world."

Montrachet's mouth dropped open, but it was his son who reacted first, by letting out an undignified hysterical shriek. "You've been fraternizing with an Emperor's son?!" Vougeot screamed.

"W-Where is he now?" Montrachet bellowed.

"... I left him in the guest chamber," Merlot replied, her optimism quickly crumbling into distraught. She didn't understand why her family was overreacting in this manner. "This is ridiculous. You are the one who invited him here, to the ball."

Montrachet rubbed his brows. "Why would I ever invite a known criminal to our social gathering, dear daughter?"

Merlot widened her eyes in shock, speechless.

Vougeot didn't have time for this, his navy training kicking in. "Father, get your personal guards here and inform the marines that there is a wanted personnel on the premises," Vougeot said, already unholstering his gun. "I am going to teach that hooligan a lesson."

Vougeot stormed out of the conference hall. Merlot chased after her brother with shorter strides, her floor-length satin gown hindering her movement, that she only managed to catch up to her brother just as he threw open the guest chamber doors. Merlot wanted to at least pacify his anger, so that situation wouldn't escalate further into disaster—

—Margaux coughed, a katana piercing through the chest, and her beautiful butterfly wings fluttered weakly one last time. Vougeot and Merlot were by the doorway, unable to fully comprehend what had just occurred. Raisin pushed the woman's body off his blade, stepping back so that the steady stream of blood pooling onto the ceramic tiles would not stain his expensive suit, and gave his unexpected spectators a gracious smile.

"W-What?" Merlot stared at her sister on the floor, face pale, emotion caught in a trance between despair and denial.

Margaux's rainbow wings were fragmenting to dust, such fragile things. Raisin cradled the fruit bouquet he brought in his right arm like a treasured trophy, among the assortment of garnet red was a single strawberry that turned chalky white. Leaves curled, swirls morphing into very distinctive patterns. 'Fairy Princess' Margaux was dead.

"How dare you?!" Vougeot screamed, pulling the trigger with all the intention to rain vengeance upon his sister's murderer.

Raisin's unsheathed sword was still held in the left hand, and he deflected those lead bullets with an air of elegant grace. "Commodore Vougeot, I am a little above your current pay grade," Raisin stated calmly, swinging his blade in slow motion into a half circle, the afterimage forming a vivid orangish vermilion hue the shape of crescent moon.

Vougeot didn't even see that young man attack, when his right arm was suddenly torn off. Raisin's sword slash condensed into a colored laser blast. "Regen Anstrich, Rossa Arancia," he said quietly, naming his technique.

The prince of Romanee-Conti howled in agony, clutching at the bleeding stump above his elbow. Raisin took a couple steps in that general direction and Vougeot stiffened in fear, but the Charlotte son ignored the two remaining Domaine siblings as he headed for the open window down the corridor, his blade already returned into the scabbard fastened on the right side of his waist. It would not be long before marine soldiers swarm the area, thus crucial for Raisin to rendezvous with his family asap. At the moment, he was alone within hostile territory, and at risk of capture.

"... why?" Merlot whispered, voice hoarse. She reached out, subconsciously, to grasp at Raisin's sleeve as he was walking past.

Raisin sighed...

... and backhanded her across the face.

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Most Charlotte children dressed like circus troupe from childhood fantasy, because that was what they enjoyed, but never the bride and groom presented to lure in their preys. How lucky, those oblivious victims all thought, to be desired by someone so lovely from a family of aberrant psychopaths. It made them feel special, as was the calculated design, ignorant of the fact that their Charlotte lovers were mere performers on a mock stage in deliberately chosen costumes. Irony that it never occurred to them, these beautiful bisque dolls might not be right in the head either, just like everyone else in the Charlotte household.

Hilarious as well, that people honestly believed Mama would ever offer the hand of her most prized children, in exchange for relatively unimportant failures that were disposable diplomatic pawns.

In the past, it took an army to topple a grandiose kingdom. Now, all it required was one person.

Raisin told Merlot his family was vile and horrible, that his mother was an overtly demanding monster who criticized his every single tiny flaw. The best deception was when everything he said were true in a technical sense, his family was dysfunctional and Mama was every bit the control freak he claimed. Raisin told Merlot he was changed for the better, just for her, because that was what they all wanted to hear. Of course it would inevitably conclude this way, with Merlot on the ground, eyes watery and a stinging cheek.

"Stop being pathetic," Raisin said, rehearsed dialogue falling from his tongue, a recorder on playback. He pulled away like the marionette he was by the string.

Without 'Fairy Princess' to boost grape production, it would be impossible for Romanee-Conti Kingdom to meet their export demands. In estimated two or three years, this country would exhaust their funds into paying heavenly tribute to Mariejois, and with it protection offered by the World Government. By then, this country would be ripe for the taking, and their much coveted vineyard would soon be another checkmark on the list. They could build a factory at that spacious palace courtyard to make raspberry prosecco jelly and champagne truffles, Mama would surely appreciate that.

Merlot was crying.

Raisin scowled, but quickly smoothed his features, to make sure there was no crack on his mask. He pocketed the pallid devil fruit and placed the rest of that bouquet on the floor next the princess, before walking away. "I have a few unmarried brothers Mama deemed suitable to take a spouse. Let King Domaine Montrachet know Tottoland will accept a marriage alliance, once Romanee-Conti Kingdom broke ties with the World Government."

Merlot sobbed harder. "You said you love me. Is everything a lie?"

Raisin paused by the door. "You know, funny thing is, an absolute failure like you honestly thought that someone like myself would ever look at you twice," Raisin said, twisting the proverbial knife in deeper with his practiced dazzling smile. "You are worthless to me now. So tell me, why are women like you always this fucking entitled?"

"You're a monster," Merlot whispered, with tears dripping down her face, only now recognizing the Charlotte son for who he truly was. "You have no heart."

Raisin said nothing, turning away.

Domaine Merlot could not love a man who struck her across the face and pelleted her with merciless verbal abuse. A man who ruthlessly murdered her sister, crippled her brother, threatened her father, and pushed her country to the brink of financial collapse and civil war. Understandable.

Raisin soared through the sky in a radiant beam of yellow light. Regen Anstrich, Gialla, an unique skill invented by modifying 'Moonwalk' into streamline swordsmanship. He landed on the deck of Queen Mama Chanter, anchored a kilometer away from isle mainland. Panna and 'Newji' were waiting for him upon the cake frosting quarterdeck.

Raisin knew that boy was actually Newsan though, from the pleasant smile and the floribunda rose pin on his breast pocket. Newsan was a romantic poet and adored women's attention. He had the habit of swapping himself in when his identical brothers fail to woo their designated targets, since Newji still had problems hiding his savage nature and Newshi was always too serious, being the most common offenders that rely on their brother's flair.

"Congratulations on breaking a hundred million bounty, Brother Raisin," the decuplet son chuckled, throwing over the morning edition newspaper. "You just made yourself one of the most hated men in the world, for murdering one of the most beautiful women in the world!"

"That was fast," Raisin said, brushing a lint from his suit lapel. "It hasn't even been two hours, and here I was, expecting to make it into evening news."

"What can I say, they despise you."

"Hazard of the job."

Panna poked her older brother mischievously on the shoulder. "You seemed unhappy, Brother Raisin," Panna said. "What did she call you this time? Wait, let me guess. Monster, demon, inhuman fiend?"

Raisin huffed, his forearms folded to lean on the ship railing. "Something like that. They are all the same, nothing I haven't heard a thousand times before."

"You know how the proverb goes, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?" Panna said playfully. "You are the worst type of men, dear brother."

Raisin gave her a side glance. "And you are the worst type of women, dear sister."

Panna laughed. "Thanks for the compliment."

"Anytime," Raisin smirked. "But enough of that, I have something else to show you two, a fortuitous acquisition I've obtained during this endeavor."

"What is it?" Panna asked.

Raisin picked up the bleached strawberry. "A devil fruit, bug zoan," he said. "I'm not going to eat this myself, so if either of you are interested, welcome to be my guest."

Newsan perked up upon hearing that. "What model is it?" Newsan asked eagerly.

"Butterfly," Raisin replied. "Still interested?"

Newsan's face fell in utter disappointment. "I was hoping for ant or centipede..."

Panna blinked at her younger brother. "That is sooo out of character for you, Newsa—I mean, Newji."

"I have my reasons," Newsan pouted.

"What about you, Panna?" Raisin asked. "This can potentially complement your combat style."

Panna mulled over it, before ultimately shaking her head. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm going to decline," Panna said, deftly balancing to sit atop the balustrade next to her brother. "I just thought of a better idea. Normande's seventh birthday is coming up soon, maybe you can proffer it to her?"

Raisin considered. "True that dwarves work great with bug zoans, I'll ask her."

The Charlotte siblings chatted as the magnificent main sails of Queen Mama Chanter unfurled, red and pink, proudly flourishing the Big Mom Pirates jolly roger. Raisin's long platinum hair caught in the wind, and Panna produced a peacock blue scrunchy that matched her brother's velvet cape. "Thank you," Raisin said, tying up his hair.

Newsan hung on to the roped net stretching from the side of their vessel, dangling above his older siblings, and watched that faraway island disappear from view. They would return in a few short years, to clean up the mess they intentionally caused and reap what they sowed, but now they were heading back, to the only paradise they would call home.

A couple crew members paused on their busywork around deck, men and women alike, sneaking in a few extra seconds to admire the picturesque scene. Those Charlotte children made such an aesthetically pleasing sight.

Gorgeous at a distance, deadly when approached.

Stylized mannequins on display.

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The secret to charm these beautiful bisque dolls was actually very simple, but oh so difficult.

Charlotte Raisin and Charlotte Panna had yet to meet any woman or man, that could love them for who they really were, after they revealed their true nature by dragging those poor souls through hellfire brimstone and despair. To truly love a monster was so terribly difficult. It had nothing to do with their outward appearances, and everything to do with the insidious shade of their hearts, taught to be sadistic and remorselessly cruel.

Vinsmoke Sanji was the strange one, in a million, to break this tragic Charlotte curse. After Pudding shot his sister and baited his friends into an inescapable book prison, crushing his last shimmering ray of hope and leaving him a pathetic heartbroken mess sobbing in the rain, the first honest words Sanji said to Charlotte Pudding was miraculously not a condemning insult, but...

"You are beautiful."

(... and he truly meant I would still love you).

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Author Notes

Charlotte/OC, when the Charlotte boy is attractive and courteous. They would not be the gentlemen often fantasized in ideal romance. Similar to how Pudding was taught to be the worst type of women in canon, handsome Charlotte boys would be the worst type of men. Their affection can only be earned, by someone who could still love a monster after suffering through despair at their hands.

Raisin's technique means "rainbow paint" follow by colors, based on that strange flying move he did in anime, keeping up with BM Pirates fairytale theme.

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Thank you to everyone reading, commenting, and leaving kudos. It meant A LOT to me, and served as great motivation. This fic is now completed!