Chapter 1

Warning: HideKane (top Hide, bottom Kaneki), (Touka x Yoriko), slow burn, gay,

Disclaimer: I don't own Tokyo Ghoul

The guards kicked his shins, forcing him on his knees before the infamous Ghoul Prince. His kingdom, Kamii, had lost to the roguish fiends. He had been taken as, he assumed, a war prize. Otherwise, he would've been fed to their young or their nobles. However, it seemed as his time had come. He knew it would, yet hoped for a painless death. That much he can ask for, right?

This though, he'd rather a demise filled with terror than this. Bowing to his country's murderers. Shameful!

"Do not think your royal blood excuses you. You will still kneel before the Prince of Anteiku!" A woman said. Short, blue hair. Currently, her kagune was out, appearing as wing-like, though the other side seemed unfinished.

The nobles snickered, whispering among themselves, however falling silent when she spoke again, "We are giving you a chance, human. Your answer greatly affects the tides of the war."

"What change will it bring?" Hide spat out, tears welling up in his eyes, "You've killed the King and Queen of Kamii, my people, my friends… Everyone is-"

"Well and alive, but it depends on your answer."

Hide froze. Both at the answer and to the voice who did. He looked at the Ghoul prince, wide-eyed, unsure of what to say.

Alive? Everyone? All this time? When he was grieving in the dungeons, thinking of death, they had been alive? What could they want from him? How was his decision supposed to save them? What would become of him? It must be a lie! It has to be. Everything sounded too good to be true.

But the fact that the prince of Anteiku bothered to answer himself, surely, there was some truth to their words?

"Well?" The woman said.

No, it didn't matter anymore. So long as the Kingdom of Kamii still rises, his fate could very well be damned.

"I accept," Hide said.

"Ho, ho, ho!" One of the nobles laughed. "It's got guts! Not even bothering to hear the contract, boy?" He sneered.

At this, Hide faltered, but slightly. With his back straight and his pride still intact, he looked at the Ghoul prince in the eyes and said, "I will accept. As long as you promise that my kingdom and its people get the freedom they deserve."

The prince leaned forward from the throne where he sat and said, "Very well. Then my only request is for you to make no fuss and shed no tear."

Hide almost snorted. Request? Demand is more believable! And though the mention of tears scared him, he said, "I promise."

"Well then, Hideyoshi Nagachika, Prince of Kamii," The blue-haired woman said, "You are now, officially, engaged to Kaneki Ken, Prince of Anteiku! May this relationship bring our people closer than ever!"

...

The wedding had been grand, though loveless. The irony; many believed he would marry a beautiful, love-filled, understanding marriage. What with all the women from all over praising his chivalry and good will, who would've thought he'd end like this?

His people had been clearly displeased at the turn of events. When the nobles went up to the "couple" to give their regards, he couldn't look them in the eye. Looking back, he knew he agreed out of weakness and desperation. As a prince, he should've stayed strong; should've held on. Now, there's nothing he can do.

At least, he wasn't made to wear a dress. However, both grooms had worn Anteiku's traditional marriage suits, not at all giving Hide the liberty to wear his home's wedding attire. It ached to know the marriage garb from generations of Kings will never be worn by him. The honor it held was immeasurable and Hide was devastated. And he showed it gravely, not one to hide as opposed to his name.

Meanwhile, the people of Anteiku seemed only too happy to know that their kingdom had a hand in Hide's people's forlorn. A few were indifferent, but plenty sent mocking eyes his way.

His friends and family, thankfully, were safe. It was relieving to know the Ghoul prince had kept his end of the bargain along with his word. Fortunately, they didn't seem too disappointed in him either, which was all he could wish for.

He barely remembered his wedding night. Nothing coming about it but sleep, tire, and boredom.

He was a sacrifice. A voluntary sacrifice, an offering, to the ghouls. He was nothing short of a mere trophy, but at least his efforts were not in vain.

Will be his thoughts from then onward, every time, before he went to bed.

...

"How are you, Your Highness?" Yoriko, Hide's attendant said. A smile, one of the few genuine ones he received from Anteiku, on her lips.

They were on the gazebo, one of the few places Hide was allowed to roam. Lush dove white flowers, native to Anteiku, surrounded them. Hide was grateful for such beauty as it allowed him to relax. It's been months since their marriage and the weather was pretty humid. There had been no honeymoon, why, Hide couldn't say. Rain had been pelting relentlessly the past couple of days, the dew still present on the vegetation.

Hide hummed in reply to Yoriko, "Oh?" She went, "Your Highness must be in a bad mood if you're being so quiet." She leaned near his face, her orange hair almost touching his nose.

Hide laughed, rubbing his tickled nose, "I was just in thought, nothing more."

She moved away, "Your Highness in thought? How dangerous."

Hide pouted, " Yoriko, you're so mean… Off with your head!"

Yoriko laughed along with him, setting down the tray she'd been carrying, "Breakfast is served, Your Highness."

Hide paused, hopeful, then said, "Yoriko, I want you to call me by my name, Hide."

"That's completely inappropriate." Was the immediate reply.

Hide's heart dropped. Nothing against Yoriko, who was surprisingly human, but he yearned for the days when people treated him normally. Yoriko brought that after he asked for it to be so, but the never-ending formality was unwelcome.

"Please? Nobody's around."

Yoriko hesitated, "Alright, H-Hide."

Hide laughed.

"Don't tease me! I'm not used to calling you that!"

"Oh come one. A stutter? And I thought you always held your poise." He laughed.

"Just eat your breakfast, Your Highness."

"Okay, now that was petty."

She stuck her tongue out at him, to which he replied in sameness.

"You're such a child," Yoriko scolded, shaking her head despite being the same.

Instead of calling her out on her hypocrisy, Hide said, "You've outdone yourself, Yoriko." after taking multiple bites off his meal of pot roast and boiled eggs.

"Oh, you're too kind, Your Highness-"

"Hide."

She sighed, "You're too kind, Hide." Though those words left her mouth, she couldn't hide the swelling pride in her tone which Hide caught pretty easily. It saddened him as he knew the circumstances she's in; surrounded by ghouls eating flesh of man while she bears to cook a normal meal in the same room.

"I might get in trouble for calling you that, you know." Yoriko thought aloud.

"I'm sorry." Hide said softly, realizing how selfish his request was. He was only thinking of himself, forgetting about Yoriko and the consequences she will face if she got caught talking to him informally.

Yoriko panicked, "N-no! It's quite alright, I just worry sometimes is all."

"I'm sorry still… For failing you. Failing everyone." Every memory came crashing back to Hide as soon as the words left him. His parents, how disappointed must they be really? And his friends, do they miss him? Or do they mock him for his stupidity? Just how far gone has he been in his foolishness that he doesn't even notice the smallest things such as Yoriko getting reprimanded for his demands?

Yoriko crouched beside Hide and clasped his hand, bringing him out of his stupor "Hide, I know you did your best. Everyone did and everyone knows. There will come a day when your previous glory will return."

"How is my life supposed to return to what it once was when I'm chained here, by law?" Hide said with forlorn.

"I didn't say your former life, I said your previous glory. There's a difference." Yoriko said, finally making to stand up.

Hide smiled a small smile, "Thank you, Yoriko."

Yoriko simply nodded, "Now, finish your breakfast."

After Hide talked Yoriko's ears off about the oncoming Appreciation Ball for the returning Queen of Anteiku, Rize, (which Yoriko regretted asking about) Hide retired to his room where he was usually expected and ordered to stay for most of his time.

However, Hide was suddenly spiked with curiosity and looked around the rooms near Kaneki's and his. A quick detour, if you will. Barely any people passed by their wing and he heard rumors of ghosts, that scared even ghouls, haunted that part. Though, if Hide were to be honest, he'd suspect Kaneki was the one responsible for the bare passerbys.

Truth be told, Hide hadn't upon his husband since their wedding day and the last he heard of his voice was when he told Hide his people were safe. It didn't bother Hide but it piqued his interest just a smidgen. He has inquired from Yoriko and other ghouls (who found the rather talkative prince very annoying) but it seems the Ghoul prince was but a mystery.

Hide sometimes wondered if the man was real at all and often found himself wondering and forgetting if he was a wedded man.

He opened the door to the room next to theirs and was surprised to find a very not-too-modest library. He stood, awed. Who knew this blunder was just beside their room? Now, he didn't hate reading, but he wasn't entirely a fan either. It was just a surprise to know its existence was swept under the carpet from him.

He sighed, honestly why didn't they give him a tour?

"Prince Nagachika?"

Hide jumped at the voice and turned around. A tall man he recognized stood before him, a glare present in his eyes. After roaming unattended, unsupervised, and without consent around the citadel, Hide has gotten punishments and is familiar with the faces of some influential powers in the kingdom that come and visit.

One of which was Tsukiyama, who Hide found out was one of the many that pined for his husband. Why, he hadn't a clue. He wondered if Tsukiyama hated him for that. The man had dark purple, neat hair. His kagune wasn't present but Hide has seen it on occasion.

"You're not supposed to be here," He said, lip in a tight line. "If anything, during this time aren't you supposed to be in your room?" He said with purpose.

Hide chose to alleviate the tension and said, "Aww, but it gets so boring in there-"

"And that matters, why?"

"I mean, I-"

"You should be in your room."

Hide's brows furrowed, "I understand, but you can't expect me to-"

"Expect you to what, exactly?"

Hide can only clench his fist and smile awkwardly.

Tsukiyama sighed exaggeratedly, "What a wonder that the prince has yet complained about you."

Hide knew this would anger him, but said anyway, "You mean, Kaneki?"

WHACK!

The hit came so fast it took a minute before Hide could pull his bearings. He slowly turned his head to Tsukiyama who was merely pulling at his coat to tidy it. He huffed at Hide, saying with cold eyes, "Never mention His Highness' name. Ever."

Hide wanted to confront him for his action, but he was too stunned. A croak being as much as he could muster.

"Ah yes," Tsukiyama said, as though what he did never happened, "you have important guests to dine with later this afternoon, right your Highness? I believe you're familiar with the celebrity couple in Anteiku and Kamii?"

Still very much in shock, Hide just stared at Tsukiyama, wondering in his head if this man is serious. Hurting a royal is a major offense! Does he even realize the weight of what he had done? Are all ghouls like this? Or are they like that only to humans? Did they treat Yoriko likewise? Or was this merely something Tsukiyama does? Is he mental?

With all the questions in his head, Hide never caught wind of any word Tsukiyama uttered. Barely catching words like west, the celebrity Kimi, tea, and weather. Without a care, Tsukiyama turned on his heels and left.

Hide shook his head and pulled himself together when Tsukiyama said, "Get back to your room." before walking away, out of sight.

Though Hide was upset at not only being hit, but by being ordered by a noble lower than him, he still returned to the shared room. Now, usually he hated when rank and power came into a discussion as he can care less about it, but respect is respect!

He made an agreement to himself that if Tsukiyama doesn't change his attitude, he'll have to have him reprimanded. And if that doesn't work, then he will face him with as much respect as he gives Hide.

However, he didn't return to the room empty handed. Hide sneakily snatched a book from one of the brown shelves and brought it with him for entertainment. Hide sighed, "To think I've come to a point where I'm depending on books for fun." And with that, he read a book by Sen Tatsumaki.

...

When afternoon rolled by, Hide waited for someone to come escort him as he expected them to (all his roaming around without permission has not given him a good face). For some reason, time passed, nobody came, and he wondered if they even remembered him at all or if they rescheduled it.

More time passed and someone slammed the doors open, who turned out to be Yoriko. She looked haggard and out of breath, and when she saw Hide sitting there, her stance turned panic-stricken.

She stammered, "H-ave y-y-you been here this e-entire t-time?"

Hide stood, "Yes, I thought someone will-"

"Hide," she cut him off, "They've been waiting for you about five minutes now."

Dread settled in the pit of Hide's stomach, "What?" he croaked.

"Hurry! We don't have time to lose!"

"But I-"

"I've told them you had diarrhea…" She blushed.

Hide pale, "You what!"

"I panicked!"

Hide dashed through the halls. Saying repeatedly, "West wing, after two lefts then right. West wing, after two lefts then wing, after two lefts then right…" Which were the instructions given to him by Yoriko.

"Yoriko is a damn angel," he thought.

He passed by pearly halls flaunting exquisite furniture and possessions. Intricate glass chandeliers and large windows lit his way. Sometimes, he passed by a ghoul or two and none bothered him, which was a start to him.

He skidded to a stop in front two guards, their kagune out and ready. Hide paused to catch his breath, then entered the room. The guards sent him not-so-friendly glares. The room was one of the elegant parlors, one Hide wasn't allowed to enter.

Until now, apparently.

The walls were made of dark wood, the furniture matching too, with light brown cushions. Green curtains gave the room some color as well as the diamond blue chandelier that hung center of the room. Hide was grateful for quite the new atmosphere.

He glanced at Kimi, the famous star in Kamii who wore a sky blue, strap dress. Her hair was short but styled well, complementing her brown eyes. He blushed. Both because of her beauty and because he remembered what Yoriko excused for his absence.

"My apologies," he said, taking a seat, "That was extremely rude."

"Oh, not at all," Kimi said sweetly, "We all go through that problem once in a while."

Hide blushed harder, not knowing if that was possible.

"Yeah, problems like that are hard to let out," Hide said, producing a laugh from Kimi and a snort from Nishiki who wore, what Hide guessed, Anteikus's latest fashion.

It was then that he noticed Kaneki, the Ghoul prince, the Prince of Anteiku, and also his husband. This would be what he considered their second meeting after their marriage. Unlike Nishiki, he wore a more modest, formal attire of Anteiku.

To his surprise, Kaneki talked more often than he gave him credit for. Commenting on the couple, asking questions, and answering some himself. Of course, Hide as well didn't hide the fact that he blabbered more than he chewed, talking about anything and cracking a joke here and there.

To his shock and relief, Kimi talked about Kamii plenty and told him of the developments and changes it has gone through. She talked about the new powers that took place of the traitors, a new school being made for people needing special attention, and of the various scandals caused by, well, people.

At times, he could tell she ended up unsure whether the information she was sharing was acceptable or too much, and he could tell when she was holding information back. It saddened him not to know the exact events that were happening, but he was overjoyed at at least hearing something from Kamii.

It made him feel deeply rooted and connected still to his homeland. He made sure to tell Yoriko about it later.

"Yes, but I heard you have a new penthouse, yes?" Kaneki said, driving the conversation away.

"Yes." Nishiki said, "But there have been some issues…"

And their conversation flowed from his home back to the couple in a snap.

He glanced at his husband and wondered if he did it on purpose. Problem is, he couldn't tell what ran through Kaneki's head. Were the phrases from him truly genuine? He didn't seem amused by Hide's jokes either which offended Hide; he considered funny as his middle name! He never quirked a smile at all throughout their discussions.

After finishing their meal (an unknown but obvious platter for the ghouls and fish and chips for Hide and Kimi), Kaneki offered them a tour of the Palace Gardens which Kimi gushed about and Hide was curious for. Again, he's never allowed to venture there as it was on the opposite wing. Of course, he has wanted to go since the first day he's stayed at the citadel.

The stories he'd hear of its beauty made him intrigued. Plus, it would be splendid to be somewhere other than the gazebo and his stinking room.

"Oh, I'm so excited! I've never been there before," Kimi kept saying.

"You and me both," Hide mumbled.

As the group were about to head off, Kaneki grabbed Hide's arm, stopping him. Hide turned to him with a raised brow.

"You're not allowed there."

Hide paused for a long time and then stopped the lump in his throat. Indeed the exception was anything but. What made him think they'd allow him more room to roam? He simply nodded, "Ah. It seems the problem earlier came back again." He forced a chuckle.

Kimi stared at him wistfully, "It will have been nice if you join us…"

"What a shame," Nishiki said, though he didn't sound as upset as Kimi.

"Go on. You'd love it, I'm sure." Hide assured.

Kimi smiled back, squeezed his shoulder and whispered, "Chin up, love."

"This way," Kaneki said.

And he watched their backs head off to the garden.

...

Days passed and the Appreciation Ball was drawing near. Anteiku was very visibly excited; everywhere Hide walked (which wasn't many, just the gazebo and his room) there was something going on: a maid carrying bouquets of flowers, footmen bringing heavy carts to somewhere, guards barking out orders, servants sweeping and wiping four times a day, or nobles bustling around. It was very chaotic, but Hide found himself welcoming it since it brought about a whole 'nother atmosphere.

He finished the book he borrowed- stole- prior and was shocked and rather proud of himself for doing so. Not to mention the fact that nobody has yet caught him with it, though it's not like anybody batted a lash when it came to him unless he was causing trouble.

Once again, he hasn't seen his husband ever since their meeting with Kimi and Nishiki. Hide longed for Kimi as a companion. Yes, Yoriko was there, but like him, she isn't updated about the going-ons at Kamii. Kimi, on the other hand…

Hide sighed. He was sitting on his bed, facing the window opposite the door and watching anything that passed outside. Mostly birds and such. Anteiku, unsurprisingly, has more fauna thriving than in Kamii. Most Hide has never seen until living there. A blue bird with a green beak perched atop a branch in front the window. It preened its feathers, then took flight. Hide watched in envy as its wings brought it to far away.

Finally, he couldn't take the boredom and stepped outside carefully. Though rarely did anybody come to their wing, being cautious never hurt anyone.

Wanting to return the book he snatched, he tip-toed over to the next room, opening it as quietly as possible as though everyone could hear him. Closing it gently, he walked over to the shelves and tried his hardest to remember where he grabbed it from. Deciding on taking a chance, he elected to just place the book on the first space he saw.

He doubted anybody came here. It was clean and polished, but struck him as untouched.

He walked a sliver across the room, searching for that empty space. He stopped, quickly finding it, and was about to slide the book back in its place when something caught his eye.