The visit
„Your Majesty!“ golden eyes look around unfocused.
„Your Majesty!“ again, the same shout, but this time much louder, closer.
„Your Majesty!“ finally, eyes find the source of the sounds. Without much delay he hands the thing in his arms over to the knight.
„Get out. Go as far away as possible! Protect my son!“ the blanket covering the newborn loosens and the knight is met with the sleeping face of a baby.
„Your Highness, I can’t leave you here alone!“
„Go! This is an order!“ is the last thing the king says before pushing both his son and knight forward. With a little nod, the knight sprints out of the palace, not looking back only holding the warm prince tightly in his arms.
—
„Hawks!“ a girlish voice calls from downstairs.
„I’m coming!“ a different voice from upstairs answers, deeper and more masculine.
Shuffling and steps are growing louder and louder. The next second, a man with golden eyes and hair, wearing clothes a little too big for him, comes down the stairs.
„Good morning, Himiko“ Himiko, the girl, who is sitting at the small dining table in their too small living room, has blonde hair tied in to space buns. She is also wearing clothes too big for her.
„Morning Hawksie!“ a grin spreads across her face, revealing sharp fangs that might scare others away, but not Hawks. He goes over and ruffles her hair.
„Have you eaten yet?“ he asks while looking through the kitchen drawers. Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t much food inside. Pushing aside a few cans and cups, he takes out canned chicken. Opening another drawer to look for a spoon, he pulls out the chair and sits down at the table. With small effort he pulls up the latch of the can and starts eating its contents.
„Are Kaina and Jin still asleep?“ he asks with a full mouth earning him a disgusted look from Himiko.
„Keep your mouth closed while eating. And no, they’re both awake. Not all of us sleep for over twenty hours.“ Himiko answers with a judgmental expression as she leans back in her chair.
„Well, not all of us have to work all day.“ counters Hawks as he finishes eating, standing up to dispose the can and spoon.
„If they’re awake, where are they?“
„At the marketplace“
„Why?“ they had already done the groceries for this month and the money was tight. So what could they be getting?
„Haven’t you heard?“
„Heard what?“
„You really didn’t? The royal family of the neighbouring country is visiting! The whole town is preparing the streets and making extra money!“ an even wider smile forms on her face as she jumps up and down in excitement.
The royal family, or the Todoroki family, is known to be one of the most powerful kingdoms of today. Different factors, like military , industry and money, make it so important for merchants as well as other kingdoms. The Todorokis being incredibly graceful and gorgeous seems to secure their place. Neither Hawks nor Himiko have seen them before so they just have to rely on the rumours.
„The Todoroki family? Visiting? What for?“
Could it be a future alliance with this kingdom? Maybe his salary would be raised?
„I think it was because their eldest son is looking for a wife, and you know, the princess just reached adulthood.“
„That sounds strangely illegal“
„It does, right? But they are rich, they don’t need to watch out. Or work. Or anything actually.“
„Oh, yeah. I forget. Wish we could relate.“
Himiko chuckles as she slings her bag over her shoulder. She puts on her shoes and walks over to the front door, then she looks back at him with a raised eyebrow.
„Are you coming?“
„Where are we going?“ he asks while putting on a jacket and shoes.
„To the marketplace, duh.“ now with Hawks behind her, she starts walking, skipping actually, towards the marketplace. Hawks doesn’t question her anymore, knowing it will end up in one of them bleeding out, and it definitely won’t be her.
—
„Touya.“
„Touya!“
„TOUYA!“
„WHAT?!“ Touya roars as he jumps out of his seat. He was comfortable sitting on his armchair, nearly asleep, before he was rudely awoken by his sisters shouts. The next moment, the door is promptly pushed open, revealing a beautiful white haired woman with stern grey eyes.
„What is it, Fuyumi?!“
„Have you forgotten about the visit?!“
„What visit are you talking about?“ Now he’s a bit curious, what is she talking about?
„The visit to the Kyushu kingdom?!“
Oh. That visit. And here he thought it was something important.
„Ah, is that today?“
„Yes, it is! And you’re still not ready!“ Why she is making such a fuss is a mystery for him. It is not that much of a deal.
„And?“
„Touya Todoroki. If you’re not ready in five minutes, and with ready I mean bathed and in decent, no, lavish clothes, I will haunt you for the rest of my life and afterlife.“
He gulps. Not wanting to anger Fuyumi any longer, he goes, bolts, to the bathroom.
About ten minutes after the whole scene, the family is taking seat in the carriages. The parents, king Enji and queen Rei, are in a separate carriage whereas the Todoroki children, Touya, Fuyumi, Natsuo and Shouto, are together. They are all dressed in their finest garments, even Touya. The reason for the trip is for a possible match between the eldest prince of Musutafu, Touya, and Kyushus princess, Ochako Uraraka.
He isn’t very thrilled, marriage was never his thing but he doesn’t have much of a choice as a prince— the eldest at that. At least he gets to choose who he marries, he thinks, princesses don’t get have that privilege.
He looks over to his only sister, who is only a year younger than him. She will be the next and she won’t get to choose. He looks away. He will make sure she finds a good home, but for now he will dread his own wedding.
—
After a tiring day at the market, where they managed to earn a few bucks, they finally get home.
When he and Himiko had arrived at the marketplace they were attacked by colours. Everything was vibrant and bright. The streets never looked so lively. The king had especially hired a lot of people to help renovate and adorn the kingdom, which is how they got the money. Now, after working all day, their bodies ache. Kaina and Jin are already in bed because they worked even longer than him and Himiko.
Too tired to eat he goes straight up to his room after making sure Himiko is sleeping. He and Jin share a room so he tries to stay quiet when entering, not wanting to wake the poor man. They were lucky to get a house with this many rooms, three, for such a low cost. He is the only one working, at least full time, as Himiko is too young and Kaina and Jin don’t get hired anywhere but one time gigs.
His salary is high enough for the rent and basic necessities but it’s not enough for anything other than that.
After laying down on his bed, he falls asleep instantly.
The next morning , he is awoken by rushed footsteps and hushed voices. Opening his eyes a little, Jin is the first thing he sees. He blinks a few times before fully opening his eyes.
„Jin?“ the man in front of him smiles.
„Hawks! You’re awake. Stand up and get ready!“ he says while turning around to face the mirror.
„Get ready?“ what is going on? Why is he putting so much effort in his outfit?
„Yeah, for the Todorokis! We’re going to the marketplace to see them!“ Ah, yes now he remembers.
With a groan he stands up and goes to the bathroom. Seeing no one inside he decides to use the opportunity for a shower in the rarely free bathroom. He doesn’t take long, not having to wash his hair made it a fast process. He puts on a decent pair of pants and shirt, tugging it inside his pants. Putting over a simple vest, he steps outside and down the stairs to the kitchen.
It‘s then when he finally spots Kaina and Himiko, also dressed up. They wearing matching red dresses, both wearing their hair down. Even though what their clothes— and his own — look fancy, they found them in the garbage of a rich family.
„Kaina, Himiko! Looking cute!“ he says with a smirk, making a heart with his hands.
„Shut up“
„You too!“
Both Kaina and Himiko answer simultaneously, Kaina with a frown and Himiko with a big grin.
Before he gets to say anything else, Jin comes into the room.
„We look so good!“ with the frown on his face people would believe he’s lying but they know better. He, for some reason, always reacts the opposite way to what he says, not too complicated to understand when you know it.
„Let’s get going, if we don’t want to miss them“ walking ahead, Kaina leads them the way and they follow.