Updated on grammar and spelling checks. Many thanks to Kartara for proofreading this. :)
Title: An Apple a Day
Inspired by: Chapter 27 of the Manga Akagami no Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Ryuu
Wordcount: 1088
Rating: General
I reach out above me and snatch a bunch of ripe-looking, very red, and shiny apples. Autumn is just around the corner, and already, the ancient apple tree by the main courtyard is giving off delicious scents of its ripe fruit. Unable to resist after spending the most of the afternoon working, I decided to get a couple for myself.
Taking a huge bite on one side of the fruit, its sweet juice filled my mouth and spilled down to my chin. The crisp, tart flavor is just right and I finish my first fruit in less than a minute.
Staring at the two apples on my left hand, I decided to eat it later, and tucked them in the pockets of my coat, feeling a little greedy with my pick, before jumping down to the soft, grassy ground. The apple's huge lower branches made a groan as if it was happy to be rid of my weight.
Strolling around the castle grounds in a leisurely fashion, I took several detours - anything that would derail me from going back to my office. My aides would be irritated that I'm playing hooky today but the day looked glorious and I wanted to enjoy the sunshine while it lasted.
My boots made sharp sounds against the polished white marble floor. I breathed in the fresh air, liking the scents mingling with it: crisp apple, dried leaves, freshly washed laundry (of which sheets of linen were being hung up to dry by the palace maids), cut grass, smoked tobacco...
... And the smell of fresh ink and new parchment and something flowery, familiar; intimately familiar.
I paused mid-stride and saw Shirayuki outside, basking in the late afternoon sun with her supervisor, young Ryuu.
Sitting on the soft green grass underneath the shade of an ancient looking tree, the two sat together back to back, a low box between them toppling with a bottle of ink and several quills. Each of them were holding a clipped sheaf of papers, the sound of scratched writing singing against the rustling of the leaves above them. Both have a couple or more books propped before them, open pages weighed down by the stones place atop of them.
The two looked like students, out and about in the sun. Like me, they must have decided to spend the rest of the day outdoors and enjoy the warmth.
Ever so quietly, like a cat waiting to pounce on its prey, I managed to approach the two, still deep in thought and scribbling away their notes for the lessons given to them by the Head Pharmacist.
"It's nice to see my two promising pharmacists working so hard, even on such a beautiful day," I finally spoke, first looking at Shirayuki before glancing at Ryuu.
Ryuu, unperturbed by my presence, only looked up, his scribbling hand pausing in mid-air. "Good day, Your Highness,"He greeted.
"Young Ryuu. As always, it's a pleasure to see you." I handed him the apple I had from my coat, and he accepted it without any hesitation, murmuring his thanks.
"And you, Shirayuki."
Our eyes meet.
For a second, I was reminded of the forests surrounding Grisaille castle just by looking at her irises. They are a lush green, brighter and sharper than I last remember seeing. I suddenly felt as if she is speaking volumes to me, as if just by staring back at her, we are communicating so much in that one look.
I heard the crisp sound of an apple being bitten.
The faint invisible thread of magic connecting our gazes between us breaks.
I blinked. "Here."
I dropped the apple before she caught the fruit easily as her fingers released their hold on the quill that landed in the grass.
I noted that the bruises on her face are completely healed. But the bandages on her arms still remain. I found myself leaning down a little, my mouth almost brushing the ends of her hair caught behind her ear.
"An apple a day, keeps the Head Pharmacist away," I whispered in a little conspiratorial manner.
Straightening up, I let one of my hands rest against the tree. She gave me a half smile, her expression all serious; nevertheless I can see she is amused by my remarks. "Thank you."
Again, there it is. The way her eyes seemed to speak in a deep manner.
When I managed to break my eye contact with her, I found myself being scrutinized by young Ryuu. Still holding the half-eaten apple, juice dribbling a little down his chin, he gave me a curt nod, respectful, if not a little dismissal at the same time. I gave him a quirky smile before I lifted my fingers to form a smart salute before backing away.
I felt a pair of eyes boring a hole behind my back. I do not need to turn to look; I already knew that I gave myself away with little Ryuu. That small exchange with Shirayuki is enough to arouse one's suspicion as to why I seemed to be signaling her out every time I see her.
My boots clomped up the steps and I continued my traipse along the stone gallery. Glancing back at the two young pharmacists, I saw Ryuu shift his gaze back to Shirayuki.
Something about his expression felt familiar. I have seen that look before, but I couldn't determine where.
"Your Highness, Prince Izana!"
I froze in my tracks.
Maruko's face looked flush and sweaty. I can see that he's been trying his best while looking for me all over the castle. Behind him, a servant carried a tray filled with ink, quills, sealing waxes and rolls of parchment. A bundle of official-looking letters waited on the side.
"I. Found. You." My aide huffed, almost at the end of his thread mentally.
I grinned, forgetting about little Ryuu. "Yes, you did." I raised my hands in mock surrender.
"If I may be permitted to be bold, Prince Izana." Maruko took a couple of steps closer, beckoning the servant behind him. "If my prince wishes to work outside, he could have informed me so. However, he wasted my time looking for him all over the castle. The correspondences for the civil officials in Porta are waiting.."
"Fine, fine." I waved my hand in dismissal. "I will do it first thing as soon as I get back to my office-!"
"Very good your highness, I will personally escort you back to your office."
Letting out a resigned sigh, I let my aide follow my person as I led the way.
There goes my long afternoon break.