Chapter 24: She is my life

Zen and Shirayuki have finally gone back to Clarines. They work for many hours from dawn to sunset with only two breaks. It's been already three weeks since their honeymoon and they do their best. Their parents feel satisfied that their children do their duties with so much passion. The days pass like the clouds in the sky when the wild wind blows. Can time pass so quickly before their eyes? Yes, it can and they enjoy it. Everything has returned back to normal with Zen and Shirayuki loving their other half even more. Their great love is something undeniable and their parents see it every day.

Shirayuki chooses to spend her break in the garden. The whole scenery gives her courage and calmness that she just closes her beautiful eyes and fantasises her next vacation with Zen. Can their love last forever? Will they be happy in the future? What other obstacles will they face? These are questions that can't be answered, not yet. But she hopes for the best. That blue bird sings so nice that its melody fills the whole world with happiness and faith. She doesn't want her break to end but her duties never end either way. Shirayuki stands up slowly and takes a big breath before heading to her office. On her way, she meets her white-haired boy with those royal blue eyes.

- Hi Zen. How are you honey?

- Oh, hey Shirayuki. I'm fine but I have a headache. I hope it'll get better, otherwise I'll go to the infirmary to take some pills from Dr. Garrack.

- Okay, just don't push yourself. I have to go back to my office now because the papers won't be signed themselves. See you later Zen!, she kisses him on the cheek.

Shirayuki has gained the strength she needed to go on with her work. Kiki awaits her with more paperwork and this time it seems like it will never end. Kiki helps Shirayuki in every way she can and Mitsuhide helps Zen. Obi always sits on a tree doing nothing but lately he goes around the castle to check. Zen must have given him a task to accomplish.

The lunchtime has come and the royal family has gathered around the table. They have almost nothing new to share apart from matters that concern the two kingdoms. When suddenly a butler opens the door and approaches Zen with a letter.

- Here, sir.

- Thank you Stephan. Who send it?

- The messenger says that you will understand once you read it, sir.

Stephan leaves the room and Zen opens the folder. It says:

To Second Prince of Clarines, Zen Wistaria

Prince Zen,

From what I heard, you married Princess Shirayuki. In fact, I was the one to be by her side and you stole her from me. It would be a good chance for the two kingdoms to become allies but you chose to deny the alliance between Tanbarun and Kareni so you will deal with the consequences. I, Kareni's Prince Louis, challenge you to a duel for Princess Shirayuki's hand at the Adofeit Valley at 6 pm, tomorrow. If you truly love her you will not back out.

Prince Louis, Kareni Kingdom

Zen crinkles the paper in his hand with the anger arising in his eyes. Everyone is shocked from his reaction and asks what happened. Shirayuki is so worried for her husband...

- What's going on, Zen?, she tries to calm him.

- I will defeat him, Zen states angry looking at the crushed paper. How dare he asking such a ridiculous thing?

Zen glances at Shirayuki with a calmer look now and squeezes her hand.

- Kareni's Prince Louis challenges me to a duel for your hand.

- What?!

- Yeah and I have to go or else it will be like I deny my love for you.

- Zen don't talk nonsense. It isn't a friendly battle between you and your aides. It's a single combat, Shirayuki cries with the thought of losing him.

- Hey hey, Zen hugs her. I will be alright okay? I promise I will be back with the victory.

- Do you promise?

- I do, my love.

Zen (P.O.V.)

He is insane! I'll kill him! How dare he challenge me for my wife's hand? It is totally ridiculous! Once I meet him at the valley, I'll show Louis what great love and marriage means. He won't get away from my hands. He wants a duel and he'll have it!

I can't bear watching Shirayuki crying, it breaks my heart. I swear to myself that I will be the winner. Shirayuki is my life!!! I won't let anyone to destroy my marriage and future with her. It's already 5 pm so I have to go now.

- Are you ready, Zen?, Mitsuhide asks me while riding our horses.

- Absolutely!

We leave and I hear Shirayuki behind us shouting "I love you!". I love you too Shirayuki. I'll be right back, I promise. On our way, I try to keep calm and imagine our future life. That's the only thing that keeps me alive.

Finally, we're reaching our destination. I see that he is already here. I will beat you Louis, that's for sure!

- Good evening, Prince Zen. I see that you took my challenge seriously.

- Just to let you know, Shirayuki is my wife so this duel is needless. Why bothering?

- You see, I have loved the Princess since our first meeting at a ball. I was planning on marrying her but I needed a reason to do that except from love so I said that I wanted that alliance. You can back out now and give her to me or... die! It's your choice.

- This will never happen, not as long as I breathe. She is mine! I will not hesitate to give my life away for her.

- Hmmm... You're very serious about her. That's interesting, I hear Louis whispering to himself.

We take out our swords and get ready. I am confident for my victory. He runs towards me and I defend nyself. I take the chance to kick his leg to kneel him down and I succeed. But after that, he beats my shoulder and then stabs me on my left leg. I kneel from pain but I won't give up. I have a promise to fulfill! I stand up and continue defending myself. He thinks that now I'm weaker but he's wrong. I kick his stomach with a quick move and immediately stab my sword to his arm and then his leg. He screams in pain but it's his fault challenging me for Shirayuki. I approach him slowly.

- Please show mercy. Don't kill me!, Louis begs of me.

- I won't kill you if you give me your word that you will leave my wife and me alone.

- I swear, I swear. Please...

- Alright. Mitsuhide, we're leaving.

- Yes, sir.

I have Mitsuhide treating my wounds. I bet Shirayuki will cry once she sees them but it was worth. I love her too much to think about myself. We ride our horses and head to the castle. After forty minutes, we arrive and run quickly to find Shirayuki. I ask the maids but nine of them knows where she is. Until I meet Ryuu and Obi sitting on the grass.

- Do you know by any chance where is Shirayuki?

- Yeah, we saw her under that apple tree. She was crying Master so go see her.

- Thank you Obi.

I run as fast as my wounds allow me and at last I find her under the apple tree. Se is so beautiful! It totally worths it fighting for her heart. I'd do anything to be by her side always and share unique memories with my beloved Shirayuki, my life.

- Hey, sweetheart!

- Zen? You're back! It's really you!

- I told you that I'd be back, didn't I?

- I love you, Zen. I will always have you and only you in my heart.

- I love you too, my twinkle star!

We hug each other so tight so we can never split. We both know that even if our hands are apart, the sure thing is that our hearts will be together for so many years. I take tenderly her hand and lead her to our room. I kiss her lips and neck unstoppably while her hands caress my white hair. We spend a wonderful night together in our room and we know that from now on, our bond of love became even stronger! I don't want to leave her for anything in this world because she is my world, she is my life!

Hello guys! Merry Christmas and a happy new year!!! I hope 2019 will be a creative year for each one of you and have happy memories with your beloved ones... Here is the new chapter I promised for Christmas holidays. I hope you liked it and please leave your thoughts in the comments. I want to thank everyone for their support in this story. Sadly, it will end in two chapters but luckily there is always a new story to tell. I don't know when it will happen but new adventures will come for an anime couple. I'll try to end this story by the middle of January (although I think it will be sooner). Everyone, have a happy new year, don't give up on your dreams, smile always and just know that every day is a bright one!!!!! ;)

See you next time...