𝒦𝑒𝑒𝓅𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒫𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒾𝓈𝑒 | Katsuki Bakugo x OC

Chapter 28 - Crown Prince Todokoro

Ayane

The Godai Kingdom's heat burns through my skin the moment we cross the threshold of the mountains of our valley. There is a viscous dryness to the air that makes the illusions of oases--that are as far off as the eye can see--nearly impossible to believe. But the liquidity of the way the water ripples in the distance, the way the dust clouds appear to be mottling moisture above it, only make the illusion stronger.

"Godai's walls are in sight ," Tobio tells my uncle from the front of the carriage, "We shall reach before sunset."

"Thank you, Sir Iida," my uncle, the king, hums while wiping the back of his hand on his forehead. "Though, I wish I heeded your warning of the sweltering heat."

I smile, handing a spare handkerchief from my handbag. "I only said this based on Uncle Shohei's accounts of his visit to the land."

The king forces a smile that does not reach his eyes. "My adventurous little brother left quite the collection of his tales."

"I'd rather call them vignettes of his travels. They are awfully poetic."

We finally reach the walls made of ivory limestone that hide the great Godai Kingdom's Palace. The iron gates are tall as Hiyokuna Kingdom's tallest tower, the border coated in gilded designs of Godai's rich culture that showcases their reverence for flames.

Guards in cotton clothing and iron breastplates greet us with bronze spears and icy cold glares, their words little and their service quick. I only count to three before the gates grate themselves open to reveal color bursting from within.

Though auburn, as deep as the sunset and as bright as aloe blooms, is their country's color, aqua blue battles to be a close second. Where the drapes look like living flames coating every alley of the main road, cerulean shines from the gems that are imbed in the walls and the keystones of the decorative arches. Gold shimmers from not only the locals but from every door they pass, the symbol of the eternal flame showcased everywhere.

The crowd that welcomes us throws marigold petals toward our carriage, and the children run with their country's flag, jeering and trying to outrun our party. But the most concerning thing is how the folk sing ballads of how the Godai Empire is soon to be a dream realized.

"Do not heed their rhymes," my uncle says with a frown, "They assume we have come for a royal familial alliance."

"For the Godai Kingdom, a treaty and a royal alliance are all the same." I say curtly.

"As that may be, I won't hand my kingdom's heir over a lumpsum of gold and a false promise of protection," he reassures with a hand on mine, "The mountains are protection enough."

"What if they promise to find the helm?" I ask in a whisper, "What would you do then?"

"That is a promise they cannot fulfill. Only a Yamasaki can recover the helm from its hiding place, and only a Yamasaki can wield its power," he sighs, his heavy crown tilting forward and pressing down his dark curls, "My foolish brother may have been wise to steal and make it disappear. The power alone would have tempted King Enjiro to overtake our kingdom much sooner."

Before I can let him know that I still find this arrangement suspicious, our carriage halts at the castle grounds' gates, the carriage door swings open and a man with crimson wings greets us.

"Your Majesty King Kento Yamasaki," he bows his head while helping my uncle down. and then he meets my gaze with an offer of his hand, "Your Highness. I am Vizier Takao and will guide you here at Godai. The Illustrious King Enjiro awaits."