im so elated you guys like my story so far. thank you for reading x
TWENTY-SEVEN – Him
19 Days Until The Wedding
Obi woke up with a stiff neck and a dry mouth.
After Torou had showed up, Obi forced himself to sleep on the floor to allow the orange-haired rogue to sleep on the bed. He knew that he would not hear the end of her lecture on being a gentleman if he hadn't offered her first. And because of how uncomfortable the wooden floor had been, Obi took a guess that he slept for a good hour. 'Good' being the estimation in quantity, not quality.
He didn't bother waking her up, as his eyes forced him away by 6 in the morn. He stood from the ground, feeling the premeditated aching of his back and attempted to stretch out the pain. A few twists and bends later, Obi was feeling somewhat repaired as went over to the drawer to find his jacket to place it back on. One button, two button, three. This was far too early of a time to be dealt with gold, tedious buttons for a pretentious outfit Obi didn't even like.
Everything about last night felt off. As Obi trotted down the stairs to return the room key to the owner and request his horse, he couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. He couldn't sleep right away because of it. He stayed awake, his amber eyes glued up at the night sky. After Torou had fallen asleep, Obi found himself still gazing at the stars, cherishing its beauty. But somehow, one of the stars managed to have dulled.
It wasn't anything Obi got worked up over, but it did shoot a jolt of discomfort in him. He was never one to believe in signs, but considering that he strongly believed in fate, they weren't too far off. Shirayuki had him believing in a lot of things after meeting her, and it frightened him that one star had suddenly dulled while the others shined so brightly. It felt as though its light, though still existent, burned out for the night and couldn't bring back its brilliance.
That's when he finally lost his mind to Shirayuki. As Obi prepared the horse, he couldn't help but swoon over the girl in his mind. She was the brightest star he's ever come across, and he hopes that her light will never burn out. Obi was determined to ensure that it never does. He wants to make sure her eyes stay at their best shade of green, her smile as wide as it should be, and her hair still red as ever but growing.
He will be sure to preserve and add to her happiness. He swears it. And he definitely won't let his past alter that. Even if some of it is in human form with a breathing heart.
"You thought you could just sneak away without me knowing it on time?" To Obi's dismay, the mentioned rogue walked over to him. She was in her usual egg-white blouse and the long, tangerine skirt that started a little below her breasts. It flowed right down to her ankles, hiding those sleek white boots that swallowed her feet. Her tawny eyes studied Obi curiously as she stood at the other side of the horse. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing that concerns you, Torou."
"You're crabby this morning, huh?" Torou teased, watching as Obi wrapped the pouches around the horse securely. She pondered what items he could be holding, but she hadn't aimed to be a complete bother. "Where's your cult?"
"Doesn't matter."
"What is up with you?" Torou huffed, a pout carving her lips as she gazed at the attendant. She had known that he's changed a lot since becoming the attendant to a knight, but she hadn't realized that it changed him completely. "Are you mad that I took the bed last night?"
"I would have preferred it if you didn't, but I'm mad about that," Obi began, his voice low and somewhat annoyed. He hadn't wanted to be interrogated by his ex-colleague when today would be the day of his return. All he wanted was to get back to Shirayuki in a prompt and energetic manner. "I'm on a solo quest to handle business for Master. So if you will." Obi gestured towards the side of the town he came from.
"But I'm curious as to what you're up to," Torou hummed, leaning on the horse by the saddle. Obi watched as she rested her arms on it, with her hands on top of one another. She rested her chin right on top of her hands, smiling mischievously at Obi. "Especially since this meeting was rather unexpected."
"How about don't be curious—" Obi began, gently placing his hand in the girls face to push it off the saddle. He watched as she scowled and frowned at the man. Obi merely smirked before throwing his leg over the horse and firmly sat on the horse. "—and let me be on my way?"
"Why are you so upset to see me?" Torou began, having Obi ignore her as he grabbed the halter. He whipped it once and got the horse going. Torou kept up. "Why are you being like this?"
"I wonder."
Obi rode down the path leading out of the small town. But as he did, Torou made sure to follow and vex him until she chooses not to, and that was becoming a pain. But as she badgered him over his 'disrespectful behavior,' he was able to admire the small town. Several stands were up with multi-colored awnings and ornate with customers. Obi realized the horse must be hungry, and Obi himself could admit that he could use a bite.
"Obi!" Torou groaned as Obi began strolling over to a fruit stand nearby. He requested a dozen apples from a kind woman, who gave him an incredibly cheeky smile.
"A dozen apples for the dashing young man!" The old woman gushed as she looked up at Obi. Obi grinned, feeling his cheeks flush slightly pink.
"Obi—"
"Thank you so much, Miss," Obi said warmly. He then fetched his pouch of money to retrieve money. "How much dill would you like for it?"
"Are you even listening—"
"I'll cut the price for such a handsome lad!" The old woman insisted, having Obi attempt to turn her down. But the old woman was too persistent and refused to make him pay any more than her offer. "Please!"
"If you really insist, kind Miss," Obi said, a genuine smile crawling his face. That's when Torou paused for a moment, going mute to observe the man before her. He was no longer the cold rogue she used to work with in the past. He actually smiled real smiles, and his kindness to others has boosted since managing to fix his social skills. He was just like what a kind, noble sir should be like. Humble, kind, gracious. "Thank you so much, Miss. Your heart is almost as beautiful as you."
"Oh!" The old woman was immensely flattered, her face pink while waving air into her face from the sudden heat that took her over. Torou noticed the way his amber eyes twinkled, the cat-like orbs somehow less intimidating than the eyes she usually sees when he looks at her. He grabbed the bagged apples graciously, thanking the kind vender a few more times before placing the apples between his inner thighs and instructing the horse to slowly move.
"Hey!" Torou quickly tailed, walking to his right as the two passed by several other customers. Obi reached forward and offered the horse an apple, which ate it hungrily. A trail of juice dripped down onto the path as the horse chewed. Obi picked out an apple for himself and chomped on it before diverting his eyes down to the orange-haired danger. "What is up with you?"
"I'm well, actually," Obi replied with chewed apple in his mouth. "What's up with you?"
"Obi what is up with you, seriously?" Torou began as Obi munched on the apple. "Last time we saw each other, you were still confusing as ever but kind. You even helped me on a mission—like old times!"
"Which is why I'm not in the mood with you this time," Obi replied firmly. "I no longer partake in any of those things, and I fear you're going to attempt to drive me into it."
"That's not—"
"But it is, isn't it?" Obi said wistfully, looking over at Torou. The rogue woman stared at him, seeing his amber eyes still as menacing to her as they'll always be. Those eyes then diverted to the apple, thinned due to being eaten at the core. "It doesn't take long to uncover your intentions and present your true self once everything in the way has been chewed off."
"Are you attempting an analogy with the apple?" Torou began in disbelief.
"I wonder," Obi replied, tossing the apple core to a nearby trash as he took another one to eat. He fed the horse another, too, as they slowly made their way closer and closer to the exit of the small town. He noticed a sign with an arrow pointing to the exit, the words 'Wilant Castle' being printed on it. "Do you intend on following me?"
"So what if I am?" Torou snickered, having Obi smirk while continuing to look forward.
"I would strongly advise stopping here," Obi suggested, reaching the ark with the sign being held by two poles at both sides of the path. He then turned the horse to look down at Torou, who stood before the horse and Obi. "I'm on very important business, and I would rather you not tag along. Knowing you, you'll find yourself trouble and I'll have to be the idiot to save you."
"Then don't be the idiot to save me."
"I can't help that," Obi began, letting out a very annoyed sigh. Torou only stared at him with some sort of longing in her eyes, and he couldn't help but ponder. He grabbed the bag of apples and hopped off the horse to begin tying it on so he could stand at Torou's level and speak. "What is it you seek with me, Torou?"
"Forget it now since you easily saw my intentions," Torou said with a grin, having Obi rolled his eyes from her audacity. But then he noticed the way she began rubbing her hands together, almost nervous, as she let her statement dissolve in the air. "Obi…"
"Mm?" He hummed.
"What is it about the path you took that made you change so much like this?" Torou said quietly, looking curiously into his eyes to find something more than the answer he will soon give. "What is it about having a master and doing right that makes you feel better in being the person you are now?"
"That's quite the question, Torou," Obi began quietly, a curt smile playing at his lips as he dug his hands into his pockets. He felt the hair ornament tickle his fingers with the coolness of it and that caused him to smile even wider. "Formulating an answer would take me a long while. I'd have to let you hold me to it."
"But why?" Torou wondered, her curiosity set a flame and burning effortlessly.
"Because I'd want to give you a reply that would do them justice," Obi replied warmly. "I want it to be as perfect as I'm capable of for a question that is impossible to answer."
"It's Little Red, isn't it?" Torou asked quietly, having Obi widen his eyes as he noticed her tilt her head down. Her long, orange locks fell with her, having them hang loosely as she studied the floor uneasily. "She's the reason your heart is like that, right?"
Obi should've known that Torou was going to read him with ease. She had always been good in knowing who is good and who is bad by mere stares of their faces and the way they speak. It made her such a reliable colleague, seeing as she got to know her target before declaring how she should approach. But she read him like a book, and somehow, it's like she got the disadvantage.
"Potentially," Obi said simply. "But you seem bothered by this fact."
"Just a bit, yes," Torou muttered, a touch of embarrassment rolling off her tongue. "But I'm not jealous of her. Rather, I'm jealous of you."
"How so?" Obi inquired, raising an 'eyebrow' from the woman's words. He was awful curious as to what she was getting at. He also wanted this unnecessary conversation to get something out of it so it wasn't a complete waste of time.
"You've found someone that gives you reason to use your heart properly," Torou began, her voice with only a hint of envy and sadness. "Even if it seems she doesn't belong to you, she has made your heart work completely now. And for that, I am extremely jealous."
Even if it seems she doesn't belong to you.
Obi chuckled quietly at this, and Torou found herself staring up at this man in confusion. But Obi didn't have to explain himself to her or anyone so long as Shirayuki remained in his life. He could've imagined life without her prior to meet her. But now that she's in his life, and deep, there was no way he could go back now. He can't leave those emerald orbs and the way they shine like water causing the freshest greens to glisten. He can't leave her kindness, and the way she treated him regardless of knowing what he was before. And it's that damned voice that shuts off everything painful in his head.
The way she said his name made him feel like gravity genuinely wanted to keep him down on this earth.
"Trouvaille," Obi whispered to himself, having Torou raise an eyebrow in curious to what he just emitted. Obi gave her his signature smirk, his hand taking the ornament in his hand and clenching it gently. "I truly am lucky. I'd be envious as well."
"Don't get so full of yourself now!" Torou scolded, having Obi laugh a bit as he reached in his bag and tossed the woman an apple. She grabbed it with ease, rolling it around her hand as she studied the redness of it. "What happened to your coldness? Are you done being a pain so I can stop being obnoxious?"
"Maybe," Obi hummed, shrugging as he looked over yonder at the people in the town. Beautiful women, desperate men, and exchanged words dancing from several mouths to others ears. Pouches of money jingled around and crates were ornate all over with merchandise from places he's never heard of. He stared at them wistfully, thinking how much Shirayuki would love to see this small town and greet its entire people. "If I told you why I was acting so cruel, would you stop tailing me?"
"Yes," Torou spewed immediately, Obi still amused by her being.
"The faster I get this quest done," Obi began, grabbing the head of the saddle to pull himself onto the horse once more. He gave the horse a few rubs before grabbing the halter. He then looked at Torou, ensuring that his amber eyes bore themselves into hers. "The sooner I get to see her again."
Torou stared at him good and noticed how lifted it became. He was thinking about her, she could tell. Those eyes were no longer the yellow of flames but rather the sweet color of honey. His 'eyebrows' relax, and he finds himself smiling genuinely at the ground as this stare was not for Torou. She could see how much Obi has changed from before. His aggression has been soothed, his wounds don't linger, and he seems… happier. He found his own happiness in a life many would kill to live.
"You are still as mysterious as ever, Obi," Torou commented, shooting him a roguish grin. "But you're much scarier now."
"Am I?" Obi asked, snickering a little at such a sudden, strange statement.
"Mhm," Torou hummed, placing her hands behind her to clasp them together. She turns around, back to viewing the town with excitement in her eyes. Obi hadn't known why she was beaming, but he didn't dare question it. "I'll be seeing you then, Obi."
"I wonder," Obi replied, receiving a snort from the young woman as he turned over to see the path ahead to where he's to be. He was only few hours from his destination, and then a few more away from his home. He was excited to go back home, to her. "Take care, Torou."
With a careless wave, Torou bid Obi farewell as he whipped the halter and took a high velocity leave from the small town to go to Wilant Castle. As he did, Torou couldn't help but turn to stare at the boy gradually disappear into the rest of the world, his mind going distances whereas hers stayed stuck. She still wonders about that man, but all she knows is that he's a level above her, and she knew she'll never reach it and reach him ever again.
It was rather surprising how quickly Wilant Castle was to greet and invite Obi in.
After seeing his identifications and invitation, the familiar white and blue guards began leading him down corridors into the castle. They even expected his horse and already had horse tamers out and prepared to treat it with care. But Obi soon realized that the Prince had sent a heads up. He was rather off when Obi asked who owned his mother's name. He must've tried to ease the visit, potentially warning him of the woman she is.
"Ah, so you're my younger son's personal attendant!"
As Obi entered yet another large throne room, his amber eyes quickly darted to the center of the attention. A woman, quite above average, looked down at Obi from her mountain where her throne resided. Her body was swallowed up by a fancy dress but cloaked with a robe that nearly touches the floor. Listening well, Obi could hear her jewelry jingling from her wrists and around her neck. Bringing his eyes up, he saw two large earrings hang from her ears, but they were quickly ignored from her long, blonde hair. They swirled down to her waist, but her hair was tied up so it must go farther down. And then Obi finally met up with the azure eyes, finding them identical to Zen's—with a big, evident hint of expectance.
"It's nice to meet you, Miss Haruto," Obi began, quickly kneeling before the woman but keeping his eyes locked on hers. He noticed her expression undergo awe with her pupils dilating. Obi mentally smirked at this. "I'm Obi."
The guards stared at Obi right then, almost glowering at him after addressing their Queen as 'Miss.' But Obi wasn't intimidated by them, and Haruto took note of this. She studied his face, curious about his hairless eyebrows and the scar right on his forehead. But she was mainly intrigued by those cat-like eyes. They were almost surreal to her.
"Did Zen tell you address me as such?" Haruto asked, tilted her head to leer at him curiously. Obi smirked, nodding slowly.
"Yes he did, Miss."
"I figured," Haruto replied, smiling warmly down at the messenger. "He's such a considerate boy. Such a cute little Prince, isn't he?"
"Adorable, Miss," Obi replied, having the guards look at him as if he had done something audacious. But Obi wasn't too focused on impressing them, but rather humoring the Queen before him. After all, he was sent here for a reason.
And, to surprise the guards further, Haruto suddenly began bursting into laughter. Her laugh echoes in the large, high-ceiling room. It was loud, anyone would say. The guards were stood there, agape, as she laughed. Obi noticed how wide her smile was, as if she hasn't laughed in ages. Her pearly whites were revealed, and Obi saw how humored she was. Almost like a child, still with a youthful voice but aging very well. She looked much more beautiful than a few minutes prior when she was laughing. Almost as though she had been, what it looks like, freed.
"You are quite the personality, aren't you?" Haruto commented as her laughter calmed down. She wiped her eye to rid of a tear. "I like you."
"Thank you, Miss Haruto," Obi smiled curtly up at the woman. She used her hand and bent her fingers a bit, beckoning him to rise from the ground. He obliges.
"How did you come to meet my son and end up working at the castle?" Haruto pondered, walking down the stairs with her heels emitting a sound with each step. Her robes danced behind as she made level with Obi, slowly walking to him. "You look too dangerous to be kept so close."
"It's a long, intriguing story that Prince Zen would probably enjoy telling you," Obi replied, his heart fluttering in nerves from the idea of admitting the truth to his Master's mother. "But I'm very fortunate that he took me in and gave me such an important job."
"So I see," Haruto hummed, slowly walking to stand just a few feet from Obi. She studied him, her chin between her index finger and thumb. Obi could tell she was still quite curious of him, even after a brief moment of humor and her confession to his excellent first impression. "So what brings you here? Zen told me that he was just sending a messenger, but the message part was left out." Obi studied her eyes for a moment, mentally snickering at how obvious she was. Haruto already knew what he was here for.
"A wedding invitation," Obi elegantly conjured from his hand, offering it out to her with the other arm still at his side. "His Highness requested that I bring you this invitation personally."
"I wonder why," Haruto hummed, taking the small envelope to read her name on it. Queen Haruto Wistalia. She crinkled her nose in some disgust, humoring Obi a bit. "Thank you for delivering it to me safely then, Obi." She beckoned over one of her attendants, dropping it into their arms as they fumbled to hold it without dropping it. She hadn't bothered to open it.
"It was no problem, Miss Haruto," Obi said humbly, nodding gently as she entertained him with a curt smile.
He then watched as Haruto looked around at her guards before nearing him. Obi stood stiffly, clasping his hands together as she got closer and closer to him. The guards quickly flinched to find Haruto now stood right beside Obi, having her look one way with Obi still looking straight at her throne. The wind from her swiftness provided Obi with a scent of cherries and ocean. The movement of her jewelry was now right at his ear, with her hair threatening to hit his face before they missed and flowed down once more.
"Princess Elizabeth Knight, correct?" Haruto murmured at Obi's ear, having him raise an eyebrow as he lowered his head a bit.
"Yes, Miss."
"Mm." Her last reply left as a hum before she turned around and walked back to where she stood before Obi. Obi had no words or motions to express what just happened. It provoked his mind to know what Haruto had meant beyond the literal of that ask. His amber eyes saw no bad intentions, so he was stuck to wonder and contemplate whether he should inform this to Zen or not. "So, what are you to do after this?"
"Well, it's still day out," Obi commented. "If you don't have any more asks or requests for me, I shall take my leave back to Wistal Castle."
"Why not rest a bit, Obi?" Haruto suggested. "We have comfortable beds, lunch soon to be done, and a lot of beautiful women around." Obi smirked, having Haruto tilt her head in curiosity.
"Thank you for an inviting offer, Miss Haruto," Obi said quietly. "But I want to go back as soon as possible. I have someone waiting for me, you see." Haruto watched as Obi dug into his pocket and revealed the small hair ornament that Shirayuki lent to him for his trip. She listened to the bell ring quietly, seeing how warmly Obi stared at the object.
"I see," Haruto began quietly, giving Obi a kind smile. She then beckoned over one of her maids, the young blonde rushing to her with her hands behind her back and a smile eager for a task. "Back him a small basket of food for him to take." She didn't bother asking for Obi's opinion as the maid nodded before rushing out of the room. "Do you at least want to shower? It looks like you'd like one."
"I would, actually," Obi said quietly as he put the ornament away. He quickly put his arms to his sides and bowed before the royal. "Thank you very much, Miss Haruto."
He felt the hot bullets of water shoot at his the nape of his neck and strike pleasure down his back and spin.
Obi had been leaning forward at the back of the bathtub, opposite of the showerhead. One arm was bent, with the forearm firmly pressed against the cool blue tiles. Obi's forehead leaned on the very forearm, his eyes closed with the other hand occupied in holding down the lever. It was the incredible saint producing water from the pipes and giving him hot, wet kisses on his back and the rest of his body. As he enjoyed his cleansing experience, his mind (of course) began wandering around the thought of Shirayuki.
I hope she's doing well. Knowing that girl, she was probably doing everything it takes to make sure she stands tall and strong. She was always fantastic at leaving an impression without even uttering a word. Nobody had to know her reasoning or hear what she has to say—all of that resided in her face. The purity in those green eyes, the smile that painted her lips perfectly, the way her face was lifted when she was content or aimed for something that nobody thought she could do. And then proves them wrong by accomplishing it.
Unlike Obi, Shirayuki already had goals right at birth. Similar to him, no parents, but a loving and nurturing home gave her the gift of imagination and innocence. Everything she did was done perfectly with the right intentions. Every word she spat was either sympathetic or cruel with correctness all over the very truths. To be the granddaughter of pub owners, but still not a drop of alcohol on her tongue by the time she was of age was beyond Obi.
She was so perfect in every way, and Obi was just a scoundrel lurking in the dark. And yet they found each other, both sharing the same goal, and now sharing the same path.
Obi knew he wanted to follow her. After catching her from her near-fall when she was a part-time insomniac, he knew that she was the best guide. He knew that following her would lead to unseen paths, beautiful sceneries, and feelings of elation and joy and everything a person's heart deserves to feel.
Obi has done incredible wrong during the time that Shirayuki was growing up doing it all right. He allowed himself to shut his heart from proper use. He allowed himself to get scolded at and yelled at by victims of his cruel actions. He let himself get beat up and scarred, but still allowed an aggression to frenzy him so much so that he refused any helping hand. He led himself to a regretful past, and he hopes that Shirayuki will never ask him again for an insight of it. She will burn, and there will be no medicine to cure it.
'I'll be counting on you, Obi.'
Such strong words given to a demon like him from an angel like her. Obi had let her go through such a horrific experience once upon a time. Kidnapped once, he thought he could make it. Kidnapped twice, and she was already an ocean away from him. And somehow, somehow, he couldn't walk on water that time. She was getting tossed around, hurt, and treated like a damn object. Like property. Obi knows he will never be a good as he'd like to be, but there are some people in this world who are much more disgusting than he is.
Shirayuki wears his scarf. She wears it proudly. She wears it because she feels safe in it all the time. She wears it because she believes and trusts in Obi so much that his physical being does not have to be there in order for her to feel secure. He saw the longing in her eyes when he had to leave her just a few days ago. But those green orbs never fail to bark with strength, because they both knew he'd be back before they even knew he was gone.
But today was the day. Today was the day that he will return to his dear Mistress. Nothing will stop him—nothing at all. Nothing was going to delay him from how soon he can see Shirayuki's voice. Nothing was going to delay him from how soon he gets to hear her voice and how she says 'Obi' so beautifully. Nothing was doing to delay him from how soon he can touch her again, and obsess himself once more with her milky skin.
"This water is too late, Miss," Obi muttered, feeling the searing water stream through his hair and down his cheeks. His entire body, red, but he didn't mind it. Not one bit. "I've already drowned in the red, and I'm too fixed on her."