Play It Wright

After a long day of monitoring the siege wall, drilling hundreds of soldiers, and reviewing countless status reports, finally Head Knight Izuku is able to retire to his chambers for the evening.

He is pleasantly surprised to see there is a wrapped gift waiting for him on his quilted bedspread. Sealed inside is a brand new outfit, expensive and tailored perfectly for his body, along with a golden VIP ticket to the Opera. The Knight feels a burst of vitality as he prepares for your date; soaking in the royal baths for a little longer than usual, worrying over his choice of cologne, and meticulously shaving his face. There's only so many times he can fuss over his hair before Izuku makes his way to your super secret meeting place. (AKA the den.)

Your back is turned when he enters silently, one of your hands dancing along the keys to the grand piano in a simple chord. The gown that you wear matches his vest, and his eyes roam over the open back design with hunger. Izuku wraps his arms around you from behind, nuzzling into your neck. He hums at the smell of your perfume, and the sight of the front of your dress which is even better; low cut with exposed shoulders, a high slit, and corset cinched tight enough to accentuate the curves of your lovely figure. His hands run up your sides appreciatively.

You chuckle and try to turn around in his arms, but the Knight's strength halts any movement. Izuku takes a moment to just hold you in his embrace, thinking about how lucky he is, how blessed he is. How lovely it is to love you, and to be loved by you. His earthy, woodsy scent washes over you, and you lean back into the hard wall of muscle pressing into your backside.

"I hope you're wearing a cloak over this," Izuku rumbles, "otherwise we might not even make it to the show tonight."

"I was actually envisioning furs for this evening," you hum as he presses his lips to your throat gently. He slowly turns you around, and you both soak in the other's appearance.

Izuku appears utterly delectable in his silk blazer and embroidered cloak. But of course he looks dashing, your taste is impeccable! You are also styled immaculately from head to toe, clutching a colorful bouquet of flowers in your hands. Izuku tugs on the sleeves of his formalwear nervously when he sees your own small, bashful smile.

It's no surprise that you are feeling shy in this situation, but Izuku? His sudden anxiety is almost laughable considering the many positions he was shamelessly folding you in just last night.

Being on this leading end of a courting ritual is rather unfamiliar to you, but being around Izuku has always felt so remarkably easy. You giggle and tease him lightly as you fix his cravat. You offer him the bouquet, and he inhales the floral scent appreciatively as he accepts with a smile. It might seem silly to most, gifting such a big, brawny man a bundle of flowers, but you know Izuku well.

And many men aren't given their first flowers until their funeral day… the recent trial and current siege still weigh heavily on your mind, even in his bright presence.

"Ah, they're beautiful! Did you make these?" His gaze dances over each individual flower as you nod with a proud smile. "There's so many hybrids..! Thank you so much, my love," he punctuates his statement with a passionate kiss, stealing your breath, tugging your bottom lip gently with his teeth before releasing you. He smirks when you chase after his lips in a lusty haze, pulling further away from you. "I'll go put these in water then we can head out!"

Izuku adjusts your fur lined cloak to cover your modesty fussily before the pair make their leave. Together you descend the palace steps, arm in arm. The guards watch the scene with curiosity but hold their tongues until the two of you are well out of earshot. Most of the soldiers know that their Head Knight is a very different man outside of battle, but even so, to see him being soft like this is still a bit of a shock. And with the Queen, no less! It's no secret that the two of you are close companions, but there's no doubt that more salacious rumors will be circulating around the barracks by the night's end.

None of that is of your concern, though. You shower Izuku in compliments and praise until he's glowing bright red as the two of you step into a horse drawn carriage. The coach rocks in a gentle rhythm as it embarks down the Pearl Boulevard with you inside seated across from your lover.

"It's been several years since I've attended an Opera showing, but I'm sure a man of culture such as yourself has frequented the theater," you say conversationally, pursing your lips to keep from laughing when you take note of the sheepish look on his face. "Or perhaps I am mistaken?"

"It has always seemed a luxury that I hadn't the time to indulge in," Izuku admits with a slightly embarrassed smile.

"Oh, puppy, the arts are what make life worth living!" You beam at him with newfound excitement. "Music, drama, and dance all come together on the stage. This will surely be a joyous experience!"

Before long, the coach rumbles to a stop. Head Knight Izuku, ever the gentleman, helps you out of the carriage and onto the street corner before the towering theater. It is a sizable structure, just as grand as the Coliseum yet uniquely different in its aura. Whereas the Coliseum is a stadium fit for warriors, the Opera house is one built exclusively for champions of the arts.

Passersby stop and stare, wave and cheer at the sight of their Queen, but in this moment you only have eyes for Izuku. This evening, this entire elaborate courting ritual, it is all for him. He stands a respectful distance away since you two are in public, but you hook your arm into his with a warm smile. It should be fine; to any onlookers you are simply a lady (of the highest caliber!) in need of an escort for the evening. Who would fault the Head Knight for catering to the Queen? But the dark flush coating his freckled cheeks tells you Izuku knows the true meaning behind your intentions. You want to make sure that he feels special and important, that he knows just how much of a treasure he is to you.

The well dressed doormen are bowing low and waving you inside before you even flash your golden tickets. Izuku blinks rapidly, clearly unused to such preferential treatment. You only chuckle behind your hand. His expression is so amusing!

The entrance hall is immaculate, adorned with high vaulted ceilings and walls covered in colorful murals. Golden candlelit chandeliers wrapped in enchanted vines illuminate the space. You watch the young man on your arm fondly as he gasps in awe at the architectural beauty around him, mentally patting yourself on the back. This was a splendid idea indeed! With all the stress the two of you have been suffering through as of late, this should prove a satisfactory distraction.

Thanks to all of the enthusiastic ushers, it doesn't take long to find your VIP spots in the monarchy's spectating booth. The two of you truly have the best seats in the house, overlooking both the stage and the audience members.

Empty seats are filling quickly, likely due in part to the fact that the Queen herself has come to see the show tonight. The theater crew rush about anxiously, making countless callouts and last minute changes to the script— and to the cast as well? You squint from your lofty position. There's quite a commotion going on behind that heavy velvet curtain. A speaker emerges to announce to the awaiting crowd that the show will be delayed for a few minutes.

"Define a few, knave," you shout impulsively, snickering when it spurs on a few others in the audience to cause a bit of ruckus. Contrary to popular belief, there's nothing wrong with a healthy amount of chaos.

You turn to your Knight and explain that the performers tonight must be eager to impress you, so he should be in store for a real treat tonight. Izuku sits up straighter in his seat, looking so handsome and utterly delighted just to be in attendance. His emerald eyes flit across the stage setting as well as the murmuring audience with open curiosity. You observe him discreetly, with pure affection in your gaze.

Before long the light of the glowshrooms begin to fade, and the carefully placed sconces are snuffed out as the curtains draw open for the first act.

Your sweet look turns utterly mischievous in the darkness. A light and delicate hand traces up Izuku's knee to his thigh before he intertwines his fingers with yours, holding on tightly and completely halting your movement. When you whine and attempt to pry your hand from his firm grip, he shushes you lightly. You scoff indignantly, but the Knight pays you little to no heed. The man's eyes are glued to the performers dancing onstage. You grumble softly to yourself, faced with no other choice now but to focus on the exposition of the show.

Honestly it's a bit dull at first, or at least far less entertaining than what you could be doing in the dark. You're almost certain you've already seen this tale being told, entitled When It Rains, It Pours, but it's been many years. Still, this is the Opera, and no two live performances are ever the same, so before long you find yourself being sucked into the story regardless. Still…

Undoubtedly their voices are talented, but you find the songs to be rather confusing and jumbled, as if the performers have only just learned the lyrics. If Yuga was here he'd be loudly, obnoxiously ripping them to shreds for not committing to their craft properly. But Izuku seems enraptured, caught up in the songs and the dances and the atmosphere. You derive more fascination from the elaborate sets which are constructed and painted with great detail and care. The actors' many intricate outfits are also much better than the last time you attended the theater. Although something just isn't sitting right…

As you watch it all unfold, the plot slowly comes back to you. And whatever you're witnessing onstage isn't it. It's not atypical for a drama to be altered from its source material based on a director's personal choices and vision. But this is most certainly not the show you came to see. Details have been changed and rearranged, some left out, and others clumsily thrown back in.

You shift uncomfortably in your seat, glancing over at Izuku from the corner of your eye. You remember now. The original piece was about a budding young romance that ended in tragedy. Romeo and Juliet levels of calamity.

However instead of a strong and capable man, the leading role is depicted by a foolish lady soldier by the name of Azalea who wears a green scarf. She is hopelessly in love with a water mage, with a Princess— instead of a mysterious mermaid creature, which would better align with many other depictions akin to the original. No, the theater troupe has taken creative liberties. This water Princess favored the soldier, no matter how many messes and mistakes the hapless fool made.

As the first act came to a close, Azalea the soldier went off to war after an impressive and rather heartfelt farewell tribute. The Princess wept for days and days on end. The special effects made it feel as though the entire theater was being embraced by a blanket of fog and rain. The heavy velvet curtains drew closed amongst the quiet hush of the crowd. When the lights glowed brighter to signal the intermission, you were startled to see Izuku with streams of tears running freely down his face.

"Sweet pea," you gasp sharply, cursing yourself as you fish around in your gown for a handkerchief. Suddenly you remember all the men who have tried to court you, who have offered to take you on excursions as you scoffed arrogantly in their faces. Back then you hadn't realized how difficult it was to put oneself out there, or even worse: to feel the biting sting of rejection at a failed outing. "My sincerest apologies, dearest, I hadn't thought… We can leave if you'd like—"

"N-No, I'm sorry, it's all just… very moving," Izuku chokes as you wipe his tears. He hadn't anticipated the power of the theater. "I-I have to, I need to know how it ends."

You want nothing more than to kiss his pain away, to take him into your arms until whatever agony is welling up within him subsides. But you can feel the stares from the crowd. Everyone in the audience is looking to you, gauging your reaction to the performance, no doubt so the aristocracy can parrot your responses as their own original thoughts. Ugh. Whatever the case, you are unable to discreetly comfort Izuku under so many watchful eyes.

Once again your heart is hindered by your head, or at least the golden crown that you wear upon it. You furrow your brows at your lover in worry. "Alright, if that is what you wish… Intermission will be a short while. Oh! Feeling peckish?"

Izuku sniffles and nods weakly. "Um, S-Something salty? P-Please."

"Anything for you, darling," you respond automatically, patting his thigh affectionately before taking your leave.

You glide outside the theater hall and enjoy a stick of honeysmoke in the cool night air to calm your nerves, lingering with your dark thoughts. You can't help feeling anxious. Already your first date with Izuku isn't going as planned, all because you couldn't be bothered to check the contents of the drama you'd be seeing tonight. You curse your own carelessness. Hopefully things take a turn for the better soon.

However this seems unlikely, considering the fact that when you venture back inside to the concessions, you overhear a couple of noblemen speaking ill of your dear Knight from around the corner. You stop and listen with a clenched jaw.

"… filthy commoner who can't even grasp the subtleties of fine art," snorts a potbellied nobleman. "It's preposterous!"

"He's only here as the Queen's lapdog," responds the other calmly. Your eyes widen in recognition at the voice. Lord Kai is here?! "So long as everyone plays their roles, the truth will soon be revealed to the people."

Just what exactly is that supposed to mean? You have half a mind to reveal yourself and punch your 'distant relative' right in his teeth. But the rational part of your brain tells you to be at ease, that you cannot possibly do such a thing without facing severe political and diplomatic repercussions. That doesn't stop you from silently fuming. You need to take another smoke break before returning inside.

When you bring your Knight his roasted goat leg, his cheeks are still slightly glistening wet, but thankfully he's no longer actively weeping. Izuku murmurs his thanks and nibbles on the mutton with tiny bites. His low disposition only worsens your mood, and you glare imperiously into the crowd until you see Lord Kai take his seat alongside Lady Mei. The pair whisper conspiratorially, making your brow twitch. Was this some combined effort then? To conspire against you?? Plants wither around you as swift and violent repercussive actions flash in your mind.

But before you can act rashly, the lights lower once more as the second act begins.

The sonnets are impossibly sadder during this part as it is revealed to the Princess that her dear soldier has fallen in battle. She weeps for a love extinguished before it could burn brighter, and practically everyone in the theater is moved including you, sniffling softly at the passion in her beautiful voice.

It's reminiscent of the letters Izuku sent you when he was first sent off to battle, the young man still only a Squire at the time. He had wrote you so often up until that point, and even through the pages you could sense his trepidation, his hesitance and fear to have his last words to you written in ink rather than spoken face to face. It breaks you to imagine bearing the weight of the Princess's pain, knowing that the object of her affections will never come back.

You blink back the tears, choosing to lean on rage instead. There are far too many similarities for this to simply be coincidental, especially after noting Lord Kai's presence and cryptic words. The man was able to bring ninety soldiers into your kingdom undetected, who's to say that he didn't also smuggle a few spies as well? Spies who know far too much about your personal life.

"Is this goddamn play about us?" You mutter to yourself, but Izuku catches it, along with the irritated twitch of your brow in the dim light.

It's not uncommon for the crown to influence the culture, especially serving as the butt of the people's jokes. It had never bothered you before. As a lass it was amusing to see depictions of your parents in exaggerated caricatures; the late Queen with a scowl so severe it could literally freeze people in place, and the legends of your father, the King, betting the entirety of the kingdom on a game of cards against the Cultivator and somehow coming out victorious. It was all in good fun.

But this thinly veiled political attack on you is not at all amusing. Things soon take an even darker turn in the performance.

The Princess lapses into depression, unable to cope with the loss of her beloved soldier. She concocts a poison in order to reunite with her lover in the afterlife. There isn't a dry eye in the theater as she belts out her last words before downing the liquid. The Princess perishes tragically. Dancers shake drums that emulate the sound of crashing ocean waves, singing a haunting, macabre tune in a dramatic display of funerary rites.

As the Princess's body is returned to the sea on a flaming raft, Azalea the soldier suddenly appears atop the rocks.

Miraculously Azalea has returned alive, only to bear witness to her dearest's ill fate. She strides out to the ocean after the raft and does not return. It is not just the sound of her voice singing woefully that has Izuku breaking down beside you, utterly inconsolable, but the parallels of your own torrid, forbidden love affair.

This could've very easily been your own fates. It tears him apart. The Knight shakes and covers his face, sobbing right along with many other audience members. Your heart shatters before you.

"Please breathe my love, or you'll make yourself sick. I-It's just a story," you try to reassure the man. "It is only propaganda."

However you're not sure whether he hears you through his racked sobs. Once again you curse yourself. This was decidedly a dreadful idea.

Especially when the performance is messily concluded with the kingdom being taken over by a "kind and generous" nobleman, the Princess's foreign relative (could they have made it any more obvious at this point?!) who detests war. The new King is a "good and just man" who steers the kingdom down a pious path. The play ends with an emphasis on the future, with fresh flowers budding throughout the theater in a bright, colorful display.

Never before have you been so upset at the sight of fresh flowers. You glance over at Izuku, still broken and openly weeping. And you cannot do a single thing to comfort him, which only serves to make you more distressed, more unstable. In fact, you might just carry out the punishment for whoever is responsible with your own two hands just for the hell of it. No one should be making your tender hearted lover cry except for you!

"I'll meet you at the coach," you tell him, standing and leaving.

As Queen, you are expected to stay and mingle with the theater troupe for some time, but you wouldn't dream of subjecting Izuku to such a task, especially in the sorrowful state he's in currently. You demand the barkeep to prepare you a stiff drink so you can at least try to make it through this ordeal without snapping.

Many of the performers approach you to ask your opinion on the show. Their smug smiles tell you they know just what sort of chaos they've sowed. You eye them all as if there is a knife aimed at your heart. Would you be at ease in such a position? Your expression demands. Most of the actors retreat with their tails between their legs at just your glare. Besides the crown, it is quite possibly the most powerful gift you inherited from your mother.

While the pompous performer who portrayed the King is talking your ear off about his methodology, you spot the Duchess drifting across the room. It's a miracle you don't implode at the mere sight of her. You don't bother excusing yourself (you're the goddamn Queen!) as you strut in her direction. She is dressed in her finest gown, all frills and lace, cinnamon hair flowing freely. The surrounding plants tremble and wither in your wake.

"Your Majesty," Camie gasps softly at your sudden appearance. "I hadn't thought you'd show."

"Ah, but here I am," you reply with a smile that doesn't quite reach your eyes. "While I've always admired your courage, I must admit I think you pushed your luck just a little too far tonight."

"You misunderstand, Your Highness," Camie says quickly. "My only involvement tonight was designing the costumes. If you wish to make a complaint about the performance, then I suggest you direct it towards the puppeteer himself rather than his puppets." She sips her wine with poise.

The fire of your rage dwindles as you examine her features but detect no lie. So Camie is not the culprit. Of course, that would be far too obvious, and she is no ringleader. Your confident smirk returns. "And here I'd thought your performance was just so meaningless that I'd already forgotten it."

"What will not be soon forgotten are the ripples sure to come from this show tonight. Common folk may traipse across the stage, but it tends to be the nobility and courtiers who fill the seats." Camie gives you a sinister look from the rim of her glass. "I can't imagine being in your shoes right about now, Your Majesty."

"No, you've never been known for your imagination," you begrudgingly agree with a hand to your chin, already turning your back on her. Then Kai and/or Mei must be to blame for this fiasco. You incline your head. "Very well. This has been tolerable. If I am ever in need of a hastily constructed gown, then I'll be sure to send for you." The Duchess only rolls her eyes as she watches you go.

The evening feels significantly cooler when you exit the theater. It doesn't take long to spot your dear Knight, waiting obediently beside the parked carriage. Even when you approach, his gaze is somber and distant. His body moves on its own to help you into the coach, but you stop him. The night simply can't end on such a low note, not like this.

"Why don't we walk home?" You suggest. "The fresh air would serve us both well."

"As you wish," he replies softly, falling into step beside you.

You lead the young man down a few quieter, more scenic side streets. Crawling vine trellises wind up pastel colored adobe homes and storefronts. With a bit of magic encouragement, the surrounding bushes and flowerbeds perk up. The common folk here are more reserved and keep to themselves; taking note of your regal presence with a nod or a smile, but leaving you to your own devices as you stroll past.

You struggle to find the words to properly console your dear Knight. Just when you think you have a starting place, a voice calls out to him. You both stop and turn as a couple approaches Izuku, in a manner one would do a close friend. A soft gasp escapes when you recognize the profession of these two people when they draw closer.

Courtesans are easily identifiable by the shawls that the women wear covering their hair and the men tie around their necks. The streetwalkers bow respectfully toward you before turning their attention back to your lover. You've never spoken with a lady of the night, nor a gentleman of such status, and you are curious as to how Izuku knows them. You observe the three discreetly.

The man has brown hair tied back in a low ponytail, and the tall blonde woman wears glasses. They both seem awfully familiar to your Knight, the man ruffling his hair with an easygoing smile while the woman rubs her hand up and down his arm affectionately. Izuku cringes internally at the situation but doesn't want to be rude, so he greets them with as much warmth as he can summon. You turn to the nearby plants, trying your hardest not to eavesdrop, but snippets of conversation still find their way to your ears.

"It's been a while since we've seen you at the manor."

"We know you're a busy man, but still… your presence is greatly missed."

"When can we expect you again?"

And much of the like. You feel sick to your stomach. Your heels clack against the cobblestone as you begin to walk away from the scene. You only make it three steps before the Knight is calling out to you in question.

"Don't fret, I can find my own way back to the palace," your smile is tight. "Clearly, you have all the company you could need this evening." Your turbulent emotions ripple through the foliage in a wide radius.

You stomp away from the trio, not sparing a glance backward even when you hear Izuku shouting after you. Oh now you're suddenly important?! You huff, gathering up your skirts to hasten your stride down a less populated side street. There are still a few common folk going about their business despite the late hour, casting confused glances at the sight of their Queen dashing down the cobbled path with the Head Knight hot on her heels.

Izuku catches up to you in an alley, between wooden crates and barrels, trying to catch your breath. It's quiet and dark here, save for a few chirping crickets and pockets of glowshrooms. When he sees your tear stricken eyes, Izuku moves to comfort you automatically, but you shove him away from you roughly. The Knight blinks at you in shock as though you'd struck him. He almost doesn't recognize you.

"Get away from me! Goddess, how many?" You demand in exasperation. "How many people have touched you, how many people have had their dirty paws all over what's rightfully mine? Maybe the Court was right," you snarl, "maybe you are just a filthy fucking commoner!"

In an instant Izuku presses you back into the shop wall, green eyes glowing in the dark with a dangerous swirl of anger and hurt. " Mind your tongue… lest you say something you'll regret, Your Majesty."

"Damn dirty, nasty dog is what you are," you continue fighting against his grip, ranting through agonized, pained tears. " I-I bit you! I don't know what that means where you're from, but around here it means you belong to me! Naughty puppy, you've been a bad dog! Bad—"

"Cease this," Izuku cups your face gently and whispers your name like a plea. "Forgive me? For so long, I-I never imagined we could actually be together. And I told you how much it pained me being apart—"

"Oh yes, and you sought comfort wherever you could, right?" You laugh bitterly, shoving him away once more. "Poor Izuku! Next you mean to tell me that the whores seduced you, yes? Always the victim!" His large frame blocks you from storming off again. "So if you couldn't have me, then any warm body would do, then?" Your entire form trembles with emotion. "It's a wonder you haven't got fleas, since you've been laying down with just anyone—"

"No one else meant anything," he declares, planting his palms on the adobe wall by your head, effectively trapping you underneath him. "You have always been the only one that I love—"

"Then why didn't you wait for me?" You cry, beating on his chest. " I waited, five long years I waited for you, yet you couldn't do the same for me?"

The Knight's silence is answer enough, hanging heavily in the air with guilt amidst your choked sobs. Izuku simmers in your pain while you continue to pound weakly on his broad chest with your puny fists, his betrayal ripping you apart. Ever since you returned to Yuueii, you've been taking every precaution not to hurt him, not to break his heart— only to find that he's been running wild and rampant in your streets all this time. It hurts, and now you want to hurt him too.

"I was out in the jungle with only one other man for hundreds of miles," you hiss in a low tone. "You think Katsuki didn't try to seduce me, didn't try to bed me?" Izuku growls low in his throat at just the thought, leveling you with a warning glare that you don't back down from. " But I was loyal. I was faithful. I waited… Saving myself… for you," You whisper brokenly. He holds you tighter.

"I know, beloved," Izuku kisses your tears away, licking the salty wetness from his lips. "Because you're too good for me, too perfect for me. Believe me, bunny, I-I know just how unworthy I am of your affections."

No, that's not what you mean to imply— The Knight cuts off your protests with a deep, sensual kiss. Everything stills at the feel of his lips moving against yours so slow and intimately. He steals the breath from your lungs, despite how quickly you'd hand it over to him willingly. You'd give him whatever he asked for.

"But you chose me," Izuku speaks into your panting open mouth, "and for that I thank the goddess every day, for bringing me to you." His eyes glimmer with unshed tears as he presses his forehead against yours. "I won't— I refuse to let our story end like Azalea's. I'll make sure we get our happy ending, my love." His gaze flits back and forth between your doe eyes. "Now that I have you, I won't let anything in this world keep us apart."

You whimper as he peppers tender kisses down the column of your neck, half heartedly attempting to push him away. "N-No, no, no, y-you're a bad dog, a naughty puppy."

"But I wanna be good," he whines, pouting up at you from where he licks between your cleavage, keeping you caged against the wall and his hard body. "Wanna be good for you, my Queen, only for you."

You can only shudder and sigh in response, the fight leaving you with every stroke of his devilish tongue against your warm skin. He moans softly at your submission, getting off on your compliance. It doesn't at all bother Izuku to let you think you're walking him like a dog when he's the one secretly pulling your strings.

"Would you believe me if I said I took so many partners in efforts to service you better?" Izuku asks, slipping his hand up the slit in your dress to rub circles against your pearl. He has to bite back a smirk at how wet you feel already. Instead he looks up at you with innocent eyes. "Only so that I could learn all the best ways to bring you pleasure. Don't you see? It was all for you, darling."

"Pardon me if I don't thank you," you huff, silenced only when the Knight sinks a couple thick digits into your tight heat and slowly pumps, making your eyes flutter. You moan and curse quietly, carding your fingers through his thick, curly hair. "You are mine, Izu. Always and forever."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you, bunny," he teases your nipples through your gown, nipping and biting and tugging. Izuku extracts his fingers from you and slips them into his mouth with an appreciative hum. He lifts you up the wall with ease so your hips are level with his face, nosing his way into the slit of your dress, sniffing at your cunt lewdly without shame and whimpering. "I've been a bad puppy, yeah?"

"Yeah," you pant just as he mouths at your entrance. "N-Naughty. N-Not a good boy."

"I am, I am," he insists between greedy laps of his fat tongue along your pussy. "I am a good boy, lemme show you, please, bunny, lemme be good for you."

He holds you up with one strong arm and parts your thighs with the other, slurping at your little flower bud thirstily. Your eyes cross. He knows your body far too well. It doesn't take long before you're tugging on his forest head of hair, gasping and groaning and grinding into his drooling mouth. Your clit throbs almost painfully as your arousal drips down his face. His tongue teases you expertly until you're begging him desperately for release.

"Please, Sir? Please, may I cum?" You repeat. "May I please?"

Izuku grins, watching you with a gleam in his eyes. He can't recall you ever asking anyone 'may you please' do anything. It thrills him to be the only one to get you to this point. He can't help but linger in this feeling for as long as possible. "Nuh-uh. Hold it for me."

More tears roll down your cheeks, but it only encourages him as you futilely attempt to close your legs. "I can't!! Please—"

"Tell me I'm good," he demands, only continuing his ministrations when you obey. "Again, tell me again… Go on, bunny, give it to me... Cum for your good boy."

A pitched cry tears through you as your vision goes white. You ramble through your climax about how good he is for you, how much you love him. Izuku groans, drinking up every last drop that spills from you. Far, far away, you think you hear the distant toll of a bell. You shudder in the Knight's grasp as snow begins to fall from the cloudy night sky. Your breathing slows. Snow in mid Spring?

"A miracle," you murmur dreamily. "Blessing from the goddess." She approves! The Cultivator must be smiling down on you.

"Do you hear that?" Izuku asks, lowering you back down to the ground. He's craning his ears toward the bells still chiming. So that wasn't just your orgasmic euphoria? But you really need him inside you right now!!

"No, no," you tug him back to your lips and for a moment Izuku indulges, slotting your lips together, gliding his slick tongue along with yours, letting you taste yourself on him before the bells ring out once more. You whine, "ignore it."

"We shouldn't," Izuku pulls away from you reluctantly, grateful that he was at least able to finish you off before, "we should fulfill our duties."

You pout and complain and protest even as he straightens your gown and cleans up your running makeup with his thumb. Izuku only chuckles, reassuring you that it is probably a false alarm and nothing more. He leads you toward the ringing bells near the coast, and a messenger nearly barrels over the two of you as you cross paths.

"Your Highness!" Hanta exclaims. "It's a bloody good thing I found you. The pirates are under attack!"

You frown. Izuku raises a brow. "You mean the pirates are attacking? I ordered the troops to only strike if provoked."

"No," Hanta replies firmly. "A lone man skated across the sea and opened fire upon the pirate armada. Literally."

Your mind is still a little jumbled, but now it's reeling from this new information. "Who could perform such a feat?"

"It is your fiancé, my Queen. Prince Shouto is at our border battling the entire pirate fleet, demanding to be let into the kingdom."

You all but keel over. Izuku's head snaps in your direction, but there's no way you can meet his eyes at this moment. All you can think is why here, why now?

"Our men are on standby, but it won't be long until the battle bleeds into our lands, and we'll be forced to intervene," Hanta says. "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"I… I," you shake your head, slipping out of the subspace Izuku had just lulled you into moments prior. You are the Queen. This is a time for decisiveness. "Lead me to the fray."

Hanta races off, but the Head Knight grabs your wrist firmly before you can follow behind. His brows are furrowed as he regards you. "What is he doing here?"

You gape back at the man in disbelief. "How am I to know? This is news to me as well!"

He searches your eyes for a moment before releasing you, and the pair hurry down to the port. The snow is heaviest here, and flurries of white tumble down from above. You hear the sounds of violence and feel the prickle of magic in the air before you even smell the salty spray of the sea. After passing through the siege wall checkpoint, you see an incredible, terrible sight.

Across the distance of the churning ocean, a long line of ice cuts a frosty path. It leads straight to a pirate ship, half frozen and half burning afloat the waves. The rest of the fleet is in similar shape, either frozen or flaming or some twisted combination of the two with crew members shouting in alarm. Arrows arc in the air chasing after a blur of red and white across the surface of the sea.

Prince Shouto skates across the water, turning it to ice and blasting ships with columns of fire. This lone man has single-handedly done most of the legwork needed to rid your people of the pirate scourge. His magic is undeniably powerful but wild, if the current unusual weather conditions are any indication. And if he continues with his flames so carelessly then it won't be long until a strong breeze sends a wayward spark in the direction of Yuueii.

It seems Prince Shouto had caught the pirates by surprise, but now they are forming ranks and coordinating a counter attack. Your fiancé could be in mortal danger, not to mention the rare aquatic flowers that line the coastal border. You can always get another fiancé, but even your magic won't be able to replenish all these species of water lilies.

You sigh and remove your fur cloak, handing it to Izuku. "This mink is older than both you and I combined. My mother would turn over in her grave if she knew I'd gotten it wet," you say by way of explanation before marching towards the sea.

You wade out until the water reaches your waist. The chill helps to pinpoint your focus as you reach out to all the plants below sea level. Seaweed and algae extend, rearing up like the long arms of an octopus, wrapping around the pirate ships. Prince Shouto takes advantage of the situation and casts decisive blasts of fire and ice on the sinking vessels. Wood splinters and cracks as one by one the ships are crushed and pulled below the ocean's surface. The pirates' screams linger in your mind long after the last ship is sunk.

The nearby soldiers rejoice now that the pirates have been taken care of. Fishermen will be able to venture out further once again, and the merchants can continue their trade routes. You've done well. Prince Shouto skates up to you in a flashy display of ice magic. He is dressed in dark battlemage robes and without his crown.

"What brings you across the sea to my kingdom?" You ask, wasting no time with pleasantries.

Prince Shouto drops to his knee in front of you and takes your hand, kissing it softly, shocking everyone including yourself. "I could not sit idly by when I'd heard the news that Yuueii fell under siege. I came as fast as I could to lend aid to my betrothed."

A few more cracks appear in your perfectly cultivated mask, leaving it in poor shape to disguise your shock. Many onlookers swoon and gush about the Prince's devotion, but you continue to eye him skeptically. The dual haired man waves his hand, and between his fingers forms a single rose crafted of pure ice. Shouto bows low as he offers it to you.

"What am I meant to do with this?" You grumble at the token already freezing your fingertips before handing it off to Izuku.

Prince Shouto waves his hands again and produces another large flurry of snow, making the soldiers jump around in giddy, childlike delight. You deadpan. Is this display meant to impress you? He must know that you can perform magic too, right? Why won't he just answer your question? Then Shouto cups your chin and pulls you close, his deep monotone voice whispering directly into your ear.

Head Knight Izuku snaps out of his own reverie enjoying the snowfall and almost loses it at the sight of you and the Prince intertwined so closely and intimately and familiarly. Time seems to slow as you and he break apart, your eyes wide and lips parted, the heterochromatic man's eyes unblinking as he gazes at you. You nod up at him, almost imperceptibly. Izuku's hand twitches for his sword.

"The Prince will be admitted into the city," you tell the guards, and Izuku freezes.

"I'll send word for preparations to be made for him at the palace," nods Hanta.

Both you and the Prince stiffen. "That will not be necessary," Shouto says. "I don't mean to impose. I planned on staying at a local tavern or an inn. I presume you have those in this quaint kingdom..?" You pinch the bridge of your nose in irritation.

"Nonsense," exclaims Hanta. "You are the Queen's future husband! Surely Her Highness's betrothed should expect only the finest of accommodations." The messenger sweats as three different pairs of eyes glare at him. "O-Or perhaps I am mistaken..?"

You sigh and rub your temples. As much as you might want to throttle him at the moment, Hanta isn't at fault. He is merely a reflection of what much of the populace would think at the current situation. The people would call you heartless for leaving your husband-to-be slumming it in the local tavern. Ugh. It simply can't be helped.

"Yes, please escort Prince Shouto to the palace, and get him settled in the south wing," you instruct. "There should already be a carriage waiting near the theater that the two of you can take."

Hanta brightens up at the prospect of riding in a royal carriage and ushers Prince Shouto down the street. Your fiancé sends you a look that you can't quite decipher as he walks past. Izuku tosses your cloak at you with more force than necessary, and you spit out fur as you remove it from your face, only to see him stomping off. The ice rose shatters on the ground as he drops it.

This is the thanks you get for planning a date night. Courting is the absolute worst.