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Title: Desiring her Presence
Inspired by: Chapter 19 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia, Shirayuki
Wordcount: 737
Rating: General, Family
They announced their appearance with a loud knocking sound. I waited for a few seconds before the door swung open, and the two people I was most eager to see entered my office.
I shut the book I was perusing with a snap and placed the heavy tome down at the corner of the table I used.
Zen's footsteps clamped heavily against the marble floor, while Shirayuki's leather moccasins made no sound at all.
They stopped a few feet before me. I noted the lightly sweet smell of herbs wafting from Shirayuki; possibly, she hurried to finish her tasks and had no time to make herself presentable, except removing her lab coat. I could still see some sap stains on her clothes and the greenish tinge on her fingertips she is trying to hide from my gaze.
Zen, on the other hand, looked a little grim; a little weary. No doubt he was stressing out about the news he received from the second Tanbarun citizen to visit the country. As far as I knew, only a handful of people knew about the bearer of troubling news.
"What business do you have with us, older brother?"
I felt a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. Earlier in the hour, I wondered how my brother's reaction would be when I break the news that his ladylove would be sent away even as he had barely started an investigation on the would-be perpetrators out to get her.
"Strictly speaking, I have no business with you." I paused, eyes flickering toward the tick of movement marring my brother's furrowed brow. "However, I thought it prudent to include you. Otherwise, you will be upset if I didn't."
He frowned.
"Brother…" he gave a soft growl of annoyance. "I have no time for deciphering riddles.." he added impatiently.
I gave him a smug look before my eyes slid over to her face, watching our banter with an openly curious expression.
"Shirayuki, it's been… a while."
We exchanged a look. I, remembering how close I stood next to her, fingering her loose hairpin.
She, remembering how small she was next to my person, letting me clip the hair bauble behind her ear. I felt my heart thump in reaction. The urge to grab her close made my hands twitch.
No more than a mere few seconds passed.
But it felt like an eternity to me.
"Yes, Prince Izana," she replied in a steady voice.
I turned away, but not before catching a glimpse at her slightly blushing face. Hiding a satisfactory smile, I reached for the folded, thick piece of cream parchment and showed it to them. Zen immediately recognised the broken seal, and his eyes widened.
"Today, a letter from the neighbouring country of Tanbarun arrived. There will be a dinner party in Tanbarun, and Shirayuki has been invited to attend the party and stay at the royal palace."
Zen opened his mouth, but failed to come up with a sound.
"A while ago," ignoring my brother, I concentrated on Shirayuki's expression instead. Her poker face never betrayed what she is feeling at the moment. Intrigued, I continued, "I invited that country's first prince, Prince Raj to Clarines. At that time, as a special favor, he told me to take the person called Shirayuki under my care- as a favor."
I saw Shirayuki stiffen a little, and yet I only had the faintest guess of what thoughts were running through her head: curiosity, shock, maybe even tension. And yet, she stood there without moving. She could give some of my diplomats a lesson in keeping their cool.
"Recently, though little has been heard of Prince Raj since he returned home to Tanbarun, as this country's first prince, an awareness of the situation has risen."
This time, I commanded her full attention. "Shirayuki, Prince Raj said some words specifically to you. I wonder if it would be good for you to hear them again?" My eyes carefully trained to hers, holding her gaze. "'I hope that's what you feel; without obligation to me, as a person born in Tanbarun.'"
A moment of silence passed between us again. I knew right then and there that she understood the hidden meaning behind my sentence.
Zen's face looked a little shock. I had to hand it to my brother. His grasp of things was getting sharper everyday.
"Your presence is desired in Tanbarun," I emphasized clearly.