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Title: Goodnight Kisses
Inspired by: Chapter 27 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki
Wordcount: 1120
Rating: General
"Prince Izana," she answered. She lowered the book she was holding propped on her lap, marking the page with a feather bookmark. I was glad that the book of exotic plants which I gave her continued to be cherished; enough for her to be losing sleep over it.
"You should be resting," I chided her, crossing the space between us in about three or four strides and glaring down at her a little.
She stared up at me, eyes a little heavy-lidded and tired. "I am aware I should be resting, Your Highness. But I did nothing the whole day but sleep, and I am a little weary of lying on my back."
Without even asking for her permission, my hand lifted her chin and I studied her critically under the few candles illuminating her hospital room. I noticed the faint purplish shadows under her eyes and the deep cut on her cheek, possibly done by a sharp blade. I bit my tongue to prevent myself from swearing.
Like Zen, she also sported a bruise on her face; her jaw looked almost healed, but not quite enough to escape my notice. Aside from the bandage wrapped around her left ankle, and the binding chest wrappings exposed by the tops of her hospital gown, my brother had failed to mention that she had other injuries as well: a sprained wrist, and cuts on her arms.
"You should have stayed in Tanbarun!" I could not help but hiss.
She flinched a little, but her eyes sparked with aroused anger. "I only stayed to complete my mission, Prince Izana," she replied in a tight voice.
I wanted to shake her, for mistaking what I really meant. As a Pharmacist and a healer, she should be making sound judgments about the risk of long travels when injured. But I could see that she was determined to prove her worth by completing the mission.
"What good are you to me, if you shrivel up and die here due to your stubbornness and stupidity?" I asked her in a dangerously silky tone.
Her eyes gave another green flash. "Then I would consider that I gave my best to accomplish the assignment. I only hope that Your Highness puts the information to good use so that my death wouldn't be in vain."
I gritted my teeth and glared back at her. "I can just throw your report into the fire and ask for someone to go back to Tanbarun in your place!"
"Of course you can do that, Prince Izana. But you won't."
"And why is that?"
"The information will not be the same," she replied simply.
I opened my mouth and shut it immediately. She does have a point. Only Shirayuki would have inside information with that idiotic Prince Raj. And because that brat prince still fancied himself being in love with her, he would be treating her as a special guest and be privy to the most intimate secrets of the Royal family of Tanbarun. Other people, no matter how good their diplomatic relations were, could not get as close as she could ever be.
Of course I wouldn't throw her report into the fire just to spite her!
Dropping my hold on her chin, I replied. "Very well. I can see that you are still the same Shirayuki that left this castle two months ago." I let out an exasperated sigh.
She leaned back against her bed, suddenly exhausted by the burst of emotions she displayed before me. I could tell that she was a little surprised by my suddenly conceding defeat.
"Good," she murmured softly. "Because it would be a waste to throw it away, Your Highness. I assure you, you will not be disappointed with the report." She gave a satisfied nod at this.
I couldn't help but feel a little tug of a smile at the corner of my mouth. "I take it that there's significant improvement with Prince Raj?" I asked, wanting to hear her talk more.
She nodded. "You will be pleased."
I straightened up. "That is good to hear." Staring down at her again, my heart gave a familiar leap. My face grew a little warm.
She was about to add more, but when she opened her mouth, she yawned instead.
"You've been up long enough," I told her a little sternly. "You should sleep and recover your energy. I am sure your superior would be very eager to fill your brain with more knowledge about medicinal plants and sweep away all the politics you learned during the trip."
"I am sure," she agreed, yawning some more. She tried to stretch a little and winced.
I took the book from her lap. It was already hanging precariously halfway off the bed anyway. I placed it on an empty visitor's chair nearby that I did not notice earlier. I should have sat on it and chatted with her some more. However, seeing the chair, it was obvious that Zen occupied it earlier. For who else would visit her, other than his aides?
"Did Zen visit you?" I asked automatically, feeling a little jealous that my brother got to spend a longer time with her.
"Yes. But he only stayed for about half an hour, I think." Shirayuki settled on the bed a little more comfortably. "He wanted to finish his report to you as soon as possible. And he mentioned that The Sea Talons may have counterparts in this country. Their influence may have already reached here, and he is eager to arrange for investigations on any illegal dealings."
I was not sure which part I should be happier about: the fact that I saw her, or that my brother was giving his best to live up to my expectations.
When I glanced back at Shirayuki, she was already in deep sleep. I felt privileged seeing her sleeping face again, after almost losing her. And I didn't doubt that Zen felt the same way when he rescued her.
A part of me wished I was the one who was there with her, but my position and duties prevented me from doing things for her. And soon the time would come when I would no longer be able to do these small things just to see and talk to her.
I pulled the blankets around her snugly, tucking the ends under her chin; the back of my hand brushed her lower lip. The temptation to kiss her again was too great, that I had no choice but to give in. I promised myself this would be the last that I stole kisses from her.
But as I pressed my lips against hers, I knew that I was still looking forward to more. Much more.
Notes:
Everybody hates cliffhangers. :P But since today is my birthday, I posted this as a special exception. The next new chapters will be the unbeta-ed versions. So I would greatly appreciate if you spot out grammar issues and story inconsistencies.