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Title: Eavesdropping
Inspired by: Chapter 10 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Prince Raj
Wordcount: 1808
Rating: General
I stood there silently, fuming a little at the impertinence of my younger brother.
I absolutely will not let my meeting with her hinder the path that I truly want to walk on!
Zen's echoing words continue to pound inside my head. My hands itched to throttle my brother's neck.
Gripping the handle of my sword, I continued to make my way back towards the private apartments of the palace reserved for my exclusive use. I contemplated on how far I could provoke my younger brother in the event I decided to summon the questionable girl before my presence again.
I did not approve of Shirayuki ingratiating herself and influencing Zen Wistalia. Although the Kingdom of Clarines was stable and prosperous, we still remained as a threat to other realms whose influence was far greater than ours. Any slight weaknesses shown, any loss of confidence displayed by the current ruling dynasty, and we would be open for criticism and outside attacks.
I wished Zen would remove the invisible blindfold he willingly put on his own eyes and continue to pursue the path he swore he would take in order to support me and my cause. The sudden appearance of this commoner had put a roadblock on my plans – our plans.
I paused, hearing the noises just outside the Grand Rose gallery. I quietly listened to the discussion unfolding right under my nose.
"It looks like you're working hard in Clarines. It seems like this is a nice place."
Crown Prince Raj's haughty tone made my eyebrows raise. I thought the prince was preparing for his departure? What was he doing wandering around the palace grounds? Perhaps he was contemplating for a way to see that girl. Or maybe Shirayuki herself had invited the bratty prince for a quick liaison.
My eyes narrowed. And if the girl was actually fooling behind Zen's back, I wondered how my cute younger brother would react. It seemed heaven-sent that this was happening within earshot. Time to unmask the girl's fake sincerity.
"Thank you."
The corners of my mouth lifted slightly. Though she tried her best not to make it sound too sharp, I could almost feel Shirayuki's claws on my fingers. The lady was cross over something.
I waited silently; crossing the space from where I stood earlier to the arched windows, which were thrown wide open, letting the sun and fresh air fill the gallery with bright light. I could see below the windows the gleaming apple-red hair of the palace's newest medical apprentice. She stood at one side of the marble steps; her back turned towards me, addressing the inefficient and stubborn young Prince of Tanbarun.
Leaning against the windowsill, I watched the scene with interest. Shirayuki stood with the grace of a swan, poised for flight. I got the sudden feeling that there was more to the girl's background than what my retainers has reported to me prior to my arrival in the Palace. I can always tell when one has some decent educational background. And Shirayuki is no exception.
"E-excuse me."
Prince Raj turned to leave. I was instantly irked by the lack of manners he displayed. Shirayuki might be just a lowly apprentice; nevertheless, a crown prince must always be gracious and polite-even when he is addressing a beggar or an enemy on any matters. I made a mental note to inform my retainers to observe how Zen behaves in front of other people. If I ever so much as hear a word about Zen's lack of manners, I would see to it that his etiquette tutors are punished severely.
My eyes trailed after the Prince of Tanbarun when he suddenly dropped down to one knee and began to grimace in pain. My brow furrowed in immediate concern. What is this brat up to?
Immediately, Shirayuki followed him, a worried look shadowing her profile.
"Is something the matter?"
"D-d-don't worry about me…" Prince Raj gritted out, face turning blue in pain. Absentmindedly, I glanced down at my stomach. Whatever the prince ate, it is obvious it did not agree with him. Should I be concerned too?
My brief distraction was interrupted.
"Is this medicine?"
"Yes, but…"
"What, they just had you bring the medicine?" Prince Raj pulled the cork of the small bottle and prepared to tip the contents down his throat.
Idiot. I thought, shaking my head and forcing myself to move away from the window towards the nearest door to outside. What are they teaching at the Royal Palace of Tanbarun lately? This crown prince is an easy target for assassination! Irritated, I took a step off the threshold, urging myself to hurry before disaster struck.
"Isn't this what I asked for?"
"No, it's not! I didn't hear anything about you being sick?!"
"I told him not to say it was for me! I'm taking it!"
I opened my mouth, about to warn the stupid brat prince to stop acting immature, when I saw Shirayuki suddenly raise her hand and slap the medicine out of his grip.
The bottle made soft plinking sounds as it landed on the ground, breaking into tiny, sharp pieces. I took a step back in shock, my mind becoming blank for a second. Shirayuki almost slapped a royal guest of my household!
The girl with the gleaming apple-colored hair sitting on her knees drew back and sternly scolded the royal guest.
"That's topical medication! For wounds!" she huffed in annoyance.
Prince Raj flinched at the sharpness of her voice. "What? It wasn't a stomach medicine?"
"You can't drink it!" Shirayuki replied fiercely. "You could have done damage to your stomach because you were not paying attention!"
My feet skidded to a stop when I caught hold of her expression. Shirayuki could actually look really scary when provoked. Despite myself, I felt mirth bubbling up from within. Would my brother be able to handle her? I watched with slight amusement, seeing the embarrassed and relieved look on the Prince's face. If I had not had the privilege of meeting the crown prince earlier, it would take me a while to conclude that the Kingdom of Tanbarun was in for a long haul once their prince has been crowned king. I somewhat understood why the girl spurned his advances in the first place. The man was a complete fool and an idiot!
"That was too close."
Indeed, I almost muttered out loud. For a moment there, I was thinking that Prince Raj would strike her back for raising her hand against him. Even if she meant to prevent him from drinking the wrong medicine, commoners were forbidden to engage or directly interact with the members of royalty. Especially with what transpired earlier, Shirayuki had boldly done something that might even result in a drastic punishment in other countries. I probably wouldn't be able to say anything in defense of the girl, because what she had done was a serious offense. Not to mention that this person was a special guest of mine. My eyes narrowed to slits in suspicion. What will you do, my Prince? I found myself absentmindedly fingering the hilt of my sword, hackles raised.
To my surprise, I saw Prince Raj immediately lower his defenses. He bowed his head slightly, like a puppy being scolded by a mother. My gaze shifted to the girl with apple-red hair. She took a step back, raising her chin slightly.
"You are a prince, and this is the castle of another country. You need to take responsibility for taking care of yourself." Shirayuki's face looked stern. I was suddenly struck by how regal she looked. Taking a step forward, my hand rested on the stone railing, mesmerized by her sudden transformation.
"The fact that I'm a prince doesn't hold much meaning for you, Shirayuki. So you don't have to say that." Prince Raj, arrogant little prick that he is, brushed off nonexistent dust from his expensive silk clothes as he stood up and glared back at her.
Shirayuki shook her head, following suit.
"Then, please. Become someone that I can be glad is the prince of my home country," she retorted back firmly.
"T-that's rude!"
I gave a small huff, trying to suppress my laughter at this scene. I agree! My mouth tugging into a smirk. My other hand relaxed from clutching the hilt of the sword strapped to my waist.
"It might be rude, but that is what I desire, as someone born in Tanbarun."
Oh, bravo! I applauded silently. I could not believe that my retainers failed to mention that any women sporting bright red hair would be equally feisty. No wonder Zen was smitten!
"A-are you serious?"
She turned her head to meet his dumbfounded expression with a steady gaze as if to emphasize her point. If my royal army ever needed a general, I would have no qualms recommending Shirayuki to them. She would make a formidable high-ranking military officer of the kingdom. I wonder how Zen would react to that? He'd probably threaten to chop off my head!
"I-I know that without you telling me!" Prince Raj Shenazard, Crown Prince of Tanbarun, Royal Brat and Idiot Extraordinaire, turned his beet-red face away in embarrassment at being triumphed over by a young woman he coveted as the crowning jewel of his harem.
"Your highness!" Raj's close aid, Sakaki, approached them tentatively.
Prince Raj was startled by the sudden appearance of his aid. His face took on another shade of red in embarrassment at being caught together with Shirayuki. Grimacing a little at his remembered stomach pain, he scolded his aid for being slow. "Where were you?"
"Your highness, the Court Pharmacist has insisted on seeing you personally before they recommend medication." Undeterred by the obvious annoyance of his master, Sakaki bowed slightly, gesturing towards the other end of Wistal Castle where the Hospital and Healing station was located.
I watched with amusement as the bratty prince made an awkward retreat, refusing Shirayuki's amiable offer of personally escorting him to the Sick Ward.
I continued to stand there, leaning against the timber doorway, watching Shirayuki take one last look at Prince Raj's back growing smaller in a distance. And then she gave a sigh, the sound she emitted sending unexplained shivers of excitement down my spine.
She reached to the ground, gathering the scrolls and books she was cradling in her arms earlier. "My boss is going to scold me," she told herself softly, reaching for the glass shards still dripping wet with its liquid contents.
"She won't."
Shirayuki gave a sudden gasp when I finally let my presence be known, scrolls and books tumbling down to the ground again.
I toyed with the lapels of my long white coat hanging casually about my shoulders, not meeting her eyes.
"She won't scold you," I repeated. "I saw the whole thing."