Blossom in Full Bloom (Book 4: The Pink Blossom Series)

Opportunity Knocks

I couldn't sleep as usual... especially given the circumstances. I noticed my parents were both asleep. I needed fresh air. I came out to see that Obi was on watch.

"What are you doing out here?" Obi interrogated.

"Doing what I always do, when I can't sleep."

"Then you should know, I can't let you out of my sight. Master will kill me, if you have a single interaction with our beloved host of this grand occasion."

"Since when do you talk like that?"

"Since now, apparently."

"Fine, just give me some space. I can't think if I feel you staring at me."

"Won't that bother you, no matter where I am standing." Obi smiled cheekily.

I was not in the mood for his games. I just ignored him and walked passed.

It remained silent between us. Obi didn't give me much distance either. This was the last time I would be given the freedom to walk outside, I wasn't going to pass up this chance.

My mind wondered to Desti. I would never see him again and I hardly even got to say goodbye. He was not dealing with this well, either. I never told him about the prince's plans for me or I knew he would take me away from it, for sure. It is better if people didn't have all the details. Everyone was trying to avoid the awkwardness of my presence. They just didn't know what to say. I wouldn't know what to say, either.

I felt a prick in my neck and then heard a quick breath blown from the bushes. I pulled it out and noticed, Obi had been hit too.

I took my stance. Preparing myself...prepering mesef... to black out.

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"What did you do with her?!" Zen stormed out of the tent, directing his sword towards Prince Kotau's throat. "Where is she?! I swear, if you do anything to her, you're going to pay!"

"What do you mean she's gone? She obviously ran away from her duties." Prince Kotau answered, without losing any composure.

"She would never run away from her duties! She knows what is expected of her!" Zen shot him a death glare that would slice open the heart of any man.

"Zen. I believe she ventured off. She always does that. Obi clearly went with her. She's fine." Kiki reassured.

Shirayuki's eye caught something. She hastened over to pull it out of the ground. It was an arrow with a letter wrapped around it. She pulled it off and read it out loud. "How dare you bring her here... How dare you abandon reason for passivity... We will not standby and allow you to ally us with Clarines..." Shirayuki's gaze met Zen's.

"Who would want to stop this alliance, Prince Kotau?" Zen stood accusingly.

"Countless. We would be here all night discussing that." Prince Kotau's indifferent attitude was really pissing Zen off.

King Izana came into view, with Obi passed out on the horse.

"What happened?"

"He didn't fall asleep. He was in too much of an awkward position for that. I found this as well." King Izana held up a small dart.

"Poison?!" Zen shrieked.

Shirayuki took it and analyzed it. "It was a sleep dart. One can only assume that Miko was shot with one of these, as well."

"She shouldn't have wandered off. She would have avoided all of this. I thought you were going to keep a close eye on her!" Prince Kotau gave a stern look at Zen.