Chapter 4 : Finally we see each other

The Tanbarun's royal family was on the way for Clarines' Kingdom. After a few hours, the carriage finally arrived at its destination.

All this time, Shirayuki's heart was beating so fast she thought her parents can hear it. When the carriage stopped, suddenly she felt nervous.

What do I have to say when I see him? Should I greet him like a friend or a prince? I think my heart is going to break into a thousand pieces. Ok ok just relax, she said to herself and took a deep breath. I will let him to greet me first and then I'll respond at the same way. This is the best solution. Shirayuki took another deep breath and got out of the carriage.

Zen (P.O.V.)

I'm standing in front of the main gate to welcome Tanbarun's royal family. I definitely want to see her.

After ten minutes, we see the carriage coming. My father is next to my mother and next to him it's me.

I catch myself being anxious, nervous. I am trying to persuade myself that we will just greet each other and that's all. I can't understand why I'm feeling this way. We're just childhood friends.

Oh there she is. She is getting off the carriage.

NARRATOR

Both Prince and Princess were feeling nervous. They didn't know why but when they saw each other, they figured it out it.

- King Mitsuo, my friend, greeted King Yuu. How are you? I haven't seen you for ages.

- I'm very fine. How are you Miki?

- Oh I'm so happy you're all here. Oh look at Shirayuki! She's a young, beautiful princess. How are you doing Hitomi?

Everyone was being hugged and was talking to each other, except from Zen and Shirayuki. They stood there without saying anything. They didn't know how to greet one another. Until Zen made the first move.

- Hello Princess Shirayuki, he bowed to her. How are you?

- Um, I'm very well Prince Zen. How are you?, she bowed.

- Fine, he smiled nervously.

Thet were making eye contact but could say nothing more.

- Why are you talking to each other so formal?, asked Queen Miki. Just chat like you did when you were children.

They both nodded and smiled. After that, they had a normal conversation.

The two families went inside the castle where three maids were waiting for them. They bowed to them and one of them said:

- You're welcome, Your Highness. Please follow us to take you to your bedrooms, they bowed and started to walk.

Normally, Zen's bedroom is at the opposite side of his parents'. Now, King Mitsuo and Queen Hitomi's room is next to King Yuu and Queen Miki's room. So, Shirayuki is next to Zen.

When the two young people found out about it, they blushed.

- The lunch will be served in two hours, announced the maid.

- Ok thank you Aimi, said Miki gently. You can do whatever you want until that time. Does anyone desire to take a bath?

- I want, said Shirayuki shyly. Can I please?

- Of course you can. Aimi can you take care of her?

- Yes Miss. Princess Shirayuki, come over here, she said and went into the bathroom of Shirayuki's room.

Zen thought that it would be better if he went to Mitsuhide and Kiki and tell them what happened. So he left the inside of the castle.

His friends waited for him at the tree where they had first met. It was nearby the greenhouse. Zen told them about their first normal conversation.

- Zen, I don't think that happened something between you two, noticed Kiki. Maybe she felt like you, nervous. However, it may will happen something in the next days. You never know.

- The question is: Do YOU want to happen something?, smirked Mitsuhide.

- Oh don't say nonsense. I have told you so many times, we're just childhood friends.

- Yes but now you saw how beautiful she is. What if something has changed into your heart? It's possible you feel something for her and don't know about it yet.

- Oh leave me alone. I don't know anymore, said Zen with his hands on his face.

Meanwhile, Shirayuki was feeling relieved while she was in the bath Aimi had prepared for her. She needed it, the trip was exhausting. Moreover, Shirayuki wanted a break from seeing Zen. She still didn't know how to chat with him. Everything she had known ten years ago had all been vanished. Something changed between Zen and her but didn't know it.

When she finished her bath, Shirayuki put on a dress which its color was light green with some small ribbons on right and left. It fitted perfectly with her eyes. Also, she put an orange hairpin, something which made her cuter.

She was looking for the maid to ask her where the greenhouse was. Of course she had got permission from the Queen and now she was ready with a book for herbs on her hand.

- Um Yasuko-san can you tell me where is the greenhouse located? asked the maid.

- Do you see that big tree Miss? It's ten metres from there.

- Thank you very much.

Now she was walking faster. She didn't want to lose another minute. At last, she found it and entered the door.

Inside, there were many kinds of flowers and herbs she had read in her book. Some flowers had about three different colors and the herbs she was reading, the most of them were in this greenhouse. Shirayuki thought she was dreaming but a minute later figured out that this wasn't a dream.

Zen (P.O.V.)

While I was chatting with Kiki and Mitsuhide, I saw Shirayuki going into the greenhouse. This caught my attention and I followed her.

Without seeing me, I went in the greenhouse. She was reading a book and simultaneously she was looking at the flowers and the herbs.

I decided to stop hiding and talked to her.

- Hi Shirayuki. What are you doing?

- A. Hi Zen. I'm studying the herbs.

- How come? Do you have an interest in herbs?, I asked surprised.

- Yes, I have been studying about them for two years. Actually, I wanted to be herbalist rather than a princess.

- Mmm... I see. Um Shirayuki, I want to tell you something.

- What is it?, said gently.

Oh, how can I say it in words? It's hard. On the other hand, this isn't something important. Anyway, let's do it. I took a deep breath and started.

- Shirayuki, I won't lie to you. When I first saw you, I was surprised. In the past ten years you have changed a lot.

- You too. I mean now you look more handsome, said shyly.

- While we were chatting I was feeling nervous. I thought we were discussing normal but I was wrong. At least, I wasn't talking normal.

- What do you think? From now on, can we talk normal to each other?, she smiled.

- Of course. It would be my pleasure. I'm glad we're finally met each other, Shirayuki.

- Me too Zen. I was waiting for this day so long. I'm sorry for not keeping my promise.

- It doesn't matter anymore. From now on, we will see one another more often.

And with these words, we continued our conversation normally.

Hey guys! This chapter was a bit long. Thank you for your reviews! I'm sorry for not using the official names of Zen and Shirayuki's parents. Actually, I haven't read the manga yet (although I want to). However, I chose their names carefully, so they suit to the characters. I'll try to write even better from now on.

See you next time...