Summary: SasuSaku! RoyalAU. Sakura wins the raffle to become Sasuke's queen - but will she ever win the raffle to his heart?
A/N: Years and years ago, I read The Conspiracy by miko-chan (does she still exist here?), and I've always had this plot bunny in my mind about this AU. Today, after years and years I feel full and inspired enough to have begun writing it. As with all things I put to paper, it became much more dramatic than I had intended (which was a rom-com), but I hope you like it as much as I do.
CHAPTER 1
The palace halls of Nippon Koku had grown quiet in recent months, a far cry from the bustling, vibrant energy they once held under King Itachi Uchiha. Itachi had always been a symbol of peace and stability, a king beloved by the people for his kindness and wisdom. His reign was marked by prosperity, his presence a constant reassurance that the kingdom was in capable hands. He often walked amongst the people, speaking with them, learning their stories, ensuring that they knew their voices were heard. He ruled with a grace that felt innate, as though he had been born for the crown.
But the sickness changed everything.
It began as fatigue, something small that Itachi dismissed for months. But as his health deteriorated, the palace's publicists worked tirelessly to cover for his absence, feeding the public narratives of his diplomatic missions or strategic retreats. Yet the truth couldn't be hidden forever. Itachi's illness—cancer—soon became too severe to mask. His once-vibrant energy was drained by the endless treatments, leaving him pale and frail, a shadow of the king he once was. When the official announcement of his condition was made, it devastated the kingdom. The people mourned the idea of losing a king they had loved so deeply. But even more shocking was the revelation that Itachi would step down permanently. The throne would pass to his younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke had never been a public figure. While Itachi was warm and approachable, Sasuke was distant, cold, and often appeared angry or solemn in public. Few saw him beyond his stoic exterior, and fewer still believed he could ever fill his brother's shoes. Where Itachi was loved, Sasuke was feared. And fear, as the Uchiha family well knew, could only take a king so far.
Still, Sasuke had prepared for this moment in his own way. Though reluctant to take the throne, he had always been a strategist at heart, one who picked his allies carefully. Before the crown fell on his head, Sasuke had curated his circle with meticulous precision. His personal assistant, Neji Hyūga, was among his most trusted. The Hyūga family, one of the most powerful noble houses in the kingdom, had long held influence in matters of governance and diplomacy. Neji, with his stoic demeanor and unparalleled intellect, was a key asset to Sasuke. While his outward appearance was calm, his mind was always analyzing, calculating, ready to provide counsel at a moment's notice. His presence was quiet but powerful, a figure of silent authority who moved through the palace with an unspoken grace.
Sasuke had also selected Shikamaru Nara as his publicist. While the Nara family wasn't as politically powerful as the Hyūgas, Shikamaru's intellect was unmatched. Known for his laziness on the surface, those who truly understood Shikamaru knew that his mind worked faster than anyone else's. He saw moves before they were even conceived. Sasuke had chosen him not just for his intelligence, but for his ability to manipulate narratives—to craft the kind of public image that Sasuke sorely needed. It was Shikamaru's job to turn the kingdom's doubt into trust, to make the people believe that Sasuke, like his brother, was their rightful king.
And now, in the conference room of the Uchiha Palace, that task had reached its most controversial proposal yet.
The Uchiha council chamber was filled with the murmurs of discontent. Seated around a long mahogany table were the highest-ranking members of the kingdom's council, ministers, advisors, and the royal family themselves. The polished elegance of the room, with its tall windows and golden drapes, did little to quell the rising tension.
Nippon Koku, one of the most influential kingdoms in the modern world, was a unique blend of tradition and progress. While its monarchy was centuries old, the state also had a powerful parliamentary system, where elected officials played a crucial role in governance. But when it came to the most significant decisions—especially those involving the royal family—the monarchy's word was still law. The kingdom's strength came from its strategic trade position, a dominating influence in technology, rare minerals, and military advancements, which had propelled it to one of the top economic powers in the world. Nippon Koku's wealth was born from a combination of traditional industries and modern trade routes that connected it with every major continent. It thrived on global commerce, naval power, and technological innovation, making it a hub for diplomacy and commerce alike.
And now, the fate of that kingdom was being debated in a room divided by uncertainty.
The debate had been raging for over an hour, with Fugaku Uchiha leading the opposition. Sasuke sat quietly, his hands folded in front of him, watching as voices were raised, tempers flared, and objections poured in from every corner of the table. His calm exterior hid the storm within.
"This proposal is outrageous," one of the ministers, an elderly man with a greying beard, barked. "We cannot afford to tarnish the royal family's prestige by choosing a commoner as the future queen. What would the rest of the world think of us?"
"It's a reckless idea," another chimed in. "We are already struggling with public sentiment since the announcement of Itachi's illness. Do you really believe a raffle will strengthen the monarchy?"
Shikamaru, who had been lounging in his chair, let out a quiet sigh, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room. "It's not about prestige," he said, his voice cutting through the noise. "It's about survival. The people aren't questioning the monarchy because of tradition—they're questioning it because Sasuke hasn't connected with them. This raffle would be a bridge between him and the people. It shows them that the king is willing to step down from the pedestal."
Before anyone could respond, the doors to the chamber swung open, and in strode the Prime Minister of Nippon Koku—Naruto Uzumaki. His entrance was anything but subtle, his vibrant energy seeming to fill the room. Dressed in formal robes, but with a brightness in his eyes that never seemed to dull, Naruto radiated confidence.
"Alright, alright! What's all this noise about?" Naruto said, his voice booming across the chamber with a mixture of humor and authority. "I can hear you guys arguing from the other side of the palace." He looked around the room, taking stock of the tension before focusing on Sasuke. "You look like you could use some backup."
Fugaku's stern gaze met Naruto's. "Prime Minister, you surely understand the implications of this proposal. A raffle for a commoner bride? How can we expect the people or the international community to respect such a spectacle?"
Naruto tilted his head, considering the words for a moment before a slow smile spread across his face. "Respect? We're talking about more than respect, Fugaku-san. We're talking about trust. And if there's one thing I know about Sasuke," he said, glancing at his childhood friend, "it's that he's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure this kingdom stays strong. Even if it means breaking tradition."
Fugaku opened his mouth to protest, but Naruto raised his hand, cutting him off. "The people need to see that Sasuke isn't just sitting on a throne, hiding behind the palace walls. They need to know he's willing to make tough decisions for their sake. And let's be real—the world is watching. They're watching to see if we're stuck in the past or if we're ready to lead the future."
Naruto took a seat next to Sasuke, giving him a playful nudge on the shoulder. "Besides, don't you think it would be kind of cool to show that the future queen of Nippon Koku could be one of the people? It sends a message—a strong one. We're not an old-fashioned monarchy anymore. We're adaptable. And when we say we value the people, we mean it."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "You're saying we should let anyone, just anyone, be considered as the next queen?"
Shikamaru leaned forward, his voice sharp. "No, we're saying we control the process. It's not just anyone. It's anyone who passes a set of strict criteria—a vetting process. Clean medical history, education, intelligence. The people get to think it's a raffle, but we're the ones who decide who makes it through. It's a win-win."
Naruto grinned. "And let's not forget, we're going to have to bring Sasuke back into the spotlight. People haven't seen much of him. This whole process—interacting with the people, going through the motions of the raffle—puts him front and center. The people will see their king again, and this time, they'll start to understand him."
There was a quiet murmur in the room, as the council processed Naruto's words. The Prime Minister's vibrant charisma and political savvy had always made him a formidable ally to Sasuke, and despite their opposition, the ministers couldn't deny that there was a certain appeal to the idea. The kingdom needed unity, and perhaps this was the unconventional answer they hadn't anticipated.
Neji, who had been standing quietly to the side throughout the entire exchange, finally spoke. His voice was calm, steady, and as always, carried weight. "This plan isn't without risks, but it addresses a deeper issue. The kingdom is vulnerable right now. This initiative would buy us time. Time to heal the people's trust, time for Sasuke to establish his rule."
His words, though few, echoed in the chamber. Even Fugaku seemed to consider them more carefully, his sharp gaze shifting between Sasuke, Naruto, and Neji.
All eyes turned to Sasuke. He had listened in silence, his sharp mind absorbing every word, every argument. Now, his gaze was fixed on his father.
"We're not running a kingdom on tradition alone anymore," Sasuke said, his voice low but firm. "The world has changed. We're a global power because we adapt, because we know how to control the narrative. And right now, that's what we need. Control."
He turned his gaze to the entire council, his dark eyes cold and calculating. "Shikamaru's plan gives us that control. We'll make the people feel part of the process, while ensuring that we get exactly the bride we need. The world will see us as strong, progressive. We're not stuck in the past, but we don't compromise on what matters."
Finally, Sasuke gave a small, sharp nod. "Run the raffle. But we do it our way."
The decision hung in the air, final and unchallengeable. The council fell silent, knowing that Sasuke's word was now law. Naruto leaned back with a satisfied grin, while Shikamaru gave a subtle smirk of approval.
The future of Nippon Koku had just taken an unexpected turn.
tbc
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