Regular updates continues. I found a beta willing to proof-read my works for any grammar and spelling inconsistencies. So, I will be updating the old chapters first.

Anyway, my 3 week trip is coming up soon (in a month's time), so I will be posting multiple chapters on first week of April. The next updates might be at the end of April. I know, it's a long wait, but I have reports to settle after my trip, so, bear with it for a few weeks. :)

Do look forward to more interactions with Izana and Shirayuki. Some of them are not in the manga chapters.

Title: The Words of a Royal Pharmacist

Inspired by: Chapter 36 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Suzu, Yuzuri

Wordcount: 763

Rating: General

I let out a low exhale, trying to wrap my mind around the amount of investigation and work needed to do despite being distracted by Shirayuki's warmth emanating through her hand gloves clasping my own. My instincts told me to trust her. My hands covered her own.

I made a split-second decision.

"Maruko."

He was already next to me.

"Send word to Lady Haki and Lord Makiri. Inform them of the situation. We will convene in a few hours' time at Allulionne Keep. Should they require your assistance, stay and obey their requests. Get the messengers to report to me on updates. I will need to assist the Royal pharmacist. On my own." I stressed.

"Understood."

Maruko bustled off, motioning for the rest of my bodyguards to follow him. With the instructions given, my aide knows I wish as little intrusion as possible. But knowing Maruko, he has immediately activated my shadow guards to keep hidden as I go about on my own missions.

Shirayuki seemed to have come to her senses and realized that she committed another trespass yet again and began to pull away. I felt her hand slipping from my fingers, but I held her back.

"I understand." I told her. "I understand."

She let out a sigh of relief, eyes glistening a little.

I raised my free hand. "Captain, you know what to do."

"..the gates!" one of the guards uttered in disbelief. "Closing the Saturn gate. How..What are we up against?"

Gaius barked out orders after orders, now that a decision has been made. My decision.

"Post Commanders! On your feet! Move it, move it! Send the messages to the outposts. Saturn Gate is closing it's borders!"

"Why are we asking the assistant?" I heard Suzu stage-whispered to Yuzuri, looking a little bewildered. His mouth was open with the bustle of activity all around us.

Soldiers and guards alike moved with sudden urgency. Gauis Manus' voice was drowned out when the iron rails and wheels began to churn out in earnest. The ground gave a small tremor as the huge steel open doors began to move. All around us, the people began to fall into the pattern of emergency lockdown. They have practiced the drill so many times, and yet the mood in the air feels like it shouldn't be happening.

"Pray excuse me, sir." Gauis bowed. "I need to see to the necessary preparations."

"Gauis, stick to the plans as agreed. The disease will claim lives if untreated. Tell your men to be vigilant and report any happenings."

"Understood."

Shirayuki looked stunned when I turned to face her again.

"Are you…really.." she seemed a little loss for words.

I licked the bottom of my lips. "Right here, right now, would I ignore the words of a Royal Pharmacist? I trust you enough to do your job and advise me. If I don't, then we are a failure."

She blinked at my words, seemingly trying to grasp the meaning behind.

It is true that I did not trust her before. But trust, is a valuable commodity. Something that is very difficult to price. I can see her now standing before me, looking unpretentious and sincere about her work, and her genuine concern for the people- my people. Most I encountered will not bother to stake their reputation over something they do not care about; rather, they would only be persuaded to action if it means gaining something personal.

I trust you. My eyes told her.

Clearing my throat, I turned to Suzu and Yuzuri.

"Please go back to the Institute and continue to find a cure. Shirayuki will come with me."

They recognized authority. Drawing on their full height, Suzu frowned a little but nodded. "Luen, please ensure that the wardens come to us so we can urgently train them in case new patients are discovered. We want as little casualties as possible. We shall make the necessary preparations."

"As you wish." I acquiesced.

Suzu pivoted on his heel, followed closely by Yuzuri, who mimed to Shirayuki to look for her once she comes back to the Institute.

"Yuzuri, please inform Ryuu that I won't be long." Shirayuki told her in a hurried manner, pulling away from my side to touch her shoulder. I did not relaxed my grip on her hand, rather, I tightened my fingers around hers, never intending to let her go. It was base instinct, but I feel anxious if I let her out of my sight.

Yuzuri noted this, but I ignored the questioning look she gave me.

"Come, Shirayuki. We must hurry."