Prince Shoto stared into the crowd of people, mismatch eyes flicking from visitor to visitor. Each one of them a guest to his birthday party that he didn’t actually want.

His father, King Enji, wanted him to be wed as soon as possible. This entire gathering was just another one of his games for control, and each one of these people here knew it. They treated Shoto as if he were some expensive pawn, playing with words and trying so desperately to make themselves look appealing.

He often felt more like a title than a person. A resource, a stepladder. It made him angry, but the sizzle of his vexation didn’t reach surface level.

At least there were those who treated him normally, such as the ferocious Katsuki, and less intimidatingly, his valet Izuku. But the valet seemed distracted.

“Izuku.. is something the matter?”

He asked monotonously, following Izuku’s starstruck gaze. The beet-faced valet was admiring Ochako Uraraka, who was trying and failing to dance with you.

Watching you both trod on each other’s toes like you didn’t belong at a noble’s party had Shoto feeling something other than contempt. A soft interest invaded him, so distinctly that he hardly noticed his valet leave to sweep up the rosy-cheeked girl you were dancing with.

So.. never mind Izuku. That meant that you were free. He stared blankly, wondering whether to approach. Though internally, his mind was already made up. And before he could properly realize it, Shoto was at your side.