Anyone watched Star Wars: The Last Jedi?
Am I the only one or it feels like there is some deep connection between Rey and Kylo Ren?! I mean that scene where they connected (Spoilers!) through their minds via the Force. Wow! I mean, I'm probably reading too much into it, but maybe my hyperactive imagination just went into overdrive. Kylo Ren being Yang/Dark and Rey as Yin/Light just made my fanfiction imagination go bonkers. Imagine the possibilities! Okay, while their "deep" connection was just Snoke hijacking their mental conversation like an old telephone partyline sucks, that last part where Rey and Kylo still proves the connection wasn't due to Snoke's genius just made gnash my teeth with sexual (ahem) frustration. Oh, and that slamming of the Falcon's door just made me recall of how the female lead slams the door in front of a lover's face. Damn!
And man! Not really a fan of Adam Driver, but he just got buffed for this film. Despite that angsty-emo look he continues to sport, there is that passion. Ugh! I'm gonna be binge-reading on ReyLo pairing for the next few weeks.
Anyway, back to the latest chapter. This might be the last update for the year. My beta reader just went off the radar for the holidays and won;t be surfacing out until the new year comes. Still tearing my hair out for the future chapters. I am stuck! Stuck on how the write the transitional chapters... I need that motivation. Anyone gifting me some this year?
Advance happy holidays to you all.
Title: Afternoon Tea Break
Inspired by: Chapter 45 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Suzu, Yuzuri, Ryuu
Word Count: 872
Rating: General
Status: Beta-ed chapter by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her works
It suits you.
I twirled the eagle quill I was holding, murmuring a low curse at my carelessness. What was I thinking doing that sort of thing in front of her friends? The way I looked at her betrays the fact that I keep on thinking about her even when I shouldn't.
There was knock on my door and I glanced at the clock, noting that it was almost time for my tea break. I began to sign the last of the pile of papers before I stopped for a break.
The familiar scent of apples threw me off guard when I realized that it was Shirayuki who was wheeling the tea service into my office.
"Your tea, Prince Izana." She smiled faintly at my person, not waiting for my reply before busying herself and pouring the hot concoction into fine china. Taking the circular hammered silver and placing the fragrant cup of hot beverage along with plates of buttery biscuits, she crossed the space between us in silence: she with her eyes carefully eyeing the tray with my food, I with my eye trained on her face.
The silence is palpable, broken only by a gentle rattle of porcelain against silver; Shirayuki's concentration faltered when she saw me staring at her.
"I hope you enjoy this, Your Highness," She chatted, arranging the tea in front of me, turning it gently so that the handle faces my right hand, resting on top of the table. My attention was briefly distracted by the gleam of green stone garnets hanging by her wrist.
My gift. My Shirayuki.
"Thank you."
Taking the cup, I took an appreciative sniff, liking the smell of flowers and sweet syrup blended together. I could see a whole dried flower bloomed at the bottom of the cup-it's veined petals swayed gently as I bring the rim close to my lips.
"Delicious," I pronounced appreciatively. "Thank you, Shirayuki."
She nodded, turned and prepared to leave.
"Stay."
She whirled about. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness?"
I placed the cup back to the saucer, and sauntered over to her side, still holding the saucer.
She backed away until her legs hit one of the sofa, and she sat down unceremoniously. I loomed in front of her and sank on the empty space beside her, eyeing another spare cup.
"Pour yourself some drink and join me as I take a break."
She frowned a little, looking uncomfortable. "I'm supposed to go back and finish my work."
I lifted my own cup, "So do I. But tea breaks are necessary."
She bit her lower lip; my groin reacted a little.
She poured tea into the extra cup. I watched as she performed this task, noting that she is wearing a pair of simple silver earrings.
We sat in silence, drinking our tea. I can tell she is drinking as fast as she could, while I took my time savoring my own drink. I just wanted to watch her squirm a little and enjoy myself even for five minutes, my mouth smirking when her face flushed red from the heat of the tea.
"Excellent drink." I drained the last of it. "You make such good tea, Shirayuki."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
We stared at each other. I was tempted to pull the pins away from her hair and watch the strands tumble down her back. Ten minutes of burying myself deep within her may not be enough to satiate my hunger for her. My heart hammered.
"Bring me tea again, tomorrow."
"Why?"
Why indeed?
"So, I can see you."
I could see her jaw working up. She opened her mouth slightly and snapped it shut, hesitant to say what's on her mind.
Say no. I told her silently. What has gotten into me lately? Probably because I felt a little cheated by what she told me after our rendezvous at the market, and I wished to find out.
No, this is not a rational explanation for such strange behavior. You are acting like a petulant child.
"I don't understand you, Your Highness." Her voice sounded a little furious.
"I'm afraid I do not understand my own self as well." I paused feeling furious at myself too, before adding, "Shirayuki…"
Her pupils dilated.
"You hated me before. Don't you remember?"
As clear as day. I nodded.
"And yet, lately, why do I feel as if you wanted to say something to me? I cannot grasp what meaning is behind your eyes." She stood up and backed away.
I didn't realize she was analyzing me. Should I be thrilled? Irritated? Or both?
"You should get back to work," I told her, my tone icy. I refuse to say anything else. What's the point when it will boil down to nothing? I am a future King, and she was nothing but a peasant girl turned Royal pharmacist-with a respectable title, nothing more.
My inner voice began to chant coward again, and I swiftly silenced it.
She nodded, turned towards the door. But her pause made me stare at her with interest.
"I will bring your tea tomorrow, Your Highness."