As usual, Shirayuki started the day off in the medicinal wing with Ryuu, Garrack, and Obi. They were making medicine from the herbs that they collected the other day since some medications were running low. 

"How many more of this should we make?" Shirayuki asked.

"About two more I should say," Garrack answered. "It should be enough to last a good two months."

"After that, can you help out with this?" Ryuu added.

"Sure!" Shirayuki replied.

"Want me to help, little Ryuu?" Obi walked up to him with a grin.

"Thank you, Obi-san," Ryuu nodded his head. "Can you grind these herbs then?"

Obi got right to it and the three of them worked endlessly with Garrack looking over the documents that she had to handle. Just as they were going through the final stages of seeing that everything had been made, a cheerful and energetic voice sounded and the four immediately knew who it was.

"Shirayuki!" Zen called out. "You finished your work yet?"

Shirayuki shook her head. "We're almost done here. How about you, Zen?"

"I'm taking a break right now," Zen replied with a flashing smile.

"Master, you probably sneaked out when Mitsuhide-san and Kiki-san weren't looking, right?" Obi said with a teasing grin. 

"It's a break! A break!" Zen defended himself.

"Your Highness, it isn't good to leave your work unfinished," Garrack walked up to the window with a knowing look. "It only gives you more work in the end."

"It's better to get everything done at once instead of finishing it little by little," Ryuu agreed. 

"I'll go back in a few minutes," Zen said with a promising look.

"So, what brings you here?" Shirayuki asked. 

"I just wanted to see you," he replied.

"Wow, what a daring answer," Obi whistled in amusement. 

Ryuu looked at Obi and though he reacted with an amused face, Ryuu could see the slight disturbance in his eyes. His golden cat-like eyes observed the two and his usual grin seemed to falter for a slight second. Ryuu looked back at Shirayuki and was surprised by her indifferent response.

"You should make better use of your break time, Zen," Shirayuki scolded. "What's the point of coming to visit the medicinal wing?"

"But we haven't talked to each other in a while," he pouted.

"Your Highness Zen," Shirayuki said, her voice demanding and her eyebrows furrowed. "It has not even been twenty-four hours since our last meeting."

Zen flinched at the harshness of her tone and sulked. "Sorry."

"We're all doing our own jobs so you should, too," Shirayuki said. "See, Mitsuhide-san's calling for you."

"Huh?!" Zen turned around.

Approaching them was none other than Mitsuhide Rouen and it was an indisputable fact that he was furious. Flames of rage seemed to surround him and a large tick mark was expressed on the side of his head while he cracked his knuckles.

"Zen," he said through gritted teeth. "I thought you promised me that you'd finish all your work!"

"Master never learns does he?" Obi shook his head.

"Sorry to bother you guys during your work," Mitsuhide apologized. "If you would excuse me."

Mitsuhide dragged away a reluctant Zen and Shirayuki knew better than to pity him. This time around, he deserved it for he had escaped from his work for too many times. But even so, Zen still waved a hand to them with a bright smile on his face. Shirayuki smiled in exasperation at how freely he always acted within and outside castle grounds. 

"We should go back to finishing our work," Shirayuki turned around.

"No need," Ryuu replied. "I finished it already."

"Huh?!" Shirayuki widened her eyes in shock and immediately started apologizing. "S-Sorry, Ryuu! I was too preoccupied with Zen! So sorry!"

"There's no need to apologize, Shirayuki-san," Ryuu answered. "It was mostly the Prince's fault in the first place."

Garrack laughed. "It's rare to see Ryuu show distaste for someone."

"D-Distaste?" Ryuu paled. "I-It's nothing like that."

This just caused Garrack to laugh even more and even Obi had to admit that there was a hint of displeasure in his voice when it came to Zen. Shirayuki was sulking in the corner after realizing that Ryuu had done all the work but nevertheless, she made her way to Ryuu and bent down to his level.

Shirayuki clasped his hands and set her emerald green eyes on his ocean blue ones. "Ryuu!" she said. "Next time we go to town, I'll treat you!"

"H-Huh?" Ryuu backed up, a little surprised.

"It's a promise!" she urged.

"O-Okay," Ryuu replied.

She grinned at him and Ryuu softened. He wouldn't mind going out into town with Shirayuki. Needless to say, Obi would be accompanying them, too. If it was the three of them, he wouldn't mind one single bit. Garrack watched the three with scrutinizing eyes and looked back at her document with a convinced smile. 

"You three can go on a break," Garrack gestured.

"Thank you, Chief Court Pharmacist!" Shirayuki exclaimed. She was just planning to go get lunch with Obi and Ryuu.

"You're the best," Obi waved. "Come on, little Ryuu."

Ryuu climbed off his chair and followed Shirayuki and Obi out the room. Yatsufusa made his way over to Garrack after seeing that she had excused the three from the room. His eyes peeked out of his bandanna and gazed knowingly at Garrack.

"So you're sending those two?" he asked.

"Those two are the most suitable candidates for this," Garrack smiled. "Shirayuki has proved herself worthy, too."

"But the question is will they agree to it," Yatsufusa reminded her.

"I'm sure that Ryuu will go but as for Shirayuki," Garrack sighed. "She has friends that she doesn't want to leave behind in the palace so getting her to do it might be a little difficult."

"And if she doesn't do it, then Ryuu-san might not do it either," he reasoned.

"Yes. Ryuu is attached to Shirayuki and it's quite obvious," Garrack agreed but a confident look appeared in her eyes. "But, Shirayuki isn't the type of person to just abandon something and not strive for something more. I'm positive that she'll accept it."

Yatsufusa smiled. "I think so, too."

"It'd be even better if Obi could go with them, too, though," Garrack murmured.

 A while later~

"Shirayuki-kun, Ryuu," Garrack called the two over. "I want to speak to you two."

Shirayuki tilted her head in question and looked to Ryuu, who had an equally puzzled look on his face. The two entered her office and stood there in the middle of the room. Obi was standing in the back with a nonchalant look while Yatsufusa stood to the side of Garrack's desk. Shirayuki blinked her eyes, wanting to know what the sudden news was. 

"The reason why I called you two here today is regarding the transfer to Wilant Castle," Garrack looked at the two with serious eyes. "I've seen you two work together for this past year and I know that you two are the most suitable people to go there."

Shirayuki was taken aback by the sudden news and she could tell that Ryuu, too, was quite shocked despite his calm demeanor.

"Needless to say, you won't be transferred to Wilant immediately," Garrack continued explaining. "You two will first go to Lyrias to train for a year or two before finally being transferred to Wilant. I originally planned for only Ryuu to go but after seeing Shirayuki-kun's work, I've decided to send you both. You two work well as one person...no," she shook her head. "When the two of you who have knowledge and skills in various fields combined, you can make the impossible possible. That's why I want the two of you to go. I wanted to tell you this and let you two make the final decision. So, what about it? Shirayuki-kun? Ryuu?"

Shirayuki remained frozen to the ground and found herself unable to voice her opinions. Obi furrowed his eyebrows at the sudden news and looked at Shirayuki, who had an ambivalent expression. She wanted to go. She wanted to go but...she clenched her fists.

"Will you allow me some time to think about it?" she looked at Garrack with an unfaltering gaze, something that Garrack hadn't expected to see.

She smiled. "Of course."

"I'd also like some time to think about it," Ryuu said.

"Very well," Garrack stood up. "I'll give you two a week's time to think about it. Make sure to give me your answer by then."

The two dismissed themselves from Garrack's office with Obi following them. Their gaze was downcast as they walked aimlessly and before long, they found themselves in the yard of the medicinal wing's dorms. The two stopped walking and Obi stopped as well, curious as to what they were going to say. 

"Shirayuki-san," Ryuu said and looked up at her. "I've decided to go to Wilant."

So fast! Obi thought about Ryuu's sudden declaration.

Shirayuki widened her eyes before settling them back down onto the ground. She clenched her fists and nodded her head. 

"I also want to go," Shirayuki admitted as she narrowed her eyes. "But..."

There were too many things that she didn't want to leave behind. During the past year, she had created so many bonds with everyone that leaving them would cause her so much pain. Yet at the same time, she felt that if she didn't go, she would regret it. If she left, she would have to say goodbye to everyone at the castle. Zen, Mitsuhide, Kiki, Garrack, Yatsufusa, Higata, Shikito, and most of all, Obi.

Shirayuki set her eyes on Obi and Obi was startled. He had never expected for those clear and brilliant eyes to be filled with such sadness.

"Shir-" Obi stopped himself from calling out her name.

"I'm sorry, Ryuu," Shirayuki smiled pitifully at herself. "Let me think about it for a little more."

Ryuu nodded his head knowingly. "Then, I'll see you tomorrow, Shirayuki-san."

She nodded her head and waved her hand to the young herbalist. Her eyes were fixated on the ground before her and feeling the firmness of two large hands - one on her head and the other wrapped around her head - she leaned into his chest full of warmth and closed her eyes.

"Thank you, Obi," she breathed.

"No need to thank, Miss," he smiled. "Shall we go talk to Master and the others about it?"

Shirayuki thought about it and nodded her head. "Yeah. I want to talk to them about it, too."

"You've already made your decision already, haven't you?" Obi spoke as if he had already known what she wanted the moment Garrack announced it. 

She remained silent before slowly nodding her head. She was reluctant to admit it but it was the truth. He knew what she wanted and there was no hiding it from him. But, she still couldn't shake off the unwillingness in her to leave him for Wilant. She couldn't. Obi hesitated before patting her head gently. He walked her back to her room and for the rest of the night, the two were drowned in their own thoughts about the whole event.

Four days later~

It's already been four days since Garrack's proposal to send Ryuu and Shirayuki to Lyrias and then to Wilant and though Ryuu had informed Garrack of his decision, Shirayuki was still uncertain despite her inclination to go. Moreover, she hadn't found a chance to tell Zen and the others yet due to their conflicting schedules.

"Miss!" Obi interrupted her thoughts.

"Huh?!" Shirayuki jumped up before calming down. "What is it, Obi?"

"Anymore and you would've cut yourself," Obi looked at her worryingly.

Shirayuki looked down at her hands and saw that she had already cut the herb too much and the blades of the scissors were right on her index finger. She dropped the scissors, causing a clang to resound on the wooden table. Obi breathed a sigh of relief as Shirayuki slumped her shoulders.

"Still haven't found the right time, Miss?" Obi questioned.

She shook her head in dismay. "I just can't seem to find the right time," she sighed and looked out the window, the day already ending. "And I have to tell the Chief Court Pharmacist of my decision by tomorrow."

Obi narrowed his eyes and stared at her before grinning. "Then let's go right now."

He started dragging her out the medicinal wing and towards the palace at which Zen and the others resided. Shirayuki followed him with a surprised face but immediately called out to Obi to stop.

"W-Wait, Obi!" she pulled back.

Obi stopped and turned around to look at the red-haired maiden and saw that she had a fearful look on her face. He realized what he had done and how he hadn't considered her feelings yet in this. 

"I-I," she stammered. "I can't. I don't want to leave you guys. I don't want to leave everyone for Wilant!"

Obi widened his eyes at her sudden confession before smiling softly at her as she lifted her face up. He could tell that she was on the verge of crying and did what he was best at doing: grinning. He grinned at her and just that one grin lit up her face. 

"Miss," his voice deep but soft. "No matter how far away we all are from one another, there are always many chances for us to visit. The distance from Wistal to Lyrias or to Wilant is no big deal!"

She liked how it only took one expression from him to change her mood one hundred eighty degrees and how he always knew what she was thinking. He always knew the right words to choose and they were always words that she wanted to hear. This past year, whether it concerned problems within the castle or in Tanbarun, he was always there to accompany her. Without him, she didn't know how she would tolerate the monotonous days in the castle. But, she kept that thought to herself. She didn't want to rely on people nor did she want people to see her as someone weak and feeble. She took his words and nodded her head; she had reached a decisive standpoint.

The two walked through the palace ground with Shirayuki holding onto Obi's hand - which he had not let go of since the moment he dragged her out - for warmth and support. If it was daylight, she wouldn't even dare to do this for fear that someone would catch them and start spreading rumors about it. To Obi, Shirayuki didn't seem to mind the fact that they were holding hands and he himself didn't mind it either. Though, he was surprised at his sudden boldness and daringness to touch her. The only thing bothering him was the rapid pounding of his heart inside his chest.

Oh god, he tried steadying his heartbeat. I think my heart's seriously going to explode.

The night was silent and the stars began slowly ascending. Obi looked back at the hand that Shirayuki was clutching before looking back. He wrapped his fingers tightly around hers and Shirayuki looked up at him in surprise. He gave her a soft smile and she gave him a grateful expression. She returned the gesture and held tightly onto his hand as if she was desperate for this fleeting warmth.

"Obi," she said in a hushed whisper.

Obi waited for her question as he continued walking.

"Would you hear out my one and only foolish request?" she asked, her voice seeming to crack.

"Anything for you, Miss," he answered, his voice soft and comforting. "Anything for you," he mumbled as his golden eyes remained unwavering and firm in its answer.

Shirayuki smiled. "Nevermind," she said. "Just hearing those words from you is enough. One day, I'll tell you my request."

Obi laughed. "If you say so, Miss."

"You'll be the very first one I'll tell this request to and might possibly be the only one," Shirayuki added.

At this statement, Obi widened his eyes in surprise and stopped walking. 

"Obi?" she questioned.

Her words had sent his heart aflame, just like every other time she did with her words. His lips curled slightly upward as he turned around and gazed at her lovingly and with affection. He continued to hold her hand as she stared at him with those lovely emerald eyes like the crisp morning grass of spring.

"You sure about that, Miss?" Obi asked. "Having me be the first to your selfish request?"

She nodded her head, her eyes showing no doubt. "Yes."

He smiled and using his free hand, held out a pinky to her. "Then it's a promise, Miss."

Shirayuki held out her pinky and held his pinky with a radiant and rosy-hued face. "You'll the first one I tell it to, Obi. It's a promise."

The two grinned, their cheeks slightly flushed and their eyes illuminated in the night. This was the first promise she had made to someone and she was glad that it was with Obi. She stared into his golden eyes and he stared back at hers. He was captivated by her beauty and charm and this time, he refused to look away. He clutched her hand and smiled.

"Let's go, Miss," Obi said.

A soft yet melancholy look was reflected in her eyes as she nodded her head. The two began walking again towards the castle wing where Zen resides along with his two aides, Mitsuhide and Kiki. Shirayuki and Obi walked in silence yet the sound of a beating heart could clearly be heard in the ears of one person.

I hope she doesn't hear this, Obi thought with a calm outward appearance.

Before long, they had arrived and were outside Zen's office. The office light was still on so Obi had suspected that the three were still awake and tending to documents. 

"We're here, Miss," Obi turned around to look at her.

Shirayuki looked up, her eyes clear and set on her goal. "Yes."

Obi widened his eyes in surprise at the sudden determination and strong-will that was cast over her face. But, she had always been the person to get a firm grip on herself no matter what kind of problem she was facing. This was the Shirayuki that he had spent a year with and it was this very personality that he had first been intrigued by. 

"I'll be knocking it then."

"I'm ready," Shirayuki said.

The two released each other's hands and Shirayuki had regained her usual charisma, much to Obi's relief. But, he wished that he had held onto that thin and slender hand of hers for a little while longer. Obi sent a series of knocks through the door and Mitsuhide's sounded.

"Come in."

The two nodded at one another before opening the large mahogany doors and entering the brilliance of the brightly litted office room where their three other friends waited. It was time for Shirayuki to tell them of her decision.