Ruthergent Kingdom, Library…

Shirayuki spent quite a long time inside the library of Ruthergent Kingdom, yet she still couldn't find the clue about the cure for Gehendra disease. A sigh escaped her lips as she closed the book in her hand. She never felt so frustrated before. Another sigh escaped her lips as Shirayuki rested her back to the chair. Her eyes staring at the grand design of the ceiling in that library, her mind wondered helplessly without a course.

The dark shadow that was hanging above this kingdom was too thick, not to mention that shadow was even darker in Ray's heart, Shirayuki couldn't lift it by merely being kind. Then her mind set on one man, the one who plagued her dreams, the one she missed so much.

Zen..

Shirayuki wondered how he was doing right now. He must have been worried and Shirayuki knew that he couldn't just come here and saved her. After all, her abduction was one by the King of Ruthergent Kingdom. Such matter like rescuing her and Ryu needed Prince Izana's permission and Shirayuki doubted the older prince would just give his permission easily. Rescuing meant that they had to infiltrate the kingdom and with every route –according to the guards—were closed, Shirayuki doubted that Zen could infiltrate the kingdom.

'Even if he comes and rescue me.. I won't leave this place..'

'Not when this kingdom is in jeopardy..'

Shirayuki mused. She felt guilty for making this decision but as a pharmacist, Shirayuki wouldn't look the other way when people needed her help. She just hoped that Zen would understand her decision.

After a quite long moment of silence, Shirayuki pushed the thought of Zen to the back of her mind. Thinking about it wouldn't do any good for her right now. Finding the cure was her top priority at the moment. Standing up from her seat, Shirayuki walked to the deepest part of the library to get more books. Her hand reached to the books at the corner when something caught her eyes. A gleam of golden color could be seen behind the books that were lined up disorderly.

"hmm?" Shirayuki made a humming sound and turned her body to see it better. "A Box?"

Having curiosity got the best of her, Shirayuki removed the books and got the box out. She stared at the texture, it was engraved in a letters she couldn't recognize. Probably ancient letters. After investigating the box from all direction, Shirayuki couldn't find any slot for the key.

"Why there is no key?" she muttered in confusion, "Then how did the person lock the box?"

"What are you doing here?" A voice caught her off guard and it made Shirayuki yelped.

Turning around, she saw Reinhart staring at her with confusion painted in his face. Letting out a sigh of relief, Shirayuki lifted the golden box in her hands. "This.." She said showing Reinhart what was in her hand.

"I found this behind those books over there" Shirayuki said.

"This box, I have never seen this before" Reinhart took it from her hand and scanned carefully.

"I can't find the keyhole" Shirayuki said while staring at Reinhart. "How is it locked I wonder"

"It is locked by Alchemy" Reinhart pointed at the engraving. "Ancient language"

"Can you read it?" asked Shirayuki,

"Hmm… I can but it's quite hard" Reinhart replied and narrowed his eyes, trying to read the ancient words.

"Let see.. it is said.. 'Only Royal Blood… Can Open This Box..'" Reinhart said

"Only that?" Shirayuki asked, "Only royal blood.. can open this box… You are a royal blood right, Ray?"

Reinhart nodded, paying attention to how Shirayuki engrossed herself to the puzzle. Her thirst for knowledge was clearly shown on her beautiful face, making his heart ached. If only he had met her sooner, her heart could be his.

"Look!"

Shirayuki's voice snapped Reinhart from his deep thought. His emerald eyes now focused on her finger that was pointing a tiny hole at the center of the top of the box. Reinhart blinked for a short moment before narrowing his eyes.

"A drop of blood could enter this hole" Reinhart said and put the box on the marble floor. He took a small knife that was placed on his leg, hidden behind the trouser of his official garment. Placing the tip of the knife on his finger, Reinhart made a small cut over the skin and blood was dripping from it.

As he dropped a few into the tiny hole, the box made clicking sound then some mechanical gears sound could be heard soon after. Reinhart and Shirayuki stared at the box carefully, anticipating what was going to happen next. Then.. the lid was opened and Reinhart touched it, carefully opened it. It turned out a scroll and a book were inside. Shirayuki took the scroll and open it.

"Ray" She spoke and showed the scroll to him. "It's a letter"

Taking the scroll off her hand, Reinhart started reading the scroll. His eyes widened in surprised as he continued reading it. His mouth parted as he started to read it for Shirayuki.

Dear The Carrier of Royal Blood.

I wrote this letter in hope that it will be useful in the future. My name is Lucas Edenburg, the third prince of King Issac Edenburg, The fifth King of Ruthergent Kingdom. Today I leave the palace to pursue the knowledge of Alchemy. I believe there is more to Alchemy than what I have seen in the palace.

Carrier of the royal blood, you must have known the power of Alchemy. Alchemy can produce magnificent things but also can be the destruction of this world. Along with this letter is the book I created myself. I pour all my knowledge and my research about Alchemy inside.

The reason why I left this book is because maybe you are having trouble with ancient disease such as Gehendra, Pandora and Lunrite. Believe it or not, Alchemy often draws people to a wrong path.

Please do use this book wisely. I, Lucas Edenburg wish you all the best. May Goddess Iris bless Ruthergent Kingdom until the end of time.

Third prince of King Issac Edenburg

Lucas Edenburg

Shirayuki gasped and turned her gaze to face Reinhart. Hope could be seen on his face and it was reflected on her face as well. Reaching for the book, Shirayuki opened it and started flipping the pages until she found the section about Gehendra disease.

"Here!"

Shirayuki pointed at the page and started reading it out loud for Reinhart. "Gehendra disease is an ancient disease that is caused by consuming Demon's Blood herb. The herb allows a person to be strong but the side effect is too dangerous. The herb will stimulate a person's body and transform it into the body of a demon. There is only one way to cure this disease, by using Erthias Herb or known as 'Angel's tear'."

Shirayuki turned her head back at Reinhart and smiled when she saw the hopeful look on his face.

"This is it" said Reinhart and took the book of Shirayuki's hand. "This is the answer that we seek! Let us inform the others as well!"

Nodding to Reinhart's words, Shirayuki followed him to the door. However their steps faltered when Yue entered stormed into the library.

"Your Majesty!"

"Yue? What's with the ruckus?" Asked Reinhart, being alarmed due to Yue's frantic expression.

"Zen Wisteria!"

Shirayuki held her breath, her eyes stared at Yue with anticipation as Yue continued speaking.

"Zen Wisteria has come to the palace!"

Shirayuki stood still, couldn't believe what she just heard. Zen had come to Ruthergent palace. He had come..

"Shirayuki.."

Reinhart's voice snapped Shirayuki from her daze. Meeting his eyes, Shirayuki saw his serious expression that was mixed with determination.

"Promise me that you won't interfere what I am about to do"

"What did you mean? Wait.. Are you going to harm Zen?" Shirayuki asked, fear was seen on her eyes.

"You'll see" Reinhart said as he walked ahead of her, exiting the library.

Yue and Shirayuki shared nervous glance before following his step. In Shirayuki's mind, she prayed that whatever was in Reinhart's mind wasn't something as cruel as killing Zen.

.

.

.

Zen was standing in front of the Palace entrance with Kiki, Mitsuhide and Obi covered his back while Melody stood next to him with swords in her hands. Erthias cowered behind Melody's back. Aside from Erthias, all of them had alarmed expression on their face and the reason for that was because they had surrounded by Ruthergent Royal Army.

The moment Zen announced his identity in front of the entrance and demanded an audience with the King of Ruthergent, Royal army started surrounded the group in alarming state. Of course they were ignoring Erthias who responded like a maiden who got fooled in her marriage by saying "Yer not Haruka?! So ya lied?! I trusted ya man!"

"This is bad, Master" said Obi, scanning the soldiers, his eyes was searching a particular figure among crowd.

"Maybe this is a wrong move Zen." Mitsuhide said while being on guard.

Zen was about to reply to Mitsuhide but Melody cut his chance.

"Heh," Melody grinned widely, "No need to be scared over something like this. All we gotta do is kicking their ass and be done with it"

As expected of Melody, even in this situation she didn't show any fear on her face. Sighing softly to her somewhat vulgar words, Zen spoke his mind "No need for that"

"What made you so sure, Zen?" asked Kiki, glancing at him from the corner of her eyes.

"Because.." Zen let out a excited smile that matched with Melody's when he saw Reinhart appeared at the entrance with Shirayuki and Yue behind him. This was just like in a play, a prince came to take his beloved woman from the hand of an evil King.

"I know he is not that shallow of a man"

"Cease your weapons!" Ordered Reinhart, the royal army followed his command in an instant.

Reinhart stared at Zen, even just by standing, Zen could feel the aura of a mighty King coming from him. Looks like his big brother was right, the man in front of him really had the same aura as his big brother Izana.

"I didn't think you will come in this way but as expected of you, I guess" Reinhart walked closer toward the group and stopped with a slight distance between them.

"I have come for Shirayuki and Ryu along with a proposal for Ruthergent Kingdom from my brother." Explained Zen.

Reinhart snorted softly, "His Highness Izana, huh..? I knew he has seen through my scheme"

Zen let out a little smile as a respond to Reinhart's words. He didn't deny the fact that his big brother was a sharp person.

"Zen Wisteria" Reinhart whose expression returned to being cold and serious called out Zen's name.

"I challenge you to a duel. If you win, then you can take Shirayuki and Ryu away from this kingdom but If I win.." Reinhart's eyes had a sharp glint in it.

"Shirayuki and Ryu will stay here and become part of the royal family."

Heavy silence fell, filled with tense atmosphere. Zen stared at Reinhart for a while, he could feel the heavy stares came from his aides and Melody as they waited to hear what kind of response he would give the King.

"I accept the challenge" Finally Zen gave his reply.

This was an official Royal Challenge..

The one that will cost life of that royal..

AUTHOR'S NOTE :

Yep, I have returned once again. Sorry for the long delay, My father got into an accident and from there, things started going haywire that I lost the will to write again.

Now I return with this chapter, hope I still have the skill. I am trying to get my writer soul once again. It felt empty since I lost it now I am trying so hard to get it back.

I try to write the next chapter as soon as possible and do forgive me if I seems to lost my touch. I hope not though XD

Anyway! Please do enjoy this chapter if you can. Hope to see you again! ^^)/