The King of Heroes: Null/Virtue

Interest

"You don't want Himiko herself here?" Izuku asked, taking a seat across from Setsuna inside Fearis' capital city castle. Drinks and snacks were lavishly spread across the table in front of them.

Setsuna smiled. "I wanted the adults to speak first."

Izuku cocked his head to the side. "She's older than me."

"Physically? Sure. But mentally, not a chance. We both know this."

"Okay... I'm not exactly her father, I can't give her away if that's what you're looking for."

"But you are her friend, and you are more trustworthy in her eyes than her parents."

"How do you know that?" Izuku asked, genuinely curious for the first time in a while. After all, Setsuna was one of the few people who had a counter to his Chaos Magic.

"She caught my interest," Setsuna answered. "I always do my research on anything that interests me. Trust me, after 800 years, something that catches your eye is..." She turned her hands palm up. "It's a little creepy, but you'll get there when you turn 350."

"I'll keep an eye out for that birthday," Izuku joked. "So then... what are you looking for out of this? I thought this was gonna be some territory bullshit."

Setsuna scoffed. "Obviously the Hunger didn't put in enough work to debate that. Do you expect so little of me? Because I'm actually here as a show of respect. I'm here to ask the NULL Lord for permission to pursue my interest in the Virtue Lord."

Izuku shrugged. "Like I said, she's not mine to give away."

Setsuna rolled her eyes. "Distance yourself from the chivalry for a moment. You are the NULL Lord. You are King of Draxia. Your word carries more weight than the actions of most. You own Draxia and all of its contents. No matter what you believe about that statement, it is the truth."

"What I believe is that Uraraka and Himiko are the ones you should be talking with."

Setsuna scowled. "I'm unhappy with the assurances of a peasant girl. I want the answer of a King. Do not treat this lightly. If Himiko is to respond to my gestures, then Vitrion and Draxia will be pulling at her in various directions."

"If she's to choose you, and Uraraka is fine with it, then Draxia will not oppose anything of the sort."

"And you're not worried her loyalties will change?" Setunsa asked coyly. "I plan on making her mine."

Izuku caught her meaning. "You can try to do that. But Himiko is pretty head-strong when it comes to relationships. As for her loyalties," Izuku shrugged. "Those change all the time. Priorities shift as life moves on."

"And if I put her on display like you did with your Queen?"

Izuku's lips turned an ugly shape. "Are you going to respect her consent and Uraraka's?"

"Yes."

"Then that's for all of you to decide." Izuku stood. "This is frankly a waste of my time. Adults will decide what they want to do for themselves. As long as you treat them well, there will be no problems politically, economically, culturally, whatever."

"So quick to assume I have nothing to offer you!" Setsuna said. "I did say this was all a matter of respect, no?"

"Oh? What is it you're proposing?"

"I have certain ideas about my first real interaction with all my partners. You fulfill those conditions for Himiko, and I will give you information on something I think you will find particularly interesting." Setsuna pulled out a slip of paper. "These are my requirements for my first... 'date' with Himiko."