Me: Sorry if the dialogues are a bit more old-fashioned. It works out anyways.

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Normal POV!

A long, long time ago, in the Kingdom called Yuuei, lived a royal family loved by all.

The king, a man named Midoriya Hisashi who had earned the title 'All For One,' having been known for putting all of his energy and efforts for the better of the kingdom, was a kind albeit fearsome leader. Alongside him is his wife, Inko, who had been known as a benevolent queen.

And, of course, their son; Izuku, a little green-haired boy turning seventeen in a few months, aspiring to become a knight rather than a king, much to Hisashi's displeasure.

And all that because of Yagi Toshinori, more so known as the mightiest knight in the entire kingdom - a key figure in winning wars from enemy kingdoms.

All For One bestowed him the name "Mighty Knight," ignoring his wife's suggestion to call him "All Might" instead, much to the knight's mortification.

But it can't be helped. Wise he may be, but Hisashi has his petty moments, despite how much he denies it. In his defense, stealing his son's admiration from him is a reasonable offense to the king, especially when his son has practically abandoned his duties as a future ruler and instead chose to focus on training to be a knight.

His dearest wife, Inko, had seemed fine with their son's decision, opting to support his interest instead. "Besides," she had said, comfortingly. "This does not mean Izuku will not be king in the future, dear. Rather, isn't this an exciting opportunity? Being king will leave our son susceptible to attacks. Learning to fight will bring no harm to his role as king."

Reluctantly, Hisashi had agreed. But the king had faith in his soldiers, especially having Shimura Tenko, grandson of Captain Shimura Nana, as the upcoming general once Yagi retires, and found no need for Izuku to undergo such training.

Personally, Hisashi prefers Izuku to retain the same kindness he got from his mother, but to also learn practicality from his sharp mind and strategic thinking. He knows how capable his son is, yes, but that does not mean Hisashi will agree with his ambitions. He's seen Izuku's sparring matches with Bakugou Katsuki, son of Mitsuki and Masaru, leaders of the Drakonian tribe allied with their kingdom. He's seen his son, his soft boy overflowing with kindness, beaten to the ground until he's bloody, and then he'd smile.

Hisashi adores seeing his family smile, but never in a hundred years did he think that he would see them smile in his nightmares.

But alas, Midoriyas are known to be quite stubborn individuals, and so if anyone asks, Hisashi had no other choice but to resort to underhanded measures.

Like right now…

"Again?" Inko asks, her hands subconsciously moving to her chest as she gazes at the group of soldiers in front, receiving defeated nods in reply.

"Yes, your majesty." Yagi, the Mighty Knight, replies solemnly. He is slumping, gaze downwards, feeling defeated (as he should be).

Green eyes flick to his direction, as though hearing his thoughts, but Hisashi fights down a smirk as he stares at the sullen group of soldiers by their throne. "I see…" he nods, watching in silent satisfaction as the blond knight clenches his fist, beating himself up over what had occurred, most probably. "While I understand that there had been no way to predict an ambush, I placed my trust in you to protect my son."

Inko looks at him disapprovingly, but her focus was more on her son being in danger than the feeling of sympathy towards the knights. Izuku, her beloved son, had been on his way to visit the Drakonian tribe to stay there for a week, training with Katsuki whom he had grown up with. For the past few days, All Might (she refuses to get involved in her husband's petty business) and his squadron has been getting ambushed whenever his group is assigned to protect the kingdom's prince. It would have been more accurate to say that Izuku is the target had the attacks not been happening only when All Might is involved.

Suffice to say, suspicion is plaguing Inko.

"Forgive us, your majesty." Aizawa speaks up, bowing his head, his face stern and unreadable. "It will not happen again."

"So you say…" musing, Hisashi notes in satisfaction the brief moment of irritation that appeared on the younger knight's face. "Nevertheless, you have failed your duty as knights."

The squadron flinches, but their gaze remains hard and steady towards the floor. Inko moves to protest, but Hisashi raises his hand to stop anyone from interrupting him.

"Find out who is responsible for these attacks." he says, waving them off to end the ordeal. "Dismissed."

They leave, Yamada and Kayama grumbling as they do. Yagi does not look at them as he turns, while Aizawa gives a considering look to the king but leaves along with his group.

"It is disappointing that even our strongest knights are unable to capture these attackers." Hisashi sighs, feeling his wife's eyes on him. "But it can't be helped, I suppose." he meets Inko's look with a straight face. "This group seems to be persistent, after all."

He leaves the throne room without looking back.

Had he looked, he would've seen the thoughtful expression on the queen's face.

~•~

Three nights later, All For One wakes to a dagger on his neck and his wife missing from the bed.

The assailant, shrouded in darkness, leaps away when Hisashi makes a move to swipe at —him, from what the figure entails— using the knife he always hides under his pillow. Almost as soon as the unknown figure backs away, the door slams open and in comes the knights stationed right outside the royal bedroom. Immediately, the assassin is subdued, Shimura Tenko entering soon after to take charge of the acquired prisoner as the king fumes on his empty bed.

"What is the meaning of this?" he snarls, both towards the enemy and his guards.

One of them, Nishiya Shinji, opens his mouth in defense. "There had been no sounds of a break in, sire."

"That is not what I am asking." Hisashi snaps, irate as the knight and his companion, Takeyama Yuu, cower as they lose face. Hisashi does not care. He turns to Shimura, anger flashing in his eyes in the darkness of the bedroom. "I want to know why some lowly assassin managed to enter my room."

The entire room tensed, the air turning suffocating as red eyes darkened at the prospect of having his family endangered. Surveying his surroundings, his brows twitch at the brief flash of panic that ran through his mind. "And where is my wife?"

"I am here, dear husband." as regal as ever, Inko enters the room wearing her nightgown, a book in one hand showing that she must have been at the library during the act, much to Hisashi's comfort. He let himself relax, knowing that no harm had fallen on his wife. Their son, the prince, luckily is still staying with the Bakugou's, safe and sound.

Turning towards the intruder, who the king definitely did not forget, he glowers, saying in a commanding voice. "Take him to the dungeons." then, to Tenko, "Find out who sent him."

"There will be no need for that." Inko says, calm and collected as her husband turns to her so fast, he might've gotten a whiplash.

"Inko, this is not the time for you to be compassionate to someone who attempted to harm—!"

"There will be no need." Inko repeats, eyes flashing as she meets his glare, announcing in an almost scathing tone, "I was the one who sent him."

The room quiets, the knights falling under a tense silence as the king gapes at the smaller woman. Inko ignores them, turning to Shimura as she smiles. "Tenko, please release Akaguro-san. Akaguro-san, thank you for your assistance. You are now dismissed."

Reluctant, Shimura obeys. As grateful as he is that the king gave him a place in the army, Inko was like a mother to him when his own family passed. While his loyalty stays with the king, his devotion to the queen is another story.

Akaguro Chizome, the newly identified assailant, stands quietly, nodding at the queen as he leaves, but not before sharing a stare-off with the guards as he walks by.

Once he is gone, Hisashi stares at the knights. "Leave."

Suddenly, it was just husband and wife.

"Inko," Hisashi starts, exasperated as he looks at his wife evenly. "Why."

It is not a question, but a demand.

Still, Inko remains unfazed. "You started it."

"I —what? Since when—?!"

"Don't think I don't know who's been sending attacks after attacks at Yagi-san's group, dear husband." eyes narrowing, Inko crosses her arms, lifting her head to stare down the taller of the two. "You never compliment our enemies, especially when our son is involved."

"This group seems to be persistent, after all."

All For One groans, commending and cursing his wife's intelligence at the same time in his head as he rushes to explain. "Inko, you must understand. It is for Izuku's own good."

"Own good?" there is a lilt in her tone that suggests he'd said the wrong thing. "Own good?! How is putting our son's life in danger for his own good?! Hisashi, are you out of your mind?!" Inko cries, uncrossing her arms as she starts pacing the room. "I knew you were against Izuku's ambition, but not to this extent." she snaps her head towards him, and Hisashi jolts, beads of sweat forming on his temple as he tries to keep his composure under his wife's wrath. "You dare put his life on the line, Hisashi? You dare? Out of some petty reason such that he admires Yagi more than you?"

"Inko—!"

"Do not 'Inko' me, you undercooked root vegetable!"

He —what?

His wife ignores him as she resumes her tirade. "I know you've had your disagreements, but all I asked was to leave Izuku on his own, didn't I? I asked that you give him some time. Let him be, let him follow his dreams. He cannot leave his duties as a prince, as a future ruler! Instead you chose to meddle by sending enemies to our son?!" almost hysterically, Inko zooms into Hisashi's face, holding a glare that even he hadn't seen before. "Have you gone mad, Hisashi?"

"I know I didn't go about it correctly," Inko scoffs at that, but he continues. "But I assure you, this will not happen again." resolutely, he holds the queen's hands and places them on his chest — a promise. "It was my mistake for letting my emotions get the best of me. I did not intend to hurt you like that." meeting Inko's eyes while anger swirls in her green is a hard task, but Hisashi does not relent. "And I apologize if my actions have worried you, and Izuku because of my moment of foolishness." hugging her, he whispers as sincerely as he was able, "will you ever forgive me, my love?"

His wife remains silent, but eventually, she pulls back, Hisashi hesitantly letting her go. Standing back, Inko looks at him in the eye as she says with clarity:

"No."

Gaping, the great All For One is left flabbergasted on the bed as the smaller one turns her back.

She continues, "You are going to stay in this room until you have thought long and hard about your actions, and the possible consequences it brings to my son and our squadrons. From the trauma you may have given Izuku, to the drop in morale in our soldiers. You will not leave this room until you've repented. I will handle your duties for the meantime, and the servants will deliver your meals."

Harrumphing, Inko adds, "When Izuku returns, you will express your heartfelt regret. And I will not accept any half-hearted apologies. I want to see you grovel. Not just to Izuku, but for the soldiers you've endangered as well. Do I make myself clear?"

All For One gulps. "Y–yes, dear." he says, although hesitant. There goes his dignity.

"Good."

And that was the end of that.

Inko leaves the room as proud as she entered in satisfaction.

Hisashi is left to stew in silence, cowed.

~•~

OMAKE:

What Inko wouldn't know is that All For One's punishment will only add to the trauma of all of his petty revenge's victims, giving them more reason to stay away from the royal family during one of their quarrels.

Izuku is an exception, only learning that even a proud king must bow and apologize for his wrongs.

The rest only learn how fearsome the queen could be, especially a mother whose child is endangered.

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Me: Uh, this was a bit rushed since I knew nothing about this era. LMAO So anyways, hope you liked it anyways. This is the one and only PhoenixNinja101, signing out!

Inko: Don't forget - the author now has a link to a discord server (tdNdHA9).

Me: Oh yeah, xD Uhm... please remember that it's NEW.

~~~CHAO!~~~