Angst Hours [Jujutsu Kaisen]

[Roses] Toji {Fushiguro} Zenin

England, 1905

Reader POV

At the young age of 5, I was already set to marry the neighbor's son, Nicholas, son of Duke Edward Brown.

I met Nicholas once before and he liked me immediately, but I didn't like him.

He was greedy and mean.

We often saw each other-especially now that we would get married on my 18th birthday-his 21st.

"(y/n)! Come here!" Father called me.

I dropped my book down on my seat and ran towards my father who entered the garden where I was reading. "Father!"

He knelt down on the damp grass, not caring he was getting his best outfit dirty. "I've a gift for you, my little rose."

I gasped in awe when he presented me with a rose, the thorns cut off so it wouldn't hurt me. "It's so beautiful..."

"Of course. Just as you are." He picked me up and brought me inside the manor where the servants said hello to the duke.

"You have been keeping up on your studies, yes?" Father questioned me.

I nodded. "Yes! And Nicholas came over to study with me!"

"I am pleased to hear that you and Nicholas are getting along." Father stood up and beckoned a man into the room. "Darling, this is Naobito Zenin. He has a nephew your age. I see you two might get along."

I shyly hid behind my father and peeked out.

A boy with sharp green eyes was staring right at me with a goofy smile.

I looked up at my father for reassurance and he nodded, gently pushing me forward.

"Duchess (y/n) Castille," the boy and his uncle both bowed slightly. "We are honored to finally meet you."

I allowed them to kiss my hand, but the younger had a blush on his face as he did so.

"You're mighty pretty!" He said.

"Toji! Don't speak to a duchess like that!" Naobito hit his side. "Anyone would think I haven't put a stop to your troubled upbringing."

But my father shook his head with amusement. "Do not worry, old friend. It is quite alright. Why don't you two go play in the meadow? Just make sure the maids can see you, my little rose."

I was about to protest when the boy grabbed my bare hand, taking my hat from the nanny.

"Let's go into town!"

"But that's not near the meadow!"

Father shrugged it off. "Well at least take a servant or two with you, children! And be back before sunset, okay?"

"Yes, Mr. Castille Sir!" The boy waved and ran through the halls with me.

"Slow down! You're running too fast!"

A servant opened the door for us and the boy ran past with me still in his hand.

He turned and looked at me with a cheeky smile. "Then run faster! And don't wear such poofy clothing!"

"My dress is not poofy!"

The boy got into the carriage and told the guide to take us into town.

"What's your name?" I asked him as I caught my breath, fanning my face since I was getting hot.

"Toji," he said. "Toji Zenin."

"What a weird name!"

He glared at me. "Hey! My mom gave me that name!"