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Title: Saying Goodbye

Inspired by: Chapter 19 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Characters: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia, Shirayuki

Wordcount: 1447

Rating: General

The tome I held between my fingers felt a little heavy. I have no idea what came over me to retrieve this insignificant book. However, I still went back to for it, feeling rather foolish that I did so.

The Castle lay quiet as most of the occupants prepared for sleep. Tomorrow was a special event, the day Shirayuki would depart for Tanbarun.

".. Take care of yourself."

My boot-clad feet ceased their movements. Without even thinking, I flattened myself to one corner of the wall.

I should have expected that my brother would sneak into my private apartments to seek audience with a certain red-haired maiden. Especially since it was the last night she would be here before she departed tomorrow.

Still standing against the wall, I peered round the corner and saw Zen pressing his forehead against Shirayuki's. They just stared at each other, neither blinking nor moving.

I felt the familiar ache creep into my chest, seeing them looking so innocent and intimate.

"See you tomorrow," Zen whispered.

As soon as the door was shut, there was a rustling sound as my brother hitched a leg up over the window ledge and hauled himself out of the hallway as easily as he came in.

I found myself shaking my head slightly. He could have saved himself the trouble of sneaking off like a thief by taking the normal route and back. But then again, my brother was right in thinking that he shouldn't come anywhere near Shirayuki's private sanctuary, lest someone should see him coming in and out. Gossip is a favorite breakfast fare of Clarines' citizens, and Zen was aware that other observant people constantly watched him ever since he allowed Shirayuki to stay near him.

I hesitated in my hiding place. I, on the other hand, had always enjoyed an impeccably clean reputation. And everybody was aware of my contempt towards the young woman. At this stage, I was certainly glad that people would not actually doubt my character. Anything I did that bordered on the unscrupulous would most certainly be taken with a grain of salt. After all, in the eyes of most people, I am Izana, the next in line to the throne. And my actions are almost always thought to be for the greater good.

Still, I proceeded with caution. The palace guards and bodyguards assigned to dog my footsteps had been chosen for their talents and discretion. And I was not stupid enough to be caught so easily with someone like Shirayuki.

I gave the solid timber door a couple of knocks. Almost immediately, it opened.

"Zen, I-"

Green eyes met mine in shock.

Shirayuki's face flushed pink.

"Your Highness. What can I do for you at this late hour?"

I noted the wariness in her tone. I could not help but feel my mouth form into a teasing smirk.

"How about giving me permission to enter?"

Her eyes widened. "Surely, Your Highness must not be caught entering a lady's room at such an hour-"

I cut off her sentence abruptly, pushing past her and closing the door gently behind me.

"Unlike my brother," I started, noticing that she had already changed into a thin nightgown and had removed her dressing gown, "as next in line to the throne, any actions I do will not be so easily discovered. Who knows? This might be your chance to force me to make an honorable woman out of you." My voice took on a slightly cynical edge at this.

As soon as those words were out of my mouth, my gaze strayed to the exposed neck of her nightgown, down to the first unbuttoned top where I could see faint shadows of a deep vee…

I straightened up, feeling uncomfortably hot and tight underneath my clothes. I became aware of my unwashed state, having just finished finalizing details for her trip before calling it a night.

"That would never happen, my lord," she replied quietly. "I did not come here to find a husband. I came here to slake my thirst for knowledge and get to know people."

I approached her, one hand extending, tilting her chin up. The gold specs in her eyes seemed more obvious with the help of the candles lighting up her room. "Never say never, Shirayuki. Some people are just tempted to put you in a cage. You give off a vibe that prompts people of the opposite sex to come to you like bees to honey."

Her eyes narrowed a little. I poked her nose gently, a little playfully. "Something to make you feel restless at night." Reluctantly, I released her.

"Here." I dangled the rectangular tome I was holding.

Her forehead creased. "A book?"

I shrugged carelessly. "I thought you might find this interesting while you are away enjoying the sights back in your hometown. It's a special book on exotic plants."

She opened it eagerly and began to flip the pages, face brightening up at the sight of the beautifully drawn pictures of plants and flowers. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"It is my pleasure."

We continued to stare at each other. I swallowed.

"I was about to-"

"Are you having trouble-"

We both said at the same time. I let out a chuckle. She let out a weak laugh. I gestured for her to continue. She shook her head and declined.

"Are you having trouble sleeping?"

She pursed her lips, pink color deepening in her cheeks. "I would be leaving in the morning…" her voice trailed off.

"And Zen would be there to see you off." I finished her sentence smoothly. As am I. Because I wouldn't miss it for the whole world.

She nodded. Her green eyes looked bright, and still there are shadows underneath her eyes.

I felt pity towards her, and… tenderness.

Shirayuki would be making her journey back to her home country and it was only natural to feel uncertainty. It would do her no good if she stayed up even later than usual. The task I assigned to her would be taking up most of her energy.

I extended my hand towards her. "Come."

Dropping the book on the sofa, she took my proffered hand. My palms closed over hers, and I gently began to rub her skin until the coldness slowly disappeared.

"Summers in Tanbarun can be very hot during the day and very cold during the evenings," I told her in a low voice, the timbre of my tone deeply soothing.

She nodded. "I almost forgot."

I continued to rub her hands together for a few more minutes and gently released her fingers. My warm hands cupped her face. She did not make any protest at this. I noted her eyes droop to a close.

"When you are there, you need to relax. Enjoy the sights and sounds. Remember, you are a royal guest. You must act with dignity and grace." My silky voice poured out my advice like honey on bread.

She nodded again, her breathing slow and even. Already she was half-asleep on her feet.

Without even a second thought, I hauled her gently into my arms, hair brushing against my thumping chest. She snuggled against the crook of my shoulders sleepily.

"Your Highness?"

"Hmmm?" I luxuriated in the vibrations of her voice against the side of my neck.

"My mission. Will it help you with your governance of Clarines?"

I stopped right next to her bed, lowering her gently between the sheets. She sank into the down feather mattress. Pulling the blankets around her tight, I let my forefinger wander down her smooth jaw, brushing past wisps of her glowing red hair. It looked longer now, growing past her jaw and almost reaching her shoulders.

"Yes," I breathed, my heart tremulous. "It would be a great benefit to the kingdom. To Zen…" I added.

Against all will, I leaned down and caught hold of her lips. "And to me."

Shirayuki sighed deeply into her slumber, unaware of my action. The gentle snore indicated she was already in dreamland and she wouldn't be remembering what had just transpired.

I stood there, rooted on the spot, sorely tempted to take again what was not mine to take. A finger traced the outline of her lips. I pulled my hand away, fists clenching, my heart thumping loudly and aching so bad it took me a while to get a grip on reality.

And then I pivoted on my heel, walked straight out of the room and shut the door securely behind me. As soon as I entered my own bedchambers, I leaned heavily against the door, finally accepting that I would definitely be missing her too.