Chapter Text
Shoyo stood before his parents frozen, His brain still not able to process the words said by them, having too hard of a time to wrap his head around the situation.
“Shoyo?” Are you alright?” his mother asked, concerned.
She observed him for a few more seconds, frowning when she didn’t get any reply. The ginger haired boy still stood motionless before his father’s desk and stared straight at the older man, blinking slowly but otherwise almost expressionless. Lifting her dress she stood up from place on the couch and walked up to her son, putting her hand on his shoulder. Feeling her touch, Shoyo turned to look at the older woman. Guilt washing over him at the sight of concern written all over her face.
He put his hand on his mother’s and smiled at her, trying to reassure her everything was alright even if it was obvious the smile was forced. She squeezed his shoulder gently as she always used to do to sooth her children’s nerves. The small gesture helped him relax a little bit.
He looked back at his father who was carefully observing them without any words. He put the documents down and rested his chin on his joined hands.
“Does it have to be me?”
“The letter was written by the Emperor herself and stamped with the Royal Palace stamp. You know we can’t reject this offer.”
Shoyo glanced at the letter written on fine stationery. For others it might’ve been an honour to get help from the Emperor herself with finding a suitable spouse but he was well aware all of this was just a part of a plan.
“Though it might seem like a foolish play taking into account you’re both heirs, it was definitely a smart choice for our ruler to make. Not only will it look like both parties have come to agreement through this arrangement but also keep our family in check,” the older man laughed. “Emperor Yuma has always been an intelligent woman.”
He couldn’t argue with his father’s words. It was definitely a very smart move if the Emperor’s goal was to ease mind’s of the people after rumors of the most powerful families in the political world becoming more and more hostile toward each other spread. It would not only put her in a positive light as a capable ruler but also help with keeping the Hinata family in check as they steadily rose in power and started gaining more influence in the Empire which could potentially endanger the Emperor's position.
“If only it wasn’t him....” he mumbled under his nose, his face twisting in grimace.
The head of the Hinata family shook his head with a smile after hearing his words. He knew about his son’s dislike toward the other.
“I know you hate him but there’s no need to worry. This arrangement won’t last longer than a few months and you can rest assured I won’t let this end with marriage. You have my word.”
Small smile tugged at his lips. Shoyo knew he could trust the older man, his words never being empty promises.
Though his father’s words helped, he still wasn’t able to rest his mind at ease. He hated even the thought alone of having to parade around at parties with a smile on his face just to show other nobles that the whole arrangement was working out. Not to mention he would have to do all of this with that man by his side.
“It will be annoying but you’re capable. I know you will be able to do this,” his father smiled softly. “I will leave the date of the meeting up to you. You can work it around your schedule but make sure it happens within a span of a week. It would be better to take care of it as quickly as you can.”
Shoyo nodded. It definitely was the best for them to meet as quickly as they could and discuss the details. He was sure the other man wasn’t happy with the arrangement either.
The ginger squeezed his mother’s hand and smiled at his parents as he bid them goodbye. He closed the door behind him and sighed deeply.
It was definitely going to be an exhausting couple of months.
✦
“Please, choose the time of our meeting. I have no problem adjusting to your schedule,
Hinata Shoyo.”
Atsumu looked over the content of the letter one more time. You could sense the hostility through the letter. He sighed, crumbling the piece of paper in his hand and throwing it away. He fell onto his seat with a loud groan, looking up to stare at the ceiling with pursed lips.
He still couldn’t understand how he found himself in this place. Having to marry someone simply to appease nobels. He knew he would eventually have to find himself a spouse. After all it was his responsibility as an heir but he always thought he would end up with someone of his choice, not ‘offered’ by the Emperor.
The blond was well aware it was part of some play. He carried out enough Emperor's orders to know she was up to something, this being no different than her usual games. The woman was a very smart and cunning person. She had never been scared to make sacrifices. As long as her goals were achieved it didn’t matter to her what she had to do to make them happen. Though as cruel and heartless the Emperor might have seemed to nobles, she had always put safety and well-being of her subjects and Empire first. Atsumu experienced it first hand as one of her old escorts. The countless sleepless nights he stayed by her side as she worked hard to solve problems as quickly as she could.
His train of thought was interrupted by the door slamming open. He knew only two people were brave enough to burst into his office without knocking so he wasn’t surprised to be greeted by gray and brown mops of hair. He narrowed his eyes seeing them walk in without any shame, teasing smiles tugging on their lips.
“What do you want?” the brunette's smile widened, hearing annoyance in Atsumu’s voice.
“Won’t you greet your brother and his fiance?”
“It’s not as if you two greet me so why should I?” the blond sat up straight in his chair, settling his head on his fist. He observed the couple as they sat down on the couch, not waiting for him to offer them a seat as people usually would.
Rintaro chuckled, “Shouldn’t you set an example for your younger brother then?”
Atsumu glared at him, not really in the mood for the usual teasing. Feeling the other’s stare on him, he locked his eyes with the gray haired man. He raised his eyebrow in question, waiting for him to speak up; he knew the other had something on his mind.
“You received a letter from your future fiance,” said Osamu, his words sounding more like a statement rather than a question.
The brunette sighed, resting his chin on his lover’s shoulder. Osamu smiled at him and lifted his hand, running his hand through the messy brown strands to brush them away from Rintaro’s face. “You two really need to stop with those silent conversations,” he mumbled.
Atsumu crinckled his nose at the display of affection between the couple. He ignored the brunette's words as he spoke to his twin. “I did. We’re setting the date to discuss the details of the arrangement.”
“So what’s the problem?” asked Osamu.
The blond leaned back in his chair. “He’s been very cold during the whole exchange. You could sense hostility even through the letters.”
“Are you surprised? I would be annoyed with this whole arrangement too,” Osamu said, making Atsumu raise an eyebrow at him. The gray haired man sighed, rolling his eyes. “This whole engagement is much more favorable for you. You’re both studying to become the next heads of your families and now he has to learn what his duties would be as your husband and how to carry them out. Not to mention he was chosen as a candidate simply to keep his family in check since they started gaining more influence in the Empire lately. I guess Emperor Yuma started seeing them as a threat.”
“Hasn’t the Hinata family always been influential? Their businesses are well known throughout the whole continent and they’re the only ones who managed to expand their stores to other kingdoms with great success each time.”
“You would’ve thought the Vice Commander of the Black Knights would be more aware of state affairs in the Empire,” the cat-like smile graced Rinato’s face. He hissed in pain as Osamu elbowed him. He looked at his fiance with a pout but the gray haired man ignored him as his gaze was fixed on his twin.
Atsumu huffed, crossing his arms defensively. It wasn’t as if the brunette was wrong but it was still embarrassing to admit that the future head of the Great Duchy was clueless about the political situation in the country.
He has always been more focused on his career as a knight. Managing to climb up the ranks quicker than anyone his age and becoming the Vice Commander of the Black Knight at the mere age of 20. Something even his mother, one of the most famous and respected knights on the continent, hasn’t managed to do.
Inheriting the Duchy wasn’t ever one of his goals. Rather than being something he desired, it was one of those things he was expected to do as the eldest child of Miya family. Become the next head of Miya family, marry someone and fulfill the obligation of raising the next heir.
“It’s not like our mother was aware of the political situation in the Empire either. Father always had to fill her in before the meetings,” said Osamu, a small smile tugging on his lips as he remembered the chaotic mornings.
Their mother rushing to finish breakfast as their father tried to explain the current state of affairs in the Empire before she had to head out for the meeting at the Royal Palace. The quick kiss on a cheek as goodbye and their father making them promise to never become like their mother. Which Atsumu sadly (for their father) broke as he inherited his love for fighting from his mother and became fascinated with swords, managing to ignore everything else in the process.
“The Hinata always stayed neutral when it came to politics, until the last head everyone focused on business. The current Marquis was the first one who seriously got involved in politics. Even though at the beginning he stayed neutral, as of late he’s been siding with the Aristocratic Party more. The rumors started spreading not only among nobles but also commoners about power imbalance in the Empire. That’s where your engagement with eldest Hinata comes into play. It’s supposed to make it look as if both parties came to some sort of agreement,” explained Osamu.
“You sound exactly like father,” Atsumu chuckled, shaking his head. His twin rolled his eyes but he couldn’t help but smile at the comment.
“Someone has to keep the promise,” the younger man pointed out.
“I doubt his family will allow you to go through with this marriage,” Rintaro cut in. The brunette sighed mentally as twins turned around at the same time and looked at him curiously. “Considering he’s the heir, they probably won’t let him get married to someone who’s also inheriting the title.”
The blond nodded in agreement. “He would be marrying into the Miya family which means he would be losing his right to becoming the next head of Hinata family,” he sat up, leaning onto the desk with his arms crossed.
“And it’s not as if you two will have to go through with this marriage. What’s important is you two getting engaged and keeping up the illusion of two parties being on good terms. I’m sure the Emperor won’t make a fuss if you two break off the engagement when things calm down,” Rintaro assured him.
“You know mother wouldn’t be so insistent on this marriage if she weren’t so close to the Emperor. Our happiness has always been her priority. If you still want to break things off with him after everything then she won’t protest,” added Osamu.
Atsumu smiled. Their mother always reminded them that she would do anything to assure they were happy, even if it meant she had to give up her position as Archduke. It definitely helped with easing his worries about the whole arrangement.
“But maybe this time be more polite when meeting your fiance,” the brunette teased, the cat-like smile back on his face.
“What do you mean?” Atsumu shot him a quizzical look.
“You don’t remember your first meeting with Young Master Hinata?”
Color drained from his face as the memories of the memorable night came back. He definitely didn’t make a good first impression on the young male. It was no surprise the Hinata heir sounded so hostile. Not only was the arrangement less favourable for him but he was also going to be engaged with someone he most probably disliked.
Atsumu groaned, hitting his head on the surface of his desk. He ignored the pulsing pain in his forehead as he realised the situation turned out to be much more difficult. It would demand more work on his end if he intended to make the future few months easy for both of them.
He sighed deeply. It was definitely going to be an interesting couple of months.
✦
Natsu giggled as they entered the room. It looked like a place straight out of fairytale as sunlight peeked through the windows, painting it with pinks and oranges of the setting sun. The soft, gentle music in the background and laughs of people gathered making the atmosphere seem even more magical.
Shoyo offered his hand to his sister as they approached the stairs. She smiled at him gratefully, placing her hand in his as she lifted her dress. The ginger carefully led her down the stairs, knowing the girl wasn’t used to high heels she decided to wear for the special occasion.
It was the first time she was able to go out accompanied only by her brother without their parents also attending. Shoyo was instructed to come to the engagement ceremony as a representative of the Hinata family. His sister getting a hold of the news immediately came to him to beg to let her come with him. She knew well that her brother wouldn’t be able to say no to her and will try to convince their father to let her tag along.
“We need to congratulate the couple on their engagement first then you can go find your friends,” he explained.
She rolled her eyes, pouting. “I know. You’re not the only one who kept reminding me.”
Shoyo smiled remembering how Natsu was followed by their parents through the whole week leading up to the event. Their mother explaining proper etiquette to her every chance she got and their father constantly reminding her to behave and not cause any troubles for her brother.
He looked around the room in search of the couple, having no problem in finding them as they stood in the center of the room. He recognised the brunette without much problem as the two of them met a few times during other events. They caught contact almost immediately, having no problem with holding a conversation. He led them toward the couple.
Rintaro smiled the moment he recognised the ginger, happy to see a familiar face. Shoyo reciprocated the smile as they bowed their heads in a greeting.
“It’s good to see you again,” said the brunette.
“Congratulations on your engagement. I hope both of you have been doing well,” Shoyo looked at the couple.
“We definitely have been doing well,” Rintaro answered as he looked at the gray haired man with a small, lovesick smile.
During those few times he spoke with Rintaro, he had never seen him smile as much as he did in the past few minutes. It wasn’t hard to guess that the presence of his fiance made him that way. Everyone in the room could notice how happy they made each other with one glance.
“I hope both of you will enjoy the party,” Osamu said as he turned to the siblings.
Natsu smiled, thanking him as she excused herself. She went off to search for her friends, leaving her brother to converse with the couple. Before Shoyo could apologise for his sister’s behaviour, the three of them were approached by another person.
The newcomer looked exactly like the gray haired man with the exception of his hair being blond. Shoyo had no problem with guessing it was the famous Vice Commander of Black Knights and twin of Osamu.
As their eyes locked, Shoyo felt a shiver run down his spine. The intense gaze paired with an almost expressionless face made him feel uneasy. He focused on the color of his irises, noticing another difference between the twins. Atsumu’s eyes having a rich brown color rather than the grayish one like his brother had.
“I don’t believe the two of you have met before,” Rintaro’s voice snapping both of them back to reality.
Shoyo nodded. “We never had a chance.”
“Atsumu, this is Hinata Shoyo, an acquaintance of mine,” the brunette gestured toward the ginger, introducing him to the blond. “And this is my dear friend and future brother in law, Atsumu.”
Shoyo smiled politely. “It’s nice to meet you, Sir Miya.”
He was about to hold out his hand for Atsumu to shake but the man only nodded in acknowledgement, hiding his hands behind. Shoyo furrowed his eyebrows in confusion at the blond’s hostility. He was sure he didn’t do anything to make him act that way. He turned back to Rintaro, starting a conversation so the two of them could catch up after not seeing each other for a while.
Osamu elbowed his twin discreetly as the other two were immersed in the conversation. Atsumu hissed quietly, massaging his side and glared halfheartedly at the gray haired man.
“Be nicer,” whispered Osamu so that only his twin could hear. He rolled his eyes as the blond huffed.
Rintaro smiled as the new song began, hearing the familiar tune. He turned to his fiance who was already looking at him. The knowing smiles on their faces. They didn’t need words to understand what was going through the other’s head.
“If you’ll excuse us,” the two bowed their heads lightly as a goodbye to Atsumu and Shoyo.
The brunette grabbed Osamu’s hand and dragged him to the dance floor. Happy that they were finally able to spend some time with each other after hours of standing in place and greeting the guests. They had never expected something so simple would be so tiring.
Shoyo turned back to look at the blond who was staring at the couple with a small smile playing on his lips. He paid no mind to the ginger who still stood by his side. The young heir had to admit that the man looked much better when he smiled rather than the poker face he held through the whole conversation.
“Do you dance, Sir Miya?” Shoyo asked with a smile.
The taller man looked at him, finally sparing him a glance. Smile disappeared from his face. The stony face back beside the slight quirk in his eyebrow as if he was surprised by the question.
“Not if I can help it,” his voice devoid of any emotions. He didn’t say anything else as he looked back at the dance floor where his brother and his fiance disappeared to.
Nodding his head, the ginger smiled at him awkwardly. He was uncomfortably aware of the silence between them. Shoyo bit his lip considering his next move for a second before he bowed lightly, excusing himself without a word.
Shoyo sighed in relief as he walked away from he blond, finally able to relax. He glanced around the room in search of any familiar face. He hoped he could exit this party in a happier mood after one of the most awkward encounters he ever had. Usually being able to hold a conversation with any person he came across, even the most unsociable people. Though it seemed Miya Atsumu was an exception.
Noticing a familiar black mop of hair, he directed his steps in that direction. The tall man stood by the balcony’s door with a glass of red wine in his hand as he silently observed the guests. As he locked eyes with the ginger, a smile tugged on his lips as he sipped on his drink.
“It doesn’t seem as if you’re enjoying yourself,” Shoyo teased his friend as he leaned onto the wall next to him, arms behind his back.
Kiyoomi glanced down at his friend. “You know I don’t particularly enjoy parties.”
“It’s hard not to notice when all you’re doing is stand in the corner.”
Shoyo sighed, titling his head back. The party hadn't even properly begun and he was already exhausted after one exchange of words.
“What’s the matter?” Kiyoomi furrowed his eyebrows in concern, noticing his friend’s strange behaviour. The ginger usually enjoyed balls unlike him. He has always been the more sociable out of them two.
“The people here are more stuck up than I would’ve expected,” Shoyo mumbled under his nose.
Kiyoomi chuckled at his words. “Those are high ranking nobles we’re talking about. It would be weird for them not to be full of themselves.”
The young heir nodded slowly as if deep in thought.
Having enough of the way his friend acted, Kiyoomi put the glass on the table. Turning around to the ginger, he offered his hand to the smaller man. Shoyo raised his brow, silently questioning what his friend was doing.
“Care for a dance?”
The question took him by surprise. Kiyoomi has never been a big fan of any type of celebrations. He preferred not to be in the center of attention even though he somehow always seemed to find himself right in the spotlight. So to willingly put himself on the spot of noble’s judging looks was definitely out of his comfort zone.
The ginger placed his hand in his friend’s larger one and smiled brightly. He truly appreciated his efforts to cheer him up and couldn’t pass on the chance to dance with the black haired man. Kiyoomi was the best dancing partner even if he rarely got out onto the dancing floor.
“If it’s Marquess Sakusa asking then of course.”
Kiyoomi rolled his eyes at his friend’s words, a small smile playing on his lips. Shoyo bounced himself off the wall and laughed as the older man tried to fight off the smile. He pulled Kiyoomi in the direction of the dancing floor as the new song began.
The conversation between two friends was interrupted as they heard a familiar voice calling out for Shoyo. Both of them turned around from the buffet. The Hinata heir smiled seeing a storm of ginger curls heading into their directions. His smile fell as he noticed the pained expression on Natsu’s face.
“What happened?” he asked, looking at her with a concerned frown
Natsu balanced herself, grabbing onto his sleeve. She looked at Kiyoomi and smiled at him before turning back to her brother.
“The heels hurt my feet.”
She hissed in pain as she put one of her feet down, twisting it uncomfortably in process. Shoyo caught her in time before she could trip on her own legs.
“I told you not to wear them. I knew you would end up hurting yourself,” he teased, though concern was still etched in his face. “I’m sorry, Kiyoomi. I need to take care of this clumsy idiot.”
The black haired man smiled in understandment. “I was planning to go earlier anyway. Do you need any help?”
The ginger looked at his sister who shook her head. She already felt bad about bothering her brother and causing trouble for him, breaking her promises to her father in the process. Even though she knew he wouldn’t be mad at her, she didn’t want to bring his friends into it (who was always willing to help her out like her brother).
They said goodbye to Kiyoomi after promising to write to him. The Hinata siblings knew he was going to end up visiting their mansion the second he would find some time. Out of pure worry to check on the youngest Hinata himself.
Focusing his attention back on the smaller girl, Shoyo looked around in search of any staff. Noticing a maid, he called her over. “Is there any place where we could rest?”
The tiny brunette smiled politely at him. “Of course. Please, follow me.”
He offered his arm to Natsu, trying to make it easier for her to walk. The girl accepted his offer immediately. Shoyo smiled at her encouragingly as Natsu’s face twisted in pain at every step she took.
He knew if he offered to carry her to the carriage so that they could go home, she would decline. She was a rather stubborn person. She hated making a fuss so it was already a surprise she came to him and asked for her, usually proffering to take care of things by herself. Not to mention she would never forgive herself for causing a scene during her first outing without their parents.
The maid led them up the stairs and through corridors to the resting rooms provided by the hosts. They were lucky enough that most of the rooms were empty. Most nobles opted to go to the balconies and take a break there as it was easier to meet other guests. It was easier to make conversations that way and a great way to make new connections during events.
Shoyo helped his sister sit down on the couch. The maid bowed and excused herself, rushing to go back to her responsibilities.
He turned back to Natsu. “Let’s take off your shoes first.”
The girl lifted her dress, letting her brother tend to her wounds. Shoyo grabbed her heel, trying to take it off delicately. He looked up at her as she winced when the shoe slid lightly. He apologised, frowning at her reaction.
“Refrain from wearing such high heels next time.”
Natsu sighed out of relief as he finally managed to take off her shoes. “I definitely will. I’m never wearing such a monstrosity again. I don’t know how our mother manages to walk in them so easily and not get hurt,” she pouted.
“I guess years of practice,” he mumbled under his nose, bringing her feet more into the bright luminescent light to examine her injury.
Her feet were full of grazes, a few bruises already starting to form. One of her heels was bleeding. Shoto’s face contronted as he noticed some of the blood left on her shoes, already dried. He sighed realising he forgot to tell the maid to call the doctor.
“I’ll go ask someone to fetch a doctor or bring us bandages,” he put her foot down, standing up. “Wait here and try not to move.”
Natsu huffed, pouting. “It’s not like I can.”
Shoyo shook his head with a smile as he exited the room. He looked around but not noticing any staff, he walked in the direction where they came from. He silently noted in his head to bring more comfortable shoes for Natsu next time they went out. Just in case something similar happened.
“Has anyone caught your eye?”
“Not really,” another person answered.
He stopped in his tracks as he heard a familiar voice. He was sure the voices belonged to the twins. In a moment of panic he hid behind the corner, his back pressed to the wall. He felt bad for eavesdropping but he really didn’t want to meet them and speak with the blond.
Osamu clicked his tongue. “There were many handsome people.”
“I didn’t look around particularly,” it seemed as if Atsumu tried to dismiss the topic.
“Hinata is very agreeable.”
Shoyo’s breath caught up in his throat as he heard his name being mentioned.
The blond chuckled. “Perfectly tolerable maybe, but definitely not handsome enough to tempt me.”
The ginger clenched his hands into fists, jaw tensing up as he bit inside of his lip. With the way the stone faced man said it, it had to be an insult. Shoyo started to believe nothing nice ever came out of Atsumu’s mouth.
Osamu sighed. “You really only have your eyes on your career as a knight. Nothing else matters to you besides fighting. At this point you’ll end up marrying your sword.”
Atsumu scoffed at his twin’s words. “You should return to your fiance and enjoy his smile. You’re wasting your time with me. It’s a celebration in your name after all,” he pointed out.
“That’s why you should start acting nicer toward the guests.”
“Yes, yes. I will try,” he dismissed the gray haired’s words. “Let’s go back.”
Osamu didn’t say anything else, deciding to drop the conversation for now. He followed after his twin as the blond started walking back in the direction of the ballroom.
Hearing their footsteps get quieter as they retreated to the party, Shoyo let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding. Anger filled him as the words of the Miya heir repeated in his head. It wasn’t as if he needed everyone to like him or find him attractive but it was still infuriating to hear it. Especially from someone who didn’t even try and get to know him, deciding to dislike him without exchanging more than one sentence.
He shook his head, remembering Natsu who was waiting for him to fetch a doctor. He sighed brushing his feelings aside. He had more important things to do than worry about some bloke but it didn’t mean he would forget.
From this moment on he vowed to hate the man forever.