blue butterfly (IZANA WISTARIA ◎ akagami no shirayukihime)

8; The Talking

Thank you all for the support on this story.

Please note that Umi speaks in a quiet voice pretty much all the time.

•••

"Sorry, I just so happened to cross paths with you."

I narrowed my eyes at him and stared at him suspiciously. "You're lying."

He chuckles. "Somewhat. I was heading to see you and ask how your day went and then I meet you here."

"I see," I said.

"So," Izana started, "how is it coming along?"

"It's okay," Umi spoke, her usual quietness seeping in. "The people there are really kind."

He nodded and looked at her with a smile. "I heard they are trying to get you to speak comfortably. How is that?"

She shrugs and looks at him. "It's not that bad. Actually, I think it may even be working in the slightest."

"I can tell. Though, you don't speak much towards others than you do me. Why is that?"

Umi reddened at that and avoided eye contact. Am I blushing?! "No particular reason." She could hear him smirk. She knew that he could see her red-stained cheeks. "I'm not blushing. It's just really hot out."

"Really? It feels like an average night kind of temperature. Very cool and breezy."

Umi just looked the other way and crossed her arms over her chest and mumbled away. "Not blushing..."

Izana laughed at her embarrassment. "My apologies for calling you out like that. You're probably now just red because of embarrassment, I understand."

"Yeah, you probably would..." She whispered.

"Pardon?" He asked, since he could hear her.

"Hm? Oh, it's nothing," she waved it off.

"When we first met," he looked into her eyes, "you reminded me of someone I met in the past."

That caught her attention. "Who?"

"I don't remember." Then, she became disappointed and maybe even depressed. "You seem down?"

She didn't say anything back, just stared into nothing ahead.

"Umi?" He called to her.

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine," she said, giving a reassuring smile.

Izana looked at her quizzically but brushed it off his shoulder. He took a few steps away then spoke, "Walk with me?"

Umi nodded at caught up to him. She took her place beside him as they slowly walked down the path. Everything was orange (just like Donald Trump's skin) because of the sun having yet to set.

•

Up above them, from behind the glass of a window, was Shirayuki and Zen. "What is lord brother doing?" Zen asked.

Shirayuki smiled. "That's Umi. He helped her to get a job here in the Library."

"You know her?" He asked.

She nodded. "Three years ago, she happened to come by my place for some medicine. We became good friends, then."

"I see," Zen smiled. He saw his brother laugh at something the blue haired girl said, or maybe did.

"He looks happy," Shirayuki noted. "Less...like himself, I suppose." I remember when he told me that it was strange for a royal to have a commoner friend. I think he's forgotten about that statement, or could it be...HE HAS FEELINGS FOR UMI?! She thought, but then shook it off.

"He does. I haven't seen him laugh like that in a while now. I'm not surprised that you and Umi became friends."

"What do you mean?"

"You are capable of making friends easily—not to mention your hair colors," he laughed heartily. "Though, I think yours is more beautiful."

"Eh?" Shirayuki blushed at that.

Zen, now noticing what he said, became flustered and began to stutter, not knowing what to say.

•

"What is it like to have so many people look up to you?" Umi asked, hands linked behind her back as she walked along side him.

"It's inspiring," Izana said. "To a good ruler, the people always come first."

"That's true," she said. "You're a good king."

Izana merely smiled down at her. "Thank you."

She nodded and looked down. Stupid me. Stop being flustered for no reason! She scolded herself, then snapped up. "I have a question." He looked at her. "Have you ever been in love?"

He gave her a baffled look. "Where did you get that from?"

"Countless romance novels," was her blunt reply.

"I'll have to think on it—ask me again another time and I'll have an answer."

She nodded and looked ahead. "I'll probably forget all about the question when this 'next time' comes, Izana."

He smirked. "I'll try to remind you, then."

"Be my guest," she smiled a little. "I was wondering. People usually call you 'Lord Izana' or something like that, but I just call you Izana. Doesn't that get to you?"

"Strangely, not at all," he said. "It's actually quite refreshing having someone not call me by some formal name."

She grinned, feeling special. Looking up at the sky, she saw it darkening. "I better head back—Ein will be missing me."

"Did you leave him with someone?"

"The nice woman who introduced me to my home said she would," she explained.

"I see," he said as they stopped by the gates that lead outside. He gave her a grin. "I hope you enjoy it in Clarines, Umi."

She nodded and headed out, not looking back.

•••

Enjoy.

I felt like focusing on Izana and Umi more.

AND OMG 3 CHAPTERS IN UNDER 24 HOURS IM AMAZED

SAVE ME SAVE ME I NEED YOUR LOVE BEFORE I FALL FALLL