Disclaimer: I don't own Snow White With the Red Hair! Though I have grown to love it quite a lot!

A/N: Obi is such an interesting character! I can't decide whether I ship Zen x Shirayuki or Obi x Shirayuki, but for this story, it's Zen x Shirayuki and Obi x OC. This takes place about a year after Shirayuki finishes her time at Lyrias; she's now working at Wilant Castle as pharmacist assistant under Ryuu and Zen is the guardian of Wilant and the north.

Exile

Chapter 1

"It's beautiful!"

Obi smirked as Shirayuki leaned against rail, a beaming smile on her face. The scenery did make a nice picture. Sunshine glinted off the waves as their ship sailed into a port decorated with flags and banners, and bells glimmered and rang in the distance. A day ago, a boat from the island had met them out on the ocean; it must have raced back to port to announce that they would be there soon. The flag of Clarines snapped in the wind at the top of their ship's main mast, declaring the arrival of the nation's second prince.

Said royal was standing next to Shirayuki, a small smile on his face. Instead of looking at the island, he was looking at the red-haired woman beside him while he nodded. "Yes, very beautiful."

Hah, if only he would actually tell the mistress that directly. How hard was it to tell such a gorgeous woman that she was beautiful?

"The Resu Isles are supposed to be some of the prettiest islands in the world," Mitsuhide said. He and Kiki were flanking Shirayuki and Zen as they all watched the port grow larger.

Beyond the crowds gather at the port there was a colorful city with buildings of every conceivable color and a broad path leading up to a bright white palace. It was a striking sight against the green backdrop of the forest and the bright blue summer sky.

"I don't think they're particularly happy to greet you or anything, master," Obi said with wry amusement. Even from here, they could see the welcoming celebrations that had already started. Deep drumbeats carried out over the water and caught them on the ship, making Obi tap his foot to the catchy rhythm.

Zen tossed a half-hearted a glare over his shoulder at Obi, but it was obvious to the people who knew him that he was both excited and nervous. This was the first time that Izana had sent him so far away to act as the king's ambassador. He was here to negotiate a new and improved trade deal with the island nation as well as secure it as an ally. A couple of Clarines' neighboring kingdoms were becoming restless, and war was a possibility in the distant future. The Resu Isles were well-known for its excellent navy, which would be extremely valuable in a battle.

Obi sprang up onto the ship's railing and grabbed onto a rope, leaning out over the waves.

"Don't fall in," Zen said, "We won't go back for you."

Obi grinned at the prince and nodded. Yeah, right. Zen would be the first one to jump in after him if he did fall, and Mitsuhide would be right after him. However, there was no chance that Obi would lose his balance like that.

"Mistress, would you like to come up here?" he said playfully, extending a hand to her, "I won't let you fall."

"No, thanks," Shirayuki said, waving her hands at him, "I think I'd like to keep my feet on the deck."

"Which is where your feet should be," Mitsuhide said, looking up at Obi.

"Oh?" Obi responded to that by climbing up the rigging until he swung up and perched on one of the ship's mast. From here, it looked like they were arriving at a colorful jewel of land from a bright, glittering sea. Below him, he could hear Zen yelling at him to come down. His master worried too much about his aides, especially when all three of them could take care of themselves. It was sort of endearing, though.

Leaning back against the mast, Obi let one leg swing in the open air. As they headed into the port, joyful music swelled from the port, and people tossed flowers into the sea, creating colorful spots on the waves.

Obi had never been to the Resu Isles before, but he had once known a poison-maker from the island. The man had traveled to the mainland and lost his savings, but he always dreamed of making enough money to get back to the island. He had always said it was one of the most dazzling places you could imagine. He had also been very proud of the martial arts style that was popular on the island. Obi was looking forward to doing a little exploring during their month-long stay and maybe find a few fighters to spar against.

They bumped gently against the dock, and the music grew louder as people cheered and waved flags and cloths. More flowers flew into the air, covering the gangplank that the crew lowered to the dock. It was incredibly tempting to loosen one of the ropes and swing down like a pirate, but Mitsuhide was waving at him urgently, Obi's formal jacket in one hand.

Time to go be official.

"Do you think he's handsome?"

"All of the rumors say he is, miss!"

"Oh, I hope he's as gorgeous as they say…"

Elise glanced over at Princess Lilica as she gushed over the possible attractiveness of Prince Zen of Clarines with a couple of her handmaidens. Soon she would be leaving the princess in the hands of her partner, Wyn, while she went to act as the court's guide to the visiting prince and his entourage.

She suspected that Lilica had volunteered her for the job just so she could report back about the prince's likes and dislikes, any quirky habits, and of course, details about how perfect he was. Part of her knew she should temper Lilica's excitement by bringing up the other rumors, the ones about how Zen had a potential bride in mind already. However, the last time she had attempted that, Lilica had shot her down hard.

"We should head down to the harbor to see him arrive," Turi suggested. One of Lilica's handmaidens, Turi was loud and boisterous, and she had a good habit of pulling the princess out of her shell. While she was talkative and lively within her our household, the moment she was out in public, Lilica would shut down. It wasn't acceptable for a crown princess to act that way, but Elise was having a hard time convincing the princess to be more sociable. Sure, she was shy but she was also stubborn.

"That wouldn't be proper at all," Wyn said, piping up from her spot by the doorway. While Elise was perched on the corner of Elise's bed, Wyn was casually guarding the doorway.

Wyn had been Lilica's official bodyguard since she was sixteen and Lilica and Elise were ten. While Elise had begun her career as Lilica's official playmate and study partner, Wyn had always had the position of bodyguard. Once Elise was fifteen, she had joined Wyn in guarding Lilica.

"Oh, bother on being proper," Turi said, reaching out and grabbing Lilica's hands. She pulled the princess to her feet. "Come on, princess, let's go see this prince of yours!" Giggling, she tugged Lilica behind her as she raced out the door, the other two handmaidens following after them.

"Ah, um…Elise!" Lilica called, her voice lifting over the laughter.

Wyn sighed and shot a look at Elise, who was already on the move. Elise tossed a smile back at her partner and grabbed her collapsible staff from the weapons holder near the door before trailing after the princess and her silly friends. She was supposed to be in full court garb before meeting the envoy from Clarines, but they were going to have to settle for her normal working outfit. Sandals laced up to her knees, a dark purple tunic-dress, bracers on her arms and leather belt with her blades attached plus the holder for her staff that looped over her chest and back. Oh, and there was the circlet of flowers that Lilica had made for her.

Hopefully the Clarines group wasn't too stuffy.