***SIX YEARS LATER***

“A..Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for those assholes to arrive..?”

Bark scraping my back, and leaves tangling through my hair, yet that was the most uncomfortable thing in that moment. Wrapping my legs tighter around jittering hips, I dragged the man closer into myself.

“H..Hah, shut up…” I scoffed, nosing deep into the crook of the man's neck, his earthy scent doing wonders for my nerves. "What, you want me to go get married and never let you have me like this again? Is that it, Corbin? Sick of me?"

Readjusting me between the tree and his hips, the panting man pressed into me harder, with exactly the gusto I had been wanting for.
"Never..! Oh, God, never..!" He grunted through his teeth, stealing my lips for a passionate kiss.

Was it risky, sneaking away on the very afternoon my betrothed was set to arrive? Yes, very much so, but to hell with him, and his messed up family. I needed to settle my nerves somehow, and this guy was just the ticket.

Corbin and I had known each other for going on nine years now, and whatever our relationship had been for roughly five of them. Quick, innocent kisses by the river had eventually evolved into hardcore ravaging, just as it had now.

It was convenient, since he worked as a grounds keeper for the palace, but not only that, we cared for each other, deeply. Having him around had made my problems seem less than they actually were.

"Good, n..now don't stop..! I'm close..!" Clinging to whatever I could reach of his skin, I began to lose my breath, shuddering as he ran his tongue from the centre of my chest to my jaw.

"I just, hah, just don't want you to get in trouble...If that Vinsmoke can sense you've been with another man, I-"
"Nope, okay, get out of me. You ruined it, my guy." I slumped in defeat, tapping at his back for him to stop.

Almost whining, Corbin did as instructed immediately, sheepishly setting me down and pouting like a kicked puppy.
"Sorry! Sorry...I just can't get the thought out of my head..."

Could have just left it in your head, but whatever...

Heaving a sigh, I fetched my underwear, which had been carelessly tossed onto the leafy forest floor, and slid them on beneath my skirt.
"They may be coming, but I'm still working on a loophole, or some kind of alternative, so that doesn't mean I'll be marrying that messed up creep."

It had been six years since I had last had the displeasure of meeting the Vinsmokes, and I wasn't at all prepared for what everyone else expected of me.

We were both of age now, so that meant the one thing I had been dreading since childhood. Marriage. I had exhausted myself, trying to convince my parents to back out, or find a better prince to take his place, but my efforts had been fruitless.

Now, as we walked side by side back towards the palace, I was trying to stay composed.

"It would've been so much easier if we were fated. Nobody could refuse nature like that." Corbin sighed, looking up at the rustling canopy, where cracks of sunlight filtered in.
"You'd be surprised. My dad seems to have his head so far up Judge's ass he could see out of the guy's mouth..."

Marrying Corbin would have been ideal. I wasn't completely certain that I loved him, but whatever I felt was close, and we were happiest when together. So many times we had almost gone through with establishing a mark and bond, but chickened out before it happened.

"If any of them cause you any grief, please, tell me. I'm stronger than I look." He halted and took my hands in his just before we rounded the corner, near the back entrance. I didn't have the heart to tell him he likely didn't stand a chance against any one of them, whatever they were.

"I will, I promise. Now give me a kiss before I march into hell." I chuckled softly, welcoming the soft, loving press of his lips before tearing myself away, slipping in through the door and praying I would go unnoticed for just a while longer.

"ARDEN (Y/N), WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! MY LORD, YOU'RE A MESS! BATH! NOW! HURRY HURRY HURRY!" Saria had me by the scruff before I could even blink, marching me up the stairs and tossing me straight into a bathtub with more flower petals than I had ever experienced before.

Whatever oils she had mixed in stung my eyes as she assaulted me with wash cloths and bucket dunks, scrubbing me head to toe in record time before dragging me right back out and drying me off.

"Calm down, there's still time. Besides, I looked fine as I was-" I spluttered the last words of my complaint as Saria's little lackies began to powder my nose and fancify my hair.
"With all due respect, Your Grace, zip it! They'll be here any minute and you looked like you crawled out of a hole in the ground!"

Huh. Thanks.

By the time they were done, I was dressed to the nines. Their vision of perfection, from the sheen of my hair to the painful cinch of my waist. The dress they had chosen was red, and I hated it with the force of a thousand suns, but according to them I had to look the part.

I hated my part.

"Now, your parents met them at the port, and they're on their way. No more little miss sourpuss, alright? Smile, curtsey, pretend you're over the moon to see him again." I opened my mouth to protest, but was met by a finger to my lips. "You hate him. I know, you've only told me about a thousand and one times, but please, for everyone's sakes, best behaviour, best self."

I was mighty sick of that catchphrase, having heard it my whole life. I liked to think I was my best self when I wasn't suffocating under the crushing weight of expectation, but according to literally everyone in my life save for Corbin that was wrong.

If being guided to stand atop the steps of the palace wasn't enough, the immense terror I felt when hearing the echoing thud of marching boots growing nearer really did it.

Did they bring their entire nation or something? Maybe Judge just got really fat...

Closing my eyes, I focused on my breathing and pictured anything and everything I could to soothe myself. Soft fluffy animals, the rippling stream, the feeling of leaves against my skin.

Then it all went down the drain when I picked up a violent cocktail of pheromones.

It was like an all out assault, and I could hardly breathe. Picking them apart from one another was enough to nearly make me pass out on the spot.

A concerningly thick musky smell was barely able to make it through my sinuses, I wanted nothing more than to clog my nostrils.

Something akin to a face full of paprika had my eyes watering like crazy, so much so even my throat began to burn.

But that last one...

It was pleasant. Wonderful, even, despite being wildly strong. A perfect mix of what I believed to be coacoa, dark and rich, and spicebush berries, which weren't nearly as aggressive as the other spicey smell.

What is that..? Who is that..?

The sudden creak of the entry gate had me scrambling to stand at attention, sweat beading at the back of my neck. My parents were the first to enter, giddy and unable to contain their excitement. Good for them.

Next, much to my dismay, was Vinsmoke Judge. The hulking mammoth of a bastard was no different, his fierce mane of hair swaying slightly as he trudged onward.

I recognised Reiju instantly. She was still drop dead gorgeous, and carried herself like true royalty. I wasn't against seeing her again, but it was a pity she shared blood with the rest.

The colour green came next, and my god, was I dumbstruck. Now I knew where that thick musk was radiating from. It only grew stronger as he got closer, but I was too surprised to cover my nose like I wanted to.

That little twerp had grown, a lot. He was tall, and built like a brick house, which didn't help in the nerves department. He looked like he could crush a diamond like an overripe tomato.

Blue was taller too, but not quite as so as Yonji. Niji still retained his slender build, and while I could understand why some would find him attractive, he still screamed snake to me. Not to mention that dumb sweep of blue hair had just grown stupider, and sweepier.

He was the one to blame for the stinging eyes and burning throat, and I wouldn't have put it past him to be doing it on purpose. The prick.

Lastly, a flash of red caught my eye.

My most hated colour, dancing in the wind in the form of a long cape off of a strong shoulder. Broad chest and arms, perfect posture, that spiked cockatoo hairdo and questionable choice of shades.

That delectable scent hit me again with full force, and my knees began to quiver beneath the weight of it.

My pulse spiked, my skin tingled, and suddenly there was an abundance of saliva within my mouth, threatening to drown my tongue and choke me to a slow death.

Every cell in my body was alive and hollering, painfully intelligible screams resounding from the inside of my head.

I set a single foot backwards, unable to will myself into turning tail and running as far away as I could. 

"Oh shit..."

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***I clearly have no idea what pheromones and scents and shit are supposed to be ahaha.

Next Time: Absolutely The Fuck Not***