Chapter Text
“I know this is protocol but I really don’t want to do this”
Kunikida stood in front of his parents as he continued to convince them for what feels like forever that as much as he was aware of how important and compulsory the royal marriage is, it really wasn’t necessary right now, especially in the way that they wanted to do it which is the traditional way.
Through the selection process.
The selection process was a royal tradition for ages now. When the prince or princess become eighteen years of age they’d have to get married to be able to have a capable partner by their side to help them with ruling the kingdom when the time comes.
How the partners were picked was determined by a thing called the selection process where suitable candidates from all over the kingdom would apply and only a handful (around 35 candidates) would get picked to actually be eligible for the royals.
In Kunikida’s eyes this was a nightmare.
Because this process raised the most important question, what if Kunikida didn’t like any of the candidates? the selection process only goes through once and the royal must find their partner within the carefully picked candidates and there is no other time or a repeat of this process. No exception at all. Kunikida, to say the least, was extremely worried.
“Doppo dear you’re going to have to do this, you need to find yourself an eligible partner”
The Queen’s reassuring voice filled Kunikida's ears. He looked at his mother with a slight sadness to his eyes “I know that but mother what if I didn’t find anyone” Kunikida spoke trying to reason with his mother “Doppo, your mother and I met through the process I’m sure you’ll find somebody” the King spoke his voice firm but soft enough for his son. Kunikida looked between his parents “It’s because you got lucky father I may not have such luck” Kunikida sighed.
“I’m sorry sweetheart but you have to do this it’s your job as the prince of the kingdom” the reassuring voice of his mother found it’s way to him again. Kunikida looked at her before getting up from the dinning table.
“Excuse me but I have to get ready for the announcement then”
There was no point in arguing at this point and trying to reason with his parents. Kunikida knew this whole thing was inevitable.
Dazai couldn’t ignore his father any longer. The more he hid in his room the more childish it seemed so Dazai decided to walk out into the kitchen as he saw his father there preparing dinner.
Dazai and his father didn’t speak a word to each other not yet at least which brought a sense of relief to Dazai.
Dazai cursed his luck when his father placed the tray of food with a loud aggressive thud on the table.
“Osamu would it kill you to fill out the form?” his father sighed as he rubbed his temples.
Dazai stood there with a slight furrow to his brows “I’ll fill it out just give me a bit of time” Dazai mumbled with a shrug.
“This could be a good opportunity for you my son for us too you know that don’t you?” his father tried to reason with him. Dazai just sighed out loud.
Royalty meant living more lavishly and more comfortably, Dazai entertained himself with the idea from time to time even when he yet to meet the prince or know anything about him it surely brought Dazai a sense of giddiness and excitement but part of Dazai’s delay was the current predicament he’s in to think about the selection.
His reasons aside, there were terrorists, a group called the resistance, attacking the palace every now and then that alone is a reason for Dazai to hesitate.
“I could use the help Osamu”
Dazai heard his dad again, and to be fair Dazai did think about helping his father. They were a class five just a three classes higher from dirt. They weren’t poor but they could make ends meet due to their line of work.
Fives usually consisted of artists. musicians, painters, singers just overall performers. Dazai, was a musician in his own right. A pianist and a violinist as for his sister Akiko she sang at parties while he played for her and his father played quite a few instruments as well. So yes, the benefits that would come from the selection would help them greatly.
“What’s this?”
Akiko walked into the kitchen with a letter in hand “The letter came already?” Dazai frowned as he looked at his father.
“A letter from the royal administration” their father informed Akiko “It came earlier today”
“Per the royal tradition of this kingdom we send you this letter in regards to the eligibility of your son Osamu Dazai as he is of age to mandatory apply to the selection process held by the royal family. As our beloved prince Doppo Kunikida is becoming of age this month and he will, as per tradition, marrying a young man/woman from the people of Japan to be his aide in ruling the kingdom. A random draw of each province will determine the lucky candidates to meet the prince. Candidates will be housed at the palace for the duration of their stay, the family of the participates will be generously compensated for their arrive to the royals family. Please complete the paperwork that’s required and submit it to the royal administration. Anyone who fails to follow the rules will be penalized”
Akiko and Dazai read out loud together.
Dazai then turned to Akiko “Apparently you’re too old for the Prince”
“Why you little—“
“Osamu, Akiko, please” their father pleaded for them to be quiet.
“I will apply father you know that” Dazai said as he sat down at the table “Maybe it could be a nice distraction” Dazai mumbled.
Dazai laid in his bed waiting for midnight to come around. As he laid there he thought about the prince himself.
The prince never made any public appearances but from what the national reports always say, Dazai couldn’t imagine liking the guy because the reports said nothing about him, he was mentioned yes, but not to the extent that the people got to know him.
It’s as if he doesn’t exist. Dazai thought the prince seemed friendly enough from what the rare reports would mention from time to time but also he was hardly mentioned when it came to important matters making it seem as if he was detached from the nation and it’s issues.
But then a thought occurred to Dazai, what was the prince actually like? was he like the reports said or was he just badly portrayed by the media? that thought made Dazai pause for the second.
Dazai frowned, he didn’t even know how the prince looked like and that aside, did the prince even want to go through with this? or was he just forced to by tradition? Dazai wondered for a moment longer.
These thoughts filled Dazai with something of excitement and curiosity just who was the prince?
When Dazai glanced at the clock it was already midnight. He got up from his bed and tip toed to the kitchen grabbing some of his leftovers and went back to his room as quietly as he had come out of it.
He then opened the window glancing out into the backyard as he let his eyes adjust to the darkness then climbed out heading towards the tree house that resided in the far end of the backyard.
Dazai climbed into the tree house and sat the food down as he noticed he wasn’t alone. Dazai squinted to see the person who was sitting in the corner when a small and faint candle light lit up the darkness of the small tree house.
“Hey there”
Dazai smiled “Hi Odasaku what did I say about doing this thing” Odasaku frowned “What thing?” Dazai rolled his eyes “The you just sit there in the darkness and make yourself seem like an intruder”
Odasaku shrugged “I don’t know I can’t help it” Odasaku then pulled Dazai close and in a second his lips were on Dazai’s.
“It’s been a week since I last saw you” Dazai stated, Odasaku nodded as he caressed Dazai’s face “Sorry I’ve been busy with work” Dazai nodded.
Dazai noticed the eye bags under Odasaku’s eyes which meant he probably had been working extra hours. Dazai also took notice of the loose threads of the worn out shirt he always wore.
Odasaku was a Six. Lower than Dazai. Sixes were servants and they would take care of labor work.
Dazai handed Odasaku his food as they made small conversation.
“So what do you think about the selection?” Dazai suddenly asked as Odasaku took a piece of bread “It’s okay I guess” Odasaku shrugged “Poor guy needs to find a partner somehow” he took a bite of the bread.
Dazai hummed in thought “Yeah…poor guy” Dazai found himself suddenly sympathizing with the prince he hardly knew.
“Does it bother you that I’m applying?” Dazai asked another question. Odasaku gave another shrug “No? it’s not like you’d get picked anyway Osamu”
Dazai lowered his gaze “Oh..”
“Thought you’d say more” Dazai’s voice was quiet “What else do you want me to say? I’m sad you’re applying? I am but it’s mandatory nothing I could do” Odasaku gave another shrug. Dazai hummed as he sat quietly thinking about the prince.
“Do I not have a say in this?” Kunikida had a sorrowful look on his face. He truly had no choice in the matter of him finding the love of his life.
“I’m sorry your highness you cannot intervene with the draw of the selection” Kunikida’s royal advisor, Ranpo Edogawa, stated.
“But that’s my future spouse! Ranpo please let me in on it!” desperation filled Kunikida’s voice as he tried to reason with his advisor who merely shook his head “I’m sorry Doppo you know the protocol”
Kunikida’s face fell. He really didn’t have a say in whoever is going to enter the palace and fight for his love and the right to be a king or queen one day. Kunikida took a deep breath.
Nevertheless, Kunikida remained hopeful.
“Fine, I’ll find out like everyone else when the time comes”
Kunikida hoped that his future husband or wife were among those candidates he prayed to god that they would be.
“You look handsome Osamu!” Akiko giggled as she placed a strand of hair behind Dazai’s ear.
Dazai looked around, He had filed in the form and the last remaining thing was getting your picture taken to be able to complete the process.
There was a girl most likely a Seven with a tool belt, a guy with hair so straightened it look as if a cow licked his hair, another girl with mudded shoes and another guy who had his shirt open as if to appear more attractive.
“This is a whole mess” Dazai whispered to Akiko “I know tell me about it” Akiko whispered back.
After a long wait in line Dazai finally got his picture taken.
The required paperwork had been submitted it and now it was Friday and the day of the announcement for the actual 35 eligible candidates that was going to be made by the prince himself.
Dazai stayed glued to the tv waiting for the announcement.
The prince never made any public appearances and todays selection process announcement is the first time the prince is going to be seen and heard by the public and to say Dazai was excited is an understatement.
“What if he’s ugly Akiko?” Dazai kicked his feet in the air as he laid on his stomach on the floor “Judging from how his parents look I doubt that honestly” his sister replied.
It was 5PM and the announcement is going to start any second now.
Akiko sat next to Dazai on the ground.
“Dad! the announcement is about to start!” Akiko called out to their father.
The national anthem played which meant that the event has started.
After the national anthem finished playing, the king and queen walked into the room followed by a young blonde man with glasses.
The royal family was now seated. The king started by giving a speech addressing the kingdom and talking about the tradition and when he was done and the clapping was over his son, the prince took over the stand to speak.
Dazai watched the prince closely, even though he can barely see him the princes face kept shifting between slight discomfort that was too subtle for anyone to notice and somewhat of a smile that borderlines on sad rather than happy occasionally. Dazai’s eyes slightly widened why was the prince so…sad looking? In his defense this was his first public appearance. Not only that, but he’s announcing the selection process which must be hard on him since he won’t actually be picking who he gets to marry as the candidates were all probably hand picked by the administration and not the royal family.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen of Japan, I, Prince Doppo Kunikida—“
Dazai froze, the Prince was handsome. And that in itself was an understatement on its own.
“You’ll get to marry that?!” Akiko exclaimed in surprise “He’s handsome!” Akiko shook her brother “I know…” Dazai snapped from his daze “That’s if I’m from the 35 eligible ones”
The Prince, Doppo Kunikida, had long blonde hair that was tied in a ponytail. He wore a pair of glasses and he was tall too he also spoke with such a gentle and caring voice that Dazai wished he would win just to talk to him.
“The following names are the chosen candidates for the 65th royal selection process”
Akiko squeezed Dazai’s hand in anticipation of the news.
The names were read one after one. A list of 35 men and women of a certain age range that Dazai can only assume was the criteria that the prince wanted.
they reached the end of the names and to the family’s surprise Dazai’s name wasn't there.
“And lastly, Osamu Dazai age eighteen. Thank you for everyone who tuned in for todays announcement. Thank you and good night”
A picture of Dazai appeared on screen and the family froze.
“I’m eligible?!”
Dazai screamed. Dazai and Akiko jumped and hugged each other “Osamu you’re eligible! you’ll get to be a royal!” Akiko hugged her brother.
“Now now you know you have to get picked for that to happen right Osamu?” Mori told his son who in return nodded “Yes I am aware father” Akiko smiled at her brother before hugging him again.