I appreciate the precious few who have commented and PM-ed their support. Thank you very much. And hello to Dia-Rose, we're gonna be neighbors soon (we might be provinces apart, but yeah!). Anyway, I have homework over the weekend (work done at home-get it? :P), and I was doing some last minute winter clothes packing that's why I wasn't able to post. I'd be popping by the Maple country in 2 weeks' time to do some personal paperwork, so here's to hoping I won't be as cranky as a cat (19+ hours of travel) and be able to doodle or write some stuff while I kill time in between stopovers.
Title: A High-Ranking Lady
Inspired by: Chapter 46 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime
Character: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia, Lady Kiki, Mitsuhide
Word count: 1030
Rating: General
Status: Beta-ed chapter by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her works
I did not have to wait long before the outburst. Lord Haruka wasted no time in informing my brother about the Ærra Jeola ball to be hosted within the Castle walls.
At precisely eight in the evening, I heard a knock outside the door of my office. Gearing myself, I nodded at Maruko, who hurried to open the door, while I carefully capped the ink bottle and wiped the ink off the quill I was holding.
"Brother." Zen's irritated expression greeted me as he presented himself in the middle of the room, posture rigid before bowing a little stiffly. I swallowed my mirth. My brother clearly took time to vent out his frustrations alone before deciding to come and see me. Behind him, Lady Kiki and Mitsuhide stood at attention, imitating their master and bending their upper bodies forward-albeit more gracefully.
"Hmp." I snorted a little. "Are you here about the ball?"
"A match-making ball!" Zen looked outraged at the mere word match, crossing the expanse of the room and standing directly before me, with only a desk separating us. Seeing the look on my face up close, he lowered his tone a little, face flushed. "I thought I made it clear that I want no one else-!" he muttered under his breath.
"Of course, you did, my dear cute brother!" I reached out and poke his nose affectionately. Seeing my brother like these made me want to tease him more. "You've made your preferences loud and clear. Hence, maybe this ball might still change your mind." I winked at him.
He glowered.
"Oh, come now, Zen." I leaned back in a relaxing pose. "It's time we continue the tradition in Wistal even while our mother is not here. I am well aware that you love the festivities at this time of the season."
"Those were different," Zen replied defensively. "Our family dinners are intimate."
"Yes, they are." I nodded in remembrance. "But, it's been years since we had a proper celebration. I thought it prudent that we hold a similar one, now that a lot of the nobility has recognized your status as the second prince."
He rolled his eyes. "I don't need their approval to do my work."
"Of course, you don't," I readily acquiesced with his opinion, humoring him until I drop the next news. He wouldn't like it one bit. "But we shall have the ball, nevertheless. And you will not give up your search for a wife even if you need to pretend," I said with a tone of finality.
He frowned. "I don't like that look on your face. You are planning something!" he accused.
I gave him my most innocent-looking expression. "Do I?" I asked idly, looking past his shoulder and locking eyes with his aide, Lady Kiki.
"So, Lady Kiki? Are you up for the task?"
Zen's mouth dropped open. "Kiki will plan the ball?" Behind him, Mitsuhide's eyes bulged in incredulity.
"As the highest-ranking female aristocrat residing within the castle, yes, I am contemplating on delegating the task to her. She is still Lady Kiki Seiran, who will inherit the title of Duchess, in case you have forgotten!" I nodded approvingly at her.
"But she can't even distinguish the difference between napkin linens and table linens, let alone on what flowers and decorations to use!"
"I resent that, Your Highness, Prince Zen. I am schooled in handling such a feat. I am a Lady after all, as His Highness, Prince Izana, has pointed out," Lady Kiki replied dryly before stepping forward. She mumbled a few words under her breath, causing Mitsuhide's face to flush a little red, his lips quivering with suppressed laughter. I caught the words father, marriage preparation, and nightmare. She turned to face Zen a little, and I was impressed with her poker expression. "Perhaps, I will increase your paperwork load to keep you busy for the next three weeks should I decide to take on this task, Your Highness?" she added silkily, "After all, I need to prepare and oversee the royal linens and ensure that the royal larder has sufficient amounts of food. "
I watched my brother turn pale under his aide's veiled promises of retaliation. Mitsuhide seemed to quake in his boots. Without Lady Kiki to guide them with all the tasks I have set upon their group, they would be running blind like headless chickens.
Zen looked resigned with defeat.
"Not to worry, brother dear, I won't deprive you with such an excellent aide." I raised my hand making a show of being magnanimous. "I know you won't be able to cope with the workload yet. Besides, I am definitely sure that Lady Kiki might be bored to tears with all the details in planning the party."
Lady Kiki, even with her stony-faced expression looked slightly relieved at the thought that she won't be spending the next three weeks consulting the cooks, the chief steward and the head housekeeper.
Both Mitsuhide and my brother let out a low sigh of relaxation.
"I guess it is high time to make use of another to handle the preparation for the festivities." I gestured at Maruko who nodded and went to the door again and opened it, letting another person enter the room.
"Who?" Zen asked, the puzzled expression fading into realization.
Shirayuki marched up to the table between Zen and I, oblivious to the atmosphere of our earlier discussions. She looked neat with her uniform of cream-white, the dark-blue neck ribbon undone, allowing us a peak at her white neck stopped short only by an apron she used to protect herself from stains.
As soon as she reached our group, she made a quick curtsy, bending her knees with one foot in front of the other and balancing herself gracefully.
"Your Highness, Prince Izana. I was summoned to come to your office."
I gave an enthusiastic clap, ignoring my brother's surprise gape.
"Ah, excellent. Shirayuki, just the right person to help us with a little dilemma we are having." I gave my brother a mischievous wink.
Notes:
I keep on forgetting to insert that Shirayuki continues to practice common courtesy to Prinze Izana and Zen. This is especially important when other people (who are not in their close-knit group) are nearby, within earshot, or when one is unsure if they are indeed alone. If you happen to re-read any of the previous chapters, I wish to clarify that this is what I expect from Shirayuki especially when she meets either Izana or Zen before she talks to them. I may have to amend certain chapters in the future (granting I have the time to do so). In my mind, Shirayuki continues to do this until both Izana and Zen informed her that she is not required to do so when they are alone, or with their personal aides. I missed out the opportunity of doing one chapter wherein Izana stops Shirayuki from doing her curtsies everytime they meet. But it is too late to insert the story in this series. Perhaps I may do something about this in the future (like a oneshot, maybe?).