Leaving the two behind, Izuku went on his way. Uraraka was the first to follow him

and along was a dumbfounded Sero. He thinks he just heard something that would enrage the king. Whether he tells it or not, there's no way Katsuki would just sit idly.

"Your Grace, you should take a rest. We'll help you with the calligraphy tomorrow." Uraraka bowed her head. Izuku stopped on his tracks, so did they.

"Really? That would be great then. Thank you." He smiled at them. Somehow, seeing his smile, they all felt a sense of relief. After what they just heard, no one would ever feel safe with the Queen.

"And..." He looked at them one by one, lastly was Sero, "Please, don't tell anyone of what you heard today."

Sero was somewhat stoned in his place. No matter how many angles he looks at, Izuku was definitely telling him not to mention anything to Katsuki. He bit his lip, Izuku knows. He knows Sero would run his mouth even if the King didn't ask for it.

They all nodded, "Yes, Your Grace."

He smiled once more before turning his back on them. As soon as he did, the smile disappeared. He proceeded to walk to his chambers as he reviews each plan he has made for their downfall.

Each and one of you will pay for your own sins.

As soon as he reached the door, the servants opened it for him. He stepped inside. Wearing his smile, he faced them, "I wish not to be disturbed."

He closed the door slowly, eyeing Sero even as the door shuts. He sighed, so much for scaring the guy. It was obvious that he's terrified of Izuku. His eyes were too honest. Seriously, what is that stupid King thinking of sending a guy like him to Izuku? He'd just feel more and more scared by the minute.

He shook his head, sitting at one of his chairs. He looked at himself at the mirror, observing his face. He really looks different now. Somewhat stronger.

He rolled his sleeves, feeling a sting from doing so. He looked at both of his wrist, a forming bruise was starting to get visible. He did overwork himself.

As soon as Izuku stepped in the room, he felt dedicated to copy the story. After all, of all poetry, that was the one he liked so much. Meaning, he could remember the words, the whole story itself. How it was written, the characters used for it. He should've expected this. Anything the queen would do, she'd do it without hesitation. All to get rid of her jealousy of him.

Izuku is no fool. The queen was definitely against the ideas of concubine. Either be it because of her feelings for the King or terrified of disappointing her father—it was a huge stepping stone for Izuku.

Like I said, Izuku is no fool. He knows the queen sent someone to spy on him. She really needs to work on who she sends though. A mere court lady who can't even mask her presence is surely enough a foolish thing to do.

That's why he agreed to Hakagure's request. Het set up the bait himself, he knew the Queen would take the bait and now, it's time for his second plan to be deployed.

He took a seat, looking at the ink and brush. Court Lady Tanaka smirked at him, "Heed the Queen's orders. You are not to receive food nor water until you finish this."

Izuku smiled at her, only to insult her, "Kindly send my regards to Her Majesty. This punishment shows her courtesy."

She just smirked more, leaving him alone. As soon as the door shuts close, he started writing rapidly. Queen Nemuri's training paid off. She trained Izuku countless things and one of it is to write quickly using two of his hands. One of the common punishment to a concubine is such. Queen Nemuri herself knows that because she does the same when a concubine makes horrible mistakes.

He continued, finishing 3 volumes in thirty minutes. Aizawa's work is made out of twenty volumes. This is one of his best-selling poetry. He is indeed a great calligrapher and author.

It was an hour after when he heard some rustling among the shelves behind him. He raised his brow, glancing behind for a second before proceeding with writing.

"That looks horrible. I heard about your punishment," a teasing laugh emerged from behind.

Izuku didn't bother looking at him, his voice was enough for identification. He sighed, he never took his eyes off the paper.

"I'd like you to do something for me," Izuku took a spare page and wrote something. He threw it behind and he heard a whip of air, meaning the paper was caught.

"That punishment is awful, do you need help with that?" He peeked from Izuku's back, "Woah, you already managed to write this much? Queen Nemuri's training is starting to scare me."

"Idiot, no fool would give this much punishment for mere disobedience. The queen definitely has her eyes on me and she's planning to make it hard for me." He got another two pages, creating consecutive pages one after another.

The person behind him scoffed, "I can see that. Thanks." His sarcastic claim made Izuku snickered.

"Deliver that letter to Dabi under the Queen's name. You're going to see some action tonight." Izuku's grin sent chills down his spine.

"Talk about drama. I wish I could be there to witness it. Anyways, I gotta go. I'll deliver it in no time."

Izuku nodded, "Make sure he reads that before 6, because I'll be coming out by then."

Remembering what happened back then, his help really paid off. Now that Dabi's suspicions were confirmed, there's no way, he'd just sit in silence. Izuku doesn't know whether it be pride or anything but Dabi's actions is surely a favorable situation to him. Best he use it at his advantage.

(人 •͈ᴗ•͈)

The next day, Izuku woke up early than he's supposed to be. With his wrist hurting and the bruise worsening, all he could do was apply some ointment to it. Luckily, his clothes' sleeves are long enough to hide such bruise.

He heard a knock on the door, earning his attention.

"Your Grace, your breakfast has arrived." Uraraka's worried voice almost made Izuku slap himself.

Right, he never talked about it to Uraraka. However, it's best she doesn't know. She'll be safer that way. He can't have them targeting Uraraka.

He told her to come in and so she did. Two of his routine were carrying silver trays. The meal was much more than usual. It confused him. Did Toga order this?

Uraraka motioned them to come in, "Your Grace, some of the meal was prepared by Her Grace, Hakagure. She wanted me to give you this." She handed Izuku a paper.

He took it and read the letter. He smiled, he could definitely hear her apologizing in his mind. She really resembles Eri in that way.

"Tell her I'll be visiting by later." He smiled, "Thank you for the food. Have you eaten?" Izuku looked at the two when Uraraka nodded. They nodded too, smiling back at him.

"That's great then." He started eating. It was surprisingly good. Hakagure learns fast, he'd give her that. Although, it was nowhere the ones they made yesterday, she still has room for improvement.

After finishing his meal, Uraraka ordered the two to take away the trays. Izuku didn't forget to thank them before leaving. They spent a few minutes in silence, it was uncomfortable.

"Speak up." Izuku looked at Uraraka.

"Is it true? Did she really—" Uraraka gulped mid-sentence. She can't say the word kill, she's just terrified of it.

"She said it herself. Don't worry, I survived. Uraraka-san, I can't tell you anything right now but, you can trust me."

She bit her lip and looked down, "I just... don't want you to get hurt. I mean, you're my first friend and being unable to help you in any way just makes me feel helpless."

Izuku stood up and went to her. He pat her in the head, "Uraraka-san, you are already helping me a lot. You've been assisting me since I came to the palace."

Her face lit up as soon as she heard that, "Really? I'll be assisting you more then!" She grinned, suddenly hugging Izuku. He just laughed.

After that, he paid Hakagure another visit. As soon as she heard Izuku's name, she was already rushing to the hall. She didn't even wait for him to arrive. They met at the hall, three chambers before Hakagure's. She apologized as soon as he arrived but he was able to manage the situation as more and more servants were starting to look at them.

At the end, all matters with Hakagure was resolved. It somehow made Izuku smiled. Her genuine smile was heartwarming. After that, he decided to go back to his chambers. It's a in few days but Katsuki's birthday is something grand. It's the King's birthday, the celebration will definitely be larger than usual celebrations.

On his way to his room, he saw a familiar block of blonde hair. Behind him was his eunuch slash guard and some more eunuchs following him. He was peeking from one door to another, somewhat making Izuku suspicious.

He approached them slowly, without making any sound. As soon as he did, he heard Kirishima stopping him, "Your Majesty, I think that is not his room. Sero said it was the farthest to the left."

"He said that? We've already checked there and he's not there. He maybe with the other concubines." Katsuki mumbled.

Izuku furrowed his brows, stepping closer, "Who might you be looking for, Your Majesty?"

"Wha—" Katsuki stumbled. He swiftly moved away from Izuku, looking guilty as if he has been caught cheating by his wife.

He cleared his throat, laughing lightly, "L-Looking? I am simply visiting this wing. Can't I?" He held his head high.

Izuku almost laughed at his attitude yet he managed to control his self, "Well, then, have a great visit, Your Majesty." He bowed his head, attempting to walk away when Katsuki stopped him.

"Wait. Isn't it best when someone could accompany me to these wing? I'd like someone guiding me." Katsuki smirked, he was definitely teasing Izuku. He raised his brows at it.

"I must decline, Your Majesty. I have some task to do that the Queen, herself, gave to me." He bit his lip, stopping himself from smirking as he saw how Katsuki's smile dropped. He definitely did not expect that answer.

"Really? What could you be doing that makes you decline my request?" He sounded disappointed.

"Your Majesty, your birthday is coming in two days. We must not waste time. The queen gave task to each of us for preparation. It is an important day." As soon as he heard that, he looked like he just found a ray of hope to use as a reason.

"Then, let me look at it. It is my birthday, therefore, it should be I, assessing your work."

In the end, Izuku couldn't refuse. Instead of going back to his chambers, they went to a small shade at the palace. Katsuki ordered his eunuchs to get some ink and brush, of course, a long strand of papers. Izuku watched him make orders, he looked excited—a child buying his favorite toy.

As soon as the materials arrived, he started with his work, slowly writing the characters in large font. It was a simple 'Happy Birthday' yet Katsuki never paid any attention to it. All he did was watch Izuku. His eyes never left him.

Some of the servants and eunuch notice it, they started giggling in secret. In their eyes, they look so good together. Katsuki's eyes watching Izuku do his work just melts their heart. He looked at him as if he's the only person in the world, as if he couldn't get enough of him.

When Izuku finished it, he showed it to Katsuki. He started assessing the paper, squinting his eyes. The way it was written was definitely neat, however, it looked too simple.

"It looks too simple. Even I can barely feel excitement looking at this." Katsuki honestly replied. Izuku nodded, looking at the paper.

"How about this then, Your Majesty?" He started writing again, this time adding some few strokes to the end of each character.

Katsuki nodded, "This looks much better than the first one. Let me help you," he inched closer, taking the brush from him.

Izuku was somewhat flustered at it, their faces were an inch closer for a second. It only caused more giggling from the audience they have, after all, they look like they are voting for these two.

He mentally shook his head, watching Katsuki write something on the paper. He can't deny, his penmanship is out of ordinary. It is too neat.

He watched him finish and looked at his work. He almost bit his lip in embarrassment. How could this be? Katsuki's work is way more appealing than his. The characters had unique way of stroke, it looked like a calligrapher itself made it.

"Your Majesty, this is great." He looked at it. He noticed how he changed some characters, having the same pronunciation but different meaning.

"Right?" Katsuki grinned, feeling proud. This might be the first time Izuku has complimented him. He looked to flustered to even tease him.

Izuku nodded, taking the paper, "Let me just..." He added another few strokes at the end of the characters and drew a distinct symbol.

Katsuki smiled, seeing the symbol. The symbol he just drew somewhat resembles the word 'one'. The word one that is used for describing a great person, the one that will lead all people to their great success. The one leader that will bring his subjects up with him and not use them as stepping stones.

"I like this one. Let's use this one." Katsuki looked at Kirishima who was patiently watching them two, "Have this put up in front, this will be the one we're using for the celebration."

Kirishima nodded, carrying the paper gently. He smiled in secret before leaving. Seeing Katsuki bright like this, he just wanted to tell the news to Her Majesty, the dowager and the Princess. He has smiled again, after months.

He was able to share his first smile and it was with that same person he's been longing for.

(人 •͈ᴗ•͈)

First of all, I'll apologize for typographical errors! Seriously, my keyboard's too small for my hands XDD. Second, thank you so much for reading! Hope you like it!