That night at dinner, I felt Prince Zen glare at me. I couldn't understand why he was making a bigger deal out of it than his brother.
"What did you think of her skills, Zen?" Prince Izana inquired.
That question alone told me he had probably watched the match, or someone told him about our duel.
"She's more skilled than I expected."
"I held my own for about an hour, then he caught me on a careless mistake."
I heard Prince Zen mumble something under his breath, but I couldn't make it out.
"Sounds like you two had fun then." Prince Izana concluded.
"There's nothing 'fun' about this!" Prince Zen shouted as he stood up. "I'm going to get some air." He made his way to the door.
"Zen!" Shirayuki called.
He didn't stop and slammed the door as he left. Shirayuki stood up to go after him.
"Wait, I'll go after him. I think there're some things he needs to hear from me." I told her and I signaled her to stay.
It took a few minutes, but I finally found him sitting in a tree in a nearby courtyard. I pulled my dress off and was in my men's clothes. I climbed up the tree and sat on a nearby branch that was almost parallel to the one he was on.
"Prince Zen, why do you have such distaste for me? I know it has something to do with my time on the pirate ship, but your brother seems to have moved past that. So why can't you?"
He just stared off into space like I wasn't even there.
"Something happened with Shirayuki didn't it?" I prodded.
"It wasn't long ago that I had to rescue her from pirates."
"I see." I had seen the way they looked at each other. It was plain to see, that they were in love. He was silent again. Obviously, his encounter with the pirates had been more than your average encounter with them.
"Prince Zen, if I came across anyone, who had a history with bandits, I can assure you I would be upset, just like you are now. Everyone has at least one thing they're not proud of, or that they regret. Running away was reckless and selfish. I'm not proud of my actions that led to being on that pirate ship, but it's a part of me now. If you were to take that away, then I wouldn't be the same person. I believe those experiences have actually made me a better person. I hope that in time, you'll be able to see me for who I am now, and not who I was."
Prince Zen was still silent. I couldn't tell if my words changed his mind at all, but I could see that he was thinking about them. His stomach let out a loud growl that caused him to blush. I burst out laughing.
Once I composed myself, I leapt out of the tree and back onto the ground. I looked up at him. "Come on. Let's go enjoy the rest of our dinner. We can always talk more later."
"Very well." He leapt down.
I put my dress back on and smoothed out the wrinkles.
After we entered the dining room and sat down, Shirayuki was the first to say something.
"Is everything alright, Zen?"
"I'm fine." his stomach growled again. "I'm just hungry."
I looked at Prince Izana and saw him smiling at me. I wanted to tell him everything that had been said, but I knew now wasn't the time. If he wanted to know I'm sure he would ask me.
After dinner, I went to my room, tossed my dress on the bed, then headed to the training courtyard. I grabbed one of the practice swords and trained. I practiced the move that Prince Zen had caught me on; I also picked up my speed. As I swung my sword I felt my frustration rise. I know Prince Zen had a good reason to distrust pirates, but I was no longer a pirate! So why was he treating me like one?! I mean, at least he was able to save Shirayuki! I wasn't given that luxury!
I spun around to deliver another blow to my imaginary opponent, but instead I struck another sword. It was Prince Izana.
"Care for a partner?"
"Yes, please."
We then clashed swords as we talked.
"Has my brother got under your skin?" he asked.
"You could say that."
"Did it have to do with the conversation you had?"
"Yes and no. He listened, but I'm not sure my words reached him. I just don't get why he's so sensitive about pirates. I know he said they took Shirayuki, but she's still here! He should be grateful! He has no idea how hard life can really be out there!"
Swords continued to clash.
"You're referring to the death of your mother and little sister, aren't you?"
"Yes. I wasn't strong enough to protect them. There was no one there to save the day." I stood down, closed my eyes and let the tears flow down my face. I felt Prince Izana's strong arms wrap around me. I dropped my sword and clung to him. He didn't say anything, he just let me cry. I felt safe in his arms and I eventually began to settle down.
"Feel better?"
"Yes."
"Give Zen some time. He'll warm up."
"You really think so?" I pulled away just enough to look into his beautiful sapphire eyes. He gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back, then I saw that I had soaked his shirt with my tears. "I'm sorry, my Prince, I've made your shirt wet."
"It's nothing that can't be cleaned."
Our eyes were locked and I felt my knees go weak. Prince Izana was exactly the person I needed with me right now. I was beginning to believe there was something being created from our time together. If I was honest, I was falling head over heels for him. I only hoped he felt the same way. He grabbed my chin with his thumb and first finger and began moving his face towards mine.
"Lord Brother."
Of course! Prince Zen would have to be the one to interrupt us. Prince Izana completely released me from his embrace.
"What is it, Zen?"
"I would like to speak with you."
"I'll leave you two alone." I gave a bow and quickly left to leave the two brothers to talk. Normally, I would eavesdrop, but after the kind of day I had, all I wanted was to go to bed.
I bolted upright and was breathing room was dimly lit and I saw Prince Izana sitting in a chair beside my bed with his eyes full of concern.
"You really don't have to come every time I have a nightmare."
"While you are here, it's my job to protect you."
"Unfortunately, this is something you can't protect me from."
"Perhaps not, but I can be here for you all the same."
"If you're sure that's what you want to do, then, thank you. It is always nice to have someone to talk to."
"What was it about this time?"
I spent the next half an hour telling him exactly what happened in my dream. He listened intently and waited till I was finished before he spoke.
"Perhaps getting some fresh air would do you good. What would you say to joining Shirayuki on her outing tomorrow?"
"I'd say that sounds like a nice relaxing way to take my mind off of things."
"Then it's settled, I'll inform them first thing in the morning."
Prince Izana was taking my nightmares much better than I expected. When my father first woke me up from one, he was beside himself and he didn't ask to hear about it or try to come up with a way to make me feel better. Although, my father holding me, usually did the trick. Prince Izana came up with his own way to deal with the problem and it felt like he was trying to get closer to me.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." He kissed my forehead then made eye contact. "Try and get some peaceful rest."
"I will."
He walked out of the room and I quickly fell back to sleep.
The next morning I was out with Shirayuki in the woods and with a single attendant named Obi. I had wanted to bring my sword, but Prince Zen still didn't trust me so I was forced to leave it behind. For our little scavenger hunt, I was wearing my typical men's clothes.
"Is this what you're looking for?" I asked as I pointed to another plant.
Shirayuki inspected it. "Not quite. Here look at the picture again." She passed me a book opened to a specific plant. "The flower is a seven pointed blossom, not a five pointed one."
"I don't know how you do it. I don't think I could ever keep all these plants straight."
"Years of practice and learning."
My mind flashed back to my nightmare last night. "Shirayuki?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know of any remedies that could help with sleep?"
"That would all depend on the reason your sleep was disturbed in the first place. There are plenty of remedies that help with insomnia…"
"What about nightmares?"
"Hmmm… I don't know of any, off the top of my head, but I'm sure given some time I could try and come up with something."
"I see."
"Are you having nightmares?"
I nodded. "They haven't let up since my mother and sister were killed."
"Tell you what, once we get back to the palace with these herbs, I'll make it one of my top priorities."
"You don't have to do that, Shirayuki."
"It's my job to help people. No one should be plagued with nightmares every night."
"Thank you. You are very kind."
"You're welcome." She gave me a warm smile.
I traveled a little ways away, to continue looking for the plant when I heard some rustling in the bush behind me.
"Who's there?" I called out as I spun around. I got no reply.
When I turned back around again, Shirayuki was missing. I was about to call out her name when I felt a firm clothed hand go over my mouth and I quickly passed out.
