just letting ya'll know: after i finish this story, ill be writing a new one on legend of zelda botw bc that game is my shit so im just letting you know what's in the works. also wow wtf 30k views? wild thank you to everyone who likes this story!
FORTY-EIGHT - The Waters Boil
12 Days Before the Wedding
Zen found himself staring down from his balcony, watching the many people who serve under his family's rule unload carriages and carry various crates and barrels into the castle.
Everything in his working quarters were still. Parchment had been scattered everywhere, messes of written work and assignments ornate the room. Books were merely pulled out from shelves, a few housing bookmarks of tore paper and feathers. Zen's belt owning his sword and its holster laid on the ground of the very center of the room, accumulating dust and warmth from the sun shining through. And nearby, just a few feet behind Zen, was his respectful and caring aide.
"Zen," Mitsuhide began, trotting just slowly to get closer to the white-haired man before him, "you can't resume to stare blankly outside- unfortunately, you have much to get done."
"I can't focus on that right now," Zen murmurs loud enough from the balcony, his hands clenching the railing. "I can see her from up here."
Zen managed to pique Mitsuhide's interest as he joins his Prince on the balcony. The turquoise-haired man looks down, his brown eyes following those of azure to see the red splotch surrounded by the large garden of flowers. She looked ever so peaceful right then, the sun kissing her just right to bless the flow of her warm tan.
"I know you miss her, Zen," Mitsuhide utters regretfully, noticing the Prince wince at his words right beside him, "but you cannot let that longing halt all your duties. They must get done, regardless of how you feel."
"I know, but," Zen hums, feeling his hair fall perfectly on his sharp nose and begin to tickle it gently, "sometimes, I think why Shirayuki hadn't pined for me after I attempted to wrongfully make her my mistress after I had broken her heart."
Mitsuhide solely raises a brow, intrigued in the Prince's words, "could it be that maybe, me breaking her heart had fixed her path back to striving a normal life? A life that did not consist of royal duties and affairs she could not deny nor neglect."
Mitsuhide shrugs, "maybe. She certainly is someone who doesn't like being limited to one thing, even if it provides a lifetime of comfort and luxury."
"She likes to work for things," Zen hums, watching as Shirayuki picks out thorns of roses with her bare hands. "She's a woman with goals, and being a Princess would knock out many opportunities she could do freely as she is now." Mitsuhide's shoulders relax, his eyes looking over to see Zen frown a bit before diverting his attention back over to the young herbalist.
"I think Shirayuki would have pushed through regardless of that, don't you think?" Mitsuhide suggests, ringing some sort of strange hope in Zen's heart. "Even with her status and physique, she would fight against whatever tries to harm her and those she cares for as though she were an immortal knight. She remains true to herself, whether or not a crown rests on her head."
Zen smiles warmly, "you're absolutely right." He could only think of the first time he met her, how persistent she had been through Zen's initial distrust in her. To bash her flesh with his sheathed sword to prove a point had struck a chord with him. To resign herself to the life of being a concubine in order to retrieve an antidote for Zen without knowing his identity was absurd. Then, to almost lose her life to hold back an intruder looking for him in order to preserve his own was truly unthinkable. Shirayuki had definitely proven to stand out among all the women he has met.
"Shirayuki should be someone we should all follow," Zen hums, "humble, kind, and brave- no fear with anything that is to confront her."
Mitsuhide joins his smiling trend, "I definitely found myself learning a thing or two from Shirayuki. You can't help but feel inspired by her."
"If only I had the decency to have treated her kindly after breaking her heart," Zen huffed to himself, hanging his head low while looking away due to self spite. "I've treated her so poorly that I doubt there will be any way to make it up to her."
"Don't say you haven't done a thing," Mitsuhide hums, having Zen look over and lend ears. "You've allowed for her to remain in the castle and continue her study not only for the kingdom, but for herself. You know she adores Clarines and what it has provided her."
"I suppose…"
"You've also stopped playing with her heart as a product of your rare selfishness," Mitsuhide said painfully, but Zen knew there was no other way he could say it. "You've put an end to your manipulation that you knew would have worked if you kept up." Zen has trouble swallowing such words, but Mitsuhide is being honest and that's all the Prince could ever want.
"And you've allowed her to have Obi," Mitsuhide begins, his hazel eyes quickly attaching itself to the said rascal approaching Shirayuki. Zen watches this, seeing the black head of hair approach the beauty surrounded by flowers. Obi bends down before her and offers her what looks like a canteen, which Shirayuki takes happily. She emits a giggle and Zen couldn't help but feel his heart warm up. "She was able to recover herself by finding a fondness in Obi. Although it absolutely breaks your heart, you could have just kept them separated. All you had to do was request it and they would have never exchanged words ever again."
The two watch as Shirayuki gladly gulps down the cool water. Zen contemplated Mitsuhide's words, as they were true and kind. He knew that Mitsuhide wanted to make the boy feel better, but he didn't dare sugarcoat it. Mitsuhide spoke the way things actually happened, and Zen can't help but smile. Even when his heart yearns for this girl, Zen subconsciously knew that he must do the right thing regardless of all. Shirayuki did not deserve any of the mistreatment he has given her and he knows it.
"But you've given her this," Mitsuhide quietly utters as they watch Obi lean over and give Shirayuki a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Not only another chance to fall in love, but with someone who clearly is a good man- good enough to be the Prince's Personal Attendant."
"You're right," Zen begins with a curt smile, "he may be a pain in the bottom, but he knows how to treat women. Especially Shirayuki." Mitsuhide was glad that Zen was no longer being too harsh on himself. He simply needed these small realizations and a few checks in order to realize his wrongdoing and what he should be doing differently to better himself.
"Now seeking her forgiveness?" Mitsuhide begins the topic, having Zen hear the uncertainty in his voice. "That's on you to figure out, Zen."
"Not even I have stepped a foot in that territory," Zen huffed dully. He hadn't even considered apologizing to her, as he concluded that she won't forgive him. Moreover, he didn't even deserve her forgiveness, so why be bothered to apologize. "Doubt she'd even think about forgiving me."
"Shirayuki is stubborn, but she surely isn't dense," Mitsuhide hums as they watch Obi offer the girl a small flower he had seen beside him. "She can definitely find it in her heart to forgive you as long as you apologize right."
"I wonder what that means," Zen sighs, feeling frustrated that Mitsuhide won't- or rather, can't, give Zen all the answers. As a Prince, and potentially future King, he must discover how to brew up solutions and choose between options for the good of his kingdom and his state.
Before Mitsuhide can utter another word, the two suddenly heard seething words emit from below them. Zen looked down with Mitsuhide joining him, his white wisps of hair hanging low to see the scene where Shirayuki had been residing for a while. They look to see a woman with a blue flowing gown approach the two down below, having Obi quickly put on a wary stance beside Shirayuki.
"You wretched girl!" Elizabeth seethed, her brunette hair dancing with the collected wind of her furious walk. Shirayuki had quickly put down the flower she had been de-thorning and rose to her feet. Her emerald eyes quickly acknowledged the Princess coming her way, unsure as to why she was insulting her. "You've ruined everything for me!"
"Pardon, Your Highn-" Shirayuki attempted but Elizabeth had already got all up in her face.
"Prince Zen no longer has eyes for me!" Elizabeth hissed, her arms straight down with her petite hands clenched into fists. "His fixture returns to you- a worthless peasant!"
Obi had been quick to defend as he breached the space between the two woman and gently backed Shirayuki away from the Princess. Shirayuki had been taken aback right then from the sudden move, but was quickly shadowed by the hurried defender before her. She knew that Obi was extremely protective of her, but what could a Princess possibly do to her that she hasn't been through?
"Don't defend that traitor!" Elizabeth hissed, holding the puffy skirt of her unnecessary dress as she glares up at Obi. "She's to steal the Prince from me, and you're to lose her in the process!"
Obi raises a brow, "are you unwell, Your Highness? You do realize that Prince Zen is to marry you, correct? Your wedding is in 12 days."
"Don't patronize me like a child!" Elizabeth quickly attacks, having Shirayuki's blood boil. How dare she speak to Obi that way? It's one thing to be speaking to her in such a tone, but Obi hadn't done a single thing to receive such a nasty tongue. "I don't need that when I've now learned I'm unwanted here!"
Everything felt still right then as Mitsuhide and Zen stared at one another with anguish. Even though her words ring truth, Zen hadn't wanted for her to acknowledge it like that. Surely, he can be considered cold for leading her to believe that he wanted her as the Princess of his great land, but he do what's right. Especially if it is to sate his mother.
"Your Highness," Shirayuki begins quietly, moving into view from behind Obi. He had still been in front of her in his ready stance, but he knew that she wanted to exchange words with the angry Princess. "This land requires a Princess as strong as their Prince, one looking to ensure the best for this country and allow it to flourish as best you can."
"The first Prince knows of my blood, good and well," Elizabeth begins quietly, her blue eyes suddenly shining as she glowered at the herbalist. "The second Prince had accumulated the information as well. What I am is not what they desire, and you haven't got a clue as to how much that pains me."
"I… don't know what to say," Shirayuki utters quietly, Obi sharing in the same shock before his amber eyes quickly attach to two maidens rushing towards them. Shirayuki and Elizabeth notice as well, watching as the maids with worry painted on their face hastily arrive.
"Princess!" One of them shriek, her blonde hair tied back and straight like a horses mane, "we have been so worried about you!"
"We checked your room to find it empty!" The other maid cries, her eyes shining with new tears, "we had asked the guards about your whereabouts but-"
"Quiet, whores," Elizabeth spat in disgust, having the two maidens silence themselves in shock. Mitsuhide and Zen were appalled at her words, but not as much as Shirayuki had been.
Right then, Shirayuki swiftly moved in front of Obi to return before the Princess, "don't you dare disrespect these maidens in a kingdom you're not a part of, Your-"
But before she could finish her sentence and Obi could grab her back, Elizabeth audaciously brought a hand up and slapped Shirayuki's cheek. The piercing sound echoed the land, too loud that even the mountain people could hear it. Everything went still right then, like the wind had vanished and breaths were halted. It was right there that Zen had to fall into the scene and cease it immediately.
He lands beside Obi, who quickly grabbed Shirayuki back and away from the Princess gone rabid. He had been fuming, his hands shaking while firmly grasping his lover in his arms, who was attempting to recover what just happened. Zen glances back at the two and winces slightly, but refocused himself on Elizabeth.
"You dare to not only insult my maidens that have served for me longer than you've known me," Zen begins quietly, attempting to maintain his low voice so he would not raise it. "But you strike one of my court herbalist that would save your life in a heartbeat if you were ever in peril condition."
Elizabeth had been stunned there, unwary of her surroundings and realizing she had been right under the balcony of the Prince's office. Mitsuhide was quick to join, with guards who heard the slap rushing over as well. Even the stevedores assisting in the unloading of crates and barrels had looked over to see what was going on. Elizabeth's heart couldn't stop racing as Shirayuki stared at her wistfully.
"Regardless of your status, Princess," Mitsuhide began, his hand gripping on the handle of his sword tightly, "you are never to disrespect our people in any level."
"It is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Zen sternly spat, his teeth gritting painfully against each other. "We are to return inside the castle and ascend to my office. I'd like to have a chat with you, Princess Elizabeth."
Mitsuhide had been soothing the maids, assuring them that they were definitely not the words given to them by the Princess they were ever so worried about. But Zen and Obi were much more concerned about Shirayuki who had actually been inflicted.
Shirayuki hadn't been touched like this since she was held captive by pirates. Umihebi had left a scratch right on the very top of her cheek, a wound that stayed with her as a reminder of her own weakness. But she had been shocked to allow someone who hasn't even the power like Umihebi had to touch her like that. All she could do was hold her dirtied hand on the rosy red cheek.
"Are you well, Shirayuki?" Zen asks, his eyes watching as Mitsuhide guided Elizabeth back into the castle. There was spite and vex in her eyes before she had been subdued back into the castle with his aide ensuring that she remains inside. Zen could tell she was okay, as she was in Obi's hold, but he wanted to hear it be deemed true.
"Y-yes," Shirayuki whispered, staring distantly at the Prince's caped back. "Thank you very much, Your Highness, for asking." It bothered Zen very much that she addressed him as such, but he felt better to listen to the genuine gratitude in her words.
"As you were, you two," Zen commanded gently, having Shirayuki nod as she watched him begin his walk back into the castle.
"Yes, Master," Obi replied, watching him disappear into the castle before turning Shirayuki around to face him. Amber eyes drowned in worry as he removed his gloves and held her cheeks with his bare hands. "Are you really okay, Mistress? I'm so sorry I let her touch you, I didn't know-"
"Obi!" Shirayuki said through a giggle, her soft hands cupping Obi's head, "I'm okay, please don't apologize for actions I did. I had left behind your safety and put myself there with some prediction that she may put a hand on me."
"If you knew, why didn't you stay behind me?" Obi insisted, his eyes destroying her with the intense worry and sorrow. "I don't ever want to see you harmed, Miss. It hurts me too much."
Shirayuki still didn't have a realization that her carelessness mattered to many others, even if it didn't matter too much to her. She could see the paleness of worry in his face and the trauma brewing up in his yellow dews. His very calloused fingers were shaking while holding her face, his rough contact very contrast to her supple cheeks. She's still learning that Obi's feelings correlate with anything that she does because he's absolutely infatuated with her. She knows this very good and very well, and that makes her so happy to know.
"I'm sorry," Shirayuki says quietly, a warm smile tickling her lips, "I love you, Obi."
Obi froze, his heart going faster than the speed of the idea of sound. It's always a dosage of opium whenever Shirayuki had shown a side of her that no one but he gets to see. The sleepy face she has when she's passed out without a single sound to disturb her from slumber. The creative mind that works out genius that Obi has never heard before until he's met this very herbalist. Even the way she catches him off guard and blesses him with her gentle, supple lips upon his.
Quickly, Obi's hands left her cheeks and found his arms wrapping around her body once more. Shirayuki let out an 'umph' sound in shock of the sudden motion, but was quick to melt in his secure embrace. She knew that he was scared for her, even when the Princess was not going to do anything severe to her. Her hands crawled up to return the embrace, her fingers digging into the back of his shirt to grip on tightly.
"I love you, Mistress," Obi mutters, his lips against the top of her red apple head, "I love you so, so much."
also, does anyone also think that everytime i see ryu's name, i think of the huge ass character ryu from street fighter? if thats just me, dont mind me