Reader x Obi {Snow White And The Red Hair}

Shirayuki

I eventually walked back in and sipped on my cocktail, daydreaming about that mysterious man. He acted almost like a guard, but he sure didn't have that sort of uniform. He actually looked kinda nice, like he was supposed to attend this party too. Though i couldn't see him anywhere inside nor outside for that matter.

As i kept wondering where he could have gone to, i eventually heard a trumpet, making me turn my gaze to the top of the stairs. There stood the prince next to his two guards. A man with a loud voice spoke:

"Mses, let me welcome you to this festive event on behalf of the first prince who couldn't make it with us today because of a far away business affair. Now, let me present to you all the star of the party tonight, the second prince of Clarines, Prince Zen!"

All the women cheered, and the whole event turned into chaos when everyone started barging towards the prince to be able to talk and meet him. Though i wasn't interested so i took this chance to try and leave. When i was doing so, a sight stopped me in my tracks, a scarlet head of hair standing away behind the prince.

It intrigued me by its unusual color but also because if i had met her before, i would've remembered. That meant she wasn't a noble or at least not one that would attend the other balls. Could she be of royal blood from a different kingdom?

I was too curious to leave now, and so i made my way up to her and introduced myself. She smiled and said, "Nice to meet you. My name is Shirayuki." I asked her about where she was from since i couldn't recognize her, and she shyly said that she wasn't noble and just a friend of Zen, working as the court pharmacist and court herbalist.

My eyes glistened at her words, and i told her i was studying medicine too. We quickly started chatting like long-time friends. She was very sweet, and i felt way more comfortable talking with her compared to the other noble woman i had been with tonight.

In the middle of our conversation, we were interrupted by none other than the prince. "Is this woman bothering you?" He said, looking at me. "Oh no, she and i-" i started answering, but he talked over me. "I wasn't talking to you woman, are you oka, Shirayuki?"

Rude.

I didn't understand. Had i done something wrong? Shirayuki calmed him down, saying her and i were just getting acquainted and quiet frankly getting along. He looked at me, wondering if it was true, and i just smirked at him.

"Nice to meet you, your majesty. I am the daughter of the 3rd general official of your army. I was forced to come here and try to charm you into marrying me, but frankly, I'd rather spend my night with my new friend here. Anything i could do for you?" I bowed.

He seemed astonished at my words, and Shirayuki giggled a little. He apologized for his protective outbirst and pouted before walking back to the obsessed women waiting for him. A little later, the party came to an end, and i bid farewell to my new friend. She invited me to come see her here at the palace pharmacy so we could share our knowledge. Before, i could walk out though, the prince came up to me and handed me a little pendent.

"Wear this around your neck next time you want to come meet with Shirayuki. Show it to the guards, and they will let you in the palace."

I thanked him and bowed before leaving in my carriage. Guess he wasn't so bad in the end. I thought about it on the way back, and it occurred to me that those two weren't just friends. Why would the prince invite his friend to such an event? And why would he react like this at her meeting nobles? He probably thought i was one of those bitchy and selfish noble women trying to get him for themselves.

I don't know about Shirayuki, but it was clear as day to me that he had feelings for her. I giggled to myself, and then my thoughts went back to the man i met in the garden. Was he maybe another person working at the palace? Maybe i could meet him again if i went there with the pendent.

Arrived home, my parents, especially my dad, asked me about how it went. I explained to him that i did have a chance to talk to him and just reiterated that i wasn't interested in marrying him. I also told them about my new friend, who was a pharmacist and herbalist i had met and would go back to the palace to study medicine with her.

My father was a bit disappointed, scared i would never end up getting married, but at the same time, he cared for my happiness and decided to let me do what i wished. I let the maids help me undress and remove all the jewelry and makeup on me.

Before going to bed, i rolled my new pendent in between my fingers, looking at it and hoping i would be able to meet that man again.

In the end, i was thankful for the party for meeting Shirayuki.