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Title: Questions from a Loyal Aide
Inspired by: Chapter 21 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia, Lowen Mitsuhide, Kiki Seiran
Wordcount: 1045
Rating: General
Kiki Seiran looked up, pausing from her task of returning files back to the towering shelves in front of her. I didn't even manage to come near her. Her sharp senses were second to none.
"Your Highness, Prince Izana." She bowed low before straightening up.
I gave her a genuine smile. Truly, the tall, slender woman before me was someone that could not be messed around with. I had been known to move like a cat. I never made any noise when I entered Zen's office, but it seemed that nothing ever escaped her notice.
"Are you alone?" I looked around for my brother, thinking for a second that he was hiding, but I already surmised the second I entered the room that Zen was out.
"He is dealing with the matter of training a troupe of soldiers to use the native birds from Yuri Island as messengers."
"Ah." And so that young trainer is here, as well. "That part seems to be going well, at least." I placed the stack of papers I carried on top of Zen's desk.
"May I help you with something, Prince Izana?"
I made a show of stretching my limbs. "Not really. My shoulders got stiff after working for three hours straight." I gave her a wink.
As expected from the ice queen, Kiki did not even react to my flirtation tactics. I waved goodbye and left the office, taking a different route back. This gallery led to the other parts of the Castle and presented great views of the distant mountains.
As soon as I turned to my left, I caught a glimpse of a tall man following me. I smirked, relishing the impromptu hide and seek game, and quickened my steps. Rounding another corner, I leaned against the stone pillar, sat on the corner of the balustrade and counted to ten.
Barely had he appeared from whence I came when I called him out.
"Is there something you need, Mitsuhide?"
He looked startled at having been caught. Cold sweat began to form on his face.
Nervously, he bowed low.
"My deepest apologies, Your Highness. I followed your path by instinct."
I raised my eyebrows, intrigued. "Oh?"
He let out a shaky exhale, face a little red from embarrassment, seeming to be trying to collect his thoughts. Whatever seemed to be bothering my brother's first loyal follower must have plagued his mind for quite some time, judging by the way he tried to carefully craft whatever he had to say. But I had a strong inkling of what he was about to say.
"I dare say opportunities like this are rare. If you may permit me to ask one question, Your Highness?"
I gave a careless shrug. "You have already used it, but you may ask another," I replied cheekily.
Mitsuhide scratched the back of his head and pulled a grin.
"Are you testing Prince Zen and Shirayuki?"
Somehow, I should have prepared myself for his question. Mitsuhide didn't like to beat around the bush, so to speak. I gave a sideway glance at Mitsuhide, weighing my options on whether to be completely honest with him or tease him. Zen's aide could be a bit dense, though I'm quite sure that Kiki Seiran had already guessed what I was doing long before.
At that same moment, I saw a flash of pale silver coloring, and my brother appeared from one of the stone pathways, followed by the troupe of soldiers he was presumably giving instructions to on the training for the messenger birds.
I rested my back against the pillar more comfortably before I answered Mitsuhide's question.
"Yes."
His eyes widened in shock.
"Are you surprised?"
He went pink again. "I was expecting you would deny it, Your Highness. And yet, you admitted it."
I shrugged. "I should think it's fairly obvious."
He frowned slightly.
"Those children are already broken. I'm just exposing them to the harsh reality. The world is unjust, and it would do them no good to view everything with rose-colored spectacles," I clarified.
"Prince Zen has grown strong since meeting Shirayuki."
I pursed my lips, not wishing to admit that Mitsuhide may be right in some points. And yet, I was loathe to agree. It may be just coincidence that Zen had changed, not just because of Shirayuki's influence. Had I not been vigilant in my trainings for my own brother, too? I could taste the bitterness inside my mouth. Already, Shirayuki had such an important place in my brother's life.
"And perhaps…so has Shirayuki."
My mind flashed on those times when she spoke with such brutal honesty. I was reminded that Shirayuki had slim chances of being accepted by the people of Clarines if Zen continued to pursue her. With her slow progress, she would get nowhere.
What fall lay ahead? What move would she make? That's what I was most interested in.
Mitsuhide gave me a strange look. I realized that I spoke my thoughts out loud.
For someone who was not aware of what had going on between Shirayuki and I, Mitsuhide seemed to have noted that my interest on Zen's intended might be more than what I had initially shown.
And it was true that I did not hate Shirayuki as much as when I first met her. Rather, I found myself thinking about her more. My heart began to beat loudly.
Almost as if….
I blinked.
I gestured for Mitsuhide to come closer.
He obeyed. And as soon as he stood next to me, the breeze picked up, ruffling my loose hair.
Zen looked up to where I sat, and I saw his eyes widen in surprise.
My feet landed on the floor.
"I would like to talk to you more, Mitsuhide, but it seems like our rendezvous has been discovered." I gave him a wide, teasing grin.
"Whaa?!"
Zen moved quickly; already I spied his back disappearing from the entry steps below. The clumping of his boots on the stone stairs signified he would be reaching our place soon.
"It was nice talking to you, Mitsuhide. Go and attend to your master." I bid him a hasty farewell and left Zen's aide spluttering.
"Your Highness!"
I gave a snort and took another path away from them. I could hear Zen's faint question to his aide, laced with suspicion.