Tyrant's Favorite | Sukuna Ryomen x Reader

046. Love and Hate

2 years later...

Being the heir to the crown of Sukuna's kingdom looked like an easy lifestyle at first glance. Yuuji was fed the kingdom's most delicious delicacies, dressed in the finest clothes from around the world, and played with toys no other child could even imagine. He didn't need to lift a finger: a simple nod was enough for dozens of servants to rush to please him. A delicious life, golden as the sun... destined to soon crumble. Yuuji, being smaller than a barrel, had no idea.

He loved sleeping late, sunk into soft mattresses, his arms and legs spread out, a trickle of saliva drying at the corner of his lips. That's how they found him that morning, until a firm hand shook him up. The prince opened his eyes heavily, and the first thing he saw was his mother, aunts, brother, and grandparents gathered around his bed... holding a cake aglow with smiles and candles.

"Happy birthday, Yuuji!" They exclaimed in unison.

"Now let's sing 'the Happy Birthday song' like we practice," Mrs. Inoue asked.

"I'm not going to sing that nonsense." Mr. Wasuke crossed his arms, but Mrs. Inoue tugged on his ear.

"You better sing it or else!" The woman threatened.

"Stop fighting and let's sing for once. 1...2...3...!" Nanako tapped out the beat.

Everyone sang happy birthday to Yuuji with the best intonation they could. Nanako and Mimiko sang to the rhythm of the sweet song. Choso found it hard to sing out loud because he wasn't used to it. Mrs. Inoue sang with great passion while forcing Mr. Wasuke to sing as well, tugging his ear still. Meanwhile, you just lit the candles on the cake.

"Happy birthday, darling. Make a wish." You placed the cake carefully in front of him.

There wasn't much Yuuji could wish for: he had almost everything. Seeing his family gathered around him, he immediately noticed the greatest absence of all: his father. Lately, he has barely seen him. Over the past year, he was always traveling between kingdoms, inspecting armies, adjusting resources, preparing the table for the war that would sooner or later break out. Yuuji had wanted to believe that, at least on his birthday, he would be present. But he was wrong... just like the year before.

With a tired gesture, he blew out the candles. The celebration continued around him, but in Yuuji's chest, there remained that silent emptiness that no banquet or gift could fill.

"Happy 5th birthday, Prince Yuuji." Uraume appeared in the birthday boy's room with a box decorated with a large red bow. "The king brought him a very special gift."

"Did Sukuna send something?" you asked, excited to hear from your husband since he left two months ago.

"The king is waiting for you all here on the east bridge of the parade ground," Uraume explained. You and Yuuji gasped with excitement. "Go greet him. I'll take care of dressing the prince for his special day."

"Sukuna is here?!" you asked, in disbelief.

"He arrived this morning."

"I'll leave Yuuji to you, then," you asked politely before running off toward the east bridge. Everyone followed you more calmly, including Yuuji.

"I'm afraid you can't leave yet, Prince Yuuji." Uraume stopped him by the collar of his pajamas as if he were a dog. "The king asked me to dress you in your new outfit before seeing him." Uraume pointed at the gift box.

"Then do it quickly!" Yuuji asked, excited to see his father.

"As you wish."

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