Chapter 30: Poison

The East wing's appointed royal maids suddenly went busier. The midwife and her assistants were having an impromptu blackout. There was so much going on in less than a minute. The only question that remained on their mind: How to save the Princess.

Kiki's heart was beating fast. For the first time in a while, she has never been so scared. Usually, nothing really concerned her much, but this time this's about life and death. Turning out from the last to the corner, she finally reached her Prince's office.

"Kiki!" Mitsuhide yelled, startled at the sudden opening of Prince Zen's office door. Kiki looked so pale. Mitsuhide suddenly dropped the papers onto the desk and moved towards Kiki, as she also did the same.

"What's wrong? You look breathless." Mitsuhide asked as his hands caressed his lover's burning face. Kiki used the opportunity and took her breath.

"It's Shirayuki."

Mitsuhide's face suddenly changed and stopped caressing her cheeks. "What about her?"

Kiki looked away. She wasn't even sure where to start from. Mitsuhide was desperately wanting an answer. What could have possibly happened to Shirayuki for Kiki to look so scared?

"Kiki, what's with Shirayuki? Tell me, what happened to her?!"

"She passed out."

"What?!" Mitsuhide's shocked face was priceless. "And?"

Kiki unwrapped herself from her years-old lover and faced Mitsuhide with her back. She put her arm on her chest, with the other resting on it.

"I was with the army trainees when Cora had busted in yelling my name. Of course, I asked her what the matter was, only to find out Shirayuki had passed out, lying in her own liters of blood, breathing very slowly. We contacted the midwife immediately. I made sure Alyne and Suki cleaned the blood from the floor as Obi and I carried Shirayuki to her bedchambers. After minutes of trying to wake Shirayuki up and know why she's bleeding, nothing changed. She wasn't breathing as she's supposed to, her eyes weren't opening and the bleeding wouldn't also lack."

Kiki's still-frightened face turned to Mitsuhide's worried look.

"After trying so hard, Shirayuki managed to wake. Everyone was relieved. But the blood... Under seconds Shirayuki started screaming in pain; her abdomen was hurting really badly that she couldn't lie down or even sit. Her screaming turned into cries. We contacted the Chief Herbalist if she could help. Unfortunately, she also said she wasn't sure, but she could try. The midwives also didn't know what to do to stop the pain or the bleeding. On top of everything, Shirayuki is in labor."

"What about painkillers? And sleeping herbs?" Mitsuhide asked.

"They ordered no medication can be given for they do not know what is going on, except for being in labor."

"What are we going to do? And Zen isn't her either."

"I wish I knew."

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Listening to their discussions made him, even more, dizzier and more tired. But what choice did he have?

None.

Zen felt dizzier minute after minute. And this Privy Council meeting with all the King's head ministers and closest advisors was not ending anytime soon. He felt suffocative.

Zen's blue eyes met the monarch's deeper blue eyes. With a small eye movement; which meant he could leave, Zen didn't wait for a second to obey the command, leaving all the other
Privy members astonished.

He felt so sick inside, and for a cure, he only needed a Shirayuki-smile medicine to cure it. He desperately wanted to reach the East wing's art room, where he had left his dearest wife.

Just about to open the large door, Alyne and Suki came out. Each was holding a bucket full of dirty water and holding a rug, too. They immediately curtsied.

"Your Highness."

Alyne and Suki gave him an unsure look and walked passed him.

Just about to enter, Kiki called his name. He turned. "Hey, Kiki."

"You're done with the meeting?" Kiki asked, surprised.

"No. I wasn't feeling well, so I left." Zen explained holding the art door's handle. "And aren't you supposed to be with the army trainees?"

"Actually, something important came up hence, I dismissed them."

"Okay, I'm not feeling well, so I'm just going to see Shirayuki and we'll talk later." He was so close to opening the door.

"Wait!"

Zen immediately raised his eyebrows. Kiki never acts this way. She was looking so pale and... Unexplainable.

"Is something matter?" Asked Zen.

"Actually, I would want you to follow me."

Zen gestured to the door, reminding Kiki he's not feeling well and wishes to see Shirayuki, but Kiki nodded her head sideways. "It can wait."

With a frustrated groan, he closed the door and followed Kiki to wherever she was taking him. Every step he took made his abdomen twitch. He immediately came to a realization: Each time reports any sickness to either of his aides, even when younger, they immediately sought for a medical attention. That's so weird. If Kiki has decided whatever she has to show or has to talk about is more important, then it really just is.

They settled at a large inside hall. The was familiar to Zen. This is where he and Shirayuki usually spend their free time together.

"So, what's going on?"

"It's Shirayuki", Kiki answered. Zen's abdomen immediately started aching, but he ignored it.

"What about her?" He asked hoping for a positive news. The way Kiki was looking at him was so unreadable.

"No matter what, Zen, don't panic, just calm down, okay?"

The way Kiki said it made Zen worry more. And the annoying pain was even hurting more.

Kiki breath in and explained the current situation Shirayuki was in. Zen didn't take things to heart. He almost barged out of the room wanting to be Shirayuki's side, but before he could even think about going there, he's supposed by Kiki.

"You can't go there, Zen." Kiki's hand held Zen's arm. "You can't be there", Kiki said it cooler. "You know that. And why also."

He knew why. Why he couldn't be present at the birth of his unborn baby. And it's because of a darn royal decree.

Suddenly, he didn't feel sick any more. He still felt dizzy, though. Kiki helped him into a couch and started rubbing Zen's back.

Zen kept his head down trying not to think of all possible pains his beloved wife could be going through right now.

The dirty water he saw was no ordinary water. It was blood; a mixture of blood and water.

"Who knows about this?" Zen asked his head still down.

"The guards and maids who were present when we taking Shirayuki to the bedchamber."

Zen just hummed.

Kiki stopped rubbing Zen's back and continued, "In other words, rumors have already been spread."

Zen's body kept shaking inside. He felt tears on his eyes, but he couldn't let it down. So much was going on.

Zen's voice started to sound husky as he asked, "What did the midwife tell you after your send visit to Shirayuki?"

The question Kiki was trying to avoid as much as possible had just been asked, and she couldn't escape it.

"Well..." Kiki trailed off, trying her best to come up with the best summary as much as possible. "She said that Shirayuki's condition is something she has never seen or even experienced, but she promises to do her best."

And that exact moment Zen knew Kiki was lying. Zen didn't challenge Kiki's lie, he knew her life was for the best, maybe, if she had told him, he couldn't have taken it.
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That was a reliever. Kiki couldn't believe she got away with life and death lie. She did realize Zen had noticed, but he came to mind that her temporary lie was for the best in his state.

Meeting with the midwife again was the scariest. Kiki wanted this day to pass by, just as much as the other days. But this wasn't. She was sure rumors are still spreading.

Kiki saw Cora at the door walking back and forth with a stressed and worried face.

Kiki immediately runs up to her. "Any news?"

"Not a good one, Lady Kiki. The situation has gotten out of hands. Luckily, the Chief said there is a way for the blood to ease up but the pain will grow stronger since the herbs' bad effect goes with abdominal pains."

Shirayuki's screams and cries could be heard. Kiki couldn't take up the yelps anymore, so she told Cora to leave for somewhere private.

With a realization, Kiki asked, "Where's Mitsuhide and Obi? I told them to stay with you in case something comes up and they might be a help."

Cora said Obi and Mitsuhide, along with Yatsufusa had left in a search of a herb that could maybe reduce Shirayuki's abdominal pains and maybe stop the leaking of the blood.

Kiki let out a frustrating sigh.

"Lady Kiki?" Cora called out softly.

"Yes?" Kiki replied eyeing how Cora stood there with a doubtful face.

"There's something I need to tell you." Cora put her hand on her chest and took a white-looking substance covered with a see-through wrapper. "I saw it on the ground when I first went to see Princess Shirayuki on the floor, and I thought you might want to know what it is."

Kiki took the substance and unwrapped it. The scent of it hit her when she unwrapped, and it was a powerful sensation. She firmly looked at it, pulled her tongue out and licked it.

Seconds after realizing the taste, she let the substance on the floor and spat it out.

She looked at Cora and almost yelled,

"Poison?!"

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A/N:

30th chapter! Yay! I'm so proud of me and dearest readers.

In case anyone was wondering if Mitsuhide and Kiki is a thing... then yes, they are, in this story, at least.

Hope I'm not leaving anyone confused, about the previous chapter and this.

It would be nice if you would share your thought about the story/this chapter.

Please review/comment, it really means a lot.

Hope you enjoyed:)