Snow White with the Red Hair: The Valkyrie

Arisen

Later that night, Prince Zen had assigned a room to Akari. It resided in a secluded area away from everyone else in the castle. There was no true purpose for the building being constructed there. It was just... a misunderstanding at an inconvenient time.

Upon being shown the room, the Castanic found that there were no windows or anything decorating the room. There was just a bed, a long mirror, and a desk with a chair. Nothing more, nothin less.

"You will reside here during the night. You are not to leave your room for any reason, and to ensure that, there will be guards posted at your door all throughout the night." Zen explained.

"I understand." She answered, plain and simple. "Your hospitality is much appreciated."

He only nodded, turning his back on her to leave. But then...

"Your Highness. If I may..."

He turned his head back, gazing at her from the corner of his eye.

"Yes?"

"I would like to... formally say I appreciate you for allowing me to come with you on your trip into the village today. It was... enlightening. I feel that I may have learned something new from all of you. Something new regarding compassion. I see now that it is for those who possess a strong will. I, however, do not have a strong will, for I am incapable of showing anyone compassion or kindness. But I still wish to thank you because you have shown me a way towards it."

He now turned completely towards her, finding she had not even the slightest bit of confidence to look him straight in the eye. His sternness towards her softened, and he averted his eyes off to the side.

"You shouldn't sell yourself so short."

Akari looked up now.

"You offered your help and kindness all day today. You do have the capability. You just need to think about it." He sighed, closing his eyes. "You have kindness in your heart, Akari..." Her eyes widened upon hearing her own name being spoken by him. He ran a hand through his hair in a fluster. "Just don't think of this as me letting up to you. I still haven't forgotten that you tried to kill us and kidnap Shirayuki." He became slightly colder.

"I am aware. I was not expecting anything less of that. But what is it that makes Shirayuki so... important to you? That you would fight to retrieve her once more? Is she not just a commoner?"

He appeared stunned for a moment; his eyes wide. Then he sighed and narrowed his crystal blue irises towards the ground.

"I just care too much about Shirayuki. She's the one thing; the one person I would give anything for. My own life is the farthest I'll go. When you tried to take her away from me; from us... it killed me a little on the inside. She's everything to me... That's why I don't trust you. That's why you're under such strict surveillance. I don't want someone I care about to disappear from my life forever."

"I see..." So she was important because of whatever feeling he felt towards her... it was not something she could completely comprehend yet.

"Maybe someday I'll find it in my heart to trust you, but... not anytime soon."

"It is alright. No one shall forsake you for it. I know I have a long way before you and your comrades even treat me with kindness."

The contrast between their colors, crystal blue and blood red, met as a way of understanding. Hers was an accepted understanding. His was a pitiful understanding. Then, when each idea was met, he averted his eyes once more.

"Goodnight, Akari." He turned and walked out the door, but before he shut it, he turned his head back. "Oh, and one last thing..." He paused, which caused the girl to raise her eyebrow. "I saw that. You have remarkable aim. Probably better than Obi's."