Before I start the chapter I would like to give a huge thank you for the people who have kept reading up to this point. But I need to give an incredibly huge thank you to @vasiadiadein, who graciously took out her own time to design the new cover for the story. I really appreciate your effort so thank you.

Now back to the story :)

"... You may not want to hear this but... I would love you to join us..." Monet smiled as she walked you home.

You remained quiet, head hung low. Your head was spinning with information and you weren't sure how to cope with it. You had a lot of mixed feelings about the offer you'd just received. In short, you'd just been offered to live in a palace and have people who would truly claim you as family. Of course, Whitebeard and Shanks had both offered you that, but in their cases, you would have to actively fight people as a pirate. With Doflamingo's offer, you would just play your role as a member of the Doflamingo family without harming anyone...

"(Y/n), we're here..." Monet stopped in front of your home.

"Thank you Monet..." you smiled. "I think I just need my bed..."

It was late. You didn't realize how long you'd been on the ship. You opened the door to your house, which was amazingly still intact, and saw that nothing in your home was disturbed.

'At least they didn't take anything' you sighed.

"Make sure you think carefully about all this (Y/n)... Young Master doesn't just make deals like this for anyone" Monet smiled.

You turned to her and smiled "Don't worry, I wi-AHH!"

*Thud*

"(Y/N)!!!!!!!!!!!!"

You were tackled by three hollering boys.

"Where the hell were you?!" Ian shouted through hot tears

"You just disappeared without a trace! What happened?!" Liam gripped you tighter as he bawled into your chest.

"(Y/N)!!!!!!!!" Isaac just wailed in your arms.

"Boys! I-I..." you stuttered, still trying to check if all your organs were in the right place.

You turned your head in an attempt to get some assistance from Monet but she had disappeared.

'Wow thanks a lot'

After ushering the boys inside, you began the long process of trying to soothe them. You thought it best to explain what had happened. Sparing a few tiny details like being attacked, kidnapped, lowkey threatened and the possibility that you'd be leaving tomorrow. At the end of your explanation, they had big red puffy eyes and were still sniffling, on your lap.

"How many times do you want me to apologize? I said that I'm sorry..." you sighed as you stroked Isaac's hair.

"It doesn't matter how many times you apologize! You're always telling us to let someone know where we are! You can't just contradict yourself (Y/n)!" Ian burst out.

"Ok ok ok... I get it!" you threw your hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry that I wondered off without letting anyone know... I will make sure it won't happen again"

"Promise!" Liam demanded with snot hanging from his nostrils.

"Promise..." you chuckled as you reached for a tissue and wiped his nose.

The two boys nodded in satisfaction. A gentle snore came from your lap and all eyes trailed to its owner. Somewhere along with your explanation, Isaac had fallen asleep on your lap. Two sleepy yawns slipped from the other two as they tried to rub the sleep from their eyes.

"I guess it is kind of late... why don't you boys sleep here tonight? I'll go and call your parents" you stood to find your house den den mushi.

Everyone in the town had one but it was only ever used for emergencies or if people couldn't get out of the house. Of course, that was very rarely seen as how everyone was just walking distance from each other. After finishing the calls and making up some beds you thought that a nice shower to clear your head before bed would do you some good. You placed Isaac on one of the beds and tucked him in.

"Boys I'm just gonna take a shower! Your rooms are ready for you so you can go to bed whenever your ready" you called down to the other two who just sat by your fireplace.

"Thanks (Y/n)..." They yawned as they trudged to their rooms.

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You exited the shower, your mind a lot clearer than before, and dried yourself off. And that's when it hit you.

'Noooo my oversized hoodie is still on the ship' you internally sobbed. 'Now they have decent blackmail as well'

You slumped out of your bathroom with your towel loosely wrapped around your body, completely defeated. That was until your eyes landed on your said hoodie, neatly folded at the bottom of your bed. Your eyes widened in shock.

'That definitely wasn't there before I got into the shower' you carefully looked around as you gripped the towel around your body.

There was a small note attached to it that read:

'You left this behind on the ship. You looked so good in it I just had to wash it and bring it back to you asap. I know how much you need me so it wasn't any trouble, just be more careful.

Your friend ( and possibly future sister)

Baby 5

P.S. Monet says that the jumpsuit is yours to keep. Dellinger says it looks best on you anyway.'

You couldn't fight the small smile that was making its way onto your lips. Though it did make you wonder when they broke into your house to deliver it.

'Meh! It doesn't matter too much as long as I have it right?' you brushed off as you changed and went to sleep.

Tomorrow was going to be a very interesting day.

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You woke up to three trouble makers who had somehow crawled into bed with you. All of them sprawled out and drooling in their sleep. You giggled at the comedic trio as one was kicking or punching the other in their sleep.

'What am I gonna do with you guys?' you sighed.

You did some eggs, beans, and toast for breakfast. The smell seemed to have brought those boys out of their sleep as they clumsily trotted down the stairs. You all ate and laughed together, and afterward, you all got dressed and ready for the day.

"Now go straight home to your parents and look after each other!" You called as you watched the three boys race into the woods. "Now time for me to get ready for work..."

You tightened the bracelet that was wrapped around your wrist and added the last couple of flowers to your hair. You were wearing some blue jeans and a shoulder-less (f/c) top. Your hair was in a loose braid to one side with your flowers in between. You ran down the hill to open your bakery. Doflamingo hadn't exactly made it clear when he was going to arrive but you weren't just gonna sit still and do nothing.

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"Are you sure that you're ok (Y/n)? everyone was really worried when you closed shop without reason" one of your more elderly customers asked.

"I promise I'm fine! I just had a very sudden meeting to attend to yesterday and I forgot to explain" you smiled as you handed her two loaves of fresh bread.

"I guess that makes sense... well as long as you're ok dearie I guess there is nothing to worry about" she sighed as she hobbled out the front door. "Please take care of yourself sweetie!" she called over her shoulder as she left.

You waved as she left then moved onto the next customer. You were starting to get tired of reassuring people you were ok. You'd had the same conversation with roughly 37 different people. Each one explaining how concerned they were about your sudden disappearance, especially when three crying boys were asking for you everywhere.

'I shouldn't get upset with them... they were just worried' you turned your back to get the next customer's order.

*Ding-a-ling*

There were a few gasps and then everything hushed. You turned to see what had encouraged such a reaction, only to be faced with two new customers.

"Leave" Doflamingo ordered

Everyone in the store flinched. Chaos and confusion filled the room making it difficult for anyone to follow the order that was given.

"I guess they need a little encouragement..." he smirked as he started to raise his hand.

"Um! Excuse us, everyone!" You quickly interjected, "Would you be kind enough to just let us talk privately please!?" You pleaded.

The last thing you wanted to be your workplace to become the new and improved graveyard for your town.

"Well I mean (y/n) would only ask if it's important" one of the women muttered.

"She gets that guy all to herself? What a lucky devil" whispered another.

"Let's just go and come over later" a young man muttered.

Slowly they all filed out of the shop leaving only you, Baby 5 and Doflamingo.

"Would it seriously kill you to ask nicely first, your majesty?" you sighed to Doflamingo as the last person left.

"Fufufu~ Yes, I think it would" he grinned.

"It's good to see you again (y/n)! Did you get my message" Baby 5 proudly smirked.

"If you mean my oversized hoodie, yes! I'm eternally grateful" you laughed.

"I assume you've thought about my offer and you're ready to go" Doflamingo made his way over.

Luckily your bakery was tall enough to accommodate his height and anyone a little higher. He stood in front of the counter kneeled in front of you.

"I-!"

You were cut off when a velvet black box was placed on the counter in front of you. The sound of contact was a lot louder than you had originally anticipated. You jumped which earned a small chuckle from the human flamingo. The simplicity in the design did intrigue you though. Slowly you reached out and opened it.

"It's... beautiful" you breathed as you stared in awe at the beautiful diamond-encrusted chain.

A small rose sat on top of a pink diamond; its stem wrapped around the pink diamond. Engraved across the stem of the rose chain was the name Donquixote. You were speechless.

"This will be your new life now, no need for that dull chain on your wrist anymore" he gestured to your silver bracelet.

You flinched at the comment. Hesitantly, you placed the box on the counter. Doffy watched you, his grin replaced with a straight line.

"...(Y/n)?" Baby 5 raised a quizzical brow.

"I'm sorry... I really am..." you whispered as you slid the box across the counter towards Doflamingo.

You finally looked up into those sunglasses. You could only assume he was staring right back at you behind the shades.

"I can't accept your offer" you stated firmly.

"What was that?" Doflamingo's brow twitched in slight annoyance.

'Welp! Now I've done it' You sighed. 'Time to walk the path of no return'

"I said that I can't accept your offer your majesty." you sounded a lot more sure of yourself this time. "In all truth, I never had any intention of joining you from the start... I guess you don't know me as well as you thought"

"(Y/n)... what are you talking about? You're throwing away the opportunity of a lifetime! You can live as royalty" Baby 5 exclaimed.

"Don't take it the wrong way, but I don't need that. I'm satisfied with where I am already, and according to someone else I know I'm already a princess" You smiled fondly at your chain. "To go with you would mean to leave everything behind and forget it all, but I could never do that. I have a role to play just like you and it's very different." You smiled at Baby 5 then turned to face Doflamingo who was awfully quiet.

"I'm grateful for your offer, but I think I'll stick with my dull chain"

The silence was deafening. Doflamingo hadn't moved an inch but somehow managed to make himself appear a lot more intimidating. You could feel sweat beginning to form on the back of your neck, your senses almost heightening. And then he did something unexpected. He laughed. Like a seriously laughed.

'Did I break him?... I think I broke him?...' you looked over at him in complete concern.

"Y-young Master..." Baby 5 ventured.

"Now that's interesting... Alright, little baker. I'll play along. But you should know that I always get what I want" he smiled sadistically making your skin crawl.

"Wait... You're going to leave her?!?" Baby 5 exclaimed in shock

"I have a feeling that sooner or later we're gonna run into each other again, and when that time comes... I won't hesitate a second time..." He stood and took the velvet box.

You grimaced slightly at the thought. 'If being attacked and kidnapped early in the morning was the formal invitation. What was an actual kidnapping for him like?'

"I'm gonna keep this until you come back. I don't exactly like... sharing" he gestured to your bracelet. "So when you're ready to give up those children and start hanging with the real men around here, I'll give this back" He waved the black box around like it wasn't the most expensive thing in this shop, which if you weren't aware, it was.

"Baby 5, we're leaving! I'll give you five" Doflamingo strolled out the bakery with the confidence of a... well... a king. "Oh and little baker, you call me Doffy from now on!" He called as the door slammed shut behind him.

You and Baby 5 were both left stunned as you both watched him stroll out of view. He'd taken that well. He'd taken that really well. Relief now washed over you like a waterfall, and at the same time, all of your strength left you. You didn't realize how scared you were. You were now leaning on the counter for support.

"(Y/n)... are you sure this is what you want?" Baby 5 looked over to you.

In her memory, you were definitely the only person to reject Doflamingo's generous offer, to his face, and then he was the one who ended up walking away empty-handed. He could've easily taken you by force if he wanted. You had no battle experience and were from a remote island that could barely be traced on a log pose. It would be easy. Too easy. But he didn't.

"I'm sure... I have a lot of things to do before I even think about playing princess" you chuckled a little.

"I see" She sighed.

"... Baby 5... I do have a favor to ask" you smiled at her

Almost instantly she lit up. Her whole body illuminating the fact that she's needed.

'She's like a puppy' you smiled as you pulled out a large basket from under the counter.

"(y/n) what is all this..." She whispered in awe.

"Well, his maje- Doffy said that the sole reason he came was purely that someone recommended me. I take pride in what I do, so if he was going to hire me, he should at least know what my baking tastes like. And it's also an apology for the little girl and the old man who asked for me..." you sheepishly smiled, eyes glued to the basket full of baked goods.

*Sniff* *Sniff*

You whipped your head over to see a teary-eyed Baby 5.

"D-Don't worry Baby 5, I've put some in there for you too!" You waved your hands frantically trying to find some tissues.

"(Y/N)! Please stay this sweet!" She jumped and hugged you.

It was now that you realized she wasn't crying because she didn't make her any buns or cakes. She was genuinely sad that you didn't take the offer to stay with them.

"I'll try my best... But only if you do the same..." you hugged her back and soothed her.

Eventually, she let go and took the large basket with her waving goodbye. As soon as she left though, all hell broke loose. Customers flooded back into the store asking questions and demanding answers. Some people worried about if you were harassed, others trying to figure out what you were talking about and the few girls crazy enough to ask if they could have Doffy's den den line.

'At least things are back to normal... sort of...'

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You weren't exactly sure when they left, they were anchored at a different and more dangerous part of the island, so you couldn't exactly go and watch them sail away. But you were finally down one business offer. And to some extent, it was successful, though when Liv finds out about the new deal she may strangle you.

'So essentially everything is back to normal' you sweatdropped.

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