The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest as the sound of wings fluttered above. A flock of geese soared in formation, their calls echoing in the crisp air. Without hesitation, Prince Shoto Todoroki drew his sword, its polished steel glinting in the golden light. In a single, fluid motion, he struck. The blade sliced clean through the neck of a goose, sending the bird plummeting to the forest floor.

"Masterful shot, Prince Shoto!" Deku, his ever-loyal companion, exclaimed. He ran forward to retrieve the fallen bird, cradling it carefully before beginning to pluck its feathers.

Shoto sheathed his sword with a faint smirk, his mismatched eyes—one a cool gray-blue, the other a fiery red—following the now-scattered geese. His movements were calm and measured, yet beneath his composed exterior was an air of smug arrogance that only someone of royal blood could carry so effortlessly.

Deku worked quickly, gutting and preparing the bird with practiced efficiency. Despite his humble demeanor, his admiration for Shoto was boundless. He spoke with a mix of respect and eagerness. "Prince Shoto, have you given any thought to King Uther's proposal?"

Shoto leaned back against a nearby tree, crossing his arms as he watched Deku build a fire to cook the goose. He raised an eyebrow at the mention of the king, his tone indifferent. "Ah, yes. His daughter, Princess Reille. Her hand in marriage, in exchange for the protection of my kingdom from the demons that plague the borders." He sounded as though the matter were a trivial inconvenience, no different than deciding the color of his cloak for the day.

Deku nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, that. The princess may be a foreigner, Prince Shoto, but she is well-read, courageous, and skilled with a blade. It's even said she possesses powers that rival those of the Great Enchantress herself."

Shoto chuckled softly, his lips curving into a sly smile. "Powers, you say? That may be true, but what use are powers if she cannot win my affection? Reille may have her charms, but she is not the woman I desire."

Deku paused mid-motion, his curiosity piqued. "Then who is it, my lord? Who has caught your eye?"

Shoto reached for the goose that was now roasting over the fire. Tearing a piece of the crisp, golden skin with an almost predatory precision, he spoke between bites, his tone dripping with condescension. "Lady Christy."

"Christy? The herbalist from Azumano?" Deku asked, surprised. "But, my lord, she is a commoner. Surely the king—"

Shoto crushed a bone in his fist with an audible crack, silencing Deku. His mismatched eyes burned with confidence. "Do you think I care for the king's approval? Christy is mine. And if Reille has any sense, she'll agree to the union with me in exchange for one thing: giving Lady Christy to me."

Deku blinked, unsure whether to question the logic or agree with his prince. After a moment, he decided on the latter. "Of course, Prince Shoto. You are a master of persuasion. No one can resist your charm."

Shoto smirked, leaning back with an air of triumph. "Exactly. Reille may think herself clever, but I'll ensure she understands her place. She'll have her alliance, her protection, and her crown—but Christy will belong to me."

Deku hesitated, staring into the fire as he turned the spit holding the goose. "What if Reille refuses? From what I've heard, she's not the type to bow easily to anyone, not even a prince."

Shoto's expression hardened, his voice cold as ice. "She won't refuse. If she cares for her people, for her father's kingdom, she'll see that she has no choice. And if she doesn't…" He trailed off, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air.

Deku shifted uncomfortably but quickly masked his unease with a nervous laugh. "Well, then I'm sure it won't come to that. You're a man of unparalleled skill and ambition, Prince Shoto. Reille would be a fool not to see it."

"Indeed," Shoto replied, his tone dripping with self-assurance. "It's only a matter of time."

The two men sat in silence for a while, the fire crackling softly as the aroma of cooked goose filled the air. Shoto's thoughts, however, were far from the meal. His mind lingered on the image of Christy, her kind smile and gentle touch. She was a prize worth any effort, any risk. Reille was merely a pawn in his larger game, a means to an end.

As the sun dipped lower, casting the forest in shades of amber and crimson, Shoto's ambition burned brighter than ever. To him, the world was his for the taking, and no one—not Princess Reille, not even the cursed lord of the eastern lands—would stand in his way.