A/N: I haven't written anything for Bleach in a very long time but my emotions are running strong for it. This is an AU to where they live in a kingdom. I haven't decided the time period yet but it will be more modernized than some other AU's out there. I hope this is enjoyable. Also this is just a prologue so sorry it's short!

AU. I don't know how old I was when I fell for him, but I fell hard. He was my first love and he didn't love me back. He was in love with someone else, blind to my feelings. I did not say a word to him about any of it, however. I knew it was for the best that he was not aware of my feelings. When I was fully aware of them, my Father put on a ball for me to find someone to rule the kingdom with. And that is how my whole life was changed. A man from the kingdom of Hueco Mundo was going to change everything.

00:

Prologue: The Royal Ball is Announced

"You're kidding me." I look at the obvious postings around the castle, and I know that they're also posted all around the kingdom. "He's gone too far." I hiss, walking quickly for the chambers of my Father. He knows exactly how I feel about all of this! He should have at least asked me before he went through with it… I open the doors, and he looks up at me with a smile on his face. "Father, you have to be kidding me." The smile turns to a frown as he stands up.

"Ichigo…It's time for you to find a wife…or husband, I don't really mind you know that son." He walks towards me, ignoring how angry I am right now. "And you do not seem to wish to do this on your own, meaning I need to take some more… drastic measures. You are going to inherit this kingdom, Ichigo." He says softly, stopping in front of me. "I need you to take care of it when I'm no longer here… You know that."

"I don't want some stupid ball to determine that for me!" I scowl, and he sighs, shaking his head.

"I know, I know. But it was the only solution that we could come up with… I think it'll go well, we have invited princes and princesses from the other kingdoms as well as our subjects. I know someone there will catch your eye." I can't tell him that someone already has. It wouldn't bode well for me to tell him.

"Fine." I murmur softly, turning around. "But I expect that you know what you're doing old man." I leave the room, stalking down the hallway to my room. I had already finished my lessons for the day, and now I was free. I smile some, opening the door.

"Ichigo," I hear the voice behind me as I move to step into my room. Pausing myself, I turn to look at the owner of the voice. The redhead who stands there smiles at me, his uniform clinging to his body and the armor giving off a small glint. "I heard about the ball, I can only imagine that you went and gave your old man a piece of your mind." He lets out a small laugh, stepping into my room after me. He knows I welcome him here, and allow him to do as he pleases.

"Renji," I smile at him gently, allowing him to sit down on one of the couches. My chambers has two rooms, a bedroom and a living area to which I enjoy the company of others in. It is rare for anyone to be allowed into my bedroom. That is more private and only for those I can absolutely trust. "I am not pleased that he didn't even ask me, but now it is in motion." I sit opposite of him and he chuckles.

"It says you're finally looking for someone to rule with." He takes off the armor piece by piece. "I hope it goes well, your Father is getting desperate it seems." He murmurs this before huffing at one piece that doesn't want to come off. "Oh yeah, I'll be going to. Your Father said that I could go as a civilian this time. I'll still keep my eye out for you though, I don't want you to get hurt." He looks up with that stupid ass grin, the one that makes my heart ache.

"Oh yeah?" I say gently, getting ready for what I know he will say next. I know how his brain works by now, and I know exactly what is on his mind. He gets a little red, sitting there for a moment.

"I'm going to ask her this time…last time I couldn't…" He says softly, avoiding looking at me. "But I think… I think this time I can, and she'll hopefully say yes." I smile a little at him.

"I know she will." For years he's been in love with the same person… Rukia Kuchiki. She's one of the nobles around here, who lost their title to the crown many generations ago. However, she was adopted into the family which at the time had caused a lot of controversy… We had stopped it, and she had lived a good life since then. Since they were kids, Renji and her have been friends. That's how he fell for her in the first place. It hurts to know it all, but I accept it either way. "You two have been together for years." I say softly, and he smiles a little bit.

"I know but her brother has been against me asking her before…" He trails off. "But I gained a high place in the Royal Guard for a reason! I hope now he thinks I'm worthy enough to take her to a ball." He gets a little red in the face at the thought. He hopes, and prays, for this to go well. I smile a little bit, my heart aches at the notion.

"I'm sure he will." I move to stand up. "You can rest in here until your shift if you want. I have some homework to attend to before I begin to prepare." He blinks at me, watching my movements.

"You sure? I mean this is your chambers after all, I don't want to be intrusive." I smile weakly, if only he knew how much I loved his company.

"No, Renji, it's fine." I say softly. "Besides you deserve to rest before your shift." I start to head for my bedroom. "And besides your job is to guard my sisters and I… So I don't see why it's such a big deal for you to rest in here."

He hesitates still, before nodding a little. "I suppose. Alright, thank you, Prince Ichigo." He addresses me formally and I sigh.

"Renji, you don't have to be formal until others are around… You know this." I have known Renji for a long time as well, ever since I first snuck out of the castle to explore… He smiles a little bit.

"Okay, but I don't want to slip up when we go to the ball. After all, I've done it before and a lot of people were horrified your guard didn't regard you properly."

"…I highly doubt we will see one another there." I say it softly, knowing he will be busy with Rukia… And that I have a duty to uphold.

"Huh? I mean I know you're going to be busy but I still want to keep an eye out for you. I mean, you did know some of the Arrancar family is coming right?" I make a small noise at the notion, turning my head to look at the redhead.

"My Father invited the Arrancars? I mean it may be to make some peace but…" I trail off, wondering what my old man is thinking. If the Arrancars were there then this ball could turn out very different. As long as I have been alive, the Arrancars have been the one royal family I was warned about. Before I was born the kingdom of Hueco Mundo was taken over by them, and is now ruled strongly by the family. The King was actually a defector from our kingdom, Saviorenty, whom was not happy with the rule in this kingdom. For years we have been tense with them, and this is the first time I have heard of them being invited into the kingdom for anything. I can only imagine what my Father is trying to pull by doing this.

"…you don't think he's trying to court you with one of them, do you?" Renji's thoughts are my own, and I feel sick to my stomach. "Ichigo…I don't think he would…He could never do that. They were the reason your…the queen died." I look back at him, knowing it could very well be true.

"I don't…I don't know." I leave the room quickly following this, feeling a little sick to my stomach. I don't want that to be true. I can only hope that my thoughts are false. But why would my Father ever invite anyone from the Arrancar family into our home…?