Red And Blue Are Opposites [ObiX(Y/N)]

Chapter 3

Shirayuki guides me through the building that is apparently her and Ryuu's working place. Obi is walking somewhat next to me and I know that he's been eyeing me quite a few times, probably curiosity. Ryuu went to work right after we stepped inside so he's not with us anymore. He strikes me as a hard-working person, so it doesn't surprise me. I was right about them being herbalists, but they must be really talented to be working as court herbalists.

Shirayuki stops in front of a door and slides it open. A young woman with dirty blonde hair and violet eyes looks up from her desk.

"Ah Shirayuki-kun, you're back. I take it Ryuu already went to work?"

"Yup, he went to our office." she answers while walking in. I follow and the woman notices me.

"Oh, who's this?" She looks at me with a smile. Her long pale red earrings dangle with every head movement and give a playful vibe.

"This is (Y/N)-san." Shirayuki answers. I bow slightly as I'm pretty sure she's got quite some authority. Although, wearing a hood is already bad manners..

"She was observing us while we were collecting the herb you talked about earlier. She doesn't have a roof to stay under so we brought her here." Obi adds with a shrug.

The woman sighs a bit. "Nothing personal, (Y/N)-kun. But you guys do know this is a castle and not an inn, right?"

"Ah but wait till you see this!" He moves his hand towards my hood and I slap his hand away, before moving the hood myself. He chuckles at my reaction.

The woman smiles as she sees my hair color. "I see how it is and I gotta admit it makes quite the sight." She says while looking from me to Shirayuki. "It's still not a good reason though."

"I know it isn't, but I feel bad if we leave her outside. She's not a bad person also. I saw her stopping a thief in town today." Shirayuki tries her best to convince the woman and I wonder if she wants to know me better also.

"I trust you and your words, Shirayuki-kun, but (Y/N)-kun hasn't spoken a word since entering. To me, that's suspicious."

I decide to speak and this time, more than just a short sentence. "I apologise if my silence has come of as rude. I am used to being alone so it's become a habit. As for staying the night, if it is too much trouble I'll take my leave without any protest. Shirayuki-san offered me to stay and I thought it'd be rude to decline." I say without any trouble. I see Shirayuki and Obi both taken aback by my sudden eloquence.

The woman froze for a second before laughing loudly. "I was just joking around. I didn't expect such a polite reply." She says after her laughs calm down. "My name is Garak Gazelt, I'm the chief herbalist of the castle. You are welcome to stay the night, (Y/N)-kun."

I bow. "Domo arigato gozaimasu." (Thank you so much)

~

"Woah, that surprised me." Obi says while putting a hand on his heart to be dramatic.

"Yeah, I didn't expect that either." Shirayuki adds and smiles at me. "You should talk more, you have a nice voice."

I feel Ryuu's eyes on me after she said that, probably wondering what I had said. We walked to Shirayuki and Ryuu's office after having talked with the chief. She told me I could use one of the naprooms and explained where it was.

"Now the next thing to break is that stony expression of yours." Obi points directly at my face. "You've been having the same expression since we met. Don't you have anything else to show except your pokerface?"

Shirayuki and Ryuu although not saying anything were looking expectingly at me. I grab my hood, pull it over my eyes and turn to leave the room. A clear rejection to whatever Obi was hinting at.

"Aaah come on, miss!" Obi complains and I hear him move to go after me, but he gets stopped by Shirayuki.

"She must be tired." She says softly and she was right. Most of my days contained of doing whatever I want in the forest. Visits to Wistal usually tire me out mentally, so today was quite the workout.

I leave the room and slide the door close without looking back. I follow the chief's instruction and find the naproom she talked about. It was a small room with two bunk beds and a window. Nothing fancy, but something as a mattress is already more luxury than I'm used to.

I lay down on the lower part of the right bunk after putting down my backpack. I sigh as I realise that meeting these people and coming to royal grounds is going to influence me greatly. I then think of all the people I've met today...

Alice and Irene, whom I probably won't see again.

Shirayuki, court herbalist with red hair. The reason for me wanting to talk to her is that we share extraordinary hair colors. I've been wanting to ask if her hair has caused her troubles also.

Ryuu, court herbalist and child prodigy. He seems somewhat disconnected, but I think it's because he hasn't been treated properly as a child. He does have that mature vibe after all.

Obi, apparently working under 'Prince Zen' who I have yet to meet. He sometimes works with Shirayuki to help her or guard her, is what they told me. To me, he seems like a guy who's gone through quite some stuff, as he has a scar above his brow and he has quite the agility like me. Despite that he's cheerful.

Then, there's also the chief herbalist who has a playful character which could be troublesome in the future but she's kind at core.

Overall, I find it weird that they aren't cautious of me, as I'm a total stranger. Though, someone could be keeping an eye on me already, but I've yet to notice. Well I'll see tomorrow if I will get in any trouble or not.

I sit up to remove my cloak and move under the sheets.

Royal grounds.. Wistal Palace.. Court Herbalists.. I've entered quite the place.