Strings of Fate - [Book 2] [Doflamingo x Reader]

♠ 5

Violet's concerned brown eyes met yours, her gaze soft but filled with a quiet urgency. Without a word, she enveloped you in a tight hug, her warmth a stark contrast to the cold, damp clothes clinging to your skin. "I was so worried," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Where did you go?"

You gently pulled away from Violet's embrace, giving her a small but grateful smile.

You let out a slow breath, glancing toward the open door where the rain battered against the walls. "I went to Crocodile's island," you said, your voice low. "Just to see some old friends."

Yumo and Kumo exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. "We thought we'd visit, see what's going on," Kumo added, his usual upbeat attitude a bit subdued in the tense atmosphere.

Violet's expression shifted, her brow furrowing with concern. She looked at the two of them before focusing on you again. "I'm glad you came, but I should warn you—" she hesitated, glancing toward the darkened halls as though listening for something. "It might not be the best time. The young master has been in a particularly bad mood ever since you left yesterday."

The words hit you like a cold gust of wind, and for a moment, you hesitated. Doflamingo's temper was legendary, and you knew all too well how volatile his mood could get. The thought of him angry, especially after your sudden departure, made a knot tighten in your stomach.

You could feel it—his presence, like an invisible pull tugging at you, even from across the castle. He was in his study, 100 feet away on the other side of the palace, and you could already feel the tension building in your chest. You needed to talk to him, needed to make things right, but you knew it wasn't going to be easy.

"Violet," you said softly, trying to steady yourself, "Could you show Yumo and Kumo to the guest suites? I need to talk to Doflamingo."

Violet nodded without question, though her expression was still filled with concern. "Of course," she replied quietly, her eyes lingering on you for a moment longer before she turned to guide your friends down the hall.

You watched them disappear into the corridors, your heart pounding in your chest as you stood there, the weight of the decision pressing down on you. With a deep breath, you steeled yourself. It was time to face him.

The weight in your chest made it hard to move as you stood before the tall, imposing door. Rain drummed against the swirled glass window, filling the silence with its steady rhythm. You hesitated, pressing your palm against the cool wooden handle. The intricate ridges of the carved surface pressed into your skin—a fleeting sensation, barely enough to ground you. Then, finally, you moved to push it open.

It didn't budge.

Your brows furrowed. A flicker of Haki revealed the thin, nearly invisible threads barring your entrance—Doflamingo's strings, locking you out. A scoff left your lips as you channeled your own Haki, severing them with a single stroke.

The heavy door groaned as it yielded, opening just enough for you to slip through. The moment you crossed the threshold, the strings reappeared, slamming the door shut behind you.

Your breath caught when your gaze landed on him.

Doflamingo sat before the grand, opulent window, the dim light casting shadows along the sharp lines of his face. His signature pink feathers draped over his dark suit, their usual flamboyance dulled by the heavy atmosphere. His hands rested on his thighs, fingers interlaced beneath his chin. He didn't move. Didn't acknowledge you.

But you knew.

Even with his sunglasses concealing his eyes, you could tell—his gaze wasn't on you. It was fixed on the marble floor beneath him, lost somewhere far beyond the room.