Chapter Text
Shirayuki would not allow the dying candlelight in the library to dictate when she would go to sleep.
She’d brought a lantern with her knowing she would likely research late into the night, and was moving the textbook she’d found on rare illnesses as close to the light as was physically possible. She had to keep reading. Sleep was for the weak. To sleep was to fail, to sleep was –
She yawned.
“Most people would take that as a sign to give in, you know.”
Shirayuki jumped at Obi’s sudden presence. He was leaning on the bookshelf across from the table she sat at. She probably wouldn’t have noticed him there even if she hadn’t been half-asleep. Her light source was nearly gone, and Obi had gotten in a lot of practice at playing shadow.
He slid into the seat across from her and picked up the urgent missive she’d received from Prince Raj. By now, she’d all but memorized the entire letter.
Dear Shirayuki,
I reach out to you with concern in my heart. Princess Euria of Augmer, a friend from my childhood, has written to inform me that her closest lady-in-waiting is gravely ill. None of the medical professionals in Augmer have been able to treat her, or even properly diagnose her sickness. She is in such poor health, they worry that she will not make it through the season.
I know I am not in any such standing to be asking favors of you, but I beseech you nonetheless. I ask you for your help because I believe you are the brightest herbalist on the continent. If there is any way you could provide your aid or wisdom, both Princess Euria and I would be most grateful.
Your friend,
Raj
Shirayuki sighed. “No symptoms, Obi. Prince Raj gave me nothing to go on.” She looked back at her book, brow furrowing. “The patient could have anything from hiccups to measles to – to some bacterial infection local to the Kingdom of Augmer!”
How was she supposed to treat what she did not know? Not to mention that she had never been as far as Augmer. If it was a local ailment, she would have no clue where to start. But then, if it was local, why had no one from Augmer, under royal contract or otherwise, been able to treat it?
“I’m certain it’s nothing the brightest herbalist on the continent can’t solve,” Obi smirked, reading Raj’s adulation and looking at her knowingly.
“I’m the only herbalist he knows , I’m sure,” Shirayuki couldn’t help smiling back. They both knew Raj had good intentions, even if he tended towards exaggeration.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, and her eyes drifted back to the letter. She bit her lip, gazing at the overly decorative cursive script with worry.
“Obi,” she began tentatively, afraid to voice what was really bothering her. “It’s possible … I won't be able to treat her.”
Shirayuki turned to look out the window, fogged by the cold. She couldn’t see the forest from where she sat, but she knew most of the leaves had fallen from the trees, far past their color-changed states and already affected by the lower temperatures of autumn. She had no information, no local knowledge of Augmer, and a lost week of travel between kingdoms. If she didn’t make it there in time…
“It’s possible,” he nodded, pushing up out of his chair. “But we’ll cross that bridge when we reach it.” He walked around the table and reached out a hand. “You won’t be treating anyone if you don’t get any sleep.”
“Right.” Shirayuki stood up, picking up her book and moving to step around Obi. “I’ll just read read one more chapter with the candle i keep on my bedside table, and –”
Obi stopped her with a hand on her shoulder and gently pulled the book from her grasp. “Miss, if you take that book with you, you won’t rest until you’ve read the whole thing.”
She pursed her lips. He was right. “But –”
“Miss, remember Laxdo? You worked yourself so hard and everyone was worried about you. You have a habit of not resting when you need it the most.”
“But I treated them,” she said glumly. “We were very lucky to have gotten there in time.”
“And you were very lucky to have a dashing stranger save you from a bad spill.” He grinned knowingly, and Shirayuki felt her cheeks heat slightly.
“I was. And I trust you would do it again.” She said confidently, earning a strange look from Obi. His hand squeezed her shoulder once, before letting her go. Instead, he stepped forward, close enough now that the shadows could no longer obscure his face, and she could clearly see the final flickers of candlelight reflecting in his golden eyes.
“Alright,” he conceded softly, changing tacts. “Then what about the last time we were summoned to another land by royal request, just the two of us?”
Shirayuki’s eyes widened. Tanbarun. He was talking about her abduction by pirates.
It still weighs on him, she realized. Even after all this time.
“I’m sorry,” she grimaced. “I should have –”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” he assured her. “This time will be different, you know? Though, it will be much easier if you get some sleep,” he teased quietly.
She sighed, leaning forward to bump her forehead on his shoulder. She felt a little embarrassed for arguing so long. “I’m going to bed,” she said, muffled by the fabric of his shirt.
She felt a gentle pressure on her temple, only for a moment.
A kiss?
But when she straightened to look at him, Obi was already moving away, back around the table.
“Good.” He began stacking and sorting her books, collecting her notes for her. “I’ll clean up here, so you just worry about getting back to your room.”
“Oh,” she said distractedly. She brought her fingertips to her temple, feeling bereft at the distance he’d put between them. “Yes, thank you.”
Focused on his task, he didn’t look up to meet her gaze. She walked stiffly to the archway behind him that led to the hallway.
It had been about one year since she and Zen had mutually decided that they were better off as friends. One year since the night Obi had come to her room and told her that Zen had allowed him to keep his title. Since Shirayuki had no need for protection in the castle, Obi would be expected to take up more knight-related responsibilities, but he would still be called upon to safeguard Shirayuki on her travels from unwanted attention. Obi had been excited by the news. He’d assured her that his promise still stood, that he’d take her anywhere she wanted to go. That he’d stay by her side as long as she wished him to.
One year since Shirayuki recognized his devotion for what it was. Seven months since she began to wonder… if they might be something more. If they were already something more, and she had just failed to recognize it. Been too dense to recognize his signals. Too blind to put a name to her own feelings.
Everytime the line was tested, Obi was quick to set them back in familiar territory. Even now, when he had been the one to push their normal boundaries. Shirayuki cursed her own inaction as she walked away. The decision was always hers to make, but what if she was reading things terribly wrong? Or worse, what if becoming something more was what broke them forever?
Reaching the hallway, she turned briefly, unable to resist one last glance. She frowned.
Obi leaned over the back of his chair, shoulders tense and head slumped forward. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his back, and Shirayuki realized this was the Obi she was not supposed to see. She’d accidentally caught a private moment of vulnerability. Her heart thumped guiltily in her chest.
She quickly turned to leave as Obi reached into the lantern and pinched the short candlewick, plunging the library back into darkness.
Obi’s first impression of the Augmer Kingdom was, in a word, bleak.
After traveling for an entire week, side by side on horseback galloping through the familiar landscape of Clarines and then the picturesque countryside in Tanbarun, they were exhausted. Time was not on their side, so they only stopped for rest when it was absolutely necessary, camping just far away enough from the main roads that they were safely out of view but not so far away that they couldn’t pick right back up and leave at a moment’s notice.
As soon as they crossed the border into Augmer, it was like entering another world. Farmland turned to rolling lowlands and lush, green glens. The greenest grass Obi had ever seen. It was almost unnatural; but it made sense with the climate. The sky was perpetually moody gray, and even after two days of travel and finally reaching their destination, it never stopped raining.
In fact, as they rode up to the gates of Hennard castle, it was thunderstorming. Luckily Obi had the foresight to bring rain-repellant cloaks for both of them; their pants were soaked through, but from the waist up they were both as dry as was possible while horse riding in the rain.
Still, the weather set him on edge. They were in completely foreign territory now. He had no idea the layout of the castle or what the people there were like. All he could hope for was that the word Izana had sent ahead of time was enough to keep any problems from arising with the guards.
Obi almost wished that Izana hadn’t given his permission so easily, or at least sent them with a larger guard detail. But tending a sick lady-in-waiting was an innocuous request, compared to their other adventures. And Shirayuki was Tanbarun’s ‘Friend of the Crown’. One doesn’t hold a title like that and refuse a request from the Prince. Not without causing an international incident.
Yet, logic did not settle the heavy, foreboding feeling in his gut.
Obi and Shirayuki introduced themselves to the guards at the gates, shouting to be heard over the storm. One of the guards nodded, and shouted up to a lookout tower on one side of the gate. The guy in the tower ran through a door, disappearing.
The two guards on the ground pushed hard on the iron gates, beckoning them through and telling them to stay the path to the castle proper.
They followed instructions, and made their way to the ominous stone structure, gray as the skies and cold as the thunderstorm occupying them. When they reached the stone steps leading up to the ornate, wooden doors of the castle, they were greeted with the sight of ten guards, armed and in formation, with a strict-looking blonde woman at the front.
The woman bowed at them, one gauntleted hand glued to her side and the other over her heart. “Greetings, esteemed guests. Welcome to Hennard castle. I am Helga, retainer to Princess Euria. We appreciate your urgency with this matter most grave.”
Helga surveyed them both with a blank expression. Obi and Shirayuki, dismounted their horses. Two guards broke formation to take the reins from them and lead the horses to, presumably, the stables. Shirayuki made sure to untie her pack from the saddle first. It contained everything she’d hoped might cure the mysterious ailment. She held it to her chest protectively and Obi moved to her side and took one small step back.
Obi never took his eyes off of Helga though, and when her eyes flicked to their feet, he noticed. Good. It was better that Shirayuki take charge in this situation. There was nothing he could do here but watch her back.
“Come, let us shelter you from this storm. The Princess awaits an audience with you in the Keep.”
“Right. Thank you, Helga.” Shirayuki nodded, proceeding up the steps with Obi just behind.
Four of the guards followed them in, flanking the sides and bringing up the rear. Obi didn’t understand it. If it was a show of intimidation, he couldn’t fathom why they would bother. It was just himself and his Miss, and they had been asked to come. It was a simple medicinal visit. Was Augmer always so distrustful of foreigners, or was there something else at play?
Shirayuki looked back at him, and he could see the discomfort in her eyes, even as she sent him a tiny, forced smile. So she agreed. But what could be done? They had to press on.
They were brought through a bustling round corridor in the heart of the castle with many doorways and passages leading towards the rest of the structure. The Keep. Lords and ladies sat in plush chairs and at stone tables, laughing and arguing and sipping tea. Someone in brightly colored clothes played a flute by a large hearth. Servants and guards strode with purpose across the space, paying no mind to the liveliness of the crowd.
Obi and Shirayuki had barely any time to take in their surroundings before they were led down another passageway, this time leading to a much larger, emptier room. At its head, three obsidian thrones stood atop a granite dais, adorned with red pillows and tapestries, detailed with gold.
On the third throne, smallest in size and to the right of the other two, a woman with burnt umber curls and eyes as deeply green as the Augmer lowlands sat primly, clearly awaiting their arrival. She could almost be related to his Miss, but where Shirayuki had softer features and a petite frame, Princess Euria had the sharpness of royalty and toned muscles. Obi wondered if she trained the way Zen and Izana did, as the only heir to the throne of her kingdom.
Helga ascended the dais and stood just behind the Princess, the same way Obi stood in relation to Shirayuki.
“Princess Euria Hennard of the Kingdom of Augmer.” Helga announced.
“So you are the one I’ve heard so much about.” Princess Euria said immediately, eyes narrowing in… distaste ? Obi couldn’t be sure, but it definitely wasn’t pleasant.
Shirayuki took the strange, non-greeting with grace. “Princess Euria, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, curtsying. Obi bowed, pride surging in his chest. It would take more than an unruly royal to shake his Miss.
“My name is Shirayuki,” she continued, “I’m an herbalist from Clarines.” She gestured to him, next. “This is Obi, my escort and assistant. We’re here to help.”
No one needed to know his real title, and what Shirayuki said was true enough. Something bothered Obi, though. Wasn’t the Princess supposed to be – well, distressed? Her lady-in-waiting was dear enough to her to ask another kingdom for a favor, and she was dying. Yet, the Princess seemed almost… angry.
“Yes. Yes, you are,” the Princess agreed.
Shirayuki looked up at Obi, but all he could do was mirror her furrowed brow. They’d met some eccentric royals before, but Princess Euria was beginning to make Prince Raj seem mild-mannered.
“Yes, well –” Shirayuki said slowly, trying to navigate the awkward tone of the conversation. ”We understand it’s urgent, so if you’ll show us to the patient, we can –”
“Miss Shirayuki,” the Princess interrupted, “There’s something else I wish to speak with you about, first.” She leaned forward on the throne, hands gripping the stone armrests and the skirts of her beautiful, violet dress ruffling with the movement. “I hear you are very important to a certain prince.”
Obi and Shirayuki shared a grimace. Even a year after breaking it off with Zen, she was still dealing with the ramifications of dating a Prince. Though, this certainly didn’t seem like the time to be discussing relationship statuses. What was taking the Princess so long? Obi’s hand itched for the dagger at his belt, but any show of aggression, no matter how small, could mean their deaths.
“Prince Zen,” SY began carefully, “is a dear friend of ours –”
“Pah, don’t play coy with me, Friend of the Crown .” The Princess sneered at them, surprising them both with her hostility. “Explain to me how you managed to get close enough to the Prince of Tanbarun to obtain such a grand title.”
She couldn’t be serious. There was no way. But her hands clenched tighter at the throne, and she looked down her nose at them with frustration in her eyes. Obi’s eyes widened, but he held his breath to stop the laughter that came with the realization.
After a moment, Shirayuki understood as well. “You mean…” she started, bewildered, “ Prince Raj?”
“ Of course I mean Prince Raj,” Princess Euria snapped suddenly, making Shirayuki jump. “Do not use his name so casually in my presence, commoner.”
Shirayuki stood there, mouth open, and Obi’s entire body vibrated with contained giggles. Princess Euria was jealous . Prince Raj had a childhood friend that was extremely similar in appearance to Shirayuki that was in love with him , clearly knew about his relationship to Shirayuki, and was very pissed off about it.
There was not a single doubt in Obi’s mind that Raj had no idea.
After a few moments, Shirayuki regained her bearings. “I apologize, Princess Euria.” She enunciated each word slowly, blindfolded in a minefield. “I didn’t mean to offend you. Or… the Prince.”
The Princess huffed. “I want the truth. You were there for just a few days. Not nearly enough time to do anything noble or heroic enough in dearest Raj’s critical eyes.” Her tone got a bit dreamy at the end, before she seemed to shake herself, and put her inquisitor’s hat back on. “So,” she squinted, “how did you do it?”
“I didn’t do anything.” Shirayuki said, exasperated. Obi resisted the urge to smile, because there was no kind way to explain that Raj had matured through Shirayuki’s scoldings and they had come out of it unlikely friends. Not to the Princess with heart-eyes for him.
Apparently, he didn’t hide his smile well enough, because the Princess’s eyes snapped to Obi instead.
“You. You know something, Obi, first knight to the second Prince of Clarines.”
All the amusement drained from his body. “I’m afraid I do not, your highness. The Prince works in mysterious ways, sometimes.”
Shirayuki spoke up, attempting to get them back on track. “I would be happy to answer any more questions after I attend to the patient. We got here as quickly as we could, knowing that time is running short, even as we speak.”
The Princess leaned back in her seat, tapping a manicured nail on the armrest. “There is no patient.”
…
Shirayuki and Obi stood there for a minute, in shock.
“I don’t understand.” Shirayuki stared at Princess Euria, then looked to Helga, who still looked on emotionlessly.
Obi started calculating the odds of their successful escape from the castle despite the many guards, the lack of floor-level windows in the throne room, and their horses in the stables, whose location was unknown to him.
It was not looking good.
“You will answer my questions.” Princess Euria said, standing up from the throne. “In fact, I would like to request that you tutor me on how to obtain dearest Raj’s favor, and how to win his heart. I trust you have the time, since you made it here so quickly?”
Shirayuki just stood there, dumbfounded. Obi made an executive decision.
“If we will be staying here long-term, then we humbly request adjoining accommodations, if you have them. Or at least next door rooms.”
Princess Euria “So that you can spirit away my only chance at happiness with the most wonderful man to exist? I know all about you and your skillset, Sir Obi.” She held herself a bit taller, chest puffed out in pride. “You both will be safe here. Hennard castle is impenetrable, as any Augmerian will tell you.”
Obi found the current situation completely unideal. This was supposed to be a quick medical visit. Now they were, what, being held hostage? Every muscle in his body was tensed, and he knew he was wearing a very not-knightly expression, because Shirayuki tapped lightly on the back of his hand with her knuckles. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. It’s okay, we’re okay, he knew she was trying to say.
“That will be fine, your highness.” Shirayuki said, placating.
“Good. Now, Helga,” the Princess clapped twice, in a grand way that was very reminiscent of a certain Prince of Tanbarun, “show our guests to their accommodations, please.”