Chapter 43: Fresh and Sexy
Shirayuki felt it again. The sensation of someone hiding and analyzing her. It's been eight days since her arrival, and the same feeling has been going on and on and on. She has realized that anytime that she tells Zen about it, he either says Shirayuki is just imagining or she's been grieving too much.
The way she was supposed to listen and focus on her conversation between Lady Haruko was not even coming out.
"Most of the marquessates and earldoms have finally decided to work together about it," Lady Haruko affirmed.
Shirayuki couldn't be more proud of Lady Haruko's hard work. A lady who bravely takes up after her father, Marquis Haruka. A tall woman in her mid-twenties, dressed in a Baroque Antoinette Dress, suitable for having a private meeting with the Princess of Clarines.
"Delighted, indeed, I am with your hard-working. Unfortunately, I might have to give an acknowledgment to your request in one of the upcoming days."
The copper eyes of Lady Haruko relished. "Very well, Princess. I will patiently wait for your decision."
Just as Shirayuki was about to leave, Lady Haruko exclaimed, "May I request a courtesy, your Highness?"
.
.
"Excuse me," Mitsuhide pardoned himself, leaving Zen and Shirayuki alone in Zen's office.
Zen didn't hesitate and directly went for Shirayuki's lips. After the kiss, she brushed the underlines of his eyes.
"You look a bit tired," Shirayuki said in a soft voice.
Zen whined. "Mitsuhide is killing me with these reports since he's leaving Wistal in few days. He expects me to complete before he leaves."
They took their seat on Zen's long, light green couch.
"Honestly, though, I'm not sure if I'm the only one, but Mitsuhide is starting to look nervous and anxious as days pass by."
Zen did his favorite sitting position - the smart lean sitting position. "He's just nervous about his wedding and becoming the new Lord - an earl, to be precise, of the Seiran mansions, territories and provinces." He pulled Shirayuki closer to him. "I understand his uneasiness and anxiety very well, essentially I have once been in his state before. I think I might eventually release him from duty earlier, and give him extra days off too for his vacation."
Shirayuki felt proud. Her three days of long lectures of how much of a good master and a friend Zen would be if he could give Mitsuhide at least a two to three days off, so he can at least enjoy a short vacation after his wedding.
Mitsuhide and Kiki's relationship after their union is established to be a long-distance marriage. Mitsuhide could - if possible - visit his spouse during public holidays, such as Christmas holidays. He had a choice of leaving Zen's office and become the new Earl, but he didn't. He chose to stay beside Zen, and rule from afar. Accordingly, Kiki, in her own rights, officially becomes the new Countess Seiran.
Zen looked dubious. "It's then going to be long days for Obi since he will be errands for you and me."
"Aha!" Shirayuki instantly rose from her lay, giving Zen a confusion. "After my meeting with Lady Haruko, she requested a favor from me. She wants me in any way possible for me to tell Obi that she likes him."
Zen's eyes broadened. "Wow, I never thought the daughter of Marquis Haruka would actually ask for such a setup."
"As shock as you are, so am I. But she was really serious." Shirayuki's eyebrows furrowed, a sad expression on her face. "She explained that she's been crushing on Obi for the past years, but now she can't control it anymore. So she now wants Obi to know, especially considering he's celibate. And I don't even know how to do that. It is a really big opportunity for her, and it even seems she trust me in this situation. So I need your help on telling Obi about Haruko's admire for him."
"I'm quite wordless in this. Obi hasn't shown any interest in marriage or in love recently. He doesn't really seem to give a concern about it. But if I were you, I wouldn't be the one to tell him about it. Just set them up in a place somewhere and let them have a moment of confession. But make sure you give a sneak to Obi beforehand."
Shirayuki's inside glowed then she smiled. "Thank you. Your advice seems more logical than the thousands of plans I had in my head."
"Anytime." Zen then kissed Shirayuki on her scalp. "But unfortunately, my period is up."
Zen stood, fixed his attire properly. "Have a nice day, I'll see you in the evening - if Mitsuhide permits." He gave a short kiss on Shirayuki's lips.
Shirayuki admired her husband. Seeing him in his princely attire, his left arms lying on his heavy sword as if ready to unveil it. Most appealing was Zen's new haircut. Shorter than usual. For her, Zen's was looking too handsome in it.
Before she could even help herself, she commented, indirectly screaming, "You look so young and sexy." She quickly covered her mouth.
Zen slowly turned to see where the unfamiliar words came from. He chuckled slightly, not believing his wife had just uttered such words. Not surprised, but for what he knew, Shirayuki never says such words as 'sexy'.
Shirayuki, embarrassed, covered her whole face with her hands, feeling her cheeks warm. Her eyes peeked through her index and middle finger.
Zen licked his lips, still smiling. He muttered 'I love you' then blew a kiss on the air, and Shirayuki responded by the same act. He laughed and shook his head as he ascended the remaining stairs, still not believing what her wife had just said.