Catching Feelings? (TodoDeku x Reader)

Chapter Eight

—First Person POV.—

Following behind the servant, my eyes casted over the corridors walls—taking in the decorations presented and continuing to internally recite my story.

I didn't even notice Hagakure had come to a stop until I nearly walked straight into her back and had to quickly compose myself as she turned to look at me.

"Relax."

Her yellow ringed irises had met mine with a reassuring smile presented along her features "Try not to be so tense and just answer truthfully."

Can she tell I'm on the verge of passing out? I hope not— My face would probably look like I'd need to take an astronomical shit.

I nodded and drew in a heavy breath, letting my shoulders relax for the servant to see.

Deeming I was now ready, she turned back around and the sound of a door clicking open pricked my ears—before I willed my legs to follow her into the room.

Hagakure curtsied just as I passed through the doorway "Your Highness," Her voice greeted and she stepped out of the way—hands gesturing towards me "Lady (Y/n), daughter of the Duke of Kyushu."

Following the title with my own bow—I was quick to cast a glance over the room when I straightened myself up again, meeting the eye of the Prince just as he offered a nod in acknowledgement.

On the way here, I was painfully met with the realization that I didn't know how to curtsy and wasn't willing to look stupid attempting to do it.

"Lady (Y/n)," His voice addressed "Welcome to Oyashima Castle, please have a seat."

While I was distracted, Hagakure had already walked off to sit nearby—offering that warm smile as I finally took notice of the man at her side.

The Prince continued lifted a hand in the direction of the two "Hagakure Tōru will be staying here for your comfort— And my chancellor, Ojiro Mashirao, will take note of our conversation."

Trying to relax the tense in my body, I made my way across the room and settled into the seat on the opposite side of his desk—grateful for the little arrangement.

Though, despite his kind words, he spoke like it had been rehearsed a million times over—and the fact his impassive expression never bothered to change really sealed that in.

He was probably being forced to play nice.

A part of me wanted to snicker at the idea, but I bit it back and moved to sit down without any delays and figuring that: The faster I get this started— The faster I can leave.

I could catch the faint sound of a quill scribbling and out of the corner of my eye, Hagakure smiled down at the parchment.

The clearing of a voice—made me focus forward to fully meet his Highness's awaiting gaze "Before we get started, I want to know what happened to the daughter we specifically asked for?"

He stated the question with a hint of annoyance tainting his words and I cast my eyes away with a sheepish chuckle "It appears my father didn't want to wed his firstborn just yet."

And before he could say anything else, I decided to elaborate "She was also widely known due to being the daughter of his late wife, while I was the product of one of his concubines."

To further kick in the nail, my eyes avert down "I'm sorry to disappoint."

There's a pause that wafts through the air—to my right, I have to ignore the impact sound of a certain servant facepalming and that mismatched gaze flickers off of mine for a split-second.