-CHAPTER TWO-
"Miss, you don't need to go." He walks alongside her, concerned.
She shakes her head, determined. "I need to see it for myself."
"That's a terrible idea, Miss." He shakes his head as she continues forward, seeming to disregard his warning. His chest tightens and he stops. "Zen doesn't want you to go, Miss," He tries again, his tone challenging her determination.
The other night he and Zen spoke of the matter at hand. Zen was regretful but honest. He did intend to take a bride and Izana intended to make him announce, publicly at the banquette. Zen was adamant that he didn't want Shirayuki anywhere near the event. But Obi knowing her far better knew that if she was determined to get to the bottom of something then nothing would stand in the way of it. He only hoped she would come to her senses and realize how badly this could go for her.
She hesitates, biting down on her bottom lip. She seems to consider this, but the thought only seems to provoke her more. "I'm going, Obi."
Obi frowns, watching her march into the study hall. He rubs the back of his neck, quietly mulling over what a terrible idea this is. This whole situation was bad news. Sighing in defeat he enters the room behind her, moving to the secluded spot in the study hall where he can watch over her. He finds Ryuu with his nose stuffed in a book, surrounded by vials of herbs.
At his presence, Ryuu raises his head. "Is it true?" He asks quietly.
Obi glances down at him.
"About Prince Zen..."
Obi frowns and averts his gaze. He nods.
Ryuu frowns and looks toward Shirayuki, across the room, plucking fresh herbs from the small planter boxes. Her brows pulled together as she gives her undivided attention towards her work, instead of dwelling.
So like her. Obi thinks with a sympathetic sigh.
Shirayuki approaches the head herbalist, her books clenched tightly against her chest. "Miss Midori," She addresses.
The woman tilts her head up from her work and looks at Shirayuki with interest. "Yes, Shirayuki?"
Her hands tighten around her books. "I received an invitation from King Izana to go to Clarines for the banquette."
Midori raises her head, glancing at Shirayuki with surprise. "You intend to go?" She asks, dumbfounded.
Shirayuki's hands curl to fists at her sides. A spark of determination flutters through her. "Yes, Ma'am."
"I see..." Midori says, looking back to her work with sympathy for the poor girl. It was no secret among those who have worked in Clarines that Prince Zen and Shirayuki were somewhat of an item. Although few people knew or noticed. "Very well, just return soon after because we have a lot to do if we are going to be prepared for winter."
Shirayuki nods and lowers her head respectfully. "Thank you."
She meets Obi outside the study hall, wondering to herself where he had disappeared to earlier. One moment he was beside Ryuu and the next he was gone. She glances at him, noting the fresh snow on his clothes and hair before looking ahead of them. They walk in silence, the air around them still lingers with tension from their previous conversation. Obi rubs the back of his neck, uninterested in being on her bad side.
Finally, letting out a breath of defeat he says, "Alright Miss." She glances over at him, stopping only a few paces ahead.
"Although I don't think you should go, I will escort you." He lowers his head respectfully before flickering his gaze toward her's. "If you'll allow me to, Miss?"
Surprise flickers across her expression before a small, solum smile touches her lips. She pushes her hair away from her face, looking out the window beside them. "Of course you can, Obi."
"Very well, Miss." He approaches her. His hand gently pushes a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. He slips the hair ornament into her soft, red tresses, drawing away with an approving smile.
Caught off guard, she raises her hand to her hair. Her long slender fingers delicately brush over the jade-lined hairpin. Her smile brightens and she looks up at him. "So that's where you disappeared to earlier," She muses.
He grins, placing his hands behind his head as he walks forward. "I figured you could use a new one since we will be going to Clarines."
She eyes him skeptically, smile still in place. "Then you already knew I was going," She muses.
He looks out the windows as they pass. Fresh snow flutters down from the gray clouds, coating the fields in a sheet of white. "You're impossible to stand in the way of, Miss," He muses back.
She smiles, seeming proud of the fact.
"I sent word to Clarines that we will be attending…" His grin withers and his throat tightens, knowing the mood would drastically decrease if he mentioned King Izana's reply or Zen's lack of reply. Suspiciously he assumed that Izana wasn't intending to tell Zen of their intentions and frankly neither was he, not after Zen explicitly told him not to bring Shirayuki to the banquette.
He stands at crossroads between the two of them, influenced by his duty to protect Shirayuki yet also not wanting to deny her the freedom of knowing Zen's standing.
They enter Shirayuki's dorm. The room is small, minimal, with Ryuu's bed tucked against the opposite wall and a small nightstand in between them. Shirayuki stops beside her bed and stares down at a thin, long box, appearing confused. She lifts the small letter placed on top of the box. Obi comes up behind her, reading the letter from over her shoulder.
Wear this to the Banquette.
-King Izana
Shirayuki's expression drops and her stare hardens as she looks down at the box. Obi curiously lifts the lid. Creamy pale fabric, embroidered with jade and pink stares up at them. Obi rubs the back of his neck, opening his mouth to speak, but another voice replaces his.
"Obi?" A messenger peeks his head into the room.
Obi shifts his gaze toward the young man, approaching him with a glance in Shirayuki's direction. Shirayuki lifts the dress by its collar, scowling at it. Mood ruined. He looks back to the messenger, who holds a letter out to him. "From King Izana."
Obi's heart sinks. Taking the letter he glances toward Shirayuki, who had disregarded the dress and instead reads through her notes from the day, seeming intent on washing away whatever bad omen Izana had left.
He unravels the letter and reads it. With a scowl of his own, he realizes that Izana is not doing anything to help the situation. He turns to Shirayuki, holding up his own letter with an anxious smile. "King Izana, has arranged a carriage to pick us up when we reach Yukata's border."
Shirayuki looks up from her book, scowling.
Damn it Izana.
Obi adjusts the reins on Shirayuki's horse, checking that they're tight. He tilts his head toward the red-haired herbalist. She stares up at the academy, already a hint of longing in her gaze. After a moment she lets out a deep breath, closing her eyes. She stands there, amidst the fresh snow, draped in a long tan overcoat, with a small pinkness to her cold cheeks. Obi couldn't help but admire her. Her beauty is indisputable. She opens her eyes, revealing vibrant jade gems set in a clear-minded gaze. She meets his gaze for only a moment, nodding at him in thanks as she grabs the reins and mounts her horse.
Obi throws himself in the saddle of his horse and together they trek toward town. When they reach Lilias Shirayuki carefully brings her hood up over her head.
It's not until that moment, that it solemnly occurs to Obi that he might have to leave her. Maybe not when they arrive, but at some point, someone is going to think it's odd that a Clarines guard is protecting a herbalist with unusual hair color. It hadn't mattered before when Zen made it his duty to protect Shirayuki, because their relationship although hidden, mattered a great deal to him but now…
A dreaded tightness fills his chest. Zen will likely place his skills elsewhere. After his marriage, Shirayuki won't be any more than a rumor, idle gossip of what once was and what could have been, but never what will be. The only dangers she will have to be concerned with are from strangers, commoners, traders looking for a good price and a fair catch and that thought troubles him more than any other.
As night settles in, they pull into the stables of Yukata. Obi dismounts his horse, removing the bridle from his horses' head as he toes it into one of the empty stables. He glances out toward the barren road, his attention found on an alehouse and Inn across the street.
"Miss, there's an inn for the night," Obi says, glancing toward Shirayuki. She gently strokes her horse's head. "King Izana's carriage should arrive by morning."
Shirayuki nods, having not said much during their travels into the town of Yukata. Tomorrow they'll reach the castle and by then Shirayuki would know for sure if there's any hope for her and Zen. Although Obi had his doubts. Zen may have been reluctant but he knew the duties of a Prince and it was only a matter of time before this happened.
"Are you hungry, Miss?" He asks, eyeing the alehouse across the street. Shirayuki tilts her head toward him, glancing out into the street. She nods.
The barmaid sets their food down with a smile. "Enjoy!" She chimes before rushing off to tend to other tables.
It was clear by now that the news had spread throughout Clarines. Several of the patrons sing merrily or speak of the promising news, gushing with pride for their kingdom and the royal family. Obi watches Shirayuki with sympathy. Despite her brave face, he could tell that deep down it was bugging her.
Obi looks down at the food and smiles. "It looks delicious!" He shifts his gaze toward Shirayuki, who stares off in the distance, seeming closed off again. Smiling lightly, he pinches a piece of the cooked flower between his chopsticks. He raises it and holds it toward her. "Miss, try this."
She flinches, surprised by the abruptness of his offer. She blinks at the offering before leaning in and taking a bite. Her eyes widen, astounded and she nods approvingly. "It's delicious!"
Obi smiles popping the rest in his own mouth. He looks down and picks up a piece of meat. "Try this one too, Miss."
Willfully, she swallows her last bite and takes another. His smile widens and he rests his chin against his hand watching her with slight amusement. It was the first genuine spark of life he'd seen in her since Izana's letter arrived.
She nods, seeming revied by the small bits of food now in her stomach. He had hoped this would help her feel better.
She raises a piece of her own food and holds it toward him. "This one is good too."
He blinks at her caught by surprise. He leans forward, his hand gently resting over her's to hold the chopsticks steady. Not that she needed it. He takes a bite staring deep into her big jade eyes as he leans over her. She seems just as surprised, despite being the one to offer.
"What a cute couple over there," A woman's voice reaches them and their faces flush. They draw away from each other, embarrassed as they both anxiously averting their gazes. Obi nearly chokes on his food as he abruptly falls back into his seat. He turns away, swallowing with tightness in his throat. His chest pounds and a million horrible but desired thoughts rack through his brain, making it impossible to compose himself when all he wants is to reach forward and break every vow he ushered in Zen's regard.
Shirayuki glances over to Obi, noticing the unusual tint on his cheeks as he awkwardly turns away from her, hand tucked under his chin. She averts her gaze and takes in a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She rises to her feet. "I'm going to turn in for the night."
Obi raises his head, looking at her with surprise. After a moment he nods, rubbing the back of his neck with an anxious smile. "Alright, Miss."
The second she slips out the door he drops his head, placing a hand over his face. "Shit."
that was unexpected. His heart pounds relentlessly against his chest.
All is quiet at the Inn. Thankfully the tardiness was contained in the Alehouse and didn't spread to the inn as well. The short hallway with his and Shirayuki's room is well lit with lanterns hung on the walls and a subtle flowery aroma dances around the open space. Roses vines and mint sprouts grow nearby, reaching through the open airways along the corridor.
He looks toward Shirayuki's door, directly beside his, stopping abruptly in front of it when the gentle cries from behind the barrier reach his ears. He frowns, turning to face her door. He presses his hand against the wood and he leans forward. I'm sorry, Miss.
Sighing, he throws his legs over the edge of the bed. He approaches the balcony and steps out into the crisp night. Fresh air fills his lungs, erasing the unease from his mind. He glances over to Shirayuki's balcony and pushes himself onto the railing dividing his from her's. The door slides open and Shirayuki emerges from the room, sighing.
He goes still in alarm. She tilts her head and suddenly catches sight of him. Her eyes widen and she stops in place, just as surprised. "Obi?" She tilts her head, curious.
"Ah..." He slowly lowers, choosing to sit on the railing instead. With an anxious smile, he waves his hand dismissively. "I thought I heard a noise and I was coming to check on you, Miss." She glances over her shoulder, suddenly uneasy. "But I think it's gone now! So there's nothing to worry about," He adds quickly.
Her relief is almost instant, shown as her shoulders relax and her expression softens.
Composing himself, he watches her. "What are you doing up so late, Miss?"
She averts her gaze, fiddling with her fingers in her lap. "I couldn't sleep," She says quietly, a troubled look in her eyes. Obi averts his gaze, an inkling about her distress and how it's likely related to thoughts of what tomorrow will bring.
He tilts his head toward the stars a small smile finding his lips. He raises his hand, pointing toward one specific spot. "I remember that one," He admits.
Shirayuki glances over at him then tilts back her head. "Which one?"
He leans toward her, still pointing at the star, twinkling in the distance. She leans toward him, trying to follow his point. She raises her hand and points toward the sky. "That one?"
He smiles over at her, relaxed by her curious expression. Her smell dances around his head and he nearly dozes off from the entrance. He looks back to the sky and shakes his head. He gently wraps her hand in his, leading her hand to the left, where the little blue star twinkles.
"That one, Miss."
She stares at it thoughtfully.
He smiles and leans away, knowing if he didn't then soon enough he'd be unwilling to move. Not wanting to risk another awkward encounter twice in one night, he leans away. "That was the first star I saw the night we were looking for Datura Flowers. You can even see it during the day."
She smiles, the memory thankfully a happy one for her as well.
"It reminds me of you, Miss." He admits, smiling up at the sky. She blinks at him with surprise. "Day or night, that star keeps shining. Just like you, Miss." He smiles over at her.
Her face flushes and she meets his smile with her own. She looks back to the sky. "Thank you, Obi."
He leaps down from the railing. "Well Miss, we should get some rest."
She nods in agreeance. He lowers his head respectfully. "Goodnight, Miss."
He turns for the doorway when a gentle pressure stops him. He glances down with surprise. Slender pale fingers clench the end of his shirt. He looks over to Shirayuki, who stares anxiously at the ground. "Miss?"
She flinches and glances down to where her hand grabbed his shirt, seeming surprised by her own actions. With a forced and unatural smile, she retracts her hand. "Oh.. um, Obi, would you mind keeping me company?" She asks, fiddling with her blanket.
He blinks at her with surprise before glancing toward her room. "Sure, Miss."
She nods and turns toward the doorway only to stop and glance over at him patiently. His chest starts to pound and he swings over the barrier dividing their balconies. She enters and he follows into a dim room, lit by moonlight and a small lantern on the desk across from the bed.
She grabs a pillow, fluffing it before turning toward the small couch. He quirks a brow when she drapes herself on the cushions, snuggling under her blanket. "What are you doing, Miss?"
She looks up at him curiously. "I'm going to sleep?"
He scowls at this and shakes his head. "Miss, I will sleep on the couch. It's ungentlemanly to force you to sleep on the couch when you invited me to keep you company," he says with in a half sarcastic tone.
"But-"
He lifts her into his arms, carrying her the three steps it takes to the bed. "Obi," She protests. He lays her on the bed and grins, turning away from her.
"Then why don't we share it."
He stops dead in his tracks. Shirayuki's hand wrapped firmly around his.
"It's rude to invite you here and force you to sleep on the couch, and if you won't let me sleep on the couch then why don't we both sleep on the bed?"
His throat tightens. Slowly he turns toward her. She stares up at him, her big jade eyes certain and determined. He wasn't sure if she even knew what she was asking, or just how much restraint it would take to keep his composure if he agreed. Her hand tightens on his and he swallows anxiously. Finally, he nods, his teeth clenched and his heart pounding with an odd surge of emotion.
He crawls onto the bed and lays on his side, watching as she tucks herself under the blankets, seeming completely undeterred by his presence. He lowers his head against his arm, hating his lack of self-control. Once she's asleep he'll sneak over to the couch. He assures himself.
"Are you sure you're comfortable, Obi?" She asks suddenly, leaning over him with a concerned expression. He presses further against the bed, his throat tightening under the intensity of her stare, gleaming under the lantern's flickering glow. He takes in a shaky breath, smiling up at her awkwardly. "Yeah, I'm fine, Miss."
Seeming content with his reply she nods and lays back against the pillows. He closes his eyes, clenching his teeth as a haze of unfamiliar emotions washes through him.