Chapter 25: The bonds of Love
It is an ordinary day. The sun is shining above the Clarines citizens who work happily, the children play carelessly filling the streets with their laughter and childish voices. Here and there, the shopkeepers step out to take a deep breath to calm from the many customers they serve. No one can figure out the situation the newly married royal couple dealt with. Everything is back to normal, at least for them. Besides, they keep in mind that more obastacles to overcome means stronger bonds of love. The great thing is they are together through thick and thin.
It's amazing how two people's destiny is being together for the rest of their lives. Everyone has their other half waiting in this world and when the right time comes, they bound like two lost pieces of the life's puzzle. It's remarkable how fate or destiny brings two strangers together to spend time getting to know one another and finally get married. Is meeting the chosen one happening by chance? Everything happens for a reason even if somebody believes it's pure luck.
In the castle, there is silence. The maids work feverishly for the upcoming festival that will be held in the castle's big gardens. This festival's theme is black and white. Every citizen is welcomed and very excited to attend such a highlight event. Shirayuki walks around to see the preparations and hopefully all is okay. In the meanwhile, she searches for Zen as he hasn't appeared from early in the morning. She has asked Mitsuhide, Kiki, Obi, even Ryuu and Dr. Garrack when she paid a visit at the pharmacy. The young girl startes getting worried when a white-haired head shows up between the soldiers. She waits for him to finish his work by leaning on a pillar.
- Good morning Shirayuki, Zen says unconcerned when he recognize her.
- Um... Good morning. How are you?
- Fine.
- ... Okay. Do I disturb you from something?
- In fact, I was about to go to my office to continue my paperwork.
- Then I'm sorry for detaining you.
Shirayuki feels annoyed and disappointed. She knows that her husband and best friend is the Second Prince of Clarines and has piles of work, but at least he could smile at her or be more polite. Zen hasn't ever treated her that way so Shirayuki worries that maybe she could have done something wrong. But again, he wouldn't be that angry. Having lost her nice mood, she heads to her room. Her heart feels heavy and tears threaten her to start flowing unstoppably. It's the first time feeling these emotions for Zen. She cries silently and her shoulders are shaking from sobbing.
No Shirayuki. You don't have the right to feel that way. It's just a misunderstanding, Zen would never be angry at you or if he was, he would tell you what's wrong.
But what if he has lost his interest for me? What if he doesn't love me anymore? What am I supposed to do then?
No girl, don't do this to yourself. Deep down, you know that Zen would never do that for no reason. You are his unique woman that makes him happy every day, he has confirmed it to you many many times.
Maybe that's it. He simply has a lot of going on his mind so he is not in the mood. Yeah, that's it.
Shirayuki talks with herself and finally decides to pay him a visit later, when things will have calm down a bit. After all, the festival is tonight and they have to have fun. After all, a break doesn't harm right? Everything will be just fine... Her mother and mother-in-law are in the living room drinking tea while discussing how they should dress for the night.
- Shirayuki, darling, have you chosen your dress?
- No Mum, not yet.
- But we don't have time to spare. We should hurry find you one. Zen would love seeing you in a beautiful black-and-white ball gown.
Yeah if he still cares. No don't think that way, stupid.
Shirayuki removes these hopeless thoughts by shaking her head and reminding herself to smile. The three women get ready to visit the capital. They know where to find the perfect dresses for tonight. The shop assistant is very helpful and soon enough they have in their hands the dresses.
Shirayuki's gown is black and strapless. The full skirt has little white butterflies all around it giving her a feeling she's flying. Her silver tiara matches her green eyes making them shimmering and her black heels make her more prestigious. She likes it, or to be exact, the correct verb is "love". This may be the most beautiful night gown in her wardrobe. Shirayuki looks forward to wear it and spend a wonderful night with her Zen.
When the carriage reaches the castle, Shirayuki heads to Zen's office. She feels serene but a little nervous. How can someone be composed and nervous at the same time? Neither does she know the answer. Shirayuki knocks the door theee times and waits for an answer.
- Come in.
- Hi Zen. How are you?
- Fine. Sadly I have more and more papers piling up.
- That's tough indeed.
- Yeah. Come here for a bit.
Zen closes his dear wife in his tight hug and they stay like this for a while. Both are lost in the magic of the moment and can't think of anything but themselves in the future. Shirayuki wants to ask Zen if she has done something that has made him angry. She is nervous enough to say the question but she needs to overcome it. Her lungs are filling with air while gathering the right words in her mind. She clears her throat which feels dry and asks him.
- Did I do something wrong?
Zen lifts her chin up to see her in the eyes. Her voice seems broken as well as her feelings. This is the first time he hears her with doubts. What has he done?
- No baby. Everything is okay. Why did it cross your mind?
- Because this morning you seemed annoyed or even angry from my presence. I thought that you might have lost your interest for me. I don't know anymore. I feel like you've been avoiding me the whole time. What's wrong with me Zen? What's wrong?
Now Shirayuki cries, sobs fill the room and her shoulders are shaken by the sobbing. Zen stays still and doesn't know how to comfort her. It wasn't his intention to make her feel that way. It breaks his heart seeing her crying. He caresses her cheek with his thumb and makes the distance between them smaller.
- I'm so sorry Shirayuki. I really didn't desire to make you doubt yourself and our marriage. I just... I just had prepared something for the two of us for tonight and I wanted it to be a surprise. So I started avoiding you to take care of everything and not let you find it out. Will you forgive me?
Shirayuki's hearts beats so fast that it sounds in her ears loudly. Her husband, this lovely young boy whose attitude makes her melt, had prepared a surprise just for her and she thought that he got bored of her.
What a stupid girl I am! How could I even have doubts for him the moment he tries to show me in every possible way his great love for me. I am pathetic... Every day Zen protects me and makes me feel unique while I am here doing nothing. I don't deserve him after all. He is too kind for me. Alright, from tomorrow things will change. I will show him what my love for him actually means! Yes, I will become a very good wife that he'll be proud of me.
Shirayuki mentally pats herself and clinches her fists in determination. Then she looks up at Zen whose eyes were sad and cups his cheek in her palm. Zen closes his eyes and allows himself to feel her touch on his pale skin. The emotions are overflowing within them and the silence says all these words that are untold.
- I'm sorry Zen. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions before asking you. It was partially my fault too. I should have known that you love me more than anyone in this world and yet I behaved like a fool. I should be the one asking for forgiveness.
With these words everything is back to normal and the young couple continues the lovey-dovey things. Zen takes Shirayuki's hand in his own and both look outside the window. After a few minutes, a maid knocks on the door to inform them that launch is ready.
- Zen, I can't wait for tonight!
- Neither do I sweetheart!
Skip time...
It is 6 pm and in about two and a half hours the castle will open its doors to the citizens. Zen and Shirayuki get ready but before that, they give a passionate kiss. Shirayuki puts on her dress, the black heels and the tiara while Zen wears his suit for these occasions. Both are beautiful and look each other in awe. Is it true that beauty lives in everything and everyone? It's true and the sure thing is that it exists in Zen and Shirayuki. The young man leaves his wife to go settle some things with the guards and Shirayuki goes to find the two Queens. It is already 8.20 pm and the whole Clarines has gathered behind the castle's doors. There's happiness on the adult' faces - let alone the kids.
The royal families are in the great hall waiting for the two Kings to vocalize their speech. Tonight, exhilaration will take place in the festival where everybody will be dressed with black, white or both. It is an event which happens every three years. It is an amazing opportunity for all people to come together and have fun. King Yuu is pleased to watch his citizens spend an entertaining night. King Mitsuo approaches him and inform him that its time for their speech.
After the fascinating talk, the crowd splits up in every direction to eat, play the games they have been offered and in general be in a good mood. Zen step closer to Shirayuki and whispers in her ear with his attractive and deep voice that gives chills at Shirayuki's spine. "Follow me" are his words and she does as he says. He kisses her fingers one by one and starts walking slowly. Before reaching the place Zen has been leading her, he covers her eyes with a black fabric and then takes her hand to guide his bright sunshine towards her surprise.
- You can open your eyes now!, Zen states and Shirayuki takes the fabric off.
In front of her, in a spacious room, there's a round table which is set with a white tablecloth. The plates and the cutlery are set on it with such accuracy and, as Shirayuki gets closer, she notices a bouquet with red and blue roses next to a pair of candles. The flowers' colour reminds her of Zen and herself. Across the room, a pianist stands beside the instrument until Zen gives his order to start playing. In a few minutes, the butlers and maids have served their dishes and a little red wine in their glasses.
Shirayuki feels blissful, full of joy. Her whole being has relaxed under the classical music that fills the air and the piano tiles sound like a miraculously erotic voice for her ears. The food on her plate looks delicious and the red wine sure awakes all the human senses. Some tears of joy are on her eyes' edges that would run down her cheeks if she didn't oppress them. It was a nice moment to just ruin it with cries.
- You are incredibly perfect!, Shirayuki says with her voice lower from normal but loud enough for Zen to hear her. You made all these just for me. I know I'm not the best wife you could have but I'll try to be one. How can I pay you back for this pleasure you offered me?
Zen shakes his head in deny. He is flattered from her words but she is wrong about one thing.
- It was nothing. It's my pleasure to see your smile that makes my heart skips a beat when a nice warmth gets all over my body and mind that I can't think anything else besides you. You are the only person who I want to gladden no matter what. And you made a mistake before. You are not the best wife but the best of the best wives in this world. Keep that in mind! I know that every day you do your best to cope with your duties and, above all, to be there for me. If I hadn't you in my life, I'd be miserable.
He stops for a few seconds and then with a tricky smile appearing on his face slowly, he adds:
- As for the reward you mentioned earlier... Well, there's one thing you could do for me.
Shirayuki flushes in an instant and now looks like the red roses from the bouquet in front of her. When Zen has that look on his face she knows what he means. He stands up from his chair and steps closer to Shirayuki. Then he whispers in her ear with his sensual low voice "I want you!". Shirayuki feels her body burning just from hearing his voice and the slight touch on her shoulders.
- Shall we dance?, Zen reaches his hand out towards his girl with his voice back to normal.
- You're so...
- So?, he raises his eyebrow innocently.
- So mean, Shirayuki pouts her face.
She takes her husband's hand and leads her to the dance floor. A slow waltz is echoing throughout the room, the piano gives its velvet tones away to the people like the most precious present ever made. Music can relax, boost confidence and so many things but the most important is that music does binds people together, especially when the two are in love! Shirayuki has rested her head on Zen's chest listening to his heart's beating. It is more calming than the classical music they hear even now.
- Zen, you can't imagine how much I love you this moment. My heart hurts from the excessive amount of love I carry inside me for you... I love you, my man!
- I love you too, my heart!
Their kisses are fiery and impassioned. Their hearts are slowly melting under the deep affection's flame. When they finish their dance along with the dinner, the couple goes for a walk to see the festival. As they walk by the Clarines citizens, the latter bow with respect to the royal members. There are several events all around and Zen and Shirayuki find themselves enjoy their time there. A merchant stands near them and offers to Zen a wonderful necklace with little golden flowers on it and a ruby in the middle.The jewel seems to have put a bright and wide smile on Shirayuki's face. She will cherish it, after all it's a gift from her other half.
After a long walk in the castle's gardens, they decide to go back to their room. There, Shirayuki takes off her shoes that have hurt her toes and lies on the bed. Surprisingly, Zen gets on top of her and looks down at his beautiful Snowhite with his sly look.
- Won't you take off your dress? Or do you want me to do it for you?
- I don't know. What do you suggest mister?
Zen thinks about it as he already knows the answer.
- Hmmm... Well, I'd rather take it off myself.
The rest of the night is spent with lots of emotional kisses and lasting hugs. The feeling of touching the person you care about is thrilling. With only a single touch, hundreds of emotions overwhelm throughout your body, let alone the heart itself. Being able to hold within your arms the person you yearn all day for a glimpse of him is wonderful. Only then you feel completed, when your Chosen, the One the destiny has decided for you, exists beside you.
There will be times when everything is hidden in the dark and you can't see anything. The darkness will scare you and you'll feel like giving up while your soul will abandon you. But never lose hope because where there's dark, light also subsists. Someone will come with a candle, the flame will lighten the place around. At first, you won't know what's going on and who's the one with the candle, or to be precise, the hope. But as the time passes, your eyes will adjust and that's when you'll see the light coming and splash your soul all over. That person will be the One who will bring you the joy and the love you need to get away from the desperate situation you are. Love is a strong power in this world. Love is stronger than a wrestler, stronger than the nature. Love is stronger than anything! Because this power lives into the human body, the mind and the soul. It guides us to our decisions and choices, what's right and wrong.
The young couple will always be powerful as long as there is faith between them. Only they can decide the future that belongs to them. Is it destiny or some kind of magic the one which helps them move on? Well, you could say that everyone has their own little angel that helps them carry on their lives... But the important thing is to believe in ourselves. That's what Zen and Shirayuki do all the time and that's why they are still together. But, everyone knows that the word "together" cannot stand on its own so we put next to it one more word. The whole phrase is "together forever" and it's true!
The bonds of Love are upstanding and provide a unique security to those who have them... Just love!
- I love you, Shirayuki!
- I love you, Zen!
Shirayuki's eyes wander to Zen's eyes and find something that no one else holds. And this is tenderness!
- We will be together forever!, they say as their pinky fingers are crossed to make the promise.
Hello! There is one more chapter to go and sadly it's the last one. This chapter is one of my favourite and as I was writing it, I felt excitement and delight. I hope that you felt it too! As always, you can tell me your thoughts in the comments and above all thank you for reading my story :)
See you next time...