A young boy no older than nineteen years old stood out front on the forecourt, awaiting the arrival of his bride-to-be. His foot tapped against the cobblestone with urgency, his oval, dark sienna eyes locked towards the gate, awaiting their arrival impatiently.

But then, as if summoned by his own fervent thoughts, he straightened up, his face lighting up with an infectious joy. A carriage appeared on the horizon, elegant and regal. He didn’t need to see the emblem to know it was you; the unmistakable royal crest of your family adorned the wooden chariot on either side, a symbol of your lineage and a foreshadowing of the destiny that awaited.

The colossal metal gates swung open and then closed with a resounding thud behind the carriage, marking your arrival. Luffy's heart raced with delight, a thrill surging through him as the moment he had been dreaming of unfolded before his eyes.

The carriage jolted as it made a half-hearted attempt to halt, but that didn’t deter Luffy in the slightest. With a burst of energy, he swung the chariot’s door wide open, a wide grin plastered across his face like a beacon of joy. Laughter bubbled up from his chest, filling the air with an infectious warmth, just as he thrust himself into the cramped interior.

In that moment, he drank in the sight of you—those mesmerizing crimson eyes sparkling with delight. The prince clutched you tightly, as though you were a lifeline in the midst of stormy seas.

“You're here, you're here!” The words spilled from Luffy’s lips, an exclamation that hung in the air, laced with a mixture of relief and exuberance. His bright energy eclipsed any remnants of tension, and for a moment, it felt as if everything else faded away, leaving just the two of you in a world pulsing with unspoken promises.

Ignoring the coachman's cautions, Luffy yanked you out of the carriage with such fervor it was as if the very act of holding you close could erase the years of separation.

His grin widened, sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light as he enveloped you in a powerful hug that squeezed the breath from your lungs, only to let you go again, granting you a moment of respite.

“I’m so happy you’re here! It’s been years! You haven’t forgotten about me, have you?” The words tumbled out, each one steeped in a sweet blend of desperation and joy, as if every syllable was a thread weaving you two closer together after all this time apart.