This was supposed to be posted a week ago, but ffdotnet was having some technical issues and refused to upload the chapter.

Thank you for the comments and PMs sent. I tried to reply to some of them, I hope those who received my replies have read it. :D Thank you so much for the lovely messages.

Also, I will be off the grid for a couple or so weeks, so this will have to suffice.

I am excited to just write and brainstorm on some new stories to do outlines. And I want to write another Izana-ccentric work, this time in an AU setting. What do you think? I really love the idea of Izana owning a large house and renting the rooms out while he does freelance work. Hmmm. I am excited to think of what kind of profession our characters do. Like say, Obi can be a security consultant, and Garack as a senior chemist on a pharmaceutical company, and Ryuu as a boy genius attending university classes.

Feel free to throw me some ideas! :D

Title: Outmaneuvered

Inspired by: Chapter 46 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki

Word count: 1633

Rating: General

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

"Invitations are to be sent out in two day's time."

"The number of guests has reached three hundred and fifty-eight."

"The flowers have not been decided yet!"

I paused outside the door of the meeting room set aside for Shirayuki's use when she needed to do her consultations with the various caretakers of the palace. I was coming back from a late dinner meeting with a group of messengers from the neighboring Kingdom of Vermille-an important country where we continue to enjoy deep connections. Vermille is known for producing colored silk fabrics, prized by other Kingdoms aside our own because of its superb quality and richness of color. Clarines buys a lot of their silk fabrics used in expensive clothings, draperies, household linens, official uniforms, banners and royal standards used during special occasions, inaugurations and crowning ceremonies.

As I am making my way back to my apartments, I noticed that the room still has lights. The head cook from the kitchens strode out, with his assistant muttering darkly about foreigners and their poor knowledge of Clarines' cuisine. Distracted by thoughts of a struggling Shirayuki, I gestured for Maruko to proceed without me. He nodded, motioned for the other servant carrying my books and correspondences to follow him, leaving me free to check on the plans for the upcoming festivity.

I pushed the door a little, gauging the atmosphere. The room inside looked chaotic with parchment papers strewn on top of the table dominating the room. Swathes of fabrics and lace hang precariously at one end of the table, while some books have toppled down the floor. The palace steward was hovering near Shirayuki, showing her the wine list, as well as the layout plans of the ballroom. The steward's assistants, scrambled about to make lists on additional drinks to be ordered or made.

I studied Shirayuki's face. She looked tired, but is trying her best not to show it, as she listened attentively on the advice given by the steward. He talked to her in low, patient tones, answering all the questions she has and pointing out names on the wine list he held in front of her.

Presently, he made crossings on his own notes, motioning for his assistants to leave the room when they were done for the day. Only when they both lifted their heads did they notice my presence.

"Your Highness." The steward bowed low.

"I trust all is going well?" I murmured solicitously, making way for his assistants, who straightened up after bowing and left the room.

"Of course, Your Highness. Mistress has made final adjustments on the wine lists to be served during the ball. And I am pleased to report that we have come to a great compromise."

"Very good." I nodded. "Good work, Theobald, good work."

He gave another bow and asked permission to leave the room in which I nodded in dismissal and he left the room too, closing the door behind him.

Shirayuki and I were the only persons left in the room.

And she was looking at me with a glazed expression, eyes distracted from all the things she needs to do. I feel a little guilty for putting this on her; however, I thought that she might benefit from this exercise; after all, if my brother is determined to wed her, she would be running her own household in the future, the sooner she gets warmed up to the idea, the better.

I brushed aside visions of an older version of Shirayuki, taking care of a bustling household. Somehow, it didn't fit her to be such. A life of splendor would suit her better. Like a princess. Like a queen.

"How are you faring?"

"Like a drowning cat," She muttered, scratching her quill against another item on her list. The glow of the candles made the red of her hair turn golden.

"Looks like the drowning cat has managed to paddle through the waters," I observed, removing the books set on top of a stool and sitting down on it, peering down over her shoulder at the long list she had made.

"The cat has no choice," She replied peevishly at my intrusion.

I smiled a little, studying her face.

"I never would have expected that you will give me such a huge responsibility, Prince Izana. Whatever made you think I should be the one to plan such an important event? What would the ministers think?"

Ah, the gnawing question lingering in her head. Perhaps she is also unaware that this is a match-making ball for Zen?

She gazed at me expectantly.

I grinned. "We are sorely lacking female support when it comes to matters of court and socializing. Lady Kiki would have been the best choice, but my brother practically begged me not to put her in charge of these." I gestured around the room. "I trust that Garack has no objections in borrowing your time?"

She let out a sigh of defeat. "No, she practically tossed me out of her office and told me not to come back until after the ball. In fact, she even gave me a week off after this. She is surprisingly cooperative and generous in this endeavor." She chewed her bottom lip thoughfully.

"I see." I chuckled. Seems like Shirayuki is not aware of Garack Gazelt's circumstances.

"What's so funny?" She frowned.

Resting my left elbow on top of the table, I leaned sideways, cradling my head with my hand. "Shall I tell you?" I lowered my tone, beckoning her to come closer.

Her eyebrows knotted in suspicion. And then she relaxed her expression, leaning closer towards my person.

I love her apple-scented hair, the smell of new parchment and some kind of floral scent. My finger itched to touch her skin. She'd probably taste of cinnamon sugar, just because of her scent. It makes me crave for apple pies.

"To be honest, Garack Gazelt outranks you, and she knows that we have a long-standing agreement that should I need female supervision when it comes to planning balls, or welcoming an important foreign guest, it is her duty to help me. However," my tone turned into a whisper, and she responded by moving a little closer, until she is mere inches away.

"…Garack hates planning and organizing; she practically develops migraines at the mere sight of a task list. Thus, when I visited her in her office, she volunteered your services."

She drew back, feeling outrage. "You both are in on this!" she accused, about to stand up.

I reached out and grabbed her by the wrist; I felt her resistance. "Shirayuki-!"

I tugged her back a little too hard than I intended. Losing her balance, she tripped on my resting foot and fell towards my person.

"Ah!"

My hands caught her easily by the waist, while both of her hands became trapped between our bodies, fingers splayed over my broad chest. The edge of the table feels uncomfortable against my spine, but if it meant to hold Shirayuki as close as this, I wouldn't mind at all.

"Be careful." I murmured, smoothing her hair away from her face. Her cheeks flushed pink and she was looking up at me with her green eyes.

"You are so tall, it adds strain on my neck."

I felt a little tug of smile hovering at the corner of my lips. "Should I lean closer, then?"

She did not answer. She continued to stare back at my face, as if memorizing it- dimples quivering and eyebrows arching.

My fingers wandered from her waist to the small of her back, itching to graze her neck. How easy it is to close the gap and plant my lips on top of hers.

Knock. Knock.

The spell between us broke.

Shirayuki's eyes widened with realization at how close we stood. Pushing gently away from me, she pried herself free from my embrace. I resisted the urge to not let her go, and we both straightened up.

"Shirayuki? Are you still there? It's time to go back to our dormitory." Little Ryuu's muffled voice seemed far way, when he talked outside the room.

"Coming!" Shirayuki expression became flustered. She began to gather some books, her quills and the parchment list she was holding earlier. A few of them fluttered down the floor and I stooped down to gather them, compiling them neatly and handed them to her.

She murmured some hurried thanksand prepared to leave, darting around my person-a red-haired whirlwind that has taken hold of my heart.

She was almost halfway across the room when I called out.

"Shirayuki."

She stopped abruptly, her suddenness making the candles around the room flicker in chorus.

My boots thudded across the floor, crossing the space between us in a few strides. Walking ahead and pivoting my heel to face her, I leaned down, my mouth hovering next to her ear.

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all your hard work."

I almost drew back completely, when I decided to be impulsive at the last minute. I kissed her at the side of her mouth, my lips touching the corners of her own. For a moment, I let myself drown in her scent. A few seconds of memory to tide me through the night. Or if I am to be honest, it only serves to whet my appetite for her and leave me feverish for more.

I took a step back, noting those huge eyes of hers watching. Opening the door, Ryuu stood outside, waiting. He saw me, surprised expression covered up instantaneously, and bowed low, bidding me good night. I nodded my thanks and left immediately, lest my feet have other thoughts.

Now I've done it!

All the time I made my way back to my private apartments, I couldn't stop touching my lips.

Unless I'm mistaken, the corner of Shirayuki's lips felt soft and moist.

Notes:

I love Ryuu! He was almost as tall as Shirayuki in the last manga chapters. I have a feeling that if Ryuu ever finds himself falling in love with someone, the first person that comes to my mind will be Shirayuki. I may be wrong, but the possibility is high. I mean the only females he's ever been exposed to is Garack and Shirayuki. The flamboyant Yuzuri seems out of the question as a possible love interest for Ryuu. But then, Ryuu will have a taste of his first heartbreak of he really does develop some feelings for Shirayuki. Perhaps, I will write a one-shot of this in the future.