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Title: Baubles and Hair Ornaments
Inspired by: Chapter 17 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki
Wordcount: 1332
Rating: General, Hints of Romance
"If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is superior in strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared; appear where you are not expected."
I snapped the book I was holding shut, contemplating at some of the points the ancient philosopher and military strategist outlined in his manual.
I looked down at the translated book; worn out at the edges by the number of times I read it. Whenever I was stumped over some issues, I found myself perusing the books in the Great Library.
Bong. Bong. Bong.
The great clock tower installed at the reading area gave a loud noise, indicating the lateness of the hour. One more hour to midnight.
An answering snore called to my ears. I raised my eyebrows at the young aide assigned to keep me company while I read. How very bold of him to sleep while on duty!
I decided to be cheeky and leave him there. I am sure young Miyoshi could find his way back to my office and hopefully, he would have learned his lesson about being remiss in his duties.
Quietly, so as not to disturb his sleeping form slumped on top of a button-backed chair, I avoided the stacks of books surrounding my seat and began to weave a pattern to the exit.
Taking a step back once I was free of the traps of my own making, I knock something soft behind me. Whirling about, my hands automatically caught the intruder, cutting off their squeaking sounds with a muffle. With lightning speed, my fingers brushed against something silky, even as I pushed the intruder until his back came up against the wall.
Frightened green eyes gazed back at me, pupils dilating.
I swore.
Her eyes grew bigger at my colorful words.
"Do not scream," I hissed, a little irritated by what I have done.
Shirayuki nodded.
I slowly pulled my hand away from her mouth. She looked a little disheveled, her red hair sticking up, a glittering bauble loosening its hold.
It made a tinkling sound before it dropped before my eyes. Again, my reflexes reacted quickly. Accidentally brushing my fingers against the skin of her jaw, I caught the errant hairpin.
"Thank the gods you are not a ghost!" I murmured, still irritated. "I do not know how to deal with a phantom, let alone a female one."
Her breathing slowed down.
"My apologies, Your Highness, Prince Izana. I wasn't aware you were still up at this time of the night. The guards outside had let me in to retrieve my book."
I felt my mouth tug into a half smile. "And here I was thinking it's me you wished to see."
She squirmed a little under my penetrating gaze. One hand propped up against the wall above her head, and I leaned closer to her, my nose a hair's breadth away from hers. Up close, her eyelashes were thick, dark and sooty, with a tinge of golden red at the ends. Lowering my gaze, I saw she was wearing a heavy and thick dressing gown- cotton, I supposed. It was unlike the rich dressing gowns ladies of higher rank wear, made of fine silk and embroidered heavily with gold and silver. However, it still did the same trick of stirring up my imagination of what was underneath. However cheap the clothing she wore, a young woman wearing only a nightgown and a dressing gown would still look delectable to the opposite sex.
I gave another glance at the bauble, still clutched between my fingers, before gazing back into her eyes. "How was your day off with my brother and the rest? I trust that you enjoyed the delights of our city?"
She raised her eyebrows in surprise. I caught the look before understanding dawned on her face. Of course, I would always know what goes on in this palace.
"It was fun, Prince Izana. The markets are thriving very well, and the citizens have a content look on their faces. I salute the royal family for working hard in taking care of its people."
If it weren't for the sleeping Miyoshi, I would have answered her with a shout of laughter. Instead, I made a low bark of muffled laugh that came out more like a snort. She gave me a somewhat withering stare; unsure whether I was drunk or sleepy, by way of explaining my carefree attitude at such a late hour.
Zen's pharmacist made some acute observations, I see.
"Indeed, my Shirayuki. We all should work hard for the welfare of the people." My eyes lowered into a half-lidded gaze. Unexpectedly, my nostrils took in her delicate scent: freshly showered smell, clean sheets, vanilla, the ubiquitous smell of crisp apples.
My fingers smoothed the glass stone of the hairpin. I noted with interest on how her cheeks turned a subtle shade of pink. Or the way her fingers grip the edges of the book she was holding. Not many women would risk losing sleep over a book about herbs and plants. But no! Not Shirayuki! Whenever she would have the time, her nose would be buried between the pages of a thick book and applying what she learned in the pharmacy's laboratory.
With reluctance, I moved away, giving her some breathing space. From the corner of my eye, I could see her heave a sigh of relief.
"Have you retrieved what you came for?" I asked, my tone deep and silky, my body resisting the urge to persuade her to stay longer.
She nodded. "I did, your Highness. If you do not mind, I wish to retire now."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and groped her way towards the library's exit, underneath the dim glow of the candles and oil lamps. But even as she took a step forward, my hand tugged her back, my long fingers gliding against her arm, pulling her elbow until she was forced to face me again as I loomed above her.
My fingers trembled a little as I deftly pushed the hairpin back to its place, threading through her hair, brushing the tips of her ears. I felt the growing warmth on her face. My skin prickled with growing need.
When I finished, I tipped her chin upward, gazing back into her eyes.
They stared back at me with nary a cloudy look; instead hers looked bright and clear.
What a strong and brave woman! My subtle gestures could turn any woman's knees to jelly. And while I was so sure that my charms certainly had some effect on her, Shirayuki remained steady on her feet.
Unyielding.
I found myself tempted to haul her up to my bed and tame that fiercely calm look on her. To show her how much she still needs to learn about the ways of the world. Or even teach her not to be so defenseless and naïve in front of a wholly experienced man like me.
Did she ever have an inkling of how much I am yearning to crush her under my weight and taste those lips of hers?
But before I knew it, she had found her way out; already she was backing into the hallway towards whence she came from.
"Goodnight, Miss Pharmacist," I whispered; a poor attempt at regaining my composure. But I doubt she ever noticed the turmoil she left in my thoughts tonight.
I glanced to my right, noting the rigid-looking guard assigned for night duty.
"Make sure she reaches the confines of her room safely," I murmured my instructions.
With a soft clang, the guard to my left went swiftly ahead, following the fading white form of Zen's intended bride.
Notes:
First paragraph excerpts were taken from Sun Tzu's The Art of War