Pairing: Prince Toji Zenin x Queen! Black Reader
Warning: MDNI, Royal Fantasy AU, Emotional Distressed Reader, Cold Toji, Zenin Clan, Naoya and Jinichii are their own warnings, Jinichii is current king, Reader is married,Cheating, Character Death, P In V, Toji is Down Bad, Naoya can’t shut his fat ass mouth, Implied Major Character Death , Graphic depictions of violence, Domestic Violence
Synopsis: Isolated in a court full of whispers, the scorned queen realizes in order for her to live someone must die. Her savior may just be closer than she thinks.
Authors Note: Guyssss I was watching Bridgerton and I was like wowwwww I have to write again. Also before anyone gets mad Toji doesn’t carry the Fusiguro last name is because it’s important in this AU for him to be a Zenin. I DO NOT MESS WITH THE ZENINS!!! Also please enjoy!!!!!
An alliance between two kingdoms, set in stone and written in history books long before you were born. At eighteen, the Princess of Lendorr was to be sent north to wed the newly crowned King of Syndril, a land where winters were harsh and its rulers even crueler.
You begged and cried to Mother, telling her it was unlawful for you to be wed to a man twenty years your senior. Yet she stood indifferent as the maids packed your belongings and the guards hauled them into the carriage. Father shook hands with Jinichii Zenin, King of Syndril and your future husband, as though you were nothing more than a transaction.
Mother excused herself from the conversation, finding you still in your bed chambers, eyes red, fists clenched in the silk sheets like a child refusing exile.
Your head picked up and immediately you begged,
“Mother please, you cannot allow this to happen to me. I am your only child, your only daughter. Must I be forsaken to this man I do not know?”
“You must understand your duty, my child,” Mother said softly. “It is our duty as King and Queen to ensure our people remain safe by avoiding war. It is your duty to be the alliance that protects them. Your kingdom. Your people.”
Mother continued as she wrapped her arms around you, tears streaming down her face.
Never once had you seen your mother cry. She was always strong, elegant, never a woman of many words, but never a woman to cry either. You knew this was grave and serious, yet you could not understand why you had to be the sacrifice. You were only eighteen. What could a man of that age possibly want with you?
“It is also your duty as a woman to produce an heir. A son who will rule after his father, the King of Syndril. And when that time comes, you must be prepared. You must understand what it means to be a woman.” Her voice trembled slightly. “I am sorry, my dear. Become the queen you are meant to be, and do not disappoint us.”
Mother wiped the tears from her face as she stood. Without another glance back, she walked from the room.
You stared after her in disbelief.
You sat there for a moment, wallowing in your own despair and replaying every word she had spoken. After wiping the last of your tears away, your maid stepped forward, making sure you were properly composed.
Amelia rushed to your side, helping you straighten yourself as you stared blankly into the mirror. Your mind conflicted as thoughts of duty, purpose, and the people of Lendorr weighed heavily on you.
Amelia fluffed the bottom of your dress before gently wiping your face clean of any remaining tears
“Even when you cry my lady, you are indeed beautiful. A rare gem.” She said smiling at you.
Amelia was your closest friend, personally chosen by you to be your handmaiden. You confided in her about everything, and she did the same with you.
You squeezed her hand. “At least I will have a familiar face with me. Perhaps it will not be so harsh with you there.”
You and Amelia walked side by side down the grand staircase until you stood face to face with the King. You lifted your chin with pride and offered him the best smile you could muster before bowing your head slightly.
“It is lovely to make your acquaintance, Your Grace,” you said as you raised your head again.
“You are soon to be Queen of Syndril, my wife. You need not lower your head in my presence.” Jinichii smiled at you.
For a moment, you stood frozen, your heart beating loudly in your ears as you stared at him. Black and silver adorned his form, starkly different from the bright colors your kingdom favored.
Your eyes slowly lifted to his rugged face, and you were mortified. You had heard the rumors, but nothing could compare to the sight before you. You did not know whether he was more man or beast, perhaps a combination of both.
You forced a polite smile as your eyes began to sting with tears once again.
“I am sure you are aware of the situation at hand,” he continued. “But do not be alarmed. I am not a cruel man. Our wedding will take place in three months’ time, so that you and I may grow acquainted with one another. If that is agreeable to you, Princess.”
He reached for your hand and placed a gentle kiss upon it.
You looked up at your mother and father in one last hope that they might stop this, but neither could meet your gaze. Whether out of shame or pity, you would never know.
Before you could speak, your future husband was already guiding you toward the carriage, Amelia close behind.
The journey north was quiet. You stared at everything but the man seated across from you, wondering what your life would become in the coming years. Would you grow to love the man before you, or would you be condemned to an unhappy, loveless marriage?
Your thoughts followed you until sleep finally claimed you. You awoke only when the horses came to a sudden halt, signaling that you had arrived at the kingdom of Syndril. Across from you, the seat now sat vacant, the King was no longer in the carriage.
You let out a startled yelp when the carriage door was suddenly pulled open. Amelia jolted awake beside you, confusion written across her face.
“My apologies, you seem to have given me quite a fright,” you said as you took the outstretched hand of the man you assumed to be a butler.
You stepped out of the carriage, taking in your surroundings. The atmosphere was gloomy, not in a dark or dreadful way, but in the way nature itself had shaped it. Syndril was beautiful, though not at all what you had expected.
You lifted your gaze toward the manor steps where the King stood waiting for you. At his side were two other gentlemen.
Your eyes moved to the first man. His frame was light, his hair split into two different colors, with several piercings lining his ears.
Then your gaze shifted to the other. Your breath caught in your throat. And for a brief moment, he did not look away.
He stood tall and broad-shouldered, his garments fitting him like a second skin. A sword rested at his hip, his hands folded neatly behind his back. Your eyes lifted to his face, where sharp, steady eyes looked directly into yours, so intense that your body tensed beneath their weight.
His face was untouched by scars or damage. He was, undeniably, beautiful.
Amelia tugged gently on your hand, pulling you from your trance as the two of you began walking up the manor steps.
Jinichii gently took your hand from Amelia’s and guided you inside your new home. As you climbed the steps, you took in everything around you.
You were truly amazed by it all. Perhaps you could learn to enjoy your time here in this beautiful castle.
Soon after, you and Amelia were shown to your chambers. You requested that Amelia not be placed within the servant quarters, but somewhere closer to you.Your room was beautiful, undoubtedly fit for a princess. You sat in a resting chair as maids and butlers hurried about the room, arranging your belongings and preparing everything for your stay. Once everyone had finished, a butler remained standing at your door.
“The King requests your presence at dinner, my lady,” he said with a respectful bow.
You smiled politely and nodded, watching as he turned and closed the door behind him. You took a moment to breathe, letting everything sink in.
This was your reality now. And there was no escaping it.
Suddenly the door burst open and Amelia came rushing in, collapsing dramatically onto your bed with an exhausted sigh. After a moment she sat up, smiling at you as she tucked a loose strand of your hair behind your ear.
“I am sure this is all overwhelming, Princess… or should I say, my Queen?” she said, taking in the room around her.
You stood and nodded slowly. You had already accepted your fate. Now it was time to make the best of it. You had never considered yourself an unhappy woman, and it would not begin now.
“Let us get ready for dinner, Amelia. I believe it is time we meet everyone.”
You walked into the dining hall with your head held high, Amelia at your side. Jinichii stood as you entered, as did the two gentlemen from earlier. Immediately your gaze found the one with the dark hair and sharp eyes.
His presence seemed to dominate the room more than the King’s did. It demanded your attention, and you found yourself giving it freely.
You bowed respectfully to the men in the room, and they returned the gesture. The blond-haired one stepped forward first, taking your hand and placing a kiss upon it as Jinichii introduced him.
“Naoya Zenin, my little cousin and a high-ranking officer of my royal army,” Jinichii said.
Naoya straightened and gave you a sly grin.
“It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of the woman who would willingly marry my brute of a cousin. You are indeed beautiful. If you ever feel lonely with him, you know where to find me.”
His voice carried a smug edge.
You offered him a polite smile as Jinichii simply laughed. You wanted to say that this was not a willing marriage, but rather a contract arranged long before your time. Instead, you remained silent and turned your attention to the man with the sharp eyes, waiting for his introduction.
He stepped forward, and Naoya quickly moved aside. He did not take your hand to kiss it.
Instead, he shook your hand firmly, almost as one would greet a fellow soldier. The gesture surprised you. Jinichii chuckled.
“Toji Zenin, The Prince, my little brother and the Marshal of the Royal Army.”
“Toji Zenin.” A Prince The name settled in your mind.
“It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of the Princess of Lendorr,” he said. “I have heard many great stories of your kingdom. It may be different from ours, but I do hope your stay here will be pleasant.”
Before you could respond, he stepped back.
His voice lingered in your mind.
It was neither rough like his elder brother’s nor sharp like his cousin’s. Instead, it was smooth, flowing through you like cool water on a hot day.
You found yourself strangely entranced by him. But that was wrong and it could not be.
You looked at him for a moment longer before nodding politely and offering a small smile.
“It is a pleasure to meet both of you. With such high-ranking positions within the army, I am certain I will feel quite safe in your company.”
As you sat, your eyes met Toji’s again. He did not look away. Not even when you did.
Instead, he offered you a small smile, one that made something warm stir deep within your chest. Dinner continued, chatter about war mixing with the clinking of cutlery against porcelain. Yet through it all, his gaze never left you. Not once.
When dinner finally ended, Jinichii announced that he would escort you to your chambers. Your body shivered—not from the cold, but from the reminder of who exactly you were to marry. Your thoughts were cut short when the dining hall doors burst open. A guard rushed inside, breath heavy as he struggled to speak.
“Forgive me, Sire. The council is here to see you.”
Confused murmurs spread across the room. It was unusual for the council to arrive so late to meet with the King.
Jinichii stood and gave a short nod. “Naoya, walk the Princess back to her chambers.”
He had barely finished speaking before another voice interrupted.
Your eyes darted immediately toward him, though he remained focused on Naoya. The look he gave him left no room for argument.
Naoya raised his hands slightly in surrender, a crooked smile forming as faint color touched his cheeks.
“That is quite alright, elder cousin. I believe I will escort the handmaiden to her chambers instead.”
His attention shifted to Amelia, who shot you a pleading look. You offered her only a small smile as Toji stepped toward you.
You both watched as Naoya and Amelia left the dining hall before Toji gave you a brief nod, signaling for you to walk beside him.
Your walk was silent at first. Then you both spoke at the same time.
A quiet laugh escaped you, and a small smile appeared on his lips.
“My apologies, Princess. Please, go first,” he said after your laughter faded.
“Oh, forgive me, Prince Toji. I was only saying that I wished to explore the grounds before I retired.”
“Then allow me to show you around,” he replied, turning and guiding you in the opposite direction of your chambers.
An hour-long walk through the castle eventually led the two of you to the garden. The night air was peaceful, the space filled with blooming flowers that swayed gently beneath the moonlight.
“It is quite beautiful here—in Syndril, I mean. I was expecting it to be dark and torturous, but I quite like it,” you said as you watched the night sky glitter with stars beneath the full moon.
Up close, Toji allowed his gaze to linger, studying every detail of your face as if committing it to memory. The moonlight draped itself over your brown skin, making it glow like gold freshly drawn from a king’s forge—warm against the cool night air.
Your lips, brushed with soft shades of pink and brown, shimmered beneath the gloss. For a fleeting moment, Toji wondered how something so striking had found its way into a place like this… and how long it would take before it belonged to him alone.
You turned toward him, only to find him already staring.
There was something in his eyes you couldn’t quite name, but it made warmth bloom inside your chest. He didn’t look away when you caught him watching you. Instead, he continued to gaze at you as if the stars themselves had fallen from the sky and gathered in your presence.
“I do not understand how something so beautiful made its way to this kingdom,” he said quietly, moving a piece of your curly hair gently behind your ear.
His fingers lingered for a moment longer than they should have.
Your cheeks warmed at his words. You had been called beautiful before—many times—but hearing it from him felt different.
“Arranged marriages, alliances, war… and all the things I never wished to understand,” you replied softly, solemn creeping into your voice as your gaze drifted away from him.
Toji felt his chest tighten.
Of course this was an arranged marriage. No one could truly love the demon he shared blood with—that was impossible. Yet here you were, a woman forced into a future not of your choosing, expected to bear the weight of kingdoms upon your shoulders.
“I am sorry,” he said quietly.
You turned back to him, offering a small smile.
It was neither his fault nor yours. Just the cards fate had chosen to deal.
Over the course of three months, you and Toji had grown quite close. Nearly every day was spent together—whether exploring the castle grounds, riding horses through the countryside, or venturing into town. Rarely did a moment pass where the two of you were apart, and you found that you enjoyed every second of it.
But the King noticed. Naoya noticed as well—and made sure to bring it to his attention.
“Toji and the Princess seem quite close, don’t they?” Naoya remarked lazily, his feet propped up against the King’s desk.
Jinichii looked at him but said nothing, though the thought remained in his mind.
In the following weeks, he began to see it himself—the way the two of you gravitated toward one another. Around that same time, letters arrived from the southern and eastern kingdoms, reporting war along their borders and requesting Syndril’s assistance.
A cruel thought slowly formed in Jinichii’s mind.
One morning, while you and Toji were walking together through the castle grounds, Naoya approached quickly.
“The King requests your presence in his office immediately,” he said, bowing respectfully toward both you and Toji.
Your heart began to race. Was Toji in trouble? Or was something far worse unfolding?
Naoya straightened as Toji walked away, his eyes sliding over you with a smug smirk. You turned away quickly, your stomach twisting with both disgust and unease.
Toji entered the King’s chambers to find several men already gathered inside. Naoya followed shortly behind him.
Toji recognized them immediately—high-ranking officers of the royal army. They stood around the King’s table, where a large map had been spread out as Jinichii barked orders.
“You requested to see me, brother,” Toji said calmly, crossing his arms behind his back.
The room fell silent as every man present bowed respectfully toward him.
Jinichii walked toward him without a word. Then suddenly— His fist struck Toji across the face.
The room went deathly silent as Toji stumbled back. His hair fell over his eyes, the corner of his lip splitting open as blood began to form.
“Have you no respect, boy?” Jinichii roared.
Toji slowly lifted his head, his gaze sharp and unflinching. His hands remained behind his back, nowhere near the sword at his side.
In the corner of the room, Naoya watched with a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
“You bow when you see me. You may be the Prince, but I am still the King. You will show me respect and address me as such. Now come—we have a war to discuss.”
Jinichii turned his back to Toji with a satisfied smile, proud to have embarrassed him in front of everyone present.
Toji followed silently as the officers resumed discussing the coming war—what was at stake and what would be required of Syndril’s army.
It was nearly midday when Amelia came rushing toward you, nearly tripping over her own feet. Panic was written all over her face.
“Did you hear?” she asked breathlessly.
“Hear what, Amelia?” you replied, confused.
“The Royal Army is being sent to the eastern borders. There is war breaking out—and there are rumors spreading through the castle.” She paused to catch her breath. “They say there are beasts… beasts as large as the castle itself.”
“Amelia, calm down. It will be alright—we are unharmed,” you said gently, trying to steady her.
But Amelia only shook her head.
“Princess… Toji is the Marshal of the army. He is being sent away.”
Your heart dropped. “Oh my— I must go.”
Without another word, you stood and hurried toward Toji’s chambers.
You burst into his room without knocking.
Your eyes widened as you found Toji standing in front of the mirror, pressing a white cloth against his mouth. His dark eyes met yours through the reflection, and you quickly turned away, heat rushing through your body.
He dropped the cloth and walked toward you. Gently, he pulled your hands away from your face and turned you to face him.
Your eyes widened when you saw the cut on his lip. You reached for him instinctively, and he leaned into your touch. Your hand cradled his cheek as tears threatened to fall from your eyes.
“What happened to your lip? And what do they mean you're going to war?” Your voice trembled. “You’re leaving?”
Tears slipped down your cheeks as you tried to steady your breathing.
Toji gave you a small smile and wiped away your tears with his thumb.
“You do not need to worry, Princess. I promise I will not be gone for long.”
“Do you intend to keep this promise, Prince?”
“I mean every word I say to you. I promise.”
He pulled you into his arms as you continued to cry. Carefully, he led you to sit on the edge of his bed, holding you close.
He stayed there with you until your breathing slowed and you finally fell asleep.
A knock sounded at his chamber door.
Toji slowly released you from his arms and stepped outside, quietly closing the door behind him.
Naoya stood waiting with a sly smirk.
“Ouch… that looks like it will scar,” he said, eyeing the cut on Toji’s lip. “So much for that pretty boy face.”
Toji stared at him in silence. He already suspected Naoya had something to do with what had happened earlier in the King's chambers.
Naoya’s smugness only made that suspicion stronger.
“Anyway,” Naoya continued casually, “the King is looking for his bride. Know where she might have slipped off to?”
He leaned slightly, trying to peer over Toji’s shoulder toward the door.
“Perhaps try her chambers,” Toji replied coldly. “Or the maid’s quarters. Why you think she would be with me is beyond my understanding.”
His eyes hardened. “You should be preparing for the King’s errands instead of playing messenger boy.”
Before Naoya could lean any farther, Toji stepped back inside his room and shut the door firmly.
Outside, Naoya only smiled.
When night fell, you woke again.
Confusion briefly clouded your mind before the events of the day rushed back to you. Instinctively, you searched for Toji and found him beside you, his arm wrapped tightly around your waist as if he had no intention of letting go.
You watched him sleep, the cut on his lip now a dark mark against his skin. Yet it did nothing to take away from his beauty.
You wished, not for the first time, that he had been the man you were meant to marry. Perhaps then things would not have felt so cruel.
Gently, you brushed a strand of hair from his face and leaned closer, memorizing every detail of him before he left for war.
You wondered if you would ever see him again.
His eyes slowly opened, but you did not look away. Instead, you continued staring as he met your gaze.
Understanding settled between you—an unspoken realization of everything you both felt.
You loved him. And Toji loved you. But it could never be. Not now. Not ever.
For the rest of the night, the two of you talked.
About the past. About the present. About a future neither of you were certain you would see.
Over the past three months, you had learned much about him—about his childhood, his family, and the bitterness he carried toward them. It was safe to say you hated them almost as much as he did.
That thought made him smile briefly. But the smile faded when he remembered the truth.
Soon… you would marry his brother. Very soon.
“I want you to promise me something, Princess,” he said softly, pulling you closer.
“Promise me that no matter what happens to me… if you are unhappy here, you will escape this place. Go far away. Somewhere no one will ever find you.”
You stared at him, shock and awe mixing together in your chest.
Toji’s face was flushed, tears silently falling down his cheeks. The way he held you revealed what he was too proud to say aloud.
He was afraid. Afraid to leave you. Afraid he would never see you again.
“You know, Toji…” you said gently. “It is unlawful for us to be like this. If the King were to find out, it would not end well for either of us.”
You gave him a sad smile, brushing the tears from his face.
“But I am happy here with you. I just wish… you were the one I was meant to marry instead.”
Your voice softened.“But fate has a strange way of interfering in our lives.”
He stared at you, tears still lingering in his eyes. Moonlight poured through the window, casting silver across both of you.
Slowly, you shifted until you were sitting in his lap.He sat up so you were face to face.Then his lips crashed against yours.
His hand moved to the back of your head, holding you close so you could not pull away.
Not that you wanted to. But he did not push further. Even in that moment, he held himself back—allowing you to keep your dignity, even if you did not care to.
His forehead rested against yours. His chest pressed against your own as your arms wrapped around his neck. He looked at you again, his mind swirling with thoughts—dark ones, dangerous ones.
Thoughts he knew he should never act on. But for the first time in his life, Toji allowed himself something selfish. Just one moment. Something that belonged only to the two of you.
It had been four years since you had last seen the Prince.
Rumors spread constantly about the war—about the beast, about battles, and about Syndril’s fallen soldiers. You listened to every whisper, fear tightening in your chest as you prayed to the gods that the Prince was still alive.
He had promised he would return.
The King never allowed you to write to him, and you never knew if any letters were ever sent. At night, when you lay beside the King—your husband—you often closed your eyes and wished it was someone else beside you.
You always did. Every night, you replayed the memories you had shared with Toji, refusing to forget his laugh or the warmth of his smile.
Your thoughts were interrupted when Jinichii stepped into your bedchambers.
You watched him through the mirror as you brushed your hair, your expression calm despite the bitterness twisting inside you.
People called him a cruel king. They were right. Shortly after Toji had left for war, Jinichii had admitted the truth to you himself. He had sent Toji away simply because he disliked how close the two of you had become.
He even confessed that he prayed every night that his younger brother would die.
Amelia entered the room moments later, bowing respectfully before the King.
Jinichii’s gaze lingered on her in a way that made your stomach twist. He watched her as though she were nothing more than a piece of meat.
You had grown used to his disgusting behavior. The King valued his throne too much to allow scandal, but that never stopped his wandering eyes.
Amelia stepped beside you, and you offered her a small, reassuring smile.
“The Royal Physician is here to see you, my Queen,” she said softly, squeezing your shoulders.
This was the seventh time this month. You had long since lost track of how many visits it had been over the past few years. The entire kingdom waited for the same news.
A pregnancy. An heir to the throne. That was your duty after all. To give the King a son.
Amelia and Jinichii had just begun stepping back into the bedchamber when the physician stopped the King at the door. Amelia entered the room first and found you curled in on yourself—knees drawn to your chest, hands covering your face as quiet sobs shook your body
Confusion crossed her face as she gently rubbed your back, trying to comfort you.
But before she could ask what had happened, the door burst open. Jinichii stood there, fury burning in his eyes.
You drew in a deep breath, bracing yourself for his anger. His voice rang so loudly that it echoed through the halls, surely reaching the ears of every gossiping servant nearby.
“You cannot bear children?” he roared. “All this time you knew and still allowed me to marry you? A woman who cannot bear children is no woman at all!”
Your body trembled again—not from fear of Jinichii, but from the crushing reality of what the physician had told you.
You would never be a mother.And somehow, that hurt more than the King’s cruel words.
You slowly stood, refusing to acknowledge him as you walked to your vanity and wiped the tears from your face.
Behind you, Amelia watched silently from the bed. Her expression was strangely distant, but you had neither the strength nor the will to question it.
Suddenly Jinichii stormed forward. He ripped the cloth from your hands and seized your wrist, yanking you violently from your seat. Pain shot through your arm as he dragged you forward before throwing you roughly to the ground.
You cried out as you hit the floor Amelia remained frozen where she sat.
You looked up at him, tears blurring your vision as you clutched your aching wrist. He stepped closer, forcing you to crawl backward away from him.
“The Royal Council will be very interested to hear about this,” he sneered.
Your eyes widened in panic. “Jinichii, please—do not tell them,” you begged desperately. “They will deem me unworthy. You cannot do this to me.”
The words of your mother echoed painfully in your mind. It had been four days since the incident in your bedchambers. Since then, you had remained confined to your room, crying yourself to sleep each night.
You longed for Toji’s comfort. But perhaps, once he learned of your situation, he too would see you as unworthy
You had sent for Amelia more than once, yet she never came. The whispers spreading through the castle told you enough.
Overnight, you had become an unworthy queen. By midday you finally forced yourself to leave your room. Walking into the dining hall with your head held high, even though your heart felt impossibly heavy.
Sunlight poured through the tall windows, warming your skin as you entered.
But the moment you stepped inside, your eyes landed on Amelia and King Jinichii. They were standing far too close.
Jinichii turned, clearly irritated by the commotion. Amelia’s cheeks were flushed a deep red. A maid rushed into the hall, breathless.
“The Prince has returned!”
Your heart stopped. Then it began pounding so loudly it roared in your ears.The Prince had returned.
You spun around, ready to run and greet him—but before you could move, Jinichii appeared beside you with impossible speed.
His hand shot out and grabbed you. You stumbled back, fear tightening in your chest as fury burned in his eyes once again.
His hand wrapped around your throat as he leaned down, his voice cold against your ear.
“If you tell him anything,” he whispered, tightening his grip, “I will see to it that both of you die. You are not to speak to the Prince.”
His fingers pressed harder around your neck, cutting off your breath. Your vision blurred as you struggled to inhale.
Then he shook you violently. Demanding your understanding. You nodded quickly. Only then did he release you.
You collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, your hand clutching your aching throat as tears burned in your eyes. You looked toward Amelia. But instead of helping you, she simply followed behind Jinichii as he walked away.
Your heart shattered at the sight. Yet perhaps he had threatened her as well. You understood. You would never want her to suffer because of you. You picked yourself up from the ground and brushed the dust from your dress.
As you walked out of the dining hall, you paused in front of a mirror. Your neck was bruised, the dark marks impossible to ignore. The diamonds that adorned your throat did little to hide them, but they would have to do.
You wanted to see him. To touch him. To know that he was real, alive, and—most importantly—safe. You stepped outside the castle and descended the stone steps where Jinichii and Amelia already stood.
You said nothing. Amelia stood between the two of you, leaning slightly closer to Jinichii than to you. Not once did she glance your way to see if you were alright.
Your heart tightened. Your gaze shifted toward the carriage doors, which had not yet opened. Anxiety coiled tightly in your chest.
Then suddenly—The door slammed open. Naoya stepped out.
His boyish features were still there, but time had changed him. He was older now, broader in build, no longer the lanky youth you remembered. Unfortunately, he was still very much alive.
Your fingers curled tightly into the fabric of your dress as you waited for Toji to appear.
And when he finally stepped out— Your breath caught. Seeing him felt like seeing him for the first time all over again.
He had grown stronger. Even beneath the garments he wore, you could see the hardened lines of muscle earned through years of war. His hair was still untamed, still falling over his eyes like a shield. A scar rested along his lip—the same one you remembered from four years ago.
His eyes looked tired. Exhausted. And somewhere far away. You took a step forward instinctively. But Jinichii’s gaze stopped you.
Your hand rose slowly to your neck, feeling the bruises hidden beneath the jewels. The silent warning was clear.
You stepped back. Toji finally lifted his head, as if waking from a long thought.
And then he stopped walking. There you stood before him again. The moment he had dreamt for four long years. Every single night.
His eyes studied you carefully. You had grown into a beautiful woman, yet somehow you still looked like the same girl he had met on those castle steps so many years ago.
His gaze lingered over your face—Until it dropped to your neck. And then it snapped to Jinichii.
Jinichii smirked. He knew exactly what Toji had seen.
Toji was going to kill him.
Everyone greeted one another loudly, the courtyard filled with excitement and relief. But you slipped away from the commotion.If you could not speak to Toji, then there was no reason to stay.
Still, he noticed your absence almost immediately. He was about to follow when his brother’s hand landed heavily on his shoulder, squeezing tightly.
He simply stood there, unfazed, his eyes still lingering on the place where you had been moments before.
“I have much to discuss with the two of you. Follow me,” Jinichii ordered
Toji and Naoya followed him in silence. Over the past four years, their dynamic had changed. After all, Toji had beaten Naoya to the brink of death once before. Naoya knew who to respect now.
They entered the King’s office. Nothing had changed. That was the thing about Jinichii—he never changed.
Which was precisely why Toji feared for your safety. “I’m surprised to see you both alive,” Jinichii said as he poured drinks for the two men. “Though I prayed every day that you died, little brother.”
He laughed at his own words. Neither Toji nor Naoya did.
“Oh come now,” Jinichii continued with a smirk. “Has war made you too serious for jokes?”
Naoya reached for his glass and drained it in a single swallow. Toji did not touch his drink.
“I couldn’t die on the battlefield, Jinichii,” Toji said coldly. “Someone has to take your throne when you finally die.”
There was not a hint of humor in his voice. The room seemed to grow ten degrees colder as the brothers stared at one another. Neither of them backed down.
Naoya finally spoke, breaking the silence. “How is your wife, dear cousin?” he asked casually. “Is she with child yet?”
Jinichii laughed loudly, clearly amused. “You amuse me, little cousin,” he said. “The wretched whore cannot produce children. She’s good for nothing except warming a bed.”
The insult hung in the air for less than a heartbeat. In the next instant Toji’s sword was at Jinichii’s throat. The King slammed against the wall, staring in shock at his brother.
How had he moved so quickly? And since when had he become so strong?
“How dare you disrespect me,” Jinichii roared. “I am your King!”
He tried to shove Toji back. Toji did not move. The image of your bruised neck replayed again and again in his mind.
Slowly, Toji stepped back. He sheathed his sword and turned toward the door without another glance at his brother.
“I have seen true kings, brother,” Toji said coldly as he walked out. “And you are no king. You are simply a man hiding behind a title.”
Behind him, Jinichii stood frozen. Shock lingered on his face. And beneath it, Perhaps even a hint of fear.
It had been two weeks since his return, yet you had not spoken to him once. Nor had you spoken to your husband.
Avoiding Jinichii was easier than facing his wrath, but this silence could not last forever.
You could not keep living like this. Like a prisoner in your own castle. You walked toward the King’s bedchambers without bothering to knock.
The door opened easily. But the moment you stepped inside, your face twisted with shock. Confusion. Disbelief. There, lying in the King’s bed—
Her cheeks were flushed red, the sheets pulled hastily to cover her naked chest as she stared at you with wide, frightened eyes.
Your mind raced. Perhaps he forced her. Perhaps he threatened her. Yes… that had to be it. There was no other explanation.
There was no way Amelia, your closest friend, would betray you like this. You rushed to her side immediately. “Amelia, did he hurt you?” you asked desperately.
But instead of answering, she wrapped the blanket tighter around herself and began pacing the room.
Your confusion deepened as you slowly sat on the edge of the bed. Finally, she spoke.
“I am with child.” Your ears rang. Surely you had heard wrong.
“Repeat that,” you said quietly.
“I am with child,” she said again, her voice trembling. “And it is the King’s child. We never meant to hurt you, Princess. It just… happened so suddenly. He loves me, and I love him.”
A scoff escaped you before you could stop it. Your eyes burned as every word echoed in your mind.
You did not care about the King. Never had. But Amelia? Her loyalty had meant everything to you. You stood abruptly and crossed the room.
Your hand struck her face before she could react. The sharp sound echoed through the chamber. She clutched her cheek as tears spilled down her face.
“Love?” you spat. “Love, Amelia? Goodness, I took you for a sweet girl — not a foolish one.”
“You do not understand,” she cried.
“No,” you said coldly. “You are the one who understands nothing.” You stepped closer, your voice low and biting.
“You think Jinichii is capable of loving anyone but himself? If that is truly what you believe, Amelia, then you are a far greater fool than I ever imagined.”
“You know nothing of our love!” she shouted suddenly. Her voice shook with desperation.
“He loves me because I can give him something you never could!” Your chest tightened.
“I am carrying his child,” she continued. “Something you will never be able to do.”
For a moment, the room went silent. Then you laughed. A cold, bitter laugh.
“You truly believe the Royal Court will accept your bastard child?” you said.
“A child born from a servant? From a maid who crawled into the King’s bed?”
You shook your head slowly.
“You have truly lost your mind, Amelia.”
“The King will make it work!” she cried. “He will marry me instead. I will give him a son, and you—”
Her voice hardened. “You will be banished. Your title will mean nothing.” Tears streamed down her face.
“I have been nothing but loyal to you,” she said weakly. “All I ever wanted was for someone to love me.”
“Loyal?” you repeated. Your voice dripped with venom.
“Your loyalty knows no ground, Amelia.” You stepped closer, your eyes blazing.
“You are nothing more than a sad girl begging for love from the first man who spreads his legs for you.” She flinched.
“You deem me incapable because I cannot bear children,” you continued coldly.
“And that is fine.” Your voice lowered dangerously. “But at least I am not a whore who crawls into a married man’s bed hoping love will follow.” Her tears only fell harder.
“I will have you banished from this kingdom,” you said, your voice sharp as steel.
“I am the Queen. I am no longer a princess — my word is law.” You stared down at her with cold fury.
“You are nothing more than a housemaid who seduced the King.”
Your voice dropped to a whisper.
“And if you or your bastard child ever show your face in this kingdom again…” Your gaze darkened.
“I will see to it that both of you meet your end.” You turned sharply and stormed from the room.
“Guards!” you called down the hall. “Remove her from the castle.”
Night had fallen, and you sat alone in your chambers at your vanity. Your reflection stared back at you.
Your cheekbones were sharper now, your skin dull. This castle had slowly drained the life from you over the years, and it showed more with every passing day.
The bruises on your neck had begun to fade. Your fingers brushed over them lightly as Amelia’s words echoed in your mind.
All the cruel things she had said But you no longer had the strength to care. Soon enough Jinichii would hear what you had done. And you would deal with him when the time came.
You just hadn’t expected that moment to arrive so quickly. Your chamber doors slammed open.
Jinichii stormed inside, anger already twisting his face. Instantly you stood, fists clenched as you prepared yourself for whatever attack would come next.
“You stupid woman,” he spat. “What have you done?”
“Merely what was necessary,” you replied calmly. “Before the court discovered their King and a maid sharing a bastard child.”
“That child would not have been a bastard,” he said coldly. “She was to become my wife. Soon enough—after you died of unforeseen causes.”
“Tell me where she is,” he continued quietly, “and I might spare you a shred of dignity when you die.”
Your breath caught. He truly intended to kill you. To replace you. Your body trembled—not with fear, but with rage.
You would not allow him to strip everything from you. Not your title. Not your dignity. Not your life. Your hand struck his face before you even thought. The sound echoed sharply through the chamber.
For a moment, Jinichii simply stared at you in shock.
“You believe because you are King that I will allow you to ruin my life any further?” you said coldly.
“I don’t believe,” he replied. “I know.” His voice was calm.
“I could take your life this very moment and no one in this kingdom would question it. I would simply claim you committed treason.”
“Treason?” you repeated. A bitter laugh escaped you. “The only one guilty of treason here is you, Jinichii Zenin.” You stepped closer, meeting his gaze without fear.
“You are no King. Your crown carries more weight than your actions ever will.” Your voice sharpened.
“You are not the people’s King because you have never done anything for them. The only person you have ever cared about is yourself.” Your eyes burned with anger.
“You plotted to murder your own brother out of jealousy.” “And now you plan to kill your Queen over a whore and her bastard child.”
His hand struck your face. Hard. You fell to the ground, your lip splitting open. But you only smiled. Because this was exactly the man he was. And you had been waiting for this moment.
“You do not tell me how to rule my people,” he snarled. “Especially when you cannot even produce an heir for this throne.”
“You pitiful woman.” You slowly pushed yourself back to your feet.
“Pitiful?” you repeated softly. “You are vile. Disgusting.” Your gaze hardened.
“I almost pity you, Jinichii.” “Because you will never know what it feels like to rule a kingdom that actually loves you.” A cruel smile crossed your face.
“Your people spit when they hear your name.” “And that tells you everything you need to know.”
“You want to kill me?” you said calmly. “That is fine.” Your voice dropped to a quiet, deadly whisper.
“But know this, Jinichii Zenin.” “If I fall…” “I will take you, and this entire kingdom down with me.”
The two of you stood there, staring at each other. Neither of you willing to look away. You were tired of this life. Tired of this fate. Finally he turned toward the door.
“If I do not have Amelia and my unborn child by morning,” he said coldly, “you will be publicly executed.” You laughed.
The sound echoed through the room. “You never will,” you mocked as he left.
“I will make sure of it.” “My King.”
