#shouto f
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters, they belong to Kohei Horikoshi
Previous Chapter~Next Chapter~Series Masterlist~Main Masterlist
Word Count: 2.1K
A/N: Wowie this chapter took longer to write than I thought - I’m so sorry it’s a week late! But, it’s one that I’m really happy with and I hope you all like. I haven’t written a chapter within this series in a while, so if anyone’s new, let me explain the premise! This story is set in a regency era time period with heavy influence by the show Bridgerton (yes I binge-watched the entirety of season 2, yes I thoroughly enjoyed it) so my writing and the dialogue is a bit more… elegant society-like. Above this note is the entire series masterlist, so if you’re interested, be sure to check it out! It’s a Shoto Todoroki x Reader multi-chapter fanfiction that is nearing its end (i.e. one more full chapter and an epilogue! It’s almost over). So sorry for this lengthy authors note, but I hope you all enjoy!!
“Y-Your Grace, it’s an honor,” You manage to say, your voice wavering as you dip into a deep curtsy. The Duke of Endeavor doesn’t pay you a second glance, instead turning towards his daughter.
“Fuyumi, I do not recall you asking for permission to have a guest over this afternoon.” It’s a miracle that your head was tilted so far to the ground in your curtsy, or else the Duke would have seen the shock written all over your face. Permission? You think, trying to quickly wipe the expression off of your face.
“Please excuse my lack of judgment, Father. It was a spur of the moment invitation when I saw her and her maid out and around the shops this afternoon.” Fuyumi explained, her voice steady and even. You finally peer up to get another look at the Duke and a cold shiver goes down your spine. He was looking at you with such apathy and distaste, it made you feel just so… unsure about yourself.
“Fine. Be on your way, and do not bother me. I have work to attend to.” He says, fire laced in his tone. He strides past both you and Fuyumi, leaving behind an air of unease. Just by turning your head the slightest way right, you could see Fuyumi’s expression crumble.
“Actually, Your Grace, I was just about to take my leave. My maid and I must get ready and prepare some things for the upcoming ball tomorrow night.” You say more confidently this time, giving the overbearing Duke one last curtsy. “I thank you for your hospitality.” The Duke simply harrumphs and waves you away as you, with Mei in toe with several boxes in her arms, walk gracefully out of the door. You give Fuyumi one last smile before the door swings shut. Taking a deep breath and keeping your eyes trained on the carriage waiting down the waterfall of steps that led up to the Endeavor Estate, your brows knitted.
“Never in my life has someone acted so harshly or rude to another person of nobility, especially towards a Lady.” Mei hisses, her seemingly more upset about what had just transpired than you.
“There’s no need to worry Mei.” You say steadily, finally reaching the last step and taking the gloved hand offered to you by your footman.
“Please tell me you won’t stand for it!” Mei begs, handing all the boxes to a butler who almost collapses under the weight of it all.
“I could never say anything to him, me being of a lesser rank than his Grace.” You remark, settling in the seat of the carriage with Mei opposite to you. “But that does not mean I cannot prove him wrong about his perceptions of me.”
The ball was one of the most special of the season, titled as “La Dance Des Fleurs”. Of course, this ball had a most strict theme - every lady and gentleman were to have a flower motif to their dresses and suits, so as to embrace the ball’s name to its highest extent. Your gown was absolutely breathtaking. Midnight blue in color that fades into a lavender purple at the bottom, covered in embroidered and carefully crafted pansies, the dress brought out all the best features. Deep sapphires hung on your ears as well and a necklace of the same stone, along with some diamonds, was laid across your neck. Your hair was dolled up with little braids and curls, pansies and pearls studded amongst your locks. And, finally, as a centerpiece - the most beautiful of tiaras. It was one that belonged to your mother but held timeless beauty.
“My word, dearest, you look like your mother.” Turning around to find your father, now more steady on his feet than in previous weeks, had tears misting in his eyes.
“Oh, Father.” You say, taking his arm and giving it a squeeze. “I’m glad you are feeling so well. Well enough to go to a ball, even.”
“Well it is a tradition, of course, to attend this particular ball. You know why well enough.” He says, a wistful tone in his words. Of course you knew why. La Dance Des Fleurs was the ball where your father formally proposed to your mother. In private, of course, out in the gardens. It was a story you begged your mother to tell over and over again when you were curled up in your canopy bed, hugging the stuffed dog to your chest and your eyes full of stars. Everything about your parents’ love story entranced you.
“I am so excited to attend formally.” You say, a slight squeal in your voice.
“Then let us get you there, my dear. I’m sure your brother and Ochaco will be there, along with the Duke’s son. The Duke himself should be in attendance this evening as well.” Your father says, the last bit said with a twinge more indifference than you have heard him use normally. You decide not to touch on it, though, and hop in the carriage.
Flowers seemed to drip and melt and waterfall from every inch of the gorgeous venue, filling the room with a decadent aroma and a pleasing kaleidoscope of color. You take a deep breath as all eyes fall on you, and advance towards the center of the ballroom. For there, waiting for you in a beautiful snow-white suit, patterned delicately with daisies, baby’s breath, and queen anne’s lace was Shoto Todoroki. His eyes were on you and his mouth slightly ajar. You give him a sweet smile and stride politely up to him. He doesn’t say anything at first, but you know what he wants to say. So you give him a line to hook his gills on.
“Mei outdid herself this time, don’t you think?” Shoto swallowed and nodded, then cleared his throat.
“She, uh, she certainly did. May I have your first dance?” You grin and nod, not before kissing your father on the cheek, and then let him lead you to the dance floor. It’s a nice upbeat melody, prompting faster movements. He twirls you here, dips you there, and you are having the best time of your life. And then the song ends, and with it, comes the appearance of the Duke of Endeavor. You look to see Shoto’s reaction, but it’s focused on his father. “Come with me, just for a moment.” He says, tugging you with his arm looped through yours to the tall, looming Duke. You curtsy to the man, and he gives you a nod, but nothing else.
“Well, Shoto? What is it you brought her here to say to me?” You see the effect his words have on Shoto, like a perpetual thorn in his side.
“I have come to formally introduce the two of you. Father, this is Lady Y/N Yagi, daughter of the Viscount Yagi. And Y/N,” with you he takes a softer tone of voice, “this is my father, the Duke of Endeavor, Enji Todoroki.” You give him a polite, but confident, smile. The smile that told him you belonged exactly where you were, right by his son’s side.
“Good evening, Lady Yagi.” He says stiffly, like it was more of a job than a pleasure to meet a new acquaintance.
“And Father, as to the matter we discussed this afternoon.” Shoto’s eyes were narrowed but also gave off another emotion - one of pleading. For a moment, the Duke let his strict and hard facade fade just the slightest.
“Your mother and I met at this ball.” He remarks, looking around at all the flowers and decorations. “And yours got engaged, did they not?” Your lips quirk up, interested in how he knew this factoid about your father and late mother.
“Indeed, Your Grace. I implored my mother to tell it so many times when I was a child, I’m sure I could recite it.” The Duke gives you a nod and then reaches into his coat pocket, shoving something into Shoto’s hand. He turns back to you.
“Miss Yagi, I must formally apologize for my stiff and cold behavior.” Your eyes widened so much you were sure that they would pop right out of your skull. “It is not easy work, being a duke, not easy at all. With that, I shall leave you be.” You give him a curtsy before he weaves his way around pillars adorned with garlands of greenery, straight towards Fuyumi and who you presumed to be Shoto’s older brother, Natsuo. Through several of your talks with the red-and-white haired man, you have learned of his engagement to the princess of a neighboring kingdom.
“That was certainly something, wasn’t it? He’s never addressed me so… politely before.” You confess, a dazed smile on your face. Shoto shares your expression.
“Probably due to the fact that I had a stern talking to with him.” Shoto states, earning a dropped jaw from you.
“Shoto tell me you did not.” You gasp, immediately taking the arm that Shoto offers to you.
“Of course I did,” He says, like it’s no big deal. “Because my eldest brother has passed, Fuyumi is a woman, and my brother is engaged to a princess, his line of dukedom goes straight to me. All I had to do was bring up the simple matter that, if I wanted to, I could reject the title all together and his legacy would be in ruin.” You shake your head in disbelief, functioning on auto-pilot as he leads you to the private gardens. Along the way, of course, you didn’t notice the affirming nods Shoto was giving to your brother and Ochaco, who was beaming and almost bouncing in place, as well as your father.
“You threatened to give up your title, your entire family’s dukedom, because he did not wish to give me the time of day?” You wonder, settling into a stationary stance as Shoto walks to be directly in front of you.
“I threatened to give up my title because he could not see what I saw in you. You, my dearest, sweetest Y/N, are clever and smart and accomplished.” Tears start to well in your eyes at this confession. “You are not only the diamond, but the kindest person I know. You are the person to forgive a man for doing something so foolish, and love him anyway.” You let out a laugh but it’s thick with emotion. “The moment I met you, I knew you were it for me. The way you carried yourself with such respect and love, I almost couldn’t believe you were real. And when I had lost you for those painstaking months… it took everything in me to not pull my hair from its roots and wallow in despair. Through all of this, through our ups and downs and in betweens, I have discovered I am absolutely head over heels for you. I burn for you.” Tears continue to stream down your face and onto the beautifully crafted flowers on your dress. “I have received permission from both of our fathers and our brothers,” he says, while reaching into his pocket and producing a little box. “Y/N, my love, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?” The box flips open to reveal the most perfect ring you have ever seen. With six little pearls forming the shape of a flower, a flawless diamond in the middle, and little specks of emerald surrounding it, it was utterly beautiful. Your hands go to your heart to make sure it was, in fact, still working before you all but tore the silk gloves off.
“Yes, yes, a hundred times yes!” You exclaim, letting him slip the ring onto your fingers, and pulling him towards you. In a shared breath, you let your lips fall upon his, and it’s heaven. Far away, inside the grand ballroom, you could hear the clinks of wine glasses and clacks of ball shoes and small talk. But out here, in the gardens, it was just the two of you. The son of a duke and the daughter of a viscount. A man and a woman in love. Two hearts, beating as one, with the entirety of your lives in front of you.
Taglist:
@luluwiie ~ All-Flora Florist
@maiacroson ~ All-Flora Florist
@nerdypuppytimemachine ~ All-Flora Florist
@voilawind ~ All-Flora Florist
@catguinsstuff ~ All-Flora Florist
@smallxbunny ~ All-Flora Florist
@the-emo-asgardian ~ Snowbell Florist
@lovers-liability ~ Snowbell Florist
