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Title: Princely Strategy

Inspired by: Chapter 9 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Characters: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia

Wordcount: 974

Rating: General

"Done!"

I looked up from my seat, still in the midst of perusing the accounts ledgers carefully audited by the Palace treasurers. Zen stretched his arms over his head, looking exhausted over the piles of paper and parchment we have been reviewing since early this morning. The tea service wheeled in by the servants has been drained, and I considered ringing in for more, or inform the butlers we would requiring our lunch soon. But..

I glanced briefly at my brother's fingers, stained with ink after furiously spending the whole morning writing down notes, instructions and letters to various parts of the Kingdom that requires constant upkeep and the wellbeing of the citizens: dispatches sent to Raxd to inform them that they would be following orders from my office until further notice, an enquiry to Wilant Castle on Her majesty's welfare, answering requests on vaccines for residents in remote villages, checking the harvests in preparation of the coming winter months.. the lists are endless, and it's only the second day since my arrival at Wistal.

While holding the paper over my face, I surreptitiously observed my brother gazing outside the window of his office, a faraway look on his face. Dark purple shadows lined his eyes, indicating that he barely slept last night; he probably thought the worst after I spend yesterday afternoon interviewing Shirayuki.

Deciding to spice things up a bit, I dropped the ledger I was holding beside the sofa where I sat. "By the way, Zen, I would be expecting a royal guest to come for a visit sometime at the end of the month."

"A guest?"

I nodded, closed the ledger with a snap and tossed it over to him. He caught it swiftly, without damaging the pages inside, glaring a little at my attempt at teasing. I let out a small chuckle. I'm beginning to enjoy more of our friendly banters, now that my brother has a lot on his plate. He used to bug the hell out of me when he was younger. Thank God I was already past my awkward stage by the time my brother has hit puberty. This castle will not survive two rebellious princes constantly at each others' throats. Zen is a precocious child during his growing up years, but there are times when I constantly worry about him, though I try to be subtle about it.

Feeling a little nostalgic, I recalled Zen when he was still young, constantly clinging beside me while I tried to take care of any spillover works our mother, Her Majesty, Queen Haruto, could not manage. The amount of time I sacrificed carefully reading correspondences and assisting in managing parts of our territory so that my brother can have as normal a childhood as possible made it all worthwhile. Zen has grown up magnificently, learning to chose his allies with care.

Except I do not approve of the girl he chose to spend his free time with. There are other eligible females in the Kingdom which I would prefer that he get himself acquainted with. I am sure those single young ladies would be bringing in better options for this royal family to consider in order to maximize our potential to rule.

"Let's take a break, Zen. Do you wish to have lunch with me or…" my sentence remained unfinished, waiting for his reply.

Zen curled his lips mulishly, anticipating more of my teasing. Honestly, however hard he tries to be serious whenever he is in my presence, he still acts like the brat that he is. I pursed my lips, trying to suppress another bubble of laughter.

"Fine then. Go have your lunch and rest. We can continue the rest of the paperwork once you are in a better mood later." I turned towards the door, snatching my coat hanging on the back of one of the gilded chairs inside Zen's office. I made a show of placing the coat snugly over my shoulders, removing nondescript lint on it.

"By the way, Zen. I wish you to personally help me welcome Prince Raj when he comes to visit at the end of the month." I pretended not to see my brother's jaw landing on the floor.

"W-what?" he spluttered.

I raised my eyebrows, showing my displeasure at his lack of manners. He recovered quickly and began to shake his head in disbelief.

"Do you have any issues with Tanbarun's first prince coming to visit?" I asked nonchalantly.

"No. No!" he answered hurriedly. "I mean, has he agreed to come? When did you invite him?"

Interesting to see his reaction. Something definitely happened. Unfortunatel, Zen's aides kept mum about it when I casually asked about it before I entered his office. "This morning. I sent a dispatch when I made my way here. I expect to receive an official reply in ten days. Besides, Tanbarun's borders are right next to ours; their country is vast, and their natural resources are almost as rich as ours. It would be good to strengthen our ties with them and promote exchanges of goods and information that would mutually benefit both of our countries."

He stood silent, digesting all that I have said.

"You'll have to get involved with him, eventually. Even if you are not interested in meeting him, you still need to get to know him soon. After all, Prince Raj would soon be King."

I went to the door, rested my hand on the brass knob. I wondered how Shirayuki would react once she finds out that the man responsible for her flight to Clarines would be coming to visit?

Things would get even more fascinating from today onwards.

"Take a good rest, dear brother. We still have a lot to discuss before Tanbarun's prince arrives. Also, I would need you to escort me when we receive their party."