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Chapter 52: Truths

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After everything happened, Shirayuki asked Mitsuhide and Obi if they could clear out Alyne's space and inspect if they can find out anything suspicious, especially from her bedroom. They agreed, but Obi indirectly insisted on escorting Shirayuki to Izana, which Shirayuki didn't resist. Shirayuki and Obi left Mitsuhide and they departed.

Shirayuki felt the coldness accompanied by shivering despite walking through the inside halls, avoiding the cold winter weather. It's been close to months since they have been alone together after the invasion. For them being alone together like this, it just brought back the memories both are hoping to forget. Especially for Obi. He was to protect her, but he didn't. He couldn't. And he regrets it.

"I heard a controversy about your health."Shirayuki, step by step, slowed down her pace of walking, intentionally waiting up for Obi, who was behind her. "How are your injuries? I also heard about your break-downs."

Obi's horizontal wrinkles appear on his forehead with slight frustration about something he would have loved for Mitsuhide to keep it to himself. "You know about it?"

Shirayuki smiled, despite being brokenhearted of being the reason her lady Alyne might not witness the end of the month. "You mean, I indirectly warned you about your escapades?"

Obi's eyebrows curved. "I never knew you knew."

"I caught you one night creeping yourself out of the castle. I just promptly informed Mitsuhide to warn you and pay an attentive attention to your movements."

With Shirayuki at Obi's side, he could still see Shirayuki limbing lightly on her leg. It was obvious to him Shirayuki was tired and barely had any energy left. But she had been called by Izana for a quick talk before Shirayuki can rest after a hectic and frenetic night.

She continued, "What did you discover? And I assume you have evidence, too."

He scraped his hair. "Nothing much. Just found out where the main base of Lord X's assassins. I do believe there are other smaller bases around Wistal. Since I couldn't have recalled everything they said, I recorded it."

"Amusing. Thank you very much for your efforts, despite being in pain to get such informative information. Shirayuki turned and faced Obi. She put her hand on his cheek. "I mean it, Obi. You might feel hesitant about it, but without you, this moment won't be happening." She leaned in and kissed Obi's cheek. "I am much obliged."

Obi watched as Shirayuki walked away. He leaned in one of the pillars thinking about everything from the start as he waited for Shirayuki outside the door.

"Your Majesty," Shirayuki greeted with a low bow, feeling a sharp pain in her neck. She could still feel Alyne's cold hands on her neck, like she never took them away.

"After nearly two years of being married to my brother, you still refer to me as that?" He had given her a solid permission to call him by his name. "Which part of my name is difficult? The consonants or the vowels?"

Shirayuki couldn't help, but smile. She wasn't sure, though, if it was merely a joke or not as she could not really analyze his face well. Izana's gestured for her to take a seat, which she happily accepted. He gesticulated if she would like to share his wine with him. She instantly declines the offer in a gentle way and thanks him. He puts his bottle of wine on a small table beside him and he sits down.

"I perceived your lady got herself a death penalty." Izana took a long sip of his red wine. "Authentically, It was quite unexpected."

"Neither did I. But with the way everything set, I believe she was pressured."

Izana poured himself another full glass of red wine. "Your next court lady, who will permanently replace the previous, will arrive tomorrow." He realized her upper eyelids raise to open her eyes wider by the guess of how fast everything is proceeding.

Shirayuki nodded. "Obi informed that Lord X has more operators than we anticipated. I will visit Alyne tomorrow for the last time before she is no more. I would like to use that moment to know things from her."

"Permitted, as long as Zen approves."

Izana took the last sip and poured another drink for himself, which starts to concern Shirayuki and upsets about the percentage of alcohol in his drink. The height of the bottle and even name could tell the alcohol percentage is high.

He sighed. "I'm quite elated you're still respirating."

"All thanks to you. And your plans worked very well, just as you predicted." Shirayuki smiled.

Izana suddenly raises his eyebrow. "Come again?"

"Mitsuhide told me. Everything. Some unspoken secrets, too, unfortunately."

"Aish, too bad."

"Very." She flexed the muscles at the sides of her mouth. They talked and talked till Shirayuki was satisfied with what she really really came to see Izana for. She got up from her hair like a clumsy child standin up. "Excuse me." Shirayuki left the room.

They saw Mitsuhide on their way back, heading to where they are coming from. It was a cold night, and Shirayuki looked so pale. Mitsuhide showed them some letters and pictures.

"These symbols on these letters belong to Lord X's organization. Meaning Alyne unmistakenly received letters from them."

"The pictures?" Shirayuki asked.

"There are, so far, only five pictures." Mitsuhide showed them.

But Shirayuki averted her eyes when the last three pictures were of a naked couple in a middle of a sexual intercourse. "What's this?"

Mitsuhide arranged them back in his hands. "I'm not quiet sure. In one of the letters says of exposing these pictures and disgracing Alyne."

Everything was starting to confuse again for Shirayuki. But one thing was for sure. The woman in those pictures were definitely not Alyne.

Shirayuki thanked Mitsuhide and told him to inform Izana about all these. She also thanked Obi for accompanying her and he retired.

Shirayuki was nervous. As she opened the door, she realized he is staring at the door. When she starts moving quietly, he still follows her with his eyes. "Welcome. I've been waiting."

She walked up to him. "Ze-

"I already know. No need for explanations."

Shirayuki looked down, a bit nervous from the way Zen was looking at her. "Izana intentionally gave me a direct warning of telling you anything."

"Shirayuki," Zen scratched his forehead. "Of course, I know that. But you could have said something. But I guess he wanted you to solve everything alone. Without my help. That's why he even refused to tell me where you were at first. He didn't want to give me hope so that when you manage to wake up, you can solve the matter yourself, while he keeps me away from you."

"You understand. So that means you are no longer angry."

"I never was, honestly. I'm actually proud. Very proud of you. And that you survived from being strangled." Zen smiled. "But, I'm still only this bit angry." Zen portrayed with his fingers how angry he was with Shirayuki. "For not telling me. I could have kept it secret if you wanted."

"Of course, you would've kept quiet." Shirayuki laughed. But soon faded out, then her eyes became sad. "Tomorrow, I will visit Alyne."

Zen shrugged. "Definitely, just be careful."

Suddenly, Zen pulled Shirayuki into his arms and buried his face in her neck. She was frozen by his instant action, but she embraced his warmness and his scent, one of the things she missed most. The warm breeze from his breath gave her chills. Nothing could describe how they were feeling right that moment.

"I'm sorry." Zen said with a low voice. Like he was about to cry. He hugged her even tighter. "I wasn't there when everything happened. The castle wasn't shielded enough from such a cheap invasion. I'm sorry I didn't do much when you first told me that you were being followed. Please forgive me."

"It's alright. Everything is settled now. There's nothing to apologize for."

Zen kissed her lips which later turned into an intense yet romantic kiss. Then pecked her forehead. Shirayuki instantly limbs back like she was falling, but was caught by Zen before she falls to the ground. Her body was getting colder and became pale. He tried shaking her for her to move, but nothing. She wasn't responding to his shouts. Not even a single reaction.