Title: Requital

Inspired by: Chapter 50 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Character: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Obi

Rating: General, Hurt, Comfort

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

"Obi. As soon as you have finished resting, have Zen pay a visit to this new family and present them with gifts. Inquire about the welfare of the mother and the babies." I carried Shirayuki with ease as Obi led the way.

"Understood, Your Highness." came his faint reply. Obi could barely stay awake himself.

I glanced down at Shirayuki's sleeping face. She was sleeping the deep sleep of a person who has not rested for quite some time. I considered cancelling her princess lessons for two days. I would have Iyasu inform Lord Haruka of the arrangements.

I felt my irritation and anger dissipate as we traversed the many corridors towards the East wing. Obi has given us enough distance, moving ahead like a shadow. When we turned towards our destination, he disappeared, making sure that the guards were nowhere to be seen.

Shirayuki's room was at the upper level of the Wing, on the right side, where a huge portrait of a distant female ancestor stands watch by her door. Her bodyguard stood at the entrance, holding the door open. As soon as I entered, he closed the door discreetly, leaving me a few minutes alone with her.

I trudged towards the modest bed, furnishings covered in dark green, cream, and light grays. The lamps are dimmed so as not to disturb her with their glow. I lowered my precious cargo down, feeling some deja vu skate down my back. At least, Shirayuki is not afflicted with a disease like the time when we were in Lyrias.

My heart ached. In two weeks, I would be King. In two weeks, my status would be even higher. What more could happen after the coronation? My wedding is the next event that would occupy the peoples' minds.

Automatically, I reached down and pulled her soft buckskin shoes off her feet, brushing on the skin, feeling the small callouses. Her feet looked raw and red. Her left ankle was bandaged lightly – possibly because of her dance lessons. I noticed she walked awkwardly when she came out of the operating room. I massaged her feet gently, feeling anxious - Shirayuki bore her duties well without a single word of complaint. I can't blame her if she barely has time to see me; she has no time to rest herself.

I wondered what my mother, the Queen, would say if she caught me doing such a menial job? The future Clarines King, rubbing the tired soles of a royal pharmacist like a lowly servant?

Nothing in this world would make me feel ashamed of doing just that. Along with the other healers, tonight Shirayuki had performed an outstanding service for the country as they had promised by oath. Saving lives is no easy task.

But what would I not give to be a lowly servant? I would be free to pursue her - to hell with the royal duties and responsibilities. Like Obi, I could offer her comfort and time, listen to her worries and plans for the future. I'd marry her in a heartbeat if it would mean spending a lifetime with her.

I am hopelessly in love with her, I realized with a start. After months of constant denial about my feelings for her, now that I have acknowledged the inevitable, my breathing eased a little with the acceptance. I have nowhere to run, only towards her. Except there's a wall separating us.

Spying the blankets at the bottom of the bed, I reached out and unfolded it on top of her sleeping figure, tucking the ends under her chin. Her skin feels soft against the back of my palm. My action caused her to burrow deeply within the blankets, making herself more comfortable. I watched patiently as she finally settled with a soft sigh of content.

The side of the bed dipped gently, as I leaned towards Shirayuki. I wanted to kiss her so much it makes my heart ache greatly, but I held myself in check. The time for stolen kisses has stopped. I have treated her so callously in the past, and I feel ashamed of my actions.

I let my forehead touch hers briefly. I love you. I mentally whispered.

Thank you for the reviews and for continuing to follow this work. At the moment, I'm drowning with work and deadlines (nothing has changed much during the past few years, except for my location), and currently taking a short break before diving back again into the murky pool of obligations and responsibilities. Reading your enthusiastic reviews made my day brighter. Be warned that regular updates are not on the horizon. I kept on reviewing and revising these chapters to the point that I no longer need to change them. I wanted to focus on the future chapters, which require more work and attention. I really hope I can reach a proper conclusion to this work, the way I envisioned them when I first wrote the early chapters. I am eager to post new ones, not as complicated, but at a more manageable pacing.

Take care and see you in the future chapters.