Akagame No Shirayuki-Hime-The Next Chapter

"Ahem."

Twilight looked over at the speaker in surpise. He was tall, with silver-blonde hair. He had a pointed but handsome face, with sharp eyes. Twilight heard a chair move, and she saw Zen stand up with a start, as well as everyone else.

"Lord Brother!" Zen said, bowing. "I wasn't expecting you."

"All is well, Zen." Izana said, sitting down. "You may sit. All of you."

As everyone sat, Twilight did her best to compose herself.

"I take it you are Zen's brother?" Twilight said.

"Yes. I am Izana Wisteria, First Prince of Clarines." Izana replied. "If I may, I have a few...inquiries about how you ended up here."

"Fine." Twilight replied. "If I'm being too pleasant with you…"

Izana waved his hand.

"I understand. To be honest, I remember it fondly when Zen met with me that one time, and he didn't avert his eyes once."

Zen nearly gagged on his tea, but composed himself quickly.

"I'm honored." Zen replied meekly. "Truly."

Izana smiled.

"Think well of it, Zen. Also, Twilight, was it?"

"Yes?"

"How exactly did you come here?"

"Well, it's long and complicated." Twilight said. "Even so, It's still hard to believe."

"Do your best."

"Magic." Twilight replied. Izana looked her in the eye, and Twiligght did her best not to flinch. Then, he chuckled.

"I believe you."

"Really?" Twilight said. "I mean, I had do show Zen to get him to believe me."

"Being a prince means you have experience. Experience can lead to being able to tell whether or not someone is lying to you." Izana said. "One of the many things I value is the truth."

"Glad to hear it." Twilight replied. "Then I'm a princess, you should know. Annd I can prove it."

Izana stared at her again.

"I might require some evidence, this time." Izana said.

Twilight smiled, and opened her bag, withdrawing her Crown and handing it to Izana, who eyed it with interest.

"This is yours?" Izana asked.

"Yes." Twilight said.

"Twilight." Shirayuki said. "When we left, I didn't see that in your bag."

"Oh." Twilight said. "The bag's enchanted with a spell that makes it bigger that in appears and lighter. Took a while to get that spell working, but, now, I can carry three bags of books, a writing kit, and of course, miscellanious other things without overburdening myself or having a single torn seam."

Izana smiled.

"That's interesting. Well, I had best depart. By the way, Zen…"

"Yes?"

"Don't forget that the Noble's Gathering is tonight."

Zen nodded.

"I didn't. I was going to head out, make sure everything was ready."

"I can help with that." Twilight said. "I mean, I planned my brother's wedding and got it set up in less than twenty four hours."

Izana smiled.

"That would be appreciated. I'll make sure to notify the servants."

"Thank you." Twilight replied.

Izana nodded and walked out. At this, Zenn exhaled deeply.

"Zen?" Shirayuki asked.

"That was a relief." Zen said. "I'm normally anxious stiff around my brother."

"I see." Twilight said. "Shall we...get to it?"

"Let's." Zen said. Kiki, Mitsuhide, Obi, and Shirayuki nodded as they stood up. Twilight got up and followed them out to the garden, where servants were bustling around. Twilight quickly got to work, and as Zen and the others watched, Twilight had the whole thing set up in less than three hours, wiith time to spare. As the Servants gave her a brief applause, Twilight smiled.

"That...was something." Zen said.

"I have a thing for organizing." Twilight said sheepishly.

"You sure do." Kiki said. "Seeing as it'll soon be starting, we'll need to get changed."

"Right." Zen said.

"Changed?...oh." Twilight said. "I'm going to attend, aren't I?"

"You got it set up. Might as well go." Mitsuhide said.

"Well, I'll need something to wear. My other dress might be a bit...too formal."

"I can lend you something." Kiki said.

"Thanks. Let's go." Twilight said. as they headed off to get dressed, Izana watched from a balcony with a smile.

"That was something." he said quietly as he headed back to his chambers.