Far away in a land called Pallavolo lived a young prince named Hinata. He was the only child of King Daichi and Queen Sugawara. The young prince had just turned sixteen and was now able to marry. Yet, the prince was never interested in marriage and completely disregarded the idea. Not wanting to force marriage onto Hinata, the King and Queen tried persuade the young prince that marriage was a grand event and brought happiness to everyone involved. But still, Hinata cringed at the thought. So King Daichi made the decision to invite five possible suitors to the castle. He hoped that, after spending time with them, Hinata would fall in love and then he wouldn't have to worry about his son any longer.
"Prince Hinata!" There was a loud pounding at my door.
Eek, it sounds like Knight Tanaka. I got up from my bed and opened my door, popping my head out to investigate. "What's up, Tanaka?" I asked.
"His majesty wishes to speak with you, squirt." Tanaka explained.
"What for? Not another marriage lecture…ugh, I wish they'd just stop it with that already." I whined.
"Hey, you dweeb! Your parents are only looking out for you, so show some respect!" The knight pulled into a headlock and ruffled my hair.
"Auggggh! Quit it!" I grumbled, struggling to escape from his hold.
"I think that they're only worried about yours and the kingdom's future. Besides, you never know, getting hitched might be fun." he said, letting me go.
I fumbled and fell on my face. I didn't want to face my parent's about this issue again, so I just kinda laid there. It's not like I don't ever want to get married, but I just feel like it would be too great of a change for me right now. And well…I kinda want to keep my freedom to do as I please without worrying about some spouse getting onto me for everything I do. I see Mom gripe at Dad about a lot of the stuff he does. I don't want to deal with a spouse and my mom yelling at me.
"Come on, Prince Shorty, let's go! We can't make 'em wait any longer!" Tanaka grabbed the waistband of my pants and began to drag me down the hallway.
"H-hey! Let me go! I can walk by myself, you jerk!" I shouted, flailing about.
"Ha ha ha! Don't worry, I'll make sure to only carpet burn one side of your face!" the knight chackled.
A while later, Tanaka and I arrived in the throne room. "Ah, thank you for bringing Hinata here, Tanaka." Daichi, my father, said.
"It's no problem, you're majesty!" Tanaka bowed and took his guard position by the door.
"Well, Hinata, how's your day faring?" my father asked.
I didn't answer. I knew what he was doing. He was just trying to be friendly before lecturing me to death.
"Hinata, you don't have to be so grim, dear." Sugawara, my mother, commented. He got up from his spot next to my father and came over to me. "I know you're tired of all this talk of marriage, but this is important to both me and Daichi." He ruffled my hair gently.
"Suga is right, Hinata. Please be reasonable about this. I have a new approach to your betrothal!" Daichi exclaimed.
Oh great. What could it be this time? "Yeah, what is it?" I shrugged, pushing my mother's hand away from my head.
"We've decided to pick five suitors to come stay at the castle. We want you to pick one of them as your future spouse." my father smiled, proud of himself.
"Don't you think you'd have more fun this way, Hinata?" Suga asked, rejoining my father.
Did I think this was great? Did I think this would be fun? No, of course not! This is MY future we're talking about! "No, I don't think that will be fun at all! Have you guys even considered how I feel about this whole stupid idea of marriage!? Like I keep telling you, I'm not ready for this big of a change! I don't want to give up the freedom I have!" I snapped, glaring at my father.
Daichi went silent.
Uh oh. Now I've done it. I glanced up at my father, who was beyond furious. I don't think I've ever seen him this livid before.
My father stood and slammed his scepter down on the marble floor. "I will not tolerate your insolence! How dare you speak to your mother that way!" he thundered.
"Daichi, please calm d-!" Suga tried to say before my father cut him off.
"No, I will not let our son be so disrespectful!" he stomped towards me.
I stepped back reflexively, scared that my father was going to hit me or something. "F-father, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" I pleaded, falling to my knees.
Daichi stopped right in front of me. "Stand."
Shaking like a volleyball player serving in his first match, I slowly rose from the floor. I kept my eyes clamped shut, waiting for the blow that was to come. Yet what I felt wasn't a slap to the face but a gentle hand to my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see my father looking at me with a saddened face.
"Hinata, I only want what's best for you. That's all. I'm not trying to force you into this, but marriage is something you seriously need to consider. Being with that one person who completes you is one of the greatest feelings in the world. That's what your mother and I want for you." he explained.
I felt bad now. I realize that they've never been demanding about my betrothal. I guess I was just being difficult about it because I wanted to have things my way. I was the one not considering their feelings. "Sorry…"I mumbled.
My father chuckled and patted my shoulder. "It's fine. I was pretty stubborn when it came to getting married too."
"For real?"
"Hahaha, you know it! But now, I'm married to the most wonderful person I've ever met and have the best son I could ask for."
"Hehe, I'm definitely the best." I grinned widely.
"That you are!" Daichi grinned as well, before going back to his throne. "Well then, now that things have been settled, shall we meet your suitors?"
"Wait…they're here!?" I definitely wasn't ready now. I mean, one of them is gonna marry me right? Do I even look okay!? I was totally freaking out and it was obvious. Tanaka was trying to not laugh so hard and I shot him an evil look.
"Of course, they're here! Nishinoya, would you go fetch our guests?" my father ordered.
"Right away, sir!" Nishinoya, the royal messenger, responded before prancing off through the throne room doors.
Ugh, I was dreading this moment. I didn't expect them to just throw all this at me right away! Give me some time, dammit! I began fidget from nervousness and unconsciously pace the room.
"Hinata, calm down. You're going to be fine. This will be nothing more than an introduction to your suitors, alright?" my mother assured me. I only nodded in response.
Just moments later, Nishinoya returned to the throne room with all five suitors. "Here they are, your majesty!" the short messenger announced before leaving the room once more.
"Alright then, each of you please come forward and introduce yourself to my son, Hinata. Do your best to create a good first impression, after all you might end up spending the rest of your lives together!" Daichi laughed heartily.
Oh my gawd. I wouldn't be surprised if any of them told me they didn't wanna marry me because of my father being the most embarrassing person on the face of the earth. I sighed and glanced over at the suitors. They were all taller than me except for the one on the end. He looked like he could be around my size, I guess.
"I guess I'll go first?" one of the taller guys stepped forward. He had jet black hair that looked like he woke up with a bed head and just decided to keep it that way. He came before me and kneeled before looking up at me with his mischievous golden eyes. "I am Kuroo Tetsurou, a marquis from Nekoma. I'm glad to have been invited here to court you, prince."
Oh, well this guy seems nice enough. He looks a bit devious though. Before I was able to respond to him, he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him with a sly grin on his face.
"So you're definitely gonna marry me, right?" His husky voice sent shivers down my spine.
Of course, I was embarrassed out of mind and my face was probably redder than a sunburnt butt on the fourth of July. I jerked away and shouted, "N-no way!" Did this guy expect me to give him an answer already!?
"Oh ho?" Kuroo laughed before stepping back into his position next to the other suitors.
I hope all these guys aren't like that.
The next guy came forward. This one had short, fluffy brown hair. He also kneeled, grabbing my hand and giving it a small kiss. He glanced up at me and winked. "It's a pleasure to meet to you, young prince. I'm Tooru Oikawa the archduke of Aoba Josai." He stood, not letting go of my hand. "I do hope you'll choose me. I'll treat you well and be ever so faithful to you. It's a mistake you can't afford to make."
Gross. More like a mistake I need to make. This guy is so full of himself that I doubt he even eats. "Is that so?" I grumbled, snatching my hand away.
"Don't be shy! I'm sure we'll get to know each other well quickly." Oikawa said with a smirk as he went back to the line of suitors.
Dear gawd. If things continue like this, I don't think I'm going to be able to choose any of these guys. I sighed loudly, scratching the back of my head. I heard someone clear their throat and gazed over at my father, who shot me a warning look. Yikes, guess that was a bit rude of me…
The third guy came forth and bowed. "I am Kageyama Tobio, an Earl of Karasuno! I am very honoured to be able to meet you, Prince Hinata!" He looked very nice for an earl and his black hair was nicely groomed.
He's a bit too formal, but that's better than what I've seen so far. "Please stand, Kageyama. I'd like to be able to see your face, please!", I ordered. The earl stood and stared me right in the face. I flinched from the intimidating look on his face, but I think he was just super nervous.
"I'm honoured that King Daichi has chosen me to be one of your suitors, prince! I-I hope that you will choose me!" Kageyama declared somewhat loudly, earning him a muffled laughed from a few of those in the room. A light blush of embarrassment appeared on the earl's face.
I also giggled a bit before speaking, "Thank you for being so kind. I look forward to getting to know you." I offered my hand to him with the intention of shaking his hand, but I think he misunderstood because he grabbed it and kissed it awkwardly. Oh my gawd, he's so bashful and it's hilarious.
Kageyama stood back next to the other suitors and the fourth one came forward. He was probably the tallest one there. He wore glasses and his blonde hair was super short. He did not bow; he only glared down at me with his pale golden eyes. "…I came here for this?" he scoffed, pointing down at me. Everything went silent from his rude remark.
"Exuse me?" I returned his glare. How dare this loser talk to me like that!
"Oh, so you can't hear either? Man, you must be useless…", the tall suitor grumbled.
Suddenly, stomping came from behind me. Tanaka grabbed the suitor's collar and got up in his face. "Who the hell do you think you are, speaking to the prince like that? You should feel freaking honoured to even be here, you shitty boy!" the knight yelled angrily.
The tall suitor smirked. "Pfft, can't you pronounce your words right? It sounded like you said 'city boy'." he laughed.
Uh oh. Wrong move, dude. Tanaka seemed like he was about to strangle the guy right then and there. Whelp, looks like I'll only have four suitors to choose from now.
Daichi stood and slammed his scepter on the marble floor. "Tanaka! I will not tolerate your rudeness! If you cannot calm down, then you must excuse yourself from the room!" my father ordered. The knight let go of the tall suitor and stomped back into his earlier spot. The suitor laughed under his breath. "And you! If you continue your behaviour, you can be dismissed back to your father." Daichi cast down a scary look upon the suitor, who flinched from the menacing presence of my father.
Gathering back his composure, the tall suitor came over to me and bowed this time. "I'm Tsukishima Kei, a bishop of the Karasuno church. I'm honoured to be here."
This dude couldn't sound any more sarcastic if he tried. "Thanks for coming." I muttered, not pleased that I'd have to continue dealing with this jerk. He said nothing more and went to where he had been standing before he caused a shit talking battle.
The last suitor came before me and bowed meekly. His hair was longer than everyone else's and it had been dyed except for the roots. "I, um, I'm Kenma Kozume. I'm the prince of Nekoma." he spoke quietly. He also seemed nervous and was fidgeting with his fingers.
"Oh, so you're a prince too?" I grabbed his hands, ecstatic to meet another prince, "That's so cool! I'm sure we could be friends!" I smiled brightly. Kenma nodded and a small smile appeared. I think I already kinda like him. He seems nice! The other prince shuffled back to his spot.
My father stood to address me, along with the suitors. "Now that you've all met one another, there are a few things I'd like to discuss. First of all, if Hinata has a serious problem with a suitor; he is allowed to dismiss them home. Secondly, no sexual activity without Hinata's consent. I will personally see to it that you are punished for this offense," Daichi's face had probably the most terrifying expression I've ever seen, "And lastly, Hinata is the one who decides his partner. Not me. So I'm not the one you should be appealing to. I do hope you take this and him seriously. That's all. You are all dismissed." All five suitors exited the room together, while I was escorted out by Tanaka.
Once back in my room, I threw myself on my bed and stared up at my ceiling. To be honest, I had no idea who I was gonna pick. Kuroo was a bit forward, Oikawa seemed super creepy, Kageyama wasn't too bad, Tsukishima is definitely a jerk, and Kenma…well, he was kinda cute actually. But none of that was enough to go ahead and decide which of them was better. I guess I'll just have to get to know them…
Just what exactly was I thrown into?