Unfamiliar: Obi x OC snow white with the red hair fanfiction

16

Cress's POV

When I don't move from next to the curtain, Izana repeats, "Come join our conversation." Except this time it sounds more like an order than an invitation. And so, reluctantly, I drag myself across the room to stand next to Zen.

I tense as Izana walks over to stand in front of me, observing me closely with those cold blue eyes. His eyes linger on my cheek, on the scratch he gave me before. "My deepest apologies," he says, but I know he doesn't mean it. He reaches out a hand and runs his finger along the cut on my face, applying slight pressure and making it sting more. "I did not realize you were such a young, beautiful lady because of your hood. If I had known, I would have been more gentle..." Sure you would have been. I glare slightly into his eyes, which he returns with a chuckle.

"Lord Brother," Zen's voice causes both Izana's and my head to turn. "Why did you summon my attendant here?" Zen's eyes are fixed adamantly on his brother's face. "Do you have business with her?"

"You could say that," Izana replies casually, wandering over slowly back to the curtained room. "And I'm also interested in her." I feel a shiver run down my spine. What is that supposed to mean?!

"In what way?" Zen demands sharply.

Izana scoffs. "Relax, Zen. I just want to talk with her. The same goes for my other guest." Without much warning, his hand flashes out, drawing the curtain open once again to reveal Shirayuki standing there.

"Shirayuki?!" All of us gasp at the red-haired herbalist, who looks equally as confused.

"Lord Brother!" Zen turns on Izana. "What are you-"

"Now, now, Zen," Izana cuts him off smoothly. "What I want with Miss Shirayuki is none of your business. And since I have no more to say to you, you are dismissed. Leave my study now, and take Mitsuhide and Kiki with you."

Shirayuki and I stare at each other, and then at Zen, who seems to be speechless. What does Izana want with us?

Zen takes a deep breath, clenching and unclenching his fists. "I understand, Brother. Kiki, Mitsuhide, we're leaving now," he says. As his attendants leave through the door, Zen suddenly walks up to Shirayuki and whispers something in her ear. Then he gives us a final worried glance before closing the door behind him when he leaves.

There is silence in the study before Izana speaks. "I would like to speak to Miss Cress first. Shirayuki, you may remain outside my room during that time." Great. Now I'll be alone with this devious prince. Shirayuki looks unsure, but leaves the room to stand outside in the hallway.

"Now that we're alone," Izana starts as I stare at him. "I want to ask for your opinion on the matters I discussed with Zen."

"Hm?" My eyes widen slightly, surprised at his words. "Do you mean about Fort Laxdo?"

"Yes." Izana turns, plucking a flower from a vase on his desk and sitting on his chair. "Do you agree with my decision to give out punishment?"

Why is he asking me? "Er, I don't know, your highness. The punishment you decided on seems a bit unjust to me, but I do understand where you're coming from..."

Izana raises his eyebrows. "Why are you being so meek towards me? Please state your opinions confidently, and I'd like you to be less vague."

Whaddo you mean why? I blink at him. "Well, you are the Prince, after all, and I'm just an aide of your brother. I don't have the right to express what I think freely in front of you..." Just in case you order the guards to have my head chopped off for opposing your decisions.