Chapter 9: The unforgettable party

Today is the party for the Tanbarun's royal family. Everyone in the castle is busy and excited at the same time. All Clarines' citizens are invited at the party.

Queen Miki and Queen Hitomi are with Shirayuki to help her choose the most beautiful dress. The three women want to be pretty so they have to hurry if they want to be ready in time. The party begins at 8:00 pm and they have only seven hours available. The party will be a masquerade (this idea was Shirayuki 's. She thought that they would have more fun this way).

Finally, Queen Miki, Queen Hitomi and Shirayuki find the dresses they want to wear. It needs to be said that Shirayuki's dress is the greatest in the whole kingdom. She chose to wear a light pink mask. She awaits to see how Zen will be dressed. In fact, she wants to see him in his formal suit with his white cape.

Time Skip*

It's 8:00 pm and the two royal families are ready to appear in front of the citizens. The party takes place at the town's square. The kids are waiting to see a real prince and princess. Their parents show respect to the two families because they worth it for being so wise kings and queens.

King Yuu starts talking to the gathered people about how the Tanbarun's and Clarines' kingdoms will continue to be allies and the friendship between their kings.

After that, everyone have fun. The crowd scatters and the people go to eat at some tavern or dance in the middle of the square. The two royal families sit at the same table and chat while they eat. Everyone seems to be having fun.

After a while, Zen stands up and heads to Shirayuki.

- Shall we dance, my Laidy?, he asks her formally.

- It would be my pleasure, she answers.

Both go in the middle of the square to start dancing. Every single person watches them dancing and they smile. What a moment!

Zen stares at Shirayuki with a big smile on his face. So it does Shirayuki.

Their parents are grateful for having them as son and daughter. The Kings and Queens thought ten years ago that their children should get married to last the peace between the two kingdoms. Now, they see how they have matured and they're sure that Zen and Shirayuki will agree with them. Besides, Prince Zen and Princess Shirayuki are childhood friends so the marriage would be easier for them. Who knows, maybe their children have alredy feelings for each other. At least, they hope so.

- Shirayuki, you are very pretty tonight. Your dress suits you well and the mask you're wearing... It just makes you even more beautiful!

- Thank you Zen. The same goes for you. I think that this is the best party I've attended so far.

Tonight, Shirayuki is indeed very beautiful. Her eyes are splarkling under the moonlight and her hair are so red like a ripe apple.

They continue to look in each other's eyes. Both don't think anything else besides their partener.

After a while, Shirayuki goes for a walk with Kiki and Zen with Mitsuhide. The night is pretty and the moonlight lies on the Clarines' Kingdom. The town is decorated especially for this celebration.

Kids are playing hide and seek like Zen and me did ten years ago. These years passed in a flash. I can't imagine how my life would be without Zen in it. I love watching his blue eyes and especially his smile. When we were kids and I was sad, he just smiled at me and magically I had a happy expression on my face.

In the meanwhile, a mysterious man heads to King Yuu. He wears a black mask and his eyes are mysterious eyes.

- My Lord, he says. I'm the messenger of the Shunkeshi's Kingdom. My king sends to you his greetings. He wishes for you to invite his kingdom as soon as you can. He says you haven't been there for years. Also he wants to see King Mitsuo and his family.

- Transfer to your King my greetings and tell him that I'll invite him when I can. It would be my pleasure to bring with me the Tanbarun's royal family. For now, come here and sit with us. Tell me, how's your King and Queen?

- They are fine, Sir. I'm glad I came to see you as their delegate.

They were talking for about twenty minutes. That moment, the man takes out a knife and tries to kill King Yuu. He stick the knife into his arm because that time Shirayuki attacks him.

The scenery is tragic. The King tries to breath while his wife is by his side. Shirayuki takes a soldier's sword and with this fights against the man. She tries to unarm the man but he is good at fencing as she is. When he has cornered Shirayuki and is ready to kill her, Zen arrives on time and takes care of the man with Mitsuhide and Kiki. Some strangers start fighting with some soldiers. The people have already left the square in panic.

Shirayuki feels relieved for having Zen saving her. She thinks that someday she should repay him for what he have done so far for her.

She hears Queen Miki talking to her husband. Shirayuki hugs with her mother Queen Miki while she's sobbing.

- Please Yuu, stay alive, Queen Miki cries.

Shirayuki (P.O.V.)

I can't believe what happened the past few moments. Right now, I'm trying to help King Yuu by wrapping a bandage on his arm. He has already lost a lot of blood. Someone goes to call Dr. Garrack while I'm doing my best to keep him alive. Unfortunately, the knife is near the heart but luckily not in it.

Zen is fighting with his aides against the man and some soldiers are doing the same thing with his accomplices.

I can't stay here watching him fight and Queen Miki crying. It breaks my heart. Thank goodness, I averted the man from killing the King. At least, the lessons John taught me came in hand.

I have to remember to ask my parents who was this man. It seems that they knew him very well. I wonder if he was an old King Yuu's enemy. Anyway, I'll find it soon.

Finally, the guards take the man and his accomplices to put them into the jail. Zen comes with us to the pharmacy room to stay by his father's side. Both Zen and his mother are crying. I'm helping Dr. Garrack with the bandages and the medicine. She knows I read books about herbs so she wants my help to save the King. I hope my beloved friends will be alright.

My parents are waiting outside the room worried about their friends. They really love Clarines' royal family. I can tell from their face expression.

I wish in this party everyone would have fun until its end. All the citizens are terrified and King Yuu is in a crusial situation.

Please King Yuu, stay strong for your beloved family and for the Clarines' people. We all pray for you!

What will happen to King Yuu? Will he stay alive or the mysterious man killed him? I leave it to your imagination until next time... I hope you enjoyed this chapter and your reviews are welcomed, as always.

See you next time...