Hello guys! Alex here again! So now, the 2nd chapter is here. Because of the lack of your daily characters like Shirayuki, Kiki, Mitsuhide and even Ryuu himself (sorry Obi fans, Obi is yet to appear) in the first chapter, this chapter will make up for it. Please do enjoy this chapter!

Also, will you guys help me think of a new name for the story? The one that I will like the most will be chosen. Leave them on the review section later!

And to all of you who added this to your favorite stories and followed, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I felt really happy when I saw you favorite this story. Even though there are only a few of you, I still would like to tell you how much thankful I am.

Now without further ado, let's go on with the chapter 2 of I Thought I Forgot You!

Chapter 2: Shirayuki

It's another busy day in the castle. Shirayuki, as usual, is working at the pharmacy. They are now preparing new medicine for their patients as well as researching about herbs and checking on their stocks.

This afternoon, they are working outside on the fields, checking what herbs are ready to be picked, and looking for certain herbs that they will need for the preparation of medicine. Ryuu is writing a book, presumably a medicinal report, while Shirayuki is inspecting every herb on the fields.

It's been a week after they returned from Lyrias.

After a few minutes of gathering and inspecting, Shirayuki stood up, carrying with her a pile of books and a basket of herbs.

"Ryuu, I'm done for today," Shirayuki said to Ryuu with a smile on her face.

"Good work," Ryuu said to Shirayuki without looking up from his book.

Shirayuki waited for Ryuu to finish writing before they left the fields and went to their working place.

After passing their medicinal reports to Chief Garack, they left the working place.

"Good job, you too." Chief Garack said before dismissing both of them.

After a bit of walking, Shirayuki and Ryuu bid each other farewell before going on their separate ways. And this was a blessing to Shirayuki. After all, she will be able to entertain her thoughts that she's been trying to hide for quite some time right now.

"I wonder what Zen is doing right now..." Shirayuki mumbled to herself as she walk towards her room in the castle.

Her mind wandered. She then remembered her past two years in Lyrias. Last week, she, Obi and Ryuu returned from Lyrias after two years of continuous research. When she returned, Zen was there and they were able to atleast stare at each other. But, after that, they haven't seen each other. It turns out that he's quite busy with his duties that he can't leave them even for a second. She really misses Zen.

Is it bad to miss him? I mean, it's been literally ages since they talked to each other. Yes, they did lock eyes for a moment back when they returned from Lyrias, but Shirayuki wants something more than that. Is it really bad to wish for something more than staring at each other?

Even though they have exchanged letters over the past two years, it's still different to see the one you love rather than just exchanging letters with him.

She admits that she wants to cry at how she misses Zen. But it would be very embarrassing if she does it in the middle of the hallway, right? She thinks, she needs to wait for things to lighten up a bit.

'I guess, I will have to wait for a little bit, hu-"

"Good afternoon, Shirayuki."

Speaking of the devil, the guy that she's been thinking of just appeared before her. The angel that she always wanted to see just appeared before her. When she saw the face of the one she loves the most, emotions within her exploded; she felt happiness, surprise, excitement... and many other emotions that she doesn't bother to name.

She wasn't able to contain herself and hugged him out of her excitement.

Zen was shocked at how tight Shirayuki hugged him. Blush crept up on his face.

"Shi-Shira...yuki."

"Zen, I missed you..." Shirayuki said while fighting back the tears that are threatening to fall from her eyes.

Zen smiled when he heard it and hugged her back.

"I missed you too, Shirayuki."

They stayed in that position for a few moments. That few moments felt like eternity. They didn't want to break away from each other. But then reality struck them and they broke away from the position before anyone else would find out.

"Shirayuki, it's good to see you back," Zen said and smiled at her.

"You too, Zen." Shirayuki said.

Both of them stared at each other before sharing a hearty laugh together.

"Is it fine for you to go around here when you have a lot of work to do?" Shirayuki asked as she regained her composure.

"Yeah, I have somehow finished my work that's why I can have some free time with you. I also wanted to see you, since we haven't talked after you returned from Lyrias," Zen said in all honesty as he stared at Shirayuki.

"Oh, I see. But be sure to finish them and don't sneak out in the middle of your work," Shirayuki said to Zen which made Zen chuckle at how Shirayuki worried about him.

"What's going to happen, Mitsuhide-san?" a curious Shirayuki asked as she, Mitsuhide and Kiki walk along the hallway.

"You will see, Shirayuki. It's a surprise," Mitsuhide said as he led the way.

The word at the end of what Mitsuhide said just peaked Shirayuki's interest on why she's being pulled by Mitsuhide and Kiki to God knows where. But she decided not to ask and just continue to follow them.

Earlier that evening, Mitsuhide and Kiki came knocking on her door, inviting her to come with them. Despite not saying why they are inviting her, she dressed in her casual clothes and went with them.

After a few seconds of walking, they are now at the front of a very large door. Mitsuhide opened the door and the scene before them made Shirayuki gasp.

There's a very large banquet that was prepared by the maids.

"Yo, Shirayuki." Zen said, emerging from seemingly nowhere.

"Um, Zen, what's happening?" Shirayuki asked as she looked throughout the whole room.

"Ah. It is for all of you, for doing your best in Lyrias and in the duties in the castle. I have planned this a long time ago and Lord Brother approved of the idea. I originally planned this as a welcome part for you, Obi and Ryuu, but work got in the way so, I thought I can make up for it by preparing a large banquet for all of us," Zen answered.

"Don't be shy, Shirayuki." Mitsuhide said and Kiki smiled at her.

A blush crept on Shirayuki's face. Her heart fluttered at how good her friends are.

"Wait, where's Obi and Ryuu? To be honest, I haven't seen Obi ever since this morning," Shirayuki asked as Zen pulled a chair for her to sit on.

"Obi was asked by Zen to do something for herself while Ryuu is on his way here," Mitsuhide answered.

"Ah... I see. Well then let's wait for Ryuu and save some of the food for Obi," Shirayuki said with her trademark smile.

"Now that you suggested it, I just imagined Obi gobbling on the food..." Zen said which made him shiver at the thought.

Mitsuhide laughed at Zen's antics. But when they saw Kiki's usual nonchalant and serious face looking at the both of them, they stopped immediately.

A few minutes later, Ryuu appeared in his casual clothes and greeted the group. Afterwards, they started eating.

While they were eating, they were talking about what happened in Lyrias in the past two years. Zen even noticed how tall Ryuu became after two years.

All of them were having fun. Shirayuki was able to share many stories like how the Olin Maris research has succeeded. Ryuu was also smiling the whole time which is something quite surprising for him. But even with this fun time, Zen's mind managed to wander somewhere. In his mind, he saw a certain violet-haired girl with a cloak and a pair of sea-blue eyes. The girl that is disturbing him in his dreams these past years.

This made his cheery face droop.

'Why do you have to return to my mind when I'm already happy with Shirayuki? I thought I have forgotten you and the painful memory you etched in my heart. What do you want to tell me? Why no-'

"...Zen?"

Suddenly, he heard his name and he snapped out of his deep thought. Everyone is staring at him.

"Ah, sorry, I just... happen to remember something," Zen said and then proceeded to continue eating his food.

"Zen, is there anything that is disturbing you right now?" Shirayuki asked with a tinge of concern in her eyes.

"Yeah, Shirayuki. I'm fine. Thanks for asking," Zen answered and gave her a somehow small smile.

Shirayuki's eyebrows furrowed at Zen's weird actions.

"If you say so. Just tell me if there's something that is bothering you," she said and continued to eat in silence.

Mitsuhide, Kiki and Ryuu also noticed how weird Zen acted. Just a few minutes before, they were having a fun time together, but now it all turned to an awkward silence.

The awkward silence continue until they are all done eating. Ryuu left first and thanked the prince for the supper. Afterwards, Kiki and Mitsuhide left the room because they have something to do, leaving Shirayuki and Zen alone with each other. Both of them left the hall and Zen escorted Shirayuki to her room.

The silence continued until Shirayuki decided to break the ice.

"Zen... How were you in the past two years?" she said as she entered her room.

"I was fine Shirayuki, I still did the same things I did from before. But then, it was a little bit sad since... you weren't there," he said with a little tinge of pink in his cheeks.

Shirayuki blush as red as her hair. Even after the years, they still managed to keep the passion in between them. Nothing has changed even after the long time they were away from each other. Shirayuki wishes that these things won't change.

"I missed you, Shirayuki." Zen said and hugged Shirayuki tightly.

Shirayuki was shocked as he hugged her tightly. She didn't know how much she missed being hugged by Zen and smelling the scent that he always emitted until now.

"I missed you too, Zen." Shirayuki said and hugged Zen back.

Zen then entered her room with her permission. They then talked about all the things that happened. They shared a laugh together as they both reminisce the memories they gathered over the years. But then, Shirayuki remembered how Zen acted earlier.

"Zen, are you really fine? Earlier, you seem to be in a deep thought," Shirayuki said.

When Zen heard Shirayuki's question, the cheery face he had wilted. It was then replaced with an unreadable expression that Shirayuki reads as sad yet angry.

"Zen, it seems like a problem. If you don't mind me asking, what is bothering you?" she asked.

With this, Zen looked to Shirayuki's green eyes and spoke.

"Shirayuki, I will tell you a story. About myself."

So that's the 2nd chapter. Everything about the enigmatic Claire Nishizono shall be revealed in the next chapter. Please wait for it!

And don't forget to leave a review to the story. Thank you very much!