CHAPTER 4

She was shocked to say the least.

Takara,

You are to speak of this to no one, do you understand? Nod your head if you do.

What sort of letter was this?

I will assume that you did not do as I told you, though I am both your employer and a ruler of the country you've settled in.

What kind of man sent a letter like this to a woman he did not truly know?

I would like to be friends with you and while this may seem a strange way of presenting the idea–

It did not just 'seem' strange, it was strange!

– you must understand that in a position such as mine striking up friendships is not so easily done. Despite this difficulty I am offering myself to you for your consideration and, if you are agreeable to the idea, please find some creative way of making this known to me without the knowledge of others.

Your soon to be faithful friend,

Izana

He was... He was... Strange! Too strange! Why would he want her for a friend? Why did he ask this of her and why did he do it in such an odd way? What could have possessed him to put this plan into action?

Whatever the case she had a decision to make. Would she accept his challenge?

"Ahh." There it was, now she understood; this was a game to him, something to pass the time. She was a new addition to his castle. Likely he'd devised some bizarre sort of test to find out what type of person she was.

"...find some creative way of making this known to me without the knowledge of others."

She would rise to this challenge and he would know that she was not one to be trifled with.

/~/

If there was one thing Takara had never pictured herself doing it was floral arrangement and yet there she was, carefully placing freshly cut autumn blooms in a vase that would be displayed in the work space of the first prince.

She'd hidden her note within; two days after his missive arrived she'd come up with a plan to send one of her own. Under the guise of wanting to broaden her skill set she'd asked to be allowed to help with arranging flowers. It seemed that Izana was fond of floral décor.

In any event she'd had to prove herself capable, with less important arrangements, before she was allowed to even attempt work on the one that would stand within the future king's office. All told it had been near two weeks since his short letter had come to her and she wondered if he thought she'd decided to ignore it.

Tied to a stem, with an appropriately orange ribbon, her note sat well concealed as it was carted away. She'd had about ten seconds to secure the reply. After receiving the nod of approval she added the extra bit of embellishment, just before another worker came to remove the vase.

/~/

"She took her time," he murmured with the barest hint of a smile. He'd spotted the out-of-place piece of paper almost immediately. It blended well enough with the rest of the decoration; he doubted anyone but the other flower arrangers would have noticed it, but he did wonder how she'd gotten it past inspection.

He supposed she would have added it the last possible moment, after her arrangement had been sanctioned for release.

He'd heard tell of her new pursuit through the castle chain of gossip. This piece of information had come to him from Lord Haruka who remained suspicious of Takara's motives; while Izana had given him no reason to suspect that he was interested in the girl, it seemed that the older man was hedging his bets and taking the burden of keeping it that way upon himself.

That plan was backfiring, but Haruka was not aware that Izana thought her choice of skill a clue or that he'd been anxiously awaiting the fruits of her labor.

Izana-denka,

I am not very amused by your decision to use me as entertainment and if you would like to be my 'friend', as you claimed, you would do well to find a less frustrating way of telling me so.

Takara

Direct as always, though back handed in her insult. He was concerned by her assertion that he was interested in her simple for amusement, a perspective that could only be proven wrong with time and attention neither of which he had much to spare, but he was serious in pursuing a relationship with her; he would make time where there was none.

When an adviser arrived for a meeting he went through the motions, but as the man prepared to leave he was sent off with instructions to request the presence of whomever it was that had arranged the new set of flowers.

/~/

"If he was upset with them he would have called upon the director," she told herself. "There was nothing wrong with my arrangement. He's trying to frighten me."

Izana had not been descriptive in his demand to see the one who'd created his floral decoration, asking only to meet with that person while refraining from providing a reason. So, now she was following a man whom she assumed worked with the first prince, as he was not in uniform though well dressed, to a room she had seen once before.

She remembered that first meeting as if it had happened only yesterday, rather than months ago. Time seemed to have flown by since then. Had she really been in this place for so long? It had been many years since she'd felt safe to remain in one setting for more than a few weeks at a time.

Takara bit back a noise of discomfort. She knew she should thank Izana for that, it was his word that had given her the position in the kitchen, but it was difficult to express. Just saying, "Thank you," didn't seem like enough.

Maybe accepting his offer of friendship would suffice?

Well, it would have to, but did she need to make it so easy for him? She felt sure his was not the proper way to go about soliciting friendship. Then again she'd had few friends throughout her life, none until recently if she were being honest, but they'd not come into her life in such an unnatural way.

Of course he was right about his position and perhaps that played a larger role than she could imagine. Also, from the little she knew of his personality, this seemed right in line with previous actions.

It stood to reason that there were as many ways to make friends as there were people in the world. So, maybe his way wasn't exactly wrong, but she didn't think it the best either.

She was shown into his office and left alone with him. She wondered how long he would refrain from speaking if she said nothing first and resolved to wait it out.

He stood by the floor to ceiling length windows, a paper in hand. She thought he looked very much the part of a prince in that moment. Perhaps even a king.

What was it they talked about? His rumored engagement to a woman named Haki. Everyone seemed to think he would be crowned king before he married and the workers were awaiting any announcements with baited breath.

Takara didn't expect to remain in the service of the palace long enough to see a marriage happen. It wasn't that she was ungrateful for the safety she'd been offered, but she could not imagine doing this work for years on end. Her roughly made plans included remaining in Clarines, trying to find a private family to work for, and if that didn't happen maybe she would learn a skill working in a specialty shop.

Lost in her thoughts as she'd become Takara failed to notice when Izana approached from behind and, once again, his hand on her arm startled her badly.

"You! That is not–" but his laughter stopped her complaint and she ended with a defeated sigh. She'd never heard him laugh before and found she liked the sound of it, though she did not accept his continued quest to frighten her. She would repay him this one day and warned him so. "Some day you will regret not being kinder to me, friend. Your bad behavior will come back to haunt you."

He sobered, though his smile remained, and replied, "Friends do not hold onto resentment."

"I am not resentful, merely warning you that all actions are eventually repaid in kind."

"If that is the case then I suppose I will soon find myself in possession of a wonderful reward," he stepped away, moved to his desk, and took up a letter. "This is to be given to Aio," she took the offered parchment with suspicious eyes. "You will be arranging my flowers from now on."

"I have enough to do as it is! My other duties–"

"Are of no consequence," he interrupted. "Your position is entirely changed. I suspect you were bored with your work in the kitchens, am I not right?"

Takara tried very hard not to pout, but it was both difficult and infuriating. Why was she tempted to behave so childishly? He was correct about her feelings for the kitchen after all and she'd found more enjoyment than she'd expected in the work of a florist.

He continued speaking in her silence, noted that she did not seem disagreeable though neither was she accordant with his assessment. "There is more to this post than the flowers however, and you will work under Sakura-sama who is in charge of all things decorative." Izana fell to the couch, patted the spot beside him and was not surprised when she rebuffed him to sit in a chair instead. "Do you know that friends are not generally rude to one another?"

"Do you know that friends are not generally happy to see one another troubled?" she mocked, unwilling to give into his redirection so easily. "I was just growing comfortable with my obligations–"

He reached forward, attempted to take his letter back, "If you are very against this change I will not force it on you," and was pleased when she gripped it to her chest. However, he did attempt to snatch it away and she jumped up, dashed to the other side of the chair.

Nonsensical. Each thought this entire meeting was becoming silly and undignified, yet indeed they had a chase in Izana's office and it was only ended when Takara lost her footing and tripped forward. Izana, as he'd been directly behind and purposely failing to make the final catch, fell along with her. Both tumbled to the carpeted floor, with no injury other than embarrassment sustained, but Izana did not know this. So, when Takara covered her face and her shoulders shook, he was understandably worried for her safety.

He pried her hands away from her face only to find that she was not crying, but laughing. The sight shocked him so profoundly that he could hardly help joining in and before they knew it, it seemed impossible to stop. Unable to breathe, except through gasping breaths, they spent several minutes on the floor in hysterics. It was not until a heavy handed knocking sounded, that Izana recognized as belonging to Lord Haruka, that he made an attempt to put a cap on the merriment.

Though she'd already ceased her laughter he put a hand over her mouth and, in an entirely inappropriate move, pulled her to sit so that her back met his chest.

She protested this, squeaked loudly, but he shushed her. The last thing he wanted was for Haruka to walk in now. He'd not been so content in years and he would not loose this moment to a mistrustful old fool.

Leaning just his head around the corner of the desk, continuing to hold Takara closer than he should, he watched the crack at the bottom of the door. He could see the shadowed area, watched as it stepped back momentarily and then forward again, followed by another knock.

"Say nothing," he whispered. "He will leave if I do not answer."

She hissed in annoyance once he moved his hand away. "There is no call for this!"

"There is. You do not know the man as I do."

"Oh, and are you going to explain his character to me because I am so interested!"

A hushed dispute ensued.

"I will then," Izana grumbled. "He is Haruka-dono and I trust him implicitly, but he does not necessarily feel the same way about myself or my brother."

"You must know that I have no idea what that means," impatience was getting the best of her. "It would be better to say nothing at all if you're going to be cryptic," she spoke quickly, quietly, and glared at the one who imprisoned her. Even so, though truly annoyed, she also had to admit that she was not so adverse to the situation. He held one arm around her shoulders, circling her neck, and the other hand currently rested on top of her head. She thought herself foolish, but couldn't deny that this closeness was not unpleasant.

So much for fighting off lovesickness.

"Lord Haruka is trusted, but he does not trust easily. He's been suspicious of Shirayuki ever since she first appeared and he feels the same about you."

"About me? Ridiculous."

"It may be, but he doesn't see it that way." In truth his associate's fears were not unfounded, Izana acknowledged that now. In all honesty he was thankful for Lord Haruka's disturbance as it had led them to this position. When would he ever have another excuse to hold her this way? Even now it wasn't exactly befitting, but he thought his actions explainable should she call him out. This was to be the only time he would be allowed to hold her. Just this once and then never again; he'd resigned himself to the truth.

"Whatever the case," she muttered. "I guess that means being friends is hard for you."

His nod was emphatic as he turned to look at the space beneath the door once more. The shadow had not left and another three rapts were heard a moment later.

Her sigh was aggravated. "I thought you said he would leave if ignored?"

"Normally he would," he considered the insistent rapping. "Ah. I suppose he has heard that you are here." It was amusing, but, "And now we have made it worse for he is likely terrified that I have been compromised."

"You?!" her eyes widened, indignant. "What about me?"

Izana could not help the laugh that escaped him at the look of horror upon her face; his exclamation was a bit too loud though. The knocking renewed and doubled in frequency.

"I will have to answer him now. Stand up."

Takara huffed and pressed her lips together as she stood, dusting off her dress and hoping she didn't look too terrible. "You speak as though I am at fault."

"Of course you are."

"I am not!"

"He will not believe you, though I will attempt to take the blame. That is what friends do."

"That is what anyone should do as it's the truth!"

She skittered past him to take a seat on the settee, crossed her ankles and attempted to look as prim and proper as she ever had. His snort earned another glare.

Izana very nearly laughed again at the look on Lord Haruka's face. He'd turned a horrendous shade of violet in his anger and worry; it was clear to Izana that he'd guessed correctly. This would be an irritation in the days to come, but for the moment it was comical.

"Izana-denka," his voice was tight. "You did not answer with your usual speed."

"I did not," he acknowledged the charge. "My conversation was of the utmost importance."

His sovereign's tone left no room for argument or questions, but Haruka was not prepared to be sent away so soon. He'd been told that the first prince had called a meeting with the one who'd arranged the flowers for his work room; that had been no cause for alarm, but when it came to his attention that the one involved was that purple eyed female foreigner he became justifiably concerned.

He'd gone to Izana's private rooms directly and, when the first prince failed to react to his presence, he'd realized that his fears were correct; that girl was in there with the man who would be king. Who knew what kind of place she was vying for? Surely her motivations were not pure, how could they be? Well, if she thought there would be no one to stand in her way she was sorely mistaken!

"Izana-denka, surely you are aware that it is not appropriate to spend extended time with a person of low social standing. Your position requires–"

"I am well aware of what my position requires, Haruka-dono." Takara shivered at the coolness of his tone; it was as if he could put ice into his words. "Now if you have something of importance to tell me, please speak. If not, please leave."

She did not turn to look, but she imagined that Lord Haruka would appear stricken. She'd seen him from a distance before, he'd always seemed very confident and carried himself with an almost regal air. She could only imagine the toll Izana's harsh demands were taking upon him.

Takara's silent ponderings were accurate. Haruka was visibly affected by the way he was spoken to, but he did have news to deliver as it happened, and it was exactly the kind that would put a forceful stop to whatever had been growing between the unworthy girl and Izana.

"Haki-dono will be arriving in three months time."

/~/

Takara went to her bedroom soon after Lord Haruka's revelation, dismissing herself from their presence despite Izana's protest that she need not leave.

This was wrong, she knew it was. Friendship was not where they were heading, she felt sure of that now. What might have happened if they'd not been interrupted by the knocking? She couldn't be certain, but her own thoughts trailed into the land of fantasy and that was dangerous. There could be nothing between them and she thought even being friends impossible. It would be too easy to slip into another type of relationship. They got along too well.

Why was it that she'd finally found a person she was comfortable with only to find that he was a prince? Not only that, but a prince destined to be a king? What had she done to bring this upon herself?

Worse than those facts was knowing that he was indeed to be engaged. Izana had not made an argument of Haruka's declaration that Haki would arrive, he'd not said it wasn't important. That meant the rumors were true. She would come to be introduced as his fiancee and it was clear that Lord Haruka had been reminding Izana of this commitment.

It had nothing to do with her. As his friend she ought to have said something to congratulate him, maybe she could have mentioned that she'd heard gossip about the subject, told him that everyone she'd spoken to was very excited about the idea. She could have told him that this choice seemed like a good one; though she'd never seen Haki herself she'd heard only wonderful things about her.

So, why was it that she felt like crying? Why did she hesitate?

Takara shook herself. She had no reason to feel this way, there was no attachment, not yet. She would not approach Izana-denka again and from now on all their interactions would be formal.

Still, though her resolve was strong and she fully intended to see it through, her heart felt as if it was shattering.

/~/

Izana dismissed Haruka with a brusque wave almost immediately after Takara disappeared down the hallway. He was furious, both with the meddling lord and himself. It seemed that a mere friendly relationship would be impossible with Takara, at least for him; he would have kissed her if they'd been left alone long enough and that was not the direction he'd meant to move in.

It was too late though. He did not think he could be without her. Despite the thinly veiled warning he'd been given, told that his intended betrothed would arrive in a matter of weeks, he could not imagine ending what he'd started. Takara meant too much to him now. It was no longer a simple matter of thinking her attractive, they were too compatible.

His distress was great and in this moment of desperation he penned a letter to his mother, detailing his affliction and the conflict he faced. He had it sealed and dispatched before he could change his mind, but nearly the minute it was out of sight he began to regret sending it.

Was he not an adult? Had he not dealt with important matters of state for years, on his own, with no trouble? How was it that this sort of problem sent him running to his mother for comfort?

He felt like a child and yet he could think of no solution except to keep Takara, though he would marry Haki, and she would not accept that sort of arrangement. Was he was as foolish as those who'd tried to steal her away? He did not think so, but he admitted to himself that did love her.

Still, he would not force her to be in his company.

The most he could do was try and communicate the depth of his feelings and hope that she would require him as he did her.