"OH MY GOD, WHY DO THEY ALL STINK?!"

Lighting my third stick of insence, I waved my hands through the stream of smoke, trying to rid my bedroom of the harsh pheromones. They had all stayed in the palace that night, and even though they were on the other side of the vast building I could still smell them.

Ichiji's scent, by far, was the strongest, and the main one I was trying to cover up. It was screwing with my head. How could someone so vile give off such an alluring aroma?

Trying to ignore those feelings, I turned back to my bed, which was covered in a mess of clothes. I had managed to convince both my mother and Saria that I could dress myself for the festival, which meant I wouldn't end up looking like a froufrou princess doll.

They would be colossally pissed about my decision to wear pants, but it was what I was most comfortable in, and it also made it a lot easier to run away if any of the Vinsmoke bastards tried to mess with me in any way. Not that I could outrun them, even if I tried.

"Hold still. I wanna take a mental snapshot."

My first instinct upon hearing a voice coming from my window was to grab the nearest weapon, an insence stick, and whip it around ready to throw. Corbin simply smirked as he continued climbing over the sill, finding my reaction likely endearing.

"You little..! Ugh, I thought you were one of the damn Princes." I groaned, setting the smoky stick back down and running a hand down my face. Anybody else catching my in my underwear, alone in my room, would have been an issue, but if it was him, well, that was fine.

"They'd better not come sneaking in here like that. I'd kill 'em." Scrunching his nose, Corbin sat upon the end of my bed, partially on top of some of my clothing options.
"As much as I hate to admit it, I don't think they're that stupid. At least I hope they're not."

I can't tell him about what's going on with Ichiji...Not yet.

"I still get a dance at the festival, right? Or do you think your future husband would whoop my ass?" He could joke all he wanted about it, but I knew his ass would get more than just a whooping. Lucky for him, Ichiji didn't want me just as much as I didn't want him.

"Yeah yeah, sure. What should I wear? I need to look princessy, but not too princessy. Get what I mean?" If anybody would understand what I was getting at, it was him. I had to simultaneously impress my parents as well as feel comfortable. It was a hard ask.

"Well, if you wanna avoid Saria dragging you back up here and sticking you in the puffiest skirt imaginable, then maybe that traditional tunic dress thing your grandma made you? It's short enough to pass as a top with some leggings or something, isn't it? Plus it's, well, traditional."

Wow. He actually solved my problem.

Kind of nudging him aside to reach the chaotic pile, I rummaged around and pulled out the exact dress he suggested. It was certainly a great compromise, and paired with fitted pants and boots I'd look the part, plus I could still move freely.

"Corbz, I could kiss you." I smiled, squeaking out as he pulled me to the side into his lap.
"Do it, coward." He didn't have to dare me twice. I would never admit it, especially not to him, but feeling his lips take over mine helped dull the screeching voice in my head that was telling me to follow Ichiji's sent.

Corbin was earthy, and smelled like home to me. Everything about him was comforting, whether it was a hardcore make-out session like what we were doing, or just sitting and talking for hours.

Marrying him would be the solution to most of my problems. My stuck up, cruel, red-headed problems, at the very least, but my parents would never approve. They had no clue we had formed a physical relationship, but if they did they would have surely put a stop to it.

"Mmmm...I really need to get ready..." I sighed wistfully as the brunet kissed down the expanse of my neck, trailing his way towards my clavicle.
"Please, continue. Pretend I'm not even here..." He made no attempt to stop his playful affections, but I had to tear myself away, starting my task of dressing.

Usually, I thrived when a festival came about, but with our new company I was already pretty done with it. If I could escape, all would be well, but considering we had to officially announce the engagement it wasn't going to be an easy task.

"There, how do I look?" Once fully clothed, I did a little spin, relishing in the wolf whistle my beau provided me with.
"Gorgeous. Kinda makes me even more jealous." Corbin half jested, resting on his side upon my sheets. "Would it be too much to escourt you? Or would I be hung for such a crime?"

Knowing the Vinsmokes...

"It's...better if we just rendezvous there. I'm pretty sure my mother has organised a stupidly extravagant procession to show off, anyway..." I gagged at the thought, having guards and maids boxing me in on the trip there.

Heaving a sigh, Corbin slowly rolled until he reached the very end of my bed, pulling himself to a stand and taking my hand in his.
"Remember, save a dance for me, Princess." He smirked as he bowed, pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

Scoffing, I batted at his face before he returned to the window he had climbed through, easily slipping out and shooting me a wink as he disappeared.

Okay, I can do this. I won't have to be alone with them, and I'll have Corbin there to distract me. Easy...

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Oh no.

Just as I had expected, my mother had prepared what could have easily been mistaken as some kind of sad little parade. The walk wasn't awful, and once I had seen the gorgeous lanterns and decorations filling the vast expanse of Sylveneir Dell I almost thought it wouldn't be so bad.

Then I saw Ichiji.

Instead of his usual attire, clean cut and crimson, he was in something incredibly similar to what the young men of my country wore to events such as this. A white top, long in the sleeves, with a slit open down to scarcely above the navel, and dark, tight pants, near daring to show every risqué curve.

He looked horrendously handsome, and I nearly froze upon seeing him at first.

It obviously wasn't just his scent that was going to cause trouble for me, I knew that now, and it made me hate him even more, which was honestly something I had thought impossible.

Though, strangely, he seemed to be stilled by my presence as well, at least for a few moments. He stood there, likely staring at me through tinted shades, face giving nothing away. Finally, when Judge cleared his throat, the eldest boy took a step towards me, ignoring the whispering bullshit of his brothers, and bowed.

"Are you ready, My Princess?" Why did his voice even have to sound alluring? There was no possible way that being supposedly fated mates could have such a strong effect, right? With his scent filling the air around me, I took a deep breath through my mouth and curtseyed, closing my eyes so I could regain composure.
"I am, Prince Ichiji."

Psych. I'd never be ready for this crap.

Offering his hand, I noticed that he became stiffer when he got closer, but I just chalked it up to being in the same boat as I was. Not wanting to deal with each other. Begrudgingly, I took it, the immediate heat of his touch riling up the shrieking in my head.

"Awww, how cute." Niji snickered, leaning in towards us as our parents headed up to the wooden podium first to begin the proceedings. "You're looking a little constipated there, Princess. Too much excitement for you?"

If we weren't in the public eye, I likely would have swung to break his nose, but I refrained, choosing to ignore him. Yonji just watched us with an amused grin, which was preferable, because I wasn't sure if I could take another taunt.

"-we present, the future King and Queen of Fell Wilds, Prince Vinsmoke Ichiji and Princess Arden (Y/N)!"

I was so distracted that Ichiji had to yank me into a walk, and we ascended the steps to show ourselves to my people. Every whoop, holler and cheer made me feel sick to my stomach. These people hadn't the faintest clue as to what kind of monsters this family truly were.

Looking out into the crowd of people, I realised that there were many I didn't recognise. Men and women in black outfits with short, white cloaks and masks, bandannas around their necks. The lantern lights reflected from their goggles, and I realised they were members of the Germa army. Hundreds of them, easily.

Why the hell would they bring their army to a festival..?

I was glad that we weren't expected to speak, just stand there looking pretty and waving for a few minutes before the festivities began. I had wanted to dart away the moment I got off the podium, but my wish was soon crushed into the dirt.

We did descend, and I was ready to bolt, but Ichiji seized my upper arm, his grip bruising, and dragged me right in close. The proximity was alarming, and not at all good for my heart, but all I could manage was to stare at my disgustingly flushed reflection in his lenses.

He didn't threaten me, or taunt me, or even speak, for that matter. No, he leaned in towards my neck and sniffed me. It was a brief action that seemed to last for a lifetime, but almost as quickly as he had done it, he had released me, stalking off to join his brothers.

Staring after him, I rubbed my arm, the lingering sensation of his touch throbbing and hot, his scent sticking to me as though I were magnetic.

What the hell was that about..?

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***Sorry, this isn't my best. One of the stray cats I'd been looking after for a year passed away, and it was a bit of a horrific experience, so I'm not really myself atm, along with some health issues. 2024 is already not my year.

Next Time: Dance With the Devil***