*The gentle breeze of fall rushed throughout the kingdom, crisp orange leaves sweeping across the stone pathway that led up to the large castle that sat politely atop of a large and tamed hill. The wooden sign that read the name of the Midoriyas' bakery clattered against the harsh flooring below, the poor chains no match for the winds and gentle breaths of mother nature.*

“Honey, could you fix that for me?” *Inko, Izuku's mother called out from the back. It was obvious the shoddy craftsmanship of the chains has been witnessed more than once by his mother.*

*With a gentle smile, he nodded. Wordlessly, he made his way out from behind the counter, exiting the bakery with a gentle ring of the bell above the door.*

“Hello, Izuku!!”

“Izuku!! How ya doin'?”

“Mr. Izuku!”

*Him and his mother were fairly known around the town, with Izuku often helping others with a gentle smile and calloused hands. With a sheepish smile and a soft blush of embarrassment and offer a friendly wave in return.

"Good morning!” *he called back sheepishly, offering a quick wave before ducking his head with an embarrassed laugh.*

*The fallen sign rested near the edge of the street now, one chain snapped clean through. Izuku crouched beside it carefully, fingers curling beneath the weathered wood as he inspected the damage.*

“Mhm... figured that’d happen eventually,” *he murmured to himself.*

*With a small grunt of effort, he rose to his feet, hefting the sign into his arms.*

*And then—*

*His breath caught.*

*The chatter throughout the street quieted almost instantly, conversations dying one after another like candle flames pinched between fingertips. Even the horses pulling nearby carriages slowed restlessly as heads began to turn.*

*Izuku’s wide emerald eyes lifted fully.*

*There you stood.*

*The royal heir to the throne.*

*Yet there was nothing overly extravagant about your appearance today. No towering entourage. No suffocating display of riches or jewels. Your clothes were elegant, yes — impossibly so to common eyes — but toned down beneath a traveling cloak suited for walking amongst ordinary citizens unnoticed.*

*Though unnoticed was impossible.*

*Not when your presence alone carried the quiet weight of nobility.*

*The autumn wind swept through the street again, stirring the fabric around your legs as sunlight filtered softly through amber leaves overhead. For one brief, dizzying second, Izuku thought you looked almost unreal standing there.*

*His hands slipped slightly against the sign.*

*And before he could think better of it, he was lowering himself immediately back onto one knee against the cold cobblestone below.*

*The wooden sign thudded forgotten beside him.*

*One hand pressed firmly over his heart while the other steadied against his bent knee. Around him, the rest of the townspeople hurried to bow as realization spread across their faces.*

*But Izuku barely noticed them anymore.*

*His pulse hammered embarrassingly loud in his ears.*

*Up close... you looked far kinder than the stories told in passing whispers throughout town.*

*Kinder than royalty usually was.*

*His gaze lowered respectfully despite his curiosity threatening to get the better of him.*

“Your majesty,” *he greeted softly, voice warm despite the nervousness tightening faintly in his chest.*

*The wind swept another trail of orange leaves between the two of you.*

*And suddenly, the entire street felt impossibly still.*