Ch. 5: Premonition
In the bustle of the evening party, there seemed to be a sense of agitation in the air.
I went to grab some fruits since Azalee had said he was hungry.
OO: “Here Azalee.”
I offered the seated Azalee the tray bearing the fruits.
Then suddenly, Calim was there fluffing up the seat for Azalee.
Azalee: “Thanks.”
Even as he said it, Azalee did not make a move to take the tray.
OO: “…? Um…?”
Calim, seeing my puzzled expression, whispered in my ear.
Calim: “Prince Azalee does not like the skin on his fruit.”
OO: “What.”
(Does that mean I have to peal it…?)
I held out a pealed fruit that looked and smelled similar to a peach.
Azalee: “?”
Azalee didn’t move to take the fruit and just looked at me.
Calim: “Prince Azalee does not like to get his hands dirty.”
(Do I have to feed him…? Ah, but if he had a fork…-)
Making my decision, I stood up to leave.
Then Azalee gently grabbed my hand and brought the fruit to his mouth.
OO: “…!”
Azalee: “…sweet and delicious. Maybe it’s because I was thirsty but… this tastes all the better. I feel refreshed.”
Azalee smiled like he was incredibly happy.
The second I saw that smile, I could feel the heat spreading out from where he was gripping my wrist.
Ch. 6: Romance
The refreshing night breeze blew in…-.
He still gripped my wrist, the white fruit held in my hand as the juices dripped down my arm.
Hall Manager: “Ladies and gentlemen, please gather before the stage. We shall now begin the presentation ceremony for the tiara with a message from our sponsor.”
Azalee: “Oh, it’s time!”
In his excitement, Azalee let go of my hand and stood up.
Azalee: “Let’s go OO!”
I headed to stand in front of the stage with Azalee, an excited gleam in his eye.
…
……
Sponsor: “Thank you all for coming here this evening.”
Upon the stage approached the event’s sponsor, alongside the beautiful tiara.
(It’s gorgeous…)
I was captivated by the fantastical brilliance of the tiara.
Then…
Azalee: “That tiara would look good on you.”
Atop the stage, the tiara was beautiful beyond compare, decorated with butterflies.
Its brilliance was surreal, and I couldn’t help smiling.
(I’ve never seen anything this beautiful. I’m so happy just to be able to lay eyes on it…)
Sponsor: “…now then, we shall announce the one who shall receive the tiara. The tiara goes to… the owner of the local town bakery, Lady Selena!”
Azalee: “It can’t be!”
Selena: “Eh!?”
Azalee and Selena cried almost in unison.
I turned towards the voice and recognized the woman who had been part of the couple that had been pushed down earlier.
(So that’s Selena.)
I remembered her kind eyes, and I found myself happy that she would receive the tiara.
Azalee: “…”
Pressed on by the surrounding crowd, Selena made her way to the stage.
Then at that time…
Azalee: “This truly seems like a mistake.”
OO: “…? Azalee?”
Azalee: “Indeed that woman possesses modesty, and beautiful hands. Surely, she is beyond reproach. However… that would be the story if you weren’t here. That tiara should belong to you. So, I shall retrieve it!”
OO: “Eh!?”
Azalee: “Worry not, I’ll be back soon.”
Azalee made to head for the stage.
I frantically grabbed the hem of his clothing.
OO: “W-wait. I’m just happy I was invited to attend the party… Besides, I think it’s really great that Selena was the one chosen…!”
As I spoke, Azalee peered into my eyes.
A small amount of time passed, starring straight back at him…
Azalee: “…it’s you.”
OO: “Eh?”
Azalee: “You really are the best flower.”
OO: “…”
Azalee knelt before me and placed a kiss on the back of my hand.
Azalee: “A sweet fragrance… and a heart that blooms like the most beautiful flower.”
When he finished speaking, Azalee looked down.
OO: “Azalee…?”
Azalee: “…next time, I will gift you a beautiful tiara. Because you truly are the most beautiful flower that I can see.”
Once again, Azalee kissed the back of my hand.
Seeing him like that, I was reminded of the princes I used to see in picture books…-.
(Azalee…)
My heart was pounding, and as I moved to touch his head…-.
Azalee: “…hm? It’s not just your fragrance, you actually are sweet.”
Azalee took the hand that he had just kissed and licked it instead.
Azalee: “Ah, I see. It’s from the fruit you peeled for me earlier…”
Saying as much, he laughed.
He gently clasped my fingers in his, so that I had nowhere else to go.
All the other sounds faded away.
END
Secret Story: Secret Determination
The air was hot in the party hall from all the people gathered to see the tiara…-.
OO and I were part of the masses.
Sponsor: “Thank you all for coming here this evening.”
Upon the stage approached the event’s sponsor, alongside the beautiful tiara.
(Hm… it is indeed beautiful.)
All the people in attendance were focused on the fantastical brilliance of the tiara.
Azalee: “That tiara would look good on you.”
I said as much, turning to OO.
I watched her, captivated by the brilliance of the tiara.
(I had no idea that you could show such an expression as well.)
I continued to stare at her lovely expression as I pleasantly thought to myself.
(But it’ll be alright. No woman in this entire hall is more fascinating or beautiful… and in five minutes, that tiara will shine upon your head.)
I felt pride rise up as I imagined the sight.
Then suddenly…-.
Sponsor: “…now then, we shall announce the one who shall receive the tiara. The tiara goes to…”
(Congratulations OO…-.)
Sponsor: “The owner of the local town bakery, Lady Selena!”
(………what!?)
Azalee: “It can’t be!”
Selena: “Eh!?”
The two of us cried almost in unison.
I turned towards the voice and recognized the woman who had been part of the couple that had been pushed down earlier.
————————
Azalee: “Are you alright?”
Selena: “Ah… y-yes. Thank you.”
————————
(…hmph. It is true that Selena has a modest beauty about her, but…)
I glanced to OO beside me and saw her applauding with a delighted smile as Selena approached the stage.
Azalee: “This truly seems like a mistake.”
OO: “…? Azalee?”
She looked at me, puzzled.
Azalee: “Indeed that woman possesses modesty, and beautiful hands. Surely, she is beyond reproach. However… that would be the story if you weren’t here. That tiara should belong to you. So, I shall retrieve it!”
OO: “Eh!?”
Azalee: “Worry not, I’ll be back soon.”
I started to walk to the stage.
However…
OO: “W-wait. I’m just happy I was invited to attend the party… Besides, I think it’s really great that Selena was the one chosen…!”
(What…?)
Her expression was clear as she looked at me, her hand still holding to the hem of my clothing.
There was no lie or falsehood in those eyes…
Azalee: “…it’s you.”
OO: “Eh?”
Azalee: “You really are the best flower.”
(The most beautiful flower blooming here tonight…)
I knelt in front of her, then gently took her hand and kissed it.
OO: “…”
Azalee: “A sweet fragrance… and a heart that blooms like the most beautiful flower.”
(Although the tiara would have suited you the best…)
OO: “Azalee…?”
I once more lifted my eyes to gaze at her and saw the worried expression on her face.
(…I have decided.)
Azalee: “…next time, I will gift you a beautiful tiara. Because you truly are the most beautiful flower that I can see.”
(From now on, I will protect this flower… OO, forever and always. My beloved Lady OO…)
I held that promise close to my chest as I kissed her hand again.
I could feel her heart pounding amidst the tender sweetness.
END