Chapter Text
Occasionally when he has the time, Izuku likes to go to the local library. He picks out one of his favorite books, and sits in what he has dubbed his corner. The corner right by the window, with probably the best view of the kingdom. From it he can see all of the people going along with their normal days. Buying, selling, and bartering in the ports. Little kids running around, and playing with each other. Sometimes he can even spot a knight or two searching for their prince. It always makes him laugh just thinking about it because while they’re down there running around down there like chickens with their heads cut off, Izuku is up in his most special place where no one will find him. He’s not really one for breaking the rules, but sometimes even a prince needs a break. And I mean can you blame him? If you had to sit through boring meetings and lessons all day I bet you’d do the same. Once and a while he just wants to get away from all of the boredom, and if that means that his guards have to occasionally scatter around, panicking that their prince has gone missing, so be it. And yeah, he feels bad for making everyone worry, but he will do it again and again if it means that for even just a couple minutes of his life he can look out that window, and pretend for just a moment he was just as normal as all the people on the other side of that window. But alas all good things must come to an end.
Right as Izuku walked out of the library doors, he was immediately pulled aside by one of the passing knights. He must have the worst luck because this particular guard just happened to be Iida, his self appointed “bodyguard”. It’s not that Izuku didn’t like Iida per say, infact Iida is one of Izuku’s best friends, but you really can’t get away with anything while he’s around. Some might even say that he’s a bit of a party pooper, but Izuku just thinks he’s a bit strict and there’s nothing wrong with that.
“My god, Prince Izuku! Do you realize that we’ve been searching for you for almost a whole hour?!” Iida whisper yells, face full of concern and anger. “I know I know, but Iida you don’t under-” Before Izuku could even begin to make up his excuse for the day he was interrupted. “That doesn’t matter! You know as well as I do how important today is and you don’t even seem to care how much trouble me and the others will get into when the King and Queen hear about this!” Izuku had never seen Iida this angry before, and even though his little tangent kinda hurt his feelings, he knows that going to the library today of all days was probably not the best idea. “I’m really really sorry Iida, I promise to take full blame for this one I swear.” The green haired child says. He even brought out his special occasion puppy dog eyes.He just can’t stand the thought of his friend being mad at him. At his response Iida closes his eyes and tilts his head in thought. Finally after what feels like an eternity for Izuku, Iida finally looks back down at Izuku. “Fine, but this is your last warning.” At that Izuku sighs in relief. “But let us hurry back now there is a lot to do when we get back to the castle.” Izuku knows he can’t smuggle his way out of this one so he reluctantly agrees.
The carriage ride back to the castle is as boring as it is every time he’s had to ride in there. The silence is always suffocating, but today feels a bit different. Everyone is on edge, understandably so, with all the chaos going on it’s kind of hard not to be.
There had been a lot of tension between neighboring kingdoms, and the mostly peaceful kingdom of Evergreen had unfortunately been caught in the crossfire. Hishashi and Inko thought it would be beneficial to help out, maybe try to build some allies. So, they decided to put their troops on the frontlines alongside the fearsome kingdom of Endeavor. They soon learned that that action of kindness was a mistake. They didn’t call the Endeavor kingdom ruthless for nothing.
Eventually they realized that their generosity was their downfall. The Endeavor kingdom took all of their resources. Most of the Evergreen soldiers were forced out on the front lines, many of their lives taken, and in addition because all of the Endeavor kingdom soldiers were facing barely any casualties, they needed more and more food, which of course the Evergreen kingdom had to provide. Slowly but surely the Midoriya’s knew they were being fooled, but with no way to get back to where they were by themselves, they decided it would be in their best interest to join up with the Endeavor kingdom. Not just in war, but in life as well. Plus it was kind of a last resort...
It was just weeks after the war was won, when King Enji received a letter from the Evergreen kingdom proposing a marriage of all things to align the two kingdoms. And while Enji did think it was foolish that the Midoriyas jumped right into marriage to solve their problems, he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to potentially rule over two kingdoms.
Now, back at the castle, everyone is running around preparing for King Endeavor's arrival. Not only is he coming to finalize their agreement, but he is also bringing the son he has chosen to give away… The man Izuku is being forced to marry. Being the only heir to the Evergreen throne, he really has no choice but to go through with it. That’s the other reason Izuku has been sneaking out so much lately. Sometimes I guess running away is easier than facing reality.