CHAPTER 37 Zen Proposes
The next morning, Zen rose properly and went first to the prisons. There he looked into the face of every lord, his face cold. Then he said shortly, "I've given you to Lord Obi." They blanched in fear. Then he went to the assassins and looked at them briefly. "In choosing to believe this place is a place of weakness, you have given your lives to me. I have given them to Obi also, who is the Queen's Consort. She has chosen no mercy." They also all went white. He turned and went out, saying no more to them, though they cried out to him in repentance. He had gone cold in this thing. He would protect that which was important to him, and he understood how the Princess Ilena could be both Mother and the Queen. It was even in him. Rulers did that which was necessary and expedient, even if it was ruthless. He, Zen, might have to be pushed very hard and very far to get there, unlike his brother, but he was still a Prince. He would not back down when backing down was not the thing to do.
He next went to the Intelligence Office and received there the report of the assassination attempts, the summary of the gossip which suited him, and the report of what new things they had been able to determine about any further enemies within the castle and their movements. When they were done, he looked at them after rising to leave and told them the prisoners were theirs from that time and that he expected proper results as soon as possible. They nodded, eyes hard and bright. He left them to go and find Shirayuki. He looked at Dane and asked where she was. He said it and they went straight to her.
Shirayuki was in the library, having come just recently to see if there was the opportunity to have a study session, but oddly, she couldn't find any of the young men who were part of the group. She had just decided she had come at the wrong time and had sat down to read while waiting and see if any would appear when her name was called. She looked up and saw Zen striding towards her, a set expression on his face, though his eyes lightened when their eyes met. She stood quickly to greet him. She had not expected to see him so soon in the day, it being still early in the day. She supposed she should have. The last time they had seen each other was in the middle of all the assassination attempts. She was glad to see he was well and unharmed also.
"Will you please come walk with me, Shirayuki?" Zen asked as he took her hand and began walking without her saying yes or no. He seemed extra eager about something this morning. She wondered if it was the fact the restrictions were off of him now.
She smiled at his back, then tugged on his hand. "Zen," she called and he turned to look at her, a little surprised. "You are in a rush this morning. Is it so important?" She continued to smile at him.
He slowed suddenly, a little surprised at himself. "Ah, well, yes it is, but I don't really need to be in such a hurry, I'm sorry. I am just impatient to say it."
Shirayuki blushed lightly. "Well, I can understand that, I guess, but still I think I would like to enjoy your company as well. It has been a very long time to be apart, you know."
"Three weeks?" he raised an eyebrow. "Compared to two and a half years?"
"Well, then," she lightly teased him, "I should think a few extra minutes would not be very much at all."
He smiled at her, understanding. He tucked her hand in his arm and slowed down to a walk, though he kept them moving. She was right, he did need to be calm before he spoke to her. He took her to a specific garden on the roof of a tower that was not used often. They had been in one of these kinds of garden in Wistal the last time he had talked to her about his pledge to her. It would be appropriate to make that pledge in the same kind of place. He ordered both sets of their temporary guards to wait at the door leading to the stairs up the tower. He left Dane and Tairn and Leon and Sam inside the door to the roof so it was just the two of them on the roof.
Zen set Shirayuki on the viewing bench and sat next to her. "I have properly considered your request for me as your partner. I have repented of my actions and my inactions and have set in place the proper protections that I have power to set at this time so that you may stand safely by my side. I will also continue to review regularly the needs you have so that you may continue to stand protected by me. Please also continue to protect me."
Shirayuki looked at him, her eyes wide opened. Then she nodded. "Thank you very much, Zen. I will continue to do my best also."
He took a breath, "None of the other three candidates were able to pass my tests. Not only did you easily pass all of the requirements we set forth in the beginning nearly two months ago, but in the remaining days you surpassed my expectations and my hopes and showed me things I did not know I needed or wanted. In my eyes, you have accomplished that goal which Ilena set for you. I cannot say no to you. The people cannot say no, but are demanding that I set you next to me. I believe the lords cannot say no either, and half of the ones who were are now in prison for trying to say no with their unconscionable acts of treason, which they have stooped to merely to get their way over a thing they could not control from the beginning." He shook his head disbelieving it even still and she was in agreement with him.
Zen stood and knelt in front of her on one knee, placing his sword between them as he had the other times he had promised his love to her. He held out his hand as he looked at her and smiled. She placed her hand in his, but this time, rather than timidly, it was with grace and confidence, and his heart clenched to see it. He could only see her. "I, Prince Zen Wisteria, Regent of Wilant, Clarines, do ask of you, Shirayuki of Tanbarun, that you will be my wife and become First Princess of Clarines, to stand at my side as my partner in all things, to strengthen me and to comfort me when I may need comfort. In return, I shall be your husband and your partner in all things, to strengthen and protect you at all times."
Shirayuki had tears in her eyes. "Prince Zen Wisteria, I would be pleased to be your wife and First Princess and will stand by you as your partner in all things; to both strengthen and comfort you as your needs may dictate. I will look forward to your efforts in my behalf. Please, take care of me from now on."
Rising slightly from his kneeling position, Zen kissed Shirayuki long and gently. He picked up his sword and set it next to him as he sat next to her. He held her cheek in his hand and kissed her until she turned her head away slightly, though she wrapped her arms around him to hold him. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her neck. "I love you, Shirayuki. You and no other. Thank you for making me very happy this day." He held her closely to him.
"I love you, too, Zen. Thank you for the gift of this day."
"Thank you for working very hard to get here for me," he answered. Shirayuki nodded in his shoulder, tears dripping down from her eyes.
Zen and Shirayuki sat at the top of the tower in the private garden for a long while. When they were able to speak to each other again normally, Zen told Shirayuki what would be required next. He said that he had invited his brother, King Izana to come for the formal announcement, with the date set for twelve days from then, being two weeks from the formal dinner at which she had passed her final test exceedingly well. He also told her he expected the King to actually arrive as early as four days before the announcement date. Then, looking a little embarrassed, he asked if there were any others she would like to invite to the announcement. She looked at him in surprise. "Ah, I was thinking your father. It would be appropriate to at least let him know, I think, and an invitation would be the right thing to do."
Shirayuki nodded slowly. "Yes, I should do that. I think an invitation to Prince Raji would also be good, we want the relations between our countries to remain positive, after all."
Zen nodded. He rubbed his chin. He supposed there was another prince he wanted to have positive relations with, or at least neutral ones, that he should be sure knew about it, if he could be found and informed of it. "I will need to invite the envoy from Selicia also for that reason, then."
Shirayuki nodded practically. Any nation that bordered theirs ought to be thought of in the best light possible to maintain peace at the borders. "Ah! Can I invite my friends from the Lyrias pharmacy?" she asked him.
Zen smiled at her, "Of course, if it will make you happy, though you may be too busy to visit much with them."
"Well, you may be right, but I think they would be disappointed to not come, and Ryuu will enjoy seeing them again also."
"Well, invite them then," Zen squeezed her hand. "I have one I would like to send right now, would that be okay?"
"Now? From here?"
Zen grinned at her and nodded. He turned his head to the door. "Dane come here please," he requested. Dane came through the door, closing it behind him, and walked up to stand before Zen and Shirayuki. His eyes danced but he was formal.
Bowing he said, "How may I serve the Regent and his fiancee, beyond congratulating them?" Shirayuki hid a smile in her hand at his sly way of congratulating them first.
"Can you speak to Kiki and Mitsuhide from here?" Zen asked him. Dane looked out from the tower and found his bearings, then nodded once in confirmation. "Can Obi and Ilena hear you from here at the same time?" Dane smiled slightly and nodded again.
"Then send my words to them and tell us what they say," he requested.
Dane turned and stood so his words would go where he wanted them to go, then he said, "Please wait a moment while I call their attention, so they will be listening." He opened his mouth and tones fell from it like the calling of a bird and the crying of the fox on the heather, and many sounds that were not nameable, but nonetheless were beautiful to hear. When he closed his mouth, he listened closely. On the faint wind, they heard the clear tones of Ilena answer, but he waited still until finally he stood straight and looked at Zen. "They are ready, Zen."
Zen had not heard this before and he was looking at Dane. "It's different."
Dane nodded. "To go a long distance, whispers don't work."
"Ah, I see. Well...Tell them, I, Zen, have proposed to my special person this day, and she has accepted."
Dane nodded and the tones went out again. This time he translated Ilena's answer. "Master Obi and Mistress Ilena send their happy congratulations and their love. ...Mistress Ilena is very proud of you."
"Tell her, thank you."
Dane turned his head and focused the sound, making it a little quieter. It was brief, then he was listening to the east again.
"Mitsuhide says, Congratulations. I am very proud of you. ...Thank you, Shirayuki for supporting Zen all this time." He listened some more. "Kiki says, Thank you for working hard, both of you. Thank Ilena also for us."
Zen nodded at him and he turned to focus his words to Ilena again and passed on the messages. He listened to the brief reply. "Mistress Ilena says, It was my pleasure."
Zen smiled and nodded again, but held up his finger. "Shirayuki, is there anything you want to add to Mitsuhide and Kiki?"
Shirayuki looked thoughtful. "Say...We are very happy."
Dane passed the message on, then looked to Zen. Zen looked at him and his expression became serious. "Please tell Mitsuhide and Kiki, Regent Zen requires you to return to Castle Wilant immediately. He will have you at his back until the house is cleaned and strengthened again. Earl Sieran may not refuse." Dane looked at him a moment. "I will no longer accept temporary assignments behind my back. When Ilena has strengthened our position again sufficiently that we no longer need to fear assassins, they may return. I have already requested from Ilena another pair to watch Shirayuki's back with the two she already has." Dane nodded, then turned and gave the message. The silence on the rooftop lasted longer than it had before. Zen assumed they were having to process the order, and possibly even pass it on to the earl.
Finally Dane turned to him and said, "Kiki says, We hear and obey, Regent. You may expect us tomorrow."
Zen nodded. "It is sufficient."
"Ah, Earl Sieran asks, I shall follow. When should I arrive?"
"Tell him, The official date is twelve days from today."
Dane waited after he had sent it, then nodded. "He sends an acknowledgement." Dane turned back to face Zen.
Zen looked to Shirayuki who smiled at him. He rose, helping her to stand, and walked with her to the door, which Dane opened for them. As they walked down the stairs, Zen gave orders to Tairn in regards to the preparing of the castle for the arrival of the King and the official announcement. He also gave him the invitation list, including the envoy from Selicia who would need to be found. Tairn looked at Dane and Dane nodded. The Family would let him know. When they reached the more populated areas of the castle, Tairn was busy sending runners all over the castle with the news, but the news spread faster across the country by way of Mother's Children.
-o-o-o-
Ilena went with Shirayuki to her dance instruction class that day and spoke with the instructor. Obi went with them, ostensibly as her instructor of proper behavior as this was the test case to see if Shirayuki would take Ilena back. Ilena passed that test, of course. She also asked the instructor to dance with her to see what she was capable of. In the end, the instructor said that if she held to the stately dances that did not include twisting and twirling, she might be able to dance two or three. While Ilena was disappointed to not be able to do the more fun and beautiful dances, she was content that she could at least add dancing to her exercise regimen, and maybe be able to dance at the ball that would be in the evening after the official announcement.
Obi, wanting to gift his wife that gift, offered to be her partner while the instructor was Shirayuki's partner for the learning of those dances. He also showed up at the instructor's door later and asked for further lessons so that he could surprise her. The instructor was not surprised Obi had a knack for the movement of dances, though he denied any previous experience. The instructor really wanted to see Ilena dance, and encouraged Obi to continue taking lessons beyond what Ilena was practicing. Obi thought to reject the offer, then remembered Shirayuki's feet and Lord Aiden's recommendation, and thought better of it. Besides, he was actually enjoying himself.
After lunch, Obi and Ilena met Zen and Shirayuki in the Rose office in their formal guard uniforms finally able to stand behind her again to follow Shirayuki for the early afternoon meeting. This time the group was headed for the large audience hall the Lord's Court had been held in. Zen had called for a gathering of the court so he could announce his selection of his bride.
It really wasn't a surprise to anyone when Zen presented Shirayuki as his intended. He announced it proudly and firmly and she stood with her head held high in confidence and kept her demeanor calm and graceful. Zen also announced the date for the official proceedings as twelve days from then, which everyone agreed was a rather short amount of time. Then they turned and called Ilena and Obi forward and announced that they had approved the union of Baron Obi and Director Ilena. Obi surprised Ilena by asking Zen to raise her to the rank of Baroness, which he did with a bit of a wry grin, granting her the right to her badge - the gold falcon in flight on a background of black and green.
On their way back, Ilena's reaction to Obi was similar to the lord's. The ones who had been on her blacklist earlier had felt vindicated that she had been tied to her keeper, but couldn't understand why he would consider her worthy of titling, unless it was to give her a goal towards which to work. The lord's who were favorable towards her felt her title was justified and decided that it was a pretty obvious thing that the two had gotten together. After all, Ilena had been sweet on Obi since she'd been rescued by him, hadn't she?
Ilena waited until they were alone in the evening after dinner to ask her questions. She had acquired a fine bottle of wine and poured him a glass, standing at one of the tall side tables used for serving from. She handed it to him respectfully, then began to pour herself one, when suddenly Obi's arms were around her preventing her, reaching for her glass with one hand and the bottle with the other. She held still, stiffening slightly.
"Are you really going to change your own rule now?" Obi asked her in her ear as he poured.
"Ah, I thought I should be practicing being a proper wife, now that it is official," Ilena said, "and you've asked me to pleasantly drink with you, or I wouldn't have poured it at all, I suppose."
Obi put the bottle down and put his hand on the table, trapping her. "Ilena, you've been quiet all afternoon, and now you are pouring wine with your own hands. What is it?" He set her glass down and put his arm around her shoulders holding her to him.
"I can't?" she asked him.
"Mmm, when we have company and it is appropriate for the Baroness to hostess, you may, but you shouldn't force yourself otherwise. I am perfectly content to do it, after all."
Ilena was quiet for a moment. "If that is what you wish, then. I was thinking of offering a toast, though."
"Hoooh? Is that what it was?" Obi breathed on her ear as he turned to nuzzle her.
"Isn't it a night to celebrate even a little?"
Obi tightened his grip on her just a little. "If you actually felt like celebrating it would be, but I don't think you are quite that yet."
"Well, I would have gotten there, except that you have interrupted me."
"Ah, is that so?" Obi held her just a little longer, then let her go with his arm to pick up her glass and place it in her hand. Once it was placed in her hand, he stood away from her, picked up his glass and took her arm to lead her back to the couch. When she was seated, he held up his glass. "And what is our toast?"
Ilena shook her head and indicated the couch next to her. "Come and sit Obi. As I said, I need to get there still."
Obi's eyes flashed with vindication in his understanding, but then he looked a little confused. "We are not playing now, is it?"
Ilena looked at him with a bit of a grin to lighten the mood a little as he sat next to her. "No, Obi. It's hard for me to do that when I don't know what role to play."
He looked at her in surprise. "Don't know?"
Ilena took a sip of her drink, then noticed she'd done it and set down the glass deliberately. She looked Obi in the eye. "Obi, why did you chose to gift me your title?"
Obi looked at her in some confusion. "Why shouldn't I?"
"It seems to me," Ilena said carefully, "that I have not earned it?"
Obi blinked at her. "Earned…," he muttered as he put his hand to his head, trying to figure out how to answer her. "Why should Ilena have to earn it?" he asked her. When she looked surprised and nearly as confused as he felt, he tried it differently. "What does Ilena think she would have to do to earn it?" Then he paused, "...but even that is not right." He could see it was so, because she still didn't have an answer for that question either. If she had, she wouldn't have asked the question in the first place. He put his glass down and put his head in his hands, thinking very hard.
"Is it because we've played too many parts?" he asked himself, more in a mutter, as he tried to separate out the germ of the problem. He turned to her, but his eyes were still focused on the problem. "Ilena, underneath all the parts we play, the faces we show to each other and those around us, there is still just Obi and just Ilena, yes?"
"Ah, I suppose?" Ilena said a bit doubtfully.
Obi shook his head. "Not suppose. You are being just Ilena now."
Ilena leaned back with a frown between her brows and crossed her arms, now also considering his meaning. She nodded her head finally. "I guess I see it."
"Guess?! Is it so hard to just be Ilena?" His eyebrows shot up.
Ilena looked uncomfortable, then perhaps a little sorrowful. "Obi, I do not have the luxury very often to relax. ...and perhaps,...when I'm in this state, I feel most lost and uncomfortable with myself? I'm not sure of what ...direction to go?"
His eyebrows stayed up and his mouth opened in surprise. "Ah…." He closed his mouth and shook his head. He put his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand, looking off into space. "Mmm, it is like what you are for Master - a place he can just be Master, because you understand where he stands." He looked at her out of the corners of his eyes. Ilena thought a moment, then nodded. "Obi has been this for Master and Mistress for a long time now, when they can relax." He tipped his head to look at her. "Even if Ilena is uncomfortable with it, I like the relaxed Ilena."
Ilena's eyebrows shot up and she stared at him for moment, then she put one hand to her eyes. When the silence went on just a little too long, Obi reached out and took her two little fingers on the other hand in his first two fingers. When her fingers tightened on his, he tugged at them just a little, trying to draw her out. She finally put her hand down, then leaned on her elbows, still holding on to his fingers. It was a very male pose for her to take, but still seemed completely natural for her. He smiled to see it. She was trying hard to understand.
Ilena finally looked up at him. "So you gifted the title to me because you like me?"
Obi smiled at her. "No, I married you because I like you. I gifted the title to you because I also love you and want you to walk with me."
"Haah." She rested her chin on her free hand, tipping to see his eyes. "Obi, that is a very romantic thing to say to a young woman's heart." Obi's eyes danced. "Do you really like me?"
"At the first, I wasn't sure, but the more I came to understand Ilena, the more there was to like. I do like you."
"Isn't that difficult?"
Obi raised one eyebrow. "I suppose it is good that you recognize you are difficult, but you are not difficult to like."
Ilena had a mixed expression of disbelief and a happy smile that was very funny to see. "...I think only Obi and a few others might say that."
Obi shook his head. "I think many people like Ilena, but if you're uncomfortable with being a relaxed Ilena, perhaps it is you who is not sure whether to like yourself?"
Ilena looked at him, then dropped her eyes. After a few breaths of silence she looked back up. "Would it be okay if for now I just trusted Obi?"
Obi smiled gently at her. "Yes." He pressed the fingers he was holding encouragingly. Her eyes wandered after a moment, but he wasn't done. He tipped his head at her again. "Ilena." She looked at him again. "When I say I want you to walk with me, I mean this Ilena that is just Ilena. When we are together, I want us to be able to relax and just be present to each other. Because there are so many different faces we must show, it is important that we make the time to rest together." He smiled gently again. "Perhaps because you need the practice it is even more important."
Ilena looked at him, then sat up with a sigh. "I think you will have to remind me, or to tell me explicitly when that is what you want. I will naturally seek the face I believe should be shown in the moment."
Obi nodded. "I know. That is part of Ilena. I will help you. When I say to you that I want my Lady wife, this is who I'm asking for."
Ilena's eyes widened. "Oh, is that what it is?"
"Yes," Obi nodded again.
Ilena reached for her glass and picked it up. She held it in her hand expectantly until Obi also picked his back up from the table. She raised her glass to him. "To becoming friends," she said, her eyes serious.
Obi smiled, his eyes crinkling up at the corners. "To becoming friends," he agreed and lightly touched his glass to hers.
They drank to the toast, and Ilena's eyes went to his again. "I think if I am drinking with a friend, it is more enjoyable," she said.
Obi looked at her as a pleased grin came to his face. He gave a nod, rose, and fetched the wine bottle. Bringing it to the couch, he topped her glass off, then topped his own off before setting it on the table close to him. They didn't count the number of drinks that evening as they enjoyed each other's company, but they also chose to still keep it to only one bottle.
-o-o-o-
The next eight days were very busy around the castle as the staff scrambled to be ready for the arrival of the King. Cleaning, scrubbing, airing out the wing reserved for him and his household that would come. Ordering of food and early preparation of it if possible. These were only the beginning of what the servants and staff had to do. Shirayuki had lessons from the castle staff on what it would mean to be a princess of the kingdom from when she could knight whom and how, to what regalia would be worn when and why, to how to stand on the dais (or sit) and where for each official and informal function. There was a lot to learn, again in a short amount of time. Because Ilena needed to learn it as well, she attended all of the lessons with Shirayuki as her aide, learning it without the instructors knowing they actually had two students. It helped they were both taking the lessons together as they were able to study together outside of the lesson time as well.
For the Department of Intelligence, meaning Obi for the most part as Ilena let it be another training period for him as well, it meant making sure the security of the castle would be sufficient. That meant first letting go all the prisoners taken during the assassination attempts. Obi let the lords go first, thanking them for their patience, but they had all been banned from the castle and should return to their homes, preferably with all their households as well. When he had confirmed that the last one had stepped outside the castle gates, he opened the door to the other cell. "You know what you need to do," he told the assassins. Watching him warily, they were off and also out of the castle. The head start was not sufficient for most of the lords, but a few managed to end up dead in bed that night instead of on the way home.
Obi visited with the Lieutenants and they made sure to confirm that the registry desks in all the city had listed that no order should be taken against the castle. That night, in all the places the assassins were hiding to drink their sorrows and fear away, someone came up to them and asked them to tell some of their stories, sharing in their misery and buying them drink. Once they had told the story at the castle, so that all within the establishment knew they had been one of the assassins taken by the Queen and released, even if they warned the others away, every one was found dead the next morning, and the word went out that the Queen was showing no mercy for breaching her house.
When that word made its way back into the castle, many blanched and slunk out. A few of those were also found dead after they had also admitted to trying to get gain from within the castle until all of the night city, and eventually all of the land under her domain, understood that the Queen had only allowed a temporary incursion into her house and only because the King had required it. For some time, if ever anyone commented that the castle had become weak, the whole of the room blanched and moved away from the commenter and that man was found dead the next morning. It wasn't always by the hand of the Queen, either, as there were those who would do it because they would kill their own mother and that person was now an acceptable target. While all of this went on long after the King had come and gone, it had worked sufficiently well by the time the King came, the Queen of Knight was satisfied.