chapter one;

"MM...KURO, CAN WE GO OVER THERE?", little four year-old youko asked.

the little girl looked up at the misty man, who just nodded.

youko, since the age that she started being able to talk, understood that she was just another person that was to be fed at the castle.

     according to kurogiri, her birth mother died, and her father was busy.

     the black-haired girl ran over to another part of her small garden as she started plucking flowers and making it into a flower crown.

     youko didn't hate her life or anything. she was grateful that she wasn't starving and had clothes to wear. on top of that, kurogiri always made sure she slept well and didn't lack anything in particular.

     the girl was like a wallpaper; there, but unnoticed.

     "princess, would you like some snacks? I've made your favorite cookies", kurogiri offered.

     "oh, yes please!!", the girl smiled as she watched kurogiri leave.

     kurogiri swiftly left as he knew youko was an obedient child. she wouldn't go anywhere, as he had instructed her that the safest place was her little room and garden.

     "man, it's so hard to find victims these days", a female voice suddenly said, making youko flinch.

for all the little girl knew, no one except kurogiri knew of this place.

"that's because they're all scared. you're a scary woman!!", another voice said.

     youko's curiosity perked up as she wondered whether those people were like kurogiri: mists.

     gathering up all her courage, the young girl tip-toed towards a nearby bush, peeking through some leaves as she accidentally stepped on a branch.

     "oh? seems like someone wants to die today~", the female voice giggled as she swiftly plucked her knife from inside her pocket and aimed it at youko.

     the little girl choked as she watched a small black hole appear in front of her, causing the knife to drop beside the female who had thrown it.

     "huh? kurogiri?"

     "what are you two doing here?", the mist man sternly inquired as he walked over with a platter of star-shaped cookies on his other hand.

     "how nice to see you kurogiri. ugh, terrible seeing you here", the man greeted as him and the blonde girl walked over.

     youko sighed a breath of relief as she harshly swallowed her saliva that would've drooled out if she hadn't done so.

the blonde girl's bright yellow eyes glimmered with interest as she inched closer to youko, making the young girl hide behind kurogiri's leg.

"and who's this?", she curiously asked.

"this is none of your concern toga", kurogiri stoically replied as the young girl just silently observed.

"she kind of reminds me shigaraki. she's ugly!", the man stated, making the young girl pout.

'was she really that displeasing to look at?', she wondered.

"no need to hide it kurogiri. anyone can tell that those red eyes are that of a royal's", the girl named toga grinned.

kurogiri simply sighed.

"don't you two have better things at hand?", kurogiri questioned, very much wanting to chase the two away.

"actually ye—"

"NO WE DON'T!", toga quickly interrupted as she kneeled down in front of the little girl, who had flinched in surprise.

"hello there princess! sorry for throwing that knife earlier. I thought you were an intruder or something. you don't mind though right?", toga widely smiled, to which youko hesitantly stepped away from kurogiri's leg.

"I-I guess it's okay", the girl meekly replied as she tightly gripped onto her baby blue dress.

"great! now how about I bring you around and show you the castle!!", toga exclaimed as she was just about to pick youko up before kurogiri intervened.

"toga, you know the rules", kurogiri coldly reminded, to which the blonde girl had just pouted.

"awwww, well, I suppose another time then princess!", toga grinned as she dragged the other male away.

youko watched as she then looked over at kurogiri.

"who are they?", the little girl asked.

"the blonde girl is toga himiko: commander of squad 2. the guy with the mask goes by twice: commander of squad 3", kurogiri informed.

     "oh...will I ever see them again?", youko asked.

     it wasn't everyday that youko got to see someone new. she'd been cooped up for four years with only kurogiri attending to her, not that she minded too much.

     though she had hoped that one day she'd be able to see more of the castle, or perhaps even see what life was like beyond the kingdom.

     kurogiri decided to word it carefully so he didn't bring up false hope or shoot the girl's dreams down.

     after all, she was bound to assist shigaraki later on. and perhaps, she'd become the next villain queen.

"maybe", kurogiri shortly responded as he placed the young child down and bent down so that she could reach for the cookies.

"anyways kuro, I made this for you", youko smiled as she brought out her flower crown that was a bit smushed since she had almost ruined it when toga threw the knife at her.

"I'm honored princess", kurogiri responded as he tilted his head down to receive the flower crown.

youko lightly chuckled as she proudly looked at her piece of work.

"do you like it??", youko excitedly asked.

"of course princess", kurogiri replied.

though the little girl couldn't tell whether the man was telling the truth or not, she just continued smiling as she enjoyed the cookies along with the breeze.

_♚_

"has her quirk developed yet?"

"not yet, your imperial majesty".

     "how's her and tomura's relationship", the man asked.

     "his majesty has not yet seen or met her highness", kurogiri responded.

     a sigh was heard.

     "this won't do. organize for them to meet soon", the imperial majesty commanded.

     "yes, your imperial majesty. should I inform his majes—"

     "no need. tomura wouldn't agree if he knew", the man interrupted.

"of course. is there anything else your imperial majesty would like to assign?", kurogiri politely asked.

"on the girl's fifth birthday, let the entire kingdom celebrate. in fact, send an invitation to our so called friends", the man smirked.

"naturally, your imperial majesty".

"that's it for today kurogiri. you're dismissed".

kurogiri bowed as he excused himself, heading towards the princess's room.

"you're back kuro!!", youko excitedly laughed as she ran over to the misty man, hugging his leg.

     "indeed princess. before you go to bed, I actually have some great news for you", kurogiri said as he picked youko up.

     "really?? did you figure out how to make those tasty cinnamon rolls?", the girl asked, to which kurogiri had almost let out a chuckle.

     "actually...no. but it's something better. you'll get to meet his majesty soon", kurogiri said.

     youko froze at that.

     'his majesty? father? but why now? what if he doesn't like me?? maybe that's why he hasn't come seen me all these years', youko thought as she unconsciously frowned.

     kurogiri, sensing the girl's unease, sighed.

     "don't worry princess. his majesty's just been busy. once he meets you, he'll surely warm up to you", kurogiri lied.

     youko just nodded as the misty man carefully tucked youko in bed.

     the young girl closed her eyes as she wondered what her father looked like, and if he'd actually be happy to see her.

     nevertheless, the girl fell asleep as kurogiri mentally cursed himself for giving the girl false hope.

     'I hope tomura doesn't kill her'.

✦ . . . . ────────☀️