Sincere apologies for disappearing for a couple of weeks. I am drowning in my paperworks (help!). And, I am at my most unproductive stage- a special someone gifted me with a Nintendo Switch, complete with...Zelda: Breath of the Wild (le gasp!)!

So, I've been playing the game for a week now (Currently earned 3 hearts, but badly need stamina). I am running out of shrines to uncover, and my character (Link) is still weak. Anyway, I pulled myself from the game and intend to manage my time wisely (hopefully), so here I am back with the latest chapter. Please don't be angry with me if I drag this story too long. I darn well know, that I have committed myself to completing this!

On the other hand, my spotify account is still alive. If you wish to give song suggestions for this story, go right ahead and PM me! I will be creating a list of new song inspiration for this work.

Also, I am not as active as before, but I am in Facebook as well. Do add me if you feel like it. I tend to post stuff randomly. All details/links are in my profile page.

Title: Playing Hooky

Inspired by: Chapter 41 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia

Word count: 829

Rating: General

Status: Beta-ed chapter by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her works

Zen's group arrived three days after I did, together with Shirayuki and Ryuu. From the windows of my office, I could see that Shirayuki's journey has robbed her of the strength she tried to recover during her sojourn in Lyrias.

Noting this, I decided to allow them a brief respite, before focusing back on the discussions I am having with an envoy from another country.

A week passed before I sent Zen over to check the borders in the South west, to the city of Cascais. Not long after he left on his next expedition, Garack's team arrived, and she is very keen to resume her work back in the castle. I never saw her, though I am sure that Shirayuki is well into continuing her work at the Castle.

I deemed it wise to stay out of her way.

The Royal Head Pharmacist is relieved to report that the medicine recreated by Ryuu and Lyria's competent medical team was a success, and that most of the patients afflicted with the disease have gone home. Only a handful were left in the isolation ward of the Pharmacology Institute; a precaution needed as they wished the children to be free from all the effects of the toxins. Garack is confident enough to leave their care under the healers of Lyrias; the updated reports will be sent to her as soon as the last of the patients have gone home.

Shidan, meanwhile, was appointed by Garack to continue his study of the plant. He would mostly study the plant and its promising benefits- though clearly these are not only the issues Garack Gazelt wants. She seems to know more of the plant that she is willing to share at the moment. So I let her keep mum on the project until she is ready to tell me more. Knowing her, she has something up her sleeve. Yuzuri's team would assist Shidan in his endeavors.

The next few days passed without fuss; indeed, I welcomed it with open arms. It has been quite some time since we had peaceful days.

Except on this particular day, I am in no mood to work. I paused from my writing, filled with urge to spend the day outdoors. Winter is coming soon, and the bustling markets would soon close throughout the season and resume once the plum blossoms sprout. Both Maruko and Miyoshi are pre-occupied with various errands I have sent them to do, while I send Iyasu on an errand to Raxd to check on the patrol guards' welfare. The six months penalty I imposed on them would be ending soon, and I would like to hand their care back to my brother.

They won't be back until dusk; if I sneak out for a break, I would be back well before them.

Without further ado, I shot out of the room, into my private apartments where I shed myself of my clothes and donned a plain uniform that would suit a Captain of a guard on a normal day. Heilan, my valet has repeatedly tried to chuck these clothes at the back of my wardrobe cabinet. Checking my clothes into a huge gilded mirror, I frowned critically, thinking something was lacking. I darted back into the huge walk-in-closet which I seldom go- my valet, Haelan, considers this as his domain. Rooting around, I finally got a cotton scarf- a nice deep blue color- and wound it around my neck. It would ward off an unexpected chill.

Feeling a little giddy with excitement, I went out of my rooms, avoiding all the human traffic in the common corridors. It's been a while since I dressed plain; quite possibly, the last time I did this was when I dressed up as guard and stole a kiss or two from her.

I paused in my tracks, shaking my head. There's no point thinking about Shirayuki at a time like this. Any time soon, the Queen will send her reply. I would be expecting her to start arranging all the necessary things needed to do and offer for Lady Haki's hand. The better the things are set into place, the lesser I would have the tendency to dilly-dally.

The things I desire are impossible to fulfill- a future King and commoner will never meet the people's approval, let alone my mother, the Queen.

Perching at one of the branches of a mature oak tree, I waited for the patrol guards to pass, before leaping over the wrought-iron gate and into the street. Trondheim area is located at the northwest border of Wistal Castle, and it is the easiest route that goes into the city markets and bustling streets.

I took a jump as soon as the three guards rounded at the corner. My feet landed with ease on the cobblestone street. Brushing my clothes off with whatever leaves got stuck, I straightened up and took a couple of steps forward.

I heard a surprise gasp behind me.

Notes:

Cascais – is a coastal town and municipality of Portugal.

Trondheim – Is a city and municipality of Norway