Candelle - The Warrior Queen

In the expansive lore of the One Piece universe, royalty often falls into predictable archetypes. However, Candelle, the Queen of Esperia, is anything but conventional. As the wife of King Reuven and mother to Princess Shuri, Candelle effortlessly balances the luxurious life of a monarch with the gritty, battle-hardened instincts of a military veteran.

Before she ever wore a crown, Candelle carved out her legacy on the battlefield as the formidable captain of Esperia's Battle Convoy.

A Style All Her Own

Candelle is renowned throughout the kingdom for her striking beauty, admired by men and women alike, complete with her signature light, free-flowing hair. But it is her wardrobe that truly sets her apart from her royal peers.

Rejecting the restrictive, formal gowns typically expected of a queen, Candelle opts for attire that honors her military roots. She commands the room in a customized royal guard outfit: a light coat over a frilled shirt, wrist cuffs, dark gloves, and rolled-up shorts. A grand coat with epaulettes is draped elegantly over her shoulders, and she never goes anywhere without her trusty sabre at her side.

 

Power, Poise, and the Blade

As the Queen of Esperia, Candelle wields immense political authority, but her true power lies in her absolute fearlessness. She enjoys the high-class luxuries befitting her status such as attending the opera but she is no fragile aristocrat.

Because of her extensive combat experience, she treats assassination attempts as mere inconveniences. In fact, her martial prowess is so highly regarded that Brook who would later become a legendary pirate once noted she would be in absolutely no danger even if confronted by an entire crime family. While the full extent of her swordsmanship hasn't been showcased, her history as a military commander implies she is a highly capable and lethal sabre wielder.

A History of Honor

Candelle’s story is deeply intertwined with the early life of the "Soul King," Brook. Over 79 years ago, while still serving as the captain of the Battle Convoy, she assisted Prince Reuven in rescuing a young Brook after he was mistakenly captured by the Marines.

Always the pragmatist, Candelle scolded the young prince for risking his royal neck, though she ultimately softened, recognizing his noble intentions. Following Reuven's orders, she personally oversaw Brook's integration into the kingdom setting him up in the military barracks, enrolling him in school, and, most importantly, providing him with a musical instrument.

Within two years of this fateful encounter, Candelle stepped down from her military post to marry the newly crowned King Reuven, eventually giving birth to their daughter, Shuri.

Her unshakeable nerve was put to the test 70 years ago when the Moulon crime family targeted her during a night at the opera. Unbeknownst to her at the time, Brook now the leader of Esperia's Raider Squad—had already preemptively dispatched the assassins earlier that day, allowing the queen to enjoy her evening in peace.

Behind the Design: For fans of classic manga, Candelle’s design carries a brilliant easter egg. She is visually inspired by Oscar François de Jarjayes, the iconic protagonist of the French Revolution-themed manga The Rose of Versailles. One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda has openly mentioned reading the series, making Candelle the second character in the franchise (alongside Yamato) to be a direct homage to the famous Lady Oscar.

King Reuven - Esperia’s Warrior Monarch

Seventy years ago, the vibrant Kingdom of Esperia was ruled by King Reuven, a man remembered as much for his eccentricities and fierce compassion as he was for his tragic end. Husband to Queen Candelle and father to Princess Shuri, Reuven was a monarch who walked among his people, fiercely protected his friends, and met a dark, mysterious fate supposedly at the hands of his own daughter.

The Face of a King: Appearance and Demeanor

Reuven was a man whose appearance shifted drastically as he aged, though he always carried an air of intense gravity.

• In his youth (Age 21): Reuven was a slim prince with an unusually mature face for his age. Clean-shaven and crownless, he favored dark, military-style uniforms, though he frequently donned much plainer clothing to disguise his royal status and walk among the commoners.

• In his prime (Age 30): By the time he was king, Reuven had grown into a much larger, imposing figure. His look became distinctly scruffy, characterized by a frazzled haircut, a pronounced stubbly jaw, and large lips. His royal attire was a chaotic but unique blend of casual and regal: a simple tank top and striped pants held up by a massive belt, offset by a pearl necklace, a small crown, and a royal coat secured with a heavy chain.

Despite his somewhat unkempt and aloof exterior, Reuven was a deeply serious individual often to a comical degree. His intense demeanor meant he frequently misinterpreted casual situations. However, this same seriousness translated into an unwavering, protective love for his family and his subjects. He would gladly put his pride aside if it meant ensuring the safety of those he cared about.

 

A Champion of the People: The Meeting with Brook

Reuven was never one to sit idly in an ivory tower. During his time as a prince, he regularly disguised himself as a civilian to check on the wellbeing of his people. It was during one of these excursions, 79 years ago, that he met an 11-year-old vagrant named Brook in an Esperian junkyard.

Drawn in by the boy's music despite Brook's admittedly lackluster lyrics at the time Reuven struck up a conversation. The two quickly bonded over fishing and singing. Brook even offered the prince a "meal" of a grasshopper, a frog, and curry soup. Though it tasted terrible, Reuven was deeply touched by the gesture and equally horrified that anyone in his kingdom was living in such squalor.

When Brook was later arrested by corrupt Marines, falsely accused of being a drug courier for the criminal Moulon Family, Reuven did not hesitate. Alongside Candelle and his Battle Convoy, the prince intercepted the execution. Believing that a government tolerating such corruption was inherently untrustworthy, Reuven personally attacked the Marines, rescued Brook, and brought him back to the palace. He ignored the potential political fallout with the World Government, instead focusing on giving Brook an education and declaring him "Esperia's newest star."

The Final Years and the Moulon Syndicate

Within two years of rescuing Brook, Reuven married Candelle, and the couple later welcomed their daughter, Shuri.

Reuven’s fierce protectiveness often led to humorous misunderstandings. Seventy years ago, while tending to his garden, he overheard Brook expressing his admiration for Queen Candelle. Taking it as an assassination plot to steal his wife, a furious Reuven confronted Brook who calmly clarified he would just wait for the king to die of natural causes. When a young Princess Shuri offered to marry Brook instead, and Brook rejected her, Reuven's rage comically boiled over again.

This domestic chaos was abruptly cut short when guards reported that the Moulon Family had surrounded the opera house where Queen Candelle was staying, disabling the communication snails (Den Den Mushis). In a stroke of luck and a testament to the trust Reuven placed in his friends Brook had already neutralized the gang members earlier that morning, ensuring the Queen's safe exit.

Abilities and Powers

• Political Authority: As the reigning king, Reuven held immense political sway over Esperia, though he often preferred hands-on action over bureaucratic maneuvering.

• Swordsmanship: He was far from defenseless. During his days as a prince, Reuven was a highly skilled swordsman who specialized in wielding dual rapiers to devastating effect.

A Tragic Legacy

The later years of Reuven’s life remain shrouded in mystery. Despite his strength, his compassion, and the powerful allies he kept close, his reign came to an abrupt end. According to historical accounts passed down by Brook, King Reuven was murdered by his own daughter, Princess Shuri. The motivations behind this betrayal remain one of Esperia's darkest secrets.

Behind the Lore: Musical Trivia

Befitting the musical theme of the Esperia Kingdom, Reuven's character design and name draw heavy inspiration from the classical pianist and composer Ludwig van Beethoven. In Japanese, Beethoven's full name is written as Rūtovihi van Bētōven (ルートヴィヒ・ヴァン・ベートーヴェン). By combining the first two characters ("ルー") and the last three ("ヴェン"), you get "Reuven" (or "Luven"), a clever nod to the legendary musician.