Chapter 50: A chance

Reply to 'Another Guest of': Good to know that it gives you chills. Yes, I'm very sorry, but the updates are going to go on like this. Yes, I did say in one of my past notes that I might have to end this story soon, it's just that I was very frustrated during that time with this story. And honestly, I've been thinking the same. Thank you for your words.

Reply to lemons0202: Honestly, I think if he had found out, he would have probably brought down the whole castle. But in any case, Izana just wanted to use Zen's love for Shirayuki to investigate things himself, that's why. I hope this answers your question.

And thank all of you for your reviews/comments.

Happy 50th chapter!

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"So, how was it? What did she say about my condition?" Shirayuki asked intensively.

"Nothing much, just said that there might still be a chance," Zen answered with a little smile on his face. The amazing glimpse of happiness on Shirayuki's lips made him smile even more.

"Still a chance..." Shirayuki whispered as she patted Zehel on his back then looked back at Zen. "Looks like your prayer has been answered."

Zen chuckled and his eyes averted to Shirayuki's legs. It was deformed with bruises and marks of the chemical. "Point of correction, sweetheart, our prayers." He then stood up from his chair and kissed her soft lips. "And you will turn into a baby learning how to walk." Shirayuki laughed at her imaginations of her being instructed how to take her first step. "Unfortunately, my time is running, I have to go."

"Come on, Zehel," Zen called out to his son, who was strongly, with his miniature strength, holding onto his mother. Zen had to resume to his work and his son was not biding it. It was unclear to him: did his son realize his mother had gone missing for over a month, and missed her so badly, that today, the first time in a while, he cuddles her so hard for minutes.

The door slowly opened.

"I-I am sorry. Please forgive me. I didn't know I was interrupting." Alyne kept her head low with an apologetic look on her face with her hands holding a tray of water and a glass.

"It's alright," Zen responded without looking at Alyne's face intensively trying to loosen up his son from his mother's care.

"Zehel!" Zen stated sternly at the boy who had his arms around Shirayuki. He realized that Zehel was starting to loosen up his arms. He took him from her neck, realized the tears from his earlier sobs and brought him to his chest to comfort him.

"I will see you in the evening," Zen calmly informed and Shirayuki responded with a nod. He then leaned in kissed her cheeks. "Let's go, Laila." His hands held his daughters palm for support, so she can peacefully walk without falling.

Alyne placed the tray on a small table beside Shirayuki. "I was to come early, but I thought I was being followed, so I took a different route."

"Not a problem. I perfectly understand."

And Shirayuki really did understand.

No one wasn't supposed to know where she was. Just a few knew. It's been a week since the incident of finding out about the nurse and her nurse. According to Zen, she was tortured and punished, but she refused to give any informative information till she killed herself a few days ago.

Shirayuki was soon transferred from her hiding place to the main castle, where she's more secure. Rumours started to bloom of Shirayuki's sudden disappearance, despite thinking everything was in control, and without a choice, Zen informed that Shirayuki has been caught in the winter seasonal flu and needed a long-time rest.

Out of her maids, only Alyne knew that Shirayuki isn't suffering from seasonal flu rather, but from an accident. She trusted Alyne. Not that Cora or Suki weren't as reliable, but they already had responsibilities to fulfill and having them know might unintentionally spark a slander from their mouths of the situation. Alyne is responsible for making sure all her drugs are intact, been taken and help Shirayuki in the restroom.

"I brought you water," Alyne suggested, already pouring the water.

Shirayuki wasn't very thirsty, but she still drank the water offered by Alyne.

"Want more?"

Shirayuki was about to object when she realized Alyne had already poured a quarter of the water into the glass. So Shirayuki just drank it and gestured for her not to pour any more.

As they talk about her health progress, Alyne realized Shirayuki was talking less and less.

"You need to rest. You seem really tired." Alyne settled her better on the bed in her room.

She was all alone with her Lady. Her hands moved around Shirayuki's body till her hands reached Shirayuki's deformed legs. "Poor Princess. How worthless you look now. Get better soon." Alyne got up to the door and looked back at the sleeping woman. "I hope you can also survive."

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"You no longer knock?"

"Why would I?" Mitsuhide answered vividly.

Obi quickly put on a nearby attire to cover himself.

Mitsuhide watched as his friend rapidly put on a tunic to cover his upper body. "I received a complaint that you've been groaning and growling in pains during nights and even during daytime." He realized the light frown on Obi, but continued sternly, "For I know, your chest only hurts when you force it. So tell me, what have you done to it?"

Obi looked back at Mitsuhide, ready to defend himself. "I don't force it. It happens."

Mitsuhide raised his eyebrows with disbelief. "It happens, yet you've missed your check-ups four times in a row, argued you've not been having no aches in your chest, lungs, not even heartburns, and not been taking your medications and pills. Obi, you are playing your heart, and you can die!" He tried keeping his voice low, but he was filled with so much rage with his friend's carelessness. "So tell me, what have you been doing outside the castle between two and five a.m.?"

Mitsuhide realized it. His friend was not ready for such a question, but he knew it; nothing is secret under the eyes of the turquoise-haired man.

"It won't help you, Obi. Leaving the castle to find someone you've never met, never seen before. Totally useless!"

"At the least, it's worth it. I'm trying to find more evidence and tracks. Something worth my time. What of you? You let the enemy run around while you could prevent a death of our Prince's wife all in the name of 'because His Majesty needs someone from the inner circle'," Obi spluttered back his voice with so much frustration of being caught in his actions.

Mitsuhide wouldn't lie, Obi was right. "But no imbecile would do something like that at this moment. Alyne is definitely not an imbecile woman, she's very intelligent and knows what she wants, and how she wants it. Ending Shirayuki would be obvious who is responsible."

"Think whatever you want of my actions towards Shirayuki and keeping it secret from Zen about Alyne and even from the King himself, but yours is between life and death." Mitsuhide then pointed his index finger at his friend. "You're not a child, Obi, you know what to do. Playing with your health won't solve anything that's happened in the past. If you don't change, I will inform Zen, and you know what he's going to do." He sighed, relieved of getting his emotions spat out. Then said in a calm, yet in an undercover tone, "Attend with me today at supper. I've got a secret to tell you."