Bite Back

Three Ministers Enter

“Now entering, the Minister of Beans,” a Chess Peacekeeper announced as the doors of Big Mom’s chambers opened.

Daifuku bowed before his mother, “Mama, I hope you have been well since my last visit.”

“Ah, Daifuku, welcome home, child.” Big Mom smiled. “Are your brothers with you?”

“No, Mama,” Daifuku stood back up, “I am surprised that I am the first to arrive.”

Big Mom chuckled, “It would appear so. I do hope the other two don’t keep me waiting,” Big Mom looked down at Perospero.

“They’ll be here lickety-split, Mama, don’t worry yourself,” he stood nervously, hoping Daifuku would pass the word to his other two triplets.

“Now entering, the Minister of Browned Food.”

“Oven, darling, welcome home,” Big Mom greeted.

“Mama,” Oven endeared as he bowed to his mother, as his middle triplet did.

“What is this about, anyway? Peros wouldn’t give me any details over our correspondence,” Daifuku spoke.

Oven nodded, “I will admit, I am curious as to why you wanted all three of us brothers here. Just the three of us.”

“Be patient, boys; I will tell the three of you when Katakuri joins us. It will be good news,” she licked her lips, “Good news, indeed.”

Katakuri could be heard before he was seen; the sound of his boots echoed in the hall with each step, his spurs jingling, the studs and chains on his clothes clinking together as he strode. He had opened the door himself before the Chess Peacekeepers could even announce his presence. “I apologize for my delay, Mama.”

Big Mom smiled warmly, “Katakuri, my son, thank you for getting here so quickly.”

“Now what is this about, Mama? I would like to get back to Poripori to finish some important business,” Daifuku asked once more, growing impatient. Oven said nothing, but let out a grunt in agreement with his brother.

Katakuri remained silent, watching everything carefully as he always did. Though he could see a few seconds into the future with his Observation Haki, he couldn’t sense any immediate threat, nor any bad news coming from his mother’s lips as she talked. “Mama, who’s the girl?” He turned his gaze to the door a moment before Wyleen was escorted into Big Mom’s chambers.

Big Mom smiled, “Sharp eye as always, Katakuri. Boys, this will be the wife of one of you. As my eldest children, I think it is about time one of you settles to live a life of domestic bliss.” She was doing her best to pitch the idea to them without sounding too condescending.

Daifuku turned up his nose at the notion; Oven tisked and crossed his arms before rolling his eyes at their mother. “She seems rather plain-looking, Mama. Is there something about her that makes her important enough to be wedded into the family?” Daifuku frowned up at his mother.

“She looks like a peasant, and I’ll be damned if I marry someone below me,” Oven tisked, glaring at the bride-to-be.

Big Mom frowned, “I’ll have you boys know, she does come from a noble family from a kingdom that provides resources to Totto Land. It would be a political marriage, first and foremost.”

“This is a waste of my time. I’m leaving.”

“As am I.”

“Hold it!” Big Mom called after Oven and Daifuku.

Katakuri remained off to the side, listening to his two younger brothers squabble with their mother about the matter. Glancing over at Wyleen, he could see that her gaze was down to the floor, though she remained poised as Oven and Daifuku continued to hurl insults about her as they argued with their mother. She didn’t seem to be showing a trace of emotion, was not willing to offer a comment, or defend herself in any way; she was silent. What was she thinking behind her eyes? She didn’t seem to be like any of the other suitors Mama brought forth; she was different, but unsure how as of yet. “Would you all shut up? I’ll take her as my wife, and we can be done with this matter.”

His brothers and Wyleen looked up at him with disbelief, all the while a smile crept onto Big Mom’s face. “That’s wonderful, dear! I should have known I could count on you, Katakuri.” She looked down at her other two sons with mild disappointment, “As for the two of you, you are dismissed. I will be sending out the invitations tomorrow, but a month from today will be the Tea Party.”

“Yes, Mama,” the two men mumbled, exiting her chambers.

Big Mom turned her attention to Katakuri, “As for you, lover boy, I don’t want you going out to sea until after the two of you are wed, understand? Though your fighting is impeccable, I don’t want to risk harm befalling you before your big day!”

“Of course, Mama,” Katakuri gave one nod in understanding.

“And stay at the château, get to know the poor girl,” she was talking as if Wyleen weren’t still in the room.

“Am I dismissed, ma’am?” Wyleen spoke up, her voice firm.

Katakuri and Big Mom looked over at her, “Huh? Oh, yes, you are dismissed, girl,” Big Mom waved her off as she turned her attention back to her son. Though Katakuri was watching Wyleen closely as she gave a polite curtsy to his mother, who wasn’t even paying attention to her any longer, before exiting the room.

He cut his mother off as she droned on about the preparations for the Tea Party, “What is my expectation with her, Mama?”

“Whatever do you mean?” Big Mom smiled hungrily.

“Is this simply a political marriage, or are you expecting something in return?” Katakuri crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow up at his mother.

Big Mom laughed, “Just have fun with your new little play-thing. Play house with her until I can take her father’s land for myself. After that, I don’t care what you do with her, kill her for all I care.”

His jaw clenched at his mother’s callousness, but he hardly had room to care. “Fine,” he glanced off to the side.

“Very good, now I do hope you’ll stay for dinner and meet your fiancé properly. I think you’ll hardly notice her unless she needs something. She has been the most polite little house guest, helping with the cleaning, the serving…that one is just like the help around here. Quiet and out of the way,” Big Mom laughed once more.

***

Big Mom’s laughter echoed down the hall as she was escorted back to her room, making a chill run down Wyleen’s spine. Once back to her room, the guards shoved her inside before she heard a click of the lock from the outside. She let out a huff, not sure why they insisted on keeping her locked up. Where else was she going to go? Loosening her corset, Wyleen let out a sigh of relief, finally able to take a deep breath now that her plans for the day had been completed. Undressing until she was down to her slip, he was able to stretch and move freely as she made her way to the window that oversaw the northeastern side of the island.

Though it was still light out, mid-afternoon, even, she couldn’t help but feel tired as she rested her chin in her hand. It wasn’t even dinnertime, but she could have fallen asleep right in the windowsill. The adrenaline of meeting Big Mom this morning, and now having at least seen the face of her bridegroom, now wearing off; she wanted nothing more than to collapse in her bed. “Just a kip,” she promised herself as she curled up over the covers.

Wyleen woke to frantic shaking. “Wylee, we need to get you dressed. Mama is waiting for you at dinner!” Beatrice had a note of urgency in her tone.

“What are you on about? Don’t they just bring it to me?” She sat up, rubbing her eyes.

“Didn’t Mama tell you that you were having dinner with her and master Katakuri tonight?” Beatrice was tossing clothes at Wyleen for her to put them on.

“Wh- no! I thought I was done with appearances today.” She cursed under her breath as she put on stockings, nearly falling over in the process.

“Well, you are,” Beatrice was helping Wyleen with the back of her dress. Tightening the corsets after telling Wyleen to suck in.

“Oi, Bea, a bit tight, isn’t it? I can hardly breathe,” she protested, flattening the skirt of her dress with her hands.

Beatrice tilted Wyleen’s head up to fix her makeup. “You are having dinner with the young masters, mistresses, and Mama herself; you need to look your best for them.”

Wyleen let Beatrice fuss over her without much protest, knowing better than to fight back against any of Big Mom's or the family’s wishes. Keep quiet. Beatrice added blush to her face. Stay out of the way, she winced, the eye pencil nearly poking her in the eye.

“Oh, sorry,” Beatrice apologized before continuing to apply makeup to her face. Always contouring Wyleen’s face to appear slimmer whenever she had to meet with Big Mom. She had to be as pretty as a picture; appearance was everything to an Emperor of the Sea.

Sighing, Wyleen continued her internal monologue as Beatrice finished, running through everything she ought to remember to do, or not do, in front of Big Mom. Smile, stay poised. Don’t let them see your weakness; you come from a noble family, act like it, damnit.

“Relax your face, Wylee. I can’t finish with your face looking like that.”

“Sorry,” she let out a nervous breath.

“And mind your temper in front of the family, Wylee, please.”