(Todoroki Shoto x Reader x Midoriya Izuku.)
Poly!
-BOOK ONE of the Lush Life series!
*Please point out grammar errors, English isn't my first language.
•
I had known of the rumors, he was supposed to be a cursed being--something unwanted and maimed...
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—First Person POV.—
The next day, I found another note slipped under my door—Itsuka had received an identical missive, and together we made our way to the solar.
The room was hushed and private with stone walls on all ends, lit by soft daylight filtering through a single tall window.
Most of the sculptures and paintings lining the walls depicted nature with trees, wild animals, soaring birds, and scenes of honest, laboring folk caught in the daily rhythm of life.
Lady Itsuka and I wandered slowly among the artworks and occasionally, Prince Shoto would step forward to offer a measured comment or answer one of our questions, his voice low and thoughtful.
At one point, as I stood gazing out the window at the rugged land beyond, he came to stand beside me.
"Do you like the view?" He questioned quietly.
Outside, I could just discern the distant city of Oyashima against a pale sky and hummed "Yeah, Kyushu's forests aren't as dense or vibrant, it's a nice change."
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the Prince tilting his head down at me "Really?" He wonders, his tone laced with a softened lilt that made my gaze quickly cast away.
"There's no place like home, of course," I clear my throat "But the thick greenery is pretty and would be fun to get lost in, right?"
"Right." He answers shortly and I need to ignore how the room heats up to a comfortable temperature—pushing away the chill of the stone room.
And I feel the urge to jump out the window when a part of my mind wished to lean into him, to lose myself in the depths of his warmth— But fuck, why am I even thinking this way?
He's going to marry Lady Itsuka and I would just be here for just a few more days.
The truth was, I was drawn to the damned Prince.
Ever since Izuku showed up, I think I subconsciously wanted to push my thoughts aside and maybe I could let these feelings out on the Traveler— That's probably why I've been acting like this recently, right?
But no, I'm an idiot, tangled up in feelings for two people at once, and if I wasn't such a bitch—I'd rip my own heart out for catching them so damn fast.
And neither of them would be an option.
Because I'm just a liar.
Guilt coils within me like a serpent, the fangs sinking into my skin a bitter reminder of the weight I cannot shed.
Before I could zone out more, the Prince excused himself abruptly "I need to go, but I'll see you two at dinner." He announced and I'm suddenly aware he's already by the door—leaving Lady Itsuka and me alone in the solar.
I caught sight of her ochre locks a bit behind me and headed over to coolly ask her "So.. What do you think of Prince Shoto?"
Lady Itsuka's eyes continued to drift over the painting—a wintry scene of Oyashima Castle framed by bare, brittle trees.
