The Girl With Flame Red Hair (Akagami no Shirayukihime) Twins

Chapter 14: Bells

Haki quietly sat beside the First Prince of Clarines. They were sitting alone together on a bench outside the manor. The sun was slowly setting and the wind gently blew, Izana silently read and Haki quietly observed. Unable to read all the words contained in the book she just watched him.

Izana took notice of her staring and would glance at her every now and then but when he did she would quickly look away. Haki couldn't help but stare at his physical features. His sapphire blue eyes moving swiftly along the lines of words and his hands quietly turning the pages. The setting sun reflected beautifully off his sun kissed blond hair and Haki watched as golden locks of hair would fall into his eyes while reading. The moment it did he'd in one fluid motion push it behind his ear and carry on with his reading.

Having an idea, Haki climbed down the bench and went running into her castle. Izana watched from the corner of his eye as she did so and once out of sight continued on with the book. A few minutes passed before the soft echoes of shoes tapping fast against the floor grew louder. Haki reappeared with excitement in her eyes. With her left fist clenched tight she struggled to climb up on the bench. Izana closed his book, placing it next to him and gently he lifted Haki back up on the bench. The toddler now properly on the bench looked over to see Izana reading once again, his hand brushing past his face to push the hair back.

Standing up from her position on the bench Haki moved over to where Izana sat. She ran her tiny fingers through his hair and noticed that not only did his hair look soft, it actually felt soft. It was so silky and smooth that it with ease fell through her fingers. Getting back on task she began grouping up as much hair as she could. In her left hand was blue string and at the ends were silver bells.

Copying her mother's movements from when she did her own hair, Haki tied the string around the hair she managed to gathered and bow-knotted it. Satisfied with her work, Haki stepped away from the prince and grabbed his hand, leading him into the castle. The bells resonating with Izana's movement were like music to Haki's ears. Making a sharp left Haki dragged Izana into a large room with a mirror.

"Do you like it?" Haki innocently asked.

The first prince was surprised to see that she had managed to do a good a job. His blond hair was neatly pulled back and tied up into a high ponytail.

"Good job Haki." Izana praised.

Haki smiled proudly.

"Izana..."

The said boy looked down at his future wife.

"I really like your hair so... don't ever cut it ok?"

Izana gave a small smile.

"Ok."

"Promise! Pinky promise!"

Izana crouched down to Haki's level and did just as she asked. He intwined his pinky with hers and with a genuine smile said, "I pinky promise."

Haki's smile drew wide and leaped into Izana's arms.

"It's a promise!"

...

"It's a promise!" I mumble.

Opening my eyes groggily I'm surprised by the sudden wave of relief I feel. My body ached sure, but it was a hell of a lot better than before. Suddenly I remember what happened. The sudden wave of pain I felt, the blurry blond male that caught me, and him carrying me in his arms. My cheeks flushed a bit at the memory.

"Who is he?" I mutter, unaware that I had said that out loud.

"Who's who?" A voice asked.

I jump in surprise and turn my head, moving my body so that my legs hung off the side of the bed. The moment our eyes meet I immediately knew who he was.

"Y- you! You're that guy!"

"Oh?" He sounded, an amused expression on his face. "You had me worried for a moment. You should take better care of yourself."

I give a nervous laugh while scratching the back of my head.

"Yeah, I'm often told that. Thanks for catching and umm carrying me." I bow my head to show sincerity. "I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience and that you had to see me like that."

The man's expression softened.

"Come now you needn't apologize... "

"Yes I do." My eyes meet his but unable to keep his intimidating stare I look away. "I shouldn't be causing a noble such as yourself trouble."

He raised an eyebrow at the term noble. After that he didn't move, his eyes studying almost every aspect of my body. What was he thinking? I couldn't read him. He was handsome, maybe a couple years older than me. The man's hair a rich gold and his eyes just like Zen's, a beautiful sapphire blue. Even though the blond was sitting down I could tell he was tall. There was something about him, his charisma, that would draw anyone near him. He seemed strong like a leader and this made me all the more curious about him.

"Who are you, what's you're name?" I ask.

When I asked those questions something about him changed. Was I not supposed to ask?

"You don't know me?"

I shake my head. "I'm new to this country so I don't know anything about the nobility. Sorry."

There was a long pause of silence, his expression unreadable. Then he finally answered.

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Oh... well i'm Akatsuki, a royal guard trainee. Nice to meet you."

"Akatsuki...?"

I nod my head. Glancing out the window I realize something.

"If you don't mind my asking, what time of day is it?"

"Early afternoon, why?"

"Agh no no no."

I hop out of bed.

"I'm late for training."

Grabbing my boots I hastily shove my feet in and grab my tag.

"Should you be training in your condition?"

"I'm fine. My body doesn't hurt anymore so I won't suddenly collapse again. Promise."

With my hand on the door handle I say, "Thanks for worrying, I'll look forward to our next encounter so you can tell me who you are."

With that I leave the room and run to the training area.

'Who is he?'

That's the end of today's chapter folks! So initially I was going to have Akatsuki wake up to Ryuu beside her and once finding out it was time for training she'd run there. During training the mystery blond would spot her but say nothing and Zen and Shirayuki would come back thus leading to Akatsuki meeting Izana.... but then I thought why rush it, let's take it slow~ so my beautiful/handsome people this is the outcome of that thought process. Hope y'all liked it, comment, vote, all that good stuff. See you in the next chapter,

Nyah~