Truly sorry for disappearing. I have several issues to settle - many of which I do not wish to bore you with. This story is still continuing, with many of the chapters still in beta-limbo. And, I am mulling over things for future chapters, and I can't concentrate much due to personal issues.

I will continue to post as frequently as I can, so I really appreciate your patience and support.

Title: Thank you, Your Highness

Inspired by: Chapter 48 of the Manga Akagami noShirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Obi

Rating: General

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

I should have known that I won't be savoring my time with Shirayuki any longer when Lord Yuuha left.

As I counted the faint toll of the bell striking the time in the wee hours of morning, my hand rested again on the short sword strapped to my hip when I heard footfalls to my left.

Obi is as fleet footed as a cat, but he deliberately made a noise to alert me of his presence.

My hand relaxed.

"What took you so long?" I let out a reprimanding sigh when he bowed before me.

"Sincere apologies, Your Highness. I only discovered mistress was missing when I passed by her window for a quick check."

I raised my eyebrows at this.

Obi lifted his head, and stood, grinning a little. "Do not worry, Your Highness. I do not make a habit of peeping at Mistress doing her toilette. I memorized her schedule."

Still cheeky as ever.

"How long were you watching?"

Obi looked obscenely guilty at this. "Er...," he directed his eyes to the ceiling.

"If you were not Zen's aide, I would have thrown you in the dungeon a long time ago – or perhaps separating your head from your body." I gestured at Shirayuki's sleeping figure. "How long has she been suffering from lack of sleep and overworking?"

Zen's aide looked sheepish. "Ever since she moved to the East Wing. I noticed it, too. Master as well. We have cautioned her to take it easy. She's not used to such..opulence. She was.. hesitant about coming to the palace. Come to think of it, I am not used to sleeping in such grand quarters myself." He gave a small shudder. I've been told that Obi took the smallest room in the East Wing, directly below Shirayuki's bedroom. But I happen to know that the room's strategic location accounts for it. Obi may not be the brightest tool in the shed for politics, but he is sharp when it comes to his work. His room makes it easy for him to keep an eye on both Zen and Shirayuki.

"She should be resting more. Otherwise, she might fall sick again if she pushed herself to the limits." I made a subtle reference to the time when she suffered from much pain during the epidemic in Lyrias.

At this, Obi's expression became a little somber. "Mistress is stubborn in her own way, Your Highness. And the more we caution her, the more she would be conscious of how she works. So we tried to work our way around it."

I sighed inwardly. If I was reborn as a common guard, I, too, might have had a chance on focusing more on Shirayuki.

I tried not to feel envious when Obi approached her; he knelt on one knee and placed a hand at the back of her knees and another cradling her neck. He picked her up with much ease - obviously, he has had much practice in carrying her. It made me wonder if this was the first time Shirayuki sleep-walked.

The coat fell on the stone bench.

"Oops!" Obi stage-whispered.

I reached down and placed it back on top of Shirayuki as she continued to sleep all through these exchanges. Obi watched me as I tucked the coat as snugly as I could, my fingers gently brushing her jawline and brow.

Always the sleeping princess.

"You might be chilly, Your Highness."

"Hush. Stop mothering me. That coat is a little cumbersome to bring back. Besides, Haelan would have a fit if he finds it all wrinkled." I scolded Obi, while referring to my valet who is obsessed with making me look as impeccable as possible – not a small feat, considering I always moved about. "Has my brother gone to bed yet?"

Obi shook his head. "He is in his office, finalizing his schedule with Mitsuhide and Lady Kiki."

"Why are you still out and about then? I thought you have early duty tomorrow?"

"I heard from some guards about a trespasser in the southern gate. I went to investigate."

I frowned. "And?"

"It turned out to be a false alarm."

Hmmm. So then, the feeling of being watched confirms my suspicion. Someone did trespassed.

I noticed Obi's face. It seems to confirm that we have come to the same conclusion. Not a false alarm.

"Keep your eyes peeled. You have two precious persons to guard." I cautioned him.

Obi nodded.

He turned, and began to walk towards the East Wing. I watched them, glad to see that Shirayuki will be tucked in safe and sound in her own room. I glanced down at my open hands, wishing I was the one carrying her.

Obi paused. He turned around and bowed to me. "Thank you, Your Highness."

I furrowed my brow. "For what?"

"For what you have done for Mistress."

For a moment, I was robbed of speech.

"I never cared about her. I am only concerned because my brother thinks highly of her." I replied stiffly, not wanting to show how much I am lying.

Obi gave a half-smile. "I was very concerned when I found out Mistress Shirayuki was missing a few minutes ago. The junior ministers were giving her a hard time. But Prince Zen forbade us to interfere."

"Rightly so." I reaffirmed my brother's decision.

"But you bend the rules a little. You managed to put Lord Yuuha in place without putting a strain on Mistress Shirayuki or Master Zen."

"Politics is a dirty game. Zen and Shirayuki will need to learn how to swim with the sharks."

"And they will."

I gazed back into Obi's eyes. "Of course. I have no doubts they would be able to perform what is expected of them magnificently."

He nodded. "See? It wasn't so hard to admit you care." Obi glanced down at the sleeping person he carried. "You can still be honest with your feelings with other people."

"Do not think so highly of me, Obi. I am merely a Crown Prince. My path is already set." I turned to leave.

"If there is anyone who can break the rules and make an impact, it would be you, Prince Izana. Mistress deserves a person who is her equal in force and charisma."

I know,I thought, my chest tightening. By the gods, I know. "Take care of Shirayuki."

"Good night, Your Highness."