Ever After (BakuDeku)

Chapter Fifteen

Aku and Akumu stepped out of the carriage in front of the castle.

Aku was immediately approached by his informer, "the prince left early this morning. No one seems to know where he went, but i've brought you something that will brighten up your day."

He dug around in his bag and pulled out a a small package, whispering in Aku's ear. 

Aku pulled away and grinned, taking the package without a word. 

~

Izuku felt sort of like an owl, the way his head was swiveling around to try and take in every detail. It felt like a dream.

The building was three or four stories, filled with books of every genre. 

The prince walked behind him, allowing Izuku to move at his own pace.

"It makes me want to cry," The greenette smiled, running his hands along the spines of the books as he walked.

"Pick one," Katsuki chuckled, enjoying the other mans child-like fascination. 

Izuku shook his head, "I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens."

"What is it about books that excites you so much?" Katsuki asked, amused.

Izuku turned to look at him, "I guess," he started, "it's because, when I was young, my mother would stay up late and read to me. She was addicted to the written word, and I would fall asleep listening to the sound of her voice."

The greenette continued down the stairs, Katsuki following closely behind as he raised an eyebrow, "what sort of books?"

"All sorts of books, but mostly science and philosophy," Izuku admitted, leaning over the railing to look down at the floor below, "I suppose they remind me of her. She died when I was seven, Utopia was the last book she brought home."

"Which explains why you quote it," Katsuki noted, standing next to Izuku as he spoke.

Izuku nodded, "I'd rather hear her voice again than any sound in the world."

Katsuki's smiles slowly fell and he turned away, walking back down the stairs.

"Is something wrong?" Izuku asked, wondering if he had said something to upset the prince.

"In all my years of study," the blond began, facing Izuku from the stairs, "not one tutor ever demonstrated the passion you have shown me in the last two days."

Izuku's brows furrowed and Katsuki continued, "you have more conviction in one memory than I have in my entire being," he laughed humorlessly, walking down the remaining steps.

Izuku hurried to catch up with him, "your Highness, if there is anything I have said or done-"

"Please, don't" Katsuki cut him off, swiveling around, "it's not you," he assured.

~

"Make haste, Akumu," The Baron said, handing her the package, "it's now or never."

Akumu nodded, rushing through the crowd and over to a carriage. She quickly unwrapped the package, stuffing the paper into her small handbag. She didn't care about the packaging, only what was inside.

"Forgive me, your Majesty," Akumu said, bowing as she approached the royal carriage holding the King and Queen, her voice was as sweet as honey, though her eyes held something mischievous, "but you seem to have dropped this on your way out."

She handed the long, red and gold necklace to the queen.

"Why, my goodness," The Queen smiled, taking the necklace, "I don't even remember putting it on. Thank you, child."

Akumu just smiled, allowing the Queen to continue her praise, "It is a rare person indeed who would return such a valuable keepsake."

"You are too generous, Majesty" Akumu replied, curtseying once more before turning around, though she had no intention of making it very far.

The Queen whispered to her husband, "her name?" she asked.

"Akumu," Masaru supplied.

"Akumu?" Mitsuki called, and Akumu made eye contact with her father, grinning slyly, before her smile morphed into a more polite one as she turned to face the Queen, "we shall have a chat tomorrow, you and I," The Queen said, "bring your father."

"As you wish."

T.B.C

Ik it was short but there'll be a double post today because of that...

~A