[Hello! It's been a while </3. So, I'm going to start and try delivering updates at least once a month for this story :). So, y'all can have monthly updates. But, to start off my return, I'm doing a 35.3K special! So, sit back, relax, and enjoy!]

[I love this AMV by Cereal on YouTube {ＨＯＴ Ｎ ＣＯＬＤ ｔｏｄｏｒｏｋｉ ｅｄｉｔ}]

I climbed into the carriage, closing the door behind me. I leaned back against the cushioned seat while looking out the window as the carriage started to move.

I'm going back home and after so long. Dad was hesitant to let me go back, but...

I turned my head, looking at the paper I was holding. There was a drawing, of a boy I knew when I was younger, and the headline said, "Prince Shoto Todoroki Is The Most Hated Prince In The Land! Cold-Hearted Noble Reported Taking Taxes Of The People and Using It For His Own Use!"

Shoto Todoroki...

I smiled and held my hand out to Shoto, "I promise, when we get older, I'll marry you, and we can have a happy life together! And, our kingdom will be the happiest kingdom ever!"

Shoto stared at me before he smiled and grabbed my hand. "Then, I'll become the best king for you and our kingdom!"

The Shoto I met, only once, wasn't like this. I knew he wasn't like this. Maybe they got it wrong, a doppelganger or something. But, I'm returning now, whatever is happening with Shoto, I want to figure it out. Also, I want to...

I suddenly felt my cheeks warming up, and my heart pounding.

I want to uphold our promise.

I sighed and looked away from the paper, priorities (Y/N). I'm not sure if Shoto remembers me, but I remember him, and one thing I'm going to do is figure out what's wrong with Shoto.

After a while, the carriage arrived at the kingdom, I looked out the window, as the carriage slowed down since people walked in the street.

"Oh! The bakery my mom and dad took me to when I was a little girl is still up and running!" I said to myself out of excitement, there was an old couple outside of the shop, that I remember ran the bakery.

Mental note: visit the bakery and buy everything they have!

The carriage kept going towards the castle in the very back of the kingdom, I continued looking out the window. Different memories, flooded into my mind at every building I saw.

Tailor's shop, mom loved getting dresses made for me, with little pockets, and overall dresses with a huge pocket in front so I can carry around the dolls my father would buy me. Oh! The doll shop is right there, my dad loved getting customer dolls for me, since I was their only child, they had a habit of spoiling me. I loved it a lot when I was younger, but now I'm just happy with all the little stuff.

I felt the carriage stop, making me stop being so deep in my thoughts. "We're here miss!" The man driving the carriage said.

"Oh! Thank you so much!" I told him, while opening the door and getting out, I made sure to grab my bag while exiting the carriage.

I looked at the castle in front of me, this castle belongs to the royal Todoroki family, they were granted royalty when the head of the Todoroki family, Enji Todoroki, became a protector of this kingdom and was granted royalty, now known as King Endeavor. He's scary, but citizens love him, especially the little boys, they think he's cool and hardcore.

I sighed and walked up the stairs, to the large front doors. I've never visited the castle when I met Shoto, he visited my old home, so this would be my first time here.

I reached the top of the stairs and knocked on the doors, as hard as I can.

"Ow..." I looked at my hand, and it was hurting, from how hard I knocked.

I hum and waited, I could hear someone approaching the door. And, I was right, once of the doors were being pulled open, only a little to crack the door. Through the crack, I could see a woman. "Hello, sorry, we're not doing any interviews." She said, she sounded kind and sweet.

"Oh um... I'm not here to interview or anything," I told her, "is Shoto Todoroki here?" I asked.

"Hm? If you're not writing a paper then why do you want to see Shoto?" She asked.

"Well..." I trailed off, I was unsure if I wanted to tell her that I'm his fiance. I glanced at the ring necklace around my neck. "I'm an old friend. Can you just tell him I'm here? Pretty please!"

She was silent for a second, "I'm sure he'll say he doesn't want to see anyone. But, I'll tell him. What's your name?"

"(Y/N) Yoarashi."

She says, "I'll be back then." She closed the door.

I hummed and waited, I wonder who that girl was. She seemed very caring, and she knows Shoto by his first name, so maybe a close maid? Or, a relative? When I met Shoto, he told me he has three older siblings, maybe she's one.

"W-WAIT! SHOTO!" I heard the woman shout, as I could hear running through the thick doors. And, before I knew it both the large doors were pulled open. And, there he was.

I felt my heart beating fasts and my cheeks started to feel hot.

"Shoto..." I muttered, that's all I could say. Coming here to see him, I'm speechless.

He stared at me, with wide eyes, his left eye had a burn scar on it. He's grown, and he's changed. But, my feelings for him, haven't seemed to change at all.

"(Y/N)..." He said.

I smiled, "I'm back, Shoto. Finally, I get to see you again."

"...Where have you been?" He asked.

"It's a... Long story." I told him, glancing away, then looking back at him. "Can we talk somewhere?" I asked.

He nods, "Yeah, let's go to the garden." He walked out the door, closing it behind him. I then felt his hand grab mine, he looked forward, leading the way.

I smiled and grabbed his hand, and said, "Let's go Shoto! Don't worry, if you don't want to lead, I'll lead the way for both of us!" I then turned my head and looked forward, down the path.

When I and Shoto saw a path in the woods and decided to follow it, Shoto was unsure. But, I remember, that I really wanted to go, so I had to hold his hand and go first, we walked down the path then went back to the house. I never let go.

Now, Shoto is the one leading me.

This isn't the Shoto that people are calling the cold-hearted noble.

We walked to the garden, he took me to a secluded spot surrounded by beautiful flowers, there was a white wooden bench in the center, he said, "here, sit."

I nodded and sat down on the bench, he sat next to me.

I looked at him with a smile, "so, do I go first or you?" I asked.

"Hm... I can but, it's a long story." He told me.

I nodded, "I'll go then." I said, "mine is short and sweet!"

He nodded and stayed silent.

"Well, everyone knows about the passing of my mother, that she was murdered in the middle of the street by a guy that hated her because she was too kind and heroic. So, he killed her. After that, my father went off the hinges... I mean, I would too, that was the love of his life. If the love of my life was killed, then..." I trailed off, I didn't want to think about it.

Shoto let out a short breath, "it was sad what happened to your mother, she's the reason why I met you, really." He said, "I didn't know her personally, but of the things I saw and knew, she was a really great woman and a great mom."

I smiled and nodded, "thanks." I tapped the bench gently, "I should continue. My father went crazy, he quit his job, he stopped eating, didn't bathe, he completely shut down. And, without that breakdown, he started to neglect me. After a week or so passed, grandma came and got me and dad, she took us to his hometown, where he could not forget about mom, but move on. And, she was right, leaving the kingdom, was much better, he was able to breathe and wasn't surrounded by so much stuff of her. But, he always felt guilty about neglecting his only child. So, our relationship was awkward while I grew up."

"Did he... Apologize?"

I hummed, then nodded. "Yeah, he did. When I was ten, he sat me down and said, '(Y/N), I haven't been the best father. I will not give you any excuses or bullshit. But, I will apologize. Your mother would beat me up, if I didn't feed you three times a day. And, I didn't do her right, I didn't do you right, I did you both wrong. I am sorry. I love you, more than anything, you're my other half. And, I promise I will never hurt you, and I will never let you be hurt. Like your mother always wanted you to be happy, pursue what you desire, what you love, and what makes you happy.'"

"Wow, he's very kind." He told me.

I smiled, "yeah, but then I told him, I was going to come back home, to meet you."

"Did he react well?"

"Hahaha, not at all. He was freaking out, he wasn't even for the arranged marriage, but mom was all for it. Dad told me, why mom even agreed, was that she wanted her daughter to be taken care of, that's all. But, he didn't expect me to remember the arrangement. But, here I am! He still let me come!"

"He's a good dad."

I nodded, "yeah. I love him."

"Hm..."

It went silent, I glanced at him, I guess talking about parents wasn't a good topic.

I looked around, "so... Tell me about the garden." I said.

"Oh, the garden was specifically designed for my mom, she loved flowers like this, and this secluded area was her favorite. Me and her would come back here, and have fun."

"That's amazing, do you both still come here?"

"No." He answered.

"Oh, wh-"

"She burned my face." He told me, answering my question before I could even ask. He looked at me and pointed at his left side, "this side of my body, reminds her of my abusive father."

"Lord Endeavor...? I thought he was a good guy?"

"Good guy? A guy that can protect the kingdom, but tortures his own family, isn't a good guy." He told me.

Woah... Heavy chat.

The atmosphere in the garden felt depressing and heavy. Is this what made Shoto come off as a cold-hearted prince? This is what happened to Shoto, while I was gone.

"Hey Shoto, on my way here, I saw a bakery I used to visit with my mom." I looked at him, with a smile, "I really want to go."

He nodded, standing up. He held his hand out to me, "Let's go then."

I stood up, holding his hand in mine. Together we left the garden, Ms. Todoroki's Garden. We walked away from the garden, and to the village in the kingdom.

Once we stepped foot into the village, the first thing I noticed was people staring and muttering, well that was normal when seeing a royal. But, the way they were looking at him, glaring, it was clear they didn't like Shoto.

"Um... Shoto, it seems like the people don't really like you." I whispered to him.

"Hm... I have been... Rude to them a few times."

"A few times?"

"A lot."

"Why?" I asked, curiously. That was a habit of mine, always just asking questions, because I'm curious, not really caring about other things.

"After everything with my family... I just shut down everything. I hated the people here, my father wanted to be more popular with them, instead of caring for his family. They live in peace and happiness, and for what?" He sighed, glancing around at all the people. "I... Resent them for the peace, they have."

[A/N: Not canon on how Shoto feels, just in this AU.]

"But, you shouldn't take it out on them," I told him. "They're not the blame for your father's behavior."

"They're the reason for it."

Gosh, I don't know how to reason with that. I wasn't with Shoto in the past few years, we haven't seen each other since we were five, and now we're sixteen. Maybe, Shoto did change? I should realize that he's not the same Shoto from when I met him that one time.

I felt the feel of his hand gently squeeze my hand, and I looked at him. His one blue eye and one gray eye looked into my (E/C) ones.

"What's the bakery you wanted to see?" He asked, I guess he wanted to change the mood and the topic.

"Oh!" I smiled and pointed at the bakery in front of us, with the elderly couple outside of it. "That one!" I said, enthusiastically.

"Okay, let's go."

Together we walked closer to the shop when close enough the old couple turned towards us. The old man looked at us, adjusting his glasses "Oh! Prince Shoto and isn't that..."

The old woman nudged him, "That's Lady Himari's daughter, they look just alike!"

"Lady Himari..." The old man rubbed his beard. "Oh! That lady knight that got k--"

The old woman shoved her elbow into his stomach. "Watch your mouth! This is her daughter, no one wants to be reminded of that."

I smiled, "It's fine! I'm much better now!" I said.

"I can see! You have grown into such a fine young lady." The woman said, "you know, my grandson is still single, he's had a crush on you since you two were kiddies. He's inside right now, I can go and get him."

I felt Shoto's grip tighten on my hand and slightly shaking.

I put my free hand on his arm, and the hand that was holding his hand, my thumb rubbed the back of his hand. "Actually, I already have my eyes on someone."

"Oh?" The old woman said, and then her husband flicked her forehead.

"You old coot, look at them." He told her, in a soft voice, I guess as an attempt to whisper. But, that's definitely not how you whisper.

She clicked her tongue and looked at us, "oh, I see what you mean."

They both suck at whispering.

She sighed, "oh well. Did you two want to come and get something to eat?"

I hummed and said, "no, just visiting."

She nodded, "well, you both come back again. Looks like the young prince needs some sunlight, and we're very happy to see you back in the village.

"Yeah, we'll come back another time." I smiled, then looked at Shoto. "Let's go and walk."

He nodded, "okay, let's go."

We both then walked away, and I could feel Shoto looking at me.

I looked at him, then he looked away.

I let out a soft, short laugh. "What's wrong, Shoto?" I asked. "you keep looking at me."

"Nothing... I'm just wondering. Didn't you want to get something to eat?"

"Not really, I just wanted to check it out. But, then I noticed you felt uncomfortable, so I wanted to get you away."

"I...I wasn't uncomfortable." He said, in a mutter, I glanced at his face, it was getting a little red.

"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned about his red face.

He nodded, "I am." He then pointed at a food stall, "There, they sell really great Taiyaki. Whenever I do decide to leave the castle, I come here for Taiyaki. My mom would take me to get Taiyaki, so I come here whenever I just need to get away."

"Oh, is that your favorite food then?"

"Not really, I like cold soba."

I smiled, "you should make me some cold soba one day!"

I heard a soft chuckle, escape his lips. "Sure."

"Let's go and get Taiyaki then!"

He nods and walks over to the food stall, and I followed him.

There was a middle-aged man at the food stall, he looked up and over at us once we approached the stall. "Oh! The young prince is back, came for more Taiyaki?"

Shoto nodded, "yes, I want to treat, (Y/N) to your Taiyaki."

The man looked at me, "oh! This is (Y/N)! The one you told me about!" He said, excitedly.

Shoto tensed up, "quiet." He said.

The man laughed, "I'm Shinji!"

"Nice to meet you!" I said, "sooo, you said, Shoto talks about me a lot, huh?"

"Yeah! You know, a few months ago, he was here, talking about. 'I'm thinking about leaving the castle, the kingdom, I want to go and find (Y/N). I don't care about being a prince, I just want (Y--'"

"T...Two Taiyaki!" Shoto suddenly said in a loud voice, his face was red, red as a tomato.

Shinji let out another laugh, "hahaha! Anything for the young prince!"

I smiled, "you two have a really nice, relationship. But, a lot of the people here don't like Shoto?"

Shinji hums and starts to fix up two fresh Taiyaki, "well, they don't know the young prince, like I do, ya know?"

I nodded, listening to him.

"He's not much of a talker, but he came here on his own, I believe, it was a month after his mother was sent away. Yeah, he came here and ordered one Taiyaki. He was real quiet, but then he came back the next month, then the next, then the next. And, he was a monthly customer. I knew him for a long time, he came with his mother, and he came by himself. Once he turned, gee... Eleven? He talked to me and didn't say much, but we bonded. Ya know? He's like... A nephew, I saw his mom as a sister, so he's like family. Everyone around here, don't know anything about our Shoto. They only know, what he lets them see. He comes off cold and harsh, he doesn't have his mother to show him warmth, and to show that warmth off to others. He isn't the ideal prince, but his life isn't ideal either. I know, that it's not an excuse to be so rude, but there are people that reflect the environment they're raised in. And, Shoto was raised in a cold and harsh environment." He explained, before suddenly looking at me, with a soft smile. "I think, that's why he wanted to look for you, give away his place on the throne. He wanted to find that warmth when he was a kid. He told me, a lot. And, I'm glad, that you two reunited."

Once he finished speaking and went back to preparing the Taiyaki. I could feel my face all heated up, I put my hands to my hot cheeks, I could feel my heart beating through my chest.

I understand, Shoto isn't good with words, he's a quiet guy. But, Shinji explained so much, and I learned a lot. Shoto isn't cold, harsh, or evil. He's not a bad guy. And, he left wanted to leave, to be with me.

Like... How I left to be with him. But, our situations are different. He wanted to find warmth, I wanted to find the old Shoto.

Shinji smiled, "here you both go!" He held out two Taiyaki. "This is free also! Celebrate (Y/N) coming home!"

I took one, and Shoto took the other.

"Thank you!" I said.

Shoto nodded, "yeah, thank you."

Shinji smiled and nodded.

I looked at Shoto, "let's go back to the garden and eat."

He nodded, and we left, going back to the garden, hand in hand and with our Taiyaki. Once we made it to the garden and sat back on the bench in the secluded area, we started to eat our Taiyaki.

"Hey, (Y/N)."

"Hm?"

"Why did you come back?" Shoto asked, looking at me.

"I came back because... I heard what people were saying about you, that you were a cold and harsh prince. I just wanted to figure out, what was going on."

I stopped when I saw Shoto suddenly get up, his back facing me.

"So... You came back, because of the people? Not, because of anything else?"

"Well..."

Shoto looked at me, with a frown. "You just came here, after all this time about rumors and what people thought about me?" He then looked away and clicked his tongue. "Whatever."

Shoto...

I stared at his back, as he started to walk away.

I suddenly stood up and took a deep breath, "I CAME BACK BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" I shouted at him. He suddenly stopped and looked back at me.

"What?" He asked, he looked shocked.

"I LOVE YOU, SHOTO! I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT YOU! I HATED LEAVING YOU! I DIDN'T WANT TO! I WANTED TO STAY HERE WITH YOU! I CAME BACK BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED, AND I CARE, I LOVE YOU!" I couldn't stop shouting, I wanted to get my feelings across, I wanted him and everyone else to know, I love Shoto Todoroki.

"(Y/N)..."

I exhaled, trying to calm down. "I...I know we only met once, I know I sound like a child, I know, I know. But, I know how I feel! I know that I want to be with you, and only you. I'm here for a promise, but not only a promise. But, my feelings. I l--"

His lips pressed against mine, cutting me off.

Shoto's... Kissing me.

My cheeks warmed up, and I slowly kissed him back, moving my lips in sync with him. After a few seconds, he pulled away, his face looked red. "I love you too," He told me, his hands held mine. "I always did."

"Shoto..." I felt a huge smile forming on my lips, and I hugged him tightly.

He hugged me back with a smile, after a bit, we pulled away.

"I LOVE YOU, (Y/N)!" He suddenly shouted, with an embarrassed look.

I laughed, "you're so cute!"

His hands squeezed mine, "I'm glad you came here. I've been looking for you, for a long time."

"And, I've been thinking about you for a long time. I wanted to visit you, but I didn't know how to tell my dad, that I wanted to come back home. That, I wanted to reunite with you. I still want to get married and have a future with you."

He nodded and pulled the ring necklace that was around his neck. "I still want to get married also, and have a future with you. Shinji is right, I don't care about the throne. I want to be happy, happy with you."

"So... Do you want to..."

"I want to go away somewhere, anywhere with you."

"Are you sure?" I asked, "I'm fine with it, I don't mind going somewhere away from here with you. But, I don't want you to regret anything."

"I won't." He told me.

I smiled, "Okay... Then, let's do it."

He smiled and cupped my cheeks, pressing his lips against mine, once again.

[HELLLOOO! It's currently 2:57 AM, and while I wrote this the numbers kept changing. First, it was 31.4K, then 34.8K, and now it's 35.3K. Thank y'all so much! I hope y'all are happy with this chapter, and my return! I will try to make like, monthly updates, like once or twice, we'll see! Also, if y'all want a continuation, it will feature (Y/N) meeting Shoto's family, leaving the throne, going away, and since this is kind of medieval type thing, with royalty and stuff. They are able to get married at 16, so that would be featured in the second or third part. Maybe 50K, or 40K, I just feel like spoiling y'all, because I haven't been updating at all. So, yeah! Lemme know what y'all think, have a good day/afternoon/evening/night/ and all that bs.]