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So I'm back in college/university where I'm essentially drowning in the social life and classes. But hopefully I can get parts done slowly but they will be written and out, promise! Please leave me lots of reviews, it makes me so curious what you all think about my writing and if you guys are actually enjoying this silly story I'm writing (ya know, because I need reassurance). Thank you all for the support and just following/favoriting this story, it makes me smile lots!

FIFTY-THREE - Make Happy with The Princess

10 Days Until The Wedding

The sun beckons everyone to be awoken, shining at its absolute peak with a heatwave ensuing.

Barely felt are the soft tremors of Kiki's boots as she walks down a corridor. She's of a laser today, seeing as a good night's rest proved to be required. Her uniform fit her overly well today, with no wrinkle to be seen after pressing it herself at dawn when she woke up. With her sword swallowed by the sheith hitting her hip, she walks with the intent to tell the Prince what she was to tell him before she had suddenly felt sick from thought.

But what had made things interesting was that Kiki felt someone closeby, as if following her. To make it more interesting, she didn't feel threatened. So she blonde aide halts, awaiting for whoever it was to show themselves and spill their intentions with trailing her. But she immediately hears the klinking of familiar steps come behind her, having her turn and immediately bow.

"Your Highness," Kiki emits quietly, eyes focused down on the cleaned floor. Izana stands straight before her, his taunting smirk painted on his lips as his blue eyes attempt to burn through her.

"I must admit," Izana begins, "your senses are truly beyond those that have dedicated their entire lives to be like canines."

"I'm not sure to take that as a compliment or an offense," Kiki quietly replies, standing up straight once more to meet eyes with him. "Are you calling me a dog, Your Highness?"

"I'm not," Izana begins adamantly, "I wouldn't even think of you that way. You misinterpreted me- and I apologize for that. You just have a brilliant skill for detection and it makes me content that someone like you resides in our kingdom to protect my dearest little brother."

Kiki raises a brow at this. What is he plotting? "Well, thank you very much for your kind words, Your Highness. No need to apologize, as I'd forgive you either way."

Izana nods with a satisfied smile, "are you off to see my brother? You seemed to be headed somewhere with great haste."

"I actually am in great haste," Kiki admits, "I was to do something last night that I couldn't due to falling ill."

Izana watches her curiously, "you fell ill, Miss Kiki? That's unfortunate to hear." His dark blue eyes eye her up and down before locking on hers again. "It's good to see that you're doing well this morning."

Kiki nods, "yes, sickness doesn't come to me often, but I do my best to shake it off as promptly as possible. My duty is to serve the Wistaria Family for as long and efficiently as I can."

"Good," Izana grins. "You're off to tell my little brother something? Might I know what it inquires?"

Kiki wants to be hesitant and ask why, but she's in no position to hide secrets from her superior. Not that it's a big secret, but she isn't sure how Zen would take this information if Izana is to replay it for him himself. "The Prince has requested for Obi to send one more wedding invitation and Shirayuki has requested to go with him."

"Shirayuki wants to go? For what reason?"

"The invitation is for General Mukaze of the Mountain Lions," Kiki informs. "And Shirayuki would like to go see her father so it seemed more efficient and productive this way as Obi would have to go with her anyways as her guard."

Izana slid his tongue along his teeth. Opportunity, he thinks to himself. "That sounds valid enough. How about I inform him of this trip and you and Mitsuhide will watch Obi and Shirayuki off? I give full consent to this trip."

Kiki raises her eyebrow. He's going to stress Zen out, isn't he? Kiki sighs mentally. But Zen knows she's not allowed to keep secrets from the royal figures, especially the eldest son and King of the Wistal Kingdom. "Sounds just. Shall we?"

Izana gestures before her, signalling for her to go ahead to find Obi and Shirayuki. As she walks, Izana couldn't help but gently bite his tongue.


"Kiki, where's the Prince?"

Shirayuki's curious and innocent voice came into the air as she locked eyes with the mentioned aid. She and Obi were standing at the front of the castle, where the usual guards stood to watch over the castle as well as whoever enters and exits the area. Kiki and Mitsuhide stood closer to the steps leading up to the castle, but were still by Shirayuki and Obi.

"He's tending to things with Lord Izana," Kiki informs, her heart somewhat sinking from the vague truth. Mitsuhide was surprised from hearing this as well as the two travelers soon to be off. She could see the worry in Shirayuki's eyes, the somewhat skepticism that nothing is exactly how it's supposed to be. "So he requested for Mitsuhide and I to watch you off."

Shirayuki and Obi couldn't help but raise a brow, curious as to why Zen hadn't been the one to see them off. It's understood that he must attend duties with his sibling, but he's always been one to ensure that he sees his staff off whenever assigned to do something. It's just a personal relief for him and allows him to feel at ease.

"I guess we'll be off then?" Obi begins, with nothing but his usual outfit as well as the knives that are constantly on his body. He places a hand on Shirayuki's head, having her blush a bit. "Ready, Mistress?"

"Of course," she says quietly, her favorite white hood covering her beautiful apple locks as they bow before the two aides. Mitsuhide and Kiki return the bow, smiling at the two contently.

"Before you go," Mitsuhide begins. He puts his hand heavily on Obi's shoulder, having the amber eyes meet the brown ones in shock. "Can we talk?"

Obi stares at Shirayuki and Kiki, the both of them just as curious before staring back at Mitsuhide, "of course."

The two peel away from the group, a distance just far enough that the ladies can't hear them. This has Kiki and Shirayuki eyeing them, but they still had exchanged words in regards of the trip. Obi brushes back a bit of his black locks with his lanky fingers, feeling almost anxious by this random talk with Mitsuhide. And Mitsuhide looks serious, meaning Obi can't risk dropping any clever or humorous remarks that could agitate him.

"Is everything well, Mister Mitsuhide?" Obi begins lowly, his amber eyes darkening as he stared up into the oak ones.

"Everything is fine," Mitsuhide relieves, having Obi's shoulders untense, "I just wanted to know how you're feeling, considering who you're about to meet."

Obi froze.

Last night as his lover slept sound beside him, Obi didn't obtain a wink of sleep. The man had been stuck in his mind, thinking about his trip over to his lovers father to bear him news without really knowing how he'll react. Would he have preferred a Prince to care for his daughter rather than a retired criminal? Even if he receives the blessing, will he be able to protect Shirayuki the way Zen once did?

It makes sense why Mitsuhide is asking how he's feeling, considering these facts and how anxious it has made Obi. He's terrified to meet Shirayuki's father and they haven't talked enough about it to make him the least bit confident. But he knows he must prove himself worthy for her- not only for Shirayuki but for himself. She's the only woman he'll accept, whether anybody likes it or not.

"I could be better," Obi admits, feeling his face pale slightly from his own words. "It's something I had to confront at some point. I might as well do so now."

"But delayed would have been preferred," Mitsuhide rings, having Obi contemplate for a moment before nodding slowly. Mitsuhide grins, "I know what that's like. Kiki's father, Lord Seiran, wants absolutely nothing to do with me."

Obi almost snorts but keeps it in, knowing that Mitsuhide is probably slightly bothered with it. "But at least you own a respectable title that you've earned." Obi's eyes dim, having Mitsuhide attempt to catch them once more. "I'm the equivalent of a pet to the Master."

"You don't give yourself enough credit," Mitsuhide immediately starts. He pats his shoulder again and gives him a light squeeze, "you're one of the strongest people that have come to the castle. Not only have you assisted magnitudes in regards of violent missions, but you've also grown to be a reliant person as a guard and a friend."

Mitsuhide faces in straight, both hands on both of his strong shoulders. Obi looks up at him again, pupils dilating in wonder. "You are worthy of being loved, Obi," Mitsuhide assures with a warm smile, "and you are allowed to love others- just don't display it to me so much."

Obi's pupils thin right then and there, his amber orbs almost sparkling at Mitsuhide's genuine words. "How can I not kiss you then if you're saying those sweet words to me?"

Mitsuhide immediately pushed him away, having Obi emit a chuckle as Mitsuhide rolled his eyes. He stands straight once more, "this is why I should keep from even attempting to give you pep talks."

"But my heart aches for your kind words!" Obi dramatically insists, pressing his hands to his chest. The ladies watch the commotion, with Shirayuki cupping her mouth to keep from laughing loudly while Kiki simply smirked.

Mitsuhide rolls his eyes once more and flicks Obi's forehead, "get out of here already."

"As you wish," Obi obliges sweetly, bowing unnecessarily before him. Mitsuhide shoves his shoulder as they walked back to the ladies, a permanent smirk playing about Obi's lips. Shirayuki smiles up warmly at her lover, content that the seemingly serious conversation ended with their playful banter. Kiki and Mitsuhide notice this and smile at the two.

"Should you be back by nightfall?" Kiki asks quietly, having Obi bite his bottom lip in thought.

"Roughly," Obi replies, "But knowing where we're going, it might be a bit dangerous. We should hopefully be back before dusk but if we do take longer, you shouldn't be worried." Obi glances fondly over at Shirayuki and grins, "I'll be sure to take extra precautions to ensure she returns without a scratch."

Kiki rolls her eyes and flicks Obi's forehead, "I'm more worried about you than her. Be back by morning, the latest." Obi chuckles before nodding, with Shirayuki seconding the gesture. Mitsuhide and Kiki smile contently before Kiki points to the gates. "We'll be seeing you two shortly."

"Without a doubt," Obi insists, looking over at Shirayuki with lax smile. "Shall we, Mistress?"

"Lead the way," Shirayuki giggles, waving one last goodbye to their friends before they begin their trek over to see Shirayuki's father.

As the two find themselves into the distance, Kiki couldn't help but turn to look up at Zen's quarters. Her face expressed worry as Mitsuhide placed his hand on her head gently. "Something wrong?"

"That 'tending' that I had mentioned," Kiki says quietly, "I don't trust it." Her eyes dulled, watching the balcony of her Prince's office as she tugged at her bottom lip. "I don't trust it one bit."

"Why?" Mitsuhide looked curiously, his face now drowning in similar worry. "What happened, Kiki?"

"I didn't get permission from Zen," Kiki replies quietly. "There's only one other person I could get permission from and I think you know who that is."


"Lord Brother, I don't have the time to talk right now!" Zen spews, his hand scribbling quickly with a quill between his fingers and ink tainting the parchment before him.

Zen wasn't sat in his chair while doing this. He was standing up with his back bent in order to resume writing his signatures. But he was in a rush, and he did not need his brother to come around to start a serious discussion with him about who knows what could be relevant at this time.

"Why are you in such a hurry, little brother?" Izana wonders, pretending to be a fool with brows raised and eyes gushing with curiosity. Zen scribbles out one last signature, ignoring his sibling for mere seconds before tossing the quill aside and gathering all the scrolls.

"I'm to see Obi off," Zen announces while practically jogging over to his over small, night stand-like table. He carefully places the scrolls there, "he's delivering a letter by my request so I am to see him off and wish him safe return." Zen breezes towards the door but Izana makes him halt.

Izana raises one hand, his cloak sliding off with ease, "there's no need."

Of course he's done something, Zen thinks. He would have never cared to stop me otherwise. "What do you mean 'there's no need'?"

Izana smirks, one always so malicious and full of mischievous. "I had found myself meeting Kiki on my way towards you. She had informed me of the trip Obi was taking and was off to request permission from you."

Zen raises his brow right then, looking up to allow his white wisps of hair to flow back. "Permission for what exactly? I requested for Obi to deliver this letter."

The King doesn't dare falter his smile, "it would appear that she was requesting permission upon Shirayuki's request to join Obi on his assignment."

Zen's heart dropped.

"She's off with Obi… to see her father as well?" Zen asked, his throat becoming more dense. Izana nods, flipping the switch for the air to suddenly become even thicker. The young Prince felt that he was not breathing properly, as if the atmosphere shifted upon his brothers command.

"It isn't right for her not to," Izana continues, "seeing as Obi is bearing news that regards her."

Zen was annoyed. No- he was beyond annoyed. He was pissed.

His brother always has to show up and do something for his life to spiral more into chaos than it already is. It's like he's purposely making his life hell for the joy of it rather than assisting his growth into becoming the leader of people to who look up to him and his family. All Zen had wanted was to be happy with the right person and ensure that his people would not have to worry about a single thing. But now here's his brother, presenting himself to be more of a pain than usual.

"Even then, I have something more important that you should be doing."

Zen meets his brothers eyes, blue orbs icy at the glare. "What do you want?"

"I need you to spend time with your Princess."

Zen looks up, pupils expanding as he frowns, "you want me to go be with Elizabeth?"

"You two are in a rather fragile state right now," Izana brings up, refreshing Zen's memory of his scolding to her. "I understand that what she did was disrespectful to not only our people, but to us as well. But she is to be the Princess of Clarines, and we should not leave things between you to be so harsh. Especially when the two of you have yet to be wedded."

Zen grits his teeth harshly, but he knows that his brother is right. Zen can despise this woman all he wants for all that she's done so far, but he knows that he can't stay mad at her. He must make peace, since this is the woman he's to spend the rest of his days with. And it's not only for him but for his people, his brother.

His mother.

Letting his shoulders loose, Zen swallows forcefully and nods. "As you wish, Lord Brother."