The Red-Haired Princess || Akagami No Shirayukihime

47. Reveal

A/N: I've been able to recover from the crisis, though not fully. Thank you so much for the comments, I'm really happy. Belated Merry Christmas and Boxing Day and a Happy New Year in advance. 

Chapter 47: Reveal

"These are the pictures we got of him from the maid during the attack. We have yet to detect him." The noble then showed the drawn picture with careful details to the cabinet. "The guard who was allied has also been arrested."

For Zen, this meeting was nothing, but noise making in his ears with the lots of guesses and options of what could have happened during the attack. No one was apparently there during it, except for the maid who happened to be there at the perfect time and facing some aftermath consequences of seeing the assassin and the guard, who were the causes of the attack.

"We've been able to cast out possible rumors about the invasion."

The atmosphere in the room was extraordinary, and there was an obvious strain between him and his elder brother, who has determined to keep things to himself. Over the past one week, he has had no peace, especially with his older brother.

"She's the only victim so far we've been able to get through," The noble continued.

"And the other victims? What happened to them? Where are they?" Zen asked hesitantly, knowing perfectly his response could be suppressed, however, he still demanded. The sudden changes of each of these twelve men's face evidenced to Zen that he was the only one without knowing. He felt the unexpected agony of deception of the thought of his brother.

"This conference is over."

Zen starred at his brother with his blue eyes burning at him and he replied with the same expression but later stood up. Everyone did the same including his own younger brother who was having mix feelings in his body. Izana then unattached his stare from his brother then left the room with his brother following. 

.

.

Zen grievously threw himself into his office chair. He's been quiet since their trip from the meeting. There were so many thoughts in his mind. Nothing was summoning up. There were so many guesses of what could have happened to Shirayuki and Obi, and everybody including his brother is keeping it away from him.

"Zen?" called Mitsuhide, composing Zen from his silent mood.

"Hmm?"

"You know, your brother isn't the only person, so far, who knows about their whereabouts. Someone closest to him might know about it, too."

Mitsuhide's sentence to Zen was senseless to him at first before he figured it out and suddenly felt silly and brainless. Of course, she was to be the only person to know about.

.

.

"What makes you think I might know something about it, Prince Zen?" The lovely lady of Izana asked with slight curiosity.

"Well, I'm not certain, but at the least, if you discern something about them, just tell me." Zen tried convincing Haki to tell him the slightest information she knows about Shirayuki and Obi.

"Prince Zen —"

 "My own brother is trying to hide my own wife and friend away from me, do you think that is appropriate? I have completely even lost my rights."

Haki turned away from Zen's sight. She was not willing to disclose such privatized information she has been decreed not to tell, but looking at Zen, who had such strong-minded eyes was just troublesome for her. Absolutely, she could dismiss Zen from her presence, but that, she did not want to do.

"If you promise."

"Absolutely! I promise," Zen said with so much enthusiasm in his voice. Someone to turn to without them showing their backs to him because of his brother'.

"Shirayuki and Obi are, unfortunately, —"

And just then, at that moment, without a second, as if intended, the door burst open, revealing the man in his graciousness, standing fully with his blue eyes painstakingly gazing the woman in front of him. The inner of Zen screamed with disappointment once again. He was so close to finding out what has happened to his wife. His eyes shortly met with his fiery-looking brother before he left the room.

Few seconds after Zen left, Haki stilled there with her chest striking faster every second, that she felt Izana could even hear. To her relieve, Izana left, with his intense expression, without saying a single word.

.

.

"I was trying my best, Your Majesty." Mitsuhide tried explaining himself out from the shell. "I wouldn't want Zen to suspect anything from me."

"Mitsuhide," Izana called bluntly despite his wrath towards Mitsuhide for giving such an advice to Zen. "follow me."

Gentle relief filled Mitsuhide as he sighed. He hopes to be forgiven for his intentional advice. Both men knew Mitsuhide was fighting for Zen's side to be told of the whereabouts of Shirayuki and that he wasn't in supportive of Izana.

Their many tons of curves started to worry Mitsuhide. Upon reaching somewhere Mitsuhide has heard of but never seen before in the castle during all his serving days in the castle. A nurse welcomed them. Izana dismissed her instantly.

They were many doors, each with different door color. They enrolled in one of them. The room was not welcoming. Everything in the room was surprisingly too dark and not pleasing. The first thing he saw was the color red and face with the rest of the body covered.

"Some certain things are always kept a secret for a reason, Mitsuhide." Izana then walked over to the body and took the blanket off the body. "These are some reasons."

Mitsuhide eyes were so wide that he felt them to escape out in anytime soon. He felt feeble. The feelings of pain and tears rose. Inconceivable that it couldn't be anyone that the person he also cares for. His body felt so loose just looking at her. How he now wishes for Zen to ever find out about this.

Shirayuki. In a bed. Eyes closed. Covered in bandages with blood stains and her body deformed.

Izana proceeded his way out no more wanting to see the horrified expression on his face.

"Your other friend, Obi, unfortunately too, occupies the next room."