The King and I Chapter 31: Proposal

Satisfied with that explanation, he went back to the woman’s house that had hosted him, and offered to do work to help.

The next day he went to the local markets to buy supplies, and slowly walked from stall to stall, observing the things people were selling.

Elderly women, who sat on mats making woven crafts, nodded politely to him as he passed them.

“I hear the King is paying a visit this afternoon,” one of the women said idly to the woman beside her, “he has heard that King Kageyama of Karasuno has one of the women from Nekoma serving him and he wants to increase the number of beautiful women in his courts.”

“He is a jealous King,” the other woman replied with a smirk, “do we know of the woman serving King Kageyama?”

“I believe it is Y/N,” the first commented.

“Ahh,” the second replied, “a name that personifies beauty. She was always remarkably outstanding. It is a shame her father has gone mad.”

“True,” the first replied, going back to her work.

Hinata continued on but nodded.

“It does appear that her father has indeed gone insane.” His heart lightened. “I could not imagine Y/N doing such a thing, she is too upstanding.”

That afternoon there was a little unrest and excitement as the King of Nekoma showed his face to his people.

“Citizens of Nekoma,” he called loudly from the black stallion he rode down the Main Street, “I come, to obtain the young women of this kingdom, to keep them in my company as we prepare for war with Karasuno.”

Hinata’s ears pricked up as he remained hidden in the back of the crowds.

“Three more suns will pass, then I shall gather the men and retrieve what is mine!” he called, “they may have had the advantage last time but this time we shall meet them head on. Our army will prevail. Like the blood that runs through our veins, we will sweep in and reclaim our people and bring them back to the heart- Nekoma!”

A loud cry of agreement arose from the men, backed up with shrill cries from the women who started dancing and praising their King as he sat atop his steed.

“3 more suns?! That’s when I am supposed to meet sergeant Tanaka! I need to return to Karasuno before then and warn everyone!”

Unnoticed, he slipped out of the people and headed to the house to grab his belongings.

He knew it would take a few days, 2 or even 3 at most, on foot, as it had been almost a whole 2 days travel on horseback. 

Grabbing his things, he ran for the gates where he had entered with the woman who had mistaken him for someone else, and pulled his head covering low over his face so that no one would talk to him.

Most of the people were still inside the gates listening to King Kuroo give his rousing speech. So it was only some of the children and the elderly that watched him jump the smallest part of the stream and run for the cover of the trees beyond.

Once out the other side of the tree line, he ran for a sand ridge and travelled its peak, then dropped down and made a wide arch behind the city, lining himself up and heading in the general direction of Karasuno.

Out in the dessert he was on his own. Only bare rocks and sand dunes watched him make the journey back home.

Occasionally, he would spot a falcon in the sky and would keep an eye on it to see if it hovered over him then doubled back- as falcons were used as part of the army to spot people in the dessert, but these ones seemed to be of wild origin and weren’t particularly interested in him.

He walked, and walked, stopping in the heat of the day to make himself some kind of shelter from the blistering heat, among some rocks.

He found old sun bleached bone, presumably from a horse or cow that hadn’t made it to its destination, and used them to prop up some of his garments to make more shade to rest in.

“I need to get home as quickly as I can to warn the King. I don’t think word would have gotten back to him yet.”

………………………………..

Back home, Captain Daichi and Sergent Tanaka did their best to cover for Hinata’s absence, from perceived illness to other duties, they covered his job as best they could, and always played it cool in front of the King.

King Kageyama didn’t seem to concerned about Hinata’s absence, as long as he had you around him the world was right in his eyes.

You, also, had wondered if Hinata was truly ok, as you had never been without him around and it felt foreign being escorted by guards to King Kageyama’s chambers instead of the jovial orangette.

“Thank you,” you said politely to captain Daichi as he stopped with you at King Kageyama’s door.

The King seemed to have been waiting on the other side and opened the door immediately when he heard your voice through the thick wood.

Daichi bowed to him and was given a curt thank you, before you were taken inside and the door closed on the captain.

“I am getting used to these thank you’s,” Captain Daichi thought with amusement as he turned and left.

King Kageyama took your hand in his and delicately led you to his terrace, gesturing to everything that lay below, rooftops glittering in the late afternoon sun.

“This,” he gestured grandly, “I will share with you.”

“What do you mean?” you asked curiously, having a feeling that you knew what he meant but wanting to hear it from him directly.

“I make a proposal to wed,” he stated calmly in his deep voice, his intense eyes grabbing yours and holding you in a gentle gaze.

You were shocked to hear such a line delivered so calmly and you opened and closed your mouth a few times before managing to get the words out.

“But it is forbidden?”

“I will change the laws,” he said, “I have thought about this and I need you by my side. I am not afraid to admit this.”

“When would we be wed?” you asked, squeezing his hand a little.

“When the laws are changed in our favour. Immediately after that, we will wed,” he stated, “I care not for the future if it doesn’t not include you in it. We will be as one, ruling this kingdom.”

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The King and I Chapter 32: Celebrating on the Roof >>>