"Yuck! This tea's already cold, you idiot! Go back and make me another!" The slave knelt at the blond boy's feet, wincing as the cup was thrown against his head. The china shattered and scraped against his scalp as warm liquid soaked his hair. His young master stopped his tantrum momentarily to glance up at the doorway where another blond stood. "Bring my brother a cup as well, servant." With a wave of his small hand, he dismissed the slave, who sprinted back to the kitchen. Doflamingo smirked triumphantly. The fear he could inspire with just a few words was empowering beyond belief.

"Doffy?" a soft voice whimpered from the doorway. The youngest Donxiquote shuffled closer to his older brother's side, but tripped on the skirt of his clothes at the last moment. "Wah!" Tiny arms flailed around desperately; trying to find anything he could grab to steady himself. Instead, the boy flew forward and straight into the elder's chest. Doflamingo's laughter rumbled like thunder in his ear that had pressed itself against him.

Gripping his brother by the waist, Doflamingo stopped the clumsy descent. "You should really comb your hair out of your eyes, Roci. Maybe you wouldn't fall so much then." His clothes became balled up where the younger boy's fingers clutched at the fabric and the messy mop of blond hair nuzzled against him. This confused Doflamingo because it usually meant his brother was hiding from something he was afraid of. "Roci? What's wrong?"

"Doffy…why are you always so mean to the servants?"

Blinking behind his sunglasses, Doflamingo tilted his head slightly in thought. "Why shouldn't I?" he asked.

Roci's shrugged shyly. "I don't know. It just doesn't seem nice. They're trying their best."

"Their best isn't good enough. Their only purpose in this world is to serve us and if they can't accomplish that, then they're useless." Prying his brother off of him, Doffy pushed the younger one's bangs out of his eyes and allowed his glasses to slide down his nose somewhat. Sharp, blue eyes met gentle, brown eyes. "Roci, we're Celestial Dragons. Do you know what that means?" The boy shook his head. "It means we're destined to have all the privileges the world can provide us. Our noble blood places us higher than the commoners outside of Mariejois and grants us the freedom to do whatever we please. Those fools we call slaves should be grateful to serve such heavenly beings." The brothers remained still for a moment, staring at each other with great intensity.

"Boys! Are you in here?" a soft voice called.

"Mother!" Roci beamed with excitement. He pulled away from the bespectacled boy and ran towards the door, crashing into the woman's legs as she rounded the corner.

"Oh! Roci, Doffy, there you are! Are you two getting along like good boys?" She flashed both a kind smile, while still managing to give her oldest a look that spoke of authority. It was a look he'd gotten many times before whenever he was too rough or mean with his baby brother. "I was thinking of taking a stroll around the pond. Would either of you like to join me?"

Roci nodded his head enthusiastically, lifting his arms high toward his mother. With a small giggle, she leaned down and scooped the six year old up. Her eyes flickered up to Doffy, awaiting his response.

"I think I'll stay here and wait for my tea." He turned back to the large chair he had claimed, plopping down with his hands resting behind his head as a makeshift pillow.

"Alright. Your father will be back soon with Saint Rosawald. Once he's back, will you let me know dear?"

Doffy grinned and nodded. "Sure thing."

Satisfied with her son's answer, she and Roci made their way through the large fortress of Mariejois. Sparkling marble halls were soon abandoned for the grassy courtyard's green glow. The water of the pond glistened and koi could be seen swimming in an array of orange, red and white. Mother and son sat down along the water's edge, enjoying the silence.

"Mother, do you think we're better than the slaves?" Roci suddenly asked. His earlier hesitation had dissipated in the safety of his mother's lap. "Doffy told me we're supposed to get everything because we're Dragons, but Father says that we're still human like the people outside. I'm so confused."

The woman hummed softly, running her silky fingers through the curls of his hair. His confusion was understandable. Despite being father and son, Homing and Doffy had severely different outlooks on their lifestyle. It had spawned some frustrations in Doffy, making him more temperamental than usual. She could only hope it was his age. "Well Roci, I believe that people should be judged by their actions," she explained. "If a man is cruel and uncaring to the people around him, for example, I would not see him highly. If he were kind and sympathetic to the pain of those around him, however, I believe he is truly a man worthy of life's joys."

The little boy gazed at her in awe. "Do you think I can be that type of man, Mother?"

"That's up to you, but if I had to guess…" she placed a finger to her chin, analyzing the child. He wiggled around anxiously, happy to hear his mother's judgement. "Hmm," she hummed again. Suddenly, her finger shifted from her chin to lightly poke his small nose. "I have a feeling you'll be a wonderful man."

"Yay!" He hugged her as tight as he could, relishing in the scent of her lavender perfume and the feel of her hand brushing against his cheek. In the distance, he could hear the loud cries of his brother and the chuckling of his father as they drew closer. Everything seemed too far away to matter at the moment. All little Roci could focus on was his mother and the unspoken promise he made to be a kind, loving man someday.