Aw man, I didn't realize the last chapter would generate a lot of reaction from you guys.. Don't come at me with pitchforks once you finish this chapter. I mean, you KNOW how I like to torture Izana very slowly.

Good news is, Izana MIGHT get his just reward at the end. As long as he behaves.

I posted this earlier because I have a busy couple of weeks ahead, and I am not sure if I will be able to post next weekend. So I hope this chapter will tide you over. Life is intruding and I need to spend time with loved ones.

Title: Alexandrite

Inspired by: Chapter 41 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime

Characters: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki

Word Count: 847

Rating: General

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

I stiffened a little at the mood shift. My body instinctively on the alert as I sense another person standing a few feet away.

Letting out a soft sight of frustration, maybe even relief; instead of kissing her, as I would have intended, I whispered to Shirayuki's ear.

"I believe our fun ends in an abrupt manner." I straightened up.

Her eyelids flew open, immediately registering puzzlement at my words. I poked her button nose with a finger, gave her a teasing smile, composed my face into a dignified expression before turning around.

One of my shadow guards, dressed in midnight blue, with half of his face covered in a scarf, and a gleam of steel weapon hidden beneath his robes, bowed at the waist.

"Humble apologies, Your Highness. The meeting with the diplomats from Jaen must not be delayed."

I waved his dismissal. One blink and the guard is gone.

I felt a hand on my sleeve.

"Who was that?"

I absent-mindedly took her hand off my sleeve and gripped it tight on my right hand. "My shadow-guard. They follow me everywhere. Always." Pausing at this, I drew her hand close to my mouth and planted a quick kiss at the back of her palm and held it near my lips, warming her skin.

"Miss Pharmacist. Thank you for the gift."

Not waiting for her reply, I turned back to the old woman manning the trinkets counter, who was watching us with a curious eye. I pointed at one object that caught my eye. She nodded and took it out from the tray gingerly, handed it over while I placed a few sovereigns on the tray. The astonished look in her eye made me smile a little.

"Take the rest of the day off."

She bowed her thanks in her gravely voice and began to pack up her things. The sovereign is enough for a few month's worth of food. Shirayuki watched me with interest as we began to make our way out of the winding alley and into the familiar street leading to the castle. Along the way, I continued to hold her hand, fumbling about with the clasp and slid the heavy bracelet made up of dark green alexandrite stones that reminded me so much of her eyes.

"Oh!"

I let her hand go and watched her astonished expression with a mixture of guilt and gratification. Even as I clasped the bracelet on her wrist, it felt like a betrayal when I recall my plans to marry another. God, I wish things aren't so complicated! I thought to myself mournfully.

She smoothed the stones with her fingers, holding them out against the fading late afternoon sunlight to admire its beauty. It takes so little to make her smile.

"It's beautiful." She was grinning. But then she frowned a little. "But you shouldn't have." Her cheeks turned pink again.

I snatched her back into my arms, enfolding her against my body. It felt heaven just hugging her tight. I planted a swift kiss on her forehead, before I released her with reluctance.

"It's for thanks for showing me around. I honestly have no idea that there are other aspects of this city that would make me enjoy my afternoon. Soon, I will no longer have the opportunity to do this…"

Once I am King.

We stood in silence as we both stared at each other's eyes. It's as close as I can get to confessing my feelings to her; confessing my inner fears and uncertainty. I could not help but pour out some of my anxieties about the future. Somehow, I know deep inside she would understand me even better than my brother.

I broke our eye contact, pivoting my heel. I should go back alone, otherwise, people will talk once they see us together-not that they would speculate about the romantic possibilities; they would probably think that I am bullying her because I disapprove of her burgeoning relationship with my brother.

"Prince Izana."

I paused in my tracks. I did not dare to look back, lest I find myself unable to resist and haul her in my arms.

"You will be a good King. You must not doubt that. And you will have Zen's support, for he respects you like no other. Your presence will bring in a bright future for this country-a future that I am hoping I would be part of. For I…"

I turned my head a little, straining to hear.

"…love your country, the people and the warmth I received. But most especially, I lo-…"

A flutter of doves nesting above us, began to make noises, startled from their resting place by a couple of men who began to sweep the balcony clean.

Her last words were drowned out by the birds' ruckus. I turned to face her, and she was looking at me with the most unreadable expression.

"Shirayuki… what..." I began.

She bowed low before straightening up.

"Good day, Prince Izana. I will see you around." And with that farewell note, she turned to her right, towards another different entry point of the castle, leaving me behind to ponder upon the mystery of her unidentifiable words she spoke.

Notes:

Jaen – is a province in Spain, and one of the largest producers of olive oil in the world. Jaen is derived from the Arabic word Khayyan meaning crossroads of caravans.

During the Victorian era, wedding bracelets were a tradition in which a groom would present a bride with one of a set of bracelets to be worn at the beginning of their engagement. The other bracelet was to be put on the day of her wedding. The bracelets were usually a wide golden band with some type of engraving on it. Women would often pass the bracelets down from daughter to daughter.

Alexandrite is the birthstone for the month of June. It is also considered Friday's stone, or the stone of "Friday's Child." It is an extremely rare gemstone and a fairly modern one to boot. The name Alexandrite comes from the fact that the gemstone was first discovered in the emerald mines near the Tokovaya River in Russia's Ural Mountains in 1830, on the day of Prince Alexander II of Russia's birthday.

Since the discovery of alexandrite, the gemstone has been thought to bring luck, good fortune and love. In Russia, it is considered to be a stone of very good omen. It is believed to bring balance in the interaction between the physical manifest world and the astral world. It opens the crown chakra, bringing one access to the warm, healing energy and love of the universe. It is also said to strengthen intuition, creativity, and imagination. Alexandrite encourages romance. It is also said that through the stone, joy enters the lives of people with too much self-discipline. The stone reminds us of our purpose in life and our origin. It gives hope to those who are in despair about their lives. It brings strength and constantly reminds them of the light. With its changing color, it is a reminder that life is not only what it seems to be.

Lapus lazuli, on the other hand, has been used in jewelry, carvings and amulets for thousands of years. It is a stone prized for its intense blue color. The name Lapis Lazuli comes from the Arabic word lazward, from which the word azure comes, which means blue. Ancient Romans used to call it sapphires, which was subsequently applied to the blue variety of conundrum we know today as sapphire. Egyptians regarded lapis lazuli as a heavenly stone and often used it on the statues of their gods and in burial masks, as protection for the next life. The stone has been used in many famous pieces throughout history, including the mask of Tutankhanem. Egyptians used lapis lazuli for cylindrical seals. For Sumerians, the supreme lapis lovers of antiquity, they were willing to spend years traveling from one end of Asia to the other, on mining expeditions for the gem. In fact, the stone was mentioned in their 2650 BC epic of Gilgamesh. During the Middle Ages, ruling class art patrons demanded that painters use blue paint that was made from blue lapis. Men of less means had to tolerate cheaper blue pigments made from indigo or copper.

Lapis Lazuli has been thought to protect against evil for thousands of years. The Greeks and Romans used it as a reward for bravery. Both the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians believed it could cure melancholy. It also symbolizes honesty, spiritual wisdom, self-actualization and revelation. Wearers of lapis lazuli will not let anyone steal their thunder or undermine their personal power. It challenges the wearer to stand in a place of authority with true integrity.

Technically speaking, if you understand the symbolism behind the bracelet that Prince Izana bought, he is getting himself engaged to Shirayuki-at least he is binding himself to her-such was the intensity of his feelings at the moment.

When I first wrote this piece, I just randomly chose stones based on their physical characteristics. Now when I had the time to delve deeper into the meanings behind the stones, lo- and behold! Seems like fate brought me over to the right path. :D

The lapis lazuli stone suits Prince Izana. Not only that, Shirayuki (unconsciously) seems to be informing him that while he is a true leader, he should be honest with himself and his feelings.

Choosing alexandrite for Shirayuki was also accidental. She's been through a lot of hardships, and she's reached triumph on them with integrity and hard work; the stone symbolizes strength through adversity.

Sorry that I got carried away with the long notes. I always adore historical facts and details, stemming from my love of reading and binge-watching on documentaries.