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Title: A Kiss on the Forehead
Inspired by: Chapter 10 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki
Wordcount: 843
Rating: General, a hint of Romance
When I finally looked down to meet her curious gaze, I found myself slowly drowning in deep green pools of gleaming water. My nostrils flared, taking in the soft scent of summer flowers and fresh grass, crisp apples and the smell of rain.
"I think…" I continued slowly, removing myself away from the door jamb and taking deliberate steps down. "You're more suited to be with Prince Raj." If she could treat Prince Raj like earlier, Tanbarun's future might still have a chance.
She stiffened at my words.
"You must hate living in a country with a man like me." I dangled the bait at her, waiting. I reached the last steps, my boots clattering on the cobblestone covered pathway, and watched her rigidly still figure.
"Prince Izana."
I almost hissed at the way her mouth formed the words to my name. Prince Izana. Say may name again. I almost said out loud. Without the title. I am first known as Izana.
"I have no intention of going back to Tanbarun."
Words said with conviction. What a brave, brave girl! She looked determined now, in a better state than when I summoned her to my office and interviewed her for the first time.
"A pity then," I drawled, closing the small space separating us until I stood before her, my face inches from hers. I could almost count the number of eyelashes on her eyelids, the faint freckles covering her button nose. Up close, her irises had gold specks, making them look luminous.
"Aren't you going to step back?" I asked, breathing in her female scent. If Zen saw us standing so close like this, he would be guaranteed to throw a fit.
"I won't." Her voice was barely above whisper. Her breath smelled minty.
"You don't avert your eyes, do you?" I mocked, strangely jovial at catching the surprised expression on her face before brushing my lips near her eyes, just above her brow. My gesture was brief, but to me, it felt like time stopped a little. Even my heart gave a surprising skip, before I heard it pounding through my ears insistently, as if trying to tell me something I refused to acknowledge yet.
Shirayuki scrunching her eyes shut tight made me want to burst out laughing, forgetting the irritation I felt earlier.
"How's that, princess? Are you disgusted now?" I murmured close to her ear. I could practically sense her shivering. From what, I was a little afraid to tell. Shirayuki is Zen's intended bride, and here I am, testing their resolve to be together. And the foundation is a little shaky. Should I be pleased or worried?
She pulled away with a snap, her eyes wide as saucers.
"I won't be!"
Ah. Shirayuki looked delightful when she is flustered! I tried to suppress my mildly surprised expression at her bold answer.
"This is the country where I got to meet Zen," she added, her mouth forming a half-smile, yet I could detect the slight tremble at the corners.
Somewhere at the back of my mind, Zen's echoing words continued to haunt me.
I absolutely will not let my meeting with her hinder the path that I truly want to walk on!
I felt tiny pinpricks of pain stab the edges of my heart. Strange, really. I only wanted my brother to follow the path he wanted. To suddenly find ourselves in the midst of this interloper made me want to crush her immediately. She had no right stealing his heart and resolve! And yet, even as I made my move to eliminate her, I could not help but relent and find ways to bend my will even for just a little bit, intentionally giving them time. Was it because with Zen all those things I never got to experience might still be possible for him? To be able to marry the woman that he loves and not someone that society expected him to take?
"What strange kids you two are." I found myself smiling a little. In my eyes, Zen would always be my cute younger brother. However, Shirayuki might technically be younger than Zen, but she is proving to be… more than what I expected.
Shirayuki didn't falter in her gaze. Standing firm, proud and regal, she did not break her eye contact with me. Reaching out a little, my fingers managed to grasp the ends of her red hair. They felt soft, and silky-smooth.
I pivoted on my right heel, allowing her to escape from my presence. There was some rustling behind me, as I let one loose strand of hair tightened over my ring finger. Counting to ten, I turned around, finding her gone.
Well, well, well. Interesting how this encounter turned out to be, I mused to myself, bringing my ring finger next to my lips. The strand gleamed under the bright afternoon sun. I always thought of apples whenever I saw Shirayuki's hair.
And when I inhaled deep from the single strand I held between my fingers, she did indeed smell like apples.