The queen takes charge, Katsuki is in denial and Izuku has a deep scare.

Took a little break with writing as the real world got tough these last few weeks.
Happy Monday!

"Katsuki… Have you received any letters from the Midoriya's recently?"

Katsuki's breath stuttered as he batted away the large dummy he was pounding on. His mother hovered over the edge of the training field, her eyes following him as he went over to a water trench to drink and wipe his face.

"I haven't checked the last letter he sent me. It came about…" Katsuki paused, his face scrunching in thought as he glanced over his shoulder towards the queen.

"About a month…" His mother finished for him, her eyes hard as she glanced down at the letter in her hand. A scowl formed on her face and she glared at her son. "You've been unresponsive. Not that it is any business of mine to what you send or say to your betrothed, but leaving him unanswered is not… ideal for the future." She paused in her walk down the short stairs towards the field and shook her head at the letter in her hand.

Katsuki glared at his mother, his eyes hard as his hands gripped the edge of the water trench. "Why does it matter? It was a childish indulgence of mine. I've grown, the letters became boring." Katsuki stood up and crossed his arms over his well developed chest. "Besides, after the last three unanswered letters he has stopped writing himself."

"It matters because he is to be the other half of you someday, Katsuki. Izuku matters! You must understand that-"

"Understand what!? That my life was chosen for me since my birth? Mother you are dictating how I live my life, whether I write to Deku or not is my decision. It won't affect that we will be married or not."

His mother sighed and rubbed her temples. "But it will affect how well the two of you will live and thrive with one another. Don't you see that? You are already fifteen seasons old Katsuki. Soon Izuku will be within the castle walls and you two will live by one another. Your communication is important."

Katsuki just shook his head and glared over towards his mother. He glanced her up and down before scoffing and heading towards the stairwell leading to his chambers. "We will be fine. We got along well as children, I doubt either of us have changed much." He walked off, him disappearing from his mother's view as she stayed in place.

"Oh Katsuki… If only you knew my dear child." She placed a hand over her cheek and re-read the letter from Inko."

Dearest Mitsuki,

My apologies for writing out of term, but Izuku has made it known to me that Katsuki and he have stopped sending letters. After the third unanswered, it seems Izuku, my dear one, has given up continuing to write.

There are many things I need to address towards you for your knowledge. Izuku has had his first heat, and his scent has stabilized to the point that he is now able to cover it with the blockers that the Doctorate has provided.

His first heat was… intense, to say the least. Will it always be like that? I feel horrible for my child to hear him in such pain, and there is no way for me to help him. Doctorate has stated that it won't be as bad in the future heats, but I still worry for him dearly.

I also need to tell you about the looks and… interest he has been receiving. Toshinori has come to me and expressed his own concern for the many admirers he has gained. I worry for his safety when he travels alone. He has already come home with scrapes and bruises, which I know are not just from the excuses he claims of falling or losing his way.

The thing that troubles me the most is the interest the Emperor has put forth onto him. Seems as if Izuku is working diligently on something for the prince of the east and they have spent many hours putting the runes onto the sword of the next heir. Toshinori fears that the Emperor has his sites to bring Izuku to the east, what for… We are not entirely sure. Toshinori believes it maybe for the simple fact that he is a strong alchemist at just fifteen seasons, but I fear that his son and maybe even himself have somehow gained the knowledge that my dear son is not just some simple beta we portray him to be…

I know it is ill wise to wish it, but I do hope his next heat appears soon. I fear for his safety, and wish him to be within the safe castle walls. I hope to see your lovely family soon, my dear queen Mitsuki.

Godspeed.

Midoriya Inko

"I fear for him as well, dearest Inko." Mitsuki placed the letter against her chest and sighed. She headed off down the staircase to the left of her, towards the barracks and opening to the small village that houses the Queen's chairmen. She paced herself quickly, giving way to the small path laid out before her before she paused in front of the Iida household.

She briskly knocked, waited for the door to open before the youngest Iida was shown. His eyes grew comically wide as he realized who she was and he bowed away, swinging the door open with a force and yelling for his parents.

"My queen! To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" The household lead of the Iida house stood up from his position, his eyes wide in curiosity as his wife stood by his side.

"I'm afraid I am in need of your assistance. There has been an issue brought to my attention from my son's betrothed, and I ask to lend yourselves once more to this journey." Mitsuki bowed her head, her hands tight at her sides. "Can I count on you?"

"What is it my queen? You may ask anything of us, we will gladly help." Tensei Iida stepped forth, his attention on the queen. Tenya stood back from them, his eyes watching each of them closely. He had never been this close to the queen before, and the aura radiating from her was aflame! He had never felt such raw power before, minus in the face of her own son when they had met previously.

"I ask if you would be willing to head to the Central Fairlands, and help to guide the Midoriya's and fellow families back here towards the south. I'm afraid however, that Katsuki's promised cannot yet return to the kingdom until his third heat cycle, so it maybe a long journey for you all." Mitsuki knew she was asking too much of this family, but they were the ones who she trusted the most. All the men were betas and had large skills in their reputar. All five of their sons had the same speed and strength to carry out her will, and the father was no different. Their mother, a beautiful omegan female stood as a beacon for their homes, and she knew it would be much to take her from her own home.

But she didn't know where else to turn.

She watched, nerves running amuck as the father turned to glance at his oldest. Tensei seemed to have already made up his mind, and the other three middle children had stood at the ready since she first proposed this. The father turned back towards her then, a steely look to his eyes and Mitsuki lost the hold on the breath she was gathering in her chest.

"We will gladly do as you ask of us, my queen. When shall we prepare to leave?"

"I know it is nearing evening now, so please, rest for tonight. Tomorrow, please come to the castle and we will discuss where you shall all stay during the remainder of the dear one's heat cycles. There is a little port town to the southeastern area, just where the lava fields end and meet the ocean's beginning." Mitsuki then bowed her head deeply, her chest tight as she fought to control her own emotions. "Iida family… I cannot thank you enough for your loyalty to my crown. I am indebted to you."

It was Tensei who spoke up, stepping forward and offering his own bow. "Nonsense my queen. The dear one has become a treasured one to myself, and I would have offered to go alone if my father would have prohibited the travel for us all. Deku will be left in great hands."

She smiled, her head high once more as she glanced to each of them within the room. "I know they will be. Thank you again." She bowed once more, leaving after shaking hands with the Iida lead and Tensei.

She took several steps away from the household before she slumped her shoulders. This was taxing on her, but she knew it would be worth it. She had to provide the protection she had promised to Inko in keeping her son safe.

And until he was solely safe within the palace walls, she would do anything for them both.

Izuku worked tirelessly on the sword in front of him. The runes were coming along nicely, and Toshinori had given him high praises for the intricate work he was inscribing onto both sides. Even Prince Shouto gave him silent acknowledgment, that brought pride to Izuku's hard work.

The praises were well received, and Izuku enjoyed the prince's company whenever he made the trip to see how the sword was coming along. But that did not give Izuku comfort, as the stares he received from the prince were just as concerning as the ones he got from his fellow fairlanders. Not to mention when his father, Emperor Endeavor also came along…

It was nerve wracking to work just under his mentor's eyes, but to work under an emperor's? Now that gave him unsteady hands. He often received retorts, or even small grunts of approval from the emperor, and whenever their questions became too noisy, even for Izuku's tastes, Toshinori would send him off into the back room, granting him reprieve from the constant onslaught.

He was nearly finished, his tasks on the sword nearly complete as the long process was in its final stages. He placed his hands over the sword, focusing his attention to the intricate details and saying a few words under his breath. The large circle drawn in ink under the sword began to glow, its own runes drawing light to itself as it transferred the power into the sword. Izuku sucked in a deep breath, his arms aching as they held still to push the power within the runes into a new recipient.

He nearly collapsed as the ink from the pages faded away, and the sword now glowed with the same light that was once on the paper. He wiped his brow, his arms aching from the strain as he placed the sword onto the holder he had created for this very reason. The sword's length would be too hot to touch for a few days, and the constructed holder was made to just hold the girth from the handle. He was proud of his work, and he slipped off his gloves to approach the main room when he heard voices.

He paused, his ear pressing against the door as he glanced through a small crack within the wall. His eyes locked onto All Might, his body large and imposing as Emperor Endeavor looked up at him. They both had their arms crossed over their broad chests, and the prince looked sourly out of place as he glanced from his father to Izuku's mentor.

"What do you mean by that? It would be an honor for him to come to the Eastern Empire to work as the sole alchemist. Plus, he would be bound to one of my son's. He would be well respected there." The emperor looked hard at All Might, his teeth gritting from the pressure he was providing.

"And I am telling you that that is not my decision to decide. He maybe my apprentice, but it is not my right to give him away to another kingdom. He has a mother, and many people who care about him elsewhere. I cannot grant it." All Might seemed to have sighed too many times, his smile straining at the conversation. Izuku could only guess they were talking about him.

"He would be provided with it all. His mother can come as well. He would want for nothing! He may not ever become ruler of my realm, but being bound to the royal family will have its perks! I can promise you!"

"Emperor Endeavor, I have said it many times before, I cannot give permission. Izuku is not mine to give." All Might's smile faded completely, and Izuku realized with a start this was not the first time this conversation had been said. He bit his thumb nail in nerves, his mind reeling from the information.

Why did Emperor Endeavor want him? He knew he was desirable, being the sole accessor to All Might's alchemy works was indeed a just cause, but he was also talking about bounding him to another… To another Todoroki? To become a royalty?

Izuku's eyes hardened as he grabbed at his shirt's collar, lifting the pendant from its resting place on his neck. His hand tightened on the pendant, his thoughts turning towards the one he was promised to.

Katsuki had given him no attention since they were thirteen. That had been two full seasons ago, and they were nearing their sixteenth year. He understood becoming busy, he was indeed a prince, and they had duties that outranked even Izuku's own, but to not respond to any letters he had sent in the past two years?

Izuku had grown tired of it. Tired of chasing after one that for some reason no longer had interest in him. Tired of being left behind and undesired by the one who should be desiring him. Tired of the constant strain placed on him to hide himself away and to protect himself.

He gripped the pendant tightly, grabbing his bag from the selves and pushing open the door, interrupting whatever it was the emperor was going to say next.

"All Might, the sword's runes have been transferred successfully. I will be heading home now." Izuku grabbed his coat from the nearby stand, his hands letting go of the pendant and glancing at the prince and his father. "Emperor Endeavor. Prince Shouto." His nodded his head once and placed his bag over his shoulder. "The sword should be ready for show in two day's time. I promise it will be to your liking." Izuku glanced up at his mentor, Toshinori's face pale as he seemed to be glancing at Izuku's pendant out on show.

Yes, he realized this was a gamble, to place the pendant on display. To showcase him having ties to the southern kingdom much deeper than a normal civilian would. He smiled at his mentor, his head nodding in thanks as he stepped towards the door. "I will see you tomorrow All Might."

Just as his hands reached for the door he felt a sharp spike in the temperature around him. Izuku's eyes widened as he felt the growl rumbling from the Emperor's chest more than heard it. Izuku held his ground, his spine tingling with the want to show off his neck in submission, but he knew he couldn't. No.

They couldn't know he was a rarity. That would spell even more trouble for him.

"You… Is this why you have not granted him to me All Might? Because he is already loyal to another kingdom!?" The emperor's voice boomed in the small workshop, and Izuku flinched away from the door, his back pressing against it as he held back a whimper.

"Now Emperor I can explain-"

"No! This is preposterous! How dare you not say anything!? And if he's from the southern kingdom why in the world is he within the Central Fairlands!? How could you allow one who has loyalty to another kingdom work on my son's sword! What if he has staged some kind of accident to occur within the sword!? What if he is here solely to ruin the-"

"I would never harm another human being if that is what you are accusing me of, Emperor Endeavor." Izuku's eyes were hard, his knuckles white as he held his best glare towards the imposing figure. "The prince has become a good friend in these recent visits, I could never imagine ruining his chances of life for some idea to bid your kingdom against the south's. My pendant maybe from the south, but my loyalties lie with my mentor until my duty is called upon me to return to the southern kingdom."

"You are… promised to another then?" It was the prince this time, who spoke up. Izuku turned his attention to Shouto, who was looking him over with curiosity in his gaze. "If I may ask… To whom?"

Izuku couldn't help but shiver at his look. A prince like him, handsome and dashing as a prince should be, had given Izuku the attention he wanted over the last few years. The attention his own alpha should have casted his way but had not. The prince of the Eastern Empire was someone anyone would be lucky to have as their alpha, and there was moments were Izuku wished to tell him that he was a rarity, that if Prince Shouto should wish he could be his…

But Izuku's heart always wavered. He knew his heart belonged to Katsuki, that his omega craved the alpha's attention. His heart would never truly belong to Shouto, his attention nice but never enough for what his omega craved.

The blonde had ruined him.

Izuku shook his head from his daze, and looked once more into Shouto's dual-colored eyes. "I am not at liberty to say."

Shouto nodded, his eyes leaving Izuku's for a second before returning. "Then, it must be someone from the Queen's court. It could not be her son, as he is an alpha, and you a beta. No heir would come from it." Shouto walked from his father's side and near Izuku, his eyes glancing down at the pendant before lightly touching it with his fingertip. "Unless of course, you are hiding the fact that you may be a rarity."

He had whispered the last line, only for Izuku's ears and it made his face heat up at being caught. Izuku held his breath as Shouto's eyes looked into his. His sharp eyes taking in his shaking form. Shouto gave him a small smile, glancing away and then stepping back.

"Father, I think we shall return in a few days time yes? Until then, Master All Might." Shouto gave a slight bow then nodded towards Izuku. "Apprentice Midoriya. It's been a pleasure."

Emperor Endeavor seemed to gasp in a deep breath, his face still red before following Shouto out of the shop. His glare never left Izuku's face, but he huffed out a prompt goodbye as he stepped from the shop.

Izuku grasped his pendant, sliding down the doorway and grabbing his unruly hair in attempt to calm himself. He barely heard Toshinori's retorts or words, his mind muddled over what had just occurred between him and the prince.

Prince Shouto knew. He must know. But how? Izuku had been so careful! He had worn the pendant everyday! He had rubbed it against his glands at every moment he could! Was he that obvious?

Was he doomed to a life on the run until his return to the castle…? Would Prince Shouto appear with his father in two days time to take him away, to be bound to another alpha and never to see his alchemy works again? He wasn't blind to know that a rarity was seen as something to be kept away, treasured and only visible when the time came to be shown. He knew his best bet to have a normal life where he could use his alchemy and abilities to his liking was through the Bakugou's…

Was Prince Shouto the type to take that away from him…?

Izuku groaned as he held his head tightly, his body shaking with a silent sob as Toshinori closed the shop around him.