I sincerely apologize for the lack of updates these past few weeks. Work demand was overwhelming, and I am afraid it will continue to be so for the coming months. I will, as always, continue to trudge along with this work until I finish it. I can catch glimpses of the finish line at the end of the tunnel. I am certainly doing my best to reach it.

I am also, for the most part of the last couple of weeks, experimenting on another work for this fandom. But, things are not working out the way I planned it to be after writing 10 chapters. It doesn't match the mood I was aiming for. I cannot say it was entirely a waste of time- it is more of a learning experience for me, and a stress outlet.

I also found myself tinkering with my old works in other fandoms- stuff I have not posted yet, but have more than 10 chapters completed. I planned to write a few more before I can feel confident about posting it. However, I am in need of a beta-reader, so I need volunteers for such work. If you are interested, please drop me a PM. I am interested in communicating with you and be my soundboard for other ideas. The works I have will be in fandoms such as Uta no Prince Sama, Brothers' Conflict and Natsume Yuujinchou.

Please enjoy the latest chapter. And thank you for the reviews and private messages. I DO read them, and while I try to answer some, I am unable to answer all. But please keep them coming. It takes very little for us to be inspired.

Also, I am not that active in AMINO (UTA Pri, Akagami no Shirayukihime and Brothers Conflict group - the one with the highest member count, but you can drop me a message and I will respond most of the time.

Enjoy your weekend!

Title: Green-eyed Monster

Inspired by: Chapter 46 of the Manga Akagami no Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia

Rating: General

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

"Your Highness, Prince Izana," Someone murmured near my elbow. I turned to my right, nodded at another familiar face, gave more greetings of good health and continued to greet guests.

For the next hour or so, my attention was divided between the guests eager to talk to me and my brother. I watched him like a hawk, noting his determination to keep as little contact as possible to the other guests, as they looked on and continue to pin him with distant, curious looks and speculation. They all wondered who was the young woman he escorted. A lot of the rich matrons, aristocratic mothers and young women throw covetous looks at him, all hopes of meeting him dashed by Lady Kiki's presence.

The ballroom is packed; aristocrats mingled with rich merchants, high-ranking members of the palace guards, local shop owners, even some regular visitors from neighboring countries. Shirayuki worked with the palace advisers to come up with a comprehensive guest list. It doesn't matter whether some of the invited have titles or owns a manor, each of them has ties and responsibilities in serving the palace and the country of Clarines.

I recognized some of them, too, and I greeted them with an enthusiasm I wasn't expecting. I was prepared to be a little bored with the ball, but I found myself enjoying the rich diversity of the guests, as well as the mood of the party. All plans of staying for a couple of hours were dashed as the hours turned late. There were lots of stories to talk about and news that drew my interest.

While the orchestra prepped for another song, the servants drew the heavy curtains aside, giving the ballroom a shimmering glow as the moonshine hit the crystal chandeliers, making each individual beads sparkle like stars. The bunches of flowers tied to the ceiling have opened fully, making the ballroom look like a fairy woodland, complemented by the dark green draperies and table covers. Even the gilded mirrors, with its polished sides, were framed with greenery, filling the room with the smell of evergreen and pine, warm apple and cinnamon, and the fruity scents of red wine, mulled mead and spiced apple ciders.

I hardly tracked what I ate, even if the food was excellently prepared. Long banquet tables held silver platters of cold meats and pastries, seasonal fruits and rich cream cakes. The hours slid by and I saw not a shadow of Shirayuki gracing the ball. By now, the guests were heavily imbued with wine and spiced cider, all of them laughing and participating in the merry-making. Acrobats performed in the center, tumbling in their colorful costumes, juggling thin clubs, hoops and balls, while others brandished silk ribbons, drawing figures in the air around them. The guests all clapped and whooped, and when the mini-performance ended, dancing resumed again, with many couples flocking toward the center. I am expecting engagements and alliances to be formally announced in the coming weeks and months.

I paused from drinking my wine. Zen disappeared into one of the side terraces with Lady Kiki following him closely. Mitsuhide stood to the side, along with Obi, who, for once, looked presentable with a forest green uniform.

Where is she? I thought yet again. If Obi is here, then he was not on Shirayuki's guard duty tonight. It would mean that Zen intended to keep curious onlookers from coming close at all cost.

I was torn between letting Zen get his way or chiding him to at least bestow a dance on two or three ladies in attendance tonight. The Duke of Spoleto's niece looked promising, though Lord Haruka's distant cousin is not bad-looking either.

But even as I barely took a step towards Zen's direction, intent to force him to listen to a few of my suggestions, my eyes caught a spot of red hair, the owner of which is leaning alongside the balustrade of the minstrel's gallery above.

My eyes narrowed a little. Unless I am mistaken, is Shirayuki watching Zen as well?

I felt jealousy rise up from my chest. Spying a servant bearing more drinks, I marched to his direction, placed my empty goblet on his tray and whirled about to find the stairs before I could stop myself.