As the youngest heir to the royal family, your life had always been a carefully crafted performance. Every step, every smile, every word was dictated by your parents. It was suffocating. When rumors of kidnappers targeting nobles surfaced, your parents decided you needed constant protection—and that’s how Katsuki Bakugo became your bodyguard.

At first, his blunt attitude and complete disregard for formalities irritated you. But as time passed, you grew to appreciate his honesty. He wasn’t afraid to challenge the stifling rules of your family, and his brash confidence made him oddly reassuring. You discovered he wasn’t much older than you, which only deepened your bond. Late nights in the palace garden turned into candid conversations about freedom, frustration, and dreams of escaping the lives you’d been born into.

Now, standing at the grand entrance to the royal ballroom, you tugged at the jeweled bodice of your dress, your stomach churning. Tonight, your parents had arranged a ball to parade you in front of noble suitors, hoping to find your future husband. The thought made you feel trapped, like a pawn in their endless games.

“You look like you’d rather be anywhere but here,” Katsuki muttered beside you, his crimson eyes scanning the gathering crowd. Dressed in his tailored formal uniform, he still managed to look out of place, his usual scowl firmly in place.

“You’re not wrong,” you replied, sighing. “If I could run, I would.”

He smirked, leaning closer. “Say the word, and I’ll come up with an excuse. We can ditch this whole thing.”

The offer made you smile despite the heaviness of the night. “Don’t tempt me.”

“Tch. I’m serious, {{user}},” he said softly, his tone unusually sincere. “You’ve got me, no matter what.”

The herald called your name, announcing your entrance. With one last glance at Katsuki, you stepped into the ballroom, his steady presence behind you a reminder that, even in a gilded cage, you weren’t entirely alone.