It is a blessing to have such amazing friends in her life, from Kiki who stays strong and somehow shows that a noblewoman is allowed to be unique, to Mitsuhide who is like a big brother to Obi who is strong and prone to taking risks, but puts her above himself.

And it is a blessing to have Zen here by her side, strengthening her with simply a smile, a word, or a touch. It's amazing what the little things can do, wonderful how someone can strengthen and help her out so much by being himself.

It is incredible, just how many Blessings she has, and incredible how they somehow strengthen and support her. Shirayuki hopes that she does the same for them, though she finds it hard to believe that she could be as much of a blessing to them as they are to her.

She hopes somehow that there is a quality within her that encourages and guides them along, that helps them out when the going gets tough or when they feel out of place. It's hard to imagine either Kiki or Mitsuhide feeling out of place; they seem so put together.

And Zen has mentioned before his own insecurities about being a prince and yet how he is overcoming them. Shirayuki is so proud of him! He's came so far, and his striving makes her strive all the more.

And then, Obi, while he doesn't show it, probably has felt out of place before, coming from his past whatever that might be to where he is now. He's in a completely different place, living completely differently, and Shirayuki just hopes that he doesn't feel like an imposter. He's proven time and time again that this is the kind of life that he should live, just to see him smile on days when he feels loved and seen, just to see him happy.

Shirayuki hopes Obi can have this forever, that he doesn't scatter like the wind and leaves, but stays where he is at home and loved.

All of them have blessed her abundantly, all of them are blessings. And she just hopes that somehow she is too, that somehow she helps them through, and gives them a reason to stay and to be made stronger.

Love is beautiful in how it connects, and truthfully, friendship and romance are both beautiful in their own special, little ways, ways that reach way beyond themselves.

Shirayuki can't help but smile as she works, as she grinds herbs, and makes medicine. She has a whole team behind her, even if they are not herbalists.