𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑬《 Philippines CountryHumans AU 》

vi.

Philip walked over to the guard and tugged on his sleeve. "Um... excuse me?"

The guard eyed him but said nothing, silently urging him to continue.

"I uh-... I need someone to accompany me to the indoor garden," the country murmured, earning a nod. The guard looked at the others stationed near him and silently told them to follow the short male.

As they walked to the garden, the guards all subconsciously observed him. He was so... fragile. Like a glass that could break even on the most delicate touch. He had bruises on his neck, was he choked before? Or did he choke himself?

Everyone who worked at the mansion adored Philip. He was kind, helpful, and treated everyone as his equal, even though he and the highest position in the entire country. One time, he told a maid that he would replace the curtains for her because her ankle was sore. News spread through all the servants and butlers of his act of kindness like wildfire, and these guards, who were foreigners, were starting to adore him as well.

The bodyguards who didn't like the job were slowly starting to become more passionate about it just because of Philip. It was like he could somehow make everyone shine their brightest around him. But Philip was painfully oblivious. He was too focused on work and keeping the country together to notice everyone's cheery faces around him.

The country pushed the door open and smiled softly at the gust of cool air that blew on his face. The indoor garden was at the very center of the mansion. It was a dome-like room with walls made out of glass. A river flowed down the middle of the dome with a bridge to get across.

This was Philip's favorite part of his house. He loved the scent of plants and flowers that wafted throughout the dome, the sunlight that shined above them through the skylight, and the cool water that rushed in the river.

It was beautiful, if not the most beautiful room in the mansion, and the guards thought so too. Crossing the bridge, he sat down on a bench and closed his eyes, breathing in the cool air.

Of course, he hated being watched so intensely. It was weird and uncomfortable for him, but he needed to suck it up and be brave. If Martial thought it was for the best, then he would follow his intuition. After all, when had he ever been wrong?

Philip sighed, relaxing his shoulders.

He needed to stop acting like a child and man up.

Right. He needs to man up and act like his age.

...

How old was he again? He forgot...

Was he centuries old? Decades? When was his country born anyways?

He puffed his cheeks in frustration, but to the guards, it was absolutely adorable. They were lucky to be the ones protecting a literal cinnamon roll.

"Oh? Philip?"

"Ah! UK!" Philip beamed at the older country. The wiser male chuckled softly and sat down next to him as the guards subconsciously stiffened up. Why? Because this UK guy was fucking scary!! At least, that's what the others said...

"What are you doing here, Philip? I thought you were in your room," UK asks, but he didn't look at the younger male.

"Ah, I wanted some fresh air. Since I can't leave the mansion, I thought I would go here instead," he smiled. UK's expression softened at him as he returned the gesture.

"You've been really brave. It must be really uncomfortable for you," the older country stated as Philip and the guards stiffened. The guards didn't know he was uncomfortable. Was he uncomfortable right now?