The next couple of weeks would be a little tricky to post new chapters. I have upcoming short business trips ahead (Yes, I'm an adult and I needed to work. From time to time, my weekends are also being consumed by work responsibilities). At least, I know how Izana Wistalia feels like being a Crown Prince - you almost never get a break, when you need to serve the populace, and to serve your own purpose.
Title: Detour to Grisaille
Inspired by: Chapter 40 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia,
Word Count: 562
Rating: General
Status: Beta-ed chapter by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her works
The descent from Lyrias went smoother than expected. Probably because snow was thinner as we traveled towards the bottom of the mountain.
Of course, the onset of Winter is just around the corner. I had initially planned to stay at Lyrias for two weeks, which stretched into almost two months. Because of the outbreak of the Olin Maris disease, my travel to Lyrias is the longest I have done ever since I left Grisaille and decided to stay at Wistal indefinitely.
The trees gradually changed from spiny to brilliant colors of yellow, red and orange. Autumn has come, and the winds from the Northeast have begun to be colder again. I made a quick mental calculation; it would be a few more weeks before Wistal experiences winter again.
We traveled fast. By now my guards are very familiar with this part of the Clarines. For a few days, I enjoyed the crisp, clean smell of autumn without straining my lungs with thin oxygen, which has always been the case in the past two months. Lyrias is located on a high peak, and its environment is mostly winter. The locals are already used to the extreme weather there, but it is a different case for visitors.
Halfway through our journey, in the small village of Faro, I decided to make a detour at Grisaille. It's been a while since I have graced my personal abode, and I am quite pleased that the majordomo I have appointed has been keeping the place neat and tidy.
The winds coming from the sea are sharp, cold, and strong. And despite the stormy currents hitting the foot of the cliff where the castle stood made crashing noises, they soothed my soul.
For a few days, I enjoyed some peace and quiet. Even my men seemed to appreciate the detour a lot more than I did, for they look refreshed after working so hard supporting me and the people of Lyrias. In gratitude for their services, I gave them permission to explore the area in a leisurely fashion, giving them alternate two or three off days so that they can get to know the village and appreciate its local food, landscape, and the generosity of the villagers.
Meanwhile, I indulged myself with wine, food, and the cleansing hot, therapeutic baths I installed in the bowels of the castle. I wanted to clear my head for the tasks that lay ahead of me. Or so that was my initial intention when I first arrived.
But even with the good food, the excellent wine, and the invigorating air, the moment my head hits the pillow at night, I continued to lay awake. I've only realized that my detour at Grisaille is my poor attempt of exorcising my thoughts of Shirayuki.
My mind kept flipping probable scenarios, my thoughts lingering mostly on Shirayuki, Zen and my future plans. It's like playing a game of chess; predicting my moves and carefully planning for the outcome- except the outcome will not come to me.
This predicament is certainly more difficult than chess. It involves emotions and personalities, morals and values. I do not want conflict with my brother, nor do I wish to lie about my feelings towards her.
So what should I do, then? The answer lies within me. And it is an answer that I am most afraid to act upon.
Notes:
Faro is a real place in Portugal known for its beautiful beaches and Portuguese history.