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SEVENTY-ONE - The Queen has Finally Arrived!

2 Days Until The Wedding

The two Princes of Clarines could be heard dashing down the corridor, their destination: the front of the castle.

It requires a lot of energy in order to understand the Queen Mother of Clarines. It's Izana who truly has good alignment of his character with hers. The only person who didn't seem to really understand that was Shirayuki, as Kiki had been rushing her and the court herbalist change into their 'official' official clothing. Obi had already been forced in his proper attire and found himself with Mitsuhide, chasing behind the two Princes.

"But she's the former Queen, isn't she?" Shirayuki asks as Kiki starts throwing out orders at every maid, butler, and soldier she sees. Shirayuki has never seen her friend so demanding before, and it somewhat scared her. "I understand she's their mother but is all this chaos necessary?"

Maids were replacing fresh flowers with even fresher flowers into the vases throughout the kingdom. The floors were being wiped clean and the maids weren't even granting a spec of dust to remain on any of the furniture or walls of the castle. It was like the castle had been first built and everyone had been rushing in to perfect it.

"You'll understand as soon as you see her walk around this place again," Kiki began with a smile. The two quickly turn a corner into another corner. Kiki noticed it wasn't busy and there was no one in sight. So when she could, she brought Shirayuki to a halt by the shoulders and gave her a stern look, "you look like you've been crying- what happened?"

"I'm alright," Shirayuki lied.

Kiki harshly pinched her flushed cheek, causing her to grimace in pain, "your cheeks are get and your eyes are a bit pink. Did Obi say something to you?" Shirayuki shooed away her hand and denied it. "Then what happened?"

"Zen wanted to speak with me privately," Shirayuki admitted quietly. Kiki's eyebrows raised slightly, but it wasn't news that really shocked her. "And he allowed me to ask about our falling out… I didn't prepare myself for the answer I was to receive."

"Mm, so he finally told you," Kiki hummed.

Shirayuki raised her head, "you knew?"

"I'm one of his aides," Kiki begins with a light smile, "what don't I know?" Shirayuki nodded in agreement, biting down on her bottom lip. Kiki could see the distance in her face, acquiring information that changed everything. "It was a shame it had to be this way. We would have done anything to stop it if we could."

Shirayuki shook her head as Kiki attempted to soothe her by rubbing her shoulders. She didn't feel like crying anymore; there wasn't enough drive for her to do so. All the cards have been dealt and played- there was no use in crying over things that have already happened. "It's okay," Shirayuki breathes out. She sniffles a bit and adjusts her hair, glancing back at the large window that allows sunlight to pour in. "I wouldn't have changed a thing."

"You wouldn't have?" Kiki questions curiously. She tries to pick up Shirayuki's gaze, but she wasn't willing. "But you love Zen, don't you?"

Shirayuki shook her head, "I loved him." Her emotions were still tame, remaining quiet and still in her heart. "The capacity of my love for him was heavier than the earth we reside on. I knew I could do anything I put my head on because of his mere existence in my life." Her hands clenched into fists, her nails lightly denting into her palms. "But, there were moments where loving him hurt too much."

"...How so?"

"His health record," Shirayuki spews, emerald eyes clouding with a gray tint. "The way he could put his life on the line, no matter what anyone said. No matter how many times someone could remind him of his significance, his role as Prince- he was uncompromising like that." Shirayuki could then smile gently, finally meeting Kiki's eyes with sharper eyes. "But that's what makes Zen so lovable."

Kiki could only study the woman's face, unsure whether to cry before her or pull her into an embrace. But Shirayuki wasn't crying, and her voice was still full and strong. "His love was so fresh and new, and I will never not appreciate it. But the love I have now is so liberating and it feels so good in my heart."

"Was it because of Zen's position? His destiny?"

Shirayuki shook her head, "becoming a Princess wouldn't have been a problem for me so long as I had him." She emits a soft giggle, one that wasn't exactly as cheerful but derived from genuine fondness and amusement. "But a first love has no comparison- this love had been true but without real experience. I just knew that I was willing to give him everything I had and more until the day I couldn't."

The red-haired woman then digs into her pocket, sifting out a small, metallic object that clinked whenever it was moved loosely. Kiki watched as Shirayuki presented the small hair piece that Obi had won during one of the kingdom's fairs. "I never expected for that day to come soon, and without both of our desires, but life works in funny ways."

Kiki takes it from her and studies it, "this is what Obi gave you, no?"

Shirayuki hums, "mm, he gave it to me and told me to show Zen a little later into the fair." She watched Kiki play with the tangerine colored ball with a red flower in its center. Hanging from it was a bundle of white thread that flowed beautifully down like beard cotton candy. "Zen made it possible to enter my heart, but Obi made it weigh a lot."

Kiki twisted the needle-like part of the hair piece and instinctively placed it right above her right ear. Shirayuki allowed her, smiling widely all the way through as the cool metal slide between the small space with ease. "It is a shame; I would have loved to serve under your reign."

The two share a laugh at her words, with Shirayuki shaking her hand dismissively, "I'm not sure I would be able to handle wearing heels all the time and talking so… refined."

"You already talk refined, Shirayuki," Kiki insists through giggles, "you're as fit to be a Princess as the next woman." Kiki then wraps her arm around Shirayuki's and begins their walk once again. "You would've been the greatest Princess whoever ruled."

"Ah, maybe," Shirayuki downplays. "We'll never know. Maybe in another lifetime."

"It wouldn't matter in another lifetime," Kiki playfully bashes, "this lifetime won't know it."

"Yeah yeah, whatever." Shirayuki quickly finds a topic change. "So where are we headed?"

"We're getting your official court herbalist attire," Kiki hummed. "This will be the attire you'll be wearing for the next few days and for the wedding so people will be familiar with your position."

"Do I have do?" Shirayuki wines.

"If it means anything," Kiki begins. "Ryu has an attire, too."

"Your hair is a mess."

"Your face is unpresentable."

"Your attitude is intolerable."

"I wonder who I got it from."

Mitsuhide and Obi watched from behind as the two royal brothers badgered one another with whispers as they waited for their mother come through the gates. Many guards were crowded at the front of the castle as well, looking at every inch of their surroundings to ensure that no intruder or enemy were around to do any harm. Obi and Mitsuhide, too, were wearily looking around, hoping that there was nobody attempting to do something awful to the two Prince's before them.

Izana found his hands in Zen's white wisps worth of hair, adjusting them so it didn't look like a mess as he claimed. Zen didn't exactly dread his actions, but it's been a long time since the two siblings have interacted like this. Since their mother left Wistal Castle, the two siblings aren't much for spending time together. But aside from the fact that their mother would hate to see how distant they've come, there's a sense of home that comes together when she comes around.

"Dad would have done the same thing I'm doing right now," Izana scolds gently as he barely tugs at the strands, "you've always been so careless about your looks."

"I'm a Prince," Zen huffs at him. He finally gets annoyed and pushes away Izana's hands. "I have priorities; my hair is not one of them." Izana chuckles and tugs Zen's royal cloak, both to bug him and to adjust it. But Zen finally manages to shoulder him off as they noticed a chariot finally rushing through the castle's gate and towards the stairs of where they were waiting.

It didn't take long to notice the Queen. She stood from the still moving vehicle and began to peel away the robes she always wore. Although her personal guards surrounding the chariot began to call her, insisting that she sits back down, the Queen wasn't paying attention. The two brothers watched with worry as their mother began to tie her long blonde hair up with a blue ribbon.

"Mother!" Zen calls out first, rushing down the stairs while the chariot had still been on its way over to the rest of them. Izana follows, but takes his time going down the stairs. The white-haired boy dashed over, the guards being forced to stop the clearly frightened horses pulling the cart. Zen met with horse feet before him as the chariot jumped slightly, but not enough to throw off its contents.

"Oo, what a bumpy ride!" The Queen giggled, her heels clicking down on the chariot floor as Zen quickly rushed to help her out. Shirayuki and Kiki rushed out the castle on time to see the Queen finally arrive safely. Shirayuki find Garak and Ryu (who was finally changed into a uniform that didn't include a sweater) and stood right alongside them. Kiki dissolved into the background between Obi and Mitsuhide.

"Did we miss much?" Kiki whispers towards Mitsuhide. Mitsuhide gives her a wide smile and shakes his head.

"The family reunion just started," Mitsuhide whispers back. He gives his fellow aid a good look and sighed lovingly. Kiki was dressed in a female-version of Obi and Mitsuhide's black attire, with her badges and crest to prove her position in the Kingdom of Clarines and Wistal Castle. He noticed a few of her blonde bundles of hair was braided into a more elegant ponytail (which he assumed was thanks to Shirayuki). "You look beautiful."

Kiki felt her cheeks heat up but quickly dismisses her emotions and her quickened pace heart beat. "Shut it," she spoke through gritted teeth, a smile still playing at her lips. She then glances over to look at Obi, who was obviously looking back to see his lover. He was pleasantly surprised to find Shirayuki in a much nicer uniform than her usual one.

Shirayuki was swallowed up by a royal-blue dress, as to match with the famous colors of the kingdom. It was ornate with white designs and fell down just right below her knees. Her usual boots were replaced with white shoes, making it more comfortable to walk in and run if needed. Of course, the crest of the kingdom was pinned just above her right breast as the uniform was also similar for the rest of the court herbalists.

She noticed Obi's eyes and caught them with ease. The smile she gave him was heartstopping, but she quickly got distracted by Zen helping the Queen out of the chariot. Her eyes widened to realize that that was Zen and Izana's mother.

"Oh look at you, Zen!" The Queen cheered excitedly, holding her youngest son's cheeks in her aged hands. A guard quickly comes behind her and drapes her back in the ropes she had just peeled off, but she didn't make any complaints about it. "You're so grown!"

"I'd hope so," Zen hummed with a small smile, "it's been a very long time, mother." The Queen, being so overwhelmed with joy over seeing her son, caused her to wrap her arms around him tightly. Zen was quickly taken aback when she proceeded to lift him up in the air and spin him around. Everybody's eyes were now wide and shocked to see what they were looking at. "M-mother!"

"But you're still as light as when you were a baby!" The Queen gushed, putting the man down before giving him another good look. She grabs his hands in hers and gives them a tight squeeze. "My handsome Zen; I'm so happy to see you've been well."

Zen smiles before looking back and offering her hands to his older brother. Izana comes over to the end of his stride and takes his mother's hands. Zen watches on the side as his mother and his older sibling pull one another for a warm embrace. The two siblings were quick to notice that she emanated a familiar scent that hasn't been around in a long time. Zen could swear that it was their fathers old cologne, but Izana glared at him not to mention it.

"My dashing boy," the Queen hums quietly, giving a good look at her blonde-haired son. She was quick to tug at his hair, noticing that its been cut. "What happened? Did you not like your long hair anymore?"

"It's hot down here in Wistal," Izana informs her. "You've noticed, seeing as you took off your robes before meeting us." The Queen agrees, shaking her head around to present the ponytail she was forced to make due to the heat.

"I did notice," the Queen agreed as she began to shouldering her robes off again. A guard quickly rushed over and caught it before it got dirty on the floor. She smiled widely when going back and forth between her sons faces, "you two are men now; I don't know how you've come to grow so quickly and so well."

The two Prince's smile, nodding in agreement. The Queen offers a hand to Zen, holding both of her son's hands while giving them the most genuine smile. It has been so long since she's seen her boys, and she was ever so elated. Even when the symptoms of her 'allergy' were already starting to kick in. "Can I be seen by a court herbalist? I already feel nauseous."

Shirayuki looked over to see Garak already making her way down the stairs to meet the Queen. She watches and pays close attention, still ever so curious about the Queen. But she notices her smile doesn't falter at all as Garak rushes over. "Miss Haruto!"

"Garak! You're still here!" The Queen rushed and quickly stopped Garak from bowing by giving her a hug. Garak, slightly taken aback, accepts the embrace. "I thought you would have left long ago after I left."

"What can I say?" Garak started quietly. They pull away and Garak gives her a gentle smile, "I love this kingdom too much not to give them my services for as long as I'm allowed to." The Queen was very pleased by her words.

"Is the boy still here, too?" The Queen questions. Garak nods, looking back to beckon Ryu over to them. Ryu stays put, having Shirayuki glance to notice that the timid boy was nervous. That's when the Queen finally set her eyes on Shirayuki, her eyes clearly intrigued by what everybody else is typically drawn by when they first meet her.

"Come," Shirayuki offers her hand to the boy, "let's go together." Ryu emits a hesitant sigh before taking her hand and allowing her to lead him down the stairs. He looked so dashing with such an official attire. Shirayuki was immensely tempted to go shopping and buy him a suit. Everyone watches as Shirayuki and Ryu walk over, the young boy clearly shying up more and more as they got closer.

The Queen bends down to meet his eyes, offering her hand, "hi, Ryu. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Shirayuki was surprised. She didn't realize that Ryu has been around for a long while. "You're so big now."

Ryu simply nods, letting Shirayuki go to shake the Queen's hands, "it's nice to see you back, Miss Haruto." The Queen smiles and quickly ruffles the boys hair before standing up straight again. She finally allows her curiosity to be sated by looking back at the red-haired woman.

"You're new, as I don't recognize you," The Queen begins. She walks over to stand before Shirayuki, her eyes clearly fascinated by the abnormality that was her hair. Zen finds his heart going a little too quickly as he watches his own mother interact with the love of his life. "What is your position in the castle?"

"I-I'm the last court herbalist of Wistal Castle, Your Highness," Shirayuki stutters. She quickly bows, hoping she's presented the utmost respect towards the Queen. The Queen was clearly amused, as she quickly asked for the woman to rise. "I'm so sorry, I'm a bit nervous…"

"No no, it's okay, love," The Queen offers her hand. Shirayuki was surprised at how laid back the Queen was, as she looked ever so elegant and intimidating. She shakes her hand and smiles embarrassingly. "What is your name?"

"I'm Shirayuki, Your Grace."

"What a beautiful name, Shirayuki," The Queen hums. "You already know who I am but please; call me Miss Haruto. Being addressed with those royal pronouns have gotten too old." Shirayuki understands this now, as everybody seems to call her as such. It's a preference thing. "Has anyone yet said a word about your hair?"

Zen covers his mouth to keep from laughing as the aides and Obi smirks widely. Shirayuki simply smiles and nods, "people have said a word or two about it, yes." Haruto nods, letting her go before quickly placing it on her forehead.

"Would you mind treating me then?" Haruto asks. A sudden disgust plays on her tongue as they all begin to walk into the castle. "I always get such an intense allergy whenever I'm here at Wistal."

"An allergy?" Shirayuki hums as both Izana and Zen take her arms to guide her up the stairs carefully. "Has any of the court herbalists in Wilant figured it out?"

"Oh no, it's not something the court herbalists could figure out," Haruto explains as she enters the castle. Nostalgia and woe soon drown her as she looks all around the castle walls. Memories flood, and there was only so much she could do about the lump that suddenly appeared in her throat. "I already knew and came up with the solution; Wilant Castle."

Shirayuki nods as Garak guides everyone to the medicinal wing. But as the whole crowd gets led to the wing, Haruto looks over at Zen and questions, "where is your fiance?"

Zen smiles and shrugs, "I'm wondering the same thing, mother." Haruto couldn't really believe it.

Her arrival, the Queen Dowager of Clarines, seemed to be a joke to the soon-to-be Princess of Wistal as her absence was starting to speak volumes. She has never been shown this kind of disrespect before, and she wasn't intending to accept any excuses as to why she hadn't seen the Queen's arrival. "Will she be at supper?"

Izana nodded, "she should be, yes."

"Mm" was all Haruto could reply with.

Haruto sat comfortably on Shirayuki's seat as Shirayuki began crushing a few herbs for her to take for the nausea. Zen, Izana, and Garak were in the office while the rest had to remain outside. Even little Ryu, who really wanted to continue studying the mercury. "You seem to know your craft very well. I take it you were under Ryu's wing?"

Shirayuki nodded, "he's helped me in my practice and assisted me to reach this point. I wouldn't be in this position had it not been for Ryu's willingness and patience with me." Haruto nodded and fondly smiled.

"He's a good boy, isn't he?" Shirayuki nodded in agreement as she offered Haruto the warm tea she made. "Thank you, hun." Haruto drinks the tea quickly, not leaving even a spec of herb in the glass cup as she hands it back. "Mm, it tastes very good. Not as bitter as some of the medicinal teas Garak has made in the past."

"I'm not catering to your tongue, Miss Haruto," Garak crossed her arms in front of her chest, "I'm a court herbalist, not a chef." Haruto laughs at Garak's playful frustration as she looks up at Shirayuki.

"How did you end up in our land, Shirayuki?" Haruto begins to ask. Zen was quick to be on his feet and caught his mother's attention before Shirayuki could even open her mouth.

"She came from one of our allies' land, Tanbarun," Zen answered for her, with Shirayuki tilting her head in confusion. It wasn't like she was going to say much; their relationship is over and irrelevant already. So why was Zen so anxious for her to answer such a question?

"Did I ask you, Zen?" Haruto starts. Zen gulped harshly before shaking his head. "Right." She turns back to Shirayuki, "so you're not Clarines-born?"

"Mm mm," Shirayuki confirmed. She had been holding Haruto's hand, her fingers placed on her wrist to check pulse. "I was having quite a conflict back in my hometown and figured a change was due. And I found myself lucky to have stumbled upon your very welcoming kingdom."

"And her performance as a court herbalist is wonderful," Garak adds. "She has the passion and drive for it, and I have yet to regret promoting her to a professional court herbalist of Wistal Castle and the land of Clarines."

"Ah, so she's allowed to work in Wilant if she so chooses?" Haruto asks. Garak nods. Haruto looks back at Shirayuki and nods in approval, "not many get to do so. The only flexible court herbalists to do that are Garak and Ryu."

Oh, Shirayuki thinks. Is that why Ryu had asked me to go with him to Wilant whenever he's sent to go? "It's an honor, really. All I've ever wanted to do was help people." Haruto smiles warmly at her words. "After my mother and grandparents had passed away, being an herbalist had been the only thing to help treat my sadness."

Haruto nods silently, understanding her words completely. "I see." Silence ensues as Shirayuki finishes her check up and prepares a medicine for whenever she feels nauseous and isn't close to the medicinal wing to be treated. Haruto expresses her gratitude by offering a drink. Before Shirayuki could deny, Zen stands before his mother.

"I've decided to cut the castle off from drinking any wine," Zen informed her. Haruto tilted her head in immense confusion.

"Why?"

Zen bit his tongue, not expecting to get this far as he attempts to brainstorm. But he didn't need to, as Izana decides to save him from such a question.

"Zen has decided to rule against wine for the next couple of days," Izana hums, "seeing as his wedding is very soon, he wants everyone to be excited to drink and rejoice over the joining of he and Princess Elizabeth."

Zen mentally thanked his brother as Haruto accepted the answer and shrugged it off. Shirayuki helps her rise from the stool and starts to walk her out of the office. "Then we shall share a toast on the wedding, yes?"

"Of course, Miss Haruto," Shirayuki agrees warmly. She gives the Queen off to her sons as Obi, Kiki, Mitsuhide, and Ryu watch everyone pour out of the room. Haruto meets Obi's eyes and smirks.

"Oh, it's the scary messenger man," Haruto humors as she lets go of her sons to pat Obi's shoulders. "Somehow, you look less scary than the first time I saw you, Obi."

"I'm glad you think so, Miss Haruto," Obi says with a shy smile. "A lot of people would very much disagree with you."

"Nah, that's not true," Haruto spews. She looks into those shiny amber eyes, "they just haven't taken a good look at you. You remind me of my husband with such happiness in your eyes. Is there something that makes you real happy lately, Obi?"

Obi smiles, "that's one way of saying it, Miss Haruto." Haruto laughs at the boy. Any outsider would think that they've known each other for years, as that's how it feels between them. She suddenly leans in, pretending as though nobody was listening.

"What's her name?" She whispers. Obi smirks before glancing over at Shirayuki. Haruto widens her eyes and pulls away quickly. She doesn't even give Obi another look as she bids farewell and walks down the corridor with her two sons and the two aides. But she does allow one last glance, much to Zen's annoyance, before allowing her sons to guide her around the castle for a refreshing tour.

As they do, Haruto smiles and looks over at Zen, "are you familiar with Shirayuki, Zen?"

Zen nods, "we are friends, yes."

"Ah." Haruto looks forward once again. "I quite like her. I wouldn't mind her owning a much more important position around here."

"More important than being a court herbalist, mother?" Izana questions. He was curious as to what she could possibly say to humor them.

Haruto shrugged, her words serious yet downplayed, "she's fit to be a Princess, I think." Zen looks at her with very wide eyes as Kiki and Mitsuhide share the same shock.

Zen chuckles, "I mean, who would she marry though? Lord Brother has been taken for a long while, and my wedding is in a couple of days."

Haruto studies Zen's face, "she looks about your age, but you're right. I only birthed two sons after all, and Obi's already won that prize." Silence takes over as Zen begins to think over his mother's words over and over. He didn't know whether to feel happy or extremely angry at such comments made by the woman who essentially ruined his life.