Teach Me How To Live -~Zen Wistaria x Reader~-

Bad News

Your POV

Today I woke up early to get a head start on cleaning from the day before. Obi and I both agreed to go help but once we got there.. I was told I couldn't help..
"You're Y/n Moon! If someone saw you cleaning with us than we'd all be in trouble!" A maid shouted to me and looked shocked I was even here.
"I can assure you no one will get in trouble. Im not important anyway, i just help out" i told her with a smile and little shrug.
"She's telling the truth, all she does all day is walk around" obi said and pointed at me. True but sounds bad..
"Miss, are you sure?.. Surely you have more important work" she asked me worriedly.
"Im doing my work while helping to clean. I promise it'll be okay" i told her with a little giggle.
She was eventually convinced and gave me some instructions. Obi and I cleaned like mad men. We made it a race to see who could get their half cleaned up first but i had to stop half way through..
"Miss Moon!" Prince Izona shouted from right behind me. I jumped in my spot and almost dropped my broom stick!
"Hello, prince izona" I greeted with a smile and pretended I didnt just get scared.
"Helping clean this early in the morning? Shouldnt you be with zen?" He asked suspiciously.
"No sir, my job is to make sure the area around him is safe. I was instructed to always watch for possible dangers from a far on days like these" i told him truthfully and confidently.
"I see.. Well, we need to talk about a few things. Please follow me." He told me and quickly turned right back around. I set my broom stick against the wall before following him inside quietly. He took me to his office, sighed then stood at the large window. "Miss moon, ive been in contact with the king of tanbarun, your father." He told me suddenly. My heart began to race as he spoke. I havent gotten a single message from my step father since I last saw him.. "Your real father left you a message as well but ill give that to you in a minute" he told me as he slowly picked up books off his desk and put them away. "The king and I both agreed that it is about time you go home to tanbarun and announce your title to the world."
Suddenly.. it felt like everything stopped. I feels like my whole world was about to crash and burn. My life is changing again when I just got comfortable.
"You will leave the day following the ball then once there you will quickly announce your secret" he told me and turned to see me but the look on my face read horror.
"I-Im not allowed to stay any longer? I have to tell everyone now? Why?" I asked desperately and took a step forward.
"Because whether you're ready or not, zen must marry soon and if you want to be that person than you must go to tanbarun" he told me and looked serious. I let my eyes fall to the floor and felt so suddenly empty. Everything was so perfect, why must that have to end so quickly?
"I will go.." i spoke just barely above a whisper.
"It is expected that since you are well of age you will receive many marriage purposals quickly. The king said he'll deny all offers you choose.." he told me but i was hardly paying attention. Everything was perfect.. I won't being Zen's sentinel anymore.. instead I'll have to be treated like royalty.. we won't be able to see each other anymore.. I won't see him.. "Y/n, I understand this is very hard for you right now especially after these last few months with the past events regarding Dominic's horrid actions but you have my word you will be welcomed back any time you wish. I will also grant your marriage to my brother if you wish it so.." he said slowly and stepped in front of me.
"Yes sir.." i nodded slowly before meeting his eyes. Marrying zen is everything I've been wishing for but why do we have to go so quickly? I havent got to experience everything with him yet! We never got to have one of those dates written in stories where all you'd do is walk around town and shop together! I want to do so much more than what we have now, I want to be with him so badly but now i-.. Now I have to go.. We have to keep moring forward from a far.. How in the world will I tell Zen?
"I will speak to Zen later about this as well. He'll surely want to follow you to tanbarun but I'm afraid that cannot happen. You spoke once about your friend Obi, I know you don't need much protection but id like it if he came with you while you stay there." Prince izona told me. But he has shirayuki! He can't go and stay all that time away from her!
"Yes sir.." i whispered and had my eyes pointed at our feet again. Im messing everything up for everyone..
"Y/n, I urge you not to worry much. Everything will come together soon, i promise you. For now you must worry about being with zen. You two won't see each other for a while once you go.." he told me before handing me a letter. "This was the note from your real father. You may go now.." he told me as i gently took the note.
"Thank you sir.." i said with a short bow before leaving. As soon as i shut the door i was met with zen hunched over so out of breath.
"Y/n.." he muttered after straightening up and looked sort of scared. I tilted my head and gave a short smile even if I felt like i was about to break down. "I came as soon as obi found me. What did he say to you?.." he asked as he lightly placed his hands on my arms and stood close in front of me. I couldn't say anything yet. I didnt want to. He'll be furious at his brother when he finds out I have to leave. "Y/n, you have to talk to me" zen urged as his hands tightened a little.
"Not yet.." i muttered and slowly shook my head. "I dont want to yet.." i told him and kept up a little smile. He looks heartbroken staring back at me. He didnt question me anymore instead he took my hand and began to walk me somewhere. We didnt talk the entire time and I was worried about how he was feeling now. We walked for a while till we found this garden full of bushes. It was a giant maze but he knew exactly how to go through it and when we did i found this beautiful open space. Grass was everywhere and the sun shined bright over a large tree with a nice swinging bench hanging from it. He sat down then I did next to him. I was still holding onto the letter dad gave me and Zen's hand.
"It must have been bad news then.." zen sighed and rested his face in his hand.
"Yeah.." i muttered and looked at the pretty wax seel on this letter.
"When will you tell me?.." he asked quietly and was staring at the bushes in front of us as our swing slowly rocked back and forth.
"I dont know.. Do you have a lot of work today?.." i asked quietly and picked at the seel.
"A little.. How bad is the news?.." he asked back.
"Well.. A part of it is sort of counted as good.. but the rest hurts.." i muttered and was talking about the marriage part. Id love it more than anything to be with zen forever but everything else.. hurts..
Zen grit his teeth together and was probably trying to figure it out but instead dropped the topic. "Who is your letter from?" He asked and looked at the paper in my hands.
"My father wrote it.." i said and looked down at it.
"You haven't read it yet, have you?.." he asked as i popped of the seel.
"No but I think this probably has bad news in it too.." i muttered and opened it just so I could read the top.
It says in bold letters 'bad news' at the very top.. "guess I was right.." i sighed and closed it. Zen was speechless and looked hurt and sad. Hes probably already figured it out already..
"You have to go.. don't you?.." he asked quietly, barely above a whisper.
"Yeah.." i whispered and squeezed his hand a little tighter. "The king thinks its time i told everyone the truth.. Prince Izona agrees but said I was welcome back.." i told him as i let my head rest on his shoulder.
"And you're okay with that?.." zen whispered and squeezed my hand a little.
"Why would i be? I want to stay and experience more new things with you and be woth our friends. I dont want to be a royal, i want to stay a sentinel and be by your side but the only way to be with you after announcing my title would be.." i began but stoppsd.
"Marriage.." he muttered. Would he want that too? Every part of me is convinced he would but theres that little thought that maybe he doesnt want to.. "how soon?.." he asked quietly and rested his head on top of mine.
"I have no idea.." i muttered and shut my eyes.
"Y/n.. When the day comes, would you take my hand?.." zen asked me confidently.
"Yes, I always will.. I just wish we could have been together a little longer though.. I always liked sneaking around with you" i told him with a quiet giggle.
"Me too.. Thats why I took us all the way out here" he chuckled and relaxed a little more.
"You need to go work soon though" i told him and kept my eyes shut as we rested together.
"Im not doing any work while you're with me" he sighed and squeezed my hand a little.
"Ill be leaving the morning after prince Izona's ball.. We still have a month together.. Did you want to do anything before I left?.." i asked and loved the warmth of his skin against mine.
"We should take a trip to town.. I know you'll be going dress shopping soon with shirayuki and kiki but maybe we could go just to walk around.." he suggested shyly.
"Id love that.." i whispered and snuggled closer to his side.
From there we sort of fell asleep together listening to the sounds of the trees and wind before we woke up late in the day. We had been out here for hours out of sight from everyone. We decided that we needed to go back before anyone gets worried so we left the swing and found ourselves out of the maze. Once we were out we found obi.. Who's been spying on us while we slept..
"Obi, did you really watch us?.." i asked with an embarrassed blush and kept my hand in Zen's still.
"Of course i did! If Mitsuhide and kiki can't find you two than its up to me!" He said excitedly.
"Obi, what time is it now?" Zen asked as the 3 of us walked back to the castle.
"10 till 3" he said after peeking at his watch.
"Good, now go on for a minute, obi" zen said as him and i came to a stop. Obi looked at me in confusion but I didnt know either.
"Ill be watching master" obi said suspiciously before running off.
"Great.." Zen sighed and turned to face me, "What do you want to do about the news?.. Are you going to tell them soon?.." he asked quietly and took a step closer to me.
"Yes, they deserve to know too.." i sighed and looked down at the note in my hand. I havent read it yet still.
"Alright, I won't speak of it till you do" he told me wih a short nod.
"Okay" i nodded back and let out a nervous sigh. Im scared to tell them. I dont want them to be sad either..
"They'll understand and you'll be back in no time!" He told me and was trying to make things better.
"Yeah but.. Shouldn't I have a reason to come back, not just to.. hang around.." i sighed.
"You won't be back for no reason and when you are here we'll get to spend all day together" he told me happily. The whole day.. Like a marriage meeting?
"How would you get time off from paperwork?.." i asked as we started walking back to the castle.
"Well.. it'd probably be for the marriage meeting.." he told me and still had a smile on his face. "Although if you happened to stop by id always make time" he told me happily.
"Either one is okay with me.." i said as i let the side of my arm touch his while we walked inside.
"Then its settled.. When we see each other again it'll be for a marriage meeting." He told me with this happy look on his face.
"Yep.. And ill probably have to wear puffy dress and corset.." i groaned while he laughed.
"You can wear anything you'd like and if the maids tell you otherwise then threaten them with your title" he told me through a laugh.
"Sounds good to me" i giggled. "Well, im gonna go talk to shirayuki and im sure ill be back soon to tell the others too" i told him as i slowly let my hand fall out of his.
"Be careful on your way there" he told me as i started taking steps away from him.
"I will, dont spill the secret till I get back" i told him with a quiet giggle.
"I wont" he chuckled before I turned around and kept walking. After a few second though I looked back over my shoulder while thinking about zen and found him still watching me walk.. I smiled and waved to him before he finally went inside his office. This isn't the first time he's watched me before leaving. Like when I got hurt after my house burned down and he was about to leave so ms. Lee could give me stitches but instead he stopped at the door just to look at me a little longer..
I walked down to the herbalists hall, as I like to call it, and was first going to tell shirayuki. Obi was there too and so was ryuu and the chief herbalist.
"Y/n, I heard you had a good day with Zen. Not missing work are you?" Shirayuki giggled to me as i walked in.
"Watching over him is my job" I giggled and shut the door.
"Y/n, you've been carrying that note for a while, have you read it yet?" Obi asked and pointed at my hand.
"Uh.. Nope. It says at the top 'bad news' so I'm trying to avoid it.. but i guess I should read it now.." i sighed and took a seat at an empty chair.
"Uh oh, what kind of bad news? Whose the note from?" The chief asked me.
"Its from my father.." i said as i opened it.. then suddenly realized i just gave away the secret that dad is alive.
"What?!" She shouted suddenly.
"Oh no.." i muttered and covered my face with the note.
"Your father is alive and you're keeping it a secret?! What about your mother and grandfathers?!" She asked and stood up from her chair.
"No, those guys are actually gone but her father made it out" obi explained.
"Oh my gosh.." she muttered and sat back down.
"Im sure he'll come out of hiding sooner or later.." i sighed as i finally began to read the note.
"You said you got to see him again in tanbarun too right? I hope he was doing okay" shirayuki said.
"Yes, he was okay.." i muttered and kept reading. It told me the same thing what prince izona said.
Dad wrote how he wanted me to share my secret sooner rather than later. He told me about the things him and zen talked about that night in tanbarun.. He said zen wished to marry me one day but the only way we could is for me to tell the world my secret.. Dad said it would be hard from the start but id just need to push a little harder till I can be with everyone again.. He told me that everything would change but not my friends. They would all be the same, its just the world around me. He said id have to stop working for zen.. Then he said that obi should be my aid like kiki and Mitsuhide are Zen's aids. Maybe thats why prince izona wants obi with me because dad suggested it..
"Y/n?.." obi muttered and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Shirayuki, obi.. I have to tell you something.." i said as i shut the letter back.
"Yeah?.. Is it the bad news?.." shirayuki asked hesitantly.
"Miss moon, should we leave?" Ryuu asked.
"Well.. No, as long as you two can keep a secret.." i sighed and lowered my head.
"A secret? How big of one?" The chief asked and looked confused.
"No.." shirayuki suddenly said as she put her hands over her mouth and had tears in her eyes.
"Wait, what? You're not leaving are you?" Obi asked quickly and took a step back.
"The king of tanbarun, my real father, and prince izona agreed that the morning following the ball i will go to tanbarun and tell the world im the true first princess.." i said with my eyes pointed at my lap. The chief dropped her pen after hearing that and ryuu was more than speechless.
"No.. why so soon? We just got you back!" Shirayuki shouted with tears in her eyes.
"Prince izona said obi.. has to come as well.. Im sorry, both of you.." i muttered with my eyes shut and tried not to cry.
"You cant be serious.. Why do you have to do this now?!" Obi shouted.
"Im sorry.." i whispered and couldnt look at anyone at all. Im separating shirayuki and obi all because of this stupid secret.. it shouldn't have to be obi who comes with me.
"Princess, are you allowed company to go with you? I know this isn't an easy thing for any of you so shirayuki, I give you permission to go for as long as you need." The chief said as i lifted my head to see everyone.
"You told the master right? How does he feel about this?" Obi asked me quickly.
"We can't do anything about it obi.. i have to go.." i muttered and couldnt look in his eyes. I feel so ashamed I have to split him and shirayuki up.. "obi, ill find another person to accompany me while I'm there so you and shirayuki-" i began but shirayuki cut in. She hugged me in tears and started talking.
"No, obi will go with you.. You two wont be gone for long.." she told me with a shaky voice.
"Shirayuki.." i muttered and wrapped my arms around her.
"We'll write letters everyday till we see each other again.. And besides, ill get to be there with you as well for a short time.. I could show you around tanbarun before you announce your title.." she told me with a smile as she pulled away.
"Thank you.." i smiled and still felt horrible but I'm glad that she's not mad im taking obi with me.
"Y/n, Id be going whether you told me to or not. I've been watching over you our whole lives, i cant leave you now" obi told me sincerely and didnt look mad either.
"Thats a big burden you carry, princess.. Well, you still have a month with us here, youre welcome to take shirayuki whenever you please" ryuu told me kindly.
"Im no princess, please don't call me one.." i sighed and let out a little laugh.
"Ill say. What kind of princess is so kind?" The chief asked with a smile.
"Ive only known i was a princess for a couple months, give me a break" i giggled to her.
"Y/n!" Mitsuhide suddenly slammed open the door with kiki and zen behind him. I looked at zen wide eyed and all he did was shrug and smile. "When were you gonna tell us you're leaving! Prince izona just said you'll leave after the ball!" Mitsuhide said as he stormed in.
"I-I was about to come and tell you guys too, I swear!" I shouted and stood up.
"I guess this means we'll all have to go out a little more together this month before it's too late" kiki told me with a smile.
"I have to go too y'know?" Obi sighed and crossed his arms.
"Yeah, we thought so.." Mitsuhide sighed and had to take a seat.
"Prince zen, why have you been keeping the princess away from us for so long?" The chief asled with a smirk. Zens eyes widened and he looked at me first.
"E-Everyone was gonna find out soon anyway!" I shouted in my defense and held my hands up in front of me.
"Yeah but if people know now they'll make you leave sooner!.." zen whisper shouted and stomped right in front of me.
"Oh, stop worrying prince!" The chief laughed and stood up then walked to the table. "Your princess is safe with us! Here, have a drink to calm yourself down" she laughed and poured some kind of drink ive never seen into a glass. "Everyone else too, we made it special for everyone" she told us and poured a couple glasses.
"No thank you.." zen grumbled and crossed his arms.
"Y/n, you have to try some of this!" Obi shouted after getting the first sip. He handed both me and shirayuki a glass then Mitsuhide and kiki.
"Drink up!" The chief told us happily.
Shirayuki and i took a sip at the same time... And also had the same reaction.
"It burns.." i muttered as my face turned red like shirayuki's.
"Ahaha! Can't hold your liquor girls?" The chief laughed at shirayuki and i.
"Y/n, have you never drank before?" Kiki asked with a little grin.
Shirayuki and i silently looked at each other and were trying to decide to finish our glasses or not. It'd be rude if we didnt.. So we drank the rest..
"So strong.." shirayuki muttered and looked disgusted as obi sat her down. I was burning all over and had the weird taste of this in my mouth still. I looked around silently at everyone wondering how this was going to affect me futher. My parents drank all the time, why am I so bad at this?
"Uh, princess?.." Ryuu asked and almost took the cup from my hands.
"I-Im not a princess!" I shouted at the top of my lungs and squeezed the glass tighter before ryuu could take it. The chief busted out laughing at my sudden reaction to the alcohol and shirayuki already passed out against obi.
"Miss moon, i heard your family were enthusiasts for alcohol. Would you like to try some more?" The chief asked me and was already pouring more in my cup.
"I dont think thats such a good idea.." Mitsuhide muttered while zen looked at a complete loss.
"M-My family made liquor a-all the time!" I shouted out before obi started laughing like it was the end of the world. I hiccuped mid sip but didn't spill any of the drink. I was burning from the inside out and felt wobbly.
"Look at her go!" The chief shouted excitedly as i finished my second cup.
"Wow, nice job Y/n" kiki told me and clapped. The chief poured me another glass but zen tried to take it!
"Y/n, I think you've had enough.." zen told me quietly and put his hand against mine. My eyes widened a little and I suddenly dropped the glass but obi caught it. My heart was pounding knowing zen was right here holding my hand. The chief couldn't stop laughing at me and it made me a little mad so I stormed right out of there. Obi came with me but i was so mad they made fun of me..
"Y/n, youll worry master if you're gone too long" obi told me as he walked by my side. I ignored him though and kept walking. "Do you even know where you're going?" He asked as i kept stomping along.
"Yes.." i grumbled. I was trying to find my way back to the herb garden, its one of my favorite places to go to.
"Y/n, may I ask you something?" Obi asked softly as I began to calm down. I nodded and kept my eyes ahead. "Are you really sad about leaving the master?" He asked. In my drunken state, I spoke right from the heart.
"Of course I am! I really love zen and i don't want to go yet! I want to stay and experience more new things with him because he's taught me how to live my life like I should have been!" I shouted without a care who would hear. "I dont want to move so quickly but the only way ill be allowed to come back is if we go to marriage meetings then actually get married!.." i told him and was almost where I wanted to be.
"Would it be so bad if you did marry zen?.." he asked and kept walking with me.
"Not at all.. Thats all i want for us, to be together forever, but I like being his sentinel and not having to worry about some royal duty.. ill have to stop working for him and everyone will have to treat me differently.." i muttered and lowered my head a bit. I finally got to the first stair step and sat down.
"We wont though. In our eyes, youre still just Y/n, the girl who can beat anyone in a fight, not some princess.." obi told me as he sat next to me with a sigh.
"Some princess.. The only reason why being this princess is good is so I could be with zen.. he's worth going through the trouble but I just wish we had more time together.." i muttered and lowered my head.
"I know.." he sighed and wrapped an arm around me. "Me and you will both be away from the ones we love.. Y/n, some time in the future I'd like to propose to shirayuki but itll probably be after you and zen sort things out" he told me.
"Im so glad. I know she loves you too obi, so when that day comes I know she'll say yes" I told him with a proud smile.
"You better go talk to master now, he must miss you already" obi chuckled to me but i.. passed out cold.
I'm not really sure what happened after that but I know I woke up in zens arms. He carried me all the way to my room and set me down in bed..
"Get some sleep.. Tomorrow you still have shopping to do with shirayuki and kiki" zen told me as he pulled my blanket over my chest.
"Thank you, zen.." i whispered smiling up to him. He smiled before slowly leaning down to me.. and kissed me. I kissed him back and felt so happy about it.
"Someone will wake you up in the morning.. Good night" he told me at the door.
"Good night.." i said. He watched me for a second longer before leaving and shutting the door.