Posted on: 03/07/17


A/N: I know that I haven't been the most active writer in this fandom but please bear with me. My life is so messed-up these days.

I have all your requests right here and I'll post them as soon as I can.

Also, I have decided to write about more characters of ANS than just Zen and Shirayuki. So drop in your requests! :D

And for the time being, enjoy this!

One of my friends personally requested me to write something about Zen, Obi and Torou.

So I came up with this! :3


Title: Break

Summary: Various suitors for Zen and Obi have arrived at the Wilant Castle. In order to avoid them, they sneakily escape from the castle along with Tariga and out there, they come across one of Obi's old acquaintance...


Obi successfully evaded the group of gossiping maids, passed the corridor without being sighted by the guards, mimicked his master by hiding behind a pillar and finally released a long sigh. When his master had asked him to join in some leisure activities, this isn't exactly what he was expecting. He has no idea why his master is making him do something weird so early in the morning. Moreover, shouldn't his master be doing his daily tasks in his office by now? He is the one ruling over the North, right?

"Remind me why am I here with you?" Obi asked like the curious cat that he is.

A sigh was heard from the opposite pillar as the newly appointed ruler glanced at his immediate knight and averted his eyes. It's not as if Zen is enjoying this anymore than Obi is. Infact, since today is his day-off, he wanted to spend it with Shirayuki. Sadly though, he cannot. And it's all thanks to Lord Haruka's preparations.

"Many interested women had sent me marriage proposals and our dearest, Lord Haruka has invited some of them to the castle. So today, I'm supposed spend my whole time in their company and then by the end of the day, I have to choose one or two that I like the most." Zen informed in a grim tone.

"One or Two! Master just what kind of a person are you?!" Obi asked incredulously.

Pulling Obi by the collar, Zen easily managed to escape the watchful eyes of the guards and they reached his room.

"Seriously, after everything I told you, you noticed the most unnecessary part!" Zen bonked him on the head and sighed, "Anyways, I'm leaving the castle for today."

"What?!" Obi asked in shock.

"Shut up!" Zen hissed, placing his gloved palm over Obi's mouth, "You'll alert the guards."

"Yeah..Yeah..I get it." The young knight mumbled against his master's palm, "Still..why am I here with you?"

"Because.." Zen glared at him, "Lord Haruka really hates you and so, he found some suitors for you as well!"

"Oh" was all that Obi could say in his state of fear for the blond marques.

Zen nodded at him and turned the knob to enter his room, Obi following right behind. Once inside, he got rid of his usual formal apparel and changed into a pair of navy blue tunic and grey slacks. Because he doesn't feel at ease without it, he strapped his sword around his waist-belt. Obi on the other hand, removed his heavy uniform coat to reveal the usual black tunic he wears over his fawn-coloured slacks.

"Okay, now we'll get out of my room and escape the castle by evading all the guards." Zen explained.

"But I don't wanna go." Obi whined with a pout.

Zen ignored his request and walked past him towards the door. "Fine by me. If you are so interested in meeting your suitors-"

The young ruler stopped midway as the door to his room clicked open and both Zen and Obi watched in horror as someone rushed in. To their relief, it wasn't the fearsome Marques himself but a young man whose blond hair was pulled together into a thin, long braid. Zen instantly recognised that face. This is one of the men who were sent to kill him when he was working at the Sereg Knights Base— Tariga Bergatt. After the whole matter with the Bergatt House and it's leader Touka was sorted, Tsuruba Bergatt was immediately appointed as the next leader of the Bergatt House whilst his twin brother Tariga, was sent here at Wilant on probation. Thus, he is currently serving the Wistarias and is working directly under the watch of the latest ruler of the North, Zen himself.

"Tariga-dono, what are you doing here?" Zen asked suspiciously.

"Your Majesty, pardon my intrusion. Um..it's the marques..He is looking for you. He says it's about the suito-"

"Save it." Zen signalled him with his palm to stop, "I'm not going."

"I know that Shirayuki-dono will-"

This time Obi stopped him, "Hold it right there, I'm not getting hitched to anyone either. Plus," he gestured towards Zen with his thumb, "Master here, already has a plan."

"Plan?!" Tariga asked, confusion brimming his face.

Zen in turn, glared at Obi for being so big-mouthed and smiled eerily at the young member of the Bergatt House. With greeted teeth, he grabbed hold of his knight's shoulder and spoke, "Obi, why don't we explain about this to Tariga-dono in a more secluded place with a drink?"

"Y-Yesss Master" Obi agreed instantly.

The young Bergatt stared at the two men before him. It's almost unbelievable how his majesty treats his knight like a friend. Almost. There's a part of him that can easily believe this as he receives the same treatment from Zen. He waited for the prince to finish his discussion with his knight. And as they did, they turned to face him and for some weird reason, the young member of the Bergatt house felt uneasy under their cheshire grins.

"Obi," Zen mumbled scarily, "Capture him."

Tariga hastily faltered back, "Wait! Wh-What?!"

.

.

The two guys scurried away from right under the noses of the guards and reached an empty corridor, the young blond man now an unwilling member of their escape plan. There they stopped to catch their breaths.

"Wow Master, we did it so easily.." Obi spoke, unable to believe that they actually escaped such a heavily guarded area of the castle.

"Yeah..just like Wistal, I've memorised the movements of the guards stationed here." Zen answered casually.

"Memorised?" Tariga asked in shock.

"Just like Wistal?!" Obi squinted his topaz irises, "Master, you sound exactly like a burglar."

Tariga nodded in agreement but Zen simply shrugged it off. He is not at all interested in telling them his adventurous tales about how he has been escaping the castle walls since a young age.

"Okay, there won't be any guards at the back gate right now so I'll meet you guys there." Zen told them and jumped off the nearest railing there was.

"Right!" Obi nodded and himself catapulted to a tree, through which he climbed down and began jogging towards the back gate.

Tariga could only stare in horror at the two men. Something really isn't right with the people here. First, the second prince jumps off from such height like it's nothing. Then, his personal knight takes-off like a monkey. Wow!

"I'll just take the stairs." Tariga told himself and began walking...

.

.

They managed to escape the castle walls and much to Obi and Tariga's surprise, ended up in a local bar on Zen's suggestion. Currently, the three were sitting on bar stools before the parlour's counter as the bartender served them each a mug of freshly brewed beer. Again, to their surprise, Zen was the first one who picked up his mug and chugged down the whole thing in one go. The young ruler sighed in satisfaction and tapped his empty mug noisily on the counter.

"Another!" He called cheerfully and the bartender nodded.

Tariga and Obi exchanged a glance and turned towards their master, "Is that really you, Master?"

"Why ofcourse it's me!" Zen grinned at his knights, "Can't I have some fun? Besides, I used to visit bars all the time in my younger years.."

Tariga simply nodded and decided to finally take a sip of the beer that was ordered for him by the second prince himself. Contrary to him, Obi kept staring suspiciously at his master for he has never seen such playful side of the younger prince of Clarines.

"A gin, please." ordered a suave voice from the sidelines which immediately caught Obi's attention as he has heard this sugar-coated tone many times in his past.

He craned his neck away from his master and looked to the side. His topazes met a pair of honey-brown irises as he came face-to-face with a beautiful woman from his past— Torou. She looked just as pretty as she used to. The only difference that he noticed in her features was her shoulder-length braid, some of the short strands of her chestnut hair coming out. She must've had a haircut. He guessed.

Again, she was the first one who spoke on their second unexpected encounter as she smiled at him. "Obi! What a pleasant surprise?"

"What are you doing in the north?" He asked, ignoring her cheerful greeting.

"Well," the bartender placed her mug of gin before her and she nodded a thanks at him before continuing to speak, "I drifted here with the winds." She winked at him mischievously.

At the sound of her voice, Zen and Tariga turned their heads towards them as well. The silver-haired prince instantly recalled the woman and waved a hand at her in greeting. He still remembers her from that time she tried to hit on Mitsuhide. She had even asked him for a drink. Her response to his wave was more forward than just words. Pushing her stool back, she stood up and sashayed towards him.

"My oh my..we meet again, Mr. Charming." She spoke, standing directly before him.

Zen choked on his drink when he heard those flirtatious words. Well, he expected no less from one of Obi's acquaintances. Speaking of which, the said messenger was snickering at him from the background.

"So, how about a drink this time?" She asked.

"I'm afraid I'll have to pass..again..." Zen said, trying to be as smooth as possible.

She placed a palm over her bust and feigned a hurt expression. "Please be careful with your words. You almost broke my heart."

"Almost, huh?" Obi muttered from the sidelines, taking another sip of his drink.

"I'm sorry but I'm a committed man." Zen tried to explain in as little details as he could.

"Yes." This time Tariga piped-in. He was now standing right next to Obi's old friend. "She is a nice woman." He said, trying to help the prince get out of this woman's grasp.

"She is just awesome." Obi winked as he joined them and placed an arm around Tariga's neck in friendliness, "Master is totally smitten by her."

"Then I guess she must be a really great person?" Torou asked with a polite smile.

"You bet!" Obi responded.

Torou continued shooting weird and unnecessary questions at Zen about his lover and instead of helping him like Tariga did, Obi kept teasing him. Seriously, the second prince escaped the Wilant Castle today to avoid the situation of choosing a suitor and enjoy some fresh air outside. And this is the first time in a while that he has actually stepped into the busy streets of the North. He just wants to have a good time.

He slammed his fist on the counter to gain their attention. Three pairs of shocked-eyes turned towards him. "Alright, how about we play a game of Poker?" Zen suggested.

"Sure!" Torou agreed right away.

"P-Poker? Are you sure?" Tariga asked.

"I'm definitely telling about this to the Miss." Obi mumbled out of shock at hearing such an unlikely statement from his master but joined them anyway.

.

.

Five minutes into the game and they already became the winning group. Much to everyone's surprise Zen was good at the game. It's almost as if he has done this millions of times before.

Impressed by him, Torou asked. "Have you played this before?"

"Hmm..I guess sometimes when I was 15." He answered nervously.

"I'm definitely telling about this to Miss." Obi repeated his words to himself. It is really unbelievable for him that his master enjoys drinks at the local bars and also knows how to gamble.

"By the way, I'm Torou!" The chestnut haired woman introduced herself, "I totally forgot to tell my name before."

Before the silverette could even respond, another voice interrupted. "There you are!"

All of them jerked their heads in the direction of the intrusive voice and both Zen and Obi felt tremors run over their forms. It was their friendly herbalist Shirayuki. She was standing right there, before their eyes, flashing them a glare. She looked angry. No wait! She looked extremely furious. With her hands resting on her hips, she raised her eyebrows questioningly at them and Zen anxiously took few more sips of his sixth beer.

"Of all the places, I find you here." She said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Obi was immediately at her feet, "I swear Miss! It was all Master's idea. He dragged me into this."

"Actually, I was the one that you two dragged here." Tariga muttered.

"I recognise you." said Torou as she walked closer to Shirayuki, "You once patched me up."

Shirayuki's eyes widened for an instant and her expression of anger switched into one of recognition as she smiled at the woman, "You are Torou, right? Obi told me about you."

The girls exchanged smiles and friendly handshakes after which, Shirayuki's soft expression returned to the solemn one.

"Zen?" she asked with a raised brow.

"Well..I just-"

"Wait! Did you just say Zen? As in Zen Wistaria? The current leader of the north?" the chestnut haired woman asked in shock.

"Yes! That's right." Tariga confirmed her guess.

"And you are?" asked Torou, pointing a finger at the red-haired pharmacist.

"Shirayuki", everyone turned their heads towards the newly appointed ruler as he is the one who answered Torou's query almost incoherently . "This is Shirayuki. She is an expert in the field of herbs and medicines. She works on the position of the Head Pharmacist at the castle and..she is my consort."

"Do you think this is the right time?" Shirayuki asked, masking her anger behind her soft tone of voice.

Zen knows that if there's something that Shirayuki doesn't approve of, then she'll openly express herself against it, which is exactly what is scaring him. Thankfully, he isn't alone in this as Obi looks equally terrified.

"Do you know that everyone is looking for you?! Even the queen is worried about you! Imagine how she'd feel if she witnesses her son carelessly sitting inside a bar when in reality he is supposed to be handling the Northern Lands of Clarines?" She asked Zen, her eyes narrowed into thin slits. He didn't answer as he began feeling dizzy. Must be the effects of the beers I've had..He thought as he pressed a hand to his eyes.

"And you!" She jabbed a finger into Obi's chest, making him gasp in surprise at her touch, "I thought that atleast you are mature enough to keep him from doing such reckless things!"

"She sure is a tough." Torou muttered to Tariga and the young man could only nod dubiously in agreement.

Shaking her head in disappointment, Shirayuki turned towards the last remaining man that she had been looking for. The young, blond haired Bergatt gulped in fear for he has heard rumours about this very pharmacist. Rumours about her being extremely strict when it comes to duties.

Sighing to clear her head of her anger, she spoke, "Tariga-dono, I know that these two must have forced you into this. Sorry for that."

The man could only gape at the lady bowing her head at him. He had expected the same harsh treatment but thankfully, she understood the reason behind his presence here. Bowing back at her, he spoke, "Thank you so much for understanding, Shirayuki-dono. They dragged me along with them just to escape their suitors."

"I see." She said, staring pointedly at the Obi and Zen, who has been weirdly quite for some time now.

Tariga was glad that she properly listened to what he had to say and left with another bow. The redhead turned back towards the second prince and walked over to talk to him.

Meanwhile, Torou appeared from behind Obi and lowered her head to gaze directly at his troubled face. "Suitors, huh? You are not the Obi that I used to know."

"You think?" He commented.

"I wonder why is that so." She stated thoughtfully, her gaze fixated on him.

"I have no idea either." He scratched his head in confusion and gazed at the lovely couple standing a few metres from them. "But..I do know that they play an integral part in my change..."

"Really now?" She pursed her lips and herself looked at the pair. "Say..how about we get a drink and share a chat?" Torou offered.

"Hehe.." He chuckled, "Master and Mistress will not let me.."


Shirayuki, who had been scolding her beloved for a while now, frowned. "I have been yelling at you for some time now and yet you haven't protested even once. What's wrong?"

The silverette didn't respond and kept nodding repeatedly at her. When she pressed her lips tightly together and gazed at him, she noticed his faintly-flushed cheeks and dazed look. Her eyes widened as realisation hit her. "You're drunk." She concluded.

He groaned, placing a hand on his forehead to ease the slowly developing ache there. "Slightly.."

She narrowed her eyes at that and he shook his head rapidly, "Do-Don't..don't be mad please.." He begged cutely.

"I am mad." She said, "You actually skipped your duties for a drink!"

He giggled. He was really drunk by now and he stroked a strand of her striking, red tresses behind her ear, resting his gloved-palm on her soft cheek. And even though he was unable to see her clearly in his fuzzy state, he pecked her lips right there in the midst of the bar, well-aware of the variety of people present around him. He parted only to capture her lips again for a longer one. She didn't respond. She was way too shocked by the suddenness of his kiss so she just let him relish in the moment.

When he pulled back, he embraced her. "I'm glad.." He slurred-out.

"You are so drunk!" She stated again, trying to ignore the numerous stares on them. Zen never kisses her in public. This must be the effect of the booze.

"Hehe..I'm still glad..glad that you aren't mad about those suitors..glad that you trust me.." His hold on her weakened because of the effects of alcohol circulating in his system.

She broke-out of his arms and because he was taller than her, gazed up at him. Why would she ever be mad about those suitors? He is a prince, right? Royalties go through such troubles all the time. She will never doubt his feelings for her. The first thing that she'd do in any situations like these will be personally discussing the matter with him. She'd never jump onto any conclusions childishly. She trusted him that day when she accepted his palm and left her country to join his. She trusts him with her life..

"Let's go back." She commanded in a soft tone.

He nodded his head and as he did, the headache amplified, making him stumble. In his hazy state of mind, he ended-up resting his face in the crook of her neck. She chuckled lightly and patted his back as the smell of beer hit her nostrils.

"You are so drunk, Zen" she shook her head worriedly, "Lord Haruka is going to kill you.."

As she guided the half-awake prince out of the bar, she craned her head back towards the two old accomplices. "Obi! Give yourselves a break and spend some time with your old friend." She suggested and left the bar, supporting the drunk monarch of north on one of her shoulders.

The young knight could only stare in disbelief at the departing herbalist. He didn't expect to hear that from his miss. Moreover, she can't give any orders to him. Only his master holds the right to do that. He nodded to himself smugly but just as he tried to escape the bar, someone pulled him back by his collar.

"Now now, Cat-boy. That's not how you treat old friends." Torou winked at him mischievously, "Buy me a drink."

And just like the past years that he used to spend in her company, he complied to her order...


A/N: So..the ending was..hehe XD

This was just a fun story.

Btw, I ship ObiTorou so hard. They are old friends and they do have some kinda chemistry. Damn! Am I the only one who ships them? :3

Anyways, comment your thoughts and send in your requests. I accept them all. Plus, I've decided to take requests for any characters of your choice, not just Zenyuki. So go ahead!

Those who are looking for my tumblr. It's: manika-on-a-whim and my dp is Prince Zen ;)

Until Next Time...

~Manika