Ch. 1: Arbitro's Song of Praise
Kingdom of Arbitro in the Land of Judgement, Month of Shadow…-
The townscape of Arbitro had a historical sense about it, the magnificent paving stones spreading all across the town in neat order.
At the invitation of Prince Dulfer, who I had awakened, I came to Arbitro and was immediately brought to the castle…
…
……
Entering a room, there was a person waiting for me, who I initially mistook as a woman.
(Dulfer.)
His white wings, like that of an angel, perfectly suited his clear skin and good looks…
I was staring without realizing it, and Dulfer smiled at me elegantly as he noticed.
Dulfer: “Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”
His beautiful jade green hair seemed to shimmer as it flowed over his shoulders, and the bottom hem of the beautiful, long purple clothes he wore clung to him in such a way as to give him the contours of a sculpture.
OO: “Ah…thank you for inviting me to be here.”
I had been so captivated by his beautiful form that I hesitated too long to speak, and averted my gaze in a panic.
Dulfer: “Dear OO. Your name has such a lovely ring to it. Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Dulfer, and you don’t need to use titles with me.”
I was bewitched by the swaying of his beautiful hair as he spoke.
OO: “Right…Dulfer. Nice to meet you.”
Dulfer: “And you. In Arbitro, in this Land of Judgement, it is my duty to sing.”
OO: “Sing…like a concert?”
Dulfer: “Not quite. I command the troops of this country into battle with my songs.”
(Songs of battle?)
I tilted my head, and Dulfer gave an amused smile as he looked at me.
Dulfer: “To raise the morale of the soldiers. And I suppose it’s also my duty to sing and ease the minds of the people.”
OO: “That sounds wonderful.”
(I’m sure anyone would be spellbound if they heard him sing.)
Just imagining such a thing made my heart feel as if it had been healed.
Ch. 2: A Sudden Banquet
Dulfer, the one charged with singing and the owner of a beautiful voice.
As we spoke, I was unconsciously being mesmerized by his lovely voice and…
Dulfer: “Aah, a song has come to me.”
OO: “Eh?”
Those words echoed like a melody unto themselves.
Dulfer: “As a token of our acquaintance, may I sing a song of your praises?”
OO: “Eh…of my…?”
(That could be embarrassing…)
The thought of him singing made my heart beat loudly in anticipation.
OO: “…I’d like to hear it.”
Dulfer: “You’re a good girl, being so honest.”
Then Dulfer spread his pure white wings.
He took in a quick breath, and then a crystal clear singing voice poured out.
Dulfer: “♪～～”
The beauty of him singing was completely different from when he was talking.
(It’s like…my heart is being purified.)
At the last note, his wings spread out wide, then slowly folded up behind his back.
With the song over, a single feather drifted down into the palm of my hand.
OO: “That was wonderful.”
Dulfer: “You liked it?”
OO: “It was really moving.”
Dulfer: “You’re cute when your eyes glisten like that.”
His captivating smile made my heart pound.
OO: “It brought tears to my eyes.”
Dulfer: “Oh dear. If your tears of pearls were to fall, I would surely become your captive.”
As he spoke with a graceful smile, my cheeks flushed.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm myself.
Then I found myself in the lingering memory of Dulfer’s singing.
(…it was really beautiful. I want to hear more.)
OO: “Um, do you think you could…”
At that time…
The door suddenly swung open and a crowd of women barged in.
OO: “Eh…!”
Woman 1: “Lord Dulfer~ We have alcohol and food waiting for you.”
Woman 2: “You’ll eat with us right?”
Dulfer: “Oh dear.”
And just like that, the women began setting up for a feast.
(W-what the…?)
While I stood there dumbfounded, Dulfer was surrounded by women.
(Wow…)
I reflexively backed into a corner and watched them as I stood alone.
Dulfer: “OO?”
Then Dulfer noticed me, and he smiled sweetly as he beckoned me forward.
Dulfer: “Sorry about overwhelming you like that. Come here.”
OO: “Um…”
Dulfer: “Hurry up now.”
As if enticed by his beautiful voice, I approached.
OO: “Ah…”
His hand suddenly pulled me in close, and before I knew it I was sitting on his lap.
OO: “…!”
Dulfer: “There we go ♪”
I was so close to his handsome face that my breath caught in my throat, and my heart started beating faster.
OO: “I-I’m sorry!”
In a panic, I tried to get up, but Dulfer held on to me with such strength that I couldn’t move.
Dulfer: “It’s fine. I wanted you to sit like this.”
OO: “Eh…”
Woman 3: “Wo~w! Lord Dulfer, me next~”
The women around us started to pout slightly, and Dulfer just smiled and laughed.
Dulfer: “Wait your turn ♪”
He then stretched out an elegant finger and pointed to the food…
Dulfer: “Go ahead. You can eat the seedless grapes unpeeled. They’re quite juicy and sweet.”
He picked up a grape between his slender fingers and gently put it to my lips.
I opened my mouth slightly, and the sweet juicy flavor of the grapes spilled over my tongue.
Dulfer: “Is it good?”
He gently caressed my head, and I turned bright red. There was nothing I could do except give a slight nod.
That feeling was almost intoxicating…and I felt like I was floating.
Ch. 3: A Nap in the Shade
A few days later…
I was strolling through the castle garden and spied a nice-looking spot of shade beneath a tree.
(The sun through the leaves is really pretty. So bright and sparkly…)
As if I was drawn to it, I walked to the tree and spotted a pair of white wings.
(That’s…)
OO: “…Dulfer?”
Duler: “Hey, so we meet again.”
Dulfer was resting against the tree roots.
The light danced and sparkled over his radiant face.
Dulfer: “This is the best place in the garden for if you need comforting. You’ve got a good eye to have chosen it.”
As he spoke, Dulfer held out his hand to me.
At his urging I took it, charmed by the natural gesture, and sat beside him.
OO: “Aren’t you lonely?”
(He was surrounded by all those women before.)
I had asked without knowing why, and Dulfer quietly shook his head.
Dulfer: “Not really, no one will come here anyway. And I was completely dumped.”
OO: “Dumped?”
Surprised at myself, I covered my mouth as I realized I’d said something rude.
But Dulfer didn’t get upset. Instead he chuckled and smiled bitterly.
For some reason, he seemed awfully lonely, and that sight tugged at my heart.
OO: “Are you alright?”
Dulfer: “You’re here now, so I’m fine.”
Dulfer smoothly stroked my head.
At the feeling of his warm hand, my heart began to pound.
(I feel like I’m the only one whose heart flips like this.)
OO: “Why?”
Dulfer: “Do you mean why was I dumped?”
He smiled gently, but it was also sad. Seeing that, something seized my heart.
Dulfer: “They’ll probably stay away for a little while. Though I imagine it’s because I’m so uncooperative.”
OO: “Uncooperative?”
Dulfer: “Yeah, they’re always saying I need to put myself in their position. And they tell me I’m the worst kind of man.”
OO: “Eh…”
Dulfer: “There are a few women that say they want to meet alone, so I call them out in secret…but then they end up getting mad.”
(Mad? …does he…)
OO: “Do you call them out together?”
Dulfer: “Of course I do. If they just take it in turns, we can all spend time together equally.”
OO: “I suppose…that’s the reason why.”
Dulfer: “Why do you say that? It’s not good to be unfair.”
Dulfer looked really sad.
Dulfer: “You know, I just want everyone to get along and spend time together. I don’t see why that’s so hard…”
OO: “It sounds a little selfish.”
Dulfer: “Hm? Maybe. But then everyone else is being selfish too. We’re all equal right?”
I laughed, put at ease by his indifferent reaction.
OO: “I guess you’re right…”
OO: “It sounds lonely.”
Dulfer: “That’s right, I’m lonely and selfish. That’s just how I am, you know?”
OO: “…I think each person is unique, and there’s a different way to win over each of them.”
Dulfer: “Right? You get it.”
I was relieved to see him smiling happily.
Dulfer: “Well…it seems there are other things that make people leave too.”
Dulfer murmured as he spoke, and I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him.
OO: “Eh?”
Dulfer: “Nothing.”
Dulfer slowly closed his eyes, then smiled kindly at me.
Dulfer: “It makes me happy that you’re trying to comfort me. You’re like the sun through the trees. When I get rejected by a girl, I take a nap here in the shade and look up at the sky. It always feels so nice and warm. Do you want to try? It’ll feel good.”
Dulfer shifted his body and lay down, using the roots of the tree as a pillow.
Then he closed his eyes in bliss.
OO: “…in that case.”
I lay down next to him, looking up at the sunlight coming through the leaves, and closed my eyes.
I could see the light dancing on my eyelids, and I was wrapped in a pleasant drowsiness.
I could hear Dulfer’s steady breathing beside me.
(Is he…already asleep?)
I was surprised when our breathing synced up…
And I slowly fell into the world of sleep.
Ch. 4: A Sweet Awakening
A pleasantly cool breeze brushed against my cheek…
OO: “Hn…?”
Suddenly aware of a presence, I slowly opened my eyes.
OO: “…!”
Dulfer was looking at me, so close our noses were almost touching.
Dulfer: “Morning. You look so cute when you’re asleep.”
Dulfer giggled right in front of me.
His laughter was light and springy, like a song.
Dulfer: “Ah, I didn’t do anything. I can behave like a gentleman. I was just surprised.”
OO: “Eh?”
Dulfer: “It’s kind of selfish of me, sleeping whenever and wherever I like, and I get scolded a lot. But you slept with me…that’s the first time this has happened.”
(Now I’m embarrassed…)
Dulfer: “I was sure, without a doubt, that you’d be shocked when you woke up.”
OO: “Well…you just looked so comfortable sleeping there. And…”
OO: “You looked a little bit sad…”
Dulfer: “…so it’s because you felt bad for me? You were pitying me.”
As he said it, I shook my head.
Dulfer: “If it wasn’t pity…then were you doing it out of kindness?”
Dulfer smiled innocently, and that expression was so charming that my heart suddenly gave a leap.
OO: “You just looked a little lonely…”
Dulfer: “Oh? … you really are a kind girl. Somehow, you’re different from the other girls.
OO: “I suppose you know a lot of girls.”
Dulfer: “Does that make you jealous? I’m glad.”
OO: “T-that’s not it.”
Then he used his beautiful hand to cup my cheek.
I rocked back in surprise, but there was nowhere for me to go, and Dulfer’s face came closer…
OO: “…”
A light kiss fell on my cheek.
Dulfer: “That is my thanks for spending time with me.”
OO: “Your thanks…”
I was flustered and felt my face turn red, and Dulfer smiled with a hint of teasing.
Dulfer: “The kiss? It’s because I’ve come to like you. Don’t you want to eat the things you like?”
OO: “E-eat them…food is different.”
Dulfer: “But OO, just now you look like an apple…no, maybe a cherry?”
OO: “…!”
Reconfirming that my face had gone red, I tried to turn away from Dulfer, but he was still holding my cheek and I couldn’t.
OO: “Dulfer, don’t tease me like that…”
Dulfer: “Shouldn’t I? Do you not like them?”
OO: “I like apples and cherries just fine but that’s not…I’m a person not a fruit.”
(What the heck am I saying…)
My head was spinning and I didn’t know what I was even trying to say.
Dulfer: “Hm? You say some interesting things. But I love apples and cherries. We get along pretty well, don’t we.”
OO: “…”
After my pathetic response, I couldn’t say anything more.
However…
(He said he likes me…)
His charming gaze seized hold of my heart and wouldn’t let go.
Dulfer: “You’re so cute. OO, I love you.”
He said it so naturally, and I felt a faint stabbing pain in my chest.
(Dulfer’s ‘love’…it’s something different. I’m sure he says it to everyone…)
That’s what I told myself, but my heart wouldn’t stop racing.