Sorry i died yet again. Me and my bf are having troubles. yikes but wow, 50 parts and almost 50 chapters! Im so happy to those who've stuck around to read all this
FORTY-NINE - A 'Civil' Discussion and an Angry Obi
12 Days Before The Wedding
"How dare you?"
Zen's voice emitted harshly, with a touch of disgust conjuring from his throat and into the very 3 words he had uttered.
He had returned to his office, dismissing his Lady into her room until he had been ready to speak with her. His silent pique had lingered throughout the day, with it barely soothed by the time it became night. The work he had to complete with this vexation had been done, though the signatures remain as evidence due to the aggression in his hand. It had been a very long while since Kiki and Mitsuhide had seen this side of Zen.
The last time had been with Shirayuki was captured by pirates, but that's a memory that Zen longs to forget but shant.
The little progress of seeping away his anger had only been proven vain as he felt his blood boil at the very sight of his Bride-To-Be. Azure eyes harden into a deep navy, with pupils dilated and focused on the very woman that, with her mere existence, ruining his life as he's known it. He's trying his best to release the pressure of gritting his teeth together, but it can't be helped with the way he's feeling. This flaring anger in him seems almost too riveting to ever be soothed any time soon, and that's probably the least of this Prince's concerns.
Zen stands before Elizabeth, watching her curiously as she shyly sits on the chair he had requested Mitsuhide to pull up. He noticed she had changed into a charcoal-black dress, still as big and frilly as expected. But details are emphasized as her hands were now covered with long, silky gloves, white like pearls. With accessories matching the aesthetic, Elizabeth raises her head to return the gaze, her brunette locks curled and put up in a ponytail. Her bottom lip is out in a pout, making Zen's right eye twitch.
"How dare you lay your hand on one of my staff?" Zen scoffs, his hands clenched into fists as he glares at the lady before him. "You dare come to my land, enter my Kingdom, abuse the luxuries provided to you, with pleasure, and then lay a hand on someone who would give everything to save your damn life if need be?"
Elizabeth forces down a painful gulp before parting her small lips, "I can't believe you have higher regard for peasants rather than fellow royalty with blood more worthy than-"
"Don't you dare discuss your royal status with me," Zen quickly interrupts. He then leers away breifly, letting out a stale chuckle, "we've already discussed this before with my brother. We needn't continue it, especially with his absence."
"I've never been more deceived in my life until I came to this land!" Elizabeth quickly emits, her voice much higher than Zen expected. "I was told great things about this kingdom- especially about you! How kind you are, with a heart warmer than the sun's rays during the hottests days of summer. With such an open-mind and good intentions and understanding morals." Elizabeth looks away, her cheeks heating up from emotion. "But they were so, so wrong."
"You know nothing about me," Zen quickly added, refusing for this woman to taint his name.
"I know you can play with a facade beautifully," Elizabeth hissed, leering into his eyes as her petite hands gripped onto the arms of the chair. "You have fooled everyone with that artificial kindness of yours, but it didn't take so long for me to figure out who you truly are. You're a sick, twisted boy, with a heart colder than the highest mountains with snowy peaks. You haven't got a spec of gentlemen-like manners and neglect your Lady as though she were another commoner!"
"Lady Elizabeth-" Kiki and Mitsuhide try, but Zen quickly raised a hand to stop them to allow his fiance to resume her hurt spiel.
"You, Zen Wistaria, are no Prince," Elizabeth vents angrily, "you are a bitter boy who is lying to his people and is happy to be blind of the good he has before him!"
Zen stared at her, watching the way her chest heaves harshly. He could see her somewhat gasping for air, her pink lips apart and retrieving as much air as she could. He could see the 'hurt' in her eyes, her cheeks flushing up from her anger. Zen could even see the flames gushing in her eyes as though she was genuinely upset. That's when Zen quickly smirks and softens the grip of his fists.
"I deem you better a royal fool rather than an elegant Princess," Zen humors, shrugging as Elizabeth had been taken aback. But Zen quickly straighten his lips before slowly walking closer to her from his desk. "I would never pull a facade nor consider it, as I would benefit nothing from it. You must know that I love my kingdom, and my staff more than I will ever even like you. They are what make this kingdom flourish and grow, it was never me that made this land so great. I shall always be kind, as part of my morals to respect everyone and only act upon discovering treachery or evil before me."
He stands right before her, having Elizabeth look up at him anxiously, "I may be kind and understanding, but that does not mean I am not blunt. You are a disappointment worth of a Princess and I've never been more horrified by my mothers choice of you as my wife and Princess of our fine kingdom."
Elizabeth brings a closed fist to her chest, "y-you dare speak to me like this?"
"I can," Zen begin, sauntering over her to cast his shadow, "and I will."
Elizabeth quickly rises, having Zen back away from her to provide space, "your mother is a wise women, but she failed to raise wise offspring. You and your brother are what make us monarchs appear toxic and having nothing to provide but false promises and suffering."
"I think," Zen begins, sighing a bit, "you are what fits that very statement." Elizabeth opens her mouth to start, but Zen puts an end to her venting, "my brother can be a bit cold, but his interests have always been for our kingdom. We would give our very lives to protect our people and don't you ever doubt that. I train to fight anyone who threatens or harms my people, regardless of who they are. That's why I dare go against you to protect one of my court herbalists, regardless of the fact that she is the one who owns my heart."
Elizabeth huffs done, but found herself exhausted to vent another word more. Her petite hands pinch the skirt of her dress, crossing her legs and forcing a bow before the very Prince she's to marry. "Pardon me for the rest of the night, Your Highness. I will be sending a letter to Lady Wistaria about this matter."
"No need," Zen hums, having her rise quickly to meet his eyes once again, "she'll be coming in 2 days. You may speak with her then. Goodnight, Lady Elizabeth."
"Y-Your Highness," Elizabeth bows sheepishly once again, turning around after uttering her quiet words. Mitsuhide walks her out as Kiki walks towards Zen.
"Zen-" Kiki attempts but Zen quickly dismisses her.
"I can't stand that woman any longer than I already have," Zen huffs, lightly pinching his chin between his index and thumb. "I cannot permit for her to be the Princess of Clarines- it's unimaginable now."
"But upon request of your-"
"I know," Zen interrupts once more, "trust me Kiki, I know."
She allows silence to ensure, watching Zen as he backs up to lean against his desk. His azure eyes blur with thought as he distantly stares at the ground. Arms slowly cross, his teeth gently gnawing on his bottom lip. Kiki could tell that Zen had been stuck in a position he never expected or asked to be in.
Mitsuhide quickly returns and shuts the double doors behind him, "she's been safely dismissed to her quarters."
"Thank you, Mitsuhide," Zen thanks quietly, still refusing to meet anyone's eyes. Kiki exchanges a worried glance with Mitsuhide, having the turquoise-haired boy nod in agreement. "I shall return to my work now."
The two aides watch as their Prince slowly trots behind his desk and files himself into his chair. Dismally, his right hand reaches the quill and dips it kindly into the small container of ink. Placing it on the importance parchment, Zen begins scribbling on it with the same cloudy expression he's had since his fiance left the office.
"She slapped you?"
Garak had been first to be itched wrongly. Ryu and the other herbalists hadn't found the energy to react so explosively. But Garak was quick to rush in front of Shirayuki and cup her chubby cheeks into her healing hands.
"Miss Garak, I'm okay, really-"
"To harm one of my court herbalist is absolutely intolerable," Garak spat, turning Shirayuki's neck to see the red splotch residing comfortable on the girls petite cheek. "She may be a Princess, but if she believes she can treat my fellow staff this way, she definitely has another thing coming."
As Garak tampered with her cheek, Shirayuki's eyes looked over to Obi, who had been leaning against the open window of her and Ryu's office. Everyone knew that he was the most heated about this, considering his deafening silence and the way his ambar eyes had darken to a rotting brown full of vexation and tension. The crimson-haired girl hadn't known what to do, her emerald orbs swimming in worry. Ryu noticed this and quickly rose from his seat and stood before Obi.
"Obi," the young boys raspy voice sounds, having Obi attempt to hide his anger by smiling down at him. "We're all just as upset as you are about this."
"Who said I was upset?" Obi tried to play off, but everyone could tell he was gritting his teeth after each sentence he emits. "I'm fine."
"Obi." Ryu uncrossed Obi's arms and took his bigger hands into his much smaller ones. Ryu could feel the small gashes and calluses in his hands, but he ignored it with ease. "You need to relax." He could feel how tense the man was, seeing as Obi was having trouble looking into his eyes. His ambar eyes didn't even dare lighten, even when the young boy had been there to listen and sooth his heart of the burning anger he's currently suffering.
Everyone had looked over at the two, frowning at the fact that Obi seemed untamable. Shirayuki had figured that this had to be the moment to dismiss themselves and head to her bedroom for a well-needed slumber.
"I'm feeling tired," Shirayuki announces, having Garak quickly reel her hands from her face. Her eyes fill with concern but allows the girl freedom as she moves back. "Please sleep well everyone."
Shirayuki stands from her seat and returns it to her desk in a filing manner. She slowly walks over to Ryu, cupping his head and leaning down to place a kiss upon the boys forehead. "Sleep well, Ryu."
"You too," Ryu hums, "Shirayuki."
Shirayuki stands up straight again and turns over to Obi, who still refused to look at anyone. She reaches out and clings onto once of his black sleeves, "escort us to my bedroom, please." His cheeks quickly flushed and that had made Shirayuki smile to know that he was still susceptible to blushing by her mere touch. Immediately, he bends his arm and offers it to her, which she gladly takes.
"Pardon us," Obi says to everyone, slightly bowing before guiding Shirayuki out of the office and escorting her towards her bedroom.
Obi was absolutely seething.
The man had wanted nothing more that to go to the Princess' quarters and tell her off the way she deserves. But he knows well enough that Zen would be disappointed in him, and he is only to do whatever his requests. But Obi saw the way Zen had stared at his fiance, almost snarling at the woman for doing such a thing to his ex-lover. Obi knows that Zen feels exactly the way he does, and for that, he's grateful.
But part of his frustration had also come from Shirayuki defending the fellow maidens that had received disgraceful words from the Princess they're currently serving. She would have stayed unharmed if she remained behind Obi. He can take a mere slap from a woman, he was not bothered by it. But he is assigned her Personal Guard and with that position, he is to ensure her safety. Especially when she's become more than just a friend for him and has entered his heart before anyone else has.
"Obi." But it was terrible to give her this treatment of silence that she didn't deserve. Obi just didn't know what to say yet. "Obi, please don't be so angry."
"I'm not," he murmurs, walking past several guards as they turn right to a staircase. "I'm just not particularly content right now."
"Don't lie," Shirayuki huffs, having Obi suddenly get pulled back from her halt. Obi finally lends her his eyes as her cheeks puff up in frustration. "You're angry."
Obi resigns and emits a sigh, "fine, I'm angry." Shirayuki quickly smiles, letting go of Obi's arm to snake down and weave her fingers between his. "I don't know why that makes you happy when you don't want me to be."
"Because you finally admitted it," Shirayuki hums happily, having Obi shake his head but his lips couldn't resist to smile. "So you're allowed to be mad."
She continues their walk, but Obi couldn't help but question, "I'm allowed to be mad?"
"Yes," she insists, "you're allowed."
"But Mistress," Obi begins quietly, "who said I had asked for your permission?"
"You were assigned as my Personal Guard, correct?" Shirayuki states pompously, having Obi roll his eyes in entertainment. "Therefore you require my consent for things."
"But they're my feelings."
"And yet your heart is mine," Shirayuki continues bashfully, having Obi playfully shove her. "Wow, how rude of you."
"You gave me consent to be angry," Obi defends, "this is how I express my anger." Shirayuki shoves back playfully, having the two conclude their little 'fight' in laughs as they walk towards Shirayuki's door. Though Obi was still heated, he found himself at more ease to see that Shirayuki had not been affected by the harm that had been brought to her. But he quickly frowned to realize some things.
It's either she is unfazed or she is used to pain coming her way. And that's what brings some pain to Obi's heart.