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I stayed in my dad's arms for a long time, my memories of him flooding back. "Where have you been Shirayuki?" He asked, holding me tighter. I sniffed, "I live in a castle now," He looked at me with his eyes wide. "A c-castle?! How?!" He yelled. "I work for a prince, I'm his personal assistant," I smiled remembering Zen's way of hiring me. "His personal assistant?! I hope you don't mean concubine!" My father scolded.

"Wha-?! O-Of course not!" I blushed, startled at the sudden outburst. "Eh? You promise?" He asked again, leaning towards me and narrowing his eyes. I opened my mouth to respond but it was someone else's voice. "Shirayuki, are you okay?!" My dad and I both turned our heads towards the voice and I smiled when I saw it was Obi, who stared wide eyed at my dad. "You...." My dad growled, gently pushing me behind him.

He drew out a sword and pointed it towards Obi, "You were there, I remember those eyes," Obi raised an eyebrow in confusion letting out a short 'hah?' "Otou-san? What are you talking about?!  Obi's a good per-" My dad turned back and looked at me with cold eyes. "No, he's not! He took you away from me!" I furrowed my brows and clenched my fists, "You said you never found me and thought I was dead! Obi saved me!" I yelled back.

"No! I saw him carrying a baby the day after! I didn't know it was you at the time but for him to be here now, it must've been you!" He yelled, thrusting his sword towards Obi who easily jumped over it. "Otou-san! Obi helped me! He had no way of knowing I was your child!" I shouted. "But what excuse does he have for taking someone's child and not finding their parent?!" I let out a deep, heavy sigh and walked over to Obi, stepping to his side.

"Eh?! You're taking his side? I'm your father!" Dad bellowed. "You're just jumping to conclusions! Listen to his side of the story!" I retorted. Obi looked at me wide eyed then gave me a small smile. "Hai, so I found Shirayuki unconscious about a mile away from this place, I had no idea where she was from or who she was, but I wasn't going to let a child my age just sleep in the thick snow!" 

"Then explain why you didn't give her to me when you saw me in the forest!" Dad shouted. "Well how was I supposed to know you were her father? Besides you simply glared at me and stormed off, you didn't have a good aura around at the time so I'd figured I'd bring her to my family," I stayed silent, but I had a smile on my face. Dad also stayed silent. Then out of nowhere, he attacked Obi with a bear hug.

There were tears in his eyes and he had a wide grin on his face, "Thank you for protecting and raising Shirayuki when I couldn't" He sobbed. Obi let out a squeak in response and when dad released him, he placed a hand on his chest and was taking deep breaths. "You're.... pretty.... strong.... ya know....." He said between pants, trying to regain his composure. "Otou-san, as much as I'd like to stay, we should probably be leaving now," I smiled.

"Make sure you come back to visit!" He yelled as I opened the door. I smiled back at him, "Of course!" Then before I closed the door, I grinned, "It was nice to finally reunite with you, Otou-san," He gave me a teary smile before the door finally shut and I was leaving. "Hey Shirayuki, I'm sorry for separating you from your father," Obi sighed, looking down at the floor. I smiled, "You didn't know, besides, I wouldn't be here now if you didn't!"

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Followed by Kiki and Mitsuhide, we all were in a rush to get to Fort Laxdo for Shirayuki. I have to make sure she's okay. What if the strange activity there were bandits? She's not fully healed so she won't be able to take them! Obi might not be there yet, what if there's too many and even he is overpowered?! I clenched the reins tighter and grit my teeth, just the thought of Shirayuki in danger hurts me! "Mitsuhide! Kiki! Let's speed up!" I sternly said. Of course they agreed.

As we neared Fort Laxdo, there seemed to be nothing suspicious about it. No signs of bandits, nothing. We entered and I had my hand on the hilt of my sword just in case. "Do you know how happy I am right now!?" A loud voice laughed, "I finally got to see her! After all these years!" See who? Shirayuki? Why does he know her? Is he some sort of madman? Perhaps a stalker? Or even worse.... a lover?!

I burst through the doors to the main hall only to see a middle aged man staring back at me. "Good afternoon Prince Zen," He greeted. I hummed. "Have you seen Shirayuki?" I asked staring into his green eyes. "Yes I have! I can die happy now," He grinned, a small tear in his eye. "Hah? What do you mean? How do you know Shirayuki?" I narrowed my eyes at him and he looked up with glee.

"Shirayuki's my daughter, I haven't seen her in 17 years, I'm so happy! I got to see her! She even called me Otou-san!" Oh so this guys her father? Come on Zen make a good impression. "Ah, it's nice she finally got to meet her father," I nodded in agreement enthusiastically. "Anyway, how do you know Shirayuki?"He asked. "She didn't tell you? She's my personal assistant," I kept eye contact with him as he had a firm gaze in my eyes.

He sat down crossed legged and I did the same in front of him. "I see, do you.... have feelings for my daughter?" He asked, his eyes boring into mine. I felt blood rush to my face and I widened my eyes. What sorta question is that?! I suppose I... do have feelings for her but how would he react? No... be strong, I have to at least admit it to her father. "Yes, I do have feelings for her, just being beside her gives me strength," I replied firmly, "I love her," 

"I won't allow it!"