"Father, I can't believe this! This is supposed to be my debut, and you bring that brat along?"
"Tooru, you've caught quite the snake tongue lately. Or have you always had it? Let me guess, you're tired? Do you need to sit out of this meeting? If you wish I can cancel the rest of your stops and let you spend the summer convalescing at the Shiratorizawa castle."
Oikawa bristles, his mouth a thin line, but he remains silent as they step off their mounts in front of the castle doors. Iwaizumi helps unload the Prince's baggage, handing Kindaichi--he had finally learned Prince Tobio's new attendant's name--the lightest to carry.
A tall man dressed in Karasuno's colors, black and orange, greets them at the doors. His brown hair is tied in a loose bun and his hands seem to shake as he greets them. Oikawa smiles at him, as they pass through and are finally greeted by the Kings of Karasuno.
"Welcome, Prince Tooru, to the Kingdom of Karasuno, it is a pleasure to be hosting you as you traverse the lands. We are honored to be your first stop." The black haired King greets with a deep bow. Iwaizumi knows, from drilling Oikawa constantly, that it's King Sugawara Daichi.
He tries to remember Karasuno's history. He knows the Kingdom had been on it's last legs only a decade ago. It was from a myriad a problems. A long standing war with the neighboring Kingdom of Nekoma, unrest in the countryside, bankruptcy and distrust of the royals had all but manifested in a coup d'etat.
Iwaizumi can't really remember the resolution. He knows it has to do with the previous King abdicating to his son, King Sugawara Koshi, and him marrying a commoner, the man speaking to Oikawa now. But more must have happened too. He'll have to ask Oikawa about it tonight.
"Oh, you've brought Prince Tobio!" King Koshi, the silver haired king, exclaims, smiling down at the young boy holding his father's hand, "What a wonderful surprise!"
"I thought he deserved a little head start." The King chuckles.
"Well, do come in, we can talk in the dining room. Tanaka!" A bald servant, probably around Iwaizumi's age, hurries over, "Could you take Prince Tobio to where Shouyou is? I'm sure he'll have much more fun spending time with someone his age."
Iwaizumi follows the royals into the dining room, leaving Kindaichi to follow after Tobio nervously. He takes his place against the wall. He finds Karasuno's architecture quite gloomy, all dark colors and little decoration. The castle is definitely in need of some renovating. He notices a cobweb in the left corner of the ceiling. Not a good first impression. He wonders what kind of spider lived there.
His green eyes shift back down to where the royals are seated. There's an array of snacks on the table that make Iwaizumi's mouth water, but years of watching others eat before him had trained him to hide it. His eyes cling to Karasuno's signature cuisine, meat buns, which feature heavily in the buffet.
Iwaizumi wonders if he'll be able to try any before they leave. He'll have to make Oikawa share with him at some point. He watches the royals converse in idle pleasantries, nibbling from the spread. But then Iwaizumi sees it, sees the calculating glint in Oikawa's eyes, sees his smile stretch a bit too far, and he feels himself shudder.
Oikawa, the Demon Diplomat, has arrived.
(Oikawa hates him when he calls him that, for obvious reasons. Iwaizumi still thinks it's pretty funny.)
"You've both done such a marvelous job these past few years." Oikawa comments with a sigh, eyes sweeping along the room before resting on the Kings.
"Why thank you, it has been difficult, but we are incredibly proud of how far we have come," King Daichi nods.
"Indeed," Oikawa readily agrees, dabbing his mouth with his handkerchief, "I wonder just how high Karasuno can fly? It would be a shame for your wings were to be clipped too soon."
The Karasuno Kings frown, "And why would they?"
Oikawa is undeterred from the sudden tension in the air, dancing his way through the conversation with ease, "Well, I've heard tensions with Nekoma are rising again."
"Old tensions never really die." King Koshi supplies, smile forced on his face.
"Of course, but we wouldn't want to repeat the past, would we? We wouldn't want to start a war over another strip of worthless land now would we? What did the people call that war again?"
The Kings share a glance, but King Koshi steels himself, "Battle at the Garbage Dump."
"People can be so cruel." Oikawa sighs, taking a bite of his meat bun, "Nekoma is restless still, and as powerful as ever, I'm sure you've noticed?"
"What are you proposing?" King Daichi asks, eyes narrowing.
"I believe it's time we open up a trade route, the profits of which would be beneficial to both our countries. The people of Karasuno love fish, don't they? How dreadful to be a landlocked nation at times. Their only option is to turn to Nekoma's markets, which only helps fund them. What I propose is a trade agreement in which Karasuno trades exclusively with us, and has full access to our sea imports. In exchange we receive access to your famed crow feathered quills."
The Kings share another thoughtful glance, taking the piece of paper to their side of the table to skim over. Oikawa folds his hands. Iwaizumi feels a swell in his chest.
King Daichi speaks up first, "We'll have to think this over."
"Of course," Oikawa agrees, "That's why I have brought it up now rather than later. Best to mull these things over for a few days." He smiles and the Kings before him seem to visibly relax, "I'll leave you to your discussions. I'm terribly tired from the long journey, and should retire for the evening. Father, are you coming with me?"
The King of Aoba Johsai nods, face grim, and follows his son out of the room. Oikawa pauses at the door, a moment longer, to say one last thing, "The best thing Karasuno can do in the face of the northern threats of Nekoma and their allies in Fukurodani, is to grow closer to the Miyagi continent. Aoba Johsai would love to open the doors to these friendships. I hope you take my plan into consideration. I am excited to learn more of Karasuno culture during the rest of my stay."
As they walk down the hall, Iwaizumi can't help but clap Oikawa's back with pride. Oikawa grins at him, sticking his tongue out. Iwaizumi rolls his eyes, nudging his shoulder with his own. Oikawa stifles a giggle and waves him away, lest his Father call him out.
As they turn the corner they bump into a frantic Kindaichi, pale in the face, "Oh, sire! Please, I can't get them to stop!"
"Is something wrong? Where's Tobio?" The King asks, his first words in a while. He had been tense the entire meeting.
Kindaichi leads them out to the court where the servant from earlier and another shorter one are attempting to separate two screaming nine year olds from tearing each other's hair out.
"Tobio!" The King roars, and Prince Tobio falls limp, fingers no longer clawing at Prince Shouyou's arms. The ginger beneath him scrambles back, spitting out a few more taunts before the two servants can get a hold of him as well.
The taunts are too tantalizing though, and Prince Tobio fires up, "No, you're an idiot, idiot!"
"Tobio!" The King shouts again, snatching his son's arm and pulling him away.
"Amazing." Oikawa half laughs, "Tobio wants to start a war."
Iwaizumi covers his mouth to hide his snort.
The King shoots them a look, fingers tightening around the young Prince's arm, "We will be taking our leave now rather than in the morning. Kindaichi, go get the horses ready. Tooru, I will see you in a few weeks."
"Unfortunately," Oikawa agrees with a biting smile.
The King glares at him, in one of his rare moments of pure open fury, but he says nothing as he leaves, dragging a frightened Prince Tobio after him.
"You're pushing it a lot lately." Iwaizumi comments as he helps undress Oikawa later that evening.
After apologizing for the squabble, they had spent the day touring the castle grounds. Now, in the safety of his private guest chamber, Oikawa seems subdued, tired from the day and quiet. His shields are low as he speaks, "Why not? There's nothing else he can take from me now."
Iwaizumi frowns. Oikawa pokes his wrinkly forehead, earning a scolding look. He grins, "He's gone now. So let's stop talking about him. Quiz me."
Iwaizumi sighs as he slips into his own pajamas, "Kunimi Akira."
"Tobio's old attendant who quit. He helps with the horses now, planning to join the knights." Oikawa responds as he slips into the bed.
Iwaizumi crawls over to him, "Watari Shinji."
"Oh! He's the new trainee that destroyed part of the barracks during a fight."
"No, that was Kyoutani Kentarou. How could you mistake that?"
"Who's Watari then?"
"Uh, I think he' the groundskeeper's son. Knows where everything is at all times."
Oikawa nods, snuggling a bit closer."You know," Iwaizumi says, to the darkness, "You don't have to do this. No one expects you to know every single person in the castle."
"Well, I want to." Oikawa replies petulantly, "Who knows what resources we have at our disposable if we don't make an effort?"
Iwaizumi feels winded, again, by the admiration for his Prince that takes hold of him. It's a feeling that springs up on him at times, more often than not, growing more powerful each day. Regrettably, it makes him slip up, "You were amazing today."
Oikawa sits up, eyes shining unnaturally in the light, his movement too fast that his one horn knocks into Iwaizumi's chin painfully. He groans, but Oikawa has no time for it, "Did Iwa-chan just complement me? Without prompting? Say it again!"
"You're hearing things."
"Say it again!"
"Must be the ghosts of Karasuno's past mistakes haunting you, I didn't hear shit."
Oikawa laughs, swatting Iwaizumi's chest, "Oh, and they say I have a snake tongue."
"Is your tongue actually forked?"
"No!"
"Are you sure!"
"Of course I'm sure! I've had it fourteen years."
"Are you checking right now?"
"Got to bed, Iwa-chan!"
Iwaizumi chuckles, rolling over and pressing his face into his pillow. But before he slips into his dreams, a memory jolts him awake and he sits up, "Wait, Oikawa. Hold on."
"What?" Oikawa asks, yawning into his hand but peering up at him curiously.
"Smuggle me one of those meat buns tomorrow. I want to try it."
"You know you could get your head shaved for that here."
"Really?"
"I don't know. I don't live here."
Iwaizumi swats him with his pillow, "You definitely know. You stayed up all night reading everything on Karasuno this past week. Is it true?"
"Stop hitting me! I'll get you your stupid meat bun. Now go to sleep, I have to represent our Kingdom tomorrow all by myself."
"We're doomed." Iwaizumi breathes into the air with a mournful sound. Oikawa jabs his side.
"Iwa-chan is very talkative tonight. What a shame he uses it to spout out terrible lies."
"Alright, I'm sleeping. Good night, Your Highness."
"Good night, minion."