Chapter Text
It was with a conflict between mild amusement and annoyance that Doflamingo leaned back in his seat and prepared himself for the inevitable argument that would ensue between him and his eldest son. On one hand, Law’s initial reaction was just what he had hoped for, but the tantrum that followed on the other hand, was not. Immature, loud and desperate; these were not qualities that Law was associated with by anyone who knew him even on a less intimate level. A rare sight to be sure, although not yet completely gone it seemed. A shocked, speechless and brooding Law was adorable, but this ? Doflamingo could only bring himself to consider it an eyesore.
“How could you do this to me?!” Law demanded and slammed his palms flat down on the polished surface of his father’s grand, wooden desk.
Crossing one leg over the other, Doflamingo lazily waved with his hand in a gesture of utter nonchalance, as though to physically swat the complaints away and out of his face.
“Oh do not be so dramatic, Law. It is only marriage, not the end of the world.”
“It may as well be,” came the immediate reply in the form of a sullen murmur, before renewed passion took its place for the next line of words,“but why does it have to be him ? I hate him!”
Doflamingo threw his head back with a short, humorless laugh before he looked at his darling son with an unimpressed lift of his brows.
“Hate? Surely what you mean is ‘ dislike’ . As far as I know Mr. Eustass has never mistreated you or done anything to deserve such scorn. Besides, there are plenty of couples who dislike each other and still manage to keep it functioning.”
“...”
When Law struggled to find a measure with which to counter his logic, Doflamingo seized the moment to further convince his son of whatever benefits there were to be had from this engagement.
“He’s rather good looking isn’t he?” He tried with a suggestive lilt in his tone, hoping that Law would at least see the value in the superficial aspect.
But while such a vain argument may very well be enough to sway one of his sisters into compliance, Law liked to think himself better than that. It would take more than a pretty face to gain his approval. When he opened his mouth to expressed such to his father, he was beaten to it with another dismissive comment.
“Which is more than one can ask from an arranged marriage. When it comes to that, any man is as good as the other.”
“So I suppose I should thank you for not promising me to an ogre?”
“Some gratitude would be appreciated, yes. Believe me, I have spent much time and effort in the choice of your fiance. There were certainly more favorable candidates in terms of status and fortune, but nowhere near as young and good-looking. ”
The Charlotte family was not known for the best of genetics in their ancestry. Some of the daughters were tolerable, even fewer considered beautiful. And the sons did not fare much better; Eustass Kid aside, those who possessed some amount of good looks were either spoken for already or at an age that surpassed even Doflamingo’s limit. For despite his attitude towards the matter, he wanted his son to at least gain something good from his marriage. An attractive parter could at the very least bring some form of happiness.
“Come now, Law,” the Donquixote duke tried once more, voice softer than prior, “This isn’t like you. Whether you like him or not is irrelevant. Besides, it is not as though you have to be with him in your spare time. Only on formal occasions and important events. Love and pleasure is what you have lovers for; you may have as many of them as you like provided that you are discreet, of course.”
“...”
“Just look at your sister. She accepted the choice I made for her and she is doing well in her marriage. More than well, really.”
Law’s hands curled into tight fists on top of the desk at the same time that he clenched his teeth with equal strength. As if he needed a reminder of his sister’s happiness, now that his own was being compromised. Rather than being a comfort, it felt like a physical blow more painful than any he had ever had the misfortune to endure.
“Yes. Because you allowed her to actually court her fiance properly and spend time-”
“ And she knows her duties to the family. You do too…or have I misunderstood you this whole time? ”
Law had indeed spoken the words of loyalty and devotion at the time when talk of marriage became part of his everyday life, as well as reminding his sister, Monet, in a rare moment of doubt, to do the same. But now that it was his turn and the choice of partner not what he had wished for, it was near impossible to uphold such a promise. It was hypocritical of him, he knew, but he had also expected his father to at least allow him some say in deciding his own fiance. The man that he would be bound to for the rest of his life.
“Monet has done her duty; she has secured a most advantageous alliance between us and the Vinsmokes. Baby will marry a man and produce plenty of heirs, and in doing so fulfill hers. With much enthusiasm and pleasure, at that.”
His youngest daughter was such a sweet and loyal little thing. To match her in those aspects was all that was needed to make Law truly perfect in his eyes.
“But-”
“And your duty, dearest Law, is to secure an alliance with the Charlottes. The New World is prospering and tying ourselves to it will bring us further fortune and power."
“But he’s a bastard ,” Law spat out with his nose wrinkled in disgust, ”And new money .* An insufferable one, at that.”
Ah. There it was; the root of this ridiculous little rebellion.
It was rather difficult to determine which of the two complaints offended Law the most, given the equal amount of disdain with which he uttered them. They were valid arguments and would have held more weight behind them a few years ago. But the world was changing; a new great power had sprung up in the New World across the Grand Line Sea and instead of taking a skeptical, dismissive approach like so many of his peers did, Doflamingo saw opportunities. Surely his prodigy son did too.
“It is true that the people of the New World are not quite as refined and fond of traditional etiquette as we are. But even you must admit to the impressive growth of Linlin’s success, new money or not. Those gold mines of hers are the best of the bunch, and still she manages to expand her territory even farther and strikes deals with some of the most important figures in nations all across the globe. At this point her wealth surpasses that of even some of the noble families here in Dressrosa.”
“...”
“I assure you, Law, the decision is entirely agreed upon. Ms.Charlotte and myself are determined to see this engagement through. All that remains now is to complete all the necessary paperwork on both ends and the ceremony itself.”
“But if you would only let me-”
“I have arranged a luncheon in two days time; a small gathering of our families to properly announce your engagement. The exchanging of rings will take place there as well, so I expect you to be there and look the part…and should you not, I will send Vergo to drag you there by force if I have to.”
Law knew at that moment that he had lost. Nothing he did or said, not even the sweetest of pleadings or most reasonable argument could sway his father once he had made up his mind. And so, it was in this moment of weakness that he further displayed that rare break of character his father had awakened in him.
Immature, petulant and childish he made his dramatic exit from Doflamingo’s office and on his way out made sure to throw open the wooden double doors so hard they collided into the walls with loud bangs. On heeled lace-up boots he stomped his way across hard, marble flooring that echoed between the painted paneled walls, catching the attention of everyone he came across. That was all the weakness he was willing to share, however, and refrained from snapping at any of them or destroying the several trinkets that decorated the halls. He held his head up high as he went, but anyone could see the fury in his expression and wisely continued on with their tasks in silence. Servants were known to gossip and speculate, and rumors circulated quickly among them. Not just within the household in question, but those of the entire city if not the whole country. No doubt the maids, cooks…no, the entirety of the staff, knew of his unfortunate fate already and would be babbling on about it later in the evening. His violent walk of shame back to his room would only serve as the cherry on top.
But self restraint had never been as difficult as it was then at that moment, and when he was finally within the safe, private confines of his own room that he allowed himself to let it go. He collapsed onto his bed and screamed into his pillow until his lungs ached.
Nothing was ever so utterly unfair.
He was Law Trafalgar Donquixote. The eldest son of Doflamingo Donquixote, a duke with a nobility lineage spanning over eight centuries! Their family was not only a prestigious one, but part of the top elite. And Law himself was considered the most accomplished one of the children. Handsome, charming, intelligent, talented, well-mannered; all of the admirable traits that someone of his stature should possess. The very same traits that resided in his father and long deceased mother. A true Dressrosan aristocrat.
So how was it, then, that his father could give him away so easily to someone like Kid Eustass-Charlotte? An insufferable brute of a man with no charms or manners to speak of? Doflamingo called him handsome, but Law could see no trace of it when his personality was so utterly vile.
Law deserved better.
And nothing his father said could change his opinion on that.