Chapter Text
In the year 1467 there were 3 kingdoms: the Yagami kingdom, Wammy kingdom, and the Amane kingdom. The Yagami kingdom was known for their military strength, and weaponry. The Amane kingdom for their valuable food exports, and strong relations with both kingdoms. The largest out of the three, the Wammy kingdom, was known for owning tens of thousands of acres of land, controlling trade routes and valued intelligence.
These three kingdoms had a long history together, the Amane and Yagami as allies and the Yagami and Wammy as rivals. This rivalry began centuries ago when the Yagami ruler at the time tried to conquer part of the Wammy land. This sparked a war that lasted five years, ultimately ending in a truce to end the war, nevertheless the rivalry remained. Despite this historical rivalry, King Yagami planned to attempt to strike a deal with a new, very stubborn, King Lawliet.
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“This deal is very important, Light. I need you to come with me to observe, you are going to be king soon after all.” King Yagami states, walking down the steps of the Yagami castle.
Prince Light nods, and follows his father to the carriage in front of the palace. As they approach the Wammy kingdom, Light couldn't help but wonder how King Lawliet acts; they are rivals after all. He had briefly seen King Lawliet once before during the celebration of Sayu graduating from the nursery. From this brief interaction, Prince Light perceived Lawliet as a shut-in, awkward, peculiar and too smart for his own good. However, this was over ten years ago when Quillish was still king, so maybe he had changed.
When they arrived at the Wammy Palace, Light noticed how impressive the estate was. It was a large, intricately designed marbled castle with silver accents. As Light and his father walk through the Wammy castle, he couldn’t help but notice that the inside was quite cold. Light and King Yagami eventually arrive at the throne room, and are greeted by the sight of a man with unkempt and shaggy black hair, black eyes that were rimmed with eye bags and clothes that are too common for a noble.
“It’s been a long time since we last met, Lawliet.” King Yagami says somewhat sourly, extending his hand out for King Lawliet to shake.
“Yes, it has indeed.” King Lawliet states, deliberately ignoring the outstretched hand of King Yagami.
King Yagami lets his hand fall to his side after King Lawliet’s refusal of the gesture, moving to sit down in a chair around the lavish table in the middle of the room. King Lawliet goes to sit down across from King Yagami, and Light can’t help but notice how strangely King Lawliet was sitting. Who sits balancing on their feet and with their knees up to their chest like that? Clearly he hadn't changed a bit.
“You came to strike a deal with me, correct?” King Lawliet asks, however it truly wasn't a question.
“Yes, I would like to offer 10 gold coins for 7,000 acres of fertile land.” King Yagami suggests, fully thinking it a great deal.
“I do not accept your offer. I would prefer it if you offered 15 coins, instead of 10.” King Lawliet counters.
“I can agree on the price of 12 coins, final offer.” King Yagami expresses to King Lawliet.
“I cannot accept that offer.” King Lawliet says flatly, standing up from his chair and promptly exiting the throne room.
King Yagami sighs, and gestures to Light to follow King Lawliet. Prince Light agrees and begins to trail behind King Lawliet. He had some nerve speaking to King Yagami like that! Who did he think he was? After trailing behind Lawliet, Light eventually finds him in a nearby hallway.
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“What’s your problem? Why didn’t you accept my fathers deal?” Light asks matter-of-fact-ly.
King Lawliet stopped in his tracks, however he didn't turn towards Prince Light. “I simply did not agree with King Yagami’s terms, nothing more.” King Lawliet declares, continuing his stride through the hallway.
Light scowls at King Lawliet, catching up to him again and grabbing his shoulder. “Wait! There has to be a reason you didn’t accept my fathers offer.” Prince Light exclaims.
“As I previously stated, there is no other motive for declining. It is simply how business works.” King Lawliet asserts, shaking Light’s hand off of his shoulder.
“Are you suggesting I don’t know how business works?” Light says angrily, offended someone would ever suggest that he doesn’t know how business works.
“I did not say that. However, if you believe such, I will not say otherwise.” King Lawliet responds, clasping his hands behind his back.
“So you do think that I'm unprofessional?” Light claims, getting more offended by King Lawliet's suggestions.
“No, I am not. Nevertheless, you could work on your skills. It is required when you become a king.” King Lawliet expresses, grinning slightly. The grin on Lawliet’s face quickly faded as he walked further down the hallway.
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Later that night, Light sat on his bed talking to Ryuk about his day. Ryuk was the spirit of a previous ruler of the Yagami kingdom from centuries ago, but died a few years into his rule and began to reside in the palace. He could be found around the halls during the day and the night, but often hung around Light. He was truly the only person Prince Light could talk to.
“I can’t believe he would even suggest that I needed to improve my skills! I mean who does he think he is? He dresses in commoners clothes and is just so strange!” Light rants flusterly.
“He's not exactly wrong, Light.” Ryuk responds, stretching his ghostly body to float in the air.
“I am very professional, I don’t need opinions from a dead person about my skills.” Light responds, rolling his eyes in annoyance.
“You shouldn't rant to me if you don't want feedback, Light.” Ryuk replies. Before Light can respond to Ryuk, his dad walks into his room.
“Tomorrow is very important, I will be speaking with King Amane about your arranged marriage with Princess Misa.” King Yagami explains, before walking back out of Light’s room. Light didn’t like the idea of an arranged marriage, especially since he’s never met this girl in real life before. Nevertheless, he agreed because it would help both kingdoms politically and as allies.
“Are you positive you're okay with marrying this girl, Light? You haven't met her, she could be high maintenance for all you know.” Ryuk asks Light.
“This arrangement is political, so I technically don't have to like her.” Light says, sighing as he lays down on his bed, looking at the ceiling. “However, I would prefer it if she wasn't too clingy.”