Chapter 2 – The Mysterious Guest
The Next Day...
Zen was signing the paperwork on his desk, a distatisfied look was clearly shown on his face. Mitsuhide glanced at him nervously from the side while arranging the book in the bookcase. Something was diffinitely wrong. Leaning closer to his blonde partner, Mitsuhide whispered "Oi Kiki.. What's wrong with Zen? Isn't he supposed to be in a better mood than yesterday after meeting with Shirayuki?"
"Well, he met shirayuki last night in a herb garden Indeed" Kiki replied cooly "but it's because of that, his mood becomes worse now"
"Huh?" Mitsuhide responded, clearly confused.
Kiki sighed softly, "..Shirayuki explained how she met a stranger at town yesterday and how she was kissed on the cheek.." Kiki glanced slightly to Zen before continuing her work "Well, Zen acted cooly last night because he didn't want to make Shirayuki worry but it was all just an act"
"ahh.. so that means he is sulking right now?" Mitsuhide replied
"I am not sulking!" Zen slammed his hand on the table, a nerve was popping on his forehead. "I just don't like how other guy can easilly kiss Shirayuki!" he said in annoyance.
"In other words.. S.U.L.K.I.N.G" Kiki replied, her face didn't show any expression but somehow Mitsuhide knew she was teasing him.
"I told you I am not!" Zen slumpped to his seat in annoyance.
Mitsuhide smiled gently, Zen was acting so childish right now but Mitsuhide somehow understood why he felt that way. After all, the red hair pharmacist was a beauty, but not as beautiful as 'certain' someone he knew. From the first meeting, Mitsuhide had an inkling that Zen was taken by Shirayuki's existence. Maybe it was from the hair at first, even Mitsuhide admitted that red hair was totally captivating but having a beautiful hair did not count if the owner did not have a beautiful heart either. The one that made Zen fell head over heels was Shirayuki's heart and personality.
"Are you worried?" Mitsuhide asked, taking the books that were on the desk. "That Shirayuki will be kidnapped again?"
Zen sighed as he stood up from the chair, turning around to face the window. "..Yes.." he answered flatly.
Kiki and Mitsuhide shared a knowing look and smiled. "Don't worry, She will be safe in Clarines.." Mitsuhide said, trying to ease Zen uneasiness.
"..I hope so.." Zen frowned "..She revealed her hair to a stranger, Shirayuki can be slow sometimes.. or too trusting.. or too innocent.."
"Make up your mind and choose the right word already Zen" Mitsuhide muttered softly
"shut up!" Zen replied with a scowl then sighed. "..I just don't want her to go to a place where I can't reach her.." Zen continued, admitting the weakness in his heart.
"..I.." Zen clenched a fist "..Can't bear the thought of losing her.." He whispered softly then chuckled soon after "..I am such a softy huh?" he asked, turning his head to Mitsuhide
"No" Mitsuhide smiled, clearly proud of Zen "..It shows how much you love her, Zen"
Zen gave a grateful smile "Thank you, Mitsuhide.."
Knock! Knock!
"excuse me" a palace personel walked into the office. "Your highness Zen, His Highness Izana wants to meet you"
Zen frowned "Big Brother?"
"Yes, Please go to his office"
"I see, Thank you. You are dismissed" Zen replied and the personel bowed before leaving the room.
"I wonder what is wrong.." Mitsuhide muttered.
"Well, Maybe he has another work for Zen" Kiki said
Zen sighed "another work huh?" He walked to the door, Mitsuhide and Kiki followed behind him "He really loves pushing people around"
"It shows how he loves you, Zen" Mitsuhide grinned.
"Shut up" Zen scowled at him.
The three of them headed toward Izana's office, wondering what kind of work Izana would give them.
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"Have you heard?" Garak, the head royal pharmacist spoke suddenly. She glanced at Ryu and Shirayuki from over the paper that covered her face. "A guest from another Kingdom will come today"
"Eh?" Shirayuki stopped her hand that was holding the book, the book was halfway into the bookcase. "Another Kingdom? Is it Tanburn?"
"No" Garak said "It's Ruthergent Kingdom"
"Ruthergent?" Ryu asked
"Yes, A Kingdom that is famous for it's alchemy and technology" said Garak "A Kingdom that is located far to east of Clarines"
"Heee" Shirayuki responded "I wonder what kind of thing Alchemy is" she muttered, clearly interested.
"Well If you don't know then can't blame you, since alchemy is a very rare knowledge after all" Garak said, placing back the papers on the table "It's Pharmacy but in advance level.. Pharmacy using herbs and plants to cure disease but Alchemy used all things and the result of it not only medicine but also can be use as a lethal weapon.."
Ryu frowned slightly looking at Garak's expression. "It seems you don't like it.. Alchemy.."
Garak smiled sadly "..For me.. Alchemy is like the opposite of Pharmacy.. The medicine that is created from Alchemy, some of it take a toll on human body.." She sighed softly "For me.. It's like curing a person with a poison.."
Shirayuki turned silent, "I see.. sounds dangerous, huh?" she muttered. It was a given for Garak to act that way, As a pharmacist herself, Shirayuki also did not want to cure a person like that. But... The fact about Alchemy still intrigued her, this kind of knowledge always tingled her curiosity.
"So?" Ryu's voice pulled Shirayuki from her reverie. "Why they suddenly want to visit Clarines?"
"Well I don't know the details, but It seems that a new king has accended the throne and the king is making a visit to other kingdoms for trading purpose.. Well.. Maybe" She added
Ryu and Shirayuki tilted their heads, "Maybe?" they asked
Garak waved her hand "Nah, It's nothing.. Oh! But I heard that The New King is young! He is just a year older than His Highness Zen"
"Heee" Shirayuki only gave that as a response. She really wondered what kind of person the King of Ruthergent was, If the King was just only a year older then Zen, then both Zen and the King could be friends.
"Ah.. Shirayuki" Ryu called her out "After finishing the job here, we need to go to the herb garden later"
"Okay Ryu" Shirayuki replied, pushing the thought about the King from Ruthergent Kingdom, Shirayuki decided to finish her work in time. No need to think about a person who most likely she would never meet.
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The carriage from Ruthergent Kingdom slowly moved closer toward the palace. The flag which showed a golden shield with a white feather on the center under the red color background danced swiftly due to the soft breeze. Yes, That was the flag of Ruthergent Kingdom.
"They're here Zen" Mitsuhide said
"Yes" Zen replied.
Finally the carriage stopped and the door was opened. A male with long golden hair that reached to his shoulder came out after a tall attendant with short, silky brown hair. His emerald eyes stared at Zen and the aides on each sides.
"Welcome to Clarines, Your Majesty King Reinhart" Zen extended his hand.
"Thank you, Your Highness Prince Zen" Ray welcomed the hand and both of them shook hand firmly before letting it go. "Clarines is really such a beautiful place"
"I am honored you feel that way" Zen smiled politely, "Unfortunately, My brother can't meet you today due to urgent business he had in other region. Until he returns, he wants you to stay at the palace and enjoy the things we have in Clarines"
Ray chuckled softly "Ah, no need to hurry.. I have come a long way from home to see the beauty that Clarines holds. It is my fault that I visit so suddenly like this"
"Well then, You must be tired from the journey" Zen said "I shall show you to your room right now"
"ah! Before that.. It is said that Clarines has many promising pharmacists, May I greet them before I retire to my room?" Ray smiled politely.
"Oh.. Of course" Zen said, frowning slightly. It was a weird request but A request was still a request. "This way then" he said as he led Reinhart and his Attendant toward the Pharmacist's quarter.
"It seems you are interested in Pharmacy, Your majesty" Zen spoke as they on their way to the Pharmacist's quarter.
"Well, I am.. Rumor has it that Clarines has advance knowledge in pharmacy, that's is why I am curious to know about it" Ray answered.
"I see, well I hope you can find the knowledge interesting after you see it" Zen smiled, knowing that most aristocrats didn't really understand about Pharmacy and finding the knowledge was too much for their brains.
As they walked pass the herb garden, giggled was heard and Ray stopped walking instantly. He knew the voice indeed, it was the voice of a person he wanted to see. He turned his head and saw a red haired girl with a a boy much younger than her, they were busy picking up herbs and put it on the basket.
"Ryu, sometimes you are too absorbed in your study" Shirayuki said, still giggling.
Ryu blushed slightly "..This is just who I am.."
Zen noticed that Ray had stopped walking and paid attention to Shirayuki and Ryu. "Ah, they are also Royal pharmacists.. Let me Introduce you to th—"
Ray walked closer toward Shirayuki and Ryu without hearing Zen finishing his words. Shirayuki noticed a guy with golden hair walked closer, her eyes widened in surprise. Why? Because the one who walked closer and stopped in front of her was not the guy who wore clothes as traveling swordsman, instead the guy was wearing a clothes of royality.
"...R-Ray..?" Shirayuki muttered.
"Yo, Shirayuki~" Ray grinned "How are you doing~?"
Zen was surprised hearing the King of Ruthergent spoke so familiarly with Shirayuki. "Shirayuki, You know King Reinhart?" he asked
"King?" Shirayuki was surprised even more, Ray on the other hand was grinning like mad. He clearly enjoyed the reaction Shirayuki gave him.
'So The Mysterious Guest is.. Ray?" Shirayuki mused.
'Shirayuki, how come you know King Reinhart?' Zen mused
'Such a lovely reaction, Shirayuki.. My dear flame hair Maiden' Reinhart mused.
Now that Ray had revealed his real identity, what was the reason for him to come to Clarines? What did he want with Shirayuki? The fate between the three of them had begun, slowly would reveal the dark cloud that could threaten Zen and Shirayuki's relationship...
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Okay, the second chapter of this story has finished! :D Thank you for the people who follow my story and add it as favorite, you know who you are! :D Please give me review for the second chapter, I need more opinion for the next chapter! :D Love and Peace!