Chapter 8. An Insufferable Chateau

Chapter 8. An Insufferable Chateau

No escapades, no Sora, no freedom for a whole freakin' month! A two-year-old should have been fine with most of the things on that list, but I wasn't a typical two. I was a child with the brain of a teenager, and my life had turned into every teenager's nightmare.

Grounded. Not just a slap on the wrist, but a full-blown lock-down in Mama's castle. The reasons were vague when I dug for information. Sometimes they were even flat out lies made on the spot. But I had been relentless - for the better part of the lock-down anyway.

I tried everything to sneak or force my way out of the castle, with my earlier attempts crafty and strategic. Once, I disguised myself as a kitchen worker, 'borrowing' attire and a chef's hat that luckily fit my tall, muscular frame. I managed to stroll confidently towards the main entrance - grumbling about my supposed 'marital' problems to distract any onlookers - before a guard spotted me.

"Hey, hold it right there," he interrupted, his voice gruff but not unkind.

The guard who caught me was a mink - a humanoid creature with fur, long ears, and a robust physique. His fur mixed earthy browns and grays, blending perfectly with his woolen uniform bearing Big Mom's crew crest - a stylized sun with a smiling face in golden thread on his chest. His sharp, perceptive eyes narrowed as he scrutinized my disguise.

Initially, I thought my physique had given me away. Despite being tall and muscular, I still had a baby-like appeal, with plump muscles and a round face that belied my slender figure. Yet, it wasn't just my appearance that led to my capture; it was a more embarrassing oversight.

"Staff members aren't allowed to use the main entrance," the guard stated firmly, his voice carrying authority. "And your crest is worn backwards."

I froze, scrambling for an explanation as the guard approached. Standing inches from me, he gave me a curious yet scrutinizing stare, as if trying to place where he'd seen me before. Without a word, he adjusted the crest on my chest to its correct position, smoothing it out with a slight brush.

"There," he remarked, his tone now a touch lighter. "You must be new. It's rare, but newcomers often get turned around in this massive castle."

"Thank ye kindly," I exhaled, affecting a mature tone and slipping into a mock noble accent. "This castle's a massive labyrinth, aye? Could ye guide me to the staff exit?"

"Sure," the guard nodded, gesturing to explain the way and mentioning a password required by the Homie at the entrance. "The password should be provided with your Identification Homie."

Eyeing me closely, he remarked, "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Nah, nah, nah," I instinctively avoided eye contact. In a deeper voice, I replied, "I get that a lot."

"Okay," the guard said, his tone tinged with caution. "But as a security protocol, I have to confirm your ID."

"ID?" I questioned.

"It's standard procedure. Won't take a second," he reassured, activating a symbol on his crest. It glowed, and a whimsical tune emanated as it came to life, like a Homie. Its sun-shaped eyes opened, and it spoke, "Staff Homie, verify ID."

My own crest responded in kind, surprising me as it activated. After a brief pause, it announced, "Soul mismatch."

"Intruder alert!" the guard's crest exclaimed, setting off a chorus of alarms from other Homies around us. "Intruder alert! Warn Mama!"

"Protect Mama! Prepare for action! Prepare for extraction!" "Wiiiuuuwiiiuu..."

We were just in one of the Baum (hallways of the castle), but with how the Homies were springing to life and warning of a security breach, I realized Big Mom had Homies spying everywhere, even in places I thought were safe. Not the vases in the Baum, nor the paintings were an exception. They all came to life, dramatically, with some swirling red lights.

The guard swiftly raised his spear, demanding to know who I was while ordering me to surrender. I felt cornered and ashamed; despite living in this castle, I knew next to nothing about its defenses, and routines.

However, I wasn't about to go down easily.

I removed the chef's hat, revealing my distinctive pink hair. Recognition dawned on the guard's face as the image clicked in his mind. The resemblance to Mama must have got to him as he recoiled, then quickly bent a knee in salute, lowering his head in respect.

"Your Highness," he stammered, making me feel proud of my status, "Apologies for not recognizing you immediately."

Thinking I had the upper hand, I commanded, "If you value your head, tell the Homies to stop making noise, and don't ever speak about this little excursion to anyone."

"I will also be using the main entrance instead of the staff's exit," I added boldly.

For a moment, the Homies quieted, and I felt a surge of triumph. However, the guard's face turned apologetic.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," he said genuinely. "Homies only take commands from the Queen, and they are under instructions to watch your movements."

The Homies started again, louder and more insistent.

"Alert Katakuri! The Prince is on the run again!"

'Bastards!' I thought. 'So, you've been the ones ratting me out all this time.'

No wonder I always ran into Katakuri whenever I tried to sneak out. I had thought his highly trained Observation Haki was his edge, but it was actually the unseen Homies, like the crest I didn't suspect.

I grunted, running through my options. Being inside the Chateau had become suffocating. There was nothing interesting to do anymore, and I yearned to go outside, to visit Sweet City. But once Katakuri appeared, I knew my escape was over. His imposing frame always struck fear in me, and when he'd hold me up high, the thought of his pelican mouth made me squeal and turn into a good boy. However, today I was fed up and determined to stand up to him. The only question was, how?

Then it hit me. I could fake a hunger pang and demand something that could only be found outside Totto. Feeling good about my plan, I started forming fake drool at the corners of my mouth. As soon as Katakuri came into sight, I began my 'rampage'.

"Red Bean Soup!" I yelled as loud and strong as I could, recalling Big Mom's rampages from my memories of watching the show. I started smashing the walls, stomping, and being as dramatic as possible while demanding Red Bean Soup.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Katakuri's reaction. First, he looked uneasy as he watched me with narrowed eyes, then he ordered for Mama to be called, clenching his fists as if preparing to battle me. Seeing him adjust his position in anticipation for war made me break character for a split second, but I didn't let worrying thoughts stop my rampage. If anything, I increased the roaring, smashing, and stomping, even pushing the guard and Homies out of harm's way, only to hear Katakuri rethink his decision.

"Don't call Mama. False alarm."

Boldly, he approached me and lifted me up despite my erratic movements. He stared at me sharply, inspiring fear at my core until I stopped swaying in his hands. It was only moments later - silent in my room like a good boy - that I realized Katakuri had used Conqueror's Haki on me.

Subsequent fake rampages ended the same way, with Katakuri always defeating me. After countless attempts, I reached a point of exhaustion, hoping that somehow, Luffy would travel through time and come to free me.

Hours of plotting escape turned into hours of great solitude, slowly evolving into moments of realization. I realized that I was now seeing less and less of Big Mom; she always seemed busy on the floors below, and I no longer had to tolerate her suffocating motherly love every freakin' hour of my life. In a way, I recognized that I had acquired a form of freedom - to do whatever I wanted within the castle without being followed by an extremely towering figure.

I decided to start exploring the castle's many floors and routines, learning its secrets, and making Homies disappear in the process.

Beginning from my current floor - the Ninth Floor - where my bedroom was located, I embarked on a descent through the castle's levels. Above the Ninth Floor was the Rooftop. I already knew its purpose. The Rooftop had the Banquet Hall, where I had blown the candles to my second birthday. It was vast, bigger than the massive festive ground surrounding the Chateau.

Beyond my own bedroom, little in the Ninth Floor piqued my interest except for an adjacent, perpetually vacant room near Big Mom's quarters.

The Eighth Floor had the Giant Kitchen with Homies on and off the walls and chefs cooking like they were baking for a celebration. I recognized the meal as just another lunch for that day and left before I could notice Streusen and have a sudden pang to smack his tiny head. Still on the same floor, there was a room barred by royal guards, but it didn't smell as interesting as the kitchen. I descended down to the Sixth Floor via a Homie-operated elevator.

I was already used to training in the Seventh Floor, thus its rooms held little allure.

Encounters on the sixth Floor intrigued me momentarily. In one room, there was an elderly man whose gaze held a silent query, and in another room, a silent figure was seated on a bed, dressed in white and seemingly lost in their own world of bandages and baking attire. There was little to see in the other rooms except for beds and closets, and I supposed it was a Guest Floor.

The Fifth Floor housed a vast library, offering fleeting interest. However, the Fourth Floor captivated me with guarded rooms hinting at treasures and guarded alcoves, exuding an air of mystery. Here, I discovered the coveted Women's Bathroom and the enticing Alcohol Storehouse, both treasures in their own right.

Further exploration led me to the Third Floor's Courtyard, adorned in vibrant greenery, before passing by the Infirmary where Doctor Mamiya's persistent invitations for check-ups were deftly avoided. Intent on steering clear of further interactions, I hastened past, only to catch a snippet of conversation nearby.

A woman draped in a maroon scarf spoke in hushed tones to a fellow servant, murmuring unsettling phrases like "she scares me" and "monster." I remained hidden as she glanced around anxiously before abruptly shifting her demeanor.

"Yes, she will love the book," she reassured her companion in a softer tone, as if their earlier conversation hadn't happened. They parted ways, with her adding, "the mistress has been craving a pudding for some time. Don't forget to thank Streusen for her."

As she turned down the hallway, unaware of my presence, my curiosity piqued.

'Pudding? Like Pudding-chan?' I wondered silently.

Since when did Pudding start residing in the castle? Aside from myself, there were no other children of Big Mom's in residence - bar the visits - making this discovery intriguing. The more, mention of pudding sparked something in my mind. If I were to uncover the truth behind my "grounding" and the mysteries of my birthday celebration, she seemed like a potential key, seeing that I had noticed her after waking up on that day.

In my canonical knowledge, Pudding was known for her ability to manipulate memories, a power that could explain the gaps in my recollections. Despite being only nine months older than me, her potential to possess Devil Fruit abilities remained uncertain. Given my own unusual maturity for a two-year-old, I dismissed any assumptions and resolved to leave no stone unturned.

Cautiously, I followed the woman, using my knack for making Homies disappear along the way. We arrived at a door where she entered and swiftly locked it behind her. Determined to uncover the secrets hidden within, I attempted to force my way in, but the door happened to be one of Mama's insufferable creatures!

The door roused to life, its Homie essence ready to alert Mama of my intrusion. The damn rat!

Frustrated with the relentless surveillance of Homies and Katakuri's interference, I decided to wait patiently. I needed assurance that all the Homies leading to Pudding's alleged room had vanished.

Fortunately, Mama's trust in her Homies meant there were no surveillance snails nearby. With a bit of careful maneuvering and avoiding a few interactions, I could potentially commandeer the entire floor undetected for a few precious hours.

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Next post (Chapter 9) is tomorrow.