Thanks to Talye Kendrin for doing a fantastic job of beta-ing these chapters. Please check out her profile and support this fandom.
Title: Loosing Concentration
Inspired by: Chapter 23 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia
Wordcount: 446
Rating: General
I barely restrained myself from tapping my foot impatiently even as I continued by daily routine of everyday paperwork. It had been ten days since my brother traveled to Tanbarun to try and warn Shirayuki of the impending danger, and I had no other news.
A week later, I received info that Shirayuki had disappeared. By the time Zen arrived at Tanbarun, it was already too late.
The eagle quill I was holding left my fingers and fell clattering on the table. My aide, Maruko, looked up from where he was busy filing back paper onto the shelf.
"Shall I call for the tea service, Your Highness?" he asked, lowering the several folders resting in his arms.
"No. I will go out for some fresh air," I replied.
I crossed the threshold of my office and closed the door securely behind me.
It was the first time I was distracted and having difficulty concentrating on the tasks at hand. Wistal seemed quiet without the regular occupants. I could not even find anyone to tease.
Everyone was at Tanbarun chasing after traces left behind by Shirayuki's disappearance.
I spent several nights tossing and turning. I wanted to go to Tanbarun myself and check the progress of investigations personally, but it would be rude to exercise my power over a foreign country. And while the King of Tanbarun himself, King Ruslan, had sent messengers to inform me that they would be doing their utmost to be of assistance to the investigations, Zen would be supervised by the crown prince.
That bumbling, arrogant idiot had Shirayuki's and my brother's lives in his hands!
I could not abandon my post in Wistal Castle. Already, several of the royal advisers had noted my brother's absence. The number of people who were aware of his activities had been limited to a handful, and I was forced to do an elaborate explanation on why he was away.
Fortunately for both of us, the royal advisers were preoccupied with other matters. The region of Lyrias was making plans for expansion, and there were calls for knowledgeable men and scholars of worth to go and reside there together with the current occupants- fellow scholars themselves. The advisors were spreading the news to every corner of the empire to gather the wisest, most intelligent researchers and learned men.
I finally looked up after walking for a considerable amount of time. I found myself in the main palace courtyard, just near the path leading to the Starlight Gate. The huge apple tree in front of me looked a little droopy; its green foliage was a little less lush-looking, almost as if it was missing its human counterpart.
I let my hand run over its rough bark, letting myself drown in the sweet apple scent. The branches already bore small fruits; a few more weeks into autumn and the apples would be ready to harvest.
I stood there for the longest time, the tree keeping me company. I feel lonely and empty without the two people I wished to see safe and sound.
Notes:
Updates may be a bit slower. I have yet to receive the new batch of chapters that I have sent over to my beta.