A/N: This chapter is sponsored by QT Trinh. Thank you so much for your support. Enjoy. xoxo -ptd

But his eyes didn’t pay attention to his words as he quickly looked back at the charming man who smiled at him.  Outside Shiro still waved his hand at Yasu as if he wouldn’t stop until Yasu told him to stop.  

Seeing how much attention Shiro was causing, Yasu quickly raised his hand and waved hello back once before turning away and changing his seat further from the window.

“Not cute at all.”  Yasu repeated. But his beating heart would say otherwise.  

Within moments there was a knock on the door and Shiro entered inside with the manager and a waiter.  The manager helped Shiro sit across from Yasu, while the waiter cleaned the table and replaced the tea set with a new one.  The manager poured tea for the both of them before leaving them alone. Once the door closed, silence descended between them.  No one wanted to speak first. Instead they gently cooled the tea in front of them and looked at the tea set as if it was the most interesting thing they’ve ever seen.  

Suddenly Shiro slammed his tea cup down, causing the hot tea to spill on to his hand.  

“Ah!”  Yasu yelped in surprise.  Seeing the hot tea spill on Shiro’s hand, Yasu pulls out his handkerchief and reaches over to wipe the back of Shiro’s hand.  “Is your hand alright? Did it get burned badly? I’ll ask the manager for some burn cream.”  

Yasu stood up and made his way towards the door to call a staff member or the manager for some medicine.  However the moment he crossed Shiro’s side, he felt hands curling around his waist and pulling him down to sit.  Yasu found himself sitting on Shiro’s lap, with his arms around his waist. The embrace was quickly getting tighter as moments passed as if Shiro wanted to trap Yasu there forever.  

Yasu opened his mouth to tell Shiro to let him go, but Shiro spoke first.  

“Sorry.”  Shiro whispered as he bowed his head down, not willing to look at Yasu.  “I told myself that I could wait. That I should wait. But in the end, I couldn’t help myself.  It seems as if I can't help myself when I'm around you... Sorry.”  

Yasu’s eyebrows scrunched together not knowing what Shiro was whispering about.  Suddenly the hold around his waist was gone and Shiro helped Yasu stand back up. 

“Sorry.”  Shiro said again, but this time was more clear.  He took a step back to put distance between them.  “Sorry I grabbed you without your permission, embraced you and forced you to sit on my lap without consent.” 

“Shiro…”  

“I came here to speak about business, not force my feelings and actions on to you, I’m sorry.”  Shiro stated, cutting Yasu’s words off. “Please sit back down so we can properly speak. I won’t do anything that will make you uncomfortable or force you into a situation that you didn’t consent to doing.”  

“You’re hand…” 

“It’s fine.  The tea wasn’t that hot anyway.”  Shiro told him as he hid both of his hands behind him.  “Let’s sit down again.”   

Yasu could only nod his head to agree, once he saw Shiro sit back down.  

“Alright then.”  Yasu agreed. “Is your hand really alright?”  

“It’s fine.  It doesn’t even hurt.”  

Yasu looked at Shiro skeptically.  

“My hand is fine.  I’m a doctor, remember.  I know when my hand is fine or not.”  Shiro told him.  

“Very well.”  Yasu said. Yasu begrudgingly went back to his seat and sat down.

Shiro smiled gently at Yasu and began to speak upon the news he received that morning.  

“The Shipyard Manager reported that there is a rise of tourists arriving to Hima.  Out of the 650 tourists that arrived in the past two weeks, 100 tourists have reported their stay in Hima for six months to one year, while there are 50 of them who reported their intentions to apply for residency in Hima.”  Shiro informed Yasu. “Those 50 who have reported their intentions for residency have applied at the courthouse and the applications are under review.”  

“Why are you telling me this?”  Yasu asked.  

“Because it’s suspicious.”  Shiro informed him. “There is a rise in tourists and a rise in the time frame that the tourists usually stay in Hima.  Those that have intentions to be a resident of Hima doesn’t get more than 50 requests per year. But within the last two weeks, there has been 50 people who have requested a residency change, all within the last two weeks?  Someone is making their move in Hima and Ren thinks it’s our guy. Especially since that servant of Kazuki came to town.”

“Are there people keeping an eye on those tourists who have informed the soldiers of their extended stay and the people who have intentions to be a resident?”  

“Of course.”  Shiro told Yasu.  “The Shipyard Manager knows the protocols.”    

“Good.”  Yasu said as he nodded his head in understanding.  “Does Ren have people in the courthouse?” 

“Don’t worry.”  Shiro told him. “Ren has people everywhere.  No one can escape his sight once he has his eyes on you.”  

Yasu’s body shivered without reason after hearing Shiro’s words.  He felt as if Shiro’s words were meant for him, but didn’t have the courage to ask him what he really meant by them.  

“Ah-hhem.”  Yasu cleared his throat as he looked away.  The sudden heat in Shiro’s eyes made his cheeks flush pink and his body begin to heat up.  “Any other news?” 

“Ken reported that everything back at Nijo is fine.  The Third Prince got into a public altercation with the daughter of the Prime Minister.  The Queen was holding a flower appreciation party in the royal gardens. It was supposed to be a simple gathering of noble men and women to show off their beauty and skills.  However our ever so jealous Lady Hima made a fool out of herself, causing trouble for everyone, thinking that no one would raise their hand against her. Well, long story short, several ladies and gentlemen plotted her embarrassing demise. When she fell into the trap in front of the Third Prince, instead of rescuing the damsel in distress, he walked away as if he didn’t see anything, which encouraged the others to ruin her reputation and humiliate her even more.  Instead of fighting against those who plotted against her, she blamed the Third Prince and made a scene in front of the Queen. She asked for justice from the Queen. Guess what happened?” 

“I don’t know, just tell me.” 

“You’re no fun.”  Shiro said as he continued on with the story.  “The Queen decreed a marriage between Lady Hima and the Third Prince.  Obviously the Third Prince was not happy and tried to have the decree be taken back, however with a crying and pitiful Lady Hima.  The injustice against her made by others could only be rectified by a marriage to the Prince who saw the injustice, but did nothing to stop it.”  

“I can only imagine the argument he would have with his beloved.”  Yasu said as he smiled. Everything was falling into place. His patience was paying off.  Slowly, but surely his plans would succeed.