It smells so beautiful here, like a gently whispered promise, like Spring slowly unfolding, like sunlight dancing through hair and treetops.
And Zen is left marveling that Shirayuki's hand comes to rest in his as she explains quietly what all of this is and what it means. He'd asked her about the plants that surrounded them, and just to see the sparkle in her eyes and to hear the enthusiasm in her voice!
It was beautiful and more beautiful than what surrounded them to be here with her.
Zen's more lucky than he feels like a prince should be, to be able to enjoy and witness life so fully, to find himself beside someone who teaches him every day how to live better, how to be better, and how to appreciate the little things all the more.
Here is Shirayuki at his side. Here they are in a carefully cultivated garden, and yet here is peace and love and a soft spoken kind of joy.
And when she turns to him, explanation finished, he cups her face and leans in and kisses her.
Just to be close is a special kind of joy!