Ya'll im home for the break so let's pray we make it to chapter 60. As per usual, thank you for reading, following, favoriting, leaving reviews- it really does make my day. I'm not an aspiring writer but this absolutely fills my heart with joy that you guys actually want to read my story and are constantly eager for more. Best Christmas gift a gal can ask for!
I kindve died recently due to my wifi being cut so this chapter was waaaaay overdue (and i apologize!)
FIFTY-FIVE - An Interesting Offer
10 Days Until The Wedding
To pass the evening upon arriving at the Mountain Lion's land, the village has already finished setting up and cooking a nice dinner.
Shirayuki was fascinated as lights were hanging from the trees like dew drops; beautiful lanterns lit with vanilla-scented flames. The people were a loud hum of conversations, speaking about the joys of life and the drooling of whatever was made for dinner. She watched as kids of all ages pounced from their homes and began crawling down trees. They swung around the ropes and dashed across the hung bridges in the sky.
This village was living proof that there can be harmony in this cruel, chaotic world.
With her father and Obi in front of her leading the way, Shirayuki felt like the weight she held in Clarines was off. At least, for just a few moments. They spoke as though they were already father and son, sharing laughs and genuine conversations about what boys and their fathers would talk about. She almost wanted to cry right then, but before she could, a small crew of kids belted over to her.
"So you're Shirayuki!" A little blonde girl exclaims, having the guards and everyone around notice. They continued to walk, but the kids were surrounding her with a young buzz. "The soon-to-be Princess!"
Shirayuki gulped then, but quickly bounced back, "you can just call me Shirayuki, little one."
"Okay!" The girl agrees, showing off her big, crooked smile.
"You're so pretty, Shirayuki!" A boy hummed, taking her available hand into his smaller ones. "Are you really Mukaze's daughter? You look way less scary than he does!"
"Hey!" Mukaze huffs, having the kids giggle as he scratches the back of his head, "her mother was way scarier than me!"
"That's a lie!" Another kid announced, ending in everyone bursting into laughter.
How could life feel so gentle? Shirayuki felt inflated with happiness and peace while all these kids held onto her in any way they could. They tugged gently at her dress and her hands, having them essentially escort her to the large dining area where the entire village would eat together. It had been just like the dinner they had they last time they were here, but a little more festive as it was Shirayuki, the General's daughter, that would be visiting.
Flowers of blushing and devilish reds were spread about the tables, having Shirayuki truly acknowledge that this dinner was for her. But she had been more drawn to the people already dancing in celebration as a small, gathered band began playing some old tunes. Petals were ornate on the path they followed as they had arrived closer and closer to the scene.
Would this be the feeling? She thought. The feeling of being betrothed to the one she loved?
Her heart threatening to leave her chest, feeling the sensation of goosebumps all about her arms and cheeks. She felt magical, her emerald eyes glimmering to see everyone greet her and thank her for her return. She didn't know what to think or how to feel.
Her father did not explode when hearing the news regarding her separation from Zen. Then, he seems to have taken a great liking to Obi, as they have been chatting before her for minutes now. And now here she was, being gushed with love from people who barely know her, but adore her for the man her father was.
They celebrated happiness, and that's something Shirayuki could definitely get down about.
"Shirayuki!" She snapped back to reality from her father's calling. "We're sitting over here."
That's when the kids began to mope. "Can't she sit next to us?" A girl cried, having the kids chant in agreement. Mukaze stared at them as Shirayuki laughed, putting Obi in an immediate trance soon after exiting his conversation with the General.
Before Mukaze could utter another word, Shirayuki nods. "It would be an honor to eat with them, father. I'll eat with you halfway through, if that's alright with you?" Her emerald eyes shift to Obi, who blushes.
"B-but I'm to never leave your side," Obi begins shyly. "I am your Personal Bodyguard after all."
"You can guard me from a table away," Shirayuki begins, biting her bottom lip while giving him such a stare. A stare of trust and confidence, a feature that Obi has admired since meeting the girl. "I'll be fine, I promise." She looks down at the kids ogling before her, having her giggle. "Besides, do these children look dangerous to you?"
"Don't be easily deceived, Shirayuki," Mukaze warns playfully, "they're menaces when you're not around."
They all share a laugh before Mukaze and Obi gesture her to go where the kids would lead her. Shirayuki can only smile before allowing the little ones to dash over and pick a table. Mukaze and Obi would trail behind, ensuring to pick a table right by theirs so Obi can keep a good eye on his woman.
As soon as she left, Mukaze looked over to Obi, "she's quite the woman, isn't she?"
"A grand woman," Obi says, warmly smiling at the red-haired beauty, "the greatest woman I've ever met in all my years of living."
"You know," Mukaze begins as they stroll down the stairs and towards their table, "it makes me jealous that you and the people of Clarines know my own daughter better than I do. It bothers me almost."
"I don't think it should," Obi begins with a shrug, smiling graciously to the village woman guiding them to their table. The two take their seats, thanking the women as they lend their brightest smiles upon their exiting. "Your daughter came out to be an absolute gem and you should take pride in it."
"And I do!" Mukaze urges as a woman with a saucer brings the men some bread and 2 cups of hard alcohol. They thank the woman as Mukaze passes Obi his bamboo cup. "I just would have been happier to have raised her myself rather than my grandparents."
"There's only so much you could've done," Obi says with a shrug. As their conversation lingered, Obi noticed that yet another woman came, but only bearing a small vial of some sort. It was clear, like water, and was capped with a small cork. She hands the vial to Mukaze, who takes it discontentedly from her hand. The amber eyes watch as Mukaze poors the liquid into his cups and takes a big gulp from it. He grimaces, but his dark green eyes lock back onto Obi's. "She was… raised well."
"And I'm glad to see that," Mukaze says, his voice almost husk now. "If I may ask… how did you come about Shirayuki's life? I never reckoned there would be a relationship between a Court Herbalist and the Immediate Knight for the Second Prince of Clarines."
"When you use those terms," Obi begins shyly, his voice almost too hush, "it sounds practically impossible and unimaginable."
"I didn't mean it that way," Mukaze convinces, dragging a finger around the rim of his cup. "I just mean that I didn't think you two would have any business with each other besides if you were to get hurt and she is to nurse you to health."
"And now I'm her Personal Bodyguard," Obi mentions, with Mukaze gesturing in understanding. "I suppose it does seem somewhat odd if an outsider saw it."
Mukaze raises his cup, "you catch on well, boy." He lowers his head slightly, still engaged with his eyes. "But I do seek an answer to my question; how did you two meet?"
Obi's heart felt nervous.
The good idea was to lie and say that the Prince had introduced them. It wasn't a complete lie, but as Obi has picked up on some of Mukaze's traits, he was bound to ask for details. Saying the truth, however, could lead to a sword through his heart and Obi wasn't sure if he wanted to die just yet.
Obi looked over at Shirayuki, who has perfect timing and returned the stare. Those beautiful emerald eyes…
"I met your daughter the same moment I was hired to be the Prince's messenger," Obi explains, playing with his cup between his hands. He felt the alcohol wave from one side to the other as he slide it left to right. "But if you were asking me how I came to know of her, the answer is a bit more complex…"
Mukaze leered up from his cup while taking a swig. He puts it down, following a strong huff, "'a bit more complex'?" Obi nods, having Mukaze put his cup down. His elbows dug firmly on the table with his fingers weaving themselves together. He places his chiseled chin on them and stares at Obi. "Describe to me complex?"
There goes my life.
Butterflies made Obi's stomach churn as his hand lasered for a piece of bread. "Want one?" He offers a piece but Mukaze was not entertained. "It's very complicated, and I think right now is a bad time to tell you."
"How come?"
Obi began to look around with a weak smile, having Mukaze also stare at the scene. Happiness and joy was spread about the village. Obi did not want to be the one to end it. "I haven't yet figured you out, but your potential reaction is not to far from my gut-felt prediction."
Mukaze raises a brow, "and that predicted reaction would be?"
"A knife in my throat," Obi says with a nervous chuckle.
Mukaze snorts as a response, a smirk painting on his face. Obi watches as one hand falls under the table, having him predict what he's about to do. "If you fear that that's the reaction you'll get after telling me…" As expected, a knife is revealed, with Mukaze on his feet and touching Obi's neck with the very tip of the dagger. "I might as well use it to get you to tell me."
Obi gulped, with a wave of 'shock' following it. This took a turn for the worst, Obi thinks as the dinner is immediately silenced. Shirayuki stares in shock, wondering what had happened. She leaves the kids quickly and approaches their table at her fathers end.
"Papa!" Shirayuki screeches, daring as she wraps her hands around her father's wrist. The dagger moves, barely scraping Obi's neck as he remains still. He gulps, feeling the sharp end touch but barely denting. Mukaze keeps his hold on the knife, his eyes dimmed and glaring at Obi. Obi was almost tempted to put his hands up but couldn't. He had to hold his ground, even if it was against his lovers father.
"What's going on?" Shirayuki asks nervously, almost in tears. Obi looks up at her sorrowly, remaining still with worry in his eyes. She stares at him curiously, somehow asking for him to send her mind the answer. "I'm asking again… what is going on?"
"We're just having a small disagreement is all," Mukaze states, keeping the dagger where it is. Seeing his situation, Obi calms himself in order to think up what he should do from here. Too many eyes, he thinks as he keeps his locked on his lovers father. "Your bodyguard seems to want to play games with me."
Obi swallows. "Let's play," Obi insists, his eyes quickly flickering over to Mukaze's cup, "what did you pour in your drink just now?"
"Obi?" Shirayuki, needless to say, was suffering confusion.
Mukaze leers at him, his eyebrows lowering to simply gaze agrily. His eyes then slide side to side to see his people in shock and worry. He takes a breath before giving Obi a fake smile. "Let's take this talk somewhere else, shall we?" Obi's pupils dwindle. "Somewhere more… private."
"Sure."
With that, Mukaze puts his knife down but grabs Obi by the shoulder. He drags him away, making a scene with Obi simply allowing it to happen. "Resume eating, please," Mukaze announces. "Nothing to see here."
Mukaze flees, dragging Obi along with Shirayuki tailing right behind them.