Chapter 7: Searching for Shirayuki

Everyone in the castle was upset with the kidnap of Shirayuki. Zen accused himself and his friends while Shirayuki's parents were telling him that it wasn't his fault.

- If only I had protected her better... I can't believe I let her go, he said angry.

Zen looked everywhere to find her but there weren't any traces which could be followed. Why did this happen to him? He wanted to find and hug her. How could he let his beloved childhood friend?

I am a loser, he was thinking all the time sitting on his chair. Then he stood up and thought determined "I swear on my life that I will save her no matter what".

Shirayuki (P.O.V.)

Uh, where am I? Why's everything black? Oh right, I'm in the jail with the thieves. I want to take off this cloth from my eyes, but I can't as long as my hands are tied.

I wonder what my parents are doing right now. Is Zen searching for me with Mitsuhide and Kiki? Ohh, I want to go back to my family. Also I have this headache after that strong hit...

I hear footsteps. This must be the Leader. He opens the door.

- How is our Princess? Are you comfortable?, he says as he giggles. I brought you some food to not be starved. You haven't eat your breakfast.

- I don't want to eat anything from you, I say coldly. The only thing I want is letting me go.

- This isn't going to happen. You'll stay here until we find someone to buy you.

- Then I prefer dying than be bought by some stupid nobles.

- Then die. I don't care, the Leader says while he closes the door.

I must escape from here tonight, I whisper to myself. First of all, I have to take of this cloth. I think there is a lamp inside the room.

I stand up and head to the tray with the food and I search for something sharp to cut the ropes on my hands. As I thought, they haven't put a knife or something just like this on the tray. They aren't idiots. But I remember that before we leave for the forest with Zen, I had put in my pants a clasp knife. The only thing I need to do is taking it out.

Finally, I find it and with patience I cut the ropes. Then I put off the cloth and as I had imagined there is a lamp in the room. I try to find anything that it could help me to escape.

The ceiling is low and there is a window on the wall. It has bars but they are rusty, so they will be taken out easily. Thank goodness that I'm wearing appropriate clothes.

I am wearing that clothes when I go for horseriding and fencing(pants and a white shirt). At least, I don't wear a dress or anything. Somehow, even though I am a princess and a girl, I don't like very much wearing dresses.

Anyway, I take off the rusty bars but I make a lot of noise. So I jump out the window and I start to run.

The thieves heard that noise and now they're chasing after me. I listen to the Leader raving " You won't get any further. We know these places better than you. We will find you wherever you go".

Luckily, I come across with a small cave. Without second thought, I go inside and try to not make even the smallest noise. I figure out that they got tired of searching for me so they go back to their hovel while discussing about continuing their searching at the morning.

Zen (P.O.V.)

I woke up early in the morning. Actually I didn't sleep because I was thinking Shirayuki. What is she doing now? I go to the living room to eat breakfast (Mitsuhide pushed me to do it) and I see Queen Hitomi crying. It must be tough to not have her daughter but King Mitsuo and my dad tell her that they will find Shirayuki.

I can't stand seeing her mother crying so I go to take my horse and begin searching for Shirayuki. As always, Kiki and Mitsuhide are with me. Today, we will go across the river.

We split up. I head to the woods next to the river. Suddenly, I hear something strange, like someone is crying. I wonder what I will find inside this cave. I take off my sword from its case and say with a loud voice "Who's there? Come in sight!"

I hear a crying voice calling my name. I'm not sure but...

- Shirayuki?, I say with an uncertain and low voice.

- Z-Zen, is that you?

I see a girl crying with her red-appled hair tangled. I can't believe I found her. Immediately, I run towards her and hug her tightly.

- I'm right here Shirayuki, I'm right here, I try to calm her.

- Oh Zen. I was so scared, she says while she sobs.

Now she cries louder and I continue to hold her in my arms.

NARRATOR

The company returned to the Kingdom. Shirayuki was on Zen's horse. One of the guards ran to tell the King the news. Shirayuki hugged her parents and all of them were crying and telling how lucky they were.

King Mitsuo and Queen Hitomi thanked Zen and Shirayuki kissed him on his cheek as a "thank you". Both blushed but they were looking at each other with a smile.

King Yuu announced something which made everyone happier.

- I decided to do a celebration for Shirayuki. Also, we haven't done anything for your visit here.

And with these words, everyone sat down their chairs to eat lunch. They were smiling widely as they had Shirayuki with them.

Hi everyone! As you can see, I updated after week. I'm very sorry for this but I had a busy week with plenty of homework. I promise that I will try to write the next chapters as soon as I can. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I am waiting for your reviews!

See you next time...