Germa was so...sterile.
No, that probably wasn't the right term to describe it, but even merely setting foot in that country made me feel...cold. Wrong.
Honestly, I wasn't sure that I could even call Germa a country, considering it was split and spread across the backs of monstrously large snails. I pitied those poor creatures for being forced to carry such a weight their whole lives.
There didn't seem to be many 'normal' people inhabiting Germa, either. As I walked along the stone path I could only see military presence. Same uniforms, same bandannas, same goggles and headphones. It hardly would have shocked me if each and every one of them had come out of the womb dressed that way.
It was almost shocking that I hadn't been tailed on my little expedition. Around Fell Wilds it seemed as though the Vinsmokes wanted eyes and ears on me at all times, whether it be any one of the princes or princess. It was strange that they weren't stalking me in their own domain.
I mean, with all these soldiers around they don't really need to go to the trouble, I guess...
They didn't need to waste their precious time keeping tabs on me when they had a whole nation of loyal, highly trained warriors. I'd be a fool to try anything stupid on their turf. My slingshot and I wouldn't stand a chance in hell.
Before leaving the palace, I had also ensured that Niji hadn't been lurking around, and Yonji wasn't difficult to keep distracted. One mention of Laoise and he was already halfway to the village, goofy grin on his stupid mug. If I didn't hate the Vinsmoke bloodline with such a passion, I possibly would have found it adorable.
And Ichiji...he was easy to avoid since he was avoiding me right back. That vile pain in my chest wasn't going away. Actually, perhaps it seemed to be slightly worsening, but it was hard to tell when it was such a constant. I buried it. Ignored it. It was preferable to the alternative.
"Uh, excuse me," I approached one of the passing soldiers, slightly unnerved by how stiffly he whipped his head around to face me. So robotic. "Have you seen an unfamiliar man hanging around by any chance? Strawberry blondish hair, kinda wavy, goes by the name Corbin? Doesn't, uh, dress like you." The soldier looked almost uncomfortable with my presence, but at the very least remained polite.
"I believe I have seen a young man fitting that description around for the past few days. Last I saw him, he was loitering by the castle, Your Highness." He responded rather flatly before nodding his head and walking off, leaving me with even more questions. I took a deep breath and sighed.
Huh. Funny. I couldn't smell his pheromones.
I couldn't understand why Corbin would want to go to the castle anyway. My first thought - and fear - was that he could have been planning to try and ambush Ichiji. I wouldn't have put it past him to pull such an idiotic stunt. He'd threatened to fight Ichiji for me ever since he had found out about our arrangement, back when we were merely friends. Kids together. That he would fight for my hand and win, whisking me away for a blissful fairytale ending. Pipe dreams.
The castle stank of stale Vinsmoke. A thick, lingering amalgamation of their scents that made it hard to breathe without dry heaving. It was nearly as bad as being with them in person. How Reiju could live in such conditions I would never know.
This...actually suits them to a tee...
The castle's aesthetic was awfully militaristic. Cold, and somehow even more sterile than the exterior. It wasn't ugly, by any means, but it felt eerie as the sound of my heals echoed whilst traversing down the corridors.
YOU ARE READING
GAMBIT - Vinsmoke Ichiji x Reader
Fanfiction"Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop." For twelve years, Princess Arden (Y/N) of Fell Wilds had known she was to marry Prince Vinsmoke Ichiji of the Germa Kingdom. It was her duty, to ensure the l...
