SIX –Favorite Color

Why does his touch feel so nice? Shirayuki was at bitter war with herself. Her smooth hands were held by the ones of the mans in which her heart beats for. His rough, sturdy fingers were ornate with mountains of callouses and cuts, but poured gentle familiarity to Shirayuki's heart. Her eyes, though diverted to the ground, paid attention to his feet and the steps he was doing.

Prince Zen had been leading the two, feeling his heart race as he held Shirayuki's hands. They were warm and soft, like they always have been. Those hands were the ones who has discovered all sorts of remedies, was damaged several times for the benefit of others and had healed the very Prince of several sicknesses. It made Zen feel somewhat at peace, completely oblivious to her true feelings.

All he knows is that her feelings had been hurt. The severity? That was beyond him.

"Shirayuki." Zen had finally collected the courage to say something, having Obi glare when seeing his lips move. Shirayuki found her heart beating even faster than what she'd like, her nerves joining forces with her adrenaline. But she stayed silent. "Please look at me."

Shirayuki remained mute, refusing to comply with the Prince's orders. Zen understand, stopping before he dared start to plead. He respected her far too much to force her to do things, and he'd rather much savor as much of this moment as he could with her. He didn't want to ruin it.

"Shirayuki, if I may," Zen began, slowly dancing the two into circles as Shirayuki was attentive to his words. He shook his head, moving two strands of hair from his eyes to see her head of hair perfectly. "I want to clear things up as you probably have the wrong idea of everything."

Wrong idea? Shirayuki thought.

"My new fiancé is someone who is kind and beautiful, but is incomparable to you," Zen began, his voice gentle as he tried to reassure Shirayuki. "I don't love her the way I love you. In fact, I don't even love her. I love you, and her blood does not put her above you at all and—"

"Zen, stop." Zen was quick to mute himself, listening to her struggling words as it quietly left her mouth. He halted the both of them from their slow dancing, feeling as her hands shook in his. They were vigorously shaking, having Zen pale up in worry as he stared down at them. Shirayuki had bit her bottom lip, struggling immensely hard to keep her tears in. "Just… stop."

"What's wrong, Shirayuki?" Zen urged, his tongue full of plea.

"What's wrong?" Shirayuki whispered in disbelief, blinking down at his blue boots. She slowly lifted her head up, facing Zen head-on as his heart skipped a beat. He finally had the pleasure to see her face and meet those eyes, but it was completely different. There was no warmth and adoration in her stare. Only pale cheeks and hurt eyes. "What's wrong? Zen… who are you?"

Shirayuki quickly reeled her hands from Zen's, murmuring a quick 'excuse me' as she hurried over to Obi. Her feelings were finally collecting themselves to create an explosion, something her heart is definitely unable to ensure. She needed to get away, to cry, to breathe. She used one of her hands to cling onto Obi's scarf that still resided around her neck.

"Obi, please take me to my room," Shirayuki quickly asked, her voice breaking as she diverted her stare down to the ground. A few of the maids and butlers had peeped over, staring at the Prince watch the herbalist in pure awe and woe. "Please get me away from here. Please."

Obi jolted from his seat, offering his arm as he guided her from the ballroom. He hadn't bothered to bid everybody else goodnight, quickly walking out of the ballroom doors as he let her down the corridors. He was prepared to ask before he finally heard her whimper.

Shirayuki concluded she was far enough to weep, allowing tears to well up her eye sockets and stream down her cherry cheeks. She was breathing heavily, her feelings striking her heart roughly as Obi guided her down the corridors. It was painful. She bit down on her bottom lip harshly, hoping to keep her cries in until she arrived back to her bedroom.

Quickly, Obi opened her bedroom door and let her in, watching as she dashed onto her bed and hid her face in the pillow. Everything felt still as Obi listened to her muffled weeping. Pain resonated around the room with her harsh cries. Obi couldn't but feel so useless, so frustrated at the fact that he was so useless. To see the person you love have their hearts broken was one thing, but to watch them try to heal was destructive.

Closing the oak door behind him, he walked on the carpeted floor and scanned the small room for a glass cup. He found one, clean and upside down on her hazelnut table, grabbing it swiftly before making his way to her bathroom. He avoid his eyes from wandering, filling the cup of water with the bathroom sink before making his way back to the girl. Slowly, but surely, he made his way near his Miss and cleared his throat.

"Please drink some water, Miss," Obi asked quietly, watching as she reticently sat up and weakly took the cup. He saw her moist face, her expression broken with her eyes coated with woe. It made Obi wonder how one could even want to make that beautiful face cry.

Zen must've known he was going to break her heart, keeping her oblivious only to have her find out along with everyone else. It makes her feel insignificant, doesn't it? Obi couldn't wrap his head around the Prince and the actions he takes. If he loves her, why did he let this beautiful face shed tears?

Shirayuki's hand was shaking, having the water create circular waves before she held it to her lips and gulped it down. The water ran down her throat, her bottom lip quivering on the cool glass. Placing the empty cup on her nightstand, Shirayuki indirectly stared down at Obi's boots. The ones that guided her in the pleasant dance she shared with her body guard.

But oh how in love she was with the royal white hair. The brief moment that she allowed herself to meet his eyes was a moment she wouldn't forget. Those warm, inviting ocean eyes, those that always filled her with motivation and inspiration. His hands were rough but always welcoming and accepting. The way he never treated her as less than himself always rung true when she felt the dents of his palms. And his voice, clean and deep with an adorable aftertaste of sheepishness. And just uttering his name was enough to send goosebumps all around Shirayuki's arms.

Obi watched as Shirayuki distantly stared at her hands. One remained still on her dressed lap while the other had been tugging on her red-violet sleeve. They became darker with all the tears she allowed to fall from her rosy cheeks. She slowly began removing her boots before lying down again, covering her face with her forearms. Loose strands of red played at the front of her face, tickling her eyelids as she shut them closed. They were still emitting tears, having Obi frown at such a heartbreaking sight.

"I shall excuse myself, then, Little Miss." Obi was swift to grab her folded blanket and toss it over her frail body. It shivered with every sniffle she let out, killing Obi slowly as he began for the door. But, a small groan came from her, halting him from his motions.

"P-please stay…"

Her words came in barely a whisper, but it was enough to get Obi's heart going. He quickly locked the door to her bedroom before making his way back to her bed. She hung her left hand off the bed, allowing it to hang loosely. Obi decided to sit down right beside it, leaning his back against her bed frame as he sat. He bent his left leg to lean his arm on it as he looked over to study the stars in the night sky. As he did, he felt the herbalist's hand poke his shoulder.

"Miss?" He asked quietly, watching as she opened her hand out to him. She bent her fingers slightly, having Obi blink a few times until he finally understood. Hesitantly, he brought his hand up to the girl and barely brushed his fingers along her creamy palm. She immediately grabbed it, shocking Obi as she held his hand.

There they go, Obi thought. His heart fluttered, feeling as light as a feather from this moment. His stomach was killing him from the butterflies, feeling their gentle tickles from the emotions he knew he shouldn't have. But he couldn't help himself much, could he? He wanted nothing more than to dismiss these feelings, but when his Miss touched him like this, it's like being kissed by an angel.

Within short minutes, Shirayuki's weeping transformed into small snores. Her breathing was a little heavy due to her nose being stuffy from the tears. But nonetheless she was in a gentle slumber, one of Obi's favorite condition of hers amongst all her states as of recently. He felt a jolt of adrenaline hit at the temptation to stare at her. He knew he shouldn't, as his amber eyes were fixed upon the shining stars in the night. But his audacity was beyond him from the strong urge of enjoying such simple pleasures.

Obi diverted his eyes towards the sleeping girl, hitching his breath at the sight. Shirayuki looked so calm now, watching as her body rose and deflated from her breathing. Her cheeks and nose were still fairly red, somewhat bloated and a bit shiny from dried tears. But she looked much more relaxed, no more tears or sniffling leaving her face. Her red hair was ornate on her face, having Obi chuckle at the comparison of colors in her hair and cheeks.

She suddenly crinkled her nose, wincing a bit as she rubbed her face upon the silk pillow. She looked in distress. But her face softened once more as she let out a small yawn before sleeping still once more. Undisturbed and calm was written all over Shirayuki's face, and Obi was savoring in completely.

Then suddenly, Shirayuki squeezed Obi's hand, and that's when he decided that his new favorite color was red.