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.

50. Chapter 50

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

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Title: Nocturnal Visits

Inspired by: Chapter 27 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia

Wordcount: 319

Rating: General

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I landed softly in the open hallway. Pausing a little, I checked whether anyone was following me. Seeing the coast was clear, I straightened up and pulled my heavy, long cloak tighter around my shoulders, the sheathed blade of my sword tapping on my left hip. The soft, buckskin boots I wore made no sound on the marble floor as I strode towards my destination.

I deliberately made my appointment hour late. In fact, I even took a small detour to make sure that everyone was asleep.

Well, almost everyone. I thought to myself when I spied a night duty guard as soon as I turned to the corner.

The guard immediately stood in attention, recognizing my bearing. I gave a curt nod at him, putting a finger against my lips, but he did not reciprocate. Instead, he stood straighter and gripped the long winged spear he was holding, indicating that he understood my need for discretion.

I crossed the expanse of the long corridor, realizing my mistake of not asking which room she was warded in earlier. There were long rows of rooms in this side of the castle, each one dedicated to patients with similar illnesses or injuries to avoid any cross contaminations between patients.

Continuing ahead, I could not imagine whether I would have enough patience to open the door one by one, let alone being careless enough to catch an illness myself, when I noticed one of the doors had a light flickering at the bottom gap.

For who else but Shirayuki would be reading late into the night?

Confidently, I gave a gentle knock, paused, and twisted the knob open.

Green eyes met mine.

If she looked surprise to see me, she did not show it. But I surmised she was just a little too weary to be surprised by anything nowadays.

"Shirayuki." I pushed the door wide open before shutting it gently behind me.

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Notes:

I'm going out of town, so I posted this early. :)