(Previous chapter was long ago updated on wattpad. I couldn't post it on here because of some issues. Now I have uploaded both chapters.)

Surprisingly, the engagement between Kiki and Lord Hisame wasn't yet officially announced. Some murmurs lofted in the air but without any concrete confirmation. There were many suitors in the line for Kiki, but Hisame was the most favourable one. On the other hand, Anna couldn't understand why Mitsuhide didn't propose to Kiki. It was a great puzzle with many threads untangled. For the instance, she avoided asking any more questions on the matter. Most importantly, it wasn't her place to do so. In the end, she couldn't help but ignore the matter and busied herself in the work.

Until further notice, Zen was assigned to duty in the Wistal itself. After that attack in the castle, Izana decided not to send Zen back to Wilant immediately. So he was running errands to places around Wistal. His days were spent full of working, visiting many areas, and then coming back to the castle giving the reports to the King. During this time, he often paid visits to Anna. They spent many evenings talking over tea. It became a comfortable routine. Whatever leftover formality between them eventually resided. Anna treated him like her own little brother.

Some days, Zen told her childhood stories of Izana and him. Other days, how he met Shirayuki and events that unfolded later. Overall, there were always fascinating things that Anna got to hear.

In the meantime, Sir Zakura, who was the right hand man to Queen Haruto, and also a close friend of Izana himself, was returned to Wistal during the night banquet. Except for Marquis Haruka, Zakura was the only other person aware of the prior marriage proposal to Haki.

Over the years, Zakura had learned to see through Izana's subtle actions with somewhat accuracy. His suspicion first roused long ago when he found out about Queen Haruto's change in decision. Now, after hearing about Lady Haki's engagement to Anna's brother, he was sure about some things.

Pressed on by his curiosity, finding the right day, Zakura approached Izana with a thought of asking some obvious questions.

"Suddenly Lady Haki being engage to the Prince of Alarecia, it came as a complete surprise. What do you think, your majesty?" He brought it up casually while giving him reports of his work. "Even your mother was in shock."

He was paying every attention to King's reaction.

Izana knew it wouldn't take them a second to put two and two together. But there was nothing they could do about it. He had already forced his mother's hand to let him marry according to his choice. Even though there were other reasons behind it, it didn't not matter now.

"Indeed. Who would have guessed."He pretended to play along, not darting his eyes away from the paper in front of him and added further,"Some things are unpredictable."

"Sure are." Zakura hummed, thinking on how things turned out in the end. He couldn't help but wonder what had actually happened, "I am still unable to guess, His majesty would marry someone out of love or pity. I can only hope it doesn't turn out to be a mistake."

Izana listened to him silently. Well, how he had been hoping for the same thing.

Zakura continued,"By the way, you look in greater spirits these days. Perhaps after the night banquet."

Izana shot a quick glance in his direction, "Maybe you're just paying too much attention to me. I think it's time, you should look for a partner for yourself."

"Ah, maybe I should ask help from Her Majesty. She seems like a person to find a good match, first her brother and lady haki, and maybe her own marriage." Zakura was having fun with this conversation.

Izana's fingers curled tightly around the report he was reading and then leaned back in his chair. Now that was out in the open. He didn't underestimate the man before him. Zakura was indeed quick witted.

"I'm planning on sending Zen to Sereg." He spoke, deflecting on an important topic."You must be well aware of the situation there."

Many marriage proposals to Kiki Seiran and reports of assassination of the suitors. Certain twin brothers from Bergatt house in the north joining to train in the Sereg Knight circle. Thanks to the reports from Kiki's father and Lord Hisame, Izana got a good glimpse of the situation. Still there were other things that he didn't know of were happening in the shadows.

"I have read reports of the incidents. Do you suspect someone in particular?"Zakura asked.

"Considering the history of Bergatt house, who could be more suspicious?" He was sure of who was pulling the strings from behind.

"That's true. Your mother and I have always had conflicts with the Bergatts, especially their current Lord Touka."Zakura went on,"But we don't know the characters of his twin brothers."

"We'll know soon."

"You think, Zen would be the best choice to handle the matter."

"Zen has the talent of judging the person he personally meets and speaks to." Izana answered, confident in Zen's evolving abilities over the past year.

"He has his two trustable aides as well to analyse the situation."Zakura pointed out.

"Hmm. And he has also started to take his position more seriously now."

"I have heard rumors." Zakura admitted," Is that an influence of a particular redheaded pharmacist?

"Separating them was a wise choice."

"You sure know how to break hearts, your majesty."

"What do you expect then?" Izana retorted, "Should I start preparing for their unforseen wedding?"

"Given how things are turning out. I wouldn't be surprised if that day comes." Zakura replied, not quite good at hiding his smile.

"Maybe." Izana could only follow along, lips curling upward. "But not anytime soon."

In the late afternoon, all the noble ladies gave Anna a crippling headache with their problems. Who did what and who wore what? Was it even her duty listening to their nonsensical ramblings?

It was a normal meeting on their opinions about participation of more women on the court. Except for a few of them, others totally led to different topics.

Educating them about court politics was the first thing she must start with. Fortunately, Younger women were more inclined to the idea as they found it challenging and intriguing which was a good thing to hear. Maybe she should focus more on having discussions with them.

After she was done writing her reports, Yerin came to her office on her accustomed time to meet.

"What did you learn today?" As Anna asked her, Yerin went on what her tutor taught her. These days she was talking more and looked happy. In fact, Anna was so sure that Lord Haruka was being less strict than his usual self and spending good time with his daughter.

As the evening came by, she left her office and on the way dropped Yerin in her room, followed by the maids.

"Was that Marquis' daughter, your majesty ?"

Anna twirled around and was surprised to see a sudden figure speaking to her.

"Um, yes..." She replied, unsure for a moment before it dawned on her and she quickly recognized the person,"Sir Zakura, I guess we have met a few times."

"I'm glad. Her Majesty remembers."

"Of course. How could I forget." She had known all too well about it, "His majesty has a close friendship with you."

"Before this we didn't have a chance to talk properly,"Zakura said.

It was true. Anna remembered him seeing on the coronation day, during the wedding and recently on the night of the banquet. But they had never talked before.

Now having the opportunity, Zakura insisted that both of them should take a walk near the gardens.

"After the news reached Wilant of the incidents that happened during the attack on the castle, Queen mother Haruto was concerned about you." Zakura told her as they walked side by side.

"I hope she knows I'm in good health now."

"She knows and also was very happy to hear how bravely you fought." He himself was quite fascinated by that,
"I have, too, heard that you have excellent skills with sword, your majesty."

"Excellent isn't how I would put it. I'm good that is all."

He smiled lightly and said,"I would like to see if your majesty allows."

"Pardon?" She was baffled.

Clang!

The two swords met, flashing as the sword-fight began.

The sword scar crossed on Zakura's face was a known fact that he was an experienced and talented swordsman in the Clairens.

Anna was well aware that she didn't stand any chance against him. Yet she accepted his offer. She returned two slashes with a strong power. He moved his sword and blocked the attack.

After a few passes, Zakura thrusted with his sword which was too powerful to be defended successfully. Even though Anna knew he wasn't attacking with his best capability, she held her sword with all strength she could muster in that moment and blocked the attack. Her medium height was another disadvantage, but she could make it with her agility.

Unexpectedly, he moved back when he noticed she saw an opening and attempted to attack in the direction of his left shoulder.

By the time Izana was done with all the work, Sun was setting over the horizon. He was taking a stroll to inspect the castle surroundings when he heard swords clashing from afar. Haruka, who was walking behind him also stopped in his tracks to take a look.

Both of them watched with eyes widened slightly. Initially, they couldn't figure out why many soldiers were gathered to see the sword fight. On a closer look, it became clear which two people were fighting.

Zakura was striking his sword with continuous slashes. At the same time Queen was defending his attacks one by one. She looked very energetic and brave.

"Your majesty, did something happen between Sir Zakura and you?" Haruka was very puzzled by the entire incident.

"Perhaps," Izana was astonished that Zakura would go further and straight up duel with his wife,"I'm not sure."

Tomorrow, he must ask Zakura what he had been thinking about pulling something like this.

The moon was shining brightly in the sky and a gentle breeze blew her hair. It was almost time to sleep and she was sitting in front of the mirror braiding her hair before she could sleep. Quite exhausted by today's sword fighting, she had no energy to spare.

"You look like you're about to collapse soon."

Izana's voice came from behind, catching her attention. He was reading a book laying down on the bed. The ornate curtains hung from the bed canopy cut his face in moonlight and shadow. His golden hairs were swaying across his face and shoulders loosely.

"That is because I haven't trained since I left Alarecia." She stated, blinking languidly. "After marriage, I didn't think there was any use of fighting. "

She continued, "It's partially my fault. I should have said something to you. But you always ended up being angry at me that I didn't think it was a good idea to bring it up."

At her reminder, he recalled the past. From the corner of his eyes, he looked at her for a while longer, remaining silent before saying, "I wouldn't have declined."

She tilted her to look at him, quite in disbelief,"Really?"

"Even now you are free to train if you want."

A hesitant pause, a moment of thought, she asked, "Would you spar with me sometime then?"

"Is that what you want?"He raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Is the request hard to comply?"

"I'll consider it."He placed the book on the bedside table, "Did Zakura say something to you?"

"He said many things. I don't know which one you're referring to."

When he explained it to her, she burst out laughing.

"You think this is funny?" He was serious.

It was, indeed, so hilarious to her. But she contained her laughter. "No wonder he wanted to talk with me."

She should be more embarrassed about it, but she was not.

She spoke further, "Did he ever think that at that time I bewitched the first prince so my brother and haki would get married? Only if he didn't know you personally, that was the most logical thing to think about for anyone."

He considered her words, feeling a bit frustrated. Why was she able to say such things so easily? Today, it felt like everyone was making fun of him. It was fortunate that Lord Haruka didn't voice it out loud. Zakura was more than enough that he couldn't imagine Haruka also asking him about it.

"Hey! Are you listening to me?"

It was now that he realized she was sitting on the bed beside him.

"Ridiculous,"He said, meeting her gaze.

"Huh,"She blinked, little lost. Then again another laughter bubbled out of her when she realized he must have been frustrated by all of this. Was he even jealous that she fought with Zakura?

Next moment she froze and her laughter was swallowed by another pair of lips. Warm, sweet and soft. She was melting into the kiss and then all the sensation was gone as he pulled back. "Weren't you tired? Yet have energy to mock me."

"I didn't mean to—"

"Good night, wife."

If you are still following the story I'm glad. Many times I have planned to end it soon, but I can't help write more. So I wish to continue writing whenever I have time. Though I can't promise for frequent updates.

Thanks for reading. Do let me know what you liked about the chapter.