Chapter Text
Chifuyu turned eighteen, which was one of the most important days for a prince. It marked the beginning of the “suitor process” or what Chifuyu liked to call the day hell began for him. He didn’t understand the point in having suitors come from all across lands to try to win his love. Chifuyu wasn’t interested in who was the strongest or his father’s choice of who is the best fit for him.
Chifuyu wanted his life to be one of those love stories he reads about late at night when he’s supposed to be sleeping. He wants a prince charming and a fairytale not just any strong man who can fight for his honor.
His parents told him wanting a fairytale romance is childish and he needs to grow up. That he should be lucky that he’s getting any say into who he will be marrying. Chifuyu’s mother has told him a million times that she was forced to marry his father with no choice. Chifuyu knew that a lot of kingdoms still held that tradition where the prince would have no options. Chifuyu isn’t sure why they’re forcing him to get married so soon anyway, he has an older sibling that will take the throne before him anyways. They just want to ship him off to the nearest kingdom and be done with it.
There were loud knockings on his door when he was still covered up in bed pretending to be asleep. He thought maybe if he pretended to be sick that they would allow him to be in bed all day but then he felt bad for all the people who showed up to “win his love.”
Chifuyu finally got dressed in the clothes they had laid out for him and headed down to the arena to see who showed up. Last time they had tried to force him to marry it ended up in a disaster, no survivors left. The arena was painted red, bodies and ligaments everywhere.
Chifuyu’s parents were waiting at the arena, faces scrunched in annoyance at Chifuyu’s tardiness.
“The prince has finally arrived.”
Chifuyu’s father announced that the first round of elimination was to begin. It was a one on one fight for the first round. Chifuyu’s eyes traveled to the box where all the contestants were being held. Eyes searching for any familiar face, but also looking for a specific one. When he finally found the one he was looking for, he waited until they looked up and Chifuyu smiled and waved.
His parents weren’t thrilled with Baji competing but they knew the problems it would cause if they denied any prince a chance, they just hoped he would be eliminated early. They thought of him as a savage and knew he’d probably make it through the first round anyway.
Chifuyu noticed some of his friends were also in this competition. He knew some of them were forced to come out and try even though they had lovers at home. Maybe it would work out that they could win and secretly be with their lover and Chifuyu could be with his. Well the lover that isn’t his lover but he wishes was his lover.
Instead of watching whoever was fighting, Chifuyu had a flashback.When they were younger, Chifuyu used to sneak out of his castle, ride a horse halfway to Baji’s kingdom and meet Baji at their favorite place. It was their secret hideout in the woods.
Chifuyu would sneak out after dinner and be back before the next morning.Since the guards aren’t allowed in the room unless it’s an emergency, it was easy for Chifuyu to trick them.
One time Chifuyu and Baji fell asleep in the woods and by the time Chifuyu returned home his parents were waiting in his room.Chifuyu’s mom had known that he would sneak out to see Baji but his father had no idea.
“Chifuyu Matsuno, where were you?” He’s only seen his father this angry once and it was the
last time his kingdom met with the surrounding ones to discuss a treaty.
Chifuyu thought this was going to be the last day of his life and if it was he’s glad he got to see Baji one more time.
Fear in his voice, he decided to lie, well partially lie. “I wanted to look at the stars at night so I went outside last night and ended up falling asleep. I’m sorry father, I didn’t mean to worry you guys.”
“I was ready to wage war on the Baji Kingdom, I thought their savage son had kidnapped you in the middle of the night.”
Chifuyu nervously laughed, twiddling his thumbs, “Oh no Keisuke would never do that, he has more manners than you give him credit for. He’s even learning how to read and write.”
“It doesn’t matter if he can read and write, a savage is a savage Chifuyu. I’ll be dead before I allow that man to court you.”
Chifuyu wanted to yell and cry, tears forming in his eyes. “Ok I think you’ve said enough father. I’m home and I'm safe, you can leave now so I can sleep properly.”
As soon as Chifuyu’s parents left he laid in bed and cried until he couldn’t cry anymore.
Flash forward to the present,Chifuyu grinned knowing how pissed his father was that Baji would be competing. Chifuyu prayed that Baji would show up to the arena and save him like he was a damsel in distress. Chifuyu didn’t really pay any attention to anyone’s fight until it was Baji’s turn. His mother squeezed his arm as a way of support. The last few years she was his beacon of hope in these cruel times. She would help Chifuyu send and receive letters from Baji without their father or anyone else knowing.
Chifuyu’s father had of course rigged the competition and made him go against one of the strongest warriors. The guy was jacked from head to toe as if he came out of the womb a warrior. Chifuyu still believed in Baji, he knew Baji was a skilled warrior and had plenty of muscle as well.Chifuyu wondered if his dad had paid the kingdom to send a warrior instead of a prince even though it was against the rules.