The King and I Chapter 10: King Control

“I heard talking…” Hinata commented to you as you got back to your room.

You nodded.

“It’s forbidden to talk to the king,” Hinata said softly and you nodded again while staring at the palace floor.

You offered no explanation, and so Hinata sighed and opened your door to let you back into the sanctuary and peace of your room. 

You had mixed feelings as you walked back over to your bed and lay down, but that feeling of dread wasn’t there like it had been before and you allowed yourself to relax for a second.

“Maybe I’m not going to die after all?” you wondered as you stared up at the ceiling.

………………………

Hinatastood nervously at the King’s personal room, tapping the tips of his fingers together and fidgeting something terrible- the curiosity was eating him alive.

Finally, after brooding over it for long enough, he reached his fist to the door and knocked.

“Who is it?” King Kageyama asked sternly.

“My king… it is I…” Hinata said loudly.

There was a pause before the King begrudgingly called for him to enter.

“What do you want? Make it quick.” His steely gaze was terrifying enough as he sat, semi reclined in his day chair by the open window.

“My king,” Hinata said with a bow as he dropped down onto one knee before the king of Karasuno.

Kageyama remained in his place, waiting for the orangette to continue speaking.

“I… couldn’t help but overhear…”

“WHAT DID YOU HEAR?” King Kageyama snapped, sitting up and swinging his legs off the side of the day chair.

“I… I didn’t hear anything, I just heard talking. A conversation… between you and the beautiful concubine,” he said, hurriedly explaining so that he didn’t get beheaded right there and then.

Kagayama huffed through his nose and reclined again.

“And?” he asked brusquely.

“Well… any concubine who speaks to you is immediately done away with… yet… this one has not been… is this one different?” Hinata asked, hoping the King would finally admit to having feelings for someone.

When King Kagayama didn’t reply, Hinata continued.

“Does she find favour with the King?” he asked.

King Kageyama turned his face away from Hinata, looking out his open window across his very large kingdom and smirked.

“If… she has found favour,” Hinata added in tentatively, “may I remind you that you have not yet chosen a queen since your instatement as ruler here… and it is, by tradition, that every King has a Queen by his side…”

“Silence. I am aware,” King Kageyama said with annoyance, “leave my presence,” he then added with a wave of his hand— shooing Hinata from his presence. 

The orangette felt like he had said enough, by that point, and very quickly got up, with head still bowed and backed his way out of the room then hurried off down the hallway with a slightly more happy look on his face.

“Well, whatever Y/N did, she sure is special to have been able to have a conversation with the King and not be killed!”

………………………

After a more restful sleep that night, you woke the next morning and went to relax in the bath. Thankfully, the staff had already filled the tiled bath with warm water and left, so no one was with you but for safety reasons you decided to keep your under cloth on so that you wouldn’t be exposed if someone walked in.

The warmth of the water was healing, and you stayed in there for a while before making use of the perfumed soaps and cleaning yourself.

After spending time in there you got out, dried, put new clothes on, and then went to look out over the balcony.

The day slowly ticked by, and you had another little nap in the afternoon, then woke to a lovely dinner— presented by your personal staff, and once you had finished Hinata walked in.

“Hello Y/N, did you have a good day?” He asked, looking you over and noting that you looked a little brighter today and had taken the time to care for yourself.

“Yes, thank you,” you replied politely, adjusting your head covering so that only your eyes showed from under the sheer fabric.

He smiled bashfully and waited a little before asking a question.

“Y/N, what do you think of King Kageyama?”

“Is there much to discuss?” you replied curiously, “my opinions doesn’t matter, does it? I don’t have a say.”

“Well… that’s true, all concubines are forbidden to speak to the king… but… you spoke to him and he didn’t have you dismissed. So your opinion must matter to him?” 

Just then another staff member knocked on the open door and beckoned Hinata to come over.

The pair spoke softly for a bit before Hinata turned back to you.

“King Kageyama has requested you again,” he said brightly, “this is wonderful. I think the King has special feelings for you so please continue to do what you’re doing.”

“Oh?” you replied, a small shy smile being hidden under your fabric covering.

You quickly readied yourself then followed Hinata back out, down the hallway, and to the very familiar door where you would meet the King.

This time when you entered, the King was already in the room, sitting on the bed behind the drapes, and you paused momentarily before walking slowly over to the bed.

You could see he was watching you come towards him and you did your best to walk nicely, then waited on the other side of the drapes.

“Come,” he said in a low voice and you pulled the drapes back and stepped inside then bowed your head to him.

All of yesterday’s bravado and anger had been quelled with a good nights sleep and you suddenly felt really guilty as to how you had acted the day before.

“So silent today,” King Kageyama mused, “You had plenty to say yesterday?”

“My apologies, I was out of line,” you said softly.

“Get onto the bed,” King Kageyama said firmly and you obeyed, getting up beside him and kneeling next to him.

He turned to you and reached under your covering to place a finger under your chin and raise your head so that your eyes could meet his.

He stared into your eyes for a few minutes, an almost softness coursing from his hands- but you knew it must have been from your own feelings, as this King didn’t seem to know what softness meant.

After taking his time looking into your eyes he removed your head covering completely and clicked his fingers then pointed down at the bed.

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