Mighty Kings, My Two Kings (Bleach Fanfiction)

Chapter 6: Give Her Back

Maxima trudged up the red carpet corridor, yawning from lack of sleep. It had been 5 days since their return to Pantera and after the conclusion of the Karakura Peace Ball, Maxima felt like she had hardly gotten a wink of sleep. She finally understood the consequences of leaving the Kingdom, why it was important for someone to be there to care for it. The endless pile of paperwork of their peoples' requests continued to tower over them, despite the fact that Grimmjow and Maxima had been working on them day and night. Along with Grimmjow's correspondence that he had to keep up with the other kingdoms, he was going most nights without sleep. This was the same for Maxima, which is why she was not impressed when she received such a rude awakening.

That morning, one of Grimmjow's guards came to retrieve her on the King's orders during her slumber, interrupting her much needed-rest. She was less than enthusiastic but Maxima lacked the energy to go against him, leaving her no choice but to follow. She had quickly thrown on something more appropriate before rushing down to meet her betrothed. After feeling satisfied with a light blue dress, she swiftly flew down the stairs and made her way to the throne room.

To her surprise, Maxima found that Grimmjow was no longer slaving over his countless letters and correspondence. Instead, he was seated on his white marble throne, his crown placed proudly upon his head. The throne was chiseled and polished into a cubical form. Set atop it sat two white jade panthers lying in a regal form facing each other with sky blue topazes for eyes. At that moment, he was the embodiment of supremacy but the look on his face was frightful. Grimmjow seemed furious and impatient as the side of his upper lip was curling upwards baring his teeth. A poor servant had fallen before him, his head bowing so far down that it was pressed into the ground. He was noticeably shuddering before the king and heavy sobs could be heard.

"Orihime Inoue was expected to be here days ago and my patience wears thin. Why has she not arrived?" Grimmjow growled in fury while the servant began to recoil even more. Maxima caught sight of Ichigo from across the room and her eyebrows creased worriedly. Ichigo only shrugged his shoulders wearily and she knew immediately that something was wrong.

"But I don't understand Your Majesty, she should be here. I received the verification letter stating that she had been dispatched to the 6th Kingdom just a few days ago. I..." the servant sobbed, still crouched before the King. Grimmjow held the skin taut upwards on one side of his temple, his thumb resting on his chin.

"Enough! I've heard enough of your excuses. Take him away!" Grimmjow boomed, pointing a finger at random towards one of the guards that lined the carpet road to the marble white throne. "And be sure that the next time you are summoned, you have a proper answer for me. I don't like to waste my time."

As soon as the weeping servant was escorted out and the golden throne room doors closed, Maxima approached her betrothed, who was still sitting irritably on his high chair. She knelt before him and held the hand that was grasping the end of the armrest. She was met with his short-tempered gaze and attempted to give him a smile, regardless of how weak it was. She silently comforted him by gently stroking his tensed knuckles while the guards behind her dispersed, returning to their respective posts.

Grimmjow breathed out deeply as his face slowly calmed and the fury slowly diminished. He stood from his throne and wriggled a beckoning finger to the squire that stood a few meters from his side with a large black velvet cushion. Grimmjow gripped Maxima's hand and pulled her up to stand before removing his golden crown and placing it on the cushion presented to him. He quickly tousled his sky blue spikes before waving away his subordinate.

"I need fresh air. Come walk with me." Grimmjow held out his arm to her and she obediently hooked her arm through his. His statement almost seemed as though it was an order and had it been any other time, Maxima would have disobeyed just to spite him for undermining her. But she knew that Grimmjow's bad mood still lingered.