The early morning rising over the imperial palace was accompanied by the signature sounds of something hitting wood, hitting a hundred pound bag of swinging sand and the occasional scratch of a quill pen, moving rapidly on parchment.
Crown Prince Izuku Midoriya sat down under the veranda in the back courtyard of the prince's palace, half clothed and covered in sweat. His top outer robes had been discarded, save for his white under robe for his daily regimen of training. He was taking a quick breather from taking a hundred well placed punches and kicks to the sandbag hanging from a tall pole in the courtyard. His top knot loosened, releasing some of his wild, unruly hair and the curly mess he called bangs, matted to his forehead.
In between his training sessions, he put in time for his lessons. There was no time of the day that one wouldn't catch the young prince hard at work in either training his body or training his mental. Since he was little, Izuku always had dreams of joining the emperor's imperial army. There was no country quite like his own, that had a history of their rulers, putting their own lives on the line to protect their home.
Even after the war several years prior, Yuuei remained a powerful stronghold and a safe place to live, compared to most of its neighbors. At least the mainland saw low petty crimes, the areas near the border nations was another story. No country was without its downsides but the civil unrest and high crime near certain hot spots at the borders have been a major concern.
Izuku would have to be an idiot not to correlate the rising crime to the stepping down of his majesty, Emperor All Might. It was just another drop in a long stream of things to worry his sweet mother to tears. He didn't like admitting that no one took his mother serious, but even he could see the appeal that going from two powerhouse monarchs to a soft mousy woman with no strong will meant the less savory of society were emboldened to think they can roam free without repercussions.
Not that they got far if caught but Izuku understands the power of symbolism and just the strong presence the Minister of War invoked in people when he was still the emperor. On a fundamental level he understands why his majesty chose his mother, it still baffles him that he never reclaimed his title back. He was well within his right to do so. Inko would have given the throne back over without question once they knew he was going to survive the war.
To Izuku, there had been nobody braver and stronger than his majesty! His mother had colored his world and view of his majesty as an impenetrable force that never loses. Regaled to him fanciful tales of heroic duty on the battlefield, the honor in self-sacrifice to protect their home from invading enemies. It was only natural then as a young boy that saw his father every once in a blue moon, even back then before his mother's ascension that he would latch onto the second best thing for a role model. The boy that had once been an awkward country bumpkin was inspired to follow in his idol's footsteps.
That had been the dream, to be so young and to feel like he found a purpose, a goal to attain in life and in the end, have his dreams come crashing down. At such a young age, Izuku was told by the physician who made frequent visits to the village where he used to live; that he was among a small percentage of people that did not have a quirk to speak of.
Izuku simply didn't have enough spiritual energy to call forth any special powers, like most people with quirks. His spirit energy was just enough for him to connect with his spiritual animal and call on the abilities of the creature, not that many expected much out of someone with a spirit that manifests as a weak black cottontail. Refusing to be discouraged from his dream in spite of people's opposition, Kacchan and his cronies being a regular pain in the ass and his mother, walking a fine line between trying to support his dreams and being realistic with him, Izuku's drive to become a great imperial soldier grew and so did his obsession with famous lieutenants, captains, colonels and even low ranking garrison officers, part of the royal army.
After all, there are many people in this world with animal theme quirks, Izuku thought if he tried hard enough, maybe honing his rabbit spirit would grant him results. After almost breaking his neck once, taking years off his mother's life, and realizing that there was a great difference between having an animal spirit and having an animal theme quirk, Izuku nixed the idea, though he stayed stubborn in his goal to become an imperial soldier.
As he got older, Izuku spent every precious silver coin, painstakingly collecting every book, every scroll, recording the great feats of the mighty emperor! If there were cheap imitation robes created of the emperor's many heroic royal armors, Izuku was there, first in line to snag the latest edition of Emperor All Might merch! Collectible trading cards, a hot commodity that was shared from the lands far, far west across the seas that are hard to come by? You better believe Izuku was going to scavenge the ends of the earth for every new set that came out. He even haggled an officer once to get his hands on an edict, written by the emperor himself, calling for all eligible young men and women to join the royal academy to be certified for the imperial army!
So what he had been seven at the time! It wasn't every day, Izuku, a regular child at the time, got the chance to see the official handwriting of the Emperor! A lot of the edicts he learned from his mother were actually written by his majesty's advisors, with him only given his seal to approve them. (Back then he always wondered how she knew this; their family never personally met the emperor before the empress's ascension). Izuku had been happy with his prize and delighted that the words written there had been just as boisterous and larger than life as he imagined the monarch to be!
That had been one rare, Emperor All Might collectible he never shared with Kacchan. Knowing the explosive German Shepherd, Bakugou in a fit of childish jealousy would have tried to take it and if he couldn't take it by force, he would've ripped the announcement to shreds or watch it burn…or both. Izuku, the powerless rabbit he was…is, would've been forced to watch the edict burn in front of his face with big fat tears and feeling anger he couldn't stop Bakugou from being an ass without facing a beatdown. Izuku counted his luck, that he had been venturing around the town square by himself that day.
These days, Izuku showed that edict proudly without fear, hanging on the wall, facing the doorway to his public family room, reserved for guests. Years later and it still was a small joy, watching the face of his tormentor, somewhat rival, and now one of his personal bodyguards, turn into an agitated scowl, over the fact that Izuku managed to hide something from him all these years.
Izuku really shouldn't feel a sense of joy over, purposely getting Bakugou in trouble, it was his own fault. The guy's not an idiot, Izuku concluded Bakugou's attitude towards him had to be the accumulation of angry stubbornness, petty spite, and knee-jerk familiarity to snarl and bark at Izuku without a thought. Katsuki's life would go smoother if he'll just remember the person he rages at had the dangerous power to end it by just the utterance of a command.
Lucky for him, Izuku's revenge against the angry pup was more childish than wanting Katsuki beheaded because he offended him in some way. No, better to let his tormentor/rival live and suffer breaking palace and royal academy rules whenever Izuku's rabbit spirit felt threatened for his life. It wasn't like, getting young master Iida, the head royal guard of his bodyguards to order Katsuki to clean the horse stables for a week was a harsh punishment. But it was the small things that counted.
He snickered at his own thoughts. Who says, you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Because Katsuki unknowingly was being trained by the prince to get better control of his anger. Either that or Bakugou was maturing, or Izuku was giving him too much credit so soon.
Izuku put his quill down, resting his wrist, to prevent hand cramps. He looked over his notes, making sure he didn't miss anything. Green eyes looked over to the opened book in front of him with a neutral expression. A history book, exclusively about the royal imperial family…a family Izuku belonged to by blood, through his mother.
Back when he been eleven, Izuku, still naïve and innocent in many ways of the world, still remembered the day, his life took a sudden turn…
Flashback
The small, secluded village, hidden in the wooded valley didn't see much activity. Ever since the day it was discovered that he had no quirk, Izuku got his excitement by traveling out to the nearest town squares when he heard word from gossiping crowds that famous and powerful soldiers of the army were taking down criminals in the area. Much to the consternation of his mother.
Izuku came prepared to take notes with blank scrolls made with special parchment and a set of three feathered quills, handmade from his mother's feathers he received as a birthday gift. His hand, moving at lightning speed to record every moment his eyes witnessed. With his warrior analyst hobby, Izuku created a skill where he was able to write neat calligraphy while his eyes focused on other things. The new recruit, Private Mount Lady had just made the final blow on a villain with a gigantification quirk, similar to her own.
Satisfied he was able to capture the moment, Izuku left the aftermath of Mount Lady's victory as the citizens crowded around and cheered her on. Still feeling giddy, Izuku hurried home to tell his mother all about what he saw today.
His excitement as he got closer to home was short lived. What appeared to be a large handful of imperial soldiers surrounding his modest home, stopped him in his tracks. His footsteps grew tentative once he saw his mother.
"Mom, what's going on?"
The soft question was loud enough for everyone to hear, heads turning in his direction. Normally, Izuku would have been ecstatic to meet troops in the emperor's army. But all he felt was his rabbit shaking in fear. His face grew red from embarrassment that he could feel his fluffy tail flutter about. His human ears turned next and he felt the black appendages lower on his back.
"Izuku, everything's alright sweetheart," he could tell Inko was just trying to assuage his fears with the smile she forced upon her face.
However, her acknowledgement of him seemed to work, the army of about three hundred gave the boy a wide berth so he could walk up the steps to his home. The stares on him, made his tail flicker wildly, his long ears beginning to turn this way and that from curiosity now that his fear subsided for a moment, standing next to his mother.
"What's going on? Where's dad?" he decided to ask again.
This week was one of those rare times in which, his father, Hisashi had been home. Seeing the man had not come out with his wife, made Izuku frown. Figures his old man was away when something bewildering happens with he and his mother. The troops were starting to cause a commotion among the whispering villagers who kept a distance.
"I'm not quite sure why they are here but your father went to collect some spices for me, he'll be back shortly." Izuku looked disbelieving but said nothing, preoccupied with the imperial army at his doorstep.
An army man decked in armor and colors of a captain came up to the front of the troops. Seeing Izuku's mother however, elicited an immediate response to then, Captain Kamui Woods. He unfurled a scroll made of bright gold and yellow silk, colors of the emperor, reading the royal decree, "It is henceforth from this day onward, that his Imperial Majesty, Emperor All Might, lord of our realm has abdicated the throne and confers, Noble Lady, Countess Inko Midoriya, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Viridian Fire Peony!"
Lowering himself on one knee and bowing low to Inko, the rest of the troops under his command, followed suit, all shouting unanimously, "May my Empress reign and live for ten thousand years!"
Izuku watched his mother stared out in front of her, stunned. She slowly made her way down the steps, walked up to the captain, speechless as her face scrunched up, unable to hold back the sadness. Silent tears fell from her eyes as she paused in front of the still kneeling Kamui Woods, head bow to the ground and hands offering up the royal edict. Inko took the imperial decree, dropping it to the ground, placing her hands on the captain's shoulders, willing him to look her in the eyes.
Hyper focused on the two in front of him, Izuku strained his rabbit ears to hear anything that could be said. He moved to the edge of the top porch step to hear better, green eyes glued on the captain that looked up to his mother. The conferred imperial empress whispered three words, "Alive or dead?"
"Alive…your majesty."
She nodded her head, trying to force a smile on her face and helping Nishiya to his feet. His troops following after their leader. It was a lot of unsaid words within that exchange and Inko was glad the captain knew what she meant.
Taking a deep breath, she wiped her eyes, picking up the dropped edict and headed towards her little boy. She stood over Izuku, only reaching up to her neck. Inko was already a very petite woman, she gave his shoulders a comforting squeeze with a smile that belied her worries.
"Izuku, something very important has come up that involves our family-"
"We're moving away to the palace where Emperor All Might lives."
The matter of fact way Izuku spoke, shocked Inko, making the boy chuckle, feeling embarrassed. His ears lowered and his mother gave him a look. He looked away, pretending he didn't just eavesdrop on the quiet conversation, "I can't exactly ignore the unified shouts of 'her imperial majesty' or the reading of the royal decree."
He frowned, not missing the subtle tear tracks his mother tried to clear from her face, "Does this mean that…is, I mean-" He eavesdropped and his short panic over All Might's demised was relieved but they didn't know the extent of his injuries. His majesty had been out there, fighting the war.
Inko cut him off before Izuku could spiral into thinking the worst, "Alive but we have to soon get ready to move to the capital in order to help the emperor the best way we can."
Somehow, 'help' and 'emperor' were the magic words to refuel Izuku's excitement. Forgone was the realization that his mother was an empress or that his father was a prince consort or even the fact he was now a prince. Izuku's only thought was getting to the downtown square to share and possibly brag to Kacchan that he was going to be living with All Might!
Ignoring his mother's shout of "Izuku!" He hopped and ran, black rabbit ears moving to his excitement to see the Bakugous. Maybe he'll even meet the Uraraka family while there. The few times he's met the nice couple's daughter, she had been the only playmate of Katsuki's that treated him nice and brushed off most of Kacchan's childish tantrums.
Inko gave in, watching a mop of green hair and black ears disappear over the horizon, she looked to the captain, "Captain Kamui Woods, please come in."
"You! You're in charge of keeping watch, you two, follow after the young prince!" Once the sergeant and two privates under his command, saluted him and accepted their tasks, the captain followed after the newly crowned monarch. There was much to be discussed.
As for Izuku?
It wasn't until he got near the Bakugou residence that the possibility of being a distant relative to the Emperor All Might dawned on the fanboy.
Wait…If the emperor made mom an empress does this mean- "Holy crap! I think I'm related to All Might!"
The shock was so intense, the poor child transformed into a tiny rabbit, helpless, laying on the Bakugou family's front porch. Izuku was feeling too many things at once that day to care about whatever Kacchan was yelling about…
End of Flashback
Thinking about it now, the prince considered he had been rather foolish. What the outside world knew and what he's learned after six years behind these grand walls was nothing is as it seems. Seeing his idol, the man he thought undefeated, the man he had learned, shared a common ancestor with him, broken and beaten, close to death's door had shocked him.
Back then he was aware enough to know something was wrong, history often recorded the lives of kings and queens. Most monarchs only got out of their position by death and a new monarch will take the previous one's place. Izuku had no idea the extend of just how bad things were. His mother was conferred imperial empress in a rush because she was the emperor's only living next of kin with a child, an heir to keep the dynasty from total collapse.
Then he learned that wasn't the whole truth. Even an obsessed fanboy like him could miss the glaring detail that his idol had sired an heir and even had a wife to boot. Princess Kiyomi and her estranged mother, the Imperial Noble Consort Begonia. And didn't that just complicate Izuku's eventual fight for the throne?
A self-abdicated monarch demotes himself to one of his oldest position, taking on the title of Lord but allows-demands his wife and child keep their titles. It didn't make any sense other than Lord Yagi being respectful to his wife. Princess Kiyomi, well her father was (and some still think, is) the emperor when she was born. Not to mention, she is the closest in their generation that could inherit One For All. She's still an heir and one with a quirk.
Once again Izuku wonders what in the hell, he and his mother are still doing here? The princess he's come to see as the little sister he'll never have, had been born ill but Izuku's seen her get healthier with every passing year. She was now just shy of her sixteenth birthday and…
Not that he'll ever admit it to Kacchan, the reality was, in all the ways that mattered, Izuku was useless. When it looked like the universe was giving him a break, something, or someone else comes in to snatch whatever hope and courage he gains to feel like he has a purpose. Of course the princess is bound to follow in her father's footsteps. Already lucky to inherit a powerful evolved form of her mother's quirk and now on the verge of being the next successor.
After learning the truth of his origins, instead of being excited, Izuku had become despondent. There had been hope, at first. All the past monarchs who wielded the royal family's prized inheritance, One For All, came into the power by the age of sixteen. For five years, the prince had waited with anxious energy for his sixteenth birthday in hopes of becoming the ninth successor. In that time period, he had taken to his general and diplomatic studies and requested to be taught basic combat training with the other young men enlisted in the royal guard.
When his sixteenth birthday came and went with nothing to show for it, Izuku was upset for a while but still hopeful, he was a late bloomer in everything else, he'll give it a little more time that's all and soon be able to call forth One For All.
Two years later and the crowned prince couldn't deny reality anymore. It was not in his fate to inherit great power. All wasn't lost, he still participated in training his body enough that he could handle low level opponents and he's become very proficient with the little his animal spirit afforded. Besides, without a quirk he was still helping the empire. He was the heir apparent and where he was lacking in physical prowess, he was excelling in diplomacy. There was no way he was going to become a puppet monarch in the future. Like my mother…If I even become the emperor.
Izuku sighs, a little annoyed with himself, allowing his thoughts to spiral. He doesn't resent his little sister, he can't. She's another little chess piece for court politics, a back-up, a plan B in case their plan A, him turns out to be a failure. Every passing day, Izuku thinks he's the back up and the princess is the real plan A.
Izuku knows why he and his mother have stayed even when they didn't have to, it's the accursed Midoriya trait. Their inherent natures to shoulder burdens and responsibilities without expecting anything in return. Borne out of deep rooted loyalty that can be exploited any time. His mother stayed for All Might and because his father was off in the world, someone needs to protect his mother, so he stays.
"Good morning, your highness," a soft familiar voice brought him out of his musings. The ever present tick he got when around those with predatory spirits, made him involuntarily take a step back.
The young man, having taken a long enough break from his regimen, greeted his mother's personal maid. The expressionless raccoon girl, Yui Kodai. She stood still in the same curtsy, waiting on him for orders.
"Good-good morning!" Izuku could feel the heat covering his face already. Eighteen years, about seven years of basic combat training, and most of life being around someone like Katsuki, and he was still a right mess when it came to girls.
Girls in general made him nervous, girls with predatory spirits put him into panic mode, but the ones that made him want to run for the hills were the ones his own spirit saw as a natural enemy. Suffice to say, raccoons and rabbits did not get along.
Yui had not move, remaining quiet and Izuku stared at her, feeling nervous and the need to get away from her grow. The silence was getting to him, and he had no idea what she wanted until it dawned on him that she was probably sent by Inko to summon him.
He mentally kicked himself. You idiot! "Y-you can relax now, Miss Kodai!"
Her face didn't show it, but her body showed she was relieved to relax. He didn't understand why her face grew warm or why she was avoiding looking in his general direction, "Are you alright, M-miss Kodai?"
"You might want to not be underdress when you meet her majesty, she wishes you to visit her in her palace." Both of their faces burned at that, Izuku hastily put on his top outer robe, facing the dark haired girl.
He took a breath, nerves no closer to calming down. Settle down you stupid rabbit! We know her, we know she isn't going to do anything. Miss Kodai is just doing her job! She's human, we're human, it's all good! "L-lead the way, p-please."
Great, and now I've become a stuttering idiot! The heat in his face increases with every second passed.
Yui curtsied once more, turning the way she came with Izuku following behind her. Green eyes couldn't help latching onto the languid sway of a thick two toned fur tail. His face was blazing as he diverted his eyes from her backside while simultaneously freaking out that the raccoon girl was taking him somewhere to sink her little claws into him for dinner.
Miss Kodai is just doing her job, Miss Kodai is just a human who happens to have a raccoon for a spirit animal. Nothing is going to happen, don't look at her tail, keep your eyes up front! Izuku mentally chanted to himself as he followed the girl to his mother's quarters. The rabbit ears popped into existence, and he started pulling on them as the inner monologue grew intense.
It was silent between them, Yui did not try to talk to the prince and Izuku was trying his best not to freak out for being so close to one of his natural enemies. A few more minutes passed by the time both young adults reached the empress's private quarters.
On his way in, Izuku raised an eyebrow at the small chancellor who kowtowed in front of the teal colored building. Lord Nezu looked like he been there for hours, fur and sleep robes dirty and dark eyes more bloodshot than Lord Aizawa's on his good days.
"Do not worry about Lord Nezu your highness, it is what he deserves," a soft sharp voice broke his thoughts. The prince just looked up from the mouse-bear man to see the back of long black hair tied into a top knot and ponytail, waiting for him to follow. The slight tinge of anger in the maid's voice threw him but he didn't argue.
If there was one thing Izuku knew is that loyal servants only spoke and shared the weal and woes of their masters. Whatever the chancellor did this time to challenge his mother, he was finally paying for it.
"Your mother is waiting for you," Yui continued her brisk walk into the building with Izuku following after.
Viridian PhoenixInko's morning had been busy, in spite of her smoldering feelings from last night, she couldn't ignore the truth Lord Nezu spoke of. Her only child was needed to pass on the royal family's inheritance very soon if the empire had any chance of surviving. It was either going to fall on Izuku's shoulders or Kiyomi's and with the children being older, the court no longer felt the need to take anymore chances to let things stay at a standstill.
A fully awake, Head Minister of the eleven departments stood by her side, while her head court lady, Furiko stood on the other, quietly setting Inko's paraphernalia on her desk in order.
Inko rubbed her fingers against her temples, hoping to quell an oncoming headache, staring at the letter she received from her husband.
"What does it say?"
Inko looked up at Lord Aizawa, looking all human. She summoned him here to help her, being the one person, she could trust to be upfront with her at the moment.
Without saying anything, she gave the folded piece of paper to Aizawa. The minister took it and stared at nothing, "You know, not all of us were granted the power to summon fire. Please, can you do the honors your majesty?"
She shook her head, frowning, mentally drained to chide the snappish big cat for his charming attitude, "Sorry, I forget the ink disappears after a time when I'm not using my phoenix fire."
That's the excuse your giving me? He studied her, the woman looked like she aged a whole year after their disruptive one am meeting. He reminded himself not to grouse too much at her, he knew better. Why she came back here and why she stays. He's so used to the familiarity of their banter, of her majesty never taking offense to his manner of speech that even he sometimes forgets she's more than his master, she's the empress.
She's not the older sister figure who took in a kid way over his head so many years ago. The older sister whose meekness is often mistaken for weakness, who allows him to complain to her about anything and everything, even when she's tired or exhausted, internalizing and never sharing any of her own worries. He knows her secrets and keeps them, the ones she tells and the ones she doesn't say. Witnessed her vulnerable moments when she thought no one could see her tears. She doesn't belong to their odd, mismatched misfit of a family anymore, she belongs to Yuuei…She belongs to the Duchess.
Maybe Nezu has a point. His thoughts cut short when Inko shoved the letter, now warm from phoenix fire, in his face with words he could read, "To my dearest Inko-I hope I'm not being conned into reading a love letter."
Inko covered her snort, glaring at Minister Eraserhead, "I wouldn't give you the pleasure."
He stared unimpressed at her a minute more before going back to the letter.
To my dearest Inko,
I hope this letter finds you well. Patrols around the borders have been the same, the criminal activity has been low. Stirrings of any rebel rousing, and civil unrest have continued to die down considerably since traveling the country's border with the Regiment Battalion. Much work needs to be done here at the outskirts where towns have been hit the hardest after the war. I like to think our efforts out here haven't been in vain, as long as we have the Regiment squadrons securing civilians out here, the people can begin to rebuild. They can trust in your leadership.
With Lieutenant General Endeavor here by my side, you have no need to worry about my safety, the best of the imperial army is here with me, though I do feel rather guilty that these fine men's efforts are wasted on me. I wonder if my coming along, gives them unnecessary extra work.
Six years later and so far, still no word of any suspicious activity from Shirotsume. We have been diligent to keep eyes and ears opened for any little info we can gain about our special neighbors so far south and beyond. Intel has concluded that the Minister of War did in fact end the life of Warlord Nomura in the war. Whether or not Shirotsume will retaliate or actually push for some form of peace treaty, time will tell.
For now, Yuuei remains safe.
What I'm doing may not be much, no one can outshine Lord Yagi…I promised that I would not slack off in my duty in exchange for All Might to stay there to look after you and Izuku.
This letter may find you two months from now after I've responded to the last letter you've sent me, so it may be too late to try to talk on Chancellor Nezu's behalf. I've heard from the lieutenant general that he was going to offer up his youngest daughter's hand in marriage to our son. I can only pray that the small lord spoke to you about his grand plans to marry off Izuku for an heir to One For All, before making a grand spectacle out of it.
I know life in the imperial palace was thrown onto our family, you and Izuku most of all. Our son-I…I'm glad to hear Izuku is still a good kid. I'm sure you'll do the best you can do to choose a nice young girl that matches Izuku.
When you hear about Lord Todoroki's marriage offer, try not to harm the chancellor too much, dear.
I wish to be back home with you and Izuku, I… (A whole blotted out paragraph, seeped in ink scratches filled the paper. Aizawa couldn't make any of it out.)
Soon, I'll come back home soon.
Hisashi Midoriya.
Aizawa handed the letter back to Inko, "Well that was the driest love letter I've ever read."
"Not as dry as your enthusiastic tone, minister," Inko quipped back. She sighed, "I worry, Hisashi shouldn't be out there, but he always did do what he wanted so it's not surprising."
Aizawa watched the empress shove the piece of parchment inside a messy desk drawer with what he can assume was old letters from her husband accumulated over six years. The drawer slammed with force. He pretended he didn't hear her mutter, "I wonder if he thinks he has something to prove against Nori-kun?"
"No news is good news, so the saying goes," She looked up at Aizawa, feeling embarrassed that he might have caught her having a moment. Shota doesn't care, the big cat thinks she should express her anger often. Instead of outing her out, he pressed on, "It's good that Shirotsume has been the least of our worries since the war. However, given our long history, it'll be naïve to think they aren't thinking about retaliation efforts in the name of their slain leader."
Inko hmm, "I think you're right. There's something I've been thinking about for a long while, Premier Hyoudai thinks it's a waste of time and money. As you know, I'm not supposed to think in opposition to my master," she set aside another bridal selection scroll in a pile tagged, Discard.
He ignored that last part, having nothing encouraging to tell her, "You want to enhance the curriculum for the academy."
"How-"
"Sorry, I looked over your notes, mistaking the journal for one of his highness's."
"Well, her grace has a point, pushing for a higher budget for the academy will drain expenses elsewhere. Anyway, it's a silly idea-"
"Is that her talking, or you talking?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm sure if you shared your ideas with the court, we might be able to make your plan a reality, your majesty. I'm not as good with numbers but Minister Ectoplasm could help you sort out the rough spots if money is the biggest concern."
Inko looked at him with awe, maybe surprised to hear someone take her serious. He went on, "Your concern for Yuuei extends far into thinking about the future, her grace might stay in the present but your worries for preparing for what could happen aren't unfounded."
"You think I should try to push for another chance?"
"I think your plans are logical to ensure our first line of defense is up to task."
"Thank you, Shota-san."
"Have you decided what you're going to do with Lord Nezu?"
Inko smirked, putting down a purple scroll, "The chancellor being right or not wasn't the issue and you know it. I'm still angry about what he did to me," green eyes studied the young woman in the picture, "No, I'm not going to murder him, he's ambitious but he hasn't done anything cruel as far as I know. I'm more worried that her grace will do something."
"Noted," the panther's eyes roved over the face of a young girl playing the guzheng on the scroll, "This one is, the Jirou heir?"
The empress nodded, "I unfortunately don't know much about her other than what I hear from Lady Yaoyorozu," under her breath, she muttered, "I don't know much of anything."
Shota felt his panther ears perk up in curiosity, "You decided on the Yaoyorozu heir after all."
"I did."
"Why?"
"Excuse you?" Inko glared at him, sounding offended he would dare to ask.
He blinked his dry eyes, not used to her getting snappy with him. This new phoenix was going to take some getting used to. At least he's glad to know she hates for him to mince his words, "Call it being a curious cat. My opinions don't matter but I do agree with the things Lord Nezu said. Compared to all the other young heiresses, Lady Yaoyorozu isn't remarkable."
A soft smile, a secretive smile, "It's because she's not remarkable by other's standards that I like her."
Damn his ears for giving away how he itched for her to elaborate, "After the meeting, once I calmed down enough, I became curious about why he stayed adamant about insulting this young girl. He doesn't do things just because. I don't know if he's for or against the Yaoyorozu family, but I know there's a reason he singled her out."
The smile on her face becomes an annoying grin, almost haughty yet playful, "An unremarkable child created a remarkable scene last night…and because no one will think twice about such a child, they'll blind themselves to the hidden treasure she is."
"You don't trust me, understandable," a very roundabout way to say, it's none of his business.
"Let's just say for now, that I want Yaoyorozu to marry Izuku because I am familiar with her and her family."
There is something, the realization that he broken her trust stung. The distrust didn't happen overnight, this was a buildup from years of being further disillusioned since she took All Might's place. Last night had been the final straw. Aizawa forces his mind not to dwell on Lord Yagi, he's been doing a great job this morning of reducing his stress.
Aizawa's frustrated as well that he didn't know all her secrets as first claimed. The ones he knows, he's kept his lips sealed. Spending most of his life within the palace, he's learned fast that keeping your head down and your mouth shut meant you get to see another sunrise. Another part of him felt pride over her beginning to learn to fight back, even with her relapses, but baby steps. If this conversation had taken place prior to last night's debacle, Inko would have chatted his ears off, asking for his thoughts about this secret only she knows. This is probably for the best, never know who could be listening. Other than Head Court Lady Zofukuki, who stood silent by her majesty, he didn't trust anyone else.
The black panther doesn't know if he wants to thank the chancellor or kill him. No, the head of the ministerial departments was not pouting like a fussy kitten because her majesty was being cheeky today…he hid his face further in his capture weapon. He'll revisit his decision another time, her majesty was making important decisions for her son's life. He stifles the inward groan, "This young child, is being considered for the harem selection then."
"I plan to start small, a princess consort and maybe two or three consorts or concubines."
Aizawa caught the spirit animal painted near the girl on the large scroll, "A mountain lion for a princess and a domestic cat for a concubine."
Inko blinked at the minister, he caught onto something she didn't. He almost sounded sarcastic about her choices, well they already discussed the Yaoyorozu situation, but this was Eraserhead she's dealing with, "You have a problem with that?"
The man smirked at her, "I don't have a problem with it. This palace could use more felines in it. Your son however might not be very accommodating to your choices."
Inko frowned, in all her stress inducing madness she forgot about her own son's particular predicament. She wishes she had been more demanding with Izuku about socializing with children his own age that weren't Bakugou or junior royal guardsmen.
When Inko still looked like she didn't catch on, he sighed, "You really have no clue about what I mean?"
"No, I do, you can't hear it, but I'm screaming internally."
He bowed, "I take it, you're having an internal battle over what your endgame here is. It's either stick with what you have or start from scratch."
"I don't want to make this entire ordeal harder on Izuku, I also don't want to pin just anyone on him either. I can put up with going along with anything else but no one is allow to overstep me when it comes to Izuku's marriage."
He almost cracked a smile, "Your minds made up."
"My minds made up."
"You know he's going to go along with this even if he disapproves."
A sharp inhale, a small, defeated chuckle, "The Midoriya curse, oh my god I can just see it! I'll speak to him about his harem, he'll smile in my face like an idiot and tell me everything is alright and it's fine. And like an idiot, I'll just nod and believe him, because neither wants the other to worry," she groans, sliding Kyouka Jirou's scroll aside. She wanted to bang her head against the table, she already had a headache, couldn't get any worse.
"Try to see the glass half full, at least you're aware enough to expect what responses you get from his highness. It doesn't amount to much; his highness does try his best to quell his…rabbit urges."
"I've come back with his highness, your majesty."
Inko and Aizawa looked up to see Yui bowing and Izuku coming through the opened doors.
"Royal Mother, good morning!" Izuku bowed to his mother who nodded towards her son with a sort of awe look in her eyes.
Izuku stood up and gave a curt nod to Lord Aizawa who returned it. Izuku's nervous smile returned, looking from the panther to the phoenix and wondering what in the world was going on.
As much as Shota wanted to stick around and be amused with what was about to come, he took his cue to dismiss himself from the room, "I'll be taking my leave now, your majesty."
"Uh! Yes, you…do that! I-I'll," she coughed, "I'll speak to you later Minister Eraserhead."
An awkward silence engulfed the room as Aizawa left and Izuku, nervous of the panther walking by, stood on shaky legs, waiting for his mother to speak. Instead of talking to him directly she looked at Furiko and Yui, "You two are dismissed for now, I need to speak to Izuku privately."
The two girls bowed before seeing themselves out of the room and closing the double doors behind Izuku.
The petite woman looked up at her son. Izuku had finally grew into his body, standing just a little close to a foot taller than she. She gestured for him to sit, "Please sit down sweetheart."
He scratched the back of his head, able to feel like he could relax. Seven years of imperial palace etiquette and he still struggled at times for when to be formal and casual with his own mother, "Right."
Izuku sat down in a cushioned seat to his mother's left. He looked his mother over, her signature phoenix wings were not present, and she looked calm and as regal as ever in the pale blue and pink dress, "Miss Kodai said you wanted to speak with me?"
"Yes! I-I lots-I…"
"Mom?"
"You're going to marry a mountain lion! Is that okay with you?!" Feathers burst all around Inko like green confetti, wings exposed.
"Huh!?"
Wow that was not how she wanted this conversation to start. Inko thought she was going to get through this hurdle with the finesse she practiced, the boost of encouragement from Shota, and her simmering ire with Nezu giving her the courage to go into this ordeal head on.
Izuku's green eyes were staring at her like she grew a second head. Okay, take a breath, try this again, "Excuse me that was rude of me son."
"No, no, it's, fine…you're…you might want to start again at the beginning," he shifted in his seat, suddenly feeling embarrassed. The rabbit ears were back, and they were twitching. He kept his hands in his lap to prevent himself from pulling on them out of nervous habit.
"Last night, Chancellor Nezu called for a meeting…about you…"
Izuku looked towards his mother once she trailed off. One of them had to be the braver person here or they weren't going to get anywhere with all this stalling, "You know whatever it is you have to tell me, can't be nearly as bad as I'm imagining," he was a young man, who was letdown by fate. Looking for the silver lining in things, kept him reasonable.
He also caught 'marry a mountain lion' in her outburst. Izuku wishes he were dense, then the uneasy feeling twisting his gut could be ignored. Because he's not an idiot…well an idiot in the books smart department, the debate is still out on other facets of life, it's not hard to put two and two together. He needed his mother to just come out and say it.
Feathers were appearing around Inko's head, making their silent descent to the ground. His mother was anxious and that was going to make him anxious. He coaxed her to say something to him, walking over to her, he placed his large hand over hers, giving a light squeeze, "Mother, please talk to me."
That look of I'm sorry was clear to see on her face, Izuku hated when she apologized to him. He grimaced, ignoring the queasiness, and trying not to get peeved. If he got mad, she was going to blame herself for whatever she did, "Yes, what about me? I promise I won't get upset. I know the decisions you make on my behalf are taken serious."
Inko straightened her back, squeezing her son's hands, "Sweetheart, we can't postpone your marriage anymore. The court-they want you to ensure One For All is passed down."
See? A silver lining! He gets to be useful after all, his heart pounds against his ribcage, he's feeling a multitude of emotions all at once, "Who is she?"
Inko studies her son's face, there's no need to beat around the bush, "The young lady of the Yaoyorozu family."
Izuku stares at her, eyes wide, she hears a sharp inhale. He looks away, neutral expression, deep in thought and then turns to her with the biggest stupid smile on his face as if she's supposed to believe, like the world's biggest dummy, the words about to escape his mouth, "Okay, I'll do it, it's fine!"
Inko cracks a disbelieving smile, her chuckles growing until she's laughing like her son told the funniest joke. Izuku is lost, laughing along with hesitance, "Um, what's funny?"
"Because this is the part where I nod and believe you're okay, like a dummy!"
"But I am okay with-"
"You aren't!"
Izuku looked away, feeling guilty, "Seven years of dealing with the heads of state, always having to hear of it about descendants and heirs and keeping the royal lineage alive…this was bound to happen sooner rather than later. There's no need to get upset about it."
"You're allowed to get upset, to get angry, yell about it! Tell me you hate my choice for bride, anything but pitiful acceptance, Izuku!"
A part of him almost yelled at her for being a hypocrite. She's the last person he wanted to hear about making a fuss over things out of their control.
"If you have something to say to me, say it."
Shame colored his face, he unfurled his fist under her small hands. Inhale, exhale, "Do I like any of this? No. I've been thinking why we've stayed here for this long, maybe if I didn't feel like a spare, I could ignore everything and be more accepting. I still want to do what I can for Yuuei…but-" I sometimes hate being here in this palace, feeling like I don't belong.
Petite arms wrapped themselves around him, bringing his head into the crook of his mother's neck, "Oh Izuku." Thank you for being honest. I'm sorry this place doesn't feel like home.
He felt small again, but it was nice to be comforted by his mother. At least she didn't burst into tears. A blush began to rise to his cheeks, he wished it was from being awkward that he felt like his mother was babying him but, "I am fine you know…w-with Y-yaoyoroz-zu."
Inko leaned back to look him in the eyes, Izuku's face reddened, "Her spirit animal is a mountain lion."
The nod he gave her was stiff, "I know."
"What about your irrational fears?"
"I-I have t-to learn to get over my fears."
"I'm not convinced you are fine with it, you're shaking, your foot is thumping the floor, and your face is hot just thinking about her."
Izuku didn't have the heart to correct his mother, not when she sounded so worried about his well-being. How is she so wrong and so right at the same time!
"I am!" a cough, "I am sure I'm fine with Lady Yaoyorozu! You know how I can get at times, just the thought of a predator can send me into a nervous wreck, ah heh, heh!" Izuku slapped a hand on his thigh to stop the thumping. Sweat was beginning to trickle down his back. Please don't ask any more questions about Yaoyorozu, 'please' don't ask any more questions about Yaoyorozu!
Inko stared at Izuku with a wry smile, "Okay Izuku, I'll believe you for now."
"Um, so I couldn't help but notice the chancellor kowtowing in the granite walkway outside your manor. What did go on in that meeting last night?"
His mother's face turned sour, "He knows I don't like it when they try to make decisions involving you without me or behind my back! This entire thing about arranging your marriage is because he thought it wise to send in marriage proposals months in advance before deciding to drop his great idea in my lap! I didn't like his choices and he didn't like mines so now he gets to reflect on what he's done!"
Izuku looked at his mother with awe. He knew firsthand that she could have a temper but he never thought in a million years, she would be so bold as to stand up to the court, "So that's why the chancellor is kowtowing in the granite walkway outside!" he laughed.
When he didn't hear anything from his mother, he paused, looking at the empress. She took out a pale blue handkerchief and coughed a few times, unable to hide the embarrassed flush on her cheeks. Izuku stared at his mother with surprise, "What did you do?"
"He made me so angry I used my phoenix fire without meaning to."
His nose twitched as he grinned, "I'm so jealous! That sounds really cool, bet they won't underestimate you again!"
"It's not really funny! I sort of felt bad about it afterwards. I could've hurt someone! I think at one point, I pulled Deputy Yamada's earring from his ear with my quirk!"
He looked at her, almost eager. The tell-tale sign that he wanted to analysis her abilities or was ready to go into a muttering spree, sharing all the ways to utilize her quirk and phoenix fire, "You know mom, I think the world is lucky you didn't follow after my great aunt. You're actually really terrifying!"
"Well, no one is allowed to bully me or my baby if I can help it."
His emerald eyes still sparkled with mirth, "Thanks for having my back, mom. But I'm just saying if you do decide to put your powers to use, I know how to help!"
"I'll keep it in mind," she fiddled with her fingers, "Are you positive you are okay with Lady Yaoyorozu?"
Back to this? He sighed, fighting down another blush, "You have your reasons for choosing her, I feel bad for her, I'm not great husband material."
"Izuku."
His mother could pout at him and be in denial all she wanted; he was aware he wasn't winning any popularity contests. Royal bloodline or not, he was as plain as they come and he didn't hang around a lot of young people his own age.
Sure, there was Kacchan, Iida-san and Todoroki-kun but they were more like subordinates that were hired to babysit him most of the time. Kacchan and he had a long standing feud that went back to childhood, Iida was too by the book to attempt any sort of friendship with, and Todoroki…If they weren't having the occasional spar, which he was always getting his ass handed to him, Todoroki ignored him and everyone else with a chilling stare that felt as freezing as his ice quirk.
Other young lords and ladies gave him nary a glance. They acknowledged him on principle, being a possible future ruler but other than that, no one was banging down the palace doors to be his friend. He understood that he came off as an oddball to others, his habits and his crippling anxiety kept others away even before living at the palace. Back in the village, people avoided being associated with the reclusive noble woman with the defective, useless son and the estranged husband who stayed away.
Here in the palace, people feared getting close to him. If they didn't see a merit to getting close to him, they kept their distance. No one wanted to chance offending the spare puppet who has the power to ruin entire families because someone looks at him wrong. Izuku isn't sure how the rumor that he and his mother were secretly unhinged came about, but he has a feeling who started said rumors.
Before he met Lady Yaoyorozu, there had been Miss Uraraka on very few rare occasions. She would visit the palace whenever her parents allowed her to come as long as she was here with Bakugou. She had always made him extra nervous and shy as they got older, his stammering became worse, sentences failing him with his newfound crush. She never teased him about it, which he was grateful for, sadly he hadn't seen her in a few years.
He greeted the female servants whenever he crossed paths with one of them but that was the extent of it. He hears whispers, from the gossipy maids and chattering cadets when they thought no one could hear them. Unlike Court Lady Zofukuki, Miss Kodai was his age, she never made her personal feelings about him known but he's sure her thoughts mirrored those of many women their age around the palace grounds; a spoiled and coddled boy who needed others to look after him.
And then there was Lady Yaoyorozu. The graceful Yaoyorozu heiress was a frequent guest of the palace. Her family was well connected, owning lots of farmland, some shipping ports, and a few ore mines. Her parents were kind people who stayed out of politics as much as possible, and created many donations and charity work.
Their daughter, whom decorum permitted he tried to speak to her…without being forced to by his mother…he hated this, considering it was he who had her family meet his mother in the first place…and trying his damn best, not to run and hide, turned out to be a polite young woman. Intelligent, beautiful, and easy to talk to. She also proved to be quite strong, possessing a powerful quirk…
Qualities he would like in a wife if had a choice to choose. Izuku really hopes he's not chittering like a rabbit in front of his mother, thinking about Momo Yaoyorozu. His leg had the sudden urge to thump his foot against the floor again. His face is turning red again.
This was a weird place to be in. Yaoyorozu's animal spirit is a natural enemy to rabbits. This freaked him out…like, a lot to the point being around her, made him transform into a furry cottontail, sometimes for hours! But, Yaoyorozu being, well Yaoyorozu…she was-is, she's just…oh god, his mind is about to spiral again!
"…rozu…Izuku? Izuku, are you listening to me?"
"Sorry, I got lost in thought there for a moment, you were saying something?"
"We have got to figure out how to help you with your fear of predators Izuku."
He panicked, "Did I do or say something weird again?"
"No…" she trailed, tilting her head at him. What did I do?! Why isn't she saying something!
He felt a gentle pull on a rabbit ear that twitched, his mother exhaled, "I would ask if there was another young lady you wanted to marry if I saw you speaking with other children your age. I know this is going to cause issues, but the other ladies Lord Nezu suggested were also all predators come to think of it. At least with Lady Yaoyorozu the two of you know each other and get along…when you aren't running away from her."
"I don't have a problem with her at all," his problem with Yaoyorozu, far extended his fear of her. He was not about to have that conversation with his mother. He wanted to sort his jumbled mess of emotions on his own first. On the other hand, Izuku just knew his bride was going to have a problem with him. Not unless…it probably didn't matter anyway. If he started to bring up valid reasons for Yaoyorozu disliking him, they'll be here all day. She was cordial and it surprises him that she thought of him as a friend but to consider him anything more? His mother was asking for too much.
Inko frowned at her son, "So if I were to say that the Yaoyorozu heiress won't be the only young lady you'll marry and that I had also planned to arrange one of your first concubines to be a domestic cat, you'll agree to it?"
Izuku stopped cold in his tracks, "H-h-harem?"
…The queasy feeling he had earlier resurfaced, his nerves shot thinking about being close to a girl he has a hard time getting close to, let alone multiple.
"Yes Izuku, a harem. With young women who may have predatory animal spirits."
"I thought w-we were talking about only Y-yaoyorozu? Why does a h-harem have to f-factor into this?" A princess consort he understands, arrange marriages are par for the course among the noble class. Again, he's not an idiot, ensuring One For All's survival meant an imperial harem is a logical choice.
But if his wife-wives…dear god, he grimaced at that, were going to be the kind to raise his debilitating anxiety, they were going to have trouble. He felt jerky and apprehension, thinking about it!
Inko mirrored his expressions, "I wish it were that easy," she squeezed his arm as reassurance, "If, if I had it my way you…we'll figure this out Izuku."
Izuku didn't feel assured of anything other than knowing he and his mother were backed into a corner. The ultimatum was clear, doing anything to the contrary this long after being here, he rather not think about the consequences.
Without a word, Izuku stood up, return his mother's squeeze on her shoulder, and made to leave. His breath felt hollow, lungs squeezing for air and trying not to sway on wobbled legs.
It's hopeless, I'm useless, this is going to fail, they'll hate me! They'll going to think I'm weird! The one thing I could do and I'm going to fail even this!
His mind spiraled, unable to stop the incessant dark thoughts. Too preoccupied with failing and knowing his eventual harem were about to be saddled with an incompetent husband who can't even deal with his odd anxiety or protect his own mother; Izuku realized too late, he was having a panic attack. Dark spots flickered in his eyesight and the world went dark. He might have heard his mother scream his name.