Demon Slayer Imagines

Tsuyuri Kanao

The present I didn't ask for

❀ word count: 2992
❀ special warning: Kingdom AU

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 It was a vast kingdom, that prospered for centuries on end. The sun and the Gods seemed to bless them every day, and the King was certainly a happy and prideful man, whose ego was perhaps bigger than the Earth itself.
That man was your father. Despite the popular beliefs, King L/N wasn't the kind man he appeared to be. Behind the palace's doors, the perfect family facade fell. It was absolute terror.
Your brother was younger than you, very sickly and held no strong passion in anything in particular. A scared child, always stuttering whenever looked at, even though he was the crowned prince. You felt wronged. It was unfair.
Despite being older than him by many years, your father had never considered passing down the crown to you, deeming you useless, despite you obvious strength and great intellect. It was your mother who usually took care of you, and showed little sympathy. Even so, such traditional woman could never change her ways, and refused to go over your fathers word, even if it meant your eternal suffering.

Outside the palace you were a hero. People admired your bright smile and hopeful personality, whenever you made a public speech. When your older brother, the first born male and apparent heir, suddenly died, it was you who gave the speech at the burial, and it was for you that people cheered. In all honesty, you were more adored than your brother, but your father didn't care, and seemed to enjoy seeing your disappointed face whenever he stomped over your self-esteem.
You felt frustrated, and despite loving your little brother, you couldn't help but envy how he was so lucky to live big, unlike you - despite having the same parents.

On one day, after coming from a royal visit to a nearby dukedom, your parents summoned you, just as you were getting down from your horse. The maids who called you seemed quite fussy about the whole deal, and rushed back inside as you waved it off with an annoyed expression. Sometimes you wished to be born as a commoner, or perhaps a horse. The work would be easier.
You walked past the halls with a loose and carefree posture, although your eyes held power like no one else could ever have. The maids moved from your way, as you walked to your parents' private office. Your father awaited you, walking around the room impatiently. Your mother sat in a small sofa, beside your younger brother, with a serious expression that showed no emotion. The little brat did nothing but play with the golden bracelet some ambassador offered him - a pathetic try to please the young heir.

"You wanted to see me, I heard." you motioned as you stormed into the room.

Your parents eyed you, and your father cleared his throat, sitting down in a chair. Curiosity filled you, as you turned your head slowly to you mother and brother, pointing at them with indifference. It wasn't like you completely despised them, but their whole existence had become very much neutral to your well being, seen as none of them cared for you.

"Are we having a parliamentary reunion or...? Should I call the other ministers?" you mocked with fake concern.

"Quiet." your father growled. "Show more respect for your Queen and Prince!"

You stopped in your tracks, letting out a sarcastic chuckled, lifting your hands in surrender. He looked slightly calmer, as he picked a piece of paper and slowly handed it to you. 
The paper made your curiosity spark, as you regained your composure and picked the document with a single hand. 
A silence followed, and your mother silently prayed, knowing your next words by heart. She wasn't wrong, as the sound of your other hand hitting the paper echoed through the silent room. The young prince shivered, looking carefully at you.