TWENTY-FIVE – Him
20 Days Until The Wedding
I wonder if she woke up with a smile.
Obi's thoughts for the girl were often silly but genuine. Trekking this long way from the castle to Tanbarun had been boring, to be blunt. So Obi's thoughts were always entertained by the fascination he had over Shirayuki. Anything and everything that surrounded him on his journey always led him back to wonder how his Mistress was doing without him around.
When he saw the trees, he could recall the way he taught her how to climb trees much faster and smoother than she did before.
When he met others, he always imagined her bright smile that appeared every time she greeted new faces.
When he was eating, he could remember how she fed him a bit of breakfast that he had fetched for her solely.
Shirayuki was especially in Obi's mind when he rode up to Tanbarun's castle. Several guards were stood there on their posts, giving Obi blank faces behind their knightly masks as he passed them. He knew as fact that she would wave at them, flash them one of her beautiful smiles and look up towards the sky, anticipating her meet with the young, stupid Prince once more. The immense respect for these grounds was rubbing off him as he recalled this kingdom's assistance in rescuing the girl. That is something he'll never forget.
"Halt!" A guard, waiting right in front of the entrance. Obi pulled back his halter, causing the horse to stop and shift a bit before standing still. Obi got off of the stallion and gave it a few pats by his bottom as a thankful gesture. He then took the lead of the horse to keep it at bay and not run away. And, of course, Obi quickly stood straight in front of the horse with his hands behind his back with respective posture. "Who are you, Sir?"
"I am Obi," Obi began with a stern tone. "I am the personal attendant, messenger, and immediate knight for the Second Prince of Clarines, Prince Zen Wistaria." He was very quick to flaunt the crest stuck by his heart on his black attire. He also used one hand to reveal the identification pendant of the state. The guard was quick to walk over and took the pendant in his own hand before nodding in confirmation.
"You hold true to your titles, Sir," the guard announced before backing a few feet away from Obi. "What is it you seek here in Tanbarun? More specifically, at the Kingdom?"
"I actually seek to give an invitation to Prince Raji," Obi announced truthfully, taking out a small envelope from his back pocket to present to the guard. But as the guard went to reach for it, Obi held it close to his chest and flashed the guard a mischievous smirk. "My Master instructed me to have this delivered to the Prince personally."
"But you hadn't sent Our Majesty a note of your arrival," the guard began, his tongue more defensive now as Obi leered. "We were not aware that you were to come, therefore we cannot trust for you to meet with our Prince."
"Except this is the man who helped bring Shirayuki back to safety." Prince Raji's voice suddenly entered the conversation, and Obi's amber eyes darted to find his body. He saw the brown attire slowly come from the castle door as the Prince gave Obi a fine stare. "This man is always welcomed here, announced or unannounced."
"O-oh, Your Highness!" The guard began, nerves crawling in him as he paled up. He gave the boy a bow and kept himself lowered before him. Prince Raji stood in front of the guard, his hand on his hip with the other loosely hanging to his side. "I didn't know—I didn't want to invite the uninvited."
"Yes, but this man is always welcome," Raji declared, having the guard mentally note that. "Just be sure to have someone inform me of his coming and I shall come pick him up here."
"Yes, Prince Raji!" The guard obliged, having the Prince smirk before snapping. The guard straightened up again, but Obi was too busy with the royal blood approaching him.
It was nothing new with Raji, really. He was still a boy, but his physical features were proving that it would take a long while for him to develop into a man. His brown hair was still somewhat messy, but sleek. The mole by his eye remained intact, though Obi was never one to be disrespectful and stare at it. And Obi could tell that he was still very intimidated by Obi, even though the two are on good terms and have never been on any bad ones.
"Hello, Prince Raji," Obi said simply, giving his respects with a bow before rising a few seconds later. Prince Raji nodded, having Obi quickly divert his eyes towards his close aide, Sakaki. "Nice to see you again, Sir Sakaki."
"You as well, Sir Obi," Sakaki said firmly, giving him a kind nod for Obi to return it. Obi then turned back to the Prince, waiting for his ask.
"Welcome back to Tanbarun, Obi," Prince Raji said, his voice still as high and frail as ever. Obi released a curt smile before nodding in thanks. "What brings you here at such an early time?"
"I come to bring you an invitation from the Second Prince of Clarines." Obi offered him the small envelope and he watched as Raji flinched from it. He would always been intimidated by Prince Zen, and Obi found that incredibly entertaining. "A wedding invitation."
"Oh?" Raji hummed in pleasant surprise, taking the envelope in his hands as he held it out for himself. His dark brown eyes scanned the envelope, noticing his name engraved in the very front of it. He lowered his hands, one of them grazing the blue seal with the crest of the Wistaria Kingdom. He gently lifted the wax from the paper to open the envelope, smiling softly down at it. "This is so soon, no? I'm happy for the two, no doubt, but—"
Raji suddenly silenced himself, and Obi knew why. On the bent paper that held the invitation letter, Raji's eyes slowly dragged to see a name he didn't expect: Princess Elizabeth Knight right next to Prince Zen Wistaria.
"What… happened?"
The three were inside the castle in Prince Raji's throne room. As usual, it was ornate with white walls, fancy carpets, and banners of the kingdoms representative colors and crest. Obi stood only few feet from the Prince, who was on his feet and his mouth agape. Obi noticed that Raji's very own aide could see the immense shock in Raji and how tense the room became from the 'comprehending' silence.
"If I knew that, Your Highness," Obi began, nodding slowly in some displeasure to speak. "I'd tell you."
"How is Shirayuki taking this?" Prince Raji began, having Obi catch his eyes to see pure concern coat them. Obi grinned, knowing how good Shirayuki was in picking her friends and how much she deserves this sort of care. "Is she alright? Has she been doing well?"
"As much as I hate to admit, she hasn't been doing too well," Obi muttered quietly, diverting his eyes to the ground. He has been trying his best to make her happy though, and it is working. But those tears every night don't stop. "It'll be… evident when you arrive to the wedding."
"I don't know what to say," Prince Raji began quietly, expressing a frown as he looked down at the invitation. "I didn't think this would actually happen. I was hoping—no, expecting—to be able to address her as 'Her Highness' or 'Princess Shirayuki.' Though, those titles don't do her much justice, huh?"
"She is far above a position that makes her considered 'valuable,'" Obi began, swallowing a harsh gulp as he let out a sigh. "But I as well would have liked to see Miss achieve all the goals she made for herself once she met Master."
"If I had known, I would have invited her over!" Prince Raji announced, having Sakaki stifle a snort. Obi, too, read his thoughts and figured that Raji would have meant that statement in attempts to ring her instead. But Prince Raji finally figured that out as well and turned to glare at his aide. "To give her space from Prince Zen, of course!"
"I'm sure you meant just that, Prince Raji," Sakaki said, pure unsureness in his tongue. Prince Raji rolled his eyes from the tone of his words before bringing his stare back to shoot Obi with more questions.
"So how long did it take to get here, Obi?" Prince Raji began. "You must be hungry, coming this early of day."
"I left for my trip yesterday, Your Highness," Obi said calmly. "I made it around by night, so I took shelter in a tree before waking up just an hour earlier."
"You could've stayed in the castle you know!" Prince Raji insisted, having Obi grin.
"Thank you, Prince Raji, but I've adapted to the trees," Obi admitted, having Prince Raji unleash a small smile with an understanding nod. "I also didn't seek to be a bother at such a late time."
"It's no worries, really," Prince Raji said lightly. "There are always guards out and willing to give you shelter when you need it. After all, you are someone highly respected by Shirayuki and whoever Shirayuki respects is also someone I respect."
"Thank you for those words, Your Highness," Obi said quietly, giving him a genuine smile before fixing his posture once more. "If you don't have any more asks, I'll be taking my leave."
"Oh—are you in hurry to go back?"
"No, no," Obi began. "I have another invitation to deliver."
"The wedding is in less than 3 weeks, Obi," Prince Raji began, holding the invitation by the bottom corners of it. "Why be in such a rush, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I want to return to her as soon as possible," Obi admitted shyly, his voice low as a big smile tempted Obi's lips. Prince Raji was quick to catch this and finally allowed everything to click. And, to his own surprise, Raji was no longer too irritated by Zen over what he's done to Shirayuki. After all, she does have someone catching her every time she falls.
"Completely understood," Prince Raji hummed, having Obi lift up his eyes to see Raji give him a warm smile. It felt nice, like some sort of approval Obi never thought he needed until this very moment. "I only have one more ask, if I may?"
"Of course."
"Can you deliver these books to Shirayuki?" Prince Raji asked, having Obi tilt his head in mere confusion before watching the royal snap. Sakaki nodded, disappearing from the room to leave the two alone with the few guards collected in the room. "I had a few attendants of my own to travel the world to fetch books for Shirayuki. The study of herbs and flowers, since she is a court herbalist. So I also brought her a few of the mentioned herbs in those books so she can grow and study them."
"Oh," Obi said in pleasant surprise, seeing how kind and immensely considerate Prince Raji was being. "Why not bring it to her when you come over to Clarines?"
"Well, they were intended to be a wedding gift for her," Prince Raji murmured, having Obi quickly nod in understanding. "But with the unexpected change, I suppose I should gift it to her now."
"My question still stands," Obi began. Prince Raji blushed a bit before looking away towards his large windows at the side of his room.
"Well, it's a form of disrespect almost to bring a gift to the person that is neither the grooms nor brides," Prince Raji pointed out. But then his brown eyes soften, a random whiff of wind striking his messy locks to allow them to gently dance. "But I also want her to read it before I go so when I arrive, we can talk about them at some point."
Right at the end of his sentence, Sakaki returned with 3 fairly large books in his arms. They looked incredibly old, seeing the parchment very yellow and the covers fairly scratched up. But Obi could tell Prince Raji had people to fix it up to the best state it could be for the young woman. Then, Obi raised his eyes to see a pile of leather herb containers, likely with the herbs Prince Raji had mentioned he got for her.
"You read all of those for her, Your Highness?" Obi questioned, seeing Prince Raji's eyes suddenly twinkle before he turned his body to Obi's directions but dropped his eyes to the ground. He was embarrassed, that was evident. Obi found himself grinning at the Prince. "She really had an impact on you as well, huh?"
"That girl is the greatest thing I ever stumbled upon," Prince Raji mumbled shyly. "I wish my first impression was much better, but I'm going to make it up. I'm going to prove to her that all her words won't go in vain. I'm going to work to be the best version of myself, and to be someone she can happily call a friend."
"Your Highness, if I may," Obi began, flashing him a toothy, yet sweet smile. "I think you've made it up to her."
Prince Raji smiled warmly at the previously rogue man, and Obi felt a connection between the two he didn't think he'd ever find. He never thought Prince Raji would ever want to be bothered with such a rascal like himself. But right then, as he was asking Sakaki to get Shirayuki's gift packed and ready for Obi to take, he could tell that Prince Raji has worked incredibly hard and that was all because of her. That girl is a miracle to anyone she interacts with, isn't she?
Prince Raji saw Obi out, with Sakaki chatting up Obi the details of the wedding as they walked. Obi noticed a few of the Tanbarun maids swoon over him and shyly wave as he made his way out. Raji had snapped at a guard a few moments prior to get Obi's horse back at the entrance. Making it out, Obi noticed his brown horse and smiled. He darted down the stairs and showed the new big package to the animal.
"Guards!" Prince Raji startled the protectors. "Get one of the horse tamers to tie this thing to the horse for our kind visitor."
"Oh no, Your Highness, no need-!"
"Obi, I don't want you to not do it because I'm being courteous," Prince Raji began with a smirk. "I don't want you to improperly do it and get Shirayuki's books ruined as well as her herbs. And that is her gift after all."
"You're very right, Prince Raji," Obi began with a small smile. "Thank you."
Prince Raji nodded triumphantly as the guards got a few of the horse tamers. Obi offered them the packed bag of books and herbs, having them take it and head off to prepare the horse. As they did, Obi suddenly felt small vibrations coming closer from the castle, having his amber eyes study the open entrance of it. And, being unmistaken, the two royal twins stood at the top of the stairs, their faces gleaming.
"Obi!" The two said in sync, having the young Prince dart down with the Princess struggling to go just as fast with her dress. Obi smiled, bending down at his knees with a warm expression to greet the two youngsters. Prince Raji wanted to interject, but Sakaki was quick to give him a pat on the back as the two kids stormed passed him and went right in front of Obi.
"Hey Princess Rona and Prince Eugena," Obi said warmly, greeting the two happily. "How have you two been?"
"We've been well, thank you!" Prince Eugena said with an elated grin. "How about you, Obi?"
"I've been just as well, thank you," Obi replied happily.
"How's Shirayuki?" Rona quickly jumped in, having Obi grin at the fairly mischievous sibling. He noticed her curious expression, showing concern along with her eyes full of plot.
"She as well is doing well," Obi informed, nodding confidently at the two young kids. "Not meaning to change the subject too direly, but may I ask why you two were rushing over to come see me?"
"That's because our idiot brother didn't inform us of your arrival," Rona groaned, having Prince Raji flinch from her insult. "And, evidently, your leave."
"Ah, well you two caught me right on time," Obi assured, having him hesitantly open his arms. He saw the two shifting, practically aching for a hug but Obi didn't want to misinterpret. But, to his favor, the two opened up his arms completely and jumped into them gleefully. He felt them ease in his touch, having Obi tilt his head in such confusion over such an interaction. Never did he ever picture himself getting into a situation like this, but now he's so deep in it that he can no longer back out. Not like he even wanted to anyways.
"We'll be seeing you again soon, yes?" Princess Rona was first to speak right after the end of the embrace. "You'll be at Clarines for Shirayuki's wedding, right?"
"Um," Obi began awkwardly, clapping his hands together softly. "You definitely will be seeing me again soon, but I don't think it'll be for Shirayuki's wedding."
"Huh?" The young Princess and Prince hummed in sync, pure ponder in their eyes. Obi gave them a sad smile before standing up properly once more. He offered the two his hands and they each took one in their hands. This was his gesture to bid them farewell, since they just finished their embrace. Obi then leered at Prince Raji, having him quickly understand the translation before beckoning his two younger siblings. And they obliged, Eugena holding his sister as he led her beside the eldest sibling and watched Obi thank the horse tamers before mounting the horse. Wrapping up the lead, Obi took the halter and gripped it fairly tight.
"I'll be seeing you, Prince Raji, Prince Eugena, and Princess Rona," Obi said with a respectful nod. "And to you as well, Mister Sakaki. Take care!"
"You too!" They all chanted, having Obi smile before flinging the halter up and moving the horse towards the path away from the castle.
As Obi was headed his way, he had a strong feeling that those two youngsters badgered about Obi's words to their older sibling. Swiftly, Obi leaned to his side and dug through his pouch. Contently, he revealed the very headband Zen forced him to remove long ago. He let the halter go for a moment to firmly slip it on before grabbing it back and forcing the horse to go faster. And, as Obi predicted, a loud, familiar scream from Princess Rona erupted from the castle he was just welcomed in a few ago.
"What!?"
Night finally came and Obi was back in Wistal territory. He was far away from home, but the stars kept chanting the word 'soon' as they gave him their light. Obi listened to the horse's shoes clatter with every step it took on the cleared path. It was at a time like this that Obi yearned for Shirayuki's company.
How was he so lucky to meet someone so amazing like her?
In his old days, he's never had to use his heart at all. The crowd he resided with were those who tried convincing him that the heart was only useful to breathe and that was it. And, of course, Obi stupidly confided in them and decided that his heart was not needed for anything else other than living. But before this girl, he hadn't realized that he may have been alive, but not actually living. And moreover, how did Shirayuki improve his breathing?
It would seem that her being changed his desire of things. He actually wanted to be breathing, to be alive. It was not as if Obi had wanted to die, but rather cease to exist. Before his rogue days, before meeting the Master and his Mistress. Oh, with the way he was obligated to raise himself up, Obi couldn't help but choose any path that'll give him money for food and a shower. If only he could someday tell all of this to Shirayuki without feeling pained or receiving pity in return.
And as for actually living, it would seem like Shirayuki is the center of his adrenaline. As his horse happily trekked the path in sights of a town, Obi began recalling his uncontrollable anger he owns in his heart. It would seem that since meeting the young, apple-haired girl, his anger was able to fuse with his feelings for her to brew him into the most dangerous he's ever been. And whether that's a good thing or not is for Shirayuki to interpret for herself, but Obi was glad his anger would be channeling through from something worth the energy.
Shirayuki suddenly became the light. She became the morning, and the morning dew that hung off leaves happily. She became the afternoon calmness and the lovely smell of apple pie. She became the curious night that made him feel more secure when sinking into the darkness. She became his way of life, and he hopes that that'll never change, too.
The closer he came to this random town, the more he thought about Shirayuki. He'd give the stars whatever they'd like just to receive something from her. A picture perfect image of her smile, or a realistic jolt of sound worth of her laughter. Or maybe even one of her remedies to drink for insomnia for he knew as fact that he won't be getting a wink of sleep tonight.
Shirayuki was just such a happy thought that sleeping would only mean a waste of time. At least for Obi, anyways.
He strolled into the town with the stallion, receiving several looks from the towns' people. He hadn't bothered to read the sign of its name, knowing fully well he'll likely never come back. And if he did, it'd be on very rare occasion. Obi knew his cat-like eyes were intimidating, but he had to admit that his rest face was very sinister. It was far from the intended impression, but he can't go on forcing a smile, could he? He'd be even weirder.
"Is there any place to hold my horse?" Obi asked the owner of a small inn he stumbled upon. She nodded, beckoning over a few young men to go and tend to his horse. Obi held all the items of value in his arms, knowing that if he left it with the horse, they'd be gone. After paying for his room, he grabbed his key, thanked the kind woman, and quickly fled to his assigned room.
Shutting the white oak door behind him, Obi scanned the very small room he was assigned in. It was ornate with a small, dark brown drawer that was across a small bed. The mattress was held up by a bed frame that was yearning to finally break down and ceases to be used. The mattress, small yet cozy-looking was hugged with white pillows and red sheets. Apple red, to be precise.
Obi smiled at this fact as he gently tossed his items by the bed to go over to the only window he has. It was small, but had its own windowsill with a red flower in an orange pot. If this was a tease done by the stars, then Obi mentally applauded them for being so kind. Obi opened the window some before turning to his right to notice the small balcony he was provided. He did request the top floor, after all.
He opened the old doors to introduce himself back outside. The floor creaked loudly with every step he took, but he didn't pay much attention to it. He walked over to the rail (incomparable to the castle, might he add) and placed his hands on them to grip. His amber eyes took in the brightly lit town, seeing women saunter at this night with their best dresses and men intoxicating themselves while saying rather disgusting terms to these very beautiful women. Scoffing, Obi reeled his hands back to him to begin unbuttoning his torso attire.
As he began relieving himself of his outfit, he couldn't help but divert his eyes back up to the stars. They were so beautiful tonight, for some peculiar reason. They felt bigger and full of life, as though they were young kids breaking night with one another. High adrenaline, a desire for adventure and a taste of insanity that was more than healthy for them. It reminded Obi of himself when he was allowed to be a child.
Silly, stupid, but happy without any guilt to be.
Obi couldn't help but wonder what Shirayuki had been like as a young girl. He was wondering what Shirayuki had done as a kid and if she was silly. This was probably impossible, though, considering how quickly she has grown with only 18 years in her. But she must have done things that were not frowned upon, but much unexpected of her. She's full of surprises, that girl. But Obi only wanted more.
Obi shifted his arms with the jacket carried in them, only to hear a little bell go off in a mere half-second.
Obi lifted it up a bit with one hand and dug through the sole pocket of the jacket to reveal a significant item. That hair ornament he had gifted to Shirayuki long ago. Tossing the jacket aside like waste, Obi held the ornament cautiously in his arms as he went for the rail of the balcony again. He took it by the long, silver neck of it and lifted it up to the sky, making it seem as though an orange star took reign of the vast space above him.
"Are you watching the sky too, Miss?" Obi muttered, a gentle smile crawling upon his lips. He could feel it—he could feel her emerald eyes glued up at the navy blue mysterious that was space. He could sense her, looking through her window, calling to him. The hair ornament let out another bell-like sound. "I wonder." Then, Obi's ears slightly moved from a vibration coming from the roof.
"I wonder more."
Obi shut his eyes, faltering a bit as he safely hid the hair ornament in the pocket of his pants. He let out a sigh, upset that he no longer could cherish the night properly. He was also rather somber that he could not be alone with his thoughts of the beautiful girl waiting for him back at the castle. Opening them once again, he forced his signature smirk and didn't bother turning his sight to his rogue, ex-colleague sat on the roof, legs crossed.
"And I thought I'd never see you again," Obi began, almost bitterly. "Evidently, I thought wrong."
"You sound disappointed," the woman replied with fake offense rolling off her tongue. "I'm rather hurt by that. It's nice to see you again, Obi."
"Hi, Torou," Obi greeted, his voice monotone and very discontent from the orange-haired girls' company.