Unbeta-ed chapter. Yes, I'm still on a look-out for a beta-reader. For some reason, there's one who replied to my beta ad, but did not reply to my emails afterwards. If you are still interested, PM me.

As for others, I have a few stories I need some input on. PM me if interested. :)

Title: Love Makes no Promises

Inspired by: Chapter 29 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Zen Wistalia

Wordcount: 2306

Rating: General

The meal that night was an tense affair. It was so tense that I could almost slice it with my sword if I had it with me.

However, Sakaki was, if at all used to such atmosphere, was a good guest. He exercised diplomacy, giving each person an opportunity to speak. While he regaled our dinner guests with stories about Tanbarun, I was content to watch and listen, making as little comments as possible and only reacting when it is necessary. I wanted to continue observing them, especially that particular person.

Shirayuki.

All throughout dinner, she was very quiet, barely even touching her soup, or even the roasted venison and vegetables artfully arranged by the palace cooks. I have to restrain myself from growling at her for not eating enough. And I noted that my brother looked equally as disconcerting as me. He kept glancing at her, concern etched on his face; a few times, he would throw glowering looks at me as well, as if to say It's entirely your fault for being so insensitive.

She listened closely, rather than talking, although she paid close attention and answered when being addressed to- mostly by Sakaki, who beamed at her almost like a proud Uncle. I have no doubt that Prince Raj's loyal aide is trying his best to persuade Shirayuki over to their side so that Prince Raj will continue to pursue his feelings for her. I have confidence that Sakaki is losing a battle to dissuade her to stay at Clarines. Though once or twice, I did felt a little anxious that she might change her mind. My actions early might be enough to warrant some seconds thoughts on her part about staying here, now that she has earned a respectable title.

I looked down at the crytal wine goblet I was holding. My anger towards her has dissipated a little. After she left me fuming in the hallway, I thundered back to my office, wanting to finish my paperworks but was unable to do so. Instead, I sat restlessly, questioning myself for the umpteenth time why I said those words earlier, when I knew deep down that she there is more to her character than just her exotic looks.

I placed my wine goblet down on the table and concentrated on the discussions around me.

Lord Haruka asked about the traditions in Tanbarun, and whether the rumors are true that the Royal family's ancestors are actually related to the legendary horsebreeders from the country of Adabia.

Meanwhile, Garack Gazelt is curious about endemic plant species growing in the mountains of Tanbarun. And she kept on wondering out loud on whether an expedition can be mounted to try and collect plant samples and see whether we can grow some of them in the Palace greenhouses.

"Certainly, Head Pharmacist. I am sure Lady Shirayuki will be able to guide you better on this expedition of yours. After all, she is a native of Tanbarun, and I am sure she is quite familiar with the forests within the mountains." Sakaki smiled at Garack, before downing his glass of wine.

I watched as Garack beamed, charmed like a school girl. She always have a weakness for smart people, treating them almost like family. And Sakaki is a shrewed person if I have ever seen one. That idiotic Crown Prince definitely survived because his right hand man is always by his side.

After dessert has been served, I began to excuse myself and bid everyone a pleasant evening. It has been a long day, and protocol dictates that no one should leave the table until the highest ranking person desires to leave. Technically, I am the highest ranking person in the room, being the Crown Prince, so, I bid everyone goodnight to let them enjoy the rest of the evening.

However, instead of going straight to bed, I decided to spend an hour or so back in my office. I am not that tired yet, and it's too early for my own bed time. I might as well do something productive; besides, I do not want to think about her.

I glanced up at the clock when it struck twelve midnight. I didn't intend to stay too late; sometime around ten, I finally forced myself to finished the paperworks without mishaps. I placed my quill down and replaced back the cap of the ink bottle, careful not to spill any on my correspondences. I stacked them together as neatly as I could before shoving them all together on the drawer underneath my desk and locked it with a key. I left the room without putting out the lights. Maruko would ensure that my office is tidy when I come back tomorrow morning.

The route to my private apartments is short. But as I am not that sleepy yet, I took a detour and do some brisk walking, my mind began to fill with thoughts about Shirayuki now that I have have no work to do to keep them at bay. Images of her and our conversation earlier came rushing back. And I couldn't help but analyze all the words we exchanged; the expressions on her face, the disappointment in her eyes. The uneasy feeling continues to churn deep in my gut.

And we are back to square one with our hostile relationship. Why did I have to open my mouth and ask such impertinent questions?

I am usually a straightforward person; but when it comes to Shirayuki, all my feelings get jumbled together. I feel jealous whenever I see her with Zen and at the same time, I feel selfish when I think about my brother spending time with her rather than with me like when we used to do things whenever we have spare time. I do not understand which issue weighs in heavily with me.

I continued to walk, liking the privacy and silence throughout the corridors. Of course, I am not entirely alone. Any time of the day at any place, someone is always tailing me, but not too close as to invade my personal space. The knowledge sits at the back of my head, and sometimes I feel its noose around my neck. As a crown prince, I will never be left alone.

I stopped walking and glanced at the clear, dark sky above. The stairs twinkled mockingly before my eyes, as if to ask who am I in the grand scheme of the universe? I ran a hand through my longish hair ruefully, sighing at the challenges that lay before me.

To be a King.

To be a human.

To love and be loved.

The gentle breeze seemed a little colder as each day passes. I sat at the smooth, flat edge of the stone balustrade. Right below me, the path towards the greenhouses lay, peppered with neatly trimmed bushes and a vast lawn. I had barely spent ten minutes staring blankly at the quiet scene before me, when I heard a faint rustling below that made me sat up straight.

Shirayuki walked down to the path, as if expecting someone to arrive.

I need not make a guess.

Three seconds later, the crunching of boots on the stone covered path made its way towards her, and I saw my brother's blond hair gleaming in the semi-darkness.

I watched them as they met, Zen's hands outstretched, Shirayuki catching them with her own.

"My apologies, Zen, for calling you out at such a late hour."

"Shirayuki. The way Obi called me, I thought-."

She gave an apologetic chuckle. "Forgive me. I only mentioned to Obi that I need to talk to you as soon as possible. I have barely uttered the last sentence when he already went off in search of you."

"It doesn't matter, Shirayuki. I am here. Are you troubled? Tell me what distresses you at this late hour?"

I watch the exchanges of these two hidden behind the shadows of the stone columns, unwilling to take my eyes off them. I couldn't help it. I needed to know where I stand between them.

Shirayuki seemed to have lost her courage to talk. She stood there for a moment, head hung a little low, not meeting Zen's eyes.

"Zen. This afternoon, I wish to apologize-"

But before she could finish, Zen engulfed her with a hug.

"Ssshhh. If it really bothered you what my brother has said, it doesn't mean much to me." He reassured her, though unconvincingly. My brother is such a poor liar.

And clearly Shirayuki knows it too.

She stood there, arms pressed to her side. It took her longer to reciprocate my brother's hug. And I noted this with a lot more interest than I should have. But when she finally did, I felt my chest tighten.

"It matters to me." She answered in a low voice. "It matters to me, Zen. Because I deeply value you as a special person. Though I think, for the moment, it may not be enough for you."

Slowly, my brother let her go and took a step back. But he continues to hold her, his hands gliding down from her shoulders to her elbow.

"I am quite happy that I met you, Zen. And I never regretted coming to Clarines. Working here as a Pharmacist, it was a dream come true for me. Beyond my wildest hopes, to be given such an opportunity to know you, to know a lot of people, and to learn, to serve them with all I have. I am gearing myself to achieve something that you possibly cannot give to me. I have found my purpose. Knowledge and serving those in need is my higher calling."

She paused, lifting her head, obviously to meet my brother in the eye. Absentmindedly, my hand gripped the edges of the stone balustrade I was sitting on and quietly leaned in to listen.

"Zen, when you confessed your feelings for me, I promise myself that I would carefully think about my future. It made me happy, knowing that someone of your ranking cared deeply enough for me. It was more than I could ever even hope for. But it seems unfair that I am, as yet, unable to give you the time you need. I do not wish to become a burden to you."

"Shirayuki. You need not bother to tell me this. When I told you that I love you, it doesn't mean that you need to answer right away. I want you to take your time."

"I know! I know." She laughed softly.

The breeze gently blew again. Bringing in the scent of autumn. The pine wood smell is heavy in the air, along with apples and crumbling leaves. Shirayuki's soft laughter floated towards my ears.

"I felt a little guilty, when your brother mentioned about me not saying anything of my feelings for you. Have I offended you in some way? I couldn't sleep, knowing that my actions to your confessions is not enough that it even caught Prince Izana's attention."

My brother shook his head in understanding. "Shirayuki, it is never my intention to force you to reciprocate my feelings. I've known all along how you feel about such things. It's the main reason you ran away from Prince Raj."

A gilded cage, I thought. Shirayuki is afraid of being put in a cage and unable to return what is expected of her. Fear of being suppressed, fear of thoughts being boxed, and speech being controlled.

They both stood silent, staring at each other. I felt my heart ache again, as if I was the one standing there instead of my brother.

"Zen. I wanted to give you a promise.." she trailed off, her voice trembling a little. The word but hovered between them. And she pulled away a little, so that Zen was forced to let her go.

I can see my brother feeling a little hurt by her words. And I felt the ache in my chest expand further. Why does it hurt so much, even if her words are not directed at me?

"Shirayuki. Love makes no promises. My feelings for you are genuine, and it will never waver. I wanted to gain your trust, and so if you need the time to know me more, I will give it to you. My only wish is that when the right moment has come for me to ask you; when you have fulfilled your need to change the world around you, please give me the answer that I yearn for."

I clenched my fists. And here I am thinking the worst about her! Zen is practically begging for Shirayuki to seriously think about marrying him! The perfect opportunity is already there. She can easily demand for more if she were any other ambitious woman: power, riches, landed properties.

But Shirayuki being Shirayuki, she places a steep price on her freedom and her desire to learn and to serve. A man must be willing to give up something just as precious in order to possess her.

The answer is on the top of my tongue. But somehow, I am loathe to utter them. I feel a little intimidated by this magnificent woman, who indirectly challenges me about my opinions of the norm.

I blinked back the tears from my eye. I wanted her as much as my brother does, maybe even more. And while my brother may be most willing to wait for a reply that may never come, here I am most willing to challenge her resolve and lock her in.

Shirayuki locked in my own gilded cage.

For I am Prince Izana. And what I desire, I would most likely succeed in getting it. Even if I have to force and scheme my way into fulfilling my wants. Even if the consequences will cost me her freedom or my own brother's happiness.