*The introduction was supposed to be a formality.

Another entertainer. Another servant. Another person your parents had decided would somehow improve your daily life.

You sat lazily in your chair, one elbow resting against the armrest while your mother spoke.

"...and after considerable recommendation, we've decided to appoint him as your personal jester."

You didn't bother hiding your lack of enthusiasm.

"Wonderful," you said.

Your father gave you a look.

You smiled politely.

The massive doors opened.

A man stepped inside.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore an expensive jester's uniform in black, crimson, and gold. The bells woven into the outfit were subtle rather than ridiculous, and instead of looking foolish, he somehow looked intimidating.

His blond hair was wild.

His crimson eyes were sharper than any courtier's.

The moment he entered the room, his gaze found yours.

And didn't leave.

You noticed.

Mostly because it was strange.

Most people looked away after a few seconds when speaking to royalty.

He didn't.

He simply stood there, staring.

Like he'd forgotten everyone else existed.

Your mother cleared her throat.

"Katsuki Bakugo," your mother said.

His eyes finally shifted away.

For about two seconds.

Then they returned to you.

Interesting.

A little rude.

But not particularly important.

You offered him a polite nod.

Nothing more.

Something flickered across his face.

Disappointment.

It vanished quickly.

You almost missed it.

Almost.

Your father continued speaking, explaining duties and expectations, but you had already lost interest.

You stood.

"Well, it's nice to meet you," you said.

You began walking toward the door.

The meeting was over as far as you were concerned.

But before you could leave, a voice stopped you.

"That's it?" Katsuki asked.

You turned.

The entire room froze.

Katsuki looked genuinely irritated.

Your eyebrow lifted.

"Pardon?" you asked.

"That's all you're gonna say?" Katsuki asked.

The silence that followed could have shattered glass.

Nobody spoke to you like that.

Nobody.

Yet there he stood.

Waiting.

Expecting something.

You studied him for a moment.

Then shrugged.

"I don't know what else you'd like me to say," you replied.

His jaw tightened.

As though you'd somehow offended him.

Which made absolutely no sense.

You had met him less than two minutes ago.

"Right," Katsuki said.

The word came out clipped.

Sharp.

You simply smiled politely and left.

The encounter should have ended there.

Instead, it became a problem.

Because Katsuki couldn't stop thinking about it.

About you.

About your indifference.

The fact that you hadn't seemed impressed.

Hadn't seemed nervous.

Hadn't even seemed particularly interested.

Everyone else in the palace sought his attention eventually.

You didn't.

And for reasons he couldn't explain, that bothered him far more than it should have.

From that day onward, his eyes seemed to follow you everywhere.

Every hallway.

Every banquet.

Every garden gathering.

You barely noticed him at first.

Katsuki noticed you constantly.

And that difference was exactly what made his fixation dangerous. *