No

It had been no more than a day when your father announced your betrothal to Prince Shouto of the Todoroki kingdom. As an only child, you had no choice seeing as you're at the age of becoming queen. The fate of your kingdom was at stake as it would not uphold its defence against rivalling kingdoms like it did in the past. A strong bloodline is what is needed for it to last in perpetuity. The Todoroki kingdom being one of them made your acts of defiance a whole lot worse. Your refusal had its reasons. Raised under the watchful eye of your mother before her passing, you were taught how to be benevolent while learning how to defend yourself. It was your mother's wish since she couldn't bear you a sibling, mostly a brother who would protect you from your enemies and mythical creatures.

Magic became your speciality. Being born with magic, your mother thought it would skip you as it did her after your grandmother. Instead, it came as a surprise that sent someone flying into the garden. You trained your magic up until the age of twelve, the year your mother passed due to a sickness that's been affecting her since you were a child. 

"Father, I'm not doing this!" You tied your cloak around your shoulders, avoiding those worrying orbs following you out of the castle. The news of your arranged marriage had you yearning for fresh air and cleared of unwanted thoughts. 

"Please listen to reason, Y/n!" A firm grab for your hand stopped you in your tracks. Your eyes met a pair that pleaded for your understanding. You frowned, hating the way your father's face dropped with sadness. "I know you're not fond of king Enji, but if we don't do this...our kingdom is lost," 

"I know that, father..." Your head dropped towards the floor out of guilt. He knows you love your home with all your heart. It's where your memories lie, surrounded by wonderful caring people you called your friends. "Out of all the kingdoms, you chose the worst one to pair me with. There are other kingdoms we're allied with to turn to for help. All you had to do was ask." 

Releasing your hand, you pulled your hood over your head, taking this opportunity to turn tail and leave the confounds of the castle gates beside your knight. You needed time out of the city. Not too far, only near the outskirts of your borders, separating your kingdom and the remainder of the world. That's where you planted a weeping willow tree over your mother's grave for its beautiful wisteria flowers covering the ground in royal purple. 

"My lady, are we going to your mother's grave again?" Your knight Izuku was the first victim of your magic after it manifested out of nowhere. You apologized many times to the point it turned into a friendship that spanned over ten years. You trusted Izuku more than anyone and loved him like a big brother.

"I need time to think, Izuku," You walked into the villages, nodding your head as you passed the villagers and waved at the children running around. The guard standing at the border gates bowed their heads although you turned towards the forest. Izuku kept silent after you used your magic moving the flowers hiding the willow tree. It was best to keep it hidden from thieves wanting to harness the jewels decorating the grave, but it was also the spot where you trained. The tomb lay in the middle, surrounded by flowers. There's a willow tree that grew around her tombstone, a tall statue of your mother kneeling. The tree's thick trunk kept the headstone intact during natural disasters. 

"My lady...about today? Your father is worried about you as much as he is worried about the kingdom," Izuku asked, watching you kneeling in front of your mother's tombstone, wiping at the petals littered on the pedestal.  

"A marriage to unite two kingdoms but a marriage that has nothing to do with love." You didn't let him answer. "Who's to say that King Enji's son is not like him? it's not like I have a right to protest because I'm a princess, obviously." 

"What would you do if you were in my place, Izuku?" You couldn't help but ask. You needed comfort at these troubling times while there was still time. All you needed was an escape out of your duty for once. 

Izuku fondled with his gloves. He could refuse the question, but he had no right to deny any order. You trusted him well enough to know that he would help you with whatever you needed."I don't know my lady," 

"That sounds about right," You said, your voice sounding disappointed. Sitting down on the ground, you pulled your knees against your chest and rested your chin on your knees. "What am I gonna do, mother?"

A meeting between your family and the todoroki's was held a week later to discuss the wedding plans. It's a meeting where you and your groom would meet face to face for the first time. Were you excited? No. Were you mad? Fuming. The whole morning, you listen to your servants bragging about the prince's attractive appearance.

You sat in the main hall dressed in royal garments and kept a fake smile on your face for your father's sanity. Separating you and your guests was a long table, only used for large gatherings. You immediately recognized King Enji seeing as you two have met on your eighteenth birthday. That day you were told of the rumours surrounding his family, and not only that, but he was insulting. 

"You lack maturity, girl! how will lead your people to victory!"

At your own party, you got a glimpse of his personality. To think he was gonna be your future father in-law—hell no.

Three years have passed since then, and you hated his guts for that comment. Using his title to criticize you was a big no-no. However, his son seemed just as depressed as you are. So perhaps you were wrong for comparing the two. The meeting lasted the whole day. You were given free time just for you and prince Shouto to get to know each other before the wedding. It turns out you were wrong. Shouto was everything else but rude. He was quiet most of the time, and you would only hear his voice answering your questions.

It was clear; you weren't having a good time in silence. It wasn't his fault, of course. You didn't blame Shouto at all. Keeping your kingdom in mind, you continued with the experiment until the end of dinner. Before the two left the kingdom, they left you a gift in your room. Your maids brought it in, and there it stood in its full glory, your wedding dress. Made by the tailors residing in the Todoroki kingdom, it had no ties to your kingdom, earning a dramatic eye roll. 

It's beautiful, You said in your head. Running your hands along with the fabric, you sighed, pushing it out of the way of your bed. Flopping down on your stomach, your lips parted, inhaling and exhaling loudly into your pillows, followed by a groan. 

Another deep breath leaves your lip. You rolled onto your back, gazing up at the mural of a red dragon and his rider on your roof. You wished to see that dragon soar across the sky again like it did when you were little. You remember the moment clear as day. While your parents tending to their guests, you caught the creature flying about like a bird and ran straight to your balcony. Your father commissioned painters to turn the memory into a mural on your ceiling, so it was the first thing you see every morning.

Riding on the back of a dragon has always been a dream of yours after seeing one. The feeling of the wind making your hair dance and the fluffiness of the clouds. You craved for an adventure outside of your borders and explore different lands.

 Leaning up on your palms, you looked over at your door. "Izuku!" 

Walking into your room, Izuku would always send you a smile. You followed with a smile of your own, patting an empty space on your bed. It's with him where you discuss your plans for your wedding day.

Expect to see this on Tumblr :)