Teach Me How To Live -~Zen Wistaria x Reader~-

Day Out

Your POV

I woke up the next morning to something I had never imagined..
I felt warm and comfortable and I had dreamed I was kissing Zen for some reason. It would have been a dream I'd never forget but as soon as i opened my eyes, I couldnt remember a thing..
As I realized who I was looking at, I grew happier and happier. Seeing Zen by my side as soon as i wake up is always something I wished for but this wasn't just him next to me.. Hes leaning over me with his eyes shut and his lips pressed against mine..
My eyes were peeled right open and I couldn't stop the massive blush forming on my face. Has he kissed me before when I was sleeping like this? I wish he'd kiss me more like this..
As Zen began to pull away, his eyes slowly cracked open and were only looking at my lips before slowly looking up to find my eyes wide open and my face looking redder than ever..
"Zen.." i whispered his name, feeling my heart beat race in my chest. What a wake up call..
"I-Im sorry! I-I thought you were still alseep!" He shouted and jumped back so far that he slipped right off the bed.
"Zen!" I shouted in a slight panic while reaching for his hand but slipped off just as he did and fell right over him. "A-Are you okay?.." i asked softly and was leaning right over the top of him. I had him pinned under me all by accident.
"Yes, are you?.." he asked quietly and slowly sat up with his hand pressed against my cheek and the other on my hip.
"Y-Yes, I am" i stuttered and felt so flustered. He kissed me like a prince would in the fairytales to wake the princess from a curse..
"Good.." he smiled that beautful smile and gently rubbed his thumb against my skin. My heart was beating so quickly and I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to do it so bad that i could almost cry so I leaned in again.. I did this so quickly because I felt nervous as if I could throw up but I kissed him anyway. I wanted to be with him for months, all this time ive been without his touch and I've missed it so much! I know he'll have to leave soon so I have to get as much of his touch as I can before he leaves me again!
"Y/n.." he whispered against my lips as we slowly pulled away but I hadnt opened my eyes yet. Just one more kiss, just one..
I slowly tilled my head to meet his lips just the same as he did.. Then we had another perfect kiss..
-Before suddenly there was a low gasp at the door behind Zen. We both pulled apart wide eyed and felt scared to death. I looked up only to find Obi there with Shirayuki.. Oh no..
"Master!" Obi shouted with this surprised and happy look on his face. Shirayuki looked at a loss for words. Her face turned bright red and she looked embarrassed she saw what just happened.
"I-It's not what it looks like!" I shouted and quickly tried to pick myself up. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I felt like this time I'd actually throw up. Everyones gonna hear about this now!
"You two were together all night too! Is this what you've been doing?!" Obi shouted and stromed in. Zen and i stood straight up at attention and couldnt feel anymore embarrassed than we do now.
"N-No!" Zen and i shouted at the same time.
"Leave them alone, obi" shirayuki whispered and tugged his sleeve.
"Yeah! You were with shirayuki all night too so why are you giving me a hard time?!" I shouted back and suddenly tried to get confident.
"Ill make you a deal, i wont say anything of you can beat me in hand to hand later in town" obi smirked and held out his hand.
"Obi!" Shirayuki suddenly shouted and had the meanest glare ive ever seen on her.
"Y-Yes?" Obi shouted and straightened up.
"All they did was kiss, leave them alone or ill leave you alone." She glared and crossed her arms.
My mouth dropped when i heard her say that. Of course she didn't mean anything of it, it was an empty threat but obi didn't know that. Zen clearly did, he almost even laughed!
"Shirayuki-" obi muttered and tried to fight against it.
"No, you can't keep teasing them if we do the same things they do." She said and put her foot down. Suddenly everyones faces dropped. Zen and i felt so flustered and shocked. Does she think we only kissed or is she talking about something else?..
I covered my mouth with my hand and felt flabbergasted.
"O-Oh, I didnt mean anything crazy, i-i was just talking about a kiss and-" she became a stuttering mess and looked bright red.
"Obi, what exactly have you two been doing?" Zen asked and still looked at a loss for words.
"N-Nothing master!" He shouted and looked a mess.
"Hey you four, whats happening in here?" Mitsuhide asked at the door and walked in with kiki.
"Nothing!" We all shouted quickly. Mitsuhides eyes widened at our sudden answers and kiki raised an eyebrow.
"Really?" Kiki asked suspiciously.
"I-I think we should be leaving.." shirayuki suggested and quickly made her exit with obi following.
"Zen, did you fall asleep in here last night? I couldn't find you at all so i figured you were with Y/n but you never came back" Mitsuhide asked as zen and i blushed bright red.
"Yes, I did by accident" he sighed and looked away.
"Is that true or did you two run off again?" Mitsuhide asked me with a raised eyebrow.
"I-Its true! He passed out quickly, we never left" i told him maybe a little too quickly.
"Im not surprised, none of us had much sleep because of traveling. Anyway, breakfast is waiting" Mitsuhide told us with a smile and left with kiki. I stayed in my spot and felt like a mess.
"The one second we have alone together, obi always manages to ruin it.." Zen sighed and actually looked a little sad.
"I-Its okay, im not sure when you have to go back but im sure we'll have more time alone till then. Maybe ill lock the doors next time too.." i muttered with and embarrassing blush burning across my face.
"We'll have to go back by the end of this week but ill give all my time to you until then.." he said as he gently took my hand.
"Thank you.." i muttered and lowered my head just a little so my short hair would hide my blush.
"Come on, lets not keep the others waiting" he chuckled and began to walk with me.
"Okay" i smiled and followed him out.
Even if our moment was sort of ruined again by obi, im still glad it happened. Now we'll have even more memories together although I do kind of wish I was just mine and Zen's memories..
Zen and i walked out together and suddenly I had became more embarrassed and flusted than I ever had before. We were sitting next to each other at the table and eating breakfast but my mind was so clouded with words that shirayuki said. She said she and obi do the same things we do but I think she was implying something much more intimate.. D-Do they think we do that?! Do they do that?! Will zen and i ever do that- ugh, stupid question, really dumb question!..
All breakfast my head was in the clouds and I barely ate a thing. What if obi or shirayuki tells the others what they think we do together? Do they already suspect something dirty? Oh no, please dont tell me they do!
"Y/n, are you okay, princess?" Mukaze asked from across the table and snapped me out of daze.
"H-Huh? Oh, yes I'm alright.." i answered with a short stutter before taking a bite of toast.
"Are you sure?.." Zen asked softly. Him paying more attention to me is shaking me up! I don't know whats wrong with me right now! I have butterflies and I feel sick! This reminds me of when shirayuki and obi said I had a crush on Zen and i thought they were so dumb they were right.. But whats wrong with me now?
I nodded to Zen and kept my eyes down at my plate.
"Well, you have a remarch with a few of the villagers today. They've been wanting this for a while" dad reminded me which helped calm me a little.
"Yeah, I do too!" Mitsuhide shouted out as the rest softly laughed.
"She'll beat you again too" kiki told him with a little smile to which Mitsuhide surprisingly got discouraged. Normally Mitsuhide would take amything kiki says as encouragement but for some reason its different now.
"Hey, dont forget I've been training while you're away working in the mornings" obi told me and pretended to show off his muscles.
"I dont know if I can anymore, actually.." i told them truthfully.
"What?.." dad asked with a death glare.
"I-I just mean that I haven't been that active for a long time is all!" i explained quickly in a slight panic.
"Thats a lie, you chase the twins around all day when you're not studying or catching the creeps climbing the walls" obi said before eating a strawberry.
"Catching the creeps?.." Mukaze asked in confusion and looked over to me.
"Shes the secret princess of tanbarun, of course people would want to see her.." Zen answered and didnt look very happy. He doesn't like it when people try to look at me.. For some reason that only made my butterflies and nerves get worse.
"And she's well of age for marriage.. The king said he would have already chosen you a suiter if you didn't have Zen" dad told me and had his eyes on his plate. If i hadn't shown my interest in Zen then I would have never gotten to be with him.. i probably would have already been with some random man I've never met before.. 
I lowered my head upon hearing that. I wish it wasn't true but I know it is. I would have thought that the oldest would have to marry first but apparently that doesn't matter.. as i was in thought, Zen slipped his hand into mine. My heart raved and those butterflies were eating away at my stomach. Why do i feel so nervous with him now? Maybe its because we're expected to be doing more intimate things now that we're supposed to be getting married but.. Thats sort of scary. It reminds me of the.. The fake mission.. I dont ever want to be reminded of that when I'm with Zen but the truth is, it might come up again. Even if it does, things won't be the same and ill have Zen by my side.
"But lucky you, your dad would have fought the king off. Id rather you not marry so young anyway.." dad said with his arms crossed and pretended to pout.
"I suppose it is a little early.." Zen said and looked sort of worried. Its my fault we have to move so fast.. I was the one that had to push things..
"Yes.." i nodded quietly in agreement.
"You both would have been through many different marriage meetings before now. You should consider yourselves lucky" Mitsuhide said with a sigh and shake of his head.
"Youre right, we did get lucky" Zen chuckled before looking down to me. My face began to burn again and I felt flustered still. I cant believe I'm acting like this all over again, i feel ridiculous! I nodded quietly and kept my eyes down.
"Uh oh.." shirayuki muttered and was looking right at me with her chin in her hand, "ive seen you act like this before once" she told me with a little smirk. My eyes widened a bit when I realized she somehow caught onto me again. Just like when she told me I had a crush! Well can she tell me whats wrong now?
"L-Like what?" I stuttered and tried to pretend I was fine.
"Hm.." Kiki hummed as everyone looked a little harder at me. I squeezed Zen's hand by accident as I leaned back and started feeling nervous.
"Alright guys, thats enough torturing her for one morning" Zen told them but was smiling at me. He always saves me from everything bothering me..
The morning passed by and soon i had to fight. Ive sort of missed going into battle and feeling that rush but its been nice getting to relax. I was still in a dress but it was to my ankles so I wouldn't trip. First I had my fight with obi, just to warm up and get it over with. He lost pretty quickly. Then I matched Mitsuhide with my sword. He fought hard and had clearly been training hard unlike me. I wasnt doing so good anymore but I could pull through and win it. Then I had to take on the rest of the village. Everyone lost like last time but i was warn out so quickly and didn't have much strength left by the end. Dad was the last one to fight me but i was so drained. I had never felt quite this weak before. I got one swing in with my sword before it was knocked out of my hand.
I was hunched over with my hands on my knees, completely out of breath. "I give in.." i breathed heavy breaths and tried to calm myself down after an hour or two of just fighting. That took a lot longer than i remember.
"You really have stopped training.." dad muttered and looked shocked.
"Yeah, i told you that-" i panted and tried to catch my breath, "ive been studying, remember?" I asked as i straightened back up.
"Its important for you to get proper exercise everyday too, y'know?" Dad told me as he picked up my sword.
"I do!" I shouted feeling a little embarrassed.
"Obi, make sure she gets training in everyday again" dad said before Obi nodded.
"Seriously?.." i whispered to myself with a sigh.
"Hey, maybe Zen could actually beat you now" Mitsuhide said with a grin and bumped Zen's arm playfully.
"Shut up.." Zen sighed. A felt a little blsuh rise again like before. Ive felt so horrible fighting all this time because i am slow and Zen could see it. I've never been like this before and it makes me nervous because to zen, all I've ever been was a fighting machine and now.. Well, im just a waste of space I think..
"Still, those were amazing, matches, Y/n" kiki told me and put a gentle hand in my shoulder.
"I agree, you won against everyone just like last time! Goes to show that a Moon won't loose their touch even without practice" shirayuki added with a bright smile.
"Really?.." i asked and showed a small smile. They think I still did good?
"Yeah, show off.." obi grumbled and crossed his arms.
"You were at it for a long time though without any breaks, are you feeling okay?" Zen asked me as i met his eyes.
"Y-Yes! I-Im okay!" I stuttered out as the burning on my face got worse. Why has this feeling not gone away yet?!
"Oh, a second wind?" Obi smirked at my sudden energy.
"Shut up, obi.." i sighed.
"Princess! We've prepared a lunch for you and your friends!" A nice woman told me as she broke through the crowd of beaten men.
"You have? Thank you" i smiled.
"Oh, you're welcome, princess. This is just to show our gratitude for all your efforts to better this kingdom" another woman told me as my friends and I began to follow the women.
"M-My efforts? What did I do?.." i asked in wonder. All I've done is study and lower taxes. I wish i could do more but I don't know what..
"Your studyung! You lowered taxes and even created a space for others to find work at the castle!" Another shouted out.
"What? Did I do that?" I asked in confusion. When did I manage to create jobs for people in the castle?
"Well, not actually creating jobs spaces, more like giving motivation to tanbarun" she clearifed. Motivation? What in the world did I do?
"Y/n, please dont tell me you dont get it.." obi said with a sigh.
"Uh.. Well, thank you but I didnt really do anything but study. Lowering the taxes was more of Raji's job than mine" i told them nervously.
"Princess, you dont give yourself enough credit. Your life has been so hard till now" a woman sighed.
"Till now?" I asked with narrowed eyes and left a little mad.
"W-Well, we just thought that since becoming princess things have gotten easier" another stuttered to explain.
"Easier?.. yeah right.." i muttered to myself and rolled my eyes.
"This is where we've set up things. Take a seat and we'll bring food out shortly" they told us and pulled put our chairs.
"Y/n, whats life really like in that castle? You didnt looked convinced things had gotten easier after moving here" Mitsuhide asked.
"Yes, what's it like behind closed curtains?" Mukaze asked next.
"Whats it like?.." i asked myself and thought back to everything ive done. It wasn't fun, its tiring and time consuming and makes me sad often times. Normally id be fine but without Zen and the others, I think ive just grown to be.. "Lonely." I told them all before taking a sip from my tea cup. It tastes so sweet, like nothing from the castle.. "And boring.." i finished as i set it back down.
"Shes had a lot of work to do and rarely gives herself a break.." Obi told them with a sad look on his face.
"How is it for you, obi? It must not be easy being away ftom shirayuki for so long" dad asked while mukaze glared for mentioning his daughter.
"Me?.." obi asked as he looked up in confusion and shock. Neither of us have been the same. Obi tends to be more worried about me than himself only because of my duties but he's in the same emotional boat as I am.. "Im fine, really!" He told them with a smile he was faking.
"Y/n?.." dad asked me for confirmation.
"We miss home. Obi has been alone far longer than i am, he has nothing to do in Tanbarun. He needs to go back to Clarines." I told them while staring directly at obi. He looks surprised and maybe a little mad i told them but its the truth.
"What? No I dont!" Obi shouted and stood up but i stayed calm and sitting.
"I dont need you here all the time, you're only hurting yourself." I glared at him and was being as stern as I could. Its the truth. He needs to go back home. He needs something to do, hes hurting.
"Im not!" He shouted and slapped his hand down on the table making everything shake. He got so worked up and out of breath because of this. Hes looked over me his whole life but now its my turn to look after him for once.
"Zen, will you take Obi to Clarines with you?" I asked with a serious expression. Obi looked suddenly broken down when I asked.
"If you think that's what's best for him, then i will.." Zen nodded and was being just as serious as i was.
"Obi, by the end of this week you will be going back to Clarines and waiting for me to return." I told him. He looked confused and sad and didn't know how to handle it so he ran off. Shirayuki stood up as soon as he ran. She looked to me for some sort of command. "Shirayuki, while I'm gone, im counting on you to take care of him" i told her with a soft smile and nodded to where obi ran off.
She nodded with a determined smile before leaving the table and running to obi. I looked at dad feeling a little lost and worried about what i had just done. Ill be alone till I move back.. But obi needs to be there. I'll be okay but he needs shirayuki.
"Nicely done, princess.." mukaze told me with a smile.
"He needs to be with shirayuki.. Hes been alone all this time without her while I work.." i confessed to them. I feel horrible for making obi feel so alone all this time. Hes had nothing to do but think about going back to her..
"But now you'll be alone.." kiki said with a heavy heart.
"No, I have far more people to be with than obi did. I have my siblings and whomever else in the castle" i assured her smiling.
"But you still need an aid.." Mitsuhide muttered in thought.
"I can protect myself rather well if you havent figured that out yet" I crossed my arms and glared.
"Thats not what he means" dad sighed which confused me.
"The king needs you to have one. You have too much work to do and can't get it all done alone" Zen clarifed.
"Ill be okay" i smiled, "besides, having more things to do will help keep me busy for a while" i told them. It might be a good thing obi is gone. I mean, i know he'll be okay without me and he'll be even happier now that he's got shirayuki again. I'll have more work now so I won't have to think about anyone or anything. I'll be okay..
"I dont know.." zen muttered in thought and looked stressed.
"Oh no, where did obi and shirayuki go?" A woman asked as others began being out lunch.
"Out for a walk. Im not sure if they'll be back" i answered kindly.
"Oh, i see" she giggled and probably thought they ran off to be alone when in reality I think I hurt Obi's feelings and shirayuki is trying to make it better..
We all ate with some small talk but i was mostly quiet. I havent had to deal with so much since leaving Clarines, not that its bad, i just guess I dont know how to fix things again. I want everyone to be happy before I have to leave them again but how can we when that thought is weighing so heavily on us?
I was thinking so hard that I had fallen asleep sitting up. I hadnt eaten much and I was so tired for the hours of fighting that I just couldn't keep it together. I suppose maybe ive been pushing myself because Zen is back. All I want to do is make him proud but for some reason I never feel accomplished. Even though im trying so hard to be this amazing ruler, I just don't think im doing enough, but what is it that I can do?.. I dont know..
"..Did you tell obi about that rug incident? You could've died!.." i slowly began to wake up after hearing Mitsuhides words. I didnt even realize that I had fallen asleep and I didn't know how long I was out for.
"I was fine" Zen sighed. Wait, what? Something happened?
"You got hurt?.." i muttered as i rubbed my eye and strightened up.
"Of course she wakes up after hearing Zen got hurt" shirayuki giggled. When did she get back? Why does it look like late afternoon already?
"Oh no.. I cant believe i fell asleep.." i muttered in embarrassment as I looked at the soft orange filling the sky.
"You had a rough day already though so we thought you should sleep it off" Zen chuckled as i noticed obi. He doesn't look happy at all..
"Im sorry, I didnt mean to.." i apologized and lowered my head.
"You woke up just in time to hear how Zen got hurt after a rug fell over him from the second story" Mitsuhide filled me in as I glanced to Zen. He got hurt.. and i wasn't there...
"But Shirayuki became an official court herblist after it happened" Zen said with a proud smile. Proud.. Is he proud still now that im sending obi away?..
"What? You werent before?.." i asked in total confusion.
"Mitsuhide hypnotized himself. After shirayuki cured him she passed her test" obi explained but was still quiet and mad. Dad and mukaze are gone, I wonder when they left.
"I remember hearing that in one of Zen's letters but I had no idea shirayuki became offical.." i said as i thought back to the letter. He said Mitsuhide was being overly annoying and proper, like how he was when they first met but Shirayuki helped him out.
"Not much has changed though" she giggled to me. I nodded and gave her a short smile as i pressed my hand against Zen's watch under the fabruc of my dress. I havent taken this off for a long time.. it makes me feel a little safer when I'm nervous. Obi must hate me..
"I heard tomorrow some villagers are going to town. Is that something you want to do as well?" Zen asked and gently took my hand under the table.
"I-I dont know if i can" i stuttered nervously.
"Maybe we'll have to find your cloak and mask again" kiki joked as the others softly laughed.
"Is that something you guys want to do?.." i asked and gave Zen's hand a light squeeze.
"I think itd be nice going into town for a day. I havent been for a while" shirayuki smiled and looked at obi. I remember when me, her, obi, and my sliblings went.. That was a good day..
"I dont mind going" Mitsuhide added.
"Neither do i" kiki nodded.
"Obi?" Zen asked as everyones eyes directed at him.
"No, I dont mind.." he said and still looked so mad. I hope he forgives me one day..
"Then its settled. Tomorrow we'll all go into town together" Zen said with a bright smile and squeezed my hand a little. He makes me feel so reassured and like what I told obi was the right thing but why does it feel so wrong? Hes so mad but why? Its just me, he'll have everyone else including shirayuki but he's mad about leaving me. He doesn't need to protect me anymore.. I'll be alright..
With that settled, we all planned for the trip. We'd leave early in the moring to go down the mountain on horse back. For the whole night, obi absolutely hated me and there wasn't a thing I could do or say to fix it.. That night I was alone in my room unlike the last night. I did miss Zen but I just needed to be alone.. Shirayuki came to talk to me though. She asked me if it was the right thing for obi to go back even if she misses him too. I told her it was and that he was only getting depressed and lonely without people to be next to all day. I cant always be with him or talking to him so it must be very hard for him.. She understood by the end and said she'd try to talk to obi but i don't think he'll listen.
The next day we all got up broght and early. I wore my old cloak, the one shirayuki got me, and put on my first pair of pants for months. It felt nice though and I could wear my swords comfortably. We all had small breakfasts before getting on the road. I road with Zen on his horse like last time. If i didn't have this title than I wouldn't be allowed to ride with him even if his title was being kept a secret today.. Zen borrowed clothes from the villagers just like kiki and Mitsuhide. If we didnt want to be spotted then we'd have to stay hidden. Going to town reminds me of that date we had long ago. We escaped from the castle in clarines just to have a day all to ourselves before getting punished for leaving without telling anyone..
Everyone began to separate once reaching town but would meet up later. Obi and shirayuki were the first to run off. Im sure obi was excited for this but also probably wanted to be away from me. Mitsuhide and kiki decided that they'd go away as well so Zen and i could be alone. And then we were. We tied our horse in the stable before taking each other's hand and walking off.
"Whats your favorite place to go to here?" Zen asked as we walked close to each other.
"The market is nice. I went with my sliblings, shirayuki and obi the day I announced my title" I told him with a soft smile as we walked.
"What?!" He whisper shouted in a panic.
I giggled at him for his worry though, "No one knew in town yet but they did recognize me anyway and they were especially curious because I had Raji, Rona, and Eugena with me" i told him happily. "Then the towns folk came up to us at the end of the day asking why the royal family was in town. Eugena gave away my secret first but it wasn't bad. Everyone was really nice and we all hugged because of a little girl" i smiled and gently swung our hands back and forth as we walked.
"Whatd the girl do?" He chuckled and looked over to me.
"She hugged me first then the others joined.." i shrugged and felt myself lightly blush when he looked at me.
"Really? Even raji and obi?" He asked in surprise.
"Yes, them too" i giggled as we finally found the beautiful market. Its livelier than ever today especially.
"I wonder how long it'll take for someone to catch us" he asked quietly as we slowly walked and looked around.
"Well if we are caught than at least there won't be screaming or crowding like in Clarines" i grinned.
"What? Are you calling my people rowdy?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and grin.
"No, no, theyre just more curious than certain other countries in the area.." i smiled and raised my chin high.
"And your people aren't?" He asked with a cute pouty face.
"Im just kidding, calm down prince pouty" i giggled and bumped his arm as we walked together. "Oh! What in the world is that?..." i gasped and pointed at this big painting across one of the bigger stone buildings.
"A crowd?.. at a fountain?.." Zen asked in wonder as we walked up to the painting. There were many other people next to it. The paint still looks wet too..
"Zen.. This is what I was talking about.. Someone painted it.." i said as i let go of Zen's hand and gently pressed that same hand against the clean bricks under the painting.
"Were you there when this happened?" A man asked from beside me and was staring up at the painting.
"I-I wasnt.. What is the painting of?.." i asked and tried to pull my hood a little more over my eyes.
"The day princess Y/n's title was announced, she and her siblings and two other friends came to town to visit. No one in town knew she was a princess until prince Eugena spoke of it. Then she told us all.." he said with a soft smile and kept his eyes on the wet paint. Hes covered in paint as well... Did he do this?
"What did she say?" Zen asked from beside me and gently took my hand again.
"She said she was the princess of this land and that she only found out herself just recently but she told us she'd work hard. She kept her promise. Things have changed a lot because of her kindness." The man told us and squinted at the painting before grabbing a little brush and fixed something. "A little girl had given her a hug and the princess was so kind to her. She hugged her than the rest of the town. The other royals did as well. The town will never forget that day so I've been asked to paint our memories of it" he told me with a smile as he put back down the brush.
"You must have been there then, huh?" I asked with a smile as my hood got blown off by the breeze. For the first time since we were talking to this man, he finally looked at me and seemed more than surprised.
"P-Princess! Excuse me for not noticing sooner!" He shouted oh so loudly then bowed to me.
"Shh, its okay, please stand up" i whispered and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Dont go around telling people im here, okay?" I asked smiling.
"Yes, your highness" he nodded and stood up a little taller. I could tell he was eyeing Zen but he didnt really know who he was. "Princess, if you dont mind, would you please sign it?" He asked me nervously.
"Me?" I asked in surprise and felt a little tingly. Its weird having so much attention. They admire me and I love that they put their trust in me as well.
"It would mean a lot to me and this town" he nodded quickly.
"Well.." i muttered and glanced at Zen. Hes smiling away and nodded for me to go on. "I suppose i will but don't be mean if my penmanship looks bad" i giggled as i went over and took a small paint brush. I dipped it in a bit of yellow paint then at the bottom I wrote, "You have my love, Princess Y/n Moon." While I was writting, the man asked Zen who he was out of curiosity. Zen answered with, "youll know with time." Hes trying to be clever again but it seems like the man caught on rather too quickly to his scheme.
"A-Are you Prince Zen of Clarines? Are the rumors actually true?" The man stuttered and looked so taken back.
"Thats enough talking. See you around, sir" i smiled as I quickly took Zen's hand and rushed us away.
"We cant tell anyone?" Zen asked with a smile.
"Not when we haven't had an official marriage meeting! The king will get mad and others will start asking questions again!" I whisper shouted as we walked away together further into the market.
"Its okay" he chuckled and squeezed my hand, "lets go look around for a while longer before someone else catches us" he told me happily. I nodded smiling and continued with him.
We shopped around for a while all over before I found a store that sells letter paper, wax, and stamps.
"Zen look! They have scents" i said smiling as i looked at the different waxes. There was one that smelled like lavender. There was only 3 scents but I liked this one the most.
"Really? Why are you getting so much paper?" He asked as i picked up a few of the little wax bars.
"Letter paper runs out quickly when you write everyday. After December we'll still have 6 more months to go so I thought that maybe i could get enough till then" i said and managed to hold all that paper.
"Why dont you come back to visit halfway and buy more. I dont want you to hold so much weight all day" he told me as he took half the stack of paper.
"I guess it would give me something to do" i shrugged, "i think ill also get a new stamp" i smiled as i picked up one with beautiful little flowers on them.
"Flowers.. Even in Clarines you were always near a garden" Zen said softly and had a gorgeous smile covering his face that made my heart pound.
"I-I guess I just find them relaxing.. I always wanted to grow my own garden when I was little but I couldn't because the prince didn't want us to have such a thing at our house.." i explained. Flowers have always been my source of relaxation and somehow dominic knew that and took it from me. I suppose the Moon family was too tough for flowers..
"Then when our time is up and you're back in clarines, we'll start our own little garden together.." Zen told me as he unwrapped this little box. Inside it was a hair stick you put over your ear and the jewels hang down by your cheek. It's a clear ball with little spots of golden glitter mixed in with the little flowers frozen in place. The stick is short and golden and hides well in my hair. From the little glass ball hangs small jewels and a singular frozen flower.
"Zen.." i whispered as i watched as him take down my hood then put the stick in my hair for me.
"You didnt wear your usual one today. Obi said you never take it off but you did today.. I know it's because you're worried about him that you forgot but I wanted you to have this anyway.." He said softly and he put my hood back over my head.
"Its beautiful, thank you.." i said in a bit of a daze as I touched the small hanging jewels.
"Now it won't be hidden by your hood anymore either" he said with his hands on his hips and seemed so happy when he looked at me.
"U-Uh, oh, maybe i-I um-.." i stuttered as i quickly thought to myself and almost dropped the stamp I had in my hand. I feel like now I should buy something for Zen but what would I give him? I have no idea! I have the sword but its in the castle and its not done yet!
"Careful" he chuckled and took some of the load from my hands. "Come on, lets go pay and sit down for a while" he told me with such a gentle smile. I felt tingly and so warm everytime I see him smile like that..
I paid for my things and carried them in a small bag with us. We found this cute cafe we ordered some food from then went and sat at a table far outside from that place. The sun shined down on us but it wasnt burning, it was actually still cold because of the fall weather but it warmed us up just enough. While we were eating, kiki and Mitsuhide walked by completely unaware of our presence.. And they were holding hands.
"Zen.. Did I miss something?.." i asked as i watched kiki and Mitsuhide before turning back to Zen who was wide eyed and looked way more surprising than me.
"What the hell did i miss?.." he asked in complete shock. 
"Pfft-.." i covered my mouth after hearing that. So they've been secretly dating this whole time or maybe this was their first time being together. Either way, im glad i got to see this. Mitsuhides has been waiting for his chance for a while i think and kiki finally let him have his fun. "Theyre perfect for each other, im really glad they're together" i told Zen as i watched them pass by.
"Yeah me too but don't you think they could have said anything?!.." he whispered and seemed panicked. I see, hes never seen them in this light before because they've been together for years without any relationship so he's more than surprised.
"Maybe this was their first date.." i said with a soft sigh and little tilt of my head. They look so cute together..
"I remember the first time we snuck out and went to town together like this.." Zen chuckled as i looked back to him but he was watching kiki and Mitsuhide.
"I do too.. We played in the mountains and shopped all over town.. i dont think we ever got caught being together either" i smiled a little bigger as i thought back to that day. We knew I had to leave soon so we decided to make the most of it and run off together.
"This was a nice escape from life" Zen said as he rested his head in his hand and met my eyes.
"Yes but only an escape.." i sighed and lowered my head. "Once this week is up, obi will be gone and so will you and the others.." i thought about how lonely it might truly turn out to be without obi.
"Theres no doubt that he'll try to run off to find you again though. Don't expect him to be gone long" Zen told me and kept up his smile.
"But its so much worse for him here.." i muttered and held my hands together tightly in my lap. "Hes more alone than I am.. All he does is stand around me quietly because im always working on something.." i explained and felt at a loss.
"Even so, he'll go back to you no matter how much he'll miss shirayuki." Zen told me light heartedly. "After all the two of you have gone through, I dont think anyone could split you two up again" he sighed as his smile grew.
"But he doesn't need to protect me anymore.. Dominic is in prison and the only people trying to find me are people just trying to see what im doing.." i muttered in thought.
"That doesn't matter to him. Remember, he's lived souly to know youll always be out of harms way in Alfin. Just because you aren't in immediate danger doesn't mean he won't worry.." Zen said and got a little more serious. "Im against the idea of him coming, honestly" he said suddenly which made my heart stop somehow, "I want to know you always have at least one person there with you that i trust but i won't fight your better judgment of the situation. You do know obi better than i do, afterall" he sighed and sat back up straight.
"Id like him to stay but he was in a really bad place a couple weeks ago.. We went to shirayuki's grandparents place because Obi really missed her. We were both stuck in a bad spot but obi.. He was beginning to break.." i muttered as I thought back to that day. He was in tears if I remember correctly.. We both were..
"I see.. I doubt he'll stay in Clarines long so if he comes back and gets like that again then send him back. There shouldn't be a problem since technically he's still my offical messenger" Zen told me with a smile.
"Thank you.." i sighed in relief and nodded. "Hey, uh.. Whats that face for?.." i asked in confusion at his sudden change. He looks so embarrassing somehow and surprised and he's looking right behind me. I turned around in my seat and saw Mitsuhide dipping kiki in the middle of the road.. Oh, they look like they're gonna kiss.. and Zen looks like hes watching his parents kiss for the first time. "Pffft-.." i giggled after seeing the look on his face. "Come on, theyre cute together" i told him as i kept watching the two. i think what happened was kiki tripped and Mitsuhide caught her. They look so embarrassed and they're blushing and are acting so cute together.
"I feel sick.." Zen muttered in disgust.
"You're such a baby" i giggled as i stood up and threw our trash away.
"Im a baby?" He stood up and shouted and was pointing right at the other two.
"Calm down, youll make people notice us.." i hushed him as i grabbed my bag. "And don't give them a hard time while I'm not looking. Don't mess this up for them, okay?" I told him as i took his hand and began to walk the two of us away from the others.
"I wont" he sighed and rolled his eyes smiling.
From that point on, all we did was mess around. We walked all day and talked about random things before we had to meet up with the others and go back to the village.
I had such a good day today and even by dinner I got to talk to obi. I told him about what Zen and if talked about. I told obi that he would stay in clarines for a few months then come back to me for a few months. He was still mad but had to listen to me either way. That night was slow and sort of quiet. I spent it with my friends. Even though we aren't children, we still had one big sleepover. For some reason, the guys were totally against the idea so they decided they weren't going to be apart of that and instead it was just a girls sleepover in my room.. And we had lots to discuss.
"Kiki, so what did you and Mitsuhide do today while you were in town?" I asked with my normal smile and wanted to squeeze the info out of her.
"Yeah! Whatd you think of it?" Shirayuki asked next.
"I thought it was beautiful. Everyone seemed happy and there were children running around everywhere. As for Mitsuhide and I, we walked around together for most of the day before sitting down somewhere" she answered like she normally would.
"You dont happen to have a little crush on him do you?.." i asked hesitantly and braced myself for a glare.
"Of course not. Why?" She asked noemally instead of glaring.. oh my gosh, is she lying?
"Really?.." Shirayuki sighed like she wished they were together as well.
"Theres no way id crush on that idiot" she said as she stared up at the ceiling as we talked around while laying on our backs.
"Thats weird.." i muttered and thought back to them holding hands and her trip. "You must have saw Zen and i earlier didnt you then? Thats why you were holding hands in front of him and acting so close so Zen would get all grossed out?" I asked with a quiet giggle. That would be a nice prank but im not sure it was one.
"Of course we did.. It was all just a joke.." she told me but looked a different way about it..
"Oh no.." shirayuki whispered and slapped her hands over her mouth. "Mitsuhide suggested that prank didn't he?.." she asked quietly as kiki looked.. more sad..
"Yes, he did.." she answered as she turned on her side facing away from us.
"That idiot.." i whispered to myself. Kiki liked holding his hand and being close while Mitsuhide thought it was all just a joke!
"Im so sorry, kiki.. why didn't you tell him off like normal though?.." shirayuki asked softly in worry.
"Because I still wanted to hold his hand.." she muttered sadly. My heart broke to pieces when I heard her answer.
"That guy.." shirayuki huffed and almost got up but i pulled her back down and shook my head no. Even if kiki wanted to tell Mitsuhide her real feelings, that drama would get in the way of their work and she would never do that.. she's suffered all this time keeping it a secret and acting like she doesn't like him just so their work wouldn't get ruined.. Mitsuhide really needs to get it together.
"Everything will work out in the end. Even if mitsuhides isn't the one who'll be by your side like that, you will find another person you can trust and love. Or maybe one day Mitsuhide will realize how stupid he is.." i told kiki softly.
"Thank you.. But im not cut out for the dating life like you two are.. " kiki muttered and pulled her blanket up a little higher.
"Pffft!-" shirayuki immediately started laughing when she heard that which totally confused me. "At least you know you Iike him! Y/n came to me during work complaining about butterflies and tingling when she thinks of Zen!" Shirayuki laughed.
"Hey!" I shouted out of embarrassment. Kiki started laughing along to both of our surprises.
"Youre right.. Maybe one day I'll find that person" she smiled and looked better than before.
"Or maybe he'll find you. If you're anything like Y/n then pray he finds you" shirayuki giggled.
"Hey! Can you stop teasing me! I already told you I've never met other people my age before obi and you guys!" I shouted and felt so embarrassed. Of course I don't know what any of that stuff means which is why I'm so confused that I've been feeling so flustered around Zen lately.
"Oh and Y/n, I've noticed how you're acting around Zen is sort of unusual than normal. I thought maybe you were just excited to see him but I figured out whats really on your mind" shirayuki grinned and looked so smug. Of course she knows that too.. "You're nervous to be starting a new chapter of your life with him because marriage scares you" she smirked.
My mouth dropped when i heard her explanation. Is that true? Am I scared? No.. Im just scared what happens after.. what will we do in the castle now? Maybe ill help him work..
"Or maybe your scared of what happens after the marriage.." kiki added but was smirking for some reason.
"I guess.. Im just nervous about what's going to happen to us. Things wont be the same amymore and I cant go back to walking around all day doing nothing" i sighed to them.
"Oh.." Shirayuki and kiki hummed and looked somewhat disappointed by my answer. What else were they expecting?
"You know what people expect after marriage right?.." Shirayuki asked painly and seemed bored.
"Uh... Life?..." i muttered in confusion. Kiki slapped her forehead before turning on her side away from us again.
"Dont scare her anymore, shirayuki, or maybe she'll take back the marriage proposal" kiki warned while I was confused. Are they talking about children?.. For some reason, thats the least of my worries.
"Alright, alright. Good night" shirayuki giggled as we all settled down.
"Good night" i said as i shut my eyes.
"Night" kiki said. After that, everything was quiet and we were fast asleep.