Cophetua

by Zara Allegra Vespertine

Izana Wistalia is on the cusp of inheriting the crown of Clarines. Preparing to launch the country into a new era, he thought he had everything sorted out. The arrival of a red-haired foreigner has put a dent on his perfect plans. His will is strong, but can his heart withstand an unexpected siege? An intimate take on the manga chapters from Izana's POV. Possible IzanaxShirayuki.

42. Chapter 42

Thanks to Talye Kendrin for doing a fantastic job of beta-ing these chapters. Please check out her profile and support this fandom.

---

Title: Tipping Point

Inspired by: Chapter 21 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia

Wordcount: 312

Rating: General

---

I stared at the thick sheaf of parchment stacked high on top of my table. I requested for some information regarding the progress made by the Crown Prince of Tanbarun. Had my aides made a mistake and possibly misheard the location? They probably thought I was referring to the country of Andalusia or even the seafaring nation of Orion?

Gingerly, I flipped the bottom pages and saw that it was indeed from Tanbarun.

That can't be right. That idiotic prince cannot accomplish that much from such a short span of time since he last visited Clarines more than four months ago.

I had decided to preoccupy myself with news about Tanbarun even as my brother went about to investigate Mihaya's disappearance. For two days now, he had been gone to the harbor, interviewing key personnel that may have information on where the Tanbarun citizen might have went to.

Part of me wanted to go with Zen; it had been so long since I did my own patrolling back when our mother, Her Majesty the Queen, was still residing in Wistal and ruling the country in place of our deceased King. She used to send me all over Clarines, ensuring the welfare of the people and that they were taken care of, even serving as diplomatic ambassador to neighboring Kingdoms. I missed the call of the hunt back when I was Zen's age, smelling the ocean breeze, salt water spraying on my face, while I instructed the harbor patrols to be on the lookout for pirates and bandits.

I took the papers with me, intending to read them in bed. I had almost finished the entire set when I decided to call it a night and slept.

My head had barely hit the pillows behind me when my eyes flew open again and I realised that I was about to get an audience, whether I liked it or not.