Chapter Text
“No, Father, I will NOT marry some stupid dog that I don’t even know!”
Yahaba’s words echoed through the King’s study, startling the servants hidden in the shadows of the room, but Yahaba didn’t care. The well-being of the people around him was the last thing on his mind. He needed to get out of this situation.
He wasn’t going to marry the Dog Kingdom’s prince . They couldn’t even offer a princess, what a joke. Not that it mattered much, he wasn’t going to cave in to such an absurd request, prince or princess alike.
“Look,” the King sighed, and Yahaba noted that he didn’t try to correct the way he addressed his ‘fiance’ like he usually would. “I know the Perauf Kingdom doesn’t have the best of reputations, but they are a neighbouring Kingdom. If you marry their son, there won’t be wars between our kingdom anymore, it will be safer, and the people will learn to respect each other better.”
“Respect? You think the fucking dogs will respect us faries? What a joke!” Yahaba spat, seething. He had seen how they treated others, the despise and mockery in their eyes. Belittling. Scornful.
The Perauf Kingdom was, to say the least, rowdy. The truth? The people were rude, ruthless, and believed firmly in their power hierarchy, respecting those they deemed powerful, and belittling those that they didn’t. Always mocking others and jeering at their misfortune, the people were not pleasant at all. They were the worst.
“Mind your language, Shigeru. You’re the crown prince, and I will hear no such crude words coming from your mouth. The Perauf King has already agreed to marry their youngest son over to our kingdom, and you will show them the respect that they deserve, nothing less.”
That marked the end of the discussion, and with a wave of his hand, Yahaba was sent out of the King’s study.
Not like he wanted to stay there anyways.
He sighed, and watched as his breath formed tiny flowers that fell to ground, promptly disappearing from sight.
The magic he had wasn’t much as compared to the King; it was still developing, and he was still learning to control it. However, little things like sprinkling flowers from thin air were a piece of cake for him, almost second nature to him whenever he felt the need to see something that reminded him of the scenery outside the palace.
Inhale. Exhale. More petals floated around his face, spiraling down, then fading into nothing. Feeling slightly better, he strolled out of the Kingdom, waving quickly to the guards on duty, signalling his leave.
The Althien Kingdom was a sight to behold. Spring was always one of Yahaba’s favourite seasons, with the Sakura trees blooming one by one, scattering pink flowers all over the ground. Birds chirped, small animals came out to play among the tall grass, couples under the trees watching the falling blossom as they whisper sweet nothings to each other. He loved sending magic to the passing wind, allowing the falling flowers to dance around passersby, watching children dance around happily with the flowers.
Walking around the village,, he observed the the hustle and bustle of the marketers, indulging in the cheerful atmosphere of the children’s laughter, and hoped it would cheer up his troubled heart.
~*~*~
A month later, they got married.
Perauf had two princes. Kyoutani Kaito, the older, crown prince and Kyoutani Kentarou, the one he was betrothed to. Since the older son was the crown prince, only their second son could marry Yahaba, or so they said.
The wedding was surprisingly a humble affair. It could barely be counted as a wedding, for all they did was sign their wedding papers. Yahaba barely even looked at his “husband”, much less spoke. Couldn’t bother to. Kyoutani tried starting a conversation or two, but Yahaba brushed him off, and he gave up eventually. The Kings shook hands begrudgingly to signify the peace treaty between the two countries as long as their two prince were together. And that was it.
No kiss, no dance, no cake. There was no celebration. They didn’t even get to know each other.
Yahaba didn’t want to anyways.
So much for a beautiful wedding with crystal chandeliers, flowers and lots of dancing.
~*~*~
Kyoutani didn’t want to get married. He didn’t want to do anything his father said. His father believed in power, and as far as the Perauf Kingdom was concerned, Kaito was the strongest, right after their father. Kyoutani was the weakest of them all, his powers at the bare minimal, and it was reflected in his authority over people. Thus, it was decided that he would be the sacrificial lamb — or dog — to the Althien Kingdom and marry their only prince, Yahaba Shigeru. “For peace,” his father had stated plainly, “so we can waste lesser resources fighting them and aim for the other weaker kingdoms.”
Kyoutani didn’t like that idea one bit.
“Kentarou, as far as this kingdom is concerned, you’re useless.” Kyoutani flinched at the King’s cruel words. “You have no power, no authority, no viciousness. You can’t do anything here. Go be nice to Althien’s crown prince, play family with them and make them like you. Make us proud of having you as a Perauf-born prince. We will gain many benefits from your sacrifice.”
Kyoutani groaned as he remembered the King’s words. Sure, he wasn’t ruthless like most of the Peraufians, but that didn’t mean he could play nice. And it was his father who had said that, to boot. His newly-wed husband clearly wasn’t making it any easier. Other than dinner, which the Althein’s King insisted they ate together every day, Kyoutani never saw Yahaba. In fact, he was sure that the man avoided him. Yahaba proclaimed that they were too much of strangers to share a room, yet he never made the effort to get to know Kyoutani or to even make eye contact, much less talk. Their new relationship was but a title.
Kyoutani tried many things; he made breakfast for Yahaba (much to the kitchen staff’s disbelief), bought a bouquet of roses (much to the servants’ surprise) , and even made a flower crown (much to Oikawa’s amusement). None of them got through to Yahaba.
Kyoutani decided to make his last effort.
Over dinner, he made small talk with the King, talking about the festivals that Althien celebrated, and the coming change of the season.
“Yahaba-san, would you have some time to spare tomorrow? I was hoping that you would be able to show me around the village,” Kyoutani asked suddenly, glancing at Yahaba. Yahaba barely gave a reaction, continuing with his meal.
“ Shigeru ,” the King hissed.
Yahaba sighed, and placed his cutleries down on the table.
“I’ll be busy with work tomorrow.”
“Haven’t you already finished whatever you need to do for the week?” the King asked.
The scuffing of the chair was the only answer, as Yahaba stood up, still not looking at Kyoutani. “I’m tired, so I’ll be taking my leave. Enjoy your meal.”
“ Shigeru! ” the King snapped, but the retreating shadow of the crowned prince was the only answer.
“I must apologise for my son. He is still immature in many ways, and I hope you can grow to understand and hopefully correct his stupid ways.”
Kyoutani exhaled softly. “I will try my best, Your Majesty.”