This story is focusing on the likes and dislikes mentioned in chapter 17. You might wanna refer back to it for some clarity :3
Disclaimer: I do not own Akagami no Shirayukihime :'(
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Chapter 1. Milk And Cheese
Shirayuki slowly made her way to the small dining room of the palace.
It was a private room that was only really used on special occasions, but the best part was that only a certain someone ever requested using it.
Zen had set up for Shirayuki, Mitsuhide, Kiki and himself to enjoy a little get-together there that evening because first, they had all been a bit more overworked than usual lately and just needed to relax a bit, and secondly, it was the beginning of Autumn, and they just wanted to celebrate. But of course the real reason was because they all just wanted to be together and be able to enjoy it.
Shirayuki quickened her pace as she saw the pale light of the setting sun slant through the windows; they were supposed to meet at dusk and she did not want to be late. But then again, she also hoped that she would not be the only one there, for it would be extremely awkward.
After turning a few more corners, as indicated by the directions Zen had given her, she came to a stop outside of two double doors. She blinked up at the large structures in confusion, wondering if she was not allowed to enter. Maybe I should just wait for someone to show up. She pondered. But then again, I don't want to be waiting for someone who never comes and then wind up being late. She contradicted.
Straightening up a bit, she knocked twice softly on the huge doors, but was only met with silence. I don't need an invitation do I? She fretted. No. Zen would have told me. Plus this isn't a formal gathering, just something between friends so no one else should know, right? She thought of what to do next but before she could start worrying again, the doors slowly pushed outward and Shirayuki jumped and quickly took a step back. Within seconds, Zen stood before her.
"Ah, Shirayuki!" he grinned. "You're just on time. Come in!" he invited. His mood was a lot more cheerful that she had seen him recently and the comfortable aura around him made her smile as well. She slowly stepped into the room beside him and the doors closed behind her.
The 'small' room Zen had told her about suddenly did not seem so small. There were marvelous paintings of scenery on the walls and a large, complex chandelier in the center of the ceiling; tiny lights dangled off of it like dewdrops on a spider web. Across the room, against the wall was a buffet of food that had recently been prepared and then left there by the chefs so that the prince and his friends could have some privacy as they enjoyed their evening.
Kiki and Mitsuhide already sat at a large table several feet away. The both looked up when they saw Shirayuki enter and smiled. The pharmacist did likewise and Zen walked her over to the table where she took her seat beside Kiki, across from the prince.
"So…" Shirayuki began. "Is this place really yours, Zen?" she asked.
"Well not really," he chuckled. "But Izana never found any use for such a small place and so quietly kind of just gave it to me because I had use for it. The three of us have been using it for years," his eyes met with his two aides' gazes. "But this is the first time that extra seat hasn't been empty." He finished, smiling sweetly at her.
"T-Thank you for inviting me." She stammered, flattered. "I really appreciate being a part of such a special occasion."
"Nonsense!" Mitsuhide broke in. "You're one of us now." He grinned widely. Shirayuki blushed a bit at the kind words and shifted her shoulders in embarrassment until Kiki rescued her.
"Well than," the silver-haired girl spoke up. "Shall we go to the buffet?" Shirayuki shot her a silent thanks with her eyes.
"Yeah! I'm starving!" Mitsuhide stood up immediately.
"Well make sure you don't eat it all, you glutton." Zen punched his friend lightly on the shoulder as the rest of them got up and headed to the other side of the room.
"Well excuse me for not eating all day because I was saving my appetite for this!" Mitsuhide pouted.
"And whose fault is that?" Zen smirked back. The girls giggled a little.
"Well at least I eat a lot and actually grow!" The male assistant taunted his master.
"What was that?" Zen grumbled.
"Well maybe if you actually drank your milk like good little princes are supposed to…"
"Sh-Shut up! That was back then…" The prince trailed off in a mumble.
Shirayuki laughed again as she recalled the conversation they had all had while out together, along with Obi, to Eurekanna. When the 5 friends had gone on a little holiday together, Mitsuhide had also taunted Zen about not drinking milk. Obi had burst out into laughter and Zen had then quickly defended himself in saying that that had been long ago. But it was obvious now that the prince still did not have much affection for the dairy product.
"Come on." Kiki murmured to her fellow female. "Let's get our food as they continue their lover's quarrel." Shirayuki covered her mouth with her hands to hold back a laugh.
"Oy, Kiki!" Mitsuhide turned on her. "Did you say something just now?"
"No. I didn't." She denied but smirked at Shirayuki.
The four friends each took plates and filled them with whatever foods that suited their taste buds before heading back to their table. They ate, chatted, laughed and told stories as the sun finally set, darkening the room but making the chandelier seem even brighter.
"Wow." Kiki murmured to Shirayuki. "You weren't kidding about what you said back in Eurekanna. You really do love cheese." She noted the pharmacist's small plate of pasta that was covered in white.
"Aha, yes. It's always been a favorite of mine. Sort of like a guilty pleasure." She smiled with a tiny blush. "I love the rich flavor it adds to just about everything."
"I agree." Mitsuhide put in, swallowing a scone. "But you know what's even better than cheese?" Here, he leaned closer to Zen. "Milk."
"Would you shut up?" The prince twitched an eyebrow at his companion and shoved him away with his shoulder. Mitsuhide laughed like an idiot.
"As I've said before." Kiki sighed good-heartedly. "Children." Shirayuki recalled their conversations together in Eurekanna again and bit her tongue to hold back a chuckle.
"Who are you calling children?" Both boys turned on Kiki in annoyance.
"Didn't you know, Shirayuki," Kiki went on, pretending to ignore them. "That children can't hold their alcohol?"
"There's no alcohol in these drinks!" Zen protested.
"I rest my case." The girl took a dignified sip out of her glass of water. Shirayuki burst into laughter.
The quarreling and joking continued for a time and Shirayuki was teased when she was caught sneaking a wedge of cheese. This really is nice though. She thought blissfully. It's like everyone's worries just fade away when we're together.
A little while later, the four friends got up once again to get some dessert. They each took slices of different cakes and Shirayuki poured herself a cup of tea with her free hand. They all sat back down and their sweets began to vanish quickly. Of course, Mitsuhide could not help himself from further taunts.
"Zen, you know there's milk in-oof!" Zen elbowed him in the gut and Mitsuhide let out a wheezing laugh.
"You're so hopeless." Kiki shook her head at him but smiled. Shirayuki finished off her cake and picked up her teacup, raising her pinky instinctively in a ladylike manner. Wow. Everything's so elegant, now that I think about it. She realized, gazing at the intricate, looping and entwining designs on the cup and plates. Even the silverware. And the bowl of sugar for the tea and even the milk is in a nice, fancy glass. She noted. I guess this really is a royal palace after all. She took a sip of her warm, jasmine tea. The slight chill in the air due to the Autumn winds outside was quickly doused by the warm liquid sliding down her throat.
"Wow." Zen placed his fork down on his plate, now vacant of cake. "That was really good, but it was so dry." He reached for his glass and took a long gulp. Shirayuki quickly swallowed her tea and cleared her throat.
"Um, Zen? That's not your glass." She said in a small voice.
He had been so intent on drinking something that the prince had not realized he had accidentally drank the glass of milk. He sputtered into his napkin as he realized his mistake, the unfavorable flavor just then hitting his taste buds.
"Good boy!" Mitsuhide teased. "Now maybe you'll grow a bit!"
"Shut up." Zen snorted. "And I'd better grow after having to go through that!" he coughed once, trying to get the taste out of his mouth. Shirayuki quickly pushed his original glass of water toward him which he sent her silent thanks for before guzzling it down.
"Are you okay?" Kiki asked. "You never were a fan of it. The last time you had it you got sick." She reminded him.
"That may be so, but that was years ago." He met their worried gaze with a reassuring one. "But I am feeling a bit tired now, so I'm calling it a night." He pushed his chair away from the table. "Good night then." Without another word, the second Prince of Clarines disappeared out the large double doors.
"Well that was sudden." Shirayuki stared after him. "Do you think we should have a doctor take a look at him?" she wondered, standing as well.
"I think," Mitsuhide stepped in front of her. "We should get someone more suited to look after him."
"Yes." Kiki agreed, standing beside him. "Like a pharmacist who knows all the right healing herbs."
Shirayuki smiled at them both. "Okay! I'll go right away!" she dashed off after Zen, yanking the handle of one of the doors open.
"We're counting on you!" Mitsuhide called after her.
"Right!" the girl nodded. "See you tomorrow!" and with that she was gone.
"Well," the boy said to his only remaining companion. "This might actually turn out well in the end."
"You know what?" Kiki chuckled. "For once, you may be right."
Shirayuki rushed from her room and down the hall, carrying with her a small bottle.
She had never been to Zen's room before, but still she had a fairly good idea of where it was. Her conviction was confirmed as she spotted a single guard stationed at the end of the hallway. He looked down at her with eyes less of suspicion and more of curiosity.
"What business do you have here?" his tone was surprisingly normal.
"I've come to see Prince Zen." She informed him "He seemed to be feeling ill recently so I've brought him some medicine." She offered him the small bottle. The guard looked her over and nodded.
"I noticed he seemed a bit off. Follow me." The tall man led her several more yards down the hallway to the door that led to Zen's room. "Now I can't just be letting you in here like this," he warned. "But since you're a pharmacist it should be alright. Just make it quick, okay young lady?"
"I will. Thank you!" she bowed.
"Your Highness." The guard knocked once on Zen's door.
"Yes? What is it?"
"The pharmacist is here to see you." He replied.
There was a brief moment of silence and Shirayuki held her breath.
"Let her in." The prince replied at last.
Stepping back, the guard bowed to her before walking away and returning to his post at the end of the hall.
Shirayuki quietly pushed the door open and stepped tentatively into the room. Her heart began to pound as she realized just what she was about to do and enter the second Prince of Clarines' personal living space. Closing the door behind her once she had slipped in, the girl looked around nervously.
It was a large room, as far as she could tell, but only a portion of it was visible to her. All she could see through the darkness was an oaken desk with a lamp on top which illuminated a large bed next to the window. Shirayuki remained frozen for a moment, part of her wanting to stay and help and the other wanting to turn tail and leave immediately, for she knew she should not have been there.
"Come over here." Zen's voice made her jump as she recognized him lying on his bed. Her heart still beating quickly, she slowly did as she was told and approached him but stopped several feet away from him, trying to keep a respectable distance. "You know it was pretty risky for you to come here." He informed her. "If anyone, especially Izana ever found out, and rumors started to spread…I don't even want to imagine what he'd do to you…" his voice trailed off into the distance.
"I…I'm sorry." She stammered shakily, her hands now trembling as she clutched the bottle. "I-I just brought you some medicine. M-Mitsuhide-san and Kiki-san said you'd rather see me than have a doctor sent." Her heart was hammering against her ribcage in fear that he would be mad or that somehow this harmless visit would have a terrible outcome. But she relaxed a little when she heard him laugh.
"Well they were right." He sat up in his bed and put his legs over the edge. "Take the chair from the desk there and sit down."
"I-I don't think I should be staying long enough to have to sit down." She felt her heart begin to pound again.
"Don't worry too much. I really don't think anyone will bother us at this hour, and even if they did, I'd simply told them I sent for you personally." He smiled at her, but still she remained where she stood. "Alright then." He could tell just how uncomfortable she was.
"W-Well then," she held out the bottle to him. "This is a medicine I made. It's specifically for this kind of thing. Just drink it all and you should feel better soon." She handed it to him and jumped as a branch outside scratched the glass of the window.
"Calm down." He chuckled, then glanced at the bottle. "Did you have this in your room?" he wondered.
"Ah…no I just made it freshly because it works better that way." She replied quietly.
"Then thank you for doing all of this for me." He smiled and drank the bottle in one gulp. "Mm. It's surprisingly sweet, unlike most medicine I can recall."
"Y-Yes." She replied. "I added in a bit of honey to sooth the stomachache."
"It was really good. And I'm feeling better already." He smiled. "Though I'm not sure if it's from the medicine or from seeing you again." He added softly so she could not hear.
"Really? That's good to hear." She sighed in relief. "T-Then I should be going now." She took a step back toward the door and Zen watched her go. "But," she turned back to him. "I-If you ever need me, feel free to call for me. I'll always come to you." She smiled.
"Thank you." He bowed his head to her. "Oh and Shirayuki?"
"Yes?" she turned back to him.
"You love cheese don't you?"
"Y-Yes. It's my favorite."
"Good." Zen smiled. "Then I'll make sure there's plenty of that in your future."
Their gazes locked briefly.
"Thank you!" she replied happily.
With their final words of goodnight, she slipped out of his room and the prince watched her until he was alone again in the shadows.
A/N: Okay I know the end was a bit awkward but just read the second chapter and it will all make sense ^^ I even put up chapter 2! I just thought I'd get this story out of the way quick so I can post my other 2 sooner ;3
Please review!