Breakfast for Two

Disclaimer: Akagami no Shirayukihime is a work by Akizuki Sorata. I do not claim to own the contents or any parts thereof.

Character development is up to Chapter 56 of the manga.

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Mornings and exhaustion truly are a dangerous combination.

The young man sighs as he made his way to the breakfast hall gradually, running his fingers through his hair before stopping to find his bearings. The previous days have taken a toll, busy as they were. Security had been stretched to the maximum with the huge amount of guests invited, both from local and foreign lands, as well as the party which lasted well into the twilight.

All's well that ends well though. It does symbolizes, and celebrates, the very much successful engagement of His Highness and a certain crimson-haired royal court pharmacist. His Highness is all grown up now, he pondered, not without a touch of pride.

His feet took him to their usual seat, where his partner was. An eagle-eyed female, whose grey-orbs promise swift retribution to those foolish enough to cross her path. He mumbled a greeting to her, to which she replied with a sip of her tea, he knew she favored tea to coffee when he brew a pot and her eyes lit up a fraction after tasting it, and a slight raise of eyebrow.

They sat in silence, not so much as they had nothing to say, but words weren't needed to enjoy each other's company. A gentle breeze blew, as he watched the ends of her hair dance around the collar of her shirt, brushing her shoulders. It's grown longer since our duel, before a sudden stab of realization that she had to leave soon, now that her promise to him has been fulfilled.

He barely registered the frown between her eyes, the last time she had that expression, she told him she had one more year in the castle left, and the way she was stirring her cup almost mindlessly before her eyes flickered up to his face. He was bothered, he will admit to himself at least.

Let me protect you.

He had said that without thinking when he leapt, literally, into the fight between her and a pesky suitor seven years ago. A little surprised by his own declaration, and so did she or anyone else for that fact, but the words and feelings had been genuine. This time, this time, he was determined to send her off with a smile and without any fuss, he didn't have any excuse, or causing concern for those around him. He would be her support, no matter how great the distance.

So deep in thought he was, or perhaps it was the exhaustion that got to him, or both, as the usual observant retainer to the second prince of Clarines failed to notice the narrowing of his partner's eyes and fleeting upturn of her lips. Perchance she had been waiting for this moment of vulnerability, or it had been a coincidental timing entirely. Either way she saw an opening.

When she spoke, he had been so certain, so sure it would be inevitable, that she would say she's leaving in days to come, he was speechless what she proposed to him. Silence means consent, she added with a smirk before turning to leave. He was left sitting and gaping at her back like a fish out of water.

End


Because we all know she'll never take no for an answer, and he's too slow, so she'll just have to do what she said she would.

Author's notes: Born from boredom, this story was never proof-read. The bunnies simply took the idea and ran with it. It's been a long time since I've taken up a pen, or a keyboard, and written prose. If any part of it had been awkward, now you know why.