Chapter Text
It had been years. Years since you had left. Left to find your happy ending. Left the castle to go back to being gray. Left Atsumu to ponder over his actions.
And over those years, he realized more and more that you may have been always the side character in his story, but goodness, the impact you left on not only him, but to the entire castle as well was enormous. The whole atmosphere of the castle turned back to being dull and lifeless. The maids stopped smiling so much and they looked more scared, especially when they make a mistake. With your suggestion towards the food the chefs make, whenever someone would take a bite, it would just reminded them of you. This is what you thought tasted delicious. This is what you suggested the chefs add slightly more pepper to.
Your room looked the same as the day you left, except for when Atsumu would rummage through it, trying to find even the smallest clue to where you went and where you are now. If you were alive or if you were...no, it couldn't happen. If he found you again after all these years and you were gone, he wouldn't know what to do.
After spending so much time in your room almost everyday, he's learned so much about you. But he wants to know more. He wants to hear it from your own lips. He knows that you liked food with a specific taste from the chefs, but he wants to know what specific food is your favorite from you. He knows that sometimes you enjoy spending time in the garden from the gardeners, but he wants to know what your favorite flower is from you. He knows you loved him from the notes you left behind, but he wants to know if you still loved him from you.
How far did you travel from the castle? How have you been? How you manage to make everyone's day brighter even by just walking through the door? Would you still choose him?
He wanted to know it all.
You weren't just some simple girl from the village who's willing to volunteer at charities. You were full of stories, of experiences, of treasure within. Like a treasure chest, only Atsumu didn't have the map to.
Where were you? He could only ask.
Would fate ever bring you back together? He could only hope.
Until one day, when a misplaced letter landed in the hands of Atsumu, he could finally be one step closer to finding you.
"Where was this letter sent from?" He asked Lydia, the recipient of said letter. "I don't know, your grace. "Lady (Y/N) never specified where she'd go."
"Do you think I'm stupid?" Lydia's eyes widened. "Your majesty, I am telling you nothing but the truth, Lady (Y/N) never told me, before she left or even in those letters, where she is." Atsumu grits his teeth in frustration. If the girl didn't talk, then this letter is useless. "Fine, if you won't be useful, then it's best you pack your things and leave as soon as possible." Lydia couldn't believe her ears. Working here was a dream come true, but now it was taken from her by a complete misunderstanding. So she tried reasoning with him.
"Yo-Your majesty, I would never l-lie to you. I have no idea of Lady (Y/N)'s whereabouts, she never told me then nor now, all I know is that she's settled do-" The tears wouldn't stop coming. How would her parents react if she returned home with all her belongings by order of the crowned King, himself. And he can see that. The tears that are running down her face like a waterfall.
It reminded him of you.
It reminded him of the night he broke you, and the night he accused you of trying to get him to fall for you using a love potion. And he promised himself he would change. This was not changing. Would you take him back if you knew he fired your closest friend in the castle?
He put his hand up to stop Lydia from saying more. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have done something so irrational. Don't pack your bags, your work here isn't over." He turned around so she wouldn't see him trying to hold back tears. "Dismissed."
The relief Lydia felt couldn't be described by words. "Thank you. Thank you so much!" She bowed to pay respect and left without another word.
And back to square one. Atsumu grabbed the letter and reread it for the nth time, but nothing came into mind. All the descriptions you wrote were vague and could mean anything. The only thing he could do now was hope the post office could provide information on where this letter came from. And provide they did. Turns out you were hiding right beneath his nose, in a neighboring village not too far from the kingdom he ruled. As soon as he heard the information, he set out with his men immediately to said village with your picture in his hands and hope in his heart. Hope to find you and hope to get you back.
The moment he set foot in the small village, he began asking the townsfolk if they've seen you, often getting irritated by how they were bowing instead of answering his question immediately. Until one woman directed him towards a small house nearby and informed him that's where you live.
This is it.
He found you.
Slowly, he walked up the steps and to the door, heart pounding so loud, he could hear it.
He wondered, were you really here? How have you been? How would you react once you see him? Would you take him back? His train of thought got cut when he heard the distant cry of a baby and he realized, the only way he would find out is if he finally knocked on the door.
1, 2, 3.
His anxiety skyrocketed with every knock and when he heard footsteps approaching closer and closer, he felt like his heart was about to pop right out of his chest.
The door finally opened and there stood you.
Leaving did you good. You looked well, looked bright and overall looked happier, but once your eyes recognized the man in front of you, they widened and you subconsciously took a step back. Both of you stood there for a second, not knowing what to do nor what to say until you nervously bowed in front of him and he finally made the decision to talk. But he didn't know what to say. Before coming here, there were a million and three things he planned to say to you, but he was speechless once he actually saw you.
"I-" But this time, you cut him off. "Your majesty, I think you've got the wrong house," and tried to close the door on him, not caring how disrespectful that looked to anyone watching. However, Atsumu wedged his foot between the door and the doorframe in time, preventing you from closing the door. "(Y/N), please." He tried looking at you through the gap between the door and the doorframe, but you refused to look him in the eyes and only tightened your grip on the door.
"(Y/N)," He said again, in a softer tone. You could only close your eyes and try to push the door even though it was useless until another voice stopped you.
"Darling? Who's at the door?"
Atsumu's eyes widened. Darling? Who is calling you darling? He looked at you for an answer but you were busy replying a "No one, love!" to who was calling you and stepped outside before closing the door.
Now it was just you and Atsumu. "Wh-who was that?" He said as he saw you move towards the railing, laying your arms to rest on it. He saw this as his cue to move next to you. Again, he asked, "Who was that," You stayed quiet for a moment, pondering whether you should tell the truth, lie, or cover it up. But knowing Atsumu, he'd try to find out the truth no matter how much you lie or cover it up.
"My husband. Not that it concerns you." He could feel shivers crawl up his spine at how cold your tone is. He felt small at how tall you built the walls around yourself, scared to ask another question. "Husband?"
"Yes." Your eyes never even glanced at him the whole time he was there, while his eyes were always on you. "Whe-When did you get married?"
"That's none of your business," He took a deep breath. Over the previous years, he imagined what the scenario would be when you two meet again. None of it was like this. Where you were the one who was cold and he was the one suffering from the cold. He was completely unprepared.
"Why?"
"You married another," Your eyes closed before they opened again. This time, looking towards him. "Why can't I?" He didn't know what to say. You looked away again and it was silent, until you finally asked, "Why are you really here Atsumu?"
He took another deep breath and looked at you, "I'm sorry. I should have treated you better. Not just treat you as a human being, but as my wife. I-I didn't realize until you left that you've done more to help in the few years we've been married than I have my entire life." He tried to read the expression on your face, but your face only remained expressionless.
"I'm sorry. I really am and-and I want you to come back. We all do. I-I'll do anything, I promise. I'll arrange another wedding ceremony for us. One that will be so grand, history will never forget. I'll be the first person you'll see in the morning and the last person you'll see before you fall asleep. I'll treat you better, I swear on my whole life just please. Please come back."
He waited for your response and hoped that you would agree. After a while, you turned your body towards him. "Didn't you hear me earlier? I am happily married here." You started walking past him and to the front door of your house. But Atsumu wouldn't give up. He grabbed your arm before you could reach the door. "You can bring him along, we'll take care of both of your needs and wants. And-and if anyone judges, I'll see to it that they will be dealt with."
With a sigh you turned back and faced him. But before you could say anything, he said, "(Y/N), please," with so much desperation it shocked you. He slowly raised his hand to cup your face and leaned in close. You could see the desperation and fear behind his eyes from how close he was. With lips just a breath away from one another, he whispered softly, "Please come back,"
He closed his eyes and was about to lean forward, but you pulled away from his grasp and turned your face away from him. "Atsumu, if my ring and letter on the table weren't enough to tell you I called it quits on our marriage, then what will it take?" You pulled your arm from his grasp and looked at his dejected expression. "Growing up, you've never known what it's like to not get what your heart so desires. Let this be a lesson for you: Don't take what you're given for granted and don't treat anyone the way you've treated me."
A familiar cry of a baby tore your attention away from him and the sound of your husband's worried voice calling, "Uh, Darling? I need your expertise here!" had you running back into your house, close the door, and leave Atsumu for the last time.
Atsumu, a feared King, stayed standing there, defeated and replaying the events from earlier until his curiosity got the best of him. He turned around and started walking to the side of your house where he could hear two voices: Yours and your husband's. There, he spotted a window, which he later wished he didn't. There stood you, laughing at your husband, who hurriedly placed your crying baby in your arms. Once settled in, you rocked your baby back and forth, trying to soothe its cries and occasionally kissing the top of its head until it eventually stopped crying and fell asleep listening to your heartbeat.
Your husband, still awestruck at how lucky he was to have you, stood behind you to look at your baby finally sleeping peacefully. He then looked at you with so much love, something Atsumu couldn't give you until it was too late, and kissed your temple and cheek. By then, Atsumu had looked away. To see you finally find your happy ending and it wasn't with him broke his heart. But it's what he deserved.
Finally, he walked away from the scene, with a heavy heart and tears prickling his eyes.
He may have found you, but he already lost you.