Man, I can't wait for the summer so I can finally finish this story. I'm so hurt that I couldn't write this chapter early enough to post it for the one year anniversary, 4/20. But you could only imagine how I spent that day in college.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoy and please leave reviews, favorite and follow for any new readers! Thank you!

SIXTY-FOUR - Lending an Ear or Two

6 Days Until The Wedding

"So you're actually going through with it, huh?"

"Marriage?" Obi nods. "It would appear so."

The two men were found in the kitchen, sitting on one of the many counters to be found in the largely occupied room. The chefs hired to cater for Zen's wedding were not only familiarizing themselves with the kitchen, but preparing the greatest dishes of their abilities for he and his fiance to try. But Obi could tell their anxiety rose, having the Prince himself sit there and watch them work with etiquette. They would check their dishes more times than they should before presenting it to the head chefs or even the Prince's short-lived glances.

But they provided the two men with meals as soon as they saw them enter the kitchen. Zen had requested for meals to be sent up, but he needed to leave those quarters immediately and Obi suggested for them to have a walk and talk. So the chefs hastily provided the two men with two delicious meals.

The glossy blue plates were filled with mashed russet potatoes with goats butter as garnish. It complimented the medium-rare steaks, juicy and still had smoke dancing from the delectable meat. It was also complimented with roasted tomatoes, peppers, string beans, and carrots. All seasoned with tasty spices such as rosemary, turmeric, cilantro, and the list goes on. A freshly cooked baguette was also provided aside with two glasses of lean wine.

"I really didn't think you would," Obi admits, his eyes tracing all the chefs scurrying all over the kitchen. "I always thought you'd change your mind and get back with Shirayuki, regardless of how much Lady Elizabeth means to you."

"Don't be fooled," Zen quickly scolds Obi as he stuffs a bite of steak in his mouth. "It's not like I actually care for her like that."

Obi raised his eyebrows. It wasn't like he was surprised, seeing as Zen locks himself in his quarters constantly and Elizabeth was typically nowhere to be seen. And his relentless attempts to keep Shirayuki's feelings for him in her heart cannot be looked over. But his Master was always so straight forward and rebelling, taking his own word over others.

"So then," Obi begins slowly, thinking over his words before putting them out into the world. "Why are you marrying her?"

Zen shifts in discomfort, putting down the fork in his hand. He picks up his folded napkin and dabs his lips gently, his azure eyes wandering around the kitchen. Obi decides to look away from Zen, believing that people feel pressured when stared at for an answer. So Obi waited obediently, hoping to get an answer but also hoping that Zen doesn't aggressively refuse to give him one. But Zen sat up again, letting out a solemn sigh and cracks the least believable smile in the world.

"Because my mother thinks it's best," Zen begins, "for me to marry a Princess already. It was in due time anyways as my mother is still impatiently waiting for my brother to officially 'seal the deal' with his fiance."

Obi nods. "Does she know anything about Shirayuki?"

Zen shakes his head. "If she knew I was seeing a commoner, she would have come back here herself and scold me. And she absolutely dreads being here."

"Your mother?" Obi questions. "Didn't she used to rule this castle before Lord Izana and Master have taken up that responsibility?"

"When our father was around, yeah," Zen informs, going for his fork once more for another bite. "But when he passed, my mother couldn't stand the kingdom. She claimed she was becoming allergic to it and decided to spend the rest of her days in Wilant."

"Wilant Castle?" Obi asks curiously. Zen nods his head in confirmation. "Ryu has mentioned that place once or twice before. He tells me they have all sorts of wondrous books regarding herbalism."

"Ah yes, we have pretty amazing court herbalists residing over there in Wilant due to how cold it is. That castle is very north of us anyways so they're more prone to sickness caused by weather than we are."

"Understandable." Obi grabs the large baguette provided with their meal and rips a piece off. He takes a bite, his chewing very audible due to the well-cooked outside of the bread. "So you're marrying Miss Elizabeth upon your mother's request?" Obi was sure he had heard Zen mention this, but the days have gone on so slowly that it feels like it's been years since he has proposed to this woman.

Zen nods. "She's already always mourning over my father and never being able to see me due to the fact that I have to watch over the southside of Clarines. So a days trip to see her youngest son be wedded would be good for her, I think."

"But if I may…" Obi begins quietly, unsure as to how much of his input is allowed. But Zen beckons for him to go on, giving him complete permission to say what he will. Obi swallows harshly before words are finally spewed out, "if your mother truly loved you, wouldn't she be content with whoever you love regardless of their class?"

"That what I liked to think when I was with Shirayuki," Zen shrugs with a smile. "I know that my mother would have liked her a lot if she had given her the chance. But I lacked to mention her from fear and my mother already seemed set with Elizabeth being my eternal lover and Princess of Clarines."

"What does she provide aside from being a Princess?"

"Well," Zen begins, "Elizabeth's kingdom is water-dependent, so their specialty revolves around water. They have thousands of ships that can go miles along the shore of their kingdom. Their people haul millions of fish daily, in which many are rare to come across around here. You'd only find those fishes with money-hungry traders or deceptive gamblers." Zen also takes a piece of bread. "And not to mention they're wealthy and will be an expansion of territory for us."

Obi nods, "I suppose that makes sense. I apologize if I'm useless in this field as I was clearly not trained in monarchy matters."

Zen shakes his head, picking up his glass of wine to bring it to his lips. "It's alright, Obi. It wasn't like I hired you to advise me anyways. I'm supposed to be advising myself." Zen takes a sip of the wine, only to give a sour expression. "This wine is rather lean, isn't it?"

Obi picks up his glass and takes a sip as well. His eyes squint. "It isn't horrible, but it's a little bit too lean for me."

"Whoever aged this wine used the worst grapes in all of the lands," Zen begins, clearing his throat in attempts to rid of the taste. He calls out to one of the assisting chefs in request of a pitcher of water and two more glasses. They come promptly with the Prince's request as he fills the two glasses and allows them a cleansing drink.

Obi nods in agreement as he puts his cup down and rubs the water from his lips with his sleeve. He looks over at his Master and gives him a smile, "I may not be good at advising but if you ever need an ear, I'm always willing to lend two of them."

Zen chuckles at the man, easily warmed at the silliness of his assistant. Being here with Obi while eating a nice meal made Zen realize why he didn't regret taking Obi in. Not only to keep on eye on him, but slowly figuring out that he was saving him from a life he didn't want to live.

Obi was always nothing but nice and endearing, listening to every and any order Zen assigned him. He not only did his work promptly, but diligently and never uttered one word of complaint. Obi took each assignment with a smile, content to work as though he wasn't doing a job at all. And he would come back, spewing his usual dirty jokes and messing around with Kiki and Mitsuhide, who have seemed a little happier since his addition to the team.

"Hey Obi," Zen begins, looking over to see Obi stuff his cheeks completely with mashed potatoes. "Can I ask you of a favor?"

"Anything!" Obi insisted, his mouth stuffed with food. Zen shakes his head as Obi attempts to chew quickly and swallow it completely. "M'sorry, Master- what do you need me to do?"

"How would you like to be one of the groomsmen for my wedding day?"

Unfortunately, this chapter is very short. My apologies!