Tyrant's Favorite | Sukuna Ryomen x Reader

047. Past and Future

It was the most important day of the year for the Zen'in: the sorcery ritual for five-year-old children. The entire kingdom had gathered in the coliseum, expectant, eager to find out who the next generation of sorcerers would be.

But the real attention was focused on Tsumiki, the first princess of the royal family. Everyone wanted to know if she would possess the powers of her lineage, like the other members of her family, or if, like her father and Princess Maki, she would have to rely solely on her wits and personal skills.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between! Welcome to the Zen'in Kingdom's annual sorcery ritual! Today, 50 brave children will be competing! Prepare your bets, because I'll name each one next!" The host announced in the middle of the coliseum.

Little Tsumiki stood with the rest of the children, shaking like a leaf against the wind. Her guardian knight had explained what the event was all about, but that didn't mitigate the fear she felt. Her parents watched her from the top of the coliseum, their expectations weighing more than anything else. At barely five years old, Tsumiki already understood the role she was to fulfill, and knew that if she failed, the consequences could be disastrous.

"And last, but not least, we have Princess Tsumiki!" The host announced from the bottom of his lungs.

Tsumiki bowed just as her mother had taught her: delicately and gently, displaying a brave smile that belied her fear. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, but all that mattered to her was seeing her parents applauding from the top of the coliseum.

Megumi, sitting on her mother's lap, shouted words of encouragement that she couldn't hear over the roar of the audience. Still, feeling her little brother supporting her gave her a small glimmer of courage, enough to stand firm and keep going.

"I hope you've placed your bets because the show is about to begin! Good luck, everyone!" The host announced. "Release the curses!"

He vanished from their sight in a blink, and the cages containing D-grade curses burst open. From the shadows emerged packs of deformed creatures, ready to attack at the first sign of food. Several children froze in fear, while others faced the curses by summoning the powers they'd develop their entire life to survive. Three blue curses, with endless limbs and hundreds of eyes, ran straight toward Tsumiki. She didn't freeze or fight: she ran. And that, immediately, was a bad sign.

She could barely hear the screams of the crowd, her heart in her throat. Tsumiki fled with all her might, her short legs straining to the limit, unaware that another curse, shaped like a bull, charged at her from the side and cornered her against the wall. The creature was approaching, laughing sadistically. Tsumiki was injured, barely able to stand. She could only close her eyes and wait for the worst.

But the worst never came. Instead, she felt strong arms wrap around her. She opened one eye... and then the other, to discover that someone had rescued her just in time. And it was none other than her guardian knight, Naoya. He carried her to one of the tunnels beneath the coliseum, and Tsumiki couldn't hold back her tears any longer, throwing herself onto her hero's shoulder as she wept uncontrollably.

"Don't worry, princess. You are safe now. You have nothing to fear anymore," Naoya whispered to her, walking away from the coliseum and leaving the chaos behind.

"I'm not a sorceress. I'm sure my father is disappointed." She cried from the depths of her little heart.

"The king isn't disappointed, princess. He knows you were very brave." Naoya began patting her back to calm her down. "Why don't we go back to the castle and draw some bunnies?"

"And make me some hot choccy?" Tsumiki stammered.

"With marshmallows," he promised.

➽──────────────❥