Mighty Kings, My Two Kings (Bleach Fanfiction)

Chapter 1: 385th Annual Karakura Peace Ball

Maxima Shihoin sat quietly in the velvet-lined carriage, staring out the curtained window at the evening sky. Had it not been for the oil lanterns found either side of the wooden transport, the sight of the road ahead of them would have been completely hidden in the darkness of the night. They had been on the road for almost 2 hours and already, Maxima was feeling fatigued and unsure whether she would last the night.

Seated across from her was the man she promised her heart to, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, the King of Panthera, the 6th kingdom of the south. Although they had already been engaged for 7 months, their relationship still seemed to be a relatively awkward one. Nevertheless, Maxima did not question her apparent affections for this man.

She glimpsed at him and admired the sight of his sky blue hair in the moonlight as he too was gazing out the window. He looked devilishly handsome in his navy blue tuxedo, which tightened around his waist just enough to show off his perfectly sculpted build. As she continued to stare at him, Maxima unknowingly began to pick at a loose silver sequin at the side of her navy blue evening gown. Grimmjow was admiring the darkened view of the plain they were passing when the small tick tick tick sound of Maxima's nail began to bother him.

“Stop it. You’ll ruin it,” Grimmjow growled with a sidelong glance at his fiancé. At the realization of her actions, Maxima quickly clasped her hands tightly in her lap and hung her head in slight embarrassment.

“Sorry,” she whispered and looked up at Grimmjow, her head still hung low, only to notice he was staring out the window once more.

After another half hour had passed in their venture, the carriage stopped in front of a large manor whose walls were made of white stone. A large wooden sign at the front proudly proclaimed that they had reached the Middle Kingdom's Great Hall and Maxima stared in wonder. Through the windows, silhouettes of ladies in wondrous gowns and men in fitted suits could be seen dancing, mingling and having the time of their lives. This made Maxima quite nervous, as it would be the first time she would be officially presented to the other kingdoms as the future queen of Panthera. The thought of this triggered her need to pick at the loose sequin once again, but this time more rapidly.

Grimmjow closed his eyes and frowned, trying to contain his irritation but Maxima was still focused on the faceless people. The door of the carriage was then opened by a young man with orange hair, Ichigo Kurosaki. He was Grimmjow’s head guard and quickly became one of Maxima’s closest friends when she first moved to the South.

“Your Majesty, my lady, we’ve arrived,” Ichigo said with a slight bow.

Grimmjow frowned. “Yes, I’m very aware of that. Thank you Ichigo,” he said irritated and through gritted teeth before quickly stepping out of the carriage. Ichigo nodded before glancing at Maxima and giving her a confused look. She lifted her shoulders into a shrug and watched as Grimmjow dusted himself off and pulled down his jacket, adjusting himself.

“Stop ogling him. It’s creepy,” Ichigo whispered slyly as he held his hand out to her to help her out of the carriage. She giggled softly and reached out to take his hand but just before she did, Grimmjow walked over and tapped Ichigo on the shoulder, waving his hand in a motion for him to move away. Ichigo quickly bowed before stepping aside.

Grimmjow gazed at his future wife, examining her from head to toe. She was still picking at the loose sequin. Tick tick tick.

Grimmjow closed his eyes and breathed deeply, running his hands through the sky blue spikes of his hair. Maxima felt guilty for his annoyance and stopped fidgeting immediately. She opened her mouth to apologize but found her betrothed staring at her, almost as though he was admiring her.