Some announcements:
New work posted (Title: If Thou Must Love Me). It's a one-shot inspired by Ch 58 of the manga. I hope you enjoy that piece of work. It took me a year to revise and edit the thing, although I wrote that piece in less than 2 days.
Also, it's lemon-rated, so please heed the M-rating. I posted the complete version here at ffdotnet. Now, if someone does not heed the M-rating and still report my work to the admins, I will lock my AO3 version for members viewing only. Don't make me regret posting it in its full (explicit) glory.
Happy New Year, Everyone.
June 18, 2017 Updates: Beta-read by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her. Thank you.
Title: Lady Haki
Inspired by: Chapter 33 of the Manga Akagami no Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Lady Haki
Word Count: 1378
Rating: General
"Shouldn't your chaperone be with you?" I queried, helping myself to another glass of wine. It feels good to relax and be myself for a bit.
"She is outside the door as we speak. After all, we do not want rumors to fly about the first prince when he has yet to make a political alliance with his future bride," She replied shrewdly, bustling about the room, returning some of the books that I interrupted her from doing when I arrived unannounced earlier.
"How is Zen?"
I placed my hand on my chest, feigning hurt by her question. "The most eligible man is inside the room with you and you are looking for my brother?"
She gave a small laugh. "Oh, you are eligible alright. But for the longest time you've been uninterested with the opposite sex. And Zen seems to act more dignified compared to you. You make others quake on their feet with your presence!"
"It's because I look too grand and intimidating. And for your information, Zen has hardly graduated from being a reckless youth to a second prince!"
"At least your brother is honest with his feelings and mood. You are too enigmatic for my taste!" she retorted.
I shook my head, as if trying to clear it. Where is this conversation heading? I'm supposed to start acclimatizing myself with the prospect of marriage to the lady in front of me.
"Zen is doing well, thank the gods, he has outgrown his bratty phase."
"He should be, if the rumors are true and he is preoccupied with a certain exotic maid."
It seems Shirayuki is already known far and wide in Clarines. I raised my eyebrows for lack of answer.
"Oh, don't give me that look! I correspond with Zen occasionally, and he mentioned in one of his letters about his admiration to a certain pharmacist." Lady Haki finished tidying up the books in the room and rang for a maid to help clear the table.
"Indeed." This is a surprise. I never knew Zen has kept in touch with Lady Haki and Makiri.
"I want to meet her," Lady Haki murmured to herself. "I wonder how she looks like? I heard she has red hair and green eyes. A very rare color from what I know."
And long dark eyelashes, and skin as white a snow, I thought in remembrance. Lips as red as a rose.
"You might. Soon enough. And you can see Zen as well making a fool of himself when he's with her."
I finished the apple I was eating earlier and placed the core on the plate in front of me. I stared at it, wishing that I took the opportunity to see her first before I traveled to Lyrias.
"I take it that you do not approve?" she asked quietly.
I shrugged, not wanting to answer her question. "Has anyone ever proposed to you yet, Lady Haki?" I asked suddenly.
She gave me a suspicious look. "Where did that question came from, My Lord? Why the sudden interest in my singlehood state?"
"I am just wondering." I shrugged in a careless manner. "You are at the appropriate age to get married, you know."
She pursed her lips, giving the impression that she doesn't want to answer. However, her expression relaxed a little.
"There are a few offers," She admitted, a little shy. "My brother is considering a couple of offers recently."
I studied her face, noting that she feels reluctant about the issue. "You do not seem to approve his choices?"
"Not really. I mean, I should be grateful that I was considered... except I want to establish a relationship first with someone I am comfortable with before marriage."
Ah. The question of love has come to the equation. Even the beauteous and intelligent Haki wants to experience what real love is.
I nodded in understanding; Lady Haki is a woman of integrity. And I have no doubt that she would fulfill her duty when it is demanded from her. Her candidate as a future bride gives me hope. I have had my share of flirtations with women. Most of them bore me to tears. However, Lady Haki is one of the exceptions that I find I can be comfortable with. She is not easily swayed by my flirtatious actions. If I marry her, Lady Haki understood what is to be expected from her. I have no worries about her reputation. She will make an excellent and beguiling queen.
"Of course, the final decision rests with me. So even if Makiri accepts, I may yet decline the offer."
"Ahh." I noted this fact. It is normal for ladies nowadays to have a say with their marriage alliances, whether they approve or not. It is a far cry from decades ago, when the head of the clan decided on who their daughters should marry. Nevertheless, this is still being strictly practiced. Although Lady Haki is an exception, as she is holding a high position in their household, and Makiri often defers to her when in doubt about certain circumstances.
"This sudden talk about marriage makes me feel a little agitated." She turned to me, "What about you, Prince Izana? You are of the same age as my brother, Makiri. And yet both of you are still unmarried. Although of course that will change in a few months' time. His proposal to Lady Brielle will soon be accepted."
This is news to me. I didn't know that Lord Makiri would soon be taking a bride himself. I must remember to congratulate him when the good news comes.
"Marriage will definitely be in the cards for me," I replied, toying with the wine goblet I still held in my hand. "I suppose it might even happen sooner than expected."
Actually, I am considering you, I thought. Instead, I went to the large framed window, watching the falling snow cover our horses' tracks in the courtyard. "I have a few in mind. I might even consider you," I added.
"Certainly not!" her eyes grew wide with mock horror. "How devastating that would be!"
I chuckled a little. "Don't you want to be married to me?"
She paused, her hand hovering in the air, before pushing a thick tome sleekly into a spot of the bookshelf.
"Why would the future king bother himself with a shrew like me?" She finally asked.
"You are not boring, for starters," I answered, quite honestly. So is Shirayuki. Shirayuki always have a proclivity of getting into troubles. A man married to her will have his hands full, no doubt about it.
"Hmm. What else?"
"You are not a pain to look at." Haki's beauty is ethereal, while Shirayuki beauty is fresh, yet mysterious.
"I see."
"You are a well-bred lady with gentle manners." Shirayuki has yet to be polished, but she will get there eventually.
What am I doing? I stopped myself. Why am I comparing Shirayuki against her?
"Is that all?" she asked pointedly.
"For now."
We both stared at each other. But I don't see Haki in front of me. Rather, I see a different woman. I wondered how Shirayuki would feel when I decided to propose to Haki and she accepts? Will she be thrilled at the news and be happy for me?
Or will she be saddened?
My chest tightened a little when I remembered how determined my brother is in pursuing Shirayuki. Why bother coming between them? Shirayuki might yet prove me wrong and turn out to be a good match for Zen. Why am I compelled to come between them?
Because she is the only one I cannot have under any circumstances. I was suddenly interrupted from my reverie when the large grandfather clock chimed the time.
"Goodness, is that the time? I better go and see to the cooks about dinner. Let me show you to your room, Prince Izana. You must want to rest a little and prepare for tonight." She stood up and gestured for me to follow her.
I bowed in acceptance and decided to let her lead me the way to my rooms. I have plenty of time to observe. I will utilize my two weeks here to firmly decide what I want for the future.