Early the next morning, Shirayuki hesitantly made her way to Zen's room. With her, she carried medicine and water for him….just in case. Memories of what happened yesterday replayed in her mind for the hundredth time, and each time her face turned as red as a tomato. She went up the stairs, passed by a few maids who greeted her good morning, and finally reached Zen's room. Shirayuki was about to open the door but Zen's voice huskily saying "I love you" in her ear last night were on repeat in her mind. Shirayuki slapped her cheeks, shook her head, and attempted to forget everything….at least for now.
When she was sure she was ready, Shirayuki slowly knocked and opened Zen's room. She could hear her heart beating quickly as she entered the room and was almost too relieved when Zen was still sleeping soundly on his bed. With a small smile on her face, the red headed girl took a look around Zen's room. She observed every detail she wasn't able to notice the night before. The curtains, on the far side of the room, were slightly open, and the sun's rays were gently shining through as they illuminated the room. Shirayuki sighed thinking she'd open the curtains a little further. But before that, she had to put the things she was holding somewhere. Shirayuki walked over to the table and put the water down. Next was the medicine. Unfortunately for her, she lost grip of the medicine inside the flask and it hit the table with a pretty loud clink. She gasped before hearing Zen take a sharp intake of air. She immediately turned her head to the prince lying down. Slowly, his blue eyes became visible as he woke. Zen groaned, and turned his head in the direction of Shirayuki. When he realized who it was, his eyes widened and he sat up straight.
"Sh-Sh-Shirayuki?!" Zen pointed at her. "Wh-why? What are you doing here?"
The girl standing in front of Zen, narrowed her eyes. "I told you yesterday that I'd come visit you first thing in the morning!"
"You said no such thing!" Zen protested, and covered himself with the blanket…although he literally had nothing to hide.
Shirayuki looked at Zen weirdly. "But I'm 100 percent sure I told you yesterday!"
"Were you even here yesterday?!"
"Wha-? Of course I was!"
Zen scratched his head, clearly confused.
Shirayuki sighed. "What do you remember?"
"Well….we went to the river which was frozen over….yesterday?"
"Mhm…" Shirayuki confirmed. "Then?"
"We had a snowball fight…and I-I-I-I f-fell on top of you" Zen blushed. "Then, before I knew it, I'm in my room!"
Shirayuki's eyes widened. "So you don't remember anything?"
"Sorry Shirayuki….but everything else is just blurry."
"Not even the kiss?" Shirayuki whispered.
"Sorry?" Zen said. "Didn't quite catch that.."
"N-nothing! It's nothing…."
Shirayuki's chest ached and surprisingly, tears threatened to fall. She held it in however, and walked towards Zen. Gingerly, she reached out her hand and placed it on top of Zen's forehead.
As if on cue, Zen's face turned red but he didn't do anything.
"Your face is still red.." Shirayuki commented. "Are you sure you're ok?
"Pr-Pretty Sure!" Zen answered.
"Hmm well ok… Here's the medicine just in case…" Shirayuki handed over the flask.
Suddenly, two knocks resounded through the room. Kiki and Mitsuhide entered and bowed.
"Good morning!" Shirayuki greeted them.
They greeted her in return, and requested if they could be alone with Zen for a while. Although Shirayuki was hesitant, she complied and went off the garden.
When she had reached her destination, she lay on the grass and looked up at the clear blue sky. A soft breeze suddenly blew and she breathed in. She thought about Zen, how her heart pounded furiously for him, how cute and cool he always was, always rushing to save her. But finally when Zen confesses his feelings towards her, he doesn't remember!
Jerk Shirayuki's eyes narrowed.
It's his fault I wasn't able to sleep last night too! Shirayuki thought, and immediately blushed afterwards.
The herbalist sighed, completely accepting the fact that she really liked Zen….but there was no way he'd ever like her back!
That's right! Shirayuki tried to convince herself. Zen may have confessed to me, but he didn't remember anything! That means he probably didn't mean what he said back then. He definitely doesn't like me.
Maybe it was the soft grass, or the gently breeze that surrounded her, which made her drowsy. And before Shirayuki knew it. She fell asleep on the grass.
"-yuki?" The red headed girl heard a voice.
"-rayuki!" The voice called again.
"Shirayuki!" It said a third time, and the girl fully opened her eyes.
She looked up at the person who called her name with a familiar voice. Bright blue eyes met her own as the Prince of Clarines stared down at her.
"Come with me." He said and held a hand towards her to help her up.
Shirayuki, who was still mad at Zen for not remembering, decided to follow him nonetheless.
Zen brought her to a small gazeebo and they sat across each other. Shirayuki was silent, and her eyes held no expression.
"Do you feel upset?" Zen asked her.
Shirayuki didn't answer, and instead averted her gaze.
"Is it because I don't remember?" Zen asked.
There was still no answer from Shirayuki and Zen decided to apologize again instead.
"I'm sorry... will you please tell me what happened? I want to know." Zen held out his hand and reached out for Shirayuki's before taking it in his.
Shirayuki, who had been looking down all this time, finally looked up Zen.
Zen smiled. "You finally looked at me."
Shirayuki pouts, but a small blush takes its place on her cheeks.
"Hey Shirayuki, there's something I have to tell you.." Zen whispered. "I promised myself I'd tell you when I got back."
"W-well what is it?" Shirayuki tried to act composed, but Zen's voice was the same as last night's
Zen took in a deep breath and looked into Shirayuki's eyes before he smiled at her. "I love you, Shirayuki" He breathed out.
Shirayuki felt her heart pound. This is really happening! She thought.
"E-everything just became better when you were there, and I'd like to stay with you." Zen said, and then, "Dammit this is so embarrassing!"
Zen covered half his face with his other hand and slightly averted his eyes from Shirayuki's.
"WH-what about you?" He asked.
Shirayuki sniffed, blinking back tears (although Zen didn't notice). She griped Zen's hands tighter, and with a single nod of her head, she sent a silent me too.
Zen's eyes lit up, completely overjoyed and held Shirayuki's hands tighter too.
"Really?"
Shirayuki smiled. "Yes!"
Then, Zen stood up a little from his seat in order to lean in closer to Shirayuki.
"Y'know…" Zen started. "I really really really want to kiss you right now.."
Shirayuki's breath hitched as her eyes widened.
"Can I?" Zen continued.
Shirayuki nodded twice, saying a soft "mhm"
Zen smiled, and kissed her without a moment of hesitation. He held her face and ran his fingers through her beautiful red hair. Suddenly, Zen pulled away.
"I love you" He whispered to her and leaned in for another kiss.
He kissed her senseless as Shirayuki's hands clutched onto Zen's clothes. Tears ran down from her eyes as she kissed him back. Zen noticed this and pulled away. Shirayuki wiped her eyes furiously, as if attempting to hide the tears.
"D-did I do something wrong?" Zen asked, bewildered. "Was your first kiss not good?"
Shirayuki shook her head no, but no words came from her mouth.
"Th-then what is it?"
"I-I'm just so happy….I'd never thought you'd like me back" Shirayuki sniffed.
Zen smiled, reaching out to wipe her tears and kissed her cheek.
"Don't cry anymore ok? Be happy for me." Zen said.
"Ok.."
A moment of silence settled between them before Shirayuki broke it.
"By the way, that wasn't my first kiss."
Zen's eyes widened, his heart stopped, and an uncomfortable feeling of horror filled him. "What? Then who was your first?"
Shirayuki frowned. "You!"
Zen scrunched his eyebrows together. "I don't follow…"
"You kissed me yesterday." Shirayuki pouted. "And you didn't even remember.."
Zen blushed as he sat back normally in his seat.
"S-So that's what it was?!" Zen messed up his hair frustrated.
"What was what?!" Shirayuki asked, but Zen didn't answer.
"ZEEENN!" She said.
"Ok ok! Sheesh" Zen said. "Y-You were in my dream that night an I K-k-kissed you then….looks like I actually did it…th-that's why I was so flustered this morning! I mean the girl I loved just barged into my room in my sleep!"
Shirayuki laughed and Zen looked at her weirdly.
"Ahhhhh I feel so much better!" Shirayuki smiled.
"Zeeeenn!" Someone called them.
"tsk." Zen sighed.
"Shall we go back?" Shirayuki asked.
"Ok…" Zen pouted.
Then they went back to the castle, walking hand in hand, happier than ever.
- The End -
That's it~ Hope you enjoyed this story :')
I know it's kind of short (hehe sorry)
