Memento Mori (Bakugou x Reader x Todoroki)

Ignotum per Ignotius

Ch.2- Ignotum per Ignotius

The creaking of old steps and the sounds of people muttering could be heard from the little stairwell hidden in the stone. The sounds of the crown prince returning to his quarters unknown to anyone aside from himself and the white horse he had snuck off to see.

He had no idea who built these secret passageways, but he did know he owed them many thanks for the opportunities they had given him to get out and stretch his toes when castle fever had set in.

Todoroki doubled checked his surroundings, the noises of the palace guards making him take everything with extra precautions. The door he had slid behind closing as softly as he could, the thud still creating a small echo. But one he could luckily cover up as something else.

He quickly grabbed the sword that was near his bedside and placed it on the ground without a sound. Then moved a few steps away and waiting as he heard the sounds of someone opening his chambers.

"Shouto?" The voice of his older sister called out to him. "Is everything alright? I heard a crash..."

Todoroki nodded to the elder female, pointing to the sword that had come slightly out of its sheath. The young prince bending down and picking it up, his frown still present... though by now his sister was aware that it wasn't because he was upset.

"My sword fell... I was planning to train a bit today..." He shrugged, hoping the lie would stick.

He had learned early on when using these secret passages to and from the castle to make sure no one found out about him sneaking around. His father wasn't too keen on letting him go too far out of his grasp... especially with the current situation, the boy was living with.

More so, Todoroki was worried that his only freedom would be revoked if he was found out by either a guard, a regular citizen, his father, or worse. So for the most part, he kept his face hidden as well as his royal clothing behind a basic cloak found at any bazaar.

"Oh well..." Fuyumi mumbled glancing at her brother with a knowing look. "... it might have to wait. His royal highness has requested your presence in his court immediately."

"What for this time?" Todoroki asked, looking at his sister as she bit her lip.

Fuyumi sighed, shaking her head towards her younger sibling. Her silver eyes showing him that her actions and words were both conflicted at this moment. As for why he couldn't tell. But from the ice she was beginning to create around her feet, he knew that his sister was nervous.

"It's better if you hear it yourself..." Fuyumi sighed, quickly breaking apart the ice that had grown from where she stood. "Natsuo and I have already been informed... but it's a matter best told from the source himself."

Todoroki simply nodded, attaching his sword to his side and then quickly fixing his attire before heading out to the royal court he had been in one too many times to count by this point. The hallways around him made of the purest white stone with accents of reds, golds, blues, and blacks that seemed to show off how well off he was.

The images of former kings and their families adorned the walls, mixed in with decorative suits of armor and memorabilia that the owners and designers of the castle assumed would look good among the stone.

Todoroki paused by the grand hallway, glancing above him at the tapestry that hung on the wall above him. The once beautiful and lively piece of the current royal family now torn and tattered. Some areas had been charred thus creating damage to several of the portraits: his mother and eldest brother being the two who were no longer visible among the bright colors and well-crafted piece.