Ch. 5: To the Marchioness
Dormouse: “But you know, I know about Alice… she was reeeeeally nice. And, and she would always pat my head and tell me it was going to be okay. I wonder where she went… I miss her.”
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The next day…-.
Having been entrusted with the legend of the kingdom by the queen, I was called upon by one of her associates.
OO: “So you’re saying that if Dormouse is examined by the marchioness, his insomnia could be cured?”
Associate: “Yes, the marchioness is quite knowledgeable about the use of various medicinal herbs, so it’s possible.”
However, the marchioness lived quite a long distance outside of town, and it would be a difficult journey…
(I don’t know if Dormouse would be alright traveling that far when he still doesn’t know so much.)
I went to Dormouse’s room and told him about it.
Dormouse: “…hmmm, then, I can… go out with OO?”
OO: “It’ll be difficult, but do you think you’ll be alright?”
Dormouse: “…yeah! If I’m with OO… I’ll do my best…”
His fluffy head nuzzled against me as he hugged me, and it was so innocent and sweet.
(There’s no way I can tell such a pure, innocent child the truth…)
In the afternoon, the two of us left the castle and headed towards the residence of the marchioness.
Ch. 6: A Good Sleep
Leaving the castle, we crossed through the town and started on the long road that would lead us to the marchioness.
OO: “Dormouse, are you doing okay?”
Dormouse: “Hm? I’m fine, hehe… the flowers are pretty.”
OO: “Yeah, they are…”
Dormouse: “The flowers, are really pretty… you know, the other day, I came here with Alice…”
Dormouse looked so happy as he smiled at me.
OO: “Is that so…”
(I wonder if that means this place hasn’t changed much even after Alice left.)
Dormouse: “It kind of… makes me feel happy… thanks, OO.”
OO: “Eh…!?”
Dormouse suddenly hugged me and I looked down to see that bright, innocent smile from up close.
Dormouse: “I’m happy… that I came here again… thanks for bringing me.”
OO: “You’re welcome… I’m glad.”
Dormouse: “Yeah… um, you know, since you’re so nice, I really like you!”
OO: “…”
Dormouse: “Next time… let’s come again with Alice, all three of us. I’m sure… it’d be fun.”
His cheeks were flushed with a youthful innocence and excitement.
It was as if his smile was pieced together from pure cuteness…
(I really… can’t tell him the truth. After we’re done, we should hurry back…)
Dormouse: “…what’s wrong?”
OO: “Oh… it’s nothing. Thanks.”
I felt a little uneasy, but I tried… to respond to his smile in kind.
…
……
After that, we crossed through a gloomy forest…
And arrived at the residence of the marchioness.
Marchioness: “Welcome.”
We were greeted in a room that looked like a laboratory by a beautiful woman wearing a hat with a wide brim and adorned in a voluptuous red dress that spoke of wealth.
Marchioness: “I’ve heard the story from the queen. You, come here.”
Dormouse: “Fue…?”
The woman roughly grabbed Dormouse’s arm, checking it over, then looking at his ears and mouth, running her fingers everywhere as she performed her medical examination.
Dormouse: “Ah… ah…”
As she did her work, Dormouse’s tail was shaking and twitching.
(…I wonder if he’s alright.)
Marchioness: “… I see.”
She put her hand to her chin as she thought things over.
OO: “U-um…”
Marchioness: “…”
She suddenly turned her back to us and left to grab something on a shelf.
Marchioness: “If he drinks this, his insomnia should be cured.”
OO: “! Thank you so much.”
Marchioness: “However.”
She lowered her voice as she continued.
Marchioness: “The heart of Prince Dormouse will remain uncured.”
OO: “Eh…”
She spoke quietly so that Dormouse wouldn’t hear her.
Marchioness: “In sleep, he will undoubtedly drown in increasingly pleasant dreams. For a little while, he should be alright getting a little sleep… however, if he continues to remain unaware of the changes around him… it will likely become too late to tell him.”
OO: “…”
Marchioness: “Keep that in mind.”
OO: “Right…”
My voice was small as I replied and took the medicine from her.
Dormouse: “Ehehe, thanks…! Now…everything… will be okay… f-fwaa…”
Dormouse gave a big yawn, and I felt my heart breaking…
…
……
And so the two of us were able to safely retrieve the medicine and return to the castle.
Once back, I got to work on steeping the medicine to make tea for Dormouse to drink, and he got into bed.
I also started to feel sleepy, possibly because of the long journey.
Dormouse: “F… fwaa…”
OO: “Nn…”
The two of us yawned together…-.
Dormouse: “Hehe… OO, you wanna sleep together?”
OO: “Nn… sure.”
The two of us lay down together, in the large bed… that was so warm and soft…
OO: “Hey… Dormouse, are you asleep?”
Dormouse: “…yeah…I’m… asleep…”
Dormouse shifted his head on the pillow and took my hand in his with a smile.
It was as if he was afraid I would disappear as he gave that adorable smile.
Dormouse: “…hehe…OO… is sleepy too… …sleeping with someone you really like is nice, isn’t it…?”
His cheeks turned slightly pink and his smile turned to one of embarrassment.
Dormouse: “Next time… we’ll go together… and I’ll tell Alice… thanks… zzz.”
His voice drifted off and the room was soon filled with soft snoring.
Although he had fallen asleep, Dormouse did not let go of my hand.
(I’m sorry… I couldn’t tell you the truth.)
OO: “Good night, Dormouse…”
I just wanted him to stay innocent, if only for a little while, without having to feel that sense of loneliness.
As I offered up that prayer, I fell into a gentle doze beside him.
END
Secret Story: The Dream Continues
I opened my heavy eyes and found myself in a flower field.
Dormouse: “Wow, flowers…!”
I love flowers.
Because I have a lot of memories with flowers and Alice…-.
(Where… is Alice?)
I looked all around, searching for Alice.
But I couldn’t find her.
Dormouse: “Alice~, Alice~!”
I yelled, calling Alice, but…
(… she isn’t here. Alice… where did you go?)
I felt really sad, and crouched down in the flowers.
Then…-.
Dormouse: “…!”
A little ways away, I noticed a girl.
Dormouse: “Alice…!?”
(Huh?? That’s not Alice??? That’s…)
Dormouse: “It’s OO!”
OO waved to me with a smile.
I waved back, with both hands.
(OO…! OO came. I’m happy…)
The sad feeling from before was gone in a flash.
(I wonder if I should make her a flower headband for a present… I’m pretty good at those. Then OO will smile, right? When she does, she looks like Alice…)
But in the next instant…
The scene before me started to fade away…-.
I slowly opened my eyes and saw I was in my bed.
(It was… a dream…)
OO: “Dormouse, are you okay?”
OO looked worried.
Dormouse: “Yeah… I’m okay?”
OO: “…”
Even after I said that, OO wouldn’t smile at me like usual.
(…why does she look like that?)
I didn’t want to see OO looking sad, so I tried to find the words to say.
Dormouse: “You know, I had a dream. I was in a field of flowers, and I saw OO. I was going to give you a flower headband for a present, but then I woke up.”
OO: “Oh really? That’s too bad.”
OO smiled.
(Yay…!)
I kept telling her about my dream.
Dormouse: “But you know… I couldn’t find Alice. Next time, I want all three of us… to go to the flower field.”
Then…-.
OO: “…yeah.”
(Huh…?)
It was just for a second, but her expression changed again.
(Why…? Did I say something bad…? I don’t know…)
My head was spinning in circles…
Dormouse: “Fw… fwaa…”
(I’m still sleepy…)
Dormouse: “When OO is next to me… I can have happy feelings when I sleep…”
I gently put my head on her lap.
(This feels really nice…)
OO: “Dormouse…?”
Dormouse: “Your lap… is warm… more than Alice’s… zzz.”
(It would be nice… if my dream… would continue… then I can… give OO… her present… and I’m sure Alice will come this time… then… then the three of us…)
OO gently stroked my head.
As I felt that, I drifted off into another happy dream.
END