Bite Back

Monster

“You are a vision, dear,” Katakuri greeted his bride-to-be. The day of the Tea Party had finally arrived; the two were waiting on the ninth floor to be taken to the altar on the roof of the château where they would be officially united as husband and wife.

Wyleen blushed behind her veil, “You clean up quite nicely yourself.” Katakuri was wearing a magenta suit over a black dress shirt. His tie and boutonniere matched the color of Wyleen’s dress. She didn’t want a crisp white dress, but opted for a cream or custard; she didn’t remember which one she had picked. The neckline and accents were black lace on the dress, and her bouquet held carefully in her nervous hand was the same kind of flowers Katakuri had left at her bedside all of those nights ago.

“I would rather see you undressed, however,” he glanced coyly down at her.

“In time, Master Katakuri,” she blushed.

Katakuri gave a low chuckle in response before looking forward. Though it hardly seemed like a big to-do, standing before everyone and repeating a few words back to each other before the conclusion, he couldn’t help but feel just a tad nervous. Katakuri didn’t know why, nor could he see why, but he had an off feeling about today.

“Are you alright?” Wyleen gently touched Katakuri’s hand with her gloved one.

He blinked, keeping his eyes closed for just an extra second before he glanced down at her, “Yes.”

“Do you see something?” She c****d her head in asking.

Katakuri narrowed his eyes as he looked away, “No.” His eyebrows furrowed, still unable to shake the feeling.

“Are the two of you ready? It’s time.” A guard came to escort the two to the top of the château for the ceremony.

Wyleen and Katakuri looked at each other, the bride smiling up at the groom, the groom nodding to the guard as he offered his bride an arm. Anxious about being in front of so many people, not just at the Tea Party, but on display for the whole kingdom by one way or another, Wyleen held onto Katakuri tightly, afraid she might fall. Stepping into the sunlight at the top of the château, Wyleen marveled at the beautiful day; nary a cloud in the sky, a light breeze to keep from overheating.

“Watch your step, dear.” Katakuri picked her up by the waist, spinning her slightly, setting her down on the platform of the tart that would levitate them to the top of the wedding cake. Wyleen didn’t know how such a large pastry could float, but assumed it was the handiwork of Big Mom. Looking out over the crowd beneath them, Wyleen tightened her grip on the sleeve of Katakuri’s suit jacket. “Not a fan of heights?” He glanced down at her.

“There are so many people here,” she remarked as she glanced over the edge of the tart.

“That’s Mama; she doesn’t take Tea Parties lightly. They are a big event that she enjoys having for the sole purpose of the desserts,” Katakuri explained.

“I see.” Wyleen didn’t know if she would be hungry until after the nerves had worn off. Once they reached the top of the cake, she let out a deep breath as she took Katakuri’s hand as he helped her down to stand in front of the priest.

The priest began, “Dearly beloved…” Neither the bride nor the groom paid attention to introductions. Only when it was time to recite their vows did they play their part. “Sweet General Katakuri, do you take Miss Wyleen of Cainnen Kingdom to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health?”

“I do,” Katakuri answered definitively, locking eyes with his bride.

“Miss Wyleen, do you take General Charlotte Katakuri as your husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

Wyleen hesitated, “I—I do.”

“The bride and groom will now exchange rings,” the priest narrated as the two put rings on the other’s finger. Katakuri’s ring, she noticed, was big enough to fit two of her fingers through. Katakuri fumbled slightly with Wyleen’s ring, trying not to drop such a small piece of jewelry before it could even be placed on her dainty finger. “Do the two of you plight yourselves to be loyal to one another?”

“I do,” Katakuri and Wyleen said in unison, hands clasped together.

“Then, by the power vested in me as the priest of Totto Land, may I now present, for the first time, as husband and wife, Mister and Missus Charlotte Katakuri. You may kiss your bride, General.”

Katakuri made to move the veil from Wyleen’s face; her eyes were sparkling as she tried to hold back her tears to contain her joy. “You are finally mine.” He reached to caress her face, in doing so, shielding his own face from the crowd to kiss his wife properly. Just before his lips locked with hers, she suddenly pushed him away. Taken by surprise, he staggered backwards before gasping, “No, Wyleen!”

*Bang* The gunshot echoed in the back of Katakuri’s head. He couldn’t bring himself to look at the outcome of the future he had seen just seconds before. The bullet was aimed for him, but upon pushing him out of the way, she had taken the bullet for him. His observation Haki caught her giving him one final smile, a single tear rolling down her face before Wyleen fell into a heap at the altar. Her dress staining with crimson, nothing could be able to be done to save her life.

“Stupid,” he growled through gritted teeth; his gaze was at the floor, as he had collapsed to his knees. “Stupid girl,” he choked back a sob to save face; the entire rooftop was silent, the only sound that could be heard was guards wrestling someone to the ground. The gunman, no doubt.

“Is that any way to talk to your wife?” Footsteps approached the collapsed man.

Katakuri looked up in shock, “Wyleen, I-I saw,” his voice was hushed.

Wyleen held her hand out to him, the armament Haki disappearing from her hand, “What did you call it? Observation Haki?” She dropped the bullet into his hand, still warm from being fired, as she flashed her husband a proud grin.

“I can’t believe you saw it,” he breathed, letting out a short, anxious chuckle. “Such a good girl.” Katakuri praised, grabbing her face, kissing her a few times, not because the priest condoned it, but because he was truly relieved, and surprised she developed the slightest bit of Observation Haki at the last possible moment. Even he couldn’t see that future, as it was so unpredictable and unexpected for her to do such a thing.

***

Their steps echoed down the staircase as they made their way to Mama’s library; Katakuri and Wyleen held each other’s hands tightly. Now that the spectacle of the Tea Party was over, and Big Mom’s appetite satisfied with the wedding cake, the newlyweds wanted to see who the attempted assassin was before they sailed back to Wheat Island. A guard had led them down; Mont-d’Or was waiting for them, writing down a few things in a large floating book before closing it. The book floated back to its place on a bookshelf before he endeared the couple.

“Brother Katakuri, Sister Wyleen.” His expression was serious.

“Mont-d’Or, I understand you have the offender captive down here.” Katakuri glared at a book that was propped up off to the side.

“I have a hunch, unfortunately,” Wyleen said bitterly, “I do hope I am wrong.”

“Mm,” Katakuri’s brother shook his head, leading them to the upright book. Opening the cover, Mont-d’Or flipped through a few pages before he spoke again. “Ah, yes, right here.”

Wyleen slammed herself against the bars of the cell. “I should have known, you bastard,” she yelled at her father through the bars. Daveed considered himself thankful there was a barrier separating him from his infuriated daughter.

Katakuri tisked, looking away from her father. Did he consider that he might shoot and kill his own daughter? Katakuri couldn’t help but replay what he saw in his head again and again. “I should have you killed for your hollow-heartedness,” he spoke, his tone cold, still not looking in the direction of the book. “However,” he turned, walking back towards Wyleen and the prisoner, “I will let my wife decide what we should do with you.”

“If it weren’t for Mother and Lillian, I would have you beheaded,” Wyleen hissed, a scowl on her face. “Instead,” she backed up from the bars, taking a breath to compose herself, “I am deporting you and your party back to Cainnen. If you try to come back, you will be considered enemies or trespassers, and this will be the last you see and hear of me. I am no longer a Champlyn. You no longer have an eldest daughter, just Lillian. I am a Charlotte now, and I want nothing to do with you or your kingdom.”

Daveed frowned at Wyleen, “What kind of monster renounces her own kingdom? Disowns her own family? What did he do to you to make you think like this, daughter?”

“My husband has done nothing to sway my thinking. This conversation has been long overdue, if I may be frank with you. Trying to pawn me off on different nobles in neighboring kingdoms, and selling me to Mama to protect yourself? I hardly think I am the monster.” Wyleen walked back up to the cell. “The only thing I can thank you for is putting me in a position where I had no choice but to marry one of the Charlotte sons.” She glowered down at him, “The only good outcome of this whole ordeal.”

Katakuri walked up behind Wyleen, kneeling down to place a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly, “We have to leave soon, dear.”

Wyleen looked up at Katakuri, giving him a nod. Looking back at the cell, she acknowledged her father for the last time, “Leave here knowing I let you live. Repayment for raising me, perhaps,” she turned away without another word. Not turning around, she could hear Daveed calling her name before Mont-d’Or closed the book, silencing him.

***

Looking down at his wife, Katakuri watched her as she was quietly looking out at the sea. Her hair was billowing behind her as they sailed, the skirt of her dress ruffling around her legs. Her hands on the rail of the ship, her grip tightening as she thought about Daveed. Had she made the right choice? Would her mother and sister be alright when this was all said and done? The more she thought, her grip tightened on the deck rail, her knuckles turning white. “You made a more than merciful choice, if that is what’s troubling you,” Katakuri assured her.

Wyleen sighed, knowing he knew what she was about to ask him, “Thank you.” She turned to face him, “What of us now?”

He c****d an eyebrow at her, “Explain what you mean, dear.”

“What’s going to happen after we dock at Wheat Island? What am I to do while you are away or at sea? What is my role?”

“I see, are you worried that you will no longer have purpose?” He asked her, already knowing her answer.

“Am I just to be a housewife? Worrying myself while you’re away?”

“No. I have already seen to it that you will have plenty to keep you occupied. Being a Charlotte doesn’t automatically earn you a spot as an officer of the Big Mom pirates, but you will have plenty of opportunity to earn that title and, perhaps, be able to join me at sea from time to time.”

“How will I be able to earn my spot as an officer?”

“Find your niche on the island, present your finest work to Mama, and she may see your worth as I have.” Katakuri tilted Wyleen’s head up to look at her. “I would like Mama to make you the Minister of Doughnuts, or a title similar; I think that would suit you fine.”

Wyleen offered a shy smile at his words. “I would be delighted. It would be very fitting, I agree.”

“Only if you present your finest work to me as well, kitten,” his voice was low as he kissed her gently.

“I will be more than happy to serve you, Master Katakuri,” she gave him a coy smile.

Finally docking at Wheat Island, the couple disembarked; Katakuri carrying his bride through Flower Town. The citizens offered cheers and congratulations as Katakuri walked by, not paying any mind to them as they approached their home. The guards opened the door; he carried Wyleen through the door before setting her down. She smoothed down the skirt of her dress upon being set down. “Shall we turn in for the night, dear?” Katakuri asked as he removed his scarf, finally being offered a bit of relief from the heat trapped inside.

“We shall. I have something that I would like to show you when we are in our private quarters.” She pulled his hand towards the staircase.

Katakuri’s face flushed slightly at what she was implying. “Naughty girl,” he smirked.

“Punish me later. I’ll just be a moment while I freshen up.”

“Don’t keep me waiting long, pet.”

“I won’t. Why don’t you get yourself out of this suit in my absence, darling?” Wyleen suggested, departing after a lingering kiss.