- The King in Yellow - Male Reader x One Piece

Chapter 12: The Golden Age Part. 1

However, despite how joyful the kingdom's citizens may have felt, none of them could even come close to matching the sheer, unbridled happiness that one married couple felt that day...

Sitting at the very centre of Carcosa was an enormous fortress, centuries old, and it served as the capital's heart, easily seen from miles away, fit for any king or emperor. The fortress was a symbol of the kingdom's enduring strength, its thick walls impenetrable, built to withstand any threats. Its towers reached high into the sky, crowned with banners that fluttered in the breeze, displaying the royal insignia, a golden sign, an ancient symbol passed down through generations of rulers.

The fortress glimmered beneath the sun, its stone walls reflecting the light in a warm, inviting glow. It stood as a sentinel over the city, with not a single stirring. Yet, within those same ancient walls, a momentous event was unfolding, one that would shape the future of the kingdom...

"I'M HAVING A SON?!" A mighty roar shattered the tranquillity of the castle, reverberating through the stone corridors and shaking the very foundations of the ancient structure. The voice, deep and powerful, was filled with an overwhelming joy that could not be contained, yet it also carried a strange warmth that softened its intensity.

King Leonidas 'Leo' Hastur, the formidable ruler of the Harvest Kingdom, marched through the grand halls with urgency in his stride. His golden regal attire glimmered under the torchlight, reflecting the brilliance of his lineage. His mane of thick, golden hair cascaded down his broad back, complementing the sharpness of his well-groomed beard, both of which framed a face that bore the marks of countless battles. Over his right eye, a weathered eyepatch rested, concealing a scar that lived in infamy, but it was the other eye, the left one, a fierce amber colour, that held the true symbol of his heritage. The Yellow Sign, a birthmark that had been passed down through his bloodline for generations. The mark was more than just a familial trait though, it was a reminder of an ancient power that coursed through his veins and the legacy that weighed heavily on his shoulders...

Despite his intimidating, overwhelming presence, King Leo was loved by his people, not feared. His towering frame and battle-hardened appearance might have struck terror into the hearts of his enemies, but within the walls of his kingdom, he was known as a kind and benevolent ruler. His ever-present grin, wide and genuine, was a beacon of hope and assurance to his subjects, who knew their king would always face the world with an unwavering optimism.

"Y-Your Highness! P-Please may I advise you, the labour has been very taxing on Her Majesty! I-If we could tone down the volume a tad bit?" A flurry of doctors and nurses surrounded the King, their faces pale with concern as they tried to keep up with his long strides. Despite his obvious anxiety, there was a deep respect in their eyes, respect not just for his title, but for the man who wore it...

Leo paused, his large frame suddenly still amidst the commotion. He looked down at the head nurse, an elderly woman whose years of service had earned her the position of speaking so candidly with the King. He smiled bashfully, a hand as large as her head moving to scratch the back of his neck in a gesture of sheepishness that seemed almost comical given his sheer size. "Oh, my apologies! I just couldn't contain myself!" His voice, though lowered, still carried with it the exuberance of a man who had just received the greatest news of his life. And with that, he let out his iconic bellowing laugh, a sound that seemed to roll through the entire castle, filling every corner with an infectious joy.

The sound of the laughter, so full of life, was a balm to the worried hearts of the servants and guards who had been silently holding their breath. It was as if the entire kingdom had been waiting for this moment, and now that it had arrived, there was nothing that could dampen the King's spirits...