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Title: Her Weakness and Fears
Inspired by: Chapter 19 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki
Wordcount: 1529
Rating: General
As to be expected, my request to Garack Gazelt did not proceed without some form of reprimand from the Head Pharmacist herself. She was a bit miffed about my intentions to deprive her of one of her best staff for a number of weeks, and she was beginning to complain about the amount of work she needed to do. Without Shirayuki, the Healing and Pharmacy wards would need to juggle extra work with summer approaching- a season for pox and fever, especially to younger children. And Garack was anxious without her competent staff to lend support in eradicating deadly diseases. I made a mental note not to be too rash in depriving her of staff assistants lest she herself poisoned me with her concoctions out of irritation.
"What is the status report, Miyoshi?" I folded Garack's letter and placed it alongside the stack of letters I finished reading. I stood up from my desk and went to the wheeled tray brought in by the maids, pouring myself a healthy measure of red wine. I drank deeply, enjoying the taste of the mature grapes.
"Prince Zen continues to send guards to patrol and interview visitors in the harbor along with Mihaya of Tanbarun. But there are no news about the stranger they are looking for."
I nodded. "Inform the military generals to keep their eyes and ears sharp. We do not know whether this stranger is a lone wolf or he may have a small contingent under his command. No one shall penetrate Wistal Castle under my watch." My voice took on a grim tone. I personally did not think that Shirayuki would be in danger. My brother was acting too worried about the situation and may have inadvertently alerted the would-be perpetrators with the increased amount of heightened security within the country. Nevertheless, I trusted my brother's instinct to handle the matter. My work required me to focus on other aspects of governing the country, and so the only thing I could do for the moment was to ensure the country was secure from outside threats.
I strode over to the large framed windows, the dark sky glistening with stars like jewels scattered on velvet cloth. Wistal looked formidable with its glowing fire-lit lamp posts and the amount of guards on duty. Some distance away from where I stood, I could see the courtyard was brightly illuminated; I spied my brother proceeding there earlier to practice his swordsmanship.
I could feel the same restlessness he felt seeping under my skin. Shirayuki was scheduled to depart three days from now, and my brother was getting anxious.
"My request from the head pharmacist, has it been…" my voice trailed off, but Mihaya bowed low.
"Mistress Garack mentioned it will be done."
"Good." I felt exhaustion slowly take over my body. Dismissing Mihaya for the night, I left my office and headed towards my private room, intending to take a long hot soak in the steam baths and get rid of the knots forming in my shoulders.
I emerged from my room after quite some time, feeling a little refreshed and ready for bed. Slotting my arms through a thick, heavy dressing gown, I tied it over the loose cotton pajamas I wore before padding out of my room. There were still documents I wished to read before I called it a night, and I forgot them on my desk earlier. The open windows let in a gentle, slightly cold summer breeze coming from the northern mountains. I paused and gazed back at the dark sky before me, stars twinkling mysteriously. When I turned back to the hallway, my eyes caught the bright flickering lights on the door to my right.
Without really thinking, my hand was already on the knob, twisting it open, forgetting momentarily that Shirayuki is now temporarily occupying the rooms until she left for Tanbarun.
"..one, two, three. One, two, three…."
It was too late for me to realize the error of my hastiness, when I found myself blinking against a hundred candles lighting up the room.
And in the midst of it all, a red-haired fairy sprite was dancing away.
Shirayuki looked grand in a simple long shift night dress of silk and chiffon in purple and gold detail. Hands held aloft, she twirled around with an invisible dance partner, eyes closed, cupid's bow mouth humming to a soft tune. I felt my chest tighten and expand with warmth at the sight of her, looking relaxed and utterly delightful.
"Better. Much better," I breathed, admiration unmistakable in my voice.
She stopped twirling at the sound of my voice interrupting her practice.
"Your Highness!"
I moved forward, holding out one hand towards her. "Come."
She placed her hand a little hesitatingly on my open one, and my fingers closed over hers. We stood in a familiar pose, each of us gauging one another. I felt the tension in her shoulders and waist, my fingers gently caressing her curves.
"You dance too loosely, Shirayuki."
"I am sorry. After all the time spent to teach me-" she began, but I hushed her apologies away.
"It is sometimes good to move without restraint. It lessens your chances to make mistakes. Think of it as a warm-up. Try thirty minutes before the actual dance commences." I adjusted her stiff fingers on my own shoulder, our bodies touching closely. The familiar feminine curves I first felt on the day I met her filled my hands and fit snugly against me.
Like a missing puzzle piece.
I began to hum a little, and took a couple of steps. But I met some resistance, and I glanced down to her face.
"You have to put your trust in your partner, Shirayuki, and follow his lead," I murmured.
She opened her mouth slightly and shut it.
"What are you afraid of?" I asked.
She shook her head. "Nothing." She looked away, her face warm. My nostrils flared at the smell of faint apple and orange blossoms.
"Look at me, Shirayuki."
Green eyes met mine. My heart hammered loudly from my ribcage. I swallowed.
"Despite your resolve to fulfill the task I set upon you, you have failed to mention one important thing."
"And what is that?" she asked, frowning.
"Your thoughts," I prompted.
She became silent.
I tilted my head and took another step. And another.
She followed my lead. At first, our movements seemed wooden, emotionless. But as each second ticked, our bodies melted the tension. She began to move in a fluid manner. Her training was basic, but with my critical eye, I could not find any fault with her steps. Soon we were twirling in the middle of the room, candles flickering all around us. Despite her crash course in dancing, she moved lightly on her feet. Graceful, even with her initial lack of confidence. With each twirl, my heart hammered in reply. Skin to skin; palm to palm.
I realised what was lacking when the dance master complained about her lack of her coordination.
Chemistry.
I twirled her expertly, my hair whipping about my face. I felt something magical glow within me.
She looked even smaller than I remembered. Peering down, I noted she was not wearing any shoes or slippers, and her feet were still raw. It was then that I noticed the way she winced as I guided her steps. Reluctantly, I stopped humming and led her back to the sofa backed against her bed. I saw there was a large bowl of steaming water sprinkled with sweet-smelling herbs. A soft smile of accomplishment rested on her lips as she savoured resting her tired limbs.
I pursed my lips. "You should be resting. Your journey will start in three days."
She followed my command without protest, plopping down onto the sofa and reaching down to retrieve a clean towel and wipe her feet. Once that was done, she slowly dipped her toes into the medicinal solution Garack prepared for her, making a small hissing sound when her feet is completely covered by the water. The water made faint sloshing noises
"Rest easy, Shirayuki." I turned to go.
"Cages."
I turned to look back at her, puzzled.
"Cages," she repeated. "Gilded cages will be the death of me."
I felt my heart melt. Shirayuki was most afraid of losing her freedom. At the back of my mind, I always had an inkling of what she was most afraid of when she refused to be cowed into being Prince Raj's concubine.
A gilded cage. A life of extreme splendour and luxury in exchange for a heavy price.
I could hear Nana's voice echoing again.
They are not birds, Izana. You have no right to keep them in cages.
And yet here I was, sending her back to the place she ran away from; into the arms of the Prince who wanted to put her in the same gilded cage she abhorred, with nary a protest or complaint.
I felt my feet move on their own accord. Striding back towards where she sat, I leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Be not afraid, Shirayuki. All will be well," I whispered impulsively.