Reclaim (Haikyuu Kingdoms!AU)

Origins

"You don't have the intelligence to become a king!"

"Where is your charisma?"

"Put your head to the desk and study, you worthless prince!"

"You're going nowhere with that face."

"You're too scary to be a prince, much less a king!"

Kageyama clutched his makeshift cardboard sword, tears streaming down his face as he huddled next to the courtyard pond. "I'm sorry I'm not perfect... I'm sorry," he sniffled as he stared into the water. 

"Young master? Young master!" a voice cried. Kageyama stood up and looked around, wondering where to hide. Behind the tree? No, that would be too obvious. He'd have to climb the tree. 

He took a running start and grabbed a branch, climbing the limbs one by one. The royal adviser ran into the grassy courtyard in a frenzy, looking around for the young prince. Kageyama stared at him with wide eyes. He brought his sword closer to his chest.

The man ran away, and Kageyama sighed with relief. He looked up at the bright blue sky, watching a crow pass overhead. He bit his lip, jealousy flooding through his body as the bird lazily circled above the world. Maybe it wasn't right to become king. Someone else should take the throne. Banish absolutism. 

He hopped down from the tree and took off, wanting to go to the main city. However, the gates wouldn't allow it, nor would the rules. Stay inside and learn. Learn, learn, learn. No free time, no socializing, and no happiness.

"Young master! I thought you were here!" Kageyama flinched at the adviser's harsh tone as he was grabbed by his tiny hand and led down the hall.

The maids looked and whispered, making Kageyama stare at the carpeted ground. They were probably talking about how useless he is. 

"Young prince Oikawa is here to keep you company." 

Kageyama didn't like Oikawa. It seemed like him and his personal knight didn't like him either, but he was forced to stay with him while the parents talked. "I don't wanna."

"It's 'want to.' Also, it is required that you meet with them. Prince Oikawa is the next king of Aoba Johsai kingdom!" he exclaimed. He would rather have Oikawa as king than me, he thought as they reached the throne room. 

He looked up to see Oikawa's foxy smile and his knight's stoic one stare at him. "Hello, Tobio-chan!" the prince called waving at him. 

Don't call me that, he thought, approaching the two. Oikawa noticed his fake sword and pulled out his real steel one. "Look at this!"

Kageyama's eyes lit up as he stared at the real, shiny, lethal blade. He turned towards his parents and Oikawa's, before turning back to his senior. "Follow me," he said in gruff tone before turning around. 

"Oh, where are you taking us?" Oikawa asked, bouncing behind him.

"The courtyard. I want you to teach me how to fight," he replied. Oikawa stopped in his tracks, halting the other prince and knight. 

"To fight?" Kageyama turned around with a determined look in his eyes. 

"Yes. I request that you teach me how to fight."

Oikawa blinked, before laughing, ruffling Kageyama's short black hair. "You're suppose to be a peaceful nation! We're a more... belligerent nation. You don't need the training."

"But I want to know how to fight! I know that our troops train, but our numbers are small and we haven't been out on the field for years. When the time comes..." he clenched his hands into small fists. "When the time comes, I need to be prepared to ready for war and be prepared to fight and defend my kingdom!"