~~Requested by Emi~~ ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

The grand hall of Midoriya's castle, usually filled with warmth and chatter, was eerily silent. The young king sat alone at the oak table, its surface buried beneath scrolls of parchment. Each one bore the seal of a neighboring kingdom, and each carried demands or proposals for trade, treaties, or alliances.

Izuku sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "If I agree, our people will suffer. We barely have enough to sustain ourselves through winter..."

"And yet, refusing them could provoke aggression," *Toshinori replied gently upon entering, * "Arais is not a kingdom to antagonize lightly."

Izuku’s hands trembled slightly as he reached for another scroll. This one was from the northern Kingdom of Bryndor, requesting iron from Midoriya's mines. In return, they offered protection against bandit raids—a tempting proposal, but one that came with its own risks.

His eyes darted to the pendant around his neck. "Mother," he whispered under his breath, "what would you have done?"

A sudden knock echoed through the hall. A messenger entered, bowing low before presenting another scroll. "From the Kingdom of Eldria, Your Majesty."

Izuku unraveled the parchment. The words made his stomach churn: a proposal for a royal marriage to solidify an alliance. He was sixteen, barely grasping the intricacies of ruling, let alone marriage.

He leaned back, exhaustion evident in his posture. "Sir Toshinori... how am I supposed to decide what’s best for everyone when every decision feels like a step toward ruin?"

The older man’s expression softened. "Your Majesty, you must trust in your heart and the wisdom you already possess. You may be young, but your compassion sets you apart. The people believe in you. I believe in you."

As the night wore on, the young king worked tirelessly, knowing that every word he wrote could shape the future of his kingdom. In the shadows of his grand hall, King Izuku Midoriya vowed to protect his people, no matter the weight of the crown he bore.