Chapter Text
From just about any angle one looked at it, the Kingdom of Amemaru was all but a gift from the gods themselves. Geographically speaking, it was nestled at the crossroads of six separate dominions. This meant that the countless roads and bridges that wove through its landscape were virtual golden geese, as even the thriftiest merchant couldn’t afford to not pay the tolls levied at Amemaru’s borders, for the over-reaching cost of choosing to limit trade within one’s own kingdom or of attempting to take a longer route to any but a directly neighboring land would be grave enough to severely damage-- if not wholly decimate-- a business. Trade was not limited to the surplus of merchants who wandered through the kingdom’s borders, either. The Kingdom of Amemaru was established in a positively idyllic location, sitting in the lush valley of the Sengaku mountain range, through which two vast rivers flowed. The climate was temperate and the soil itself was rich and fertile. This, in turn, meant that crops were able to be grown, harvested, and subsequently marketed year round, while the abundance of wildlife allowed for the trade of meat and furs. The Sengaku mountains provided an even more valuable boon of metals and gems, all easily mined by any who were intrepid enough to descend into any one of the numerous caves that dotted the faces of what seemed to be each mountain in the range.
Each of these factors only served to make Amemaru an even more valuable and sought-after trade partner by all her neighbors. Any country that found itself lucky enough to enter into trade agreements with this precious Kingdom soon found its own economy flourishing. The Kingdom of Amemaru was practically the trade capital of the world, and its prosperity was shared with all that it chose to ally with.
Deep within the Kingdom of Amemaru, settled amidst the rolling hillsides, multi-colored fields, and impossibly beautiful landscapes, rested the seat of power for the entire nation: Amemaru’s royal castle, and her thriving town of Ameshiro. The castle itself was as exquisite and extravagant as could be expected from a nation with such a tremendously saturated economy. Its walls were high, its gardens exquisitely manicured, and its halls ornately decorated. Over half of the population of Ameshiro was employed within the castle walls, serving as maids, butlers, cooks, gardeners, smiths, and more as they worked together to ensure that the royal family, who had provided so much for them, wanted for nothing.
Unlike those of surrounding kingdoms, Amemaru’s royal family was rather small, consisting of but four members. The modest number of royals left little room for clamor or commotion within the castle walls, a fact only that only increased when the king’s eldest son renounced his claim to the throne and left the castle to join the knight’s academy. With only three full time residents, the castle was generally a quiet and peaceful place, with little more than a comfortable silence echoing through the halls and chambers on most days. On this particular mid-spring afternoon, however, Castle Amemaru was abuzz with whispers, with gossip spreading so quickly from one end of the massive edifice to the other that one might just as soon think it fire.
“Did you hear? The prince rejected another prospective consort!”
“ Another?! That’s the fifth one this year already!”
“At this rate, his Grace will pass, and Amemaru won’t have a king to sit on the throne!”
“At least, not until the prince agrees to a proposal…”.
“Yeah, right . Like we’re going to live to see that day.”
Countless iterations of this conversation echoed through the castle until even the prince found himself on the receiving end of one such discussion.
“I heard you rejected the prospective consort you met with today?”, frowned the prince’s freckle-faced attendant over the rim of his teacup. Across the wrought iron table, the blond prince bristled. With all the patience and grace that he could muster, Tsukishima Kei raised his own tea cup to his lips. He took as long a sip of his tea as proper decorum would permit before finally setting the porcelain back down in its saucer. The prince returned his attendant’s frown and, with the slightest of sighs, shrugged, “She was the daughter of an earl.” Yamaguchi Tadashi rolled his eyes dramatically and, with a quick glance around to ensure that the casual nature of their conversation could not be overheard, replied, “Tsukki, what does that matter? Amemaru needs this marriage to establish--” “--favorable alliances, in order to secure and maintain our status within the continent”, the blond started, his words matching those of his attendant and best friend exactly, having heard this precise lecture more times than he cared to recount. After receiving a less than pleasant look from Yamaguchi, Tsukishima lifted his teacup once more, only to think better of it and set it back down a moment later. “Look”, the young royal frowned, “you can’t get upset with me for being over this whole thing. It’s so mind-numbingly dull…”. “Dull?!”, exclaimed Yamaguchi indignantly, “Tsukki, you’re getting marriage proposals from the most eligible women in the world! How can you possibly say that’s dull?!”. “It is”, the blond sighed.
“I can’t stand it. I know I’m supposed to care about this whole… ordeal… but I have not had one single stimulating conversation throughout all of the meetings I’ve endured.” “Tsukki…”, started the freckled attendant, only to be wholly ignored as the prince continued on his rant. “These girls”, he lamented, agitation mounting as he continued to speak on the subject, “are so incredibly, unfathomably vapid. There’s not a single one among the group that hasn’t gone out of her way to make it obvious that she’s not interested in me , but rather, my title. These ‘proposals’ aren’t addressed to Tsukishima Kei. They’re addressed to ‘His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Amemaru’, or whatever.” The blond slumped in his chair, earning a disapproving glance from Yamaguchi, but pressed on without interruption. “I mean… it shouldn’t even be my problem. Akiteru was the one who was supposed to deal with this in the first place.” At this, Yamaguchi felt a personal sense of duty to reply. “Akiteru responded to a higher calling”, frowned the young man, shifting slightly in his seat as he braced himself for the undoubtedly unpleasant response he had just incited by defending Kei’s older brother. Sure enough, upon looking up Yamaguchi found himself met with a steely glare. “‘Higher calling’?”, Tsukishima scoffed, “No. He selfishly abandoned his birthright in order to go play hero with his buddies. And now I’m stuck filling his shoes, dealing with this-- this-- utter nonsense-- all while he’s having the time of his life ‘pursuing his dreams’, or whatever he wants to call it.”
“Tsukki”, Yamaguchi sighed, casting yet another quick glance around the palace gardens in which the two sat, ever cautious when being informal with the prince, even though he’d basically known him since birth, “This is important. Whether you like it or not, Amemaru’s future rests on your shoulders. You need to accept one of these proposals.” At this, the blond shifted irritably once more, crossing his arms in front of him in a way that his attendant couldn’t help but feel was most unbecoming for a prince. After a moment, Yamaguchi cocked his head and asked, “...I’m sorry? I didn’t-- I didn’t quite catch that.” Prince Kei’s eyes fell to the ground as he repeated in a hushed tone, “... Why though?”. It was now Yamaguchi’s turn to act unbecomingly. He normally exhibited tremendous control over his emotions but every now and then, Prince Kei would say something that would catch him so off guard that he didn’t have time to filter his reaction. In this case, an astonished hand flew to Yamaguchi’s forehead, his eyes practically bulging out of his skull as he blew every ounce of air out of his chest.
With a raised eyebrow and the slightest semblance of a grin forming in the corners of his lips, Tsukishima asked, “...what?”, in a tone of feigned innocence, though he knew perfectly well what had set his best friend off. For his part, the freckled attendant sputtered, then spluttered, before finally stammering, “W- W- Why?!”. After considering this for a moment, he repeated himself once more, a little bit louder, “Why?!”. He lowered his eyelids and took a slow, deep breath, trying his best to calm back down. When the afternoon sun shone on his hazel eyes once more, he leaned forward and, searching Kei for a moment, asked in a tone of utmost severity, "Are you joking?". After a moment's silence between the two, Yamaguchi urged, "You've got to be kidding. I mean, Tsukki, we've attended the same lessons for the last decade. We've had daily lectures on the history of Amemaru, and y--". "I know what the law says", interrupted the blond, waving a dismissive hand as the other sought out his teacup once more, "what I don't understand is why." All the irritation and frustration the young attendant was feeling seemed to dissipate, a vague but pervasive feeling of confusion slowly settling in their place. After a long pause, all Yamaguchi found he could do was repeat, "'Why'?".
"This call for marriage isn't about producing an heir", stated Prince Kei matter-of-factly, "There's nothing in Amemaru's charter that calls for a bloodborn heir. After all, as you well know, my own grandfather was the chosen heir of a king and queen who could not bear children, or so the story goes." Yamaguchi nodded slowly. He was beginning to see where his aloof best friend's thought process was leading. With a passive eye roll, Tsukishima pressed on. "So it's not about preserving the blood line. Our kingdom most certainly doesn't need to establish trade agreements through marriage, which is why we tolerate marriage proposals from such low-born nobles--" "Still upset that the young lady from earlier was the daughter of an earl?", laughed Yamaguchi. The blond scowled across the table, "It's not funny! I honestly found it to be a bit offensive. I don't know how they thought they were going to impress me with someone of such low status." "Perhaps", mused the freckled young man, "it is because you've already turned down their princesses, duchesses, and marquesses." "Irrelevant", frowned Tsukishima, waving his hand dismissively yet again as he attempted to resume his prior conversation, "As I was saying: this whole ordeal isn't about producing heirs, and it clearly isn't about securing trade agreements. So why is it necessary that I be married before ascending to the throne-- if I must take the crown at all, that is?".
Yamaguchi smiled softly. He'd practically been raised side by side with Tsukishima Kei, hand picked from birth to be the blond's aide from a pool of nearly one hundred boys who were born around the same time as the prince. And though it was a job that was more or less assigned to him, he was no less honored to hold it. He'd spent every day of his conscious memory with Tsukishima Kei, and the two had easily become best friends. Truthfully, Yamaguchi felt as if he knew the prince better than he knew himself. And though the two had sat through all the same classes, and though Yamaguchi himself had advised Tsukishima on this very topic a number of times, the young attendant couldn't blame the prince for questioning the role that was forced upon him.
Humming gently as he exhaled his sigh, Yamaguchi took one more sip of his tea, then turned his attention back to the topic at hand. "It is one of Amemaru's oldest laws, that no man may ascend to the throne without being married first. Some people like to suggest that this is so the rulers of our kingdom are balanced-- that they have a partner to aid in decision making, and to help temper emotions in order to help prevent impulsive decision making. Others will claim the whole heir business but, you're right, it isn't required. What it really comes down to is that Amemaru needs to be reassured of your ability to commit. You need to commit to your kingdom, to do everything you can to safeguard and serve her. What better way to prove that you're willing to give a lifetime commitment than to precede your commitment to Amemaru with the sacred, lifelong commitment that is marriage?". Yamaguchi felt a little bit of the tension in his shoulders ease as he sat back in his chair. He felt that his explanation was as thorough as it could be, while leaving no real room for any reasonable dispute. Kei, however, clearly did not agree as, the moment Yamaguchi's monologue ended, a snort escaped the young prince, drawing a deep scowl from his attendant. "Tsukki", the freckled young man started, his affect solemn as he leveled his glance with the man who was destined to be king, "This is serious. You know that your father is not well. The matter of you choosing a princess consort is becoming more urgent by the day. And, heaven forbid, if His Highness were to pass before you found yourself a bride…". At this, Tsukishima had to frown, folding his arms in front of him once more as he had little choice but to acknowledge the truth in his friend's words. "I know, I know", the blond sulked, "If I'm not at the very least engaged by the time my father dies, the royal families would have the right to elect a new king." The prince drummed his fingers for a moment before irritably adding, "...I swear, what is the point of a monarchy if there's still an election process?". Yamaguchi smiled patiently and shrugged, "Your heredity is all you need, so long as you get married soon enough."
Kei was on the verge of rolling his eyes, sassy retort sitting at the tip of his tongue when his attendant suddenly rose from his seat. "Ah, well", sighed Yamaguchi as he waved over to the butler that had been waiting at the edge of the garden, "The Queen has requested your presence." "Eh?", Tsukishima asked, glancing around for any sign of any person besides his attendant and the butler that may have somehow passed this message on to Yamaguchi, "How do you know that?". Yamaguchi met the prince's confusion with a knowing smile, and as he motioned that the table was to be cleared, stepping back from his seat as he did so, he replied, "Her Majesty sent for me almost immediately after your meeting this morning. She requested that I try to talk some sense into you before she has to address this situation herself. It’s getting late, and I imagine I’ve done all I can, so…”. As his words trailed off, Yamaguchi nodded his head in the direction of the palace, and, clearly understanding his best friend’s suggestion, the prince slowly rose to his feet. “Let’s get this over with, I guess…”, he groaned, and together the two set off towards the Queen’s study.
---
“This is the fifth noble you’ve rejected this year , Kei!”, chided the Queen, elegantly dressed in the most regal finery, hues of apricot and umber complementing her long, blonde hair which was always fixed in tight up-do’s. The two young men had found the queen in the throne room, the day’s court session having only just adjourned. They stood before her feeling not as those who’d come immediately before them, eager to make their case to queen and court, but instead feeling more as if they were young children being reprimanded. Yamaguchi glanced quickly to the blond on his left before reverentially returning his gaze to the Queen; a part of him wondered why he felt as if the prince’s admonishment was his own as well. This train of thought was soon broken by the queen, who’d resumed speaking once more after a moment spent gazing disheartedly at her youngest son. “You must choose a consort. Your father’s condition worsens with each day, and I fear it is only a matter of time before he succumbs. This alone is enough to grieve me til the last of my days; I do not need your continued refusal to pick a bride as further reason to mourn.”
Kei had had a response prepared. He’d gone into this conversation knowing full well what the topic at hand was. What he hadn’t planned for was the means by which his mother had chosen to lecture him: namely via guilt trip. The way the queen had left her end of the conversation off left the young man with little to say other than acknowledging the truth in his mother’s argument. “It’s not that I’m refusing to choose someone”, the prince started, “It’s just that I--”. “I won’t hear another word on this”, frowned his mother solemnly, “I have heard your side on countless occasions. At this point, you have met nearly every young woman across the continent of marriageable age and status. It is time, Kei. You must make a choice.” The Queen gestured to one of her own attendants, who swiftly exited the room, only to return a moment later with a two-foot-high stack of papers, which she thrust into Yamaguchi’s arms before retaking her previous position behind the queen. “Those are files on every single girl you have met. The two of you are to review them and choose someone suitable. There is no more time to waste. I--”.
“Your Grace”, quietly interrupted the very same attendant, who then leaned forward and spoke directly into the queen’s ear in a voice so quiet that neither the young men could hear a word she’d said. After she stepped back once more, the Queen turned to her son and, with as patient a smile as she could muster, said, “I apologize-- Miss Riko just reminded me that we received one more offer of marriage just this morning.” Yamaguchi adjusted the stack of papers and quickly looked between the prince and the queen. Kei looked noticeably irritated, but pressing on with her sweet smile, the queen continued, “This will be the last meeting you have. Whether you choose this one or must look through the files and select a girl from there will be entirely up to you.” “Who am I meeting with?”, asked the prince in a voice that clearly indicated that he was doing his best not to outright groan. “You’ll be meeting with the princess of Yukigaoka. She only just came of age this week and their kingdom is quite eager to treat with ours.” “Yeah”, scoffed Kei, “Yukigaoka and every other kingdom…”. With a reproving glance, the queen continued, wholly ignoring her son’s interruption. “Unfortunately, the Princess is apparently not in the best of health, and therefore must avoid all unnecessary travel. As a gesture of goodwill, you will be paying a visit to the Kingdom of Yukigaoka.”
“Me?!”, gasped the young blond, “But, Mother, it is customary when seeking marriage that--” “I am well aware of the laws and customs of this land”, chastised the queen, “But, as I said, your visit to meet the princess will be an act of goodwill.” His frown deepening, the prince attempted to argue, “So, what, I’m supposed to travel to a foreign Kingdom to see if I think a small child is marriage material?”. “Kei”, glowered the elder Tsukishima, “The Princess is not a ‘small child’. It is both normal and natural for young women to marry at the age of sixteen.” At this, Kei bristled further. “My whole complaint about this entire system is that I haven’t felt like I was able to relate to a single one of these nobles that I’ve met over the last four years. How do you expect me to connect better with someone six years my junior, when I have yet to have one single enjoyable conversation throughout this entire--”. “That is enough”, admonished the queen, straightening out the skirt of her gown as she rose from her throne, “Everything has already been arranged. You will be leaving midday tomorrow. Have your attendants pack whatever you feel you may need for the three days you will spend away from Amemaru.” As if to punctuate the finality of her sentence, the queen rose and crossed the room. She paused on the threshold to her study and, not sparing a glance towards her son, said blankly, “Try to give this one a chance.” With that, the tall blonde woman continued through the archway and out of sight.