wow look at me, updating again. as always, and i cannot stress this enough- thank you all so much for reading and enjoying this story of mine. since 2017, this story has been up and at it, gathering favs/follows and inviting such sweet reviewers to come my way. my heart feels so full, and im so glad my decent writing brings some amount of happiness to you all. xo
SEVENTY-SEVEN - Tea and Tears
"You're not sincere, are you Obi?"
"How do you mean, Sir?"
"Obi… this is a little boy."
"No no, this is Ryu."
Obi brought Mukaze over to Ryu and Shirayuki's shared office rather than bringing Ryu to the dining room. Which was a smart move, considering it was getting late, and all the things Ryu might need are in there. Mukaze could not believe that his daughters lover brought him over to this room, thinking he was going to be seen by a grown up professional. But he was sitting in front of a young boy, with eyes distant and hair messy. Obi could see why Mukaze was saying these words, but Ryu was truly the only person he thought could help the most.
"He's the expert court herbalist here?" Mukaze points at the boy. Ryu had been completely ignoring the two, taking out tools and herbs that he may need to figure out Mukaze's condition.
"He's under the chief court herbalists' supervision, but his skills definitely surpasses hers," Obi admits. He prays that that won't bite him in the ass later, but anybody who knew Ryu would also admit that his skills were beyond a regular humans capabilities. "He's Shirayuki's superior."
"This boy is 12," Mukaze insists.
"13 quite soon," Obi points out, having Mukaze completely dead-panned. "Trust me, Sir. Ryu has never failed to impress me, and Shirayuki is fascinated by his knowledge and the way he works." Mukaze was still unsure, but he had to take Obi's word for it.
"What are the pains you feel?" Ryu finally speaks, surprising Mukaze by how deep and rasp his voice was. "Headaches, nausea, fatigue…? Give me as much detail as you can."
Mukaze clears his throat, "you hit almost every point… I'll have an intense weakness in my bones to a point where I can't carry many heavy things anymore. My lungs feel like they're giving out if I even run for a minute."
"Mm." Ryu hums to show that he's listening as he picks up his magnifying glass and walks up to Mukaze. Excusing himself, Ryu lifts the mans chin with one hand and looks at his facial features with his magnifying glass held in the other hand. He looked into his eyes, up his nostrils, and down into his mouth. He checked as much of his face as he could, mentally jotting down everything he notices. He walks behind him and presses his ear against the mans back, "can you breathe heavily for me?"
Mukaze does what he's instructed while Ryu presses his hands against where his pulse points are (mainly his neck, but he also presses lightly where his heart is). Ryu quickly lets him go before rushing to his desk. He grabs one of the pitchers of water that is in the room and pours it into a medium-sized beaker. He places it on the holder above a big candle to proceed lighting up the many wicks.
Obi and Mukaze watch the water boil while Ryu takes out a clean mortar and pestle. He sets it down on his desk before walking towards the large closet of herbs they have. The two men look over to distract themselves in the variety of herbs that were organized in that closet. Ryu selects 3 pouches with ease (as he's clearly memorized the closest through-in-through) and walks back to his desk.
The waters being brought to a proper boil while Ryu takes out a small batch of herbs from each pouch. He takes out 2 seperate bunches of solely green herbs, and the last one was actually a few purple flowers. "Which herbs are those, Ryu?" Obi asks, hovering over the boy curiously. He raises them all up for him so he could get a proper view.
"These two are peppermint and horsetail herbs," Ryu twists the mentioned herbs in his fingers. "They're going to be used for Mister Mukaze's headaches and lung weakness. They also help with the nausea from said conditions." Ryu then gestures to the more colorful herb. "These are coneflowers. They're used for bone weakness and fatigue. They're also all good for immunity strengthening."
"He really knows, huh…" Mukaze hums, clearly impressed by Ryu's knowledge of his practice. "No wonder why he's Shirayuki's mentor." Obi nods while Ryu places all the herbs in the mortar. But he turns over to face Mukaze's way.
"How do you know Shirayuki, Mister?" Ryu asks curiously as he begins to grind the herbs down with the pestle. Mukaze looks up at Obi, who chuckles before allowing them to chat and figure it out.
"Could you not have guessed by my face, boy?" Mukaze asks with a warm smile. Ryu shakes his head bluntly.
"I don't really pay a lot of attention to those details like that whenever I'm studying or helping a patient," Ryu admits. He stops what he's doing to look over properly at the man he was treating. Maroon hair… dark green eyes… shabby beard… "That's strange. You have red hair like Shirayuki."
This causes Mukaze to erupt into laughter as Obi ruffles Ryu's brown hair. Ryu looks up at Obi, as if he's said something wrong but Obi shakes his head in reassurance. "I'm Shirayuki's father, Ryu." Mukaze held out his hand for a handshake. Ryu, with wide eyes, nervously shook his hand before returning back to what he was doing.
"I was there when the servant came and announced your arrival," Ryu admits, "but Miss Garak insisted that we go back to our offices instead of lingering as we never know when patients come in requiring our attention. We split ways before everyone else made it to the front of the castle to greet you."
Mukaze recognizes how earnest and sincere Ryu is. He speaks very coldly, practically emotionless, but his words are genuine and true. "Obi says you're quite fond of my daughter. Has she been easy to teach?"
Ryu smiles warmly, recalling the memories from when they had first met. "She pays attention to every word I say. She writes down everything, and knows which parts are important. She keeps things as organized as I do, and isn't too shy to ask me for any advice or guidance." Ryu grinds the herbs enough that they're mixed together, but not too fine so the richness of the herbs remain. "She's one of the first people to see me as an herbalist, and not as a little kid."
A twinge of backlash, but it's understandable. Ryu did not work this hard only to be seen as just a 'little kid.' It wasn't like he got angry hearing it, but it happens so often that he sees it more annoying than anything. "I see," Mukaze understands. "It seems my daughter tends to bring out the best in people in ways even they didn't think was possible."
"Yeah…" he replies softly, a small smile still playing at his lips as he slowly adds the crushed herbs into the boiling beaker of water. The color instantly changes into a light pink, and gradually into a more magenta.
Conversation subdues as Ryu grabs the bottle of fresh honey from one of his drawers and a cup from another. Mukaze watches, practically mesmerized by how organized and mindful Ryu was with handling his tools as well as the herbs he works with. Blowing away the fire, Ryu carefully grabs the hot beaker with a towel and reaches for a small strainer. Placing it on the cup, Ryu pours the tea into the cup carefully, weary not to let a drop go to waste.
"Need help?" Obi offers, but Ryu declines politely with a head shake. The two men watch as Ryu puts the beaker and towel aside to sift through another drawer for a spoon. He measures out how much honey he wants with it before stirring the tea with it. He then slides it closer to Mukaze, offering it to him while fixing his desk once again.
"Thank you very much," Mukaze says before picking up the tea and taking a sip. Ryu nods while getting a clean paper towel to place the boiled herbs on. Mukaze notices this and asks, "what are you going to do with those? Haven't they already been used?"
"Mm," Ryu hums as he folds the paper towel around the herbs, drying them completely. He places the beaker and the spoon in a bin, with intention to wash them soon. "Shirayuki likes to collect the herbs that we've used to study their used and dried state. She's curious if they can serve more purpose beyond dyes and making candles."
Mukaze and Obi exchange a look before continuing to drink his tea. It was awfully sweet, so much so that he wondered why Ryu even added honey. But Ryu knew the mixture was to be sweet, hence why he didn't directly extract the nectar of the cornflower and instead just let it boil in the water to let it dilute as much as it wanted to. "This is very sweet, Ryu. Why add the honey?"
"Honey is very good for the body," Ryu explains while taking out his notebook to log the tea made and what patient it was made for. "Honey provides minerals that the herbs don't have in case your body was deficient in any of them. It can definitely assist your body as its currently not performing at its best." Ryu then eyes the bottle of honey before continuing, "it's also a fresh batch, so I was eager to use it already."
Obi chuckled and gave Ryu a pat on the head, "did you get the honey yourself?"
"Do you think I know how to climb trees?" Ryu turns and looks up at the man, a serious expression painted on his face.
Obi rolled his eyes, folding his arms over his chest to say, "someone didn't want to be taught how to."
"Climbing trees is dangerous," Ryu informs. "I could break a bone, twist an organ, or simply die. None of those options are worth the adrenaline of climbing a thick, wooden stick with leaves on it. Especially to be fetching honey, which is another obstacle."
"This ones cheeky," Mukaze gestures as he finishes the rest of the tea, "I like him." Ryu looks away shyly, taking the cup from the man as Mukaze wipes his mouth, which was now very warm. "I think I'm ready for bed."
"I shall walk you then," Obi nods. As Mukaze stands up, with several bone cracks proceeding, Obi goes to Ryu and opens his arms before him. Ryu looks up at him blankly, requiring him to be direct with what he wants. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Ryu replies, turning around again to continue organizing himself. Obi shakes his head and taps his shoulders, having Ryu face him once more. "Did you need anything else?"
"How come when Shirayuki does this, you practically run into her arms?" Obi asked, deadpanned. Ryu's cheeks suddenly felt hot and he looks down at his feet.
"I'm used to hugging only Shirayuki all the time," Ryu says quietly. "You just randomly opened your arms- how am I supposed to know what you want?"
Obi, without another word, just scoops Ryu into his arms and hugs him. "Stop acting so aloof." Ryu feels Obi place his hand carefully on the back of his head and Ryu could only close his eyes. He eventually wraps his arms around Obi, indulging in the warm embrace. Mukaze simply watches the moment pass, smiling warmly as Obi lets the young boy and instructs him to sleep soon. Obeying Obi's words, Ryu begins to fix his bed under his desk, which both amuses and shocks Mukaze.
Obi files the two men out of the office and close the door behind him, waiting until Ryu locks the door with a small click! sound. Obi then starts to walk with Mukaze down the corridor, taking a stride back to the dining hall. "Are you close to that young boy?"
"Little Ryu?" Obi begins. He quickly smirks. "That boy is a wonder, I'll tell you. But to answer your question," Obi nods. "Yes. We are very, very close."
Mukaze smiles while placing an arm over Obi's shoulders, "that's good, I'm glad to see it." He gives him a fairly strong side hug and goes, "you'll be a great father to my grandkids."
Obi choked, his mischievous smirk wiped away with a now 'O'- shaped mouth. "Y-you're expecting?"
"Aren't you going to be expecting someday?" Obi felt practically breathless as Mukaze and him got closer to the dining hall. As soon as Obi regained himself, Mukaze also leered at him, "also Obi, another thing."
"Yes, sir?"
"Stop calling me 'Sir,' will you?" Mukaze huffed. Obi tilted his head like a confused dog as Mukaze continued, "it sounds weird, and it makes me feel old somehow." Obi began a string of apologies, but Mukaze laughed and patted his chest with his free hand.
"So then, what would you like me to call you?"
"Well, you're gonna marry Shirayuki soon enough, ain't ya?" Mukaze smirks. He winks at Obi and says, "call me 'Dad,' or something." Obi halted the two and was immediately hunched over, unable to handle the words Mukaze was telling him. "Obi? Are you alright?"
"Yep," Obi spews weakly, "my knees are just giving out, that's all." Eventually, a soothing silence ensues and they make it to the dining hall to meet Kiki and many full Lions. He and Kiki guide everyone to their quarters for the night, before Obi
...Zen…
Zen…
...ZEN!
"Mother, I don't think calling his name several times will help if he hasn't responded the first time."
Izana and Haruto were lashing it out in Zen's bedroom as Zen sat by his balcony, his hands antsy to grab one of his bottles of whiskey that he's hidden. It's not a favorable position to be in, considering that his suffering these last few months could have been avoided if he just told his mother about Shirayuki. All the moments that he spent with the Princess and breaking Shirayuki's heart could have never existed. He didn't really know how to feel, so he temporarily decided to go numb.
"Zen, please… let's talk," Haruto lowers her tone, having it much more soft like a cloud. Zen doesn't move a single muscle as his two family members stood by the door. "I'm so sorry… I understand how you feel right now."
Those words decided to end his numbness short. Izana raises an eyebrow as Zen stands up from his chair and walks over to his mother. His azure eyes, usually determined and full, were dull and vexed, clearly filled with sorrow and agitation. "You understand how I feel? Do you actually?" Haruto nods shyly, but Zen's quietly harsh tone had forced a reserved posture of her body.
"Zen," she breathes out.
"I had to end things with the person I love most because of you," Zen starts, his voice rising in volume. He hits his chest with his hand and continues, "I had to suffer being lovers with a woman who will never amount to being half the woman Shirayuki is. I had to spend time with this woman- kiss this woman."
"Zen, please… it's okay now," Haruto tries with a hush voice, but Zen couldn't believe her audacity.
"It's okay now… is it?" Zen repeats her words, practically mocking her. "Yes, because that fixes everything, doesn't it? You ended the wedding and decided that all is well and everything great?" Zen looks back over at the balcony, the stars twinkling in the dark sky. "To damnation with everything I went through, right? Because you have 'fixed' it."
"I-I didn't mean it like that-"
"Then I wonder- how else you could mean it?" Zen's tongue was sharp, his words clearly heated. "Do you even understand what I had to go through, Mother? I had to walk around this castle, every goddamn day, knowing that the love of my life was slowly falling out of love with me." Zen's eyes were watering up. "I had to force myself out of bed, get ready, bathe, and do my duties as the Second Prince of Clarines."
The man then starts laughing, turning completely around to face the outside. He shoves his hands in his pockets and emits a sigh, "without Shirayuki, I became someone I never wanted to be. I did things to her after breaking her heart because I'm inconsiderate. I tried forcing Shirayuki and Obi apart because I was jealous." Zen's words were monotone as he stared blankly down at the ground. "I got Obi arrested and starved him because I thought that would alleviate something."
Haruto, at this very moment, felt the same way she did when her late husband had passed away. Helpless, and heartbroken. Her throat felt dry and she was choked-up with tears. She felt an immense panic surge through her bones as she watched her young son shake in tears. If only Kain were still here… Haruto thinks. There was no excusing her bad parenting, and all she wanted to do was hold Zen and apologize until he can't handle it. She didn't know what to do.
"And I tried hard, to accept your reasoning," Zen continues, sniffling a bit. "I tried understanding that pure royal blood must be passed down for future generations to come but…" Zen looks over at Izana, and then meets his mothers eyes again. "Then I remember that Lord Brother is engaged to Haki… a very smart and studious woman. A commoner, too."
"Haki is a very wise woman, and Izana had chosen well for himself," Haruto says quietly, her tears streaming down her cheeks.
"But you never forced him to be with a Princess," Zen glares at her. "He didn't have to get a random woman pinned on him, and tied down from the guilt. I lost Shirayuki, I broke her heart because I love you, Mother."
"Then what is it you want me to do?" Haruto begins, eyes practically pleading.
Zen shrugged, his cheeks crimson and glistening from his tears. "Everything has already happened. It doesn't matter anymore." Izana walks over to his little brother, seeing how defeated he was with his posture alone. White wisps of hair fall in front of his pained eyes. Wordlessly, Izana places a hand on his brothers head and gives him a few gentle pats.
"They say a Prince who's gone through much pain and still kept his heart filled is worthy of being a King," Izana murmurs to Zen. "But even a crown doesn't get you everything you want." He glances over at Haruto.
"And who says that, Brother?" Zen looks up at his sibling, his voice nasally from emotion. "I haven't read that in any of the books and scrolls we have."
"I just made it up," Izana admits. He smiles the way only Izana can, and it gives Zen a little bit of an emotional break. "But a crown does, however, give you motivation to become better than yourself every day." He ruffles Zens hair before retracting his hand. "You're better than father and I could ever be because you've considered your hearts desires with every decision you have had to make."
"You think so?"
"I know so," Izana flashes a toothy smile. "I annoy you, and try to rain on your parade because quite frankly- I'm envious of you." Zens eyes widen, his tears coming to a complete stop. Izana scoffs and looks away, "don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Alright, I think it's time to sleep." Zen chuckles and watches as Izana latches his hands onto Haruto's shoulders and begins to escort the two towards the door. "Let's get out of his hair, shall we?"
"But I want to talk to my son!" Haruto exclaims.
Izana glances back at Zen and gives him another smile before opening the door. He looks down at his mother while they stood in the doorframe and shook his head, "he's all out of energy. Don't try forcing him."
Haruto is then dragged out, looking back at Zen worriedly before the door is shut behind them and Zen is trapped in silence once again. He quickly decides to remove his clothes and pull on his sleep attire, clearly mentally exhausted and needing rest. His desire to drink left him, and all he wanted to do was rest.
He's bruised up and slightly burnt out, and flops onto his bed. Tears came back around, and Zen had resumed crying while swallowed up in his bed sheets. He wanted to scream and swear, but he was sure the whole kingdom would hear him if he did. A massive headache ensues and the only thing he could do was close his eyes and try to rest.
But who would be able to sleep with a pounding, aching heart?