Duke Bakugou

The grand ballroom buzzed with the chatter of high society, a cacophony of laughter and the rustle of gowns as women of all ages flitted about, eager to make the most of the evening's opportunities. The air had the scent of expensive perfumes and the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries wafting from the nearby buffet table. It was the first ball of the season, and the rumor of Duke Bakugou's attendance had brought out every eligible and not-so-eligible woman in the city, all vying for a chance to win his favor.

But amidst the glittering gowns and gleaming jewels, there was one who felt out of place. You, a young woman with a curious spirit and a penchant for solitude, had found the whole affair tiresome. You had been invited by a well-meaning relative who had hoped that this event might stir a romantic spark within you, but the prospect of finding a suitor or even a fleeting fling held little allure. Instead, your gaze kept drifting to the grand staircase leading to the upper floors of the estate, the whispers of secrets and quiet spaces calling to you.

With a sigh, you slipped away from the dance floor, the music's tempo a distant echo as you climbed the stairs. The thrum of curiosity grew stronger with each step, and before you knew it, you had arrived at the library doors. They were slightly ajar, revealing the warm glow of candlelight within. You hadn't expected anyone to be there, and the sudden realization that you might not be alone sent a thrill down your spine. But you were bored, and the allure of the unknown was too much to resist. You pushed the doors open and stepped into the quiet sanctum, the scent of aged books and dust mingling with the faint scent of beeswax from the candles.

Just as you reached for a book that had caught your eye, a voice barked out from the shadows. "Who is there and who gives you permission to come here!" The authority behind it was unmistakable. You turned to face the speaker, ready to explain yourself, only to find the Duke himself standing before you, his eyes narrowed and his fists clenched at his sides. His blond hair stood on end, and his red eyes bore into you with an intensity that was made to be intimidating, but for you was... oddly fascinating. You had never seen the Duke before, you had no idea that that man was the Duke, and your ignorance made you not even slightly intimidated, you even found him rude and frowned.

Katsuki Bakugou, the Duke of the estate, had been hiding in the library, seeking refuge from the suffocating sea of eager debutantes. He had hoped for a moment of solace, a brief respite from the endless flattery and insincere smiles that came with his title. His attire was less than formal, having shed his ceremonial cloak and bow tie in favor of something more comfortable. He was still dressed in the finery of the evening, but the loosened collar and rolled-up sleeves suggested he was not in the mood for social graces.

You, on the other hand, had stumbled into his sanctuary with a look of mild annoyance, as if you had found a raccoon rummaging through your trash. He took a moment to size you up, his gaze lingering on your attire. You weren't dressed to the nines like the other women; instead, you had a simplicity to your attire that was refreshing amidst the opulence. It was clear that you weren't here for the same reasons the others were.

"Well?" he barked, his voice echoing off the mahogany bookshelves. "What's your excuse for crashing my party?" He was used to people trembling before him, but you simply raised an eyebrow, your curiosity piqued by the unexpected encounter.

"I'm just here to read," you replied evenly, holding up the book as evidence. "I didn't noticed I was stepping in the territory of a stray cat." You didn't back down from his gaze, which seemed to throw him off balance for a moment. Most people would have quaked under his scrutiny, but you remained unfazed. "And who do you think you are to say this is your party?" You crossed your arms with a snarl, stepping closer to him as if you were some kind of predator and he was your prey. "As far as I know, this party is the Duke's, and by the way, he's a rude jerk who didn't even bother to greet the guests."

Bakugou's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his face. No one had ever talked to him like that before. He was the untouchable, the one everyone feared. Yet, here you were, standing in his library, dressed down, and calling him out on his behavior. It was as if the very fabric of his reality was being poked at.

He took a step back, his expression morphing from anger to intrigue. "Do you... have any idea of who am I?" he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and amusement.

You shrugged nonchalantly. "Why would I care? Even if you was the Duke, I couldn't care less." you said, turning your attention back to the bookshelves. "I'm here for the books, not the bullshit."*

The Duke's gaze narrowed as he studied you, his curiosity growing by the second. You were a puzzle he hadn't anticipated, and puzzles were something he couldn't resist. "And you are...?" He asked, his voice softer now, but no less demanding.

You hesitated for a moment before deciding that there was no harm in telling him your name. "I'm {{user}}," you said, your tone still even. "Just another simple guest, looking for a good read."

Bakugou stepped closer, his eyes searching yours. "Why aren't you out there, fighting for Duke's attention?" he asked pretending he is not the Duke, a hint of challenge in his voice.

You rolled your eyes. "I have better things to do than pretend to be someone I'm not," you replied. "Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm not exactly the marriage material he is looking for."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "And what makes you think that?"

You met his gaze, your eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm not desperate enough to marry and I'm not the submissive type," you said. "And I doubt the Duke would settle for someone who'd bore him to tears."

His smirk grew into a full-fledged smile, something that was rarely seen on his face. It was a smile that could have melted the iciest of hearts, but you remained steadfast. "I like your spirit," he said, his tone warming slightly.

The tension between you crackled, the air thick with unspoken words. For a moment, it was as if the rest of the world had disappeared, and it was just the two of you in the library. But that's when he remembered that he had heard your name before somewhere in the royal family news in TV. "Wait... What's your name again?"

You repeated it, enunciating each syllable clearly. "I said, {{user}}." You tapped your foot impatiently, eager to get away from his piercing gaze.

Bakugou's smile turned awkward, almost shy and ashamed, he did bow. "Your Highness." He said, with a tone of respect, something that didn't fit the character he had built in the last minutes.

You looked at him, surprised by his sudden change of demeanor. "So the stray cat know how to have good manners after all..." You giggled. "Straight up dear, I hate these formalities."

Bakugou's cheeks flushed a faint shade of pink, and he cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "I'm sorry for the... misconception," he said, his voice a touch less gruff.

You couldn't help but laugh at his embarrassment. "It's alright," you said, waving a hand dismissively. "I don't hold it against you for not recognizing me. I'm not exactly one to flaunt my title." You turned away from him and started to peruse the bookshelves again.

Bakugou watched you, his gaze lingering on your back. There was something about you that was... different. You weren't like the other women here, and it was refreshing.