A/N: Bad news: Another academic year has started: Less update.

This chapter was requested by I-Live-For-Anime1 on Wattpad.

She requested if there could be an interaction between Izana and Shirayuki.

I gladly accepted her request.

I have never had a request, so this is new.

And this chapter is decidedly dedicated to her.

Hope you enjoy ;D

Chapter 29: Painting Blood

She took a long, round-type paintbrush from the paintbrush box. The paintbrush box held different types of paintbrushes; such as Flate, Bright, Filbert, Fan, Angular Flat (Shader), Stancil, Mop, Liner, Slant, Rigger, different types of Striper brushes and countless more.

The white paint board; 60 centimeters heightened and 50 centimeters width, faced her, ready to be painted on. Every few milliliter hole was filled with types of paint colors. Choosing the first color was hard, as she wasn't really sure what to paint.

Unexpectedly, Shirayuki had already dipped the Round-named paintbrush on the decent-looking, whiteboard. She kept moving her arms in sync, still not sure what she was painting.

"Quite good looking."

For a second, she almost ran away, until she recognized the voice. She turned and replied, smiling, "Thank you, your Majesty."

His Majesty simply nodded his head, looking further at the painted board.

"I was never aware the Grand Princess knew how to draw beauteously."

Shirayuki blushed lightly. Trying to hide her flushed face, she placed the paintbrush down behind her and once more faced the blue-eyed King. "Thank you for your bright words, your Majesty."

The painted board didn't have any special thing painted on it, just two different flowers in a painted picture; a rose and a lily tangled together. For a special reason, these flowers remind Shirayuki of her love for Zen.

With a small, quick and non-meaningful smile, the monarch made his way to a nearby table and poured himself a glass of water. Very... Uncommon and something a King would definitely not do.

Very puzzled of the King's sudden attitude, Shirayuki asked, trying not to sound desperate for an answer, "What do you seek for, my King?"

He closed his eyes and drank the clean water. His laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple) moved in a rhythmic pace.

Shirayuki obviously looked at the charming king, her emerald fall on his laryngeal prominence. It was even larger-looking with his head a bit up in the air. She shook her head and avoided anymore thoughts.

King Izana placed his glass few centimeters away from the untouched glasses and made his way to his sister-in-law, who looked so confused at his presence.

"You're looking very elegant, Princess."

Shirayuki immediately frowned a bit. For a moment, she was trying to figure what the King really meant by his simple word: 'elegant'. For what she knew, she looked worse than a skeleton with a red hair, light-shaded pink lips, curved eyebrows, long lashes and a large belly.

She didn't know how to take the situation because his brother-in-law didn't show any kind of emotion towards his words, so nonchalant of him.

"T-thank you."

His blue eyes stared boringly at the green eyes.

"You asked what I seek for?" His voice was so deep. Shirayuki only managed to give a nod. "I seek for you. Nothing else."

Shirayuki raised her eyebrows. "Why would you seek for me, your Majesty? Besides, you could've sent me through the servants."

"I was fatigued, hence, I decided to pass by and get used to each other more. Moreover, we haven't had a private time together after your Matrimony to my younger brother."

Fatigue? Get used to each other? Private time together? For all the past eleven months she had married into the royal family, not even once had the King bothered to seek for her, but now? Especially now that she looks like someone's nightmare?

Her body didn't know how to react to his answer. The smile on his lips was so... indescribable.

The King suddenly came up with a subject. They talked about everything concerning her ongoing project, pregnancy health and a few things about her unexpected painting skills.

His conversation was so smooth, calming and collective. If it had been anyone else than Shirayuki, one could fall into his obsessive flirting acts. He even gave her a couple of professional advice about painting.

Shirayuki was definitely not expecting this.

The King looked different in some odd way, but she was still sure his cold and royal attitude was still with him, just taking a break. Even his appearance has changed than eleven months ago. His blond hair was now laying on his shoulders, however, they looked freshly cut, his bangs were still covering his face just like it had been always ever since their first encounter.

With a bit of a loud "Ow", both the King and the princess turned their heads.

"Sorry for interrupting your conversation, your Majesty, and your Highness."

His blue eyes were still starring on the floor bowing and seeking for an apology.

"Needn't. I was even on my way." His Majesty took his last turn on Shirayuki and excused himself.

The brothers exchanged respects.

"Zen, I need your accompany at the privy council meeting this afternoon." The last words of the King made his submissive younger brother nod furthermore.

"What was he doing here?" Zen asked after his elder brother disappeared from the scene.

"I'm not quite sure myself."

Zen stretched his arms and hugged Shirayuki from her sideway.

"Hope he wasn't being bitter and stiff?" Zen settled a kiss on Shirayuki's forehead.

"Not really. He was acting very cool and calm."

Zen immediately raised his eyebrows. His own brother calm and cool? He was overly confused not understanding. His brother never shows signs of appreciation, concern or calmness. Very uncommon. Zen immediately there was more to it than a visit. He knew his brother would never wake-up and decide to give a normal visit. Never.

"Wow, you referred to me as Your Highness first time in months."

Zen laughed. "I was just being polite. If you're complaining, I can refer to you as much." They broke from the hug and Zen's deep ocean eyes kept observing the beautiful art on the board. "Beautiful."

"Thank you. Took me few minutes to even figure out what was painted on the board."

Shirayuki's explanation even made Zen smile widely. He was proud of her.

Their conversation immediately turned into her pregnancy problems, faring of the baby and on which name to pick for their baby. They had some disagreements on name picking - and still, have -, but they're settling.

"I wasn't informed of my presence being needed at the Privy Council Meeting earlier, but I promise I will come back before you know it and have lunch together like I promised."

"Needn't to worry. I will wait."

Zen smiled, relieved. He gave a kiss on Shirayuki's lips and also left.

Of course, Shirayuki was disappointed, she was really looking forward to the free time and lunch together.

She turned her back, wanting to focus and complete her art. She suddenly felt a sharp pain. Looking down on the floor, she became shocked.

It was blood.

Not now. She thought. The blood was just as bright as always. She couldn't even realize blood was flowing down her thighs. Another sharp ache was felt. It was like someone stabbing her in the abdomen. She had always felt this way, but this was different.

She could feel her breath was fasting uncontrollably. Her eyes were blurring, she could feel more blood flowing. The feeling was indescribable. She held her hands onto her eight-month-old belly. She started breathing with her mouth, too, as her nose was not providing enough air for oxygen. The atmosphere suddenly felt heavy. Unable to control her her weight anymore, she fell down, and immediately she could feel a cracking sound from her body.

The pain rose more. Her eyes were filled with tears. She couldn't even shout for help. She knew Obi, her aide, was around, but her voice couldn't even be heard. She couldn't scream. The pain was too much to scream for help. Her chest slowly aching, her waist and abdomen were worsening rapidly. Her body was being supported by her hands buried in the blood.

Wanting to try and stand up, she managed to print her handful of blood onto her art. She slowly gets up. Just about to get another support, her lungs and muscles suddenly became weak and once more falling down, this time, her head hitting the floor.

"Oh no!" A familiar voice yelled out, but her vision was blurrier. She couldn't see anything at all. Or even see who came for her help. Her body was soaked in her own blood.

She thought of her baby. Wishing nothing happens to she or him.

Then her eyes closed and her breathing slowed.

A/N:

Hello!

Sorry for the late update.I haven't been really motivated to write/update.

I'm thinking of ending the story a bit earlier.

I'm also still thinking if it should have a happy ending or not.

I received a message/comment if I'm a medical student. Do I leave anyone thinking I'm one? Because I'm not sure myself. LOL!

What do you think of Izana? He was acting so calm and cool. We all know our Izana is never like this. Is there more to it?

Back to Shirayuki...This chapter was supposed to be dark, but I got a request so some changes applied ;D

I really badly wanted to describe the situation Shirayuki was going through at the ending, but I'm not a very detailed person, so I really didn't know how to do it.

Shirayuki's lung and muscles felt weak and she passed out(maybe) and unfortunately, her head hit the floor.

My poor Shirayuki:(

Please review/comment.

It really encourages and helps.

Hope you enjoyed