Unfortunately, I was late in sending the advance chapters to be beta-checked. So this latest chapter will be replaced with a better update. In the meantime, I do hope you enjoy this work.

By the way, I realized that Shirayuki has no last name in the anime or manga. Even her father, Mukaze, only goes by one name. So I am thinking of doing a future chapter whereby I wanted to explore on Shirayuki's last name, but, I do not know what suits her. Any suggestions?

Title: Assistant Luen to the Rescue

Inspired by: Chapter 38 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Obi

Wordcount: 653

Rating: General

Status: (22 August 2017) Beta-ed chapter by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her works.

It took me awhile to find the right path where Obi and Shirayuki headed. I thought they would be going back to the dormitory assigned for their use. I should have known that Shirayuki would put others first before her needs. A passing guard pointed me in the direction towards the healing ward.

It is likely that Shirayuki wishes to see how the boy, Kirito, is faring before she went back to rest. But I am already worried about her state.

My fears were justified. As soon as I turned to the last corner of the hallway leading to the healing wards, I spied Shirayuki's red hair. She was leaning heavily against the pillar.

My footsteps quickened. No!

"I see, the body gets a lot worse very suddenly…" She told Obi, who was bending towards her, offering support.

"Mistress…" I saw Obi's legs wobble a little.

"Obi, you are also affected. Your breathing has become harder. Do not deny it!"

"We've both been exposed, Mistress Shirayuki."

"…the mist… because we breathed on more of it. The symptoms appeared earlier…much earlier than I have... anticipated..."

"Mistress… let me give you another piggyback ride."

Shirayuki is already down on her knees when I finally reached their side, panic threatening to overtake my senses.

"No, you will not," I answered Obi's offer quietly.

Obi looked up, astonished to see me there.

I kneeled on one leg, and quickly gathered Shirayuki close to my chest. Her head rolled to the crook of my shoulder weakly, her eyes dull as she fixated her gaze upon mine.

"Your Highness." She breathed heavily. "No, Master Luen... You shouldn't..."

I can immediately feel her body getting cooler, her breath coming out in wispy, smoky spirals. I felt ice race in my veins, and I held my panic in check. Shirayuki's symptoms appeared quite rapidly. Too rapidly for her own good. Her skin looked pale, and her lips are turning into a faint blue color.

"It's Izana," I told her. "You are foolish beyond doubt. Garack expressly told you to rest." I cannot help but be accusatory in my tone.

She gave a faint smile and closed her eyes. And for a full second, I thought she lost consciousness.

"Iza… na…" she murmured.

That's right. I felt my heart warm when she whispered my name. My heart pounded heavily underneath my thick clothing. And I know Shirayuki is far too ill to notice it.

I gaze at her face tenderly. Almost lovingly. I felt Obi's scrutinizing gaze on my face as well. I did not care. All that matter is the woman resting in my arms.

"Shirayuki, if you have fallen, that means that you have all the pieces?" I felt my heart ache painfully at the way she risked her life and limbs to gather as much information as possible to help put the disease to heel.

She nodded. "Yes, everything. The reason why I brought samples back is for them to make sure that we can glean as much information as possible. I do not want a repeat of this episode." A touch of a satisfied smile hovered at the corner of her mouth.

My fingers curled on her shoulders. I turned to Obi.

"Can you still move?"

He nodded.

"Your Master sent me a letter to give you some orders," I told him a little too sternly. And while I am grateful for Obi that he has fulfilled his duty well, he could have caused damage when he offered to carry Shirayuki when he is not in the best of health. Still, I softened my tone a little. He kept Shirayuki safe as best he could.

"Your Master ordered you to rest, otherwise you are in no position to report to him."

Obi nodded, closing his eyes for a minute, betraying the fact that he knows who has given the command, but chose not to protest. "As you wish, Your Highness."