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Title: The Art of Blunder
Inspired by: Chapter 9 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia, Raji Shenezard
Wordcount: 1369
Rating: General
"Didn't you talk about that girl?" I persisted, before adding coyly. "the red-haired girl."
I watched with amusement when Prince Raj, who was sipping his drink, snorted the golden liquid back to the crystal goblet he is holding.
Ignoring my brother's unreadable expression, I plowed on. "Prince Raj, surely you remember her? She's the girl you were fascinated and took a liking to. Do you still remember her name?"
My curiosity was sparked when I saw Prince Raj gave my brother an uncomfortable, yet meaningful glance before stuttering back a reply to my question.
"Ah.." he coughed, trying to cover up the obviously awkwardness of avoiding the topic I opened up. "That.. red-haired girl.." his voice trailed off.
Hmm. Interesting how things are turning out. My retainers may not have found out much about how Raj, Zen and Shirayuki met, but I can sense that something significant happened during their encounters with one another- one that may not be revealed to me. Still, I can try to push things around to find out more. I need to understand my brother's fascination with her, and this foreign prince's reluctance to talk about it.
I frowned a little. "You could at least say her name, right?"
Prince Raj slowly lowered his own crystal goblet, clearly not happy with my overbearing insistence to talk about Shirayuki. Obviously, he is torn between refusing to answer and obliging my curiosity. If this Prince fails to provide the answers I seek, then I can focus on other sources to gather more information about my brother's growing relationship with her.
"Sh-shirayuki." He finally blurted.
I beamed. "Yes! You still remember her! I am so glad! One does not forget a pretty young thing such as her, am I right? She possesses a rare hair color that certainly pleases certain people with refined tastes." I stressed the word refined because, honestly, I could not understand what these two young men could be fascinated about that girl. She's not really special, it's because of that hair. All these talk about Shirayuki is making me loose my patience. If only I can just throw her in the dungeon and forget about her existence.
"They are not birds, Izana. You have no right to keep them in cages. However, if you managed to get to know them and earn their friendship, you will not only gain an ally, you have gained an irreplaceable treasure."
Nana's words echoed again inside my head. I brushed the memory aside and turned my face slightly in a thoughtful pose, my blue cape slapping against my side.
"Prince Raj, she's in the castle right now- the girl we are talking about. Would you like to meet her?"
Both Raj and Zen dropped their jaws on the ground.
I shrugged. "Judging from your expression, my dear Prince, it seems you are not expecting my offer. Despite the fact that she left you willingly and came to this country, however, I would arrange for you to meet her, if you still have lingering affections towards her."
"Brother, you are too imposing." Zen interjected suddenly, surprising me with his serious expression again. Not cute.
"Am I?" I raised my eyebrows, directing my piercing gaze towards my brother. I can see his jaw set tight, his eyes taking on a brighter bluer color, indicating that he is extremely upset by my words.
Pointedly ignoring him, I turned my attention back at Prince Raj, who was watching our exchanges with a combination of curious and awkward expression in his face. His aide hovered nearby, sensing his master's distress, but is unable to extend any help, nor interrupt our conversation; I would sooner have him banished in prison if he so as much lift a finger to get his master away from my presence.
"This is a perfect opportunity, Prince Raj. Maybe she also wants to go back to her country-"
"Brother!"
Zen's sharp bark brought some of the discussions around us to a halt.
This time, I am truly displeased with Zen for interfering with my interrogation. My eyes narrowed to slits as I await Prince Raj's reply.
Prince Raj's looked tomato red with embarrassment. "Ummm. Thank you for the offer, my lord, Prince Izana. I..I do not wish to see her."
Unconvinced I stared hard at Prince Raj. Seeing the expression on my face, he took a deep breath and began to explain.
"It wasn't that Shirayuki left me. She said that she wanted to try living on another land, so I happily sent her away. And of course, I don't have any lingering affections for her."
I tilted my head a little, analyzing each sentence he uttered. If Raj wants Shirayuki, he can has the power to keep her away from Zen's reach. Why is he going so far as to avoid the subject?
Clearly, here is the proof that some harsh words were exchanged between Zen and Raj about Shirayuki. I'm guessing that Zen possibly did something to force the Prince of Tanbarun to swear that he will not do anything to touch her, nor make any attempts to see her.
"Is there any reason for you not to be able to meet her?"
My question made Tanbarun's prince flinch.
"N-no."
I waited for his explanation. The guest around us waited with bated breath.
"I..I heard that Prince Zen, your brother, is thinking about getting engaged to Shirayuki."
Huh? For the first time, my mind went blank. I was barely aware of the astonished silence around us, as the guests invited tried to edge closer and closer towards our tight circle to hear more of our conversations.
My conclusion of this prince? A bumbling idiot!
Zen, marrying Shirayuki? Shirayuki? Shirayuki!
No member of the Wistalia family has ever married a commoner, not even one with exceptionally rare feature!
The furrow on my brow deepened in skepticism at this turn of conversation.
"Brother, kindly excuse us while I make something clear." Zen's normally serene face looked stormy. He made a polite bow towards my person, turned and grabbed Prince Raj's free hand, dragging him forcefully until they were out of earshot.
As soon as they disappeared inside one of the Castle's sitting rooms overlooking the gardens, the murmurs and whispers began to erupt.
"Prince Zen? Engaged?!" a matronly woman twittered in outrage.
Ugh, I do not know which is the lesser of the two evils? Let Zen actually marry Shirayuki or have her daughter as a sister.
"Who is this Shirayuki?" one of the education ministers asked amongst his colleagues.
"Dunno. Never heard of her."
"Apparently, The foreign prince has some connection with her!" An old man whispered to his friend.
"A foreign princess, perhaps?" another one speculated.
"Yes, why else would Zen let himself be engaged to someone His Highness doesn't approve of?"
Lord Haruka walked up nearer to my side. "Should I call this party to an end, my lord?"
I raised my hand up to stop Lord Haruka from doing anything, just in time for Zen to emerge from the crowd of guests still gathered around us. I gave Zen a hard stare.
"Your Highness, Zen, may I ask what is the meaning of this?" Lord Haruka spoke hurriedly.
My brother normally doesn't like to be put on the spot, especially when there are a lot of people. The least I can do is to let him explain without being scrutinized by our unwanted audience. Besides, Lord Haruka ought to be put in place by asking the questions I should be asking myself.
"Lord Haruka, I can take it from her." There was a chill in my tone.
"My Lord.." the older man began to object, but stopped immediately. He took the hint and began to divert the crowd's attention away from us.
Clapping his hands to call attention, he pointed at the group of musicians who began to play a lively tune. The crowd begrudgingly followed Lord Haruka's lead to give us a bit of privacy.
My expression must have been formidable because Zen looked a little worried; a thin film of sweat covered his forehead and his fists were clenched tight.
"Your Highness, Prince Izana.." he began, calling me by my formal name.