One more 'til 60 guys, let's go!
FIFTY-NINE - Love is Not a Choice
10 Days Until The Wedding
Her head was pounding. It threatened to implode even. But a headache from Hell wasn't Shirayuki's problem at the moment. She didn't care that her shouting and deviant actions were entertaining the pain in her head. Right now, her problem was watching as the guards of Clarines take her lover forcibly into the castle under a warrant to arrest him.
"Miss Shirayuki, please-"
"Don't touch me!" Shirayuki trailed behind the guards holding Obi, spewing out indecent words to them as she tried to grab him. But the guards were too fast, and the guards behind her threatened to take her back with ease. But she knew they couldn't be too forceful with her as she was a woman and a highly respected Court Herbalist. "Obi! Obi, don't let them arrest you!"
Obi remained silent, and it was driving Shirayuki crazy. Why isn't he fighting back!? Fight back! There was no right to arrest Obi. He did not commit a crime to deserve such a sudden arrest. He's the Prince's Immediate Knight- he didn't kill anyone to earn the position. "Obi! OBI!"
The young woman's screams sounded through the corridors of the castle as they were relieved from the relentless rain outside. But Shirayuki would not relent, her screams storming in the castle as she chased behind her lover, ignoring the sop of her body. Her voice had been just enough to beckon the two people she needed to talk to right now.
"No, no- stop!" She yelled, watching as they led the man to his room and threw him in there. They then closed the door shut and stood right in front of it, with Shirayuki attempting to force herself between them. "Let him out!"
"Please back away, Miss."
"No!" She barked back, more guards coming to grab her away from the door. "Obi please! Please say something!" She received nothing but silence as the guards began to pull her away from his door. She continued to scream, hoping her drenched state would help her slip away from their hold. But it wasn't working, and Shirayuki was suddenly going out of breath. "Please! Please let him out!"
The commotion drove Mitsuhide and Kiki to the scene, with Garak and Ryu suddenly placing attention to it as well. They all chased after the sound of Shirayuki's screaming, meeting in the same corridor to find the very scene they did not expect.
Shirayuki noticed them and cracked her neck to look at Mitsuhide and Kiki. "Kiki, Mitsuhide- please help me!" The two aides were in awe to see Shirayuki this way. She seemed like she was going insane, her face completely red with veins trailing up and down her temples. She looked like a mad woman, but in her eyes, she was simply hurt.
"What is this?" Kiki begins to ask the guards as they jogged over to Shirayuki's aid. "Unhand her right now."
"We cannot," one guard holding her right wrist begins. "She is attempting to rebel against the Prince's order of Sir Obi's arrest."
"Obi's arrest?" Mitsuhide questions. "When did the Prince order for his arrest?"
"A few hours prior to their return," another guard answers. "He requested for us to keep Obi in his chambers until further notice. No food or drinks are allowed to him."
"What?" Kiki replies sternly. "That's inhumane, he can't possibly just…"
"Blasphemy!" Shirayuki screams. Mitsuhide looks over at Obi's door, seeing the guards firmly take position in front of it. He then gets on his feet as he walks over to Shirayuki.
"You're dismissed," Mitsuhide tells the guards. "Let go of her." The guards hesitate before obliging, having Mitsuhide act quick as he wraps his arms around Shirayuki. "Shirayuki, I'm going to need you to calm down."
"Let go of me!" She squirms in his hold but Mitsuhide tries to keep her without applying any more pressure. "Mitsuhide please!"
Garak and Ryu step in to help, with Garak's hands cupping Shirayuki's cheeks. "Shirayuki, it's going to be okay! Just look at me!" Shirayuki meets Garak's eyes, the emerald ones fidgeting and refusing to keep still. "It will be okay, Shirayuki."
"Shirayuki…" Ryu breathes, unable to take in this new side of Shirayuki he and everyone else has never seen before.
"Shirayuki, everything will be dealt with, I promise," Kiki begins.
Shirayuki was feeling sick from all this cooing. The insistence of her calming down, the lack of power she has at the very moment. It was all nauseating, and her consciousness didn't want to deal with it.
Within seconds, Mitsuhide felt Shirayuki's body go limp as she faints in his arms.
"...She's asleep right now, I wouldn't recommend waking her…"
"But I need to talk to her-"
"Your Highness, please just… stop."
The voices found themselves distant as the young court herbalist opened her eyes. Her bones were shivering, freezing cold as she looked around the dim room. She was in her office, with a few candles lit and several quilts weighing her body down. Groggily, she sits up and rubs her eyes, allowing a few of the quilts to slide off her trembling body.
"You're awake."
Shirayuki turns to her left to find little Ryu stood before her, a mug in his hand. He gets on his knees slowly, cautious not to frighten her, and offers the cup. She could see the steam dance out of it, staring curiously at the container. She reaches for it and holds it, feeling the heat warm up her hands. It's tea.
"How do you feel?"
Shirayuki takes in the scent of chamomile and jasmine, but soon realized the striking pain of her continuous headache. She uses one hand to guide it up to her head, fingers weaving into her wet locks. Giving her scalp a rub, she brings the cup to her trembling lips and takes a slow sip. She takes a quick breath in. She burned her tongue a bit.
Shirayuki can only shrug, feeling her throat heat up with the hot substances swimming down to her stomach. She could already feel the hoarseness in her voice without talking, knowing it will hurt to even speak gently to the young boy before her. She looks over to the door to see a shadow begin to walk away with one remaining. She recognizes the clinking of boots and suddenly became wide awake and alert.
"Was that His Highness?" Shirayuki begins, her voice strained and forced out. Ryu nods, having Shirayuki put the mug down a little far from her as she started to rise. But Ryu was quick to take her arm and keep her down. "Ryu, I-"
"I know," Ryu begins. He swallows calmly, his hold still on her with blue eyes welling up with worry. "There's no need to confront him right away. You're not feeling too well so I don't suggest trying to get on your feet in such a hurry."
"What happened?" She whispers as Ryu reaches for the mug and places it back in her hands.
"You fainted in the middle of your rampage," Ryu informs. "The Prince had ordered for Obi's arrest and you caused uproar. But you used up all your energy in that and passed out. You've fallen with a cold and a bit of a fever."
Shirayuki tried to feel her own forehead but her hand was already heated up from the tea. Ryu smiles as he begins to stand up and stroll over to his desk. "Just rest for a little bit. And when you're feeling up to it, I want to know how everything went with Obi and your father."
Obi.
Shirayuki wanted to just stand up and go back to her shouting and deviancy against the castle. But she knew she couldn't. She was already weak as is from returning to the castle through the rain. If she kept up with her screaming, she might just explode her own brain. Even her hands couldn't hold the mug steady as she could hear the liquid slosh around inside.
So she allows a curt smile to form as she focused her eyes on the tea. "It went well. I think Papa likes him."
"That's good. I'm glad."
Shirayuki looks around the room as Ryu creates background sound. The shuffling of parchment and empty vials doesn't put Shirayuki at much ease. She was still quite anxious and shaky, prepared to fight once more even though she lacked the energy.
"They're not allowing Obi any food or drinks?" Shirayuki questions quietly. "Did I hear that correctly?"
"You did," Ryu answers simply. "I don't know the entirety of the order on Obi's arrest but I believe Miss Garak had obtained everything. She was speaking to the Prince just now."
Without hesitation, Shirayuki begins to force herself to move. She puts the mug back on the ground away from her as she tries to get on her knees. From there, she begins to get herself to her feet, with Ryu simply listening to the attempt. She manages to get herself up, but she isn't very balanced as her body collides with the door.
It quickly opens, scaring her as she falls into yet another person's arms. "Shirayuki, you're awake." Shirayuki looks up, her vision struck by the immense brightness of the rest of the castle. She looks at each end of the corridor, noticing that it's day time. She figures Ryu closed the blinds in the office to keep it from being immensely illuminous. Especially considering the headache she has. "How do you feel?"
"Why is Obi under arrest?" Shirayuki asks sternly.
"You don't know?"
Garak shuts a book on her desk as she looks up to see a bedridden Shirayuki before her. Ryu stands by the doorway of Garak's office, keeping an eye while paying attention to the discussion. Shirayuki stood there, still in shivers with a quilt draped on her body. She holds it shakily, but yearns the warmth desperately.
She looked horrid, she knew. Her nose and cheeks were a crimson red, clearly indicating the cold she's developed. Her eyes were also just a red, with immense inflammation. They felt sunken, like all the happiness was stripped from the world within seconds. Her bones trembled in her flesh, wanting nothing more than the warmth provided by her lover. But he was very far away from her, even though he was only a floor away.
"The Prince only told me that Obi was simply 'not doing his job,'" Garak informs her. "Soon after, he began to beg and plead for me to let him speak with you. But you were unconscious and likely too unstable to hold a steady conversation with him. You'd probably get too angry and lunge yourself at him."
Sounds about right. "How was he not doing his job? He just came back from doing one of his invitation deliveries. I can attest that the invitation was, in fact, delivered."
"From what my thoughts have gathered," Garak begins, "he is not content with the relationship you and him formed."
"Huh?"
"He was assigned to solely be your Personal Guard- no more, no less," Garak lays it down. "You two were not supposed to advance to lovers and I assume it is due to some sort of jealousy."
No. "That's moronic." Shirayuki begins to file herself from the room. But before she does, she turns over to give Garak a sudden determined look. "The Prince doesn't get to be jealous when he is the reason why I found my true love."
She walks the corridors like she owned them.
She felt absolutely sick to her stomach, but she refused to let go of her ground. She walked with fine posture, her boots clicking the ground harshly with each heavy step she took. Shirayuki had bathed and changed into her uniform, refusing to look like a beat maiden in her nightgown and quilts.
She still looked horrid, but she refused to hide her pain. Everything that is her being will remain true, even when it hurts so much. She walks without fear for Obi has taught her more than enough to keep herself sane. So long as he exists, there's nothing that she has to fear.
So long as he loves her, nothing is scary anymore.
"Shirayuki!"
She could hear the calls of her friends as they jog over to her. Kiki and Mitsuhide tail behind her in the corridor, surprised that she's even on her feet. They trail right behind her, attempting to speak words of reasoning.
"If there's anything we can do," Kiki offers as she finds herself walking beside Shirayuki. "Please let us know."
"Can you lift Obi's arrest?" Shirayuki asks without turning to face her.
"I… I don't think I have the authority to do that, Shirayuki," Kiki undertones, knowing that that's the only thing Shirayuki would ever ask for at this time. "I'm sorry."
"Then I don't need anything, thank you."
Kiki looked over at Mitsuhide worriedly, knowing that this wasn't the woman they had met long ago. The warm, welcoming girl was suddenly cold, with no warmth in her complexion. Her beauty is undeniable but the gorgeous emerald orbs lack life. This version of Shirayuki has never been seen before and Kiki is just slowly piecing everything together.
"Shirayuki, you need to be sensical here," Mitsuhide attempts. "I don't think doing more shouting and screaming is going to help-!"
"I'm not off to do that," Shirayuki insists as she turns into the corridor she was seeking to be in. She looks at the end of it, seeing Obi's door from afar. But she could see the door boarded up, making it impossible to access without some sort of axe. "No, no no no…"
Shirayuki darts to the end of the corridor, seeing as guards suddenly appeared from the sound of her running. But she wasn't going to stop- she will never stop until she is in her lovers arms once again. Kiki and Mitsuhide rush behind her, quickly meeting eyes with the guards attempting to stop Shirayuki.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on her," Kiki ordered. "Let her stay by the door."
"But the Prince-"
"The door is impossible to go through without breaking it," Mitsuhide attests. "Do you think Shirayuki is going to break it with her bare hands?"
The guards look at one another awkwardly before moving away from the door. Shirayuki quickly resigns to the floor as she gets on her knees before it. She places her hands on it before slapping it multiple times. "Obi? Obi!"
She could feel splinters sliding into her delicate skin, but she didn't care. She couldn't. She was just a door away from her lover and it killed her that she could not just break it with a gentle push. Shirayuki resumed slapping it as Mitsuhide and Kiki slowly walked over to her. "Obi, please tell me you're there! Please tell me you're okay!"
"Little Miss?" Obi soft voice sounded through the door, having Shirayuki's heart bounce. She could hear prompt shifting as she pressed her ear against the door. She then felt a thud back, feeling Obi hit the door as well. "Mistress, did they hurt you?"
"N-no, I'm okay!" Shirayuki calls back. "I fainted and slept the night through. Did they hurt you? Are you well?"
"I'm just fine, Mistress, don't you worry about me," Obi calmly coos, insuring that his lover is remaining calm. He was just so happy that she was well.
Obi couldn't even sleep at night. The windows were boarded up as well and he has nothing but a candle to have some sort of light. It was like a dungeon without the nasty cell and the chilling cold. It was inhumane and the Master knew it. But there's nothing Obi could do but take this punishment. He didn't really have a choice anyways.
"Obi, I swear I'll get you out of there," Shirayuki whispers, her emotions returning back to its uncontrollable state. Tears were welling up in her eye sockets with her cheeks flushing heatedly. "I swear I'll break this door with my hands if I have to!"
"Hey hey- please don't cry, beautiful!" Obi tries to soothe her. He places his hands on the door, also on his knees, as he gently presses his forehead against it as well. "I don't like it when you cry and you know that."
Shirayuki sniffles but forces a smile through the pain. "I know but it hurts. I can't have you in there forever, Obi- I need you right here with me. I need to be in your arms." It hurt Obi like a million arrows to the chest. "I need you to look down on me while I do my work and share meals with me during my breaks. I need you to mess up my hair and give me kisses. I need you to be by my side again, Obi."
Obi looks down to see light from the bottom of the door. He brings his fingers down to slip them through, attempting to soothe her with the sight of his hand. "Little Miss…"
Teardrops fall onto the tips of his fingers, having him wide-eyed as Shirayuki's crying becomes audible. It was painful. It was absolutely killing Obi to have his lover on the other side of this door, sobbing and needing solely a reassuring hug. She places her hand on his fingers and gives them the tightest squeeze.
"I'm not going anywhere," Shirayuki starts, having Obi raise his eyebrows in curiosity. "If you can't eat, I won't eat. If you can't drink anything, I'm staying dehydrated."
"No, Shirayuki, don't-"
"No." Shirayuki moves her body and decides to press her back against the door. Kiki and Mitsuhide watch as she leans the back of her head on the door as well. "I'm going to stay here with you until the day I die. I don't want to live in this world without you. I don't want to!"
Obi was absolutely trembling but understood completely. He fixed himself to sit the way she was, their backs together but unfortunately separated by a simple door. "Okay." She holds his fingers tightly, smiling through the tears with Obi smirking. "Anything you want… Shirayuki."
Shirayuki smiles right then, bringing her free hand to her neck. That's when Kiki and Mitsuhide notice the love mark on it. Her supple skin owning a blue-purple mark that was likely done by the man on the other side of the door. Mitsuhide looks away with a smirk while Kiki finally understands. She wanted to reason with Shirayuki but knew she couldn't. Not now, knowing what she knows now.
Shirayuki shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath. Obi listens, finding himself at peace with the existence of his lover right on the other side of the door. All he needed was to feel her touch and knew that everything will be okay.
6 Days Until The Wedding
The castle, like its staff, was working on very little amounts of sleep.
With 6 days before the Royal Wedding, drastic preparations were due. Maids were cleaning the castle practically spotless, changing the furniture and plants with the items appropriate for the wedding. The cooks were growing accustomed to the large kitchen they were hired to cook in, cooking and tasting dishes until they were perfect to serve at the wedding. Guards were getting sized all about for the proper clothing to be worn for the event, as well as artisans creating brand new weapons for them just in case there is a breach during the important event.
Kiki and Mitsuhide were insuring that plans were going well. They were all around the castle, making sure no mistakes were being made and questions were being answered.
Ironed curtains and tablecloths were being hung all about the castle, ensuring they don't burn and retain their well, natural state. Bedrooms were being prepared for the special guests, having them being cleaned every few minutes for perfection. The musicians hired for the ball were practicing at the back of the castle, sounding the castle with delightful music.
Garak had assigned Ryu to take care of Shirayuki in regards of being prepared for the wedding. That is, if she makes it to actually attend the wedding.
Ryu had brought Shirayuki a scroll of the medicines she will have on her at all times during the wedding. He just wanted her to study them well and know which ones are which so she didn't have them confused. It also contained remedies that she may need to prepare on the spot for rare occasions.
He also brought her breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday, but they always remained untouched. She constantly apologized for it, but knew she didn't mean it. She made this pact with Obi and she wasn't planning on shaking it for any well-done steak. Ryu knew this as well and it pained him every time he brought her food. The guards would watch her, ensuring she wasn't slipping any for Obi.
It seemed like a waste, but he wasn't going to stop doing it and for that, Obi was immensely grateful. He was glad that half pint was attempting to take care of her for him, providing Shirayuki with a pillow and a blanket while the castle was all sorts of hectic.
It was unfortunately getting to Shirayuki and she couldn't really hide it. The couple has gone 4 days without eating, and Shirayuki could not read the scroll without losing focus or getting extremely light headed and nauseous. She would hold her forehead in attempts to regain herself but never let go of Obi's hand. She was never going to let it go, even if an army tried to pull her away from him.
"Why is she still doing this to herself?"
There, at the distance, stood the young Second Prince of Clarines. Confusion destroyed his mind as Zen watched the girl lean against the door painfully. Her stomach roared with a burning desire to eat with her tongue parched and desperate for water. The life in her skin quickly fled and there was nothing but a dimness in her voice and eyes. She was dying and Zen was witnessing it all.
He had been watching her these last few days, continuously wondering why she won't just leave Obi during his arrest. She's not under the same punishment so why is she making herself endure it? She's not the one under arrest at all. This was a ploy just to make Obi suffer, but in turn, Shirayuki is also taking the blow.
Kiki and Mitsuhide have kept their opinions on it, allowing Zen to just torture himself without explanation or any guidance. He figured it's due to because the guidance they'd give him would be for Obi's benefit, but Zen is currently too clouded for that. He wanted Obi to suffer, but not at Shirayuki's expense.
"Are you asking me, Your Highness?" Kiki replies quietly, having Zen vexed by her proper speaking.
"Please don't call me that," Zen grumbled. "I just want to know why she's doing this. She wasn't assigned the punishment so why is she making herself go through it? What's the point? She'll become bone by the time I subdue the arrest."
"You really don't understand, do you?" Kiki looks over at Zen, having him shrug in pure aloofness. Kiki sighs, looking back over at Shirayuki. "She loves him. And he loves her."
"But why?" Zen questions. "He's going to be starved to the bone- how can she possibly love a corpse?"
"By becoming a corpse with him," Kiki hums. She turns over to Zen and gives him a long stare. His azure eyes dim, still seeking some sort of answer. So Kiki resigns and gestures for him to look at her. "Zen, love is not a choice. You of all people should know that."
With that, Kiki leaves him staring longingly at the girl he loves so much. But she was too busy loving someone else to notice.