Episode 14: Eyes that Protect and Look Forward

Please help us expand this article by editing it!

Warning: This page contains spoilers. Continue at your own risk!

Eyes that Protect and Look Forward
Kanji	守る瞳, 進む瞳
Romaji	Mamoru Hitomi, Susumu Hitomi
Theme Songs
Anime Chronology
Previous	Episode 13
Next	Episode 15
Dubbed	February 15, 2016

Episode 14 was originally released on January 18, 2016 in Japan. Funimation made an official subtitled version of it available on their official site as well as other popular viewing sites such as Hulu, Crunchyroll, and AnimeLab.

An English dub was released by Funimation on February 15, 2016.

Episode 14 covers events from Chapter 19 & 20 of the manga.

Summary

As Shirayuki prepares for her return to Tanbarun, Zen and the others continue trying to locate Kazuki. Obi is designated as Shirayuki's body guard as she heads to Tanbarun.

Plot

When visiting Shirayuki, Obi unintentionally walks in as she is practicing her dancing. However, Shirayuki takes his sudden visit to get him to practice with her as she accidentally took out her dancing teacher by stepping on his toes too much. Obi says that he is unable to dance at the moment since he is on his way to guard Mihaya. Shirayuki admits that she had wanted to go to the port as well to find out more information. Obi reminds her that she still has a lot to learn before she departs for Tanbarun and will therefore not be able to join him and Zen in finding out more from what Mihaya has told them. Obi gives her gifts sent by Garak and Ryuu to help her during her training before leaving.

At the port, Obi tries to gather information from guards about Kazuki but does not get anything. As they head out to check the boats, Mihaya questions Obi about why he doesn't admit that he works for Zen. Obi answers that he's not use doing things that way and tells Mihaya to keep focused since he is the only person who knows what Kazuki looks like. Mihaya thinks that Obi doesn't admit he works for Zen because no one would believe him since he doesn't dress, act, or speak like someone serving the prince would. When Obi doesn't seem bothered and makes fun of Mihaya's fashion, Mihaya tries to put Obi down by reminding him that Mihaya is from a noble line while Obi is a simple commoner. Obi continues to not be bothered by Mihaya's rants but does warn him that if he tries anything against Zen or Shirayuki that Obi himself will be the one to deal with him.

After a bad dream and reading Obi's report, Zen continues to worry as Shirayuki leaves for Tanbarun the next day and there are still no leads as to who Kazuki is and what he is planning. While outside and wondering what more he can do to help, Obi spots Kiki and Mitsuhide on the way to get Zen who had begun training alone at night after Mihaya arrived and Shirayuki had been ordered to attend the ball in Tanbarun. Obi suspects that Zen doesn't want Shirayuki to go to Tanbarun and steps forward to challenge Zen to a match. He requests that he be Shirayuki's attendant if he wins.

Zen accepts the challenge but Obi is able to best him in the end and is allowed to become Shirayuki's guard to Tanbarun. A while later, Zen goes to meet with Shirayuki. As they talk, he tells her about his match against Obi and that he has decided to make Obi her guard while in Tanbarun. Both admit that there are things they want to tell each other but find that they can't. Lightening the mood, Shirayuki reveals that she was finally able to get through her dancing lessons without stepping on the instructors toes or tripping over the hem of her dress. After Zen escorts her back to her room, they are about to part ways for the night but Zen gives her a quick hug before they do.

The next day, a carriage is being prepared for Shirayuki when Obi arrives with two suitcases filled with various clothes. In the castle, Zen mentions how he would like to find Kazuki while Shirayuki will be away. Taking travel time and her stay into consideration, Shirayuki will be in Tanbarun for a month. Kiki offers to have a group meet Shirayuki along the way when she returns. Zen agrees but suspects that there may be a catch to it.

Outside, Shirayuki and Obi are both surprised to see that Lord Haruka will be escorting them to the border to Tanbarun. After Zen gives his blessing for the trip to begin, Shirayuki asks Zen if there is something of his that she can take with her. After Zen gives her his pocket watch, the group notice that Izana is watching from above but that he appears to be keeping an eye on Shirayuki most. After Shirayuki leaves, Zen confronts Izana about showing up at seeing Shirayuki off. Izana admits that he had wanted to see Zen upset but that didn't happen. Instead, he tells Zen that he has learned something from Shirayuki and tells Zen that the eyes are the window to a person's soul.

In the carriage, Haruka tells Shirayuki that Clarines and Tanbarun have been allies that benefit from each other's growth and in acquiring land, technology, and education. The one thing each side does not do is meddle with the going's on inside the castles. Haruka instructs Shirayuki to first observe the court and then decide what actions to take.

Eventually, the group make it to the border. Shirayuki thanks Haruka for accompanying them and wishes him a safe journey back to Clarines. Haruka warns Shirayuki to remember that she's been invited to a ball and ordered by Izana to attend and should not return in disgrace. He issues the same warning onto Obi before departing. As they prepare to continue to Tanbarun, Obi takes silent pleasure in seeing that they haven't been followed. When Shirayuki returns to the carriage and pulls her hood down, Obi notices she is wearing the hairpin he had previously given her. As they see Tanbarun come into view, Obi sees Shirayuki's excited expression to be back in her home land and hopes that nothing will sour the trip for her.

At the castle, Shirayuki and Obi are greeted by Raji. As he leads them into the castle, Shirayuki notices that Raji seems different and wonders if the rumors about him changing are true. In the throne room, Raji asks Shirayuki why she accepted the invitation and returned to Tanbarun. After Sakaki briefly embarrasses Raji, the prince notices Obi and asks who he is. Obi introduces himself and explains that he is Shirayuki's guard while she is in Tanbarun.

Sakaki makes Raji nervous again when he suggests that Raji spend as much time with Shirayuki as possible since he was the one who invited her and must make her feel welcome. Raji wonders if Shirayuki has something she wishes to gain from the outcome but Shirayuki answers that she doesn't and instead sees this as a good thing for everyone else.

Seemingly surprised but pleased with her answer, Raji officially welcomes Shirayuki back to Tanbarun.

Character Appearances

Characters in Order of Appearances

• Obi
• Wistal Palace's servants, guards, tutors
• Shirayuki
• Zen Wistaria
• Mitsuhide Rouen
• Kiki Seiran
• Mihaya
• Wistal City's citizens, natives, merchants, tourists
• Wistal City's guards, soldiers
• Izana Wistaria
• Garrack
• Ryuu
• Haruka
• Shenazard Castle's servants, guards
• Raji Shenazard
• Sakaki

Gallery