Shouto Todoroki is not like other princes of the land.

Other princes flaunt their looks and charm and fascinating quirks; for the most part, they boast of their great wealth. They are charismatic and charming; Shouto is not.

Shouto is quiet. He does not speak to others and barely communicates with his siblings. He seldom smiles, and his eyes contain stares of icicles. He appears as a mere statue of fire and ice, untouched and as stiff as a stone wall.

Born of the Flame Castle, the youngest Todoroki royalty lives his life with few words. His father, the notable King Endeavor of the Flame Castle, trains him to become the future successor of the throne and a great hero to the land. The job sounds noble; however, the reality of the statement is not so. Shouto should not be the heir to the throne; his older sister Fuyumi should, or his brother Toya, or even his other brother Natsuo should be since the siblings surpass his age by years. Age usually is the factor in deciding who will reign next. But the fact is not so.

Shouto is different from his siblings. The former queen of Flame, Rei, was secretly forced into marriage with King Endeavor. The king and queen continued to conceive children until they child bore a child with two special abilities: the ice quirk of the queen, and the fire quirk of the king. Unfortunately, Fuyumi, Touya, and Natsuo were not perceived as adequate to Endeavor; he did not see them fit to become the successor of the throne. When the fourth child, Shouto, was born, Endeavor knew that he finally had the perfect heir.

However, although Endeavor was satisfied with his perfect son, the half-white-haired and half-red-haired Shouto, Endeavor was abusive to his wife. He beat her and kicked her behind the palace doors, and young Shouto wanted everything but to be the next hero and king of Flame. He had no choice in the matter. And this abusive father, with his wicked authority, drew his wife over the edge; one day, haunted by the mere image of her husband, Queen Rei Todoroki was provoked into a paroxysm at the sight of her innocent son Shouto. His red side—a mirror image of Endeavor—caused her to shriek in fear and fling a container of boiling water onto her confused son's countenance.

After that, Shouto never saw his mother again; she was sent away by Endeavor to a mental hospital miles and miles away.

And now, young Shouto, trapped in the walls of his own home, the Flame Castle, lives a life of reluctance and bitterness towards his father.

The Flame Castle and its land stretch hundreds of miles across the country, Yusha. The Flame Castle is well-known and admired by the people of Yusha. However, the prestigious Might Castle is perhaps the greatest in all of Yusha; its glory barely overshines that of Flame. The ruler, King All-Might, rules his land and protects all people with a grandeur of strength and kindness that Endeavor cannot quite match. The smiling, muscular, compassionate All-Might is admired by all—which is exactly why King Endeavor trains Shouto so rigorously: to become king and surpass All-Might.

Shouto watches all with unmoving lips. He has observed the royal council meetings with the kings and queens around Yusha, from Queen Midnight to King Mic to his favorite of all, King All-Might. The kings and queens of Yusha occasionally meet to discuss the well-being of the country and the best ways to protect all people. He recalls the fierce smile of All-Might and his bold words that he is here to save everyone. Shouto has always admired that.

But since his mother threw a bucket of boiling of water on his left eye...

Since she called him a monster because his mere gaze reminded her of pain, of the cursed touch of her abusive husband...

Since his father forced him to do everything, from ruling Flame to surpassing a kind hero...

He despises the so called love that exists in the world. He isn't even sure if a hero is a thing he can become; he couldn't even protect his own mother.

He doesn't know what to do besides rebel against everything his father wants.

Shouto wants nothing to do with anything Endeavor could possibly want.

***

"Shouto," a voice chirps from the other side of his quarters. "Shouto, come. You need to wake up. It's late," the voice presses.

Shouto opens his eyes groggily, sun filtering through his parted royal-blue drapes. His room is too extravagant for his liking, but it is fitting for a prince. A candle chandelier hangs from the ceiling. The bed is plush and wrapped in sheets of indigo and gold, and fine weaponry adorns the walls—even though Shouto doesn't use them. Despite the elegant appearance of the bed, he does find relish in its comfort. Shouto sighs, sitting up sleepily, the covers pooling at his waist.

"Father wants you to train early this morning," the voice continues, and he recognizes that it belongs to his sister Fuyumi. "He has some news he wishes to impart upon you."

Shouto rolls his eyes. Some news, huh? Shouto thinks to himself. He finally rises, tidying up his bed and folding it neatly. "I'll be there soon."

"Come to the dining hall because I prepared soba for breakfast—your favorite," Fuyumi calls, her voice drifting away.

Shouto slips into his training attire, a set of light armor and pants, and he pauses in thought of his sister. She always looks out for him, and she does not need to cook for him—they have royal chefs, after all. Since she isn't the heiress to the throne, though she is the eldest Todoroki sibling at age 22, she instead studies in the Castle library and is a tutor to some of the children near the kingdom. As a child, Shouto was never allowed to see her because his duties were strictly training. However, now, he feels that Fuyumi spends her time making up all of the time they were never allowed to spend together when they were young. He appreciates the gestures; however, having seldom been confronted with acts of affection, he doesn't know how to respond to her kindness. Realizing that his thoughts have gone astray, Shouto shoves the contemplations away.

He exits his room, sealing his door quietly, and he continues down a long, velvet-carpeted corridor. Stone intricate patterns decorate the ceiling along with soft candlelights. He turns a few corners until he reaches the long, winding staircase. His lonely steps echo as he continues down the stairs. A few servants pass him, offering their bows and the 'Your Highness' addresses. He tips his head towards them.

Finally, he reaches the dining hall where Fuyumi sits, the long, oak table empty besides her meal and the meal designated for him. She looks up from her dish, her white and red-specked hair falling over her shoulders. She smiles softly.

"Good morning, Shouto," she says. She adjusts her glasses. "Your soba is still cold, as you like it."

Shouto nods, joining her at the table. He inhales the aroma of the soba. It is his favorite dish. He eats rather quickly but neatly. Fuyumi's soba is better than any elaborate meal the royal chefs could prepare.

The room is quiet besides the quiet clinking of chopsticks against the bowls and the faint footsteps of the servants from rooms over. Shouto narrows his eyes as his mind wanders to whatever news Endeavor has.

Could it be that Shouto will finally be allowed to attend a real school? Perhaps. He has always wanted to attend a real school. He is sixteen years old, an age that is nearing independence. Maybe Endeavor has released his feat of forcing Shouto to become the heir of the throne. He rolls his eyes at his hope for that one; it is highly unlikely that Endeavor would do so.

His thoughts are interrupted as the devil himself enters the room. Shouto could recognize the heavy footsteps anywhere, and the monotonous heavy clank against the floor is engraved in his mind.

"Shouto," Endeavor calls, his white teeth forming a crescent moon-like grin. The flames of his mustache flicker. "I have some news for you, my son."

Shouto pauses his eating, and he places his chopsticks beside the bowl. "What?" He asks bluntly. He never addresses his father with propriety. Fuyumi shoots him a pointed glare that seems to say Shouto, please address Father accordingly!

Endeavor closes his eyes a moment, adjusting his black, flame-hemmed royal garb. His eyes slowly open, a strange look residing within them.

"Do you know how you were conceived and blessed with your wondrous quirks, my son?" Endeavor asks. He says each word with pride, particularly enunciating the word wondrous.

Shouto wants to roll his eyes. "Mom."

Endeavor ignores the sharp sarcasm of his son and continues, "Precisely, my son. When I was about your age, I entered an arranged marriage with your mother. Of course, our two quirks are quite powerful, and with quirk marriages, we were able to create a son with amazing powers."

Shouto's eyes widen.

Wait.

He isn't...

He isn't planning...

No. No, he can't be planning to force me into...

"So I have found a mate worthy of you, Shouto. I believe that she is about your age. I had heard from nearing kingdoms about a young woman with the ability to—"

"There is no way in hell I'm going to enter an arranged marriage!" Shouto snaps, slamming his fists to the table, rattling the dishes. "No."

All his life, Shouto has obeyed his father's wishes albeit reluctantly. He has trained rigorously, he has isolated himself from normal children, and he has done so wordlessly. But the arranged marriage has drawn the line; the person Shouto may marry should be his own choice. Not his damned father's.

"I'm not going to let you control every damn aspect of my life, Endeavor!" He hisses.

"Silence! You have no say in the matter. The pact has already been discussed. You are to marry this girl whether you wish to or not. She has an amazing quirk, and the child you have with her will—"

"You don't tell me what to do with my life," Shouto grits his teeth. "I refuse."

Shouto stands from the table, shoving his chair, and he sprints out of the room. He ignores the protests of Fuyumi and the angry shouts of his father.

"Get back here, son!"

Shouto runs.

He runs past the bewildered servants, down the prolonged hallways; he sprints past his siblings' rooms and past the sad portrait of his mother. He runs until he can no longer hear confused shouts, until his breath is heavy and his legs are pulsing. He runs until he has finally exited the cursed walls of Flame Castle.

Outside, the air is heavy and the sky is filled with clouds. A few birds chirp, and the palace garden is filled with a variety of blooming flowers. Shouto often finds peace in his solitude in the garden, which extends for quite a distance. It branches into a large forest that separates the nearby villages from the Castle. Of course, Shouto has never been past the garden. He tucks the thought of the adjacent villages into the back of his mind, and he wanders through the neatly trimmed rose bushes and wisterias.

His mother always liked wisterias. Their purple blooms grace the garden with a beauty unmatched.

"An arranged marriage," he murmurs under his breath. "Damn him."

He thinks of his mother. He can so vividly recall the day she tossed the water into his eye; he can practically feel his mother's fear piercing through him. As he fixes his gaze upon the wisterias, the memory floods back to him.

**

He couldn't sleep.

He spent all day outside with Dad trying to work the fire on his left side, but it was really hard. He did finally manage to utilize it. When the sparks spilled from his fingers, his eyes widened in awe. His dad seemed proud at the sight of his son using fire at such a young age.

Shouto knew Dad was proud. But a thought occurred to him. Mom didn't know he could use the fire powers!

Thrilled, little Shouto turned his legs over the side of the bed and plopped his feet onto the floor. The cold stones against his toes sent shivers down his spine, but he knew he had to tell Mom the good news. He could be a real hero! He could be just like King All Might!

He tiptoed down the halls and peered into Mom and Dad's room. Strangely, only Dad was in the bed. Shouto pouted in curiosity. Where could Mom be?

He decided to look downstairs instead. He crept quietly down the steps and looked left and right. His eyes brightened when he saw a light streaming from the kitchen door.

What's Mom doing at the kitchen, and who is she talking to? He wondered.

"Mom, I don't think I can take it anymore," Rei choked, her shoulders trembling. "That child—that child's left side....it's so u-unbearable to me. All I see...i-is a monster. He...he reminds me so much of his father, I—"

Shouto stepped from the shadows. He saw his mother and an older woman who looked just like her standing near the cupboards. His mother turned, slowly, clenching a pot of steaming water in hand.

Her eyes widened, and the woman behind her gasped. Rei screamed before Shouto could open his mouth, and he saw a brief crazed look in her eyes before his left eye began to burn as if it was sliced with a knife. He could only cry and grasp his face.

Then everything blurred. He couldn't see, he couldn't feel, and he only heard shouts and cries of chaos. The world was a maelstrom. All he could remember was seeing his mother and the other woman shoved away to never be seen again.

***

Shouto shivers at the memory. He curses under his breath at the thought of his damned father. He wonders if his mother even truly ever loved Endeavor at all. He supposes not. He assumes Endeavor was always a ruthless bastard. His motivation of their marriage from the beginning was to mate and create a prodigy.

Light rain begins to fall. Drips slide down the rose petals and drench the greenery of the garden. Shouto refuses to return to the stupid castle. Instead, he continues his walk in the maze of flowers. Perhaps, he'll eventually meet a hedge and find a way to the woods. The last thing he wants to do at the moment is return home.

He passes a large patch of leaning day lilies, and he kicks a few rocks along the pathway. Shouto sighs. He hates his stupid father. Maybe he'll run away and never return. A world without his father sounds pleasant. A world with no Endeavor—he imagines a life of freedom where he could become the kind of hero he truly wishes to be. A hero like All-Might.

He blinks as the rain slides down his face. He wonders what kind of girl Endeavor wants him to marry. Does she want to marry me, he wonders, or is she forced into this too? I wonder what kind of quirk she has.

He lifts his palms: his left of fire and his right of ice. Usually, he uses only his right side. He refuses to use the fire unless it is absolutely necessary. The ice usually suffices, to Endeavor's dislike. Ever since the incident with his mother, Shouto strives to use his fire as little as possible.

His mind wanders back to the girl. His palms begin to shake.

"How could I ever learn to love a girl," he murmurs, "if I don't even know how to love at all?"

Since he was separated from his siblings as a child, Shouto lacks the ability to function properly when approached with affection. Fuyumi, of course, has tried to love him in recent years since she was unable to when they were children. His brothers normally spend time away from the kingdom battling other princes and the like. He has never even talked to many people outside of Flame Castle: so how is Shouto, a boy immune to socialization, touch, and affection of any kind, capable of loving a woman he has never even met?

How can he love at all?

Suddenly, Shouto realizes that he is no longer in the garden; he realizes that he subconsciously stumbled past the groves and towering bushes. Now, he's surrounded by wild trees and grass.

The forest.

A place outside of the castle...

Wind begins to shift the trees, causing wind and rain to hum. Shouto adjusts his jerkin, holding it to his chest, and the breeze works against him. Biting his lip, however, he remains stubborn; he refuses to return to the Castle. He needs time to continue to think; he needs solitude. He decides that perhaps he could find a place to temporarily reside. He casts a glance over his shoulder at the distant towering castle garden bushes. He knows he'll need to go back sooner or later, but some time in a new surrounding may allow him to reconfigure his thoughts.

The forest is beautiful. The rain begins to lighten, and the soft pitter patter against the leaves creates a peaceful melody. The sky, awash with a silver and ashy blue, sends soft, breezy whispers through his hair. He revels in the feeling of the cold water and the rawness of the air, a contrast to the stuffiness of the castle.

The girl, he wonders to himself. I wonder what her name is.

He sighs, plopping onto a fallen tree. His white undershirt and old grey jerkin are soaked. The rain is now mere sprinkles against the earth, and a faint sun begins to shine behind the grey clouds. He decides to remove his shirt and wring the water out of his clothes. He unbuttons and removes his jerkin, and he slips the white undershirt over his head. He shakes his head, water streaming down his neck, and he exhales slowly. The air is damp against his bare skin. He twists the clothes in his hands, water dripping to the ground as he continually works.

I wish there were some way I could get out of this stupid arranged marriage. Forcing me to surpass King All Might is already a hefty task. How burdensome. Now, Endeavor's making another fateful decision for me.

Shouto rolls his eyes. "It just isn't fair," he murmurs to himself.

Suddenly, Shouto hears another sound besides the fading rainfall. He hears something like the crinkling of leaves, then light footsteps. He turns left and right, searching for the source of the sound. He narrows his eyes.

"Who's there?" He demands lowly. He stands to his feet, raising his right hand, preparing to attack.

The air becomes rigid as if something hesitates. Then, a girl with a sleek, voluminous raven-black ponytail and a red hood submerges from behind an oak tree, clutching her hands to her chest. Her eyes are wide, and her lips tremble.

"Y-your Highness—" she squeaks.

"Eavesdropping?" Shouto glares, lowering his hand. "That's rather rude of you."

The girl frowns, and she looks as though she wishes to speak. She takes a step forward.

"I-I—"

"How do you know who I am?" He narrows his eyes. He has never even exited the castle grounds. How would a simple girl know his identity? He notices that she addressed him as Your Highness.

Shouto clenches his fists. So this is the first person he will ever encounter outside of the castle. A traveler, a thief, a villain? She doesn't seem to be a villain. But how would Shouto know? The only knowledge he has of villains is that from his father and a few books he has read in the palace library. But any devilish girl could feign her true intentions with a face of beauty.

The girl adjusts her hood, taking another step forward. Then, she bows slowly and deeply.

"Your Highness, I'm a mere passerby," she begins, her dark eyes unfaltering. Shouto observes the crimson hood she wears to the rosiness of her cheeks. She's a pretty girl with a slender nose and a soft voice. Shouto maintains his guard, however. He narrows his eyes as she opens her mouth to speak again.

"I was returning to my village when I happened to see a mysterious figure straying from the designated path. I followed him and realized that he happened to spot someone—you. You are the prince of Flame, are you not? Villagers speak of your supposed amazing quirks and unmatched beauty. The bandit drew a dagger to slice your neck, and I had to vanquish his efforts by using my quirk. My apologies, Your Highness," the girl proclaims rather anxiously. Her shoulders seem to fall after she finishes her statement, as if it took her much effort to say.

Shouto's eyes widen as the girl reveals the now captured villain who attempted to slain him. The villain's wrists and torso are bound by chains, and his furious cries are concealed by a tightly-bound cloth.

"My apologies," Shouto croaks, his eyes still slightly narrowed. "I am quite capable of taking care of myself, however."

Maybe it is his anger towards his father that prompts the rude statement, but Shouto does not care. His mind is in a whirlwind. He knows he could have easily stopped that stupid villain with his ice, but he was too absorbed in his anger to even perceive the impending danger.

The girl's eyes falter, and a sad smile seems to overcome her countenance. She bows a final time.

"I see. Farewell, Your Highness." The girl grasps the chain and leads the villain back into the forest. Shouto just sighs.

Maybe he shouldn't have been so rude. The girl was merely trying to help, and he infers that her quirk must be quite amazing if she could somehow procure a chain and lock for the villain. I do wonder what quirk the girl has. She is a quick thinker to observe a bandit like that, he thinks to himself. And he recalls her words that he is the prince of Flame with amazing quirks and unmatched beauty. He raises an eyebrow at that statement. So he has a reputation and the kingdom hasn't even seen his face. A bitter smirk crosses his lips at the thought.

He shoves the thoughts away, deciding that he should return home. With a final glance to the fading figure of the mysterious girl, Shouto turns to leave the forest.

Little does he know that the girl with the raven ponytail will be of his company in days to come.