Ch. 1: I Can't See Anything
Kingdom of Fartet in the Land of Poison, Month of Shadow…-
One day in the early afternoon…
(It’s bright…!)
A prince wearing silver framed glasses appeared before me, accompanying the light.
??: “Huh? I…”
He adjusted his glasses uncertainly.
OO: “Are you alright?”
??: “You are…”
Suddenly, he closed the distance between us in the space of a breath and peered at me through his glasses.
OO: “!!”
(So close!)
??: “…”
His eyes were such a beautiful amber I thought I’d be sucked in…
??: “…I can’t see anything.”
OO: “You can’t see?”
??: “…It’s nothing.”
His face seemed to flush a little as he stood up straight.
Forma: “I’m Forma. Who are you?”
I explained myself to Forma.
Forma: “I see. It seems I was saved by you.”
OO: “…yes.”
He continued to look down at me.
OO: “Um…is there something on my face?”
Forma: “…”
OO: “…?”
Then seeming surprised, Forma hurriedly pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose.
Forma: “It seems I must thank you. Come with me, I’ll show you to the castle.”
OO: “…Thank you very much.”
Forma: “Honorifics are bothersome and I don’t like to use formal speech, so you don’t need to either.”
(What’s up with him?)
As doubt squeezed my chest, I began to walk with Forma on the path to the castle.
Ch. 2: The Case of an Attempted Poisoning
Forma: “…I can’t see anything.”
———————
(I wonder what that was about.)
En route to his castle, Forma kept glancing at me.
(…I’m kind of worried.)
I returned his stare, looking through his glasses to his amber eyes.
Forma: “…!”
His face flushed slightly for the second time.
OO: “There really is something on my face, isn’t there?”
Forma: “No…”
I wondered if he thought I’d be mad, and he seemed slightly confused as he looked away from me.
Forma: “Was I making you uncomfortable? … sorry.”
OO: “T-that’s not quite…”
He awkwardly stared straight ahead…
Forma: “You’re a peculiar princess.”
OO: “Eh?”
Forma: “Ah no…it’s just my first time with someone like you.”
(First time? Of course it is, we’ve only just met.)
I could do nothing but tilt my head quizzically, and his eyes had a gentleness as they looked at me.
Forma: “Seems you don’t realize. Sorry.”
In the sunlight, Forma’s blue hair was tinged with a beautiful color.
(…he has a kind face.)
That was when I noticed the black tattoo on the back of his left hand.
OO: “What is…?”
Forma: “Ah…it’s a tattoo of an ant.”
His voice got low, completely different from how he had been speaking until now.
OO: “…an ant?”
Forma: “It’s like the mark of my family.”
For a moment, he stared at the tattoo but…
Forma: “Come on, let’s go. If we don’t hurry, the sun will set.”
Forma quickened his pace.
(Forma…?)
…
……
With Forma’s guidance, we soon arrived at the castle.
Coinciding with our arrival, a butler in tailcoats rushed over.
Butler: “Lord Forma…! You’ve returned safely…! We were so very worried.”
Forma: “I assume nothing unusual has happened?”
Butler: “Yes, for now…”
Forma: “I see.”
Forma let out a sigh of relief.
Butler: “More importantly Lord Forma, how is your health?”
Forma: “Ah, I’m fine.”
Butler: “I see…however please take care of yourself. Lord Forma, you are…”
Forma: “You don’t need to say anymore. I get it.”
(…?)
Forma: “That aside, I was saved by the Princess of Träumere. This is she.”
I was at a loss at the sudden introduction and bowed deeply.
Butler: “Princess of…! Thank you so very much. We shall prepare a welcome banquet for you at once.”
Forma: “…a banquet…”
Forma’s brow knit in thought.
(I wonder…what’s going on.)
Soon, it was time for dinner.
(I’m so nervous. What do I do…?)
The table set up in the center of the room was adorned with beautiful decorations.
Forma and the other royals had been seated, and I was ushered to my seat as the guest of honor.
Forma: “The king is travelling out of the country right now. There’s no need to be so nervous.”
Forma spoke to me, his back straight.
OO: “Y-yeah…”
After the toast, servants brought out trays of appetizers.
OO: “Wow…!”
I spoke without thinking at the sight of the beautifully arranged appetizers.
(It looks so delicious.)
Before I could do anything, Forma held out his hand.
Forma: “Wait…!”
OO: “…!”
Next to me, Forma suddenly grabbed my hand.
OO: “Forma?”
Forma turned a keen eye on the servants.
Forma: “…did you really think I wouldn’t notice? Who is behind this?”
Servants: “…”
(Eh…?)
Then Forma suddenly took an appetizer from in front of me and stuffed a piece in his mouth.
Forma: “Using such a crude poison…it’s laughable.”
(Poison!?)
Forma breathed out a deep sigh and turned his gaze on the servants.
Forma: “Come with me.”
At his declaration, the servants left the room.
OO: “Forma, what in the…?”
I was too bewildered by what had just happened…
Forma: “…seems you’ve been dragged into this right away. I don’t think we’ll be able to eat here anymore…let’s go.”
Forma spoke so plainly, as if it was nothing.
OO: “…”
I falteringly walked after Forma, unable to respond.
Forma: “I’ll explain everything to you later.”
Pulled along by Forma, we left the dining room.
(What in the world just happened…)
The appetizers given to me had been poisoned, and Forma ate it.
OO: “Hey, Forma…!!”
As I looked at Forma to ask, I saw that his face had turned pale.
OO: “For…Forma, are you alright? Did the poison from earlier…?!”
Forma: “No…but, sorry… I need to leave the castle for a little.”
OO: “…Eh?”
Without a second thought, Forma snatched up my hand and headed towards the exit.
(Forma…?)
I wanted to ask about what had happened, but seeing his stern expression as he looked over his shoulder, I left the castle without asking.
Ch. 3: Forma's Ability
Various open-air stands lined the town center, full of everything from food to clothes. Though the sun had already set, everything was illuminated and it was still crowded with people.
(…what just happened?)
Beside me, Forma’s blue hair was tossed about by the breeze.
(He looks sick.)
His expression was pained, and his face was still pale.
OO: “Like I thought, the poison from before…!”
Forma: “…I’m alright.”
OO: “But you look sick.”
Forma: “I’m fine.”
OO: “If you say so…”
Forma nodded.
Forma: “Don’t worry about it. Anyway, if I’m right, there should be a bakery just around this corner.”
OO: “Bread?”
Forma: “When I was young, my nurse often brought me here. I’d like to eat there since it’s been so long.”
OO: “You have an appetite?”
Forma: “Yeah, like I said, I’m fine.”
As if to shake off my concern, Forma started to walk ahead of me with more determination.
(As I thought, he isn’t doing well…)
It seemed as if Forma’s back would disappear into the darkness of the night…
We went out to a lush and verdant moor, illuminated in the moonlight.
(It’s somehow very calm.)
Forma and I sat in the middle of the moor.
Forma was looking intently through his glasses at the bread he had just bought.
OO: “…?”
Forma: “It’s alright.”
OO: “What’s alright?”
Forma: “I wanted to check, just in case. You can relax, there’s no poison like before.”
Forma handed me the bread.
OO: “How do you know?”
Forma: “I can figure out at least that much. I’ve lived with poison all my life.”
OO: “…”
I saw the ant tattoo on his hand as he held the bread.
OO: “That tattoo…”
Forma: “I said it earlier didn’t I? It’s the symbol of my family.”
OO: “Symbol…”
Forma: “There are multiple kingdoms that focus on the production of poison besides this one. Originally there was only one royal family. And now that the land is divided, we use these tattoos as a way to bolster unity…it’s laughable.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Forma: “On the surface, matters like trade are all handled amicably, but below that the trivial disputes over privilege continue. It’s likely that the incident with the poisoned food earlier was the doing of a royal aiming for dominance. I caused a bit of a disturbance in the castle as I’m sure the person who was behind it was one of the visitors.”
OO: “Speaking of…are you alright?! Why did you eat that if you knew it was poisoned?”
Forma: “People in my family can absorb poisons. They don’t affect our bodies.”
OO: “…”
Forma: “I’m sorry you got wrapped up in this just after I invited you in.”
Forma still looked ill, but he looked at me with concern.
OO: “I’m more worried about you…your face is still pale.”
Forma: “…”
OO: “…I’m scared.”
Forma: “It’s alright. If you’re with me, I’ll be able to keep you out of danger.”
Forma: “I can tell if there’s poison, no matter how small the dosage. And…I can sense the negative emotions people try to keep hidden.”
OO: “Negative emotions?”
Forma: “Yeah. Hatred, jealousy, malice…things like that. Like earlier, I felt nauseated as I sensed the malice from a servant. Though there was also a little guessing…”
(Is that the reason he doesn’t feel well?)
Forma: “It’s not just them. Everyone carries some degree of negative emotions. Even more so here, in this country of poisons. However…”
Suddenly, Forma’s face was very close.
OO: “Fo-Forma?”
My heartbeat quickened as his handsome face was suddenly so close.
Forma: “You.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Forma: “You don’t seem to carry any poison.”
That’s when I remembered when we first met.
——————–
Forma: “…I can’t see anything.”
——————–
Forma: “It’s the first time I’ve seen someone like you.”
Forma looked at me kindly.
OO: “T-that’s probably because I’m optimistic right?”
He smiled at me, and I knew I was blushing.
Forma: “Well, you do seem to be optimistic.”
(He just said what I said.)
At Forma’s words, his head dropped…
And he rested it on my lap.
OO: “…!”
Forma: “Sorry, I just feel better if I do this. Even though you were the one almost killed, you’ve only worried about me.You’re definitely not a typical princess.”
OO: “That’s because I was living a normal life…”
Forma: “Haha, the Princess of Träumere, normal? If the royal families were only made up of people like that, I wouldn’t need to feel so ill.”
(Forma.)
I absently began to stroke his hair, and he pleasantly closed his eyes.
Illuminated by the moonlight, his face seemed to have regained some of its color.
Ch. 4: Kidnapping
After that…
A butler rushed out as Forma and I returned to the castle.
Butler: “Lord Forma! All on your own…! Please return to your room quickly.”
Forma: “Yeah…”
I had thought Forma’s condition was improving, but as soon as we’d arrived at the castle he’d gotten worse again.
(Forma…)
Forma: “I’m alright. More importantly, I sense something off. Be…careful…”
Saying that to me, Forma collapsed.
OO: “Forma!”
Butler: “Lord Forma!”
…
……
Servants carried Forma to his bed after he collapsed.
(His breathing is rough…I wonder if he has a fever.)
Without thinking, I took Forma’s hand.
(It’s hot…)
Butler: “It’s always been like this ever since he was little. Lord Forma’s body becomes afflicted whenever he senses poisons.”
OO: “…”
Butler: “Without even meaning to he has felt the negative emotions of others…Within the royal family, Lord Forma is the only one with this ability…it’s heartbreaking.”
(Has he always been suffering like this?)
Butler: “Lady OO, please return to your room and rest as well. With Lord Forma in such a state…and with what happened earlier…Please exercise caution.”
The butler gave me a kind smile as he spoke.
OO: “Thank you. Please look after Forma.”
I returned to my room, though I was painfully reluctant to do so.
However, the next day Forma remained in bed. The day passed without my being able to see him.
(I wonder if Forma is alright.)
Lying down on the bed, I couldn’t get my worry for him out of my mind.
Then…
??: “Lady OO! Something terrible has happened!”
(Eh…?)
??: “Please hurry! It’s Lord Forma!”
(…!)
I leapt off my bed and opened the door to my room…
??: “…!”
A man I’d never seen before grabbed me roughly and held a cloth to my mouth.
——————–
Forma: “I sense something off. Be…careful…”
——————–
The smell of chemicals reached my nose, and I felt my consciousness begin to slip away…
…
……
(I…?)
OO: “Nn…”
My eyelids were heavy as I opened them, and I found myself in a dim room.
(Where…?)
I felt the cold floorboards beneath me.
??: “That was easy. Now we get our reward.”
(That voice…isn’t it the one I just heard from outside my door?)
(I can’t move…)
My hands and feet were bound with a rope, and a cloth gagged me.
Man 1: “You awake? Sorry to tell ya, but no one’s comin’ to save you.”
Man 2: “We’re pretty far from the castle. And from here we’ll sell you off to another country.”
(…!)
Man 1: “But…”
The pair ogled me.
Man 1: “It’d be a waste to just hand her over like this.”
Man 2: “You sure? I heard she’s a princess from somewhere.”
Man 1: “Who cares. They never said anything about not laying a hand on her.”
Man 2: “Good point.”
(…!)
The men came closer.
(No…stay away.)
Bound and unable to struggle, my body began to tremble with fear.
Man 1: “Let’s have some fun.”
The man untied the ribbon at the top of my shirt.
OO: “Mm…!!”
(No! Stop…!)
He roughly undid the buttons on my blouse and moved to put his hand on my chest, and then…
Forma: “OO!!”
The door was violently kicked down and Forma came flying through.
(Forma!)
Man 1: “Prince Forma! Why are you…!”
Forma: “Sensing poisons is my thing. I could feel it even when I was sleeping in my room. I assume you were hired by the royal family of Telsot. Now, let her go.”
Man 1: “This has nothing to do with you!”
Forma: “I’ve been able to sense your malicious intent since yesterday. I had been sure it was directed at me but…To think you’d set your eyes on OO. You thought you’d get to me by taking the Princess of Träumere. How simplistic.”
With a hand on his glasses, Forma glared at the men.
Man 1: “…Dammit!”
The men rushed at Forma, but they were brought down in an instant.
(He’s strong…)
Forma: “Are you alright!?”
Forma rushed over, taking the cloth from my mouth and undoing the rope around my arms and legs.
OO: “Yeah, I’m alright…thanks.”
Forma: “Sorry it took me so long to get here.”
OO: “Forma…are you alright now?”
Forma gently placed his hand on my head.
OO: “…!”
He crouched down and covered my exposed chest.
Forma: “It’s alright now. I let you go through something terrifying.”
As I continued to shake, Forma held me in his strong arms.
OO: “…”
Without thinking I buried my face in his chest, and he gently stroked my head.
OO: “Forma, how are you feeling?”
I heard my voice crack with tears as I asked.
Forma: “I’m alright. Be more concerned about yourself for now. I’ll do this until you’ve calmed down.”
He held me tighter as he spoke.
In that warmth, the terror I’d been feeling only moments before began to ease.