Chapter 18: The right thing (part 2
The sun rises upon Clarines and the citizens start their work. It is a bright day and everyone smiles happily! There isn't a single cloud in the blue sky so the sunlight is all over the country. In the castle, the maids work as always but there is a strange atmosphere around the royal families, every single person can sense that.
Zen is in his office signing some documents and Mitsuhide and Kiki help him as he tries to distract himself from the current situation. Shirayuki walks around the gardens and in the herb building along with Obi. She helps Dr. Garrack with a new medicine and Ryuu teaches her some methods in order to make it perfect. The two kings discuss about political matters and their wives talk about some festivals that will take place this month in Clarines. All of them seem to not care about the whole situation but inside their heads they try to find a solution.
Why is everyone unconcerned? I mean that I desperately try to figure something out to solve the problem but everybody else seem to not mind the things as they are now. If only someone could help me... I don't want to tell Zen what I'm thinking because I don't desire to tire him with my own thoughts. I wish my father wouldn't be so stubborn and could hear me and my feelings once in a while. Zen promised me that he would make me his wife someday and I trust him! I believe that he wasn't lying to me, he is very honest with his feelings. I love him so much that I could give my life away for him, I'd do anything for him!
Shirayuki thinks about stuff like these all day but she can't find the solution. In the other hand, Zen decides to approach King Mitsuo once more and this time he will make him give to Zen Shirayuki's hand. At least that's what he believes...
- Zen, don't give up. Think about Shirayuki and I'm sure you will make it! You are brave enough to ask her father to marry her..., Mitsuhide tries to give him courage.
- You're right. I have fought so many evil men that I don't have to surrender now.
Zen is so sure that in the end Shirayuki would stand beside him as his wife and only love. The only thing he needs to do is to talk with Tanbarun's King Mitsuo. How hard can it be? Zen gathers his courage and heads to where the King is. He finds him in front of a big glass partition looking outside.
- My lord, his highness Zen has come to see you, the butler announces.
- I know. Please leave us alone for a bit.
- As you wish my lord!
There is silence into the room as none of them talks. Zen wonders how will he speak to him, what will he say...
- Zen, do you know why I don't let my daughter to marry you?
Zen didn't expect something like this to be asked but he answers anyway without hesitation.
- Besause you want to be allies with Kareni's Kingdom or else there will be war, sir.
- That's right, you're a smart boy. And then why are you insisting on making her your wife?, he asks calmly while continuing looking out of the windows.
- Because I love her and I promised, not only to her but to myself too, that someday she would stand by my side as my wife and I'd love her forever, sir.
Zen is not afraid of him and tells him how he really feels for Shirayuki. He meant every word he said and in the end he is sure that he would keep his promise.
- My king, you may be right about the war and stuff but you should take your daughter's feelings and mine as well into consideration. Are you ready to ruin the lives of two young people who love each other with all their heart? Because I won't let such thing to happen, Zen states bravely.
King Mitsuo turns to face Prince Zen as a little boy. But instead he sees a young man who tries to marry the woman he truly loves! There is determination into his blue eyes and he is ready to do anything in order to achieve his goal.
- Zen, I understand how much you love my daughter and that you're ready to do anything for her. As a king, I must consider my Kingdom's future and then Shirayuki's one. As a father, I have to do the exact opposite. I fight with myself every moment I think about this but I can't choose a role because either way someone will be sad. Well, this time I have made my decision and it's definite and final.
King Mitsuo straightens his body and with a formal expression on his face speaks his decision.
- Prince Zen Wistaria... I, King Mitsuo, will give you my daughter's hand if you give me your word that you will protect her no matter what and love her with all your heart.
Zen opens his eyes widely in shock and then bows in front of his future father-in-law with great respect.
- I give you my word King Mitsuo that I will make Shirayuki the happiest woman in the world. I will protect her with all my might and love her until I die!
Both of them smile and feel relieved after all that said. The world has brightened and their eyes shine under the sunlight. After that, they shake hands and head to the dining room to have lunch and announce to the others the good news.
After ten minutes, the members of the two royal families gather around the table to have lunch. The maids serve them and eat quietly without anyone speaking. King Mitsuo and Zen look each other secretly to decide when is the best moment to tell the others what they decided. Shirayuki and the two Queens sit there, eat and wonder why there is so much silence. King Yuu and Izana have figured out what King Mitsuo and Zen want to do and they stay quiet until they speak. Shirayuki's father clears his throat and starts talking.
- About half an hour ago, Zen came to find me and talk about Shirayuki and her future with him together.
Everyone awaits for him to continue and curiosity has overwhelmed them. No one had expected to hear King Mitsuo saying something like that. They look at him in the eyes with great attention.
- Ar first I didn't want my daughter to marry Zen as it was more important to become allies with Kareni's Kingdom but I was wrong. I didn't put in priority Shirayuki's feelings so she felt despaired.
Now he turns to look in his beautiful daughter's green eyes with a sad look.
- Shirayuki, I'm so sorry I ruined your youth and pressured you to live with someone you barely know. That was my biggest mistake! Please forgive me for what I've done to you... I finally found what I should have done earlier and that is to let you marry your dear Zen... As your father, I give your hand to him and wish you to be happy forever, my little and sweet girl!
Shirayuki is shocked by her father's words and can't believe what she heard just now. She burst into tears and hugs her father. Words are unnecessary and feelings need to be shown by actions. Zen falls down on his knee and brings out from his pocket a little box and opens it.
- Shirayuki, will you marry me?, he smiles to her.
Shirayuki faces him with a big smile and tears in the edges of her eyes ready to roll down her cheeks.
- Yes, yes, yes... A thousand times "yes"!!!, she hugs him tightly and Zen puts on her finger the diamond ring he chose especially for his one and only love.
Zen feels so happy that he wants to scream feom the exhilaration and tell everyone about the wonderful news. Shirayuki feels something very big in her chest that she isn't able to describe but she knows it has been created by the excessive happiness and the overflowing emotions! Zen and Shirayuki, those childhood friends that have got over so many obstacles, now can be together forever without having anyone against them. It's an important and wonderful moment, a moment that both of the two young people waited for so long and their parents feel so proud of their little children because for them, Zen and Shirayuki will always be little and cute.
- Congratulations!, Queen Miki and Queen Hitomi say together to their children. We hope you can live happily and we will be by your side so if you need something, don't hesitate to ask for it!
Izana comes near the young couple and congratulates them. Zen feels happy that his big brother said to him something so nice. They hadn't have such a good relationship five years ago, but now they treat one another like real brothers. King Yuu does the same as his older son and tells Izana that he should find someone to marry as well soon. Izana laughs and then reassures him that someday he'll marry a good woman.
In the afternoon, the two childhood friends tell their friends the news and Obi teases Zen as always. Mitsuhide is ready to cry and Kiki congratulates them. The three of them leave the couple alone under the apple tree. None of them speaks as they want to enjoy each other's company. They are hugged and watch the sunset.
- Zen, you can't imagine how happy I feel right now!
- I can imagine it Shirayuki, because I feel exactly the same!
- I'm afraid that this is just a dream and I'll wake up in any moment. Please tell me this isn't a dream...
- No, this isn't a dream. You will be my wife and we will live together! I love you my beautiful lady..., Zen kisses his love.
- I love you too my love!, Shirayuki kisses him back.
They look each other's pretty eyes and feel the love arising from their heart. The sun have set completely and the moon lights on their faces. Their eyes sparkle under the light of the stars and every single life on this planet is glad that the two teenagers are finally together. The nature tries to make the night even more romantic with the birds singing and the tree leaves rustling while the air passes through them.
- Shall we dance?, Zen asks her.
- With great pleasure!, she answers and Zen helps her stand.
They begin dancing with the nature's song. Shirayuki remembers that this happened at that place Obi suggested when Zen wanted to surprise her.
- Zen... You know, this hap-
- I know Shirayuki. I remember it well enough. That night was one of my favourite... Being with you is the best thing I could ever imagine!
He kisses her cheek and Shirayuki blushes. Her face is bright red which under the moonlight it becomes cuter. Zen loves making Shirayuki blushing. Her blushing is the most beautiful thing in the world! No, wait... She is the most beautiful woman in the world!!! There's nothing more lovely than her...
None of them can express their love with words good enough but their actions and emotions show more than they could say. Anyone can tell that they are the perfect couple and no one can say the opposite!
Hey guys!!! Here is one of my favourite chapters and I hope you liked it too... While I was writing it, I felt so happy and a tear rolled down my cheek as my ship was kissing each other. I can reassure you that this story has many more chapters so you have to be prepared for the following chapters! Please leave your thoughts by reviewing and tell me what you really think of it... I want to thank everyone for your support because you give me courage to continue writing this story. Well, have a nice day!!!
See you next time...