this chapter was a lil messy, sry x
THIRTY-THREE – How Did We End Up Here?
17 Days Until The Wedding
"May I enter?"
The sound of Lord Izana's voice had struck a nerving chord in Zen. He wanted nothing to do with his brother, especially not at this time of night. Zen had still been stressed out with his counsel, having them believe that the punishment due for the intruder was far too extreme. More extreme than how aware his aides were about the case. But Zen wasn't daring to think morally—he was thinking with his heart. But he knew word scrambled into Izana's ear and he's likely appearing before his younger brother to discuss exactly that.
"Come in," Zen reluctantly spewed, having the two aides move away to allow the large door to be opened with ease. His brother, high and mighty, entered the room swiftly. His robes left him brief trails as his boots clattered the ground with each step. "Good evening, Lord Brother."
"To you as well, little brother," Izana hummed, his voice deep and croaky, probably due to grogginess. Zen studied his older sibling, forcing himself to rise from his desk to trot around it. He leaned his rear ag desk, his hands planted down on it as he stared into the other pair of azure orbs. "How's the wedding coming along."
"Well, for the most part," Zen said frankly. He looked to the side to scan his messy desk of the wedding plans and arrangements. "We've just gotten word from the chefs that they should be arriving shortly. Mitsuhide has made sure that the maids prepared their rooms kindly by the kitchen. Kiki here has done a fine job in taming the birds and have sent all the birds off to their designated areas for invitation delivery. Everything appears to be going smoothly, as there are guards attentively waiting for responses."
"Sounds like everything is indeed going well," Izana replied, rubbing his hands a bit as he looked around the room. He noticed scrolled were ornate all over the ground, finding one open to reveal a drawing of a cake of some sort. "Are you creating designs for how the cake should look?"
"Oh no no," Zen quickly shut down as he also diverted his eyes towards the design. "Elizabeth requested artists to come around and create designs for her based on how they hear she wants it. And so she handed them all to me to ask for my opinion."
"Have you selected one?"
"No, but the one opened there is her favorite," Zen said, scratching the back of his head. "So I'm likely to just go along with it."
"Ah well, you weren't born to be a judge of how pretty sweet things are," Izana stated, having Zen scoff at his words. "Speaking of sweet things, let's talk about my favorite: Shirayuki."
Zen flinched, with the two aides widening their eyes at Izana's words. He had always been such an audacious man, always emitting words that would capture everyone off guard. Especially how sneaky he is and how he manages to get an eye and earful of everything that goes on in the castle without getting noticed. Calling Shirayuki a sweet… Zen didn't know whether to agree or want to punch his brother in the face for being so condescending.
"Lord Brother…" Zen began darkly, but Izana was too quick to control everything.
"Mitsuhide, Kiki," Izana began lowly, glancing at them without gifting them his eyes as he lifted his hand to snap his fingers. "Like Zen, we're going to have an incredibly selfish conversation. Please leave us, you are relieved for the rest of the evening."
Kiki and Mitsuhide gave good stares at Zen, who returned them with distraught eyes. But then he nodded, having the two bow and bid the royals good evening before escaping through the large doors. With a firm shutting of them, Izana revealed a dangerous smirk and met eyes with his younger brother.
"You've been taking the intruder case far too seriously," Izana began, walking over to his bookshelf yet again to study them. His lengthy fingers, rough and cold, rubbed along the titles, some gold engraved and others lacking words. "I expected you to be aggressive, but I didn't think you'd ever install such a punishment."
"This man crossed the line," Zen spewed darkly, having Izana raise an eyebrow.
"So has many," Izana pointed out. "And yet somehow, this intruder who coincidentally came to attack our young red head provoked you enough to give him such a cruel punishment."
"He attempted to take the life of one of our valuable staff," Zen barked, his fingers clenching into fists. "An eye for an eye."
"Yet he didn't take the apple of your eye, now did he?" Izana chirped, having Zen glare over at his blonde sibling. He chuckled darkly at his own words as his fingertips brushed along the literature. "Even aside the fact that he tried to kill this precious girl to you, you are not the kind of man to stoop this low."
"I'm already more than keen to keep him locked up until he's decayed to the bone and soon can only be referred as dust," Zen pointed out. "Might as well skip all the boredom and take his life now, no?"
"As much as I adore how strong you're becoming, I really think you should reconsider," Izana suggested. Zen glanced at his brother, somewhat shocked that his brother was critiquing the mindset that Zen was borrowing from him. "You aren't supposed to become my mirror image."
"Then what is it that you seek me to be?" Zen roared, feeling veins rise from his temples. "If you already disapprove of who I want to be and now dislike what I'm trying to be, then where's the between?"
"I want you to be strong individually, Zen," Izana hummed. "You are my younger brother. I'm to do all the things you would find immoral and you're the one to reflect from that and ensure that you don't repeat after me."
"I don't understand," Zen began quietly, his head hung low as he studied the ground under him. "You do these disgusting things but you don't want me to do them? What if I have to succeed you, Lord Brother?"
"I don't intend on dying anytime soon, if that's what you're proposing," Izana began, turning to see his little brother in distraught. "I do these things with reason and you know this. But I do them because they must be done. You're willing to kill a man because your emotions get the best of you."
Zen shifted uncomfortably, deeming his brothers words painful but honest.
"I know as fact that Shirayuki would not be content if you killed this man," Izana points out, having Zen flinch. Izana shook his head, ashamed with his brother for still feeling so much for this young herbalist. But the silly boy was in love, Izana could only do so much as to force him to lose those feelings. "I understand you are angry and want nothing more than to cease this man of the world as nobody needs such vile specimen like him. But you must also consider the fact that this is not you and everyone around you knows that this is not you."
Zen winced a bit at this, faltering from his brother's words. But he was right. Although Zen despised this man more than anything, it would flare annoyingly for only so much time until Zen would have to get over it. He'd feel wrong and dirty, sentencing a man to his execution because he planted a cut upon his loves neck. He'd never forgive himself, and to further, Shirayuki would never forgive him. Even though she could have almost been killed, she would not be content to know that Zen shut down his true self to kill a man with a person he isn't.
"I'll be taking over the case from now on," Izana began, having Zen look at him with wide eyes and manifested shock. "I'll be sentencing him to life in prison under our custody. So you may decide later what to do once you think properly and use your time wisely on priorities. Such as, for example, your wedding."
"Fair enough, Lord Brother, thank you," Zen spewed his gratitude, letting out a heavy sigh as his shoulders slouched. This entire case and his wedding had been stressing him out, so he was somewhat content for his brother to relieve him of one duty. But now he was stuck to apply all his attention to the wedding he wanted nothing more than to burn away. "I think I'll be headed to bed now."
"I'm heading off as well," Izana announced as he left the bookshelf be to slowly walk towards the large doors. As he did, he placed his hands kindly on the cold knob and halted his journey. "Might I inform you, little brother, that Little Red is doing very well."
"Huh?" Zen breathed, questioning what exactly his brother was getting at. Izana smirked to himself.
"Yesterday I was off on a little walk around the castle until I found the medical team with your two aides," Izana informed. "It would seem they were all having a picnic, and your little rascal messenger was braiding the red head of hair. And they were laughing, exchanging smiles and all sorts of tooth-rotting things. Anyone would guess that they were lovers with ease."
"Lord Brother…" Zen growled darkly, his azure eyes dimming as he studied the back of his older sibling. He knew such words would vex Zen beyond belief. This, Zen figured, was Izana's purpose every time he visited Zen. But of all things, the young Prince certainly did not want to hear about the potential blooming of Shirayuki and Obi's relationship. Especially if it was more than the maiden/protector relationship Zen formed for the two.
"I'm just saying," Izana said with an innocent shrug. "Shirayuki seems very happy. I don't know about you, but I haven't seen her like this in a long while." With that, Izana escaped through the doors quietly, leaving silence to torment Zen harshly in the containment that was his office. This bothered the Prince enough that his body did its own thing. Without really thinking, his arm flailed over his desk and threw off a few of his books from it. The clatter of literature boomed the silent room to a brief quietness as Zen let out an annoyed sigh.
"Damn it," Zen spewed under his breath, walking over to bend down and collect the books. He began the stack all over, putting the larger ones on the bottom to gradually build up the small ones to the top. As he did, he reached over one book before halting, allowing his hand to hover it and cast a shadow. The very book was an herb study book, one of the many that Shirayuki tended to leave behind whenever she came to his quarters. How long as this been here? Zen wondered, dropping himself on the floor to take the book in his lap.
He cautiously opened the hard cover, skimming carelessly through the pages. He could almost hear Shirayuki in the room, a memory pouring in his head of how she explained to him the concern of overdosing a certain medicine. Oh, how she spoke so clearly and passionately about her study. He could feel her hands, the way they would drag right under the sentences and how she read quietly with her lips moving along.
Zen skimmed so much that he found himself stopping at a page, studying the contents. It was just more words pooling around, with scribbles and drawings of herbs and their aspects and purposes. But Zen then noticed all the ink marks and edits around, seeing Shirayuki's old annotations on it. There were arrows stretching all around, one little note that said, 'to pick right before the sun sets for boosted vitamins.' He smiled at how smart she was and how her brain thought immensely efficient. As Zen's eyes wandered, he stumbled upon an intriguing note at the top right corner of the page.
'Zeneyes' was the annotation right beside a blue herb. They were blue orbs attached to green stems, looking very similar to blueberries. They were very much blue, the color used to create the herb was extraordinarily similar to Zen's azure eyes. Zen smiled warmly at this, realizing that Shirayuki jotted this down to remember the herb better. What a saint Zen had stumbled upon that feels so recent but has been such a long time.
He couldn't help but wonder: how did they end up here? Such a question bothered him far too much, as he slammed the book shut and tossed it to the ground, away from his touch.
"Is there anyone around?" Shirayuki asked quietly to her knight beside her. Obi stood still for a moment, halting Shirayuki as he looked around. He lowered his gaze to the ground, enhancing his hearing to listen if there's anyone too close. But nothing registered in his head, so he lifted up his head.
"No one, Miss," Obi hummed, having Shirayuki smile as she brought her left hand to Obi's right. She tugged it close, having him blush a bit as he felt her fingers weave between his. Her soft palm touched his gloved one, having him scold himself for putting it on once again. "Miss…"
"Is this okay?" Shirayuki asked quietly, hoping she wasn't making the man uncomfortable. Obi squeezed her hand, giving her a warm smile before continuing their stroll.
"It's more than okay, Miss," Obi reassured her, giving her a genuine smile as they slowly went down the corridor.
To say Obi was happy was very much an understatement. He genuinely believes he's in a long dream as of currently, as if everything that has happened is just one big hopeful thought his mind created. But this was all real. The kisses his Mistress had gifted to him, the sweet words she'd never say to him, the holding of hands. Although their relationship is to be kept on the low, Obi found himself pleasantly surprised that his Miss wanted to hold hands through the castle. They could get caught, and the knight knew that she definitely knew this. Wow, Obi snickered to himself. My Mistress is something.
"Obi?" Shirayuki began, her saccharine voice feeling heavenly to his ears.
"Mm?" He hummed in response.
"Have you ever… held these feelings for another maiden before me?" Shirayuki began, having Obi smile warmly at her question. "Here," she began, placing her free hand over her heart. It was fair for the girl to be curious, considering how much of a closed book he was. And to further, a book that lacks any sort of 'romantic' feelings other than worry and concern over his friends, and obviously, Shirayuki. But Obi has never uttered any words that spoke fondly about someone they don't know or was serious about it.
"If I told you, Miss, you might not believe me," Obi said warmly, his amber eyes studying the hallway before them. Shirayuki giggled for a brief moment before tugging his hand a little.
"I'll believe you, trust me," Shirayuki said firmly, and she truly believed that herself. It was fact, actually. Obi was truly an honest man, and he has yet to do a thing to alter that once. He's nothing but blunt, though he's much softer about the truth than most. Obi gave her skeptical eyes, having Shirayuki smile before tugging his arm once more. "Trust me."
"I don't blame you if you don't believe me immediately then," Obi began honestly, having Shirayuki watch as his cheeks get tainted in a faded rosy color. They were a few steps from Shirayuki's door, having Obi hold it off until Shirayuki unlocked the door and allowed the two in. Closing it locked behind her, Shirayuki leaned against the wooden entity with Obi's hand still entangled with hers. Obi stared wistfully at the girl, noticing just how lovely she looked when the moonlight gave her face a kiss. He got so stuck in the trance that he stood quiet for a good moment.
"Well?" Shirayuki hummed quietly, pulling him towards her gently as he stumbled closer to her. Obi smiled warmly at the girl, somewhat nervous as he held her soft, petite hand. She held him so firmly, Obi found himself slightly tremble from it. It was a bit overwhelming for him, like it always will be so long as she still wants something to do with him.
"If I said the first woman I've developed feelings for was you, Miss," Obi began, his nerves skyrocketing when Shirayuki's emerald eyes widened like a sudden eclipse. Those supple lips parted slightly, staring into Obi's amber orbs intensely with ounces of awe in the forest dews. He found himself going stiff, his face dropping to a curious expression as he searched for safety in her green dollops. "Would you believe me right away?"
He'd never lie to me.
Shirayuki looked at him, somewhat stunned by his words. His words didn't come out as overdone or anything below heartfelt. Obi didn't overthink his sentence, nor did he allow light words to slip out of his mouth. He responded to her with such ease, as though these words were already installed in his mind and just waiting for the proper opportunity to gift them to her. But now she has them, her mind replaying the sweet words of truth as she studied those rosy cheeks and marigold eyes.
"Yes," Shirayuki began, her eyes still very much attached to his own as she reached over to grab his unoccupied hand with hers. He widened his eyes at her words, feeling her fingers trap his between them. "I would."
"Well, g-good," Obi stammered, his tone with a hint of disbelief as he felt his heartbeat dart in his head. He gave her hands a nervous squeeze, reassuring her that he's alright. A curt smile soon became ornate upon his lips as he studied her face. "Because you are the first maiden I've ever felt this way about."
"How long?" Shirayuki said quietly, having Obi raise a brow at her short sentence. "How long have you felt this way… about me?"
"For a while now, Miss," Obi hummed, his heart hammering against his chest as he felt Shirayuki give his hands several light squeezes while staring solely into his eyes. "But if you're specifically asking when, I believe I recognized it fully when we were in Tanbarun that time. Before I let you get… you know…"
"Sh, you didn't let me get kidnapped, okay?" Shirayuki quickly spat, having Obi lightly flinch from her scolding tone. She looked a little frustrated, her eyebrows furrowing as she somewhat leered up at the man. "Anyways, at what moment? I want to know the specific time."
"But why?" Obi questioned softly.
"Because I want to remember the exact moment," Shirayuki replied gently, her emerald dews glistening from Obi's awe state. "And keep it incredibly close to my heart." Obi gulped once, far too overwhelmed by this girls words and actual audacity. She was causing fireworks and all sorts of sparks in his heart that Obi has yet to adapt to. He held the tip of his tongue between his pearly whites, pausing just to indulge Shirayuki's beautiful determination and curiosity painting her lovely expression.
"When Princess Rona had pushed you in the library," Obi uttered quietly, finding himself slowly step closer to the young maiden before him. Their entangled hands moved more to their sides as he did so. "I caught you… without my gloves. That very moment, everything around me disappeared and you were holding onto me so tightly—I just found myself knowing that these feelings were foreign territory. Never tapped at before until you entered my life, Miss."
"Without gloves, huh?" Shirayuki whispered, her eyes falling down to pull the pairs of tangled hands together. The very hands were now in between the two bodies, halting Obi from closing the space between them as Shirayuki studied his hands. The leather retained the warmth between their palms, feeling her palms getting somewhat sticky from the clamminess. But, of course, she didn't mind. Obi watched as she unweaves the hands slowly before both of hers rose up to Obi's right hand.
"M-Miss?" Obi said quietly but Shirayuki ignored him. Grabbing the hem of his glove with her fingers, Shirayuki slowly peeled them off his hand. Obi's breath hitched, finding himself go a little dizzy from her bold move. Is she really doing this? The boy that. She really is, isn't she? His thoughts flooded his brain as she moved to his left hand and did the same. "Miss, you can't—."
"Mm?" Shirayuki hummed, allowing the two gloves to slowly slip from her fingers until they fell to the ground. They hit the creaky wood with a dull thump, lying still between the bodies with beating hearts. "I can't what, Obi?" Shirayuki whispered, almost sounding like she was testing him.
"I don't…" Obi began, his voice trailing away as he hid his hands behind him. The bare hands caught once another, holding each other to keep them up by his lower back. His amber eyes fell to the ground, looking at his limp gloves on the dim ground. "…what're you trying to do, Miss?"
"Show me your hands, Obi," Shirayuki asked, having Obi completely hesitant as he remains stiff. She could tell he was nervous, and she realized that this was, somehow, his vulnerable side. So she took a small breath and studied Obi's honey dew orbs. "Please."
Anything for her. Without further waiting, Obi brought his hands between them once again, presenting her with his palm side up. Her eyes left Obi's to study them, seeing small little scars and dry callouses dancing all around. He watched as her petite hands slowly made their way on top of his. Shirayuki felt him flinch briefly as she touched the hard skin. Her fingertips brushed upon it before lifting them up so she could weave her fingers between his right in front of him. He studied her motions intensely as her soft palms met his and gave his hands pretty strong squeezes.
The fireworks, the burning sparks and spurts of emotion broke out in Obi's heart. His arms danced with goosebumps and all sorts of chills as his Mistress blessed him with the feeling of her entire hand. It was one thing to hold hands with her, but it was another to finally feel them properly. It was frightening at first, surely, but Shirayuki already crossed his line and was now at the beginnings of his vulnerable side. And, as the honest guy Obi was (not only to everyone else, but to himself as well), he knew that Shirayuki was the only one he'd want to see that very side of him.
"Is this okay?" She whispered, yearning for assurance as she held his hands firmly.
"Yes," Obi said softly. "It is."
Obi didn't think he'd feel okay to hold his Mistress' hands like this, raw and bare with no defense. But he was feeling perfectly fine and more.
"I'm glad," Shirayuki said, a small smile playing at her lips. "But… I can't help but to wonder why you were so hesitant at first."
"You're scary, Miss," Obi began quietly, his eyes twinkling softly as Shirayuki held his hands graciously. "But not in any sort of monstrous or threatening way. You're scary to me because you're the first person to break down my armor. Physically, yes, but mentally and emotionally. I'm now… completely defenseless against you, Miss."
Shirayuki's heart stopped almost immediately and everything around her went black. Is this what he meant? Shirayuki thought. Everything disappears, and now it's just us. Shirayuki tugged him close, closing her eyes to indicate what she yearned for. Obi obliged, leaning down excitedly to plant his lips upon the blessing that was hers. Those soft, tender lips, with the immense saccharine taste that was always present when Obi kissed her. This moment was everything, this very girl is everything. Obi was never going to dare deny it, and he'll never want to.
As he kissed his Mistress so eagerly, so hungrily, Obi couldn't help but think to himself: how did we end up here?