Tyrant's Favorite | Sukuna Ryomen x Reader

050. The Last Incident

Audiences with the commoners were, without a doubt, one of the most tedious tasks for King Toji. From dawn until the sun set behind the trees, he had to endure an endless stream of complaints, laments, and endless chatter that couldn't interest him in the slightest. Nothing was more annoying to him than wasting his hours listening to those who only sought to extract more money from him to sustain their dying businesses or feed their families.

It was always the same old story: "My business is running out of funds, my children haven't eaten in days, I can't pay the sky-high taxes." Words repeated ad nauseam, empty, and no longer even able to move him.

For Toji, it was all a waste of time disguised as royal duty. All he had to think about was the war for the land he so desperately desired for the future generation.

In the middle of one of those audiences, when his patience was about to snap, a royal messenger burst into the room, breaking the tedium and tension of the moment.

"You won't believe this, my king! It's a letter from King Sukuna!" the messenger announced, worrying the civilians present.

"Perfect. A reason to leave here," Toji thought with relief.

The king took the letter and retired to his office, ignoring the demands of the people, who demanded to be attended to as well.

There was something unsettling about that message: it came from his greatest enemy. It was the first letter he had received in years, after so many missives sent with Naoya that never received a reply.

The envelope was elegant, impeccably white, and sealed with the unmistakable emblem: a dangerous red rose.

"A single red rose? You want to give me your heart?" Toji sneered. "That man should learn a thing or two about flowers."

"To His Majesty, King Toji:

Please accept my respectful greetings.

I am aware of the differences that have existed between our kingdoms and the differing interests that separate us regarding our territories. However, I hereby request a royal audience with you, with the purpose of dialogue and reaching a peaceful agreement that will benefit both nations.

Please take the time you deem necessary to deliberate with your Royal Council. However, I trust that we can resolve this conflict as soon as possible, for the well-being and stability of our peoples.

With all due esteem and respect,

Your Majesty, King Sukuna"

Toji held the letter in his hands for a long silence. Higuruma's message had fulfilled its purpose: to perplex him. It was a request for a royal audience, an invitation to negotiate a diplomatic solution to the war. Something unthinkable coming from the dreaded tyrant. The letter was written with impeccable courtesy, with eloquence so polished it was suspicious. Toji frowned, reading it once more.

"Is this a trap? A diversion before the attack?" He muttered to himself, unable to decide whether to laugh or be alarmed.

That same afternoon, he summoned his advisors and commanders. The great council chamber was filled with the most influential Zen'in, each with their own judgment and ambition. The letter was read aloud, analyzed paragraph by paragraph, word by word.

At first glance, it sounded like a legitimate proposal from the King Sukuna, but no one there was so naive. It was a request from the King of Curses, and in the voice of such an enemy, even courtesy could be a weapon.

"What do you think, Naoya?" King Toji knew his cousin held the most important position to weigh in on this matter, as he is the one who has come closest to the realm of curses.