Unbeta-ed chapter. Thanks for all the likes
Title: Injured Prince
Inspired by: Chapter 28 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Zen Wistalia, Kiki Seiran, Luen Mitsuhide
Wordcount: 1018
Rating: General
"And so it has come to this."
I raised my eyebrows. I dropped all my paperwork when Maruko informed me that my brother was injured in a freak accident. Hastening to his private bedchambers, I found my brother sporting a tight bandage on his shoulders, chest and neck.
"Let me get this straight." I began again in an even tone. "You failed to dodge the heavy draperies that the maids brought out to be cleaned from the second floor balcony."
"That is correct, Your Highness." I whirled about and faced my brother's aide, Lowen Mitsuhide, bowing low. He was holding a tray of painkillers, a pitcher of water and a drinking glass. Kiki Seiran followed close behind, clutching the clothes my brother left behind in the Healing and Pharmacy ward.
"Mitsuhide. Place the tray beside his bed and retrieve the reports from Prince Zen's office, have it delivered to Prince Izana's office."
"Of course, Lady Kiki. I will personally deliver it myself." Mitsuhide obeyed immediately, bowing a little to his comrade. I saw Kiki raised her eyebrows in annoyance, but Mitsuhide seemed blissfully unaware of the reaction he is earning from his strange behavior. He turned to my person again and gave another bow. "Your Highness, please excuse me. I must attend on the reports but I will be back to stay by Prince Zen's bedside and assist him."
"You will not!" I heard Zen's muffled voice underneath the bedsheets. And then he gave another groan of pain.
I felt a vein pop in my neck.
The door closed gently behind Mitsuhide.
"Was that Mitsuhide?" I asked, frowning. "What did he ate for breakfast? Why is he acting like an idiot?"
"Forgive us your Highness." Kiki approached and placed Zen's discarded clothes on one of the button-backed chairs littering his room. "It was a long story."
"Pray do tell, Lady Kiki." I am all ears.
It took about fifteen minutes, but Kiki's story is short and precise. My brother would interrupt every few sentences here and there, until I shot him with a look that says princes who are not paying attention shouldn't interrupt! Prince Zen buried himself beneath the blankets in irritation and shame.
"In other words, you are on your own for a while, Lady Kiki." I concluded, massaging my temples.
"That is correct, Prince Izana." And then she shrugged. "Obi can help, of course."
I sighed, shaking my head. "What did Garack Gazelt say about my injured brother?"
"A few days of bedrest. The sprain is not serious. He should be up and about in a week."
"Well then, the trip to the borders near Fontainbleu will be postponed until further notice." I stood up.
My brother tried to sit. "I am sorry, brother." He looked contrite and apologetic by the inconvenienced caused by his injury.
"I'll make sure to double your patrols after you recovered." I promised him. I walked around his bed and took the bottle of medicine resting on the tray that Mitsuhide was carrying earlier. "Drink this and rest. I will visit you again tomorrow."
Zen obeyed without protest. Taking the pills I held out from my hand, he swallowed them before taking a swig of water from the drinking glass. And then he settled more comfortable between the sheets, relief etched on his face.
"What about Mitsuhide?" I asked Kiki as we both left my brother's bedchambers.
"The head pharmacist mentioned that his hypnosis will not last. Although she did say that it may be two days or more. My partner may have inhaled the medicine more as she suspects he did." Kiki, though unperturbed by all of this looked a little weary.
"My deep apologies for my brother's lack of awareness." I apologized automatically. "This accident was totally unexpected and could have been avoided."
"I do agree, Prince Izana. It is unlike Zen to not pay attention. But then again, he was probably planning out his route for the trip to Fontainbleu when he was not paying attention." She frowned a little.
"Are you concern about Mitsuhide."
She hesitated, unwilling to admit her worry. "A little."
"Any antidotes available for the hypnosis?"
"Mistress Shirayuki is working on it." She replied confidently.
"Ah.." I felt a little at ease. "And where is she?" Now that Kiki mentioned her name, I expected her to be hovering by my brother's bedside.
"Prince Zen informed her to check on Mitsuhide. So she decided to stay back in the Pharmacy and work on the antidote."
A little impressed by her level headedness, I nodded in agreement.
"For the next few days until my brother has recovered, I leave you in charge of everything, Lady Kiki." I whirled about to face the young woman in front of me.
I liked Lady Kiki Seiran. She has nerves of steel, and quite skillful with the sword, a bow and an arrow, and a dagger. Pity the man who will be her husband, for no one but a handful of us can best her in combat, especially hand to hand combat. But then again, her beautiful features can be a little deceiving. If one is not familiar with her, a person will suspect she is rather experienced in the domestic arts rather than politics and warfare. In truth, I wouldn't mind marrying her myself. But I cannot picture her staying content with domestic bliss, embroidering mittens for whatever children we may have, or arranging flowers on my work desk. I'm a little apprehensive too, if I find out she could be a tyrant in bed. I prefer being in charge.
I stifled at my own personal joke, feeling a little rude. Lady Kiki raised her eyebrows slightly at my expression, as if she can read my thoughts.
"Uh.. right. Lady Kiki, as I have said, you are in charge while my brother recuperates. Anything you need clarification, you may come to me directly." I dismissed her and turned away.
Walking a few meters ahead, I found myself going straight to the Pharmacy and Healing wards. Perhaps, a visit to the pharmacy apprentice will enlighten me on Mitsuhide's condition.