Ch. 1: Lid and Callan
The furnishings of the castle were inlaid with various beautiful emerald-green gemstones.
Accompanied by Lid, whom I had awoken from slumber, I arrived in his home country of Oliverite.
Butler: “Lord Lid…thank goodness you’re alright!”
The butler greeted us, overcome with emotion.
Lid: “Sorry ’bout that, my bad!”
Contrary to the meekness of the butler, Lid’s voice was bursting with brightness.
Lid: “It’s thanks to her!”
Lid turned his eyes to me.
Butler: “Thank you so much.”
OO: “Oh, I…”
??: “Lid!”
A deep voice full of dignity echoed off the castle walls.
Lid: “Bro!”
Callan: “You…you’re alright! Thank goodness…”
(Lid’s…older brother?)
Lid: “Yeah, thanks to her! I’m glad you weren’t hurt by the dream eaters! If you’d fallen asleep, the people would have been in big trouble!”
Lid smiled without a care in the world, and his brother frowned.
Callan: “What are you saying…you have no idea how worried I was.”
I could tell from his tone that Lid’s older brother had been worried about him from the bottom of his heart.
Lid: “This here’s my older brother. He’s super smart and nice, and on top of that he’s strong! He’s gonna take over the throne next.”
Callan: “Lid! What kind of introduction is that!? … Please, forgive me. I am Callan, First Prince of Oliverite. If there’s anything I can do to thank you for saving my brother, just say the word…”
I felt a little unnerved at Prince Callan’s polite and courteous gesture.
Lid: “I gotta do somethin’ to thank you. Oh yeah…let’s hold a welcome party tonight!”
OO: “N-no, that’s alright…”
Lid: “Hmm, but those clothes….hey, go get her a dress!”
Lid ignored what I said and gave the instructions to a nearby chamberlain.
Lid: “I’ll come get ya tonight! Until then, make yourself pretty, ‘k?”
OO: “W-wait a minute…”
Lid: “Alright, later then!”
Lid gave an innocent smile, then turned and left.
Callan: “Please forgive him…Lid has always been like this.”
OO: “It’s alright…”
Callan: “However, I would like to thank you. I would be grateful if you’d attend the party.”
And so I decided to attend the welcome party.
Ch. 2: Intersecting Gazes
Lid: “I gotta do somethin’ to thank you. Oh yeah…let’s hold a welcome party tonight!”
——————–
That evening…-.
I had changed into the dress the chamberlain had brought for me, and now waited for Lid.
(…I wonder if I look strange.)
The dress was long and graceful, dyed a pale emerald green, and I wore a choker around my neck adorned with the same colored gemstones.
Lid: “I’m comin’ in OO.”
There was a knock on the door and Lid poked his head in.
Lid: “…”
Lid stared at me, not saying a word.
OO: “Do…do I look weird?”
Lid: “…you look beautiful.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Lid: “N-nothing! Come on, let’s go!”
I chased after Lid as he walked off at a brisk pace, and we headed towards the event hall.
Arriving at the hall, it was already crowded with people.
After showing me to my seat, Lid stepped away and started hurriedly giving orders to the servants.
(I wonder if Lid manages the staff all on his own.)
Afterwards, many people came up to greet me, and the time passed as I did nothing but offer greetings in return.
…
……
(S-so tired…)
Since the party had started, I hadn’t been able to talk to Lid.
(I haven’t even been able to thank him properly for the dress…I’ll go look for him.)
Standing up, I walked into the crowd of people. Then I found Lid standing along in a corner of the hall.
OO: “Lid.”
Lid: “What’s the guest of honor doin’ here?”
OO: “What about you? You’re a prince and…”
Lid: “I’m fine. My bro’s set up as the face of the country anyway.”
Lid’s brother…during the party, Callan had been surrounded by people and politely greeting them all.
(He’s amazing…I got tired from it right away.)
Lid: “So what’s up? Why’d you come over here?”
OO: “Ah…thank you, for the dress.”
Lid: “Oh, no prob…”
Lid’s face turned slightly red.
Lid: “…you look pretty.”
OO: “Eh? I didn’t catch that.”
Lid: “…I mean, so I guess you can make yourself look pretty huh!”
OO: “Geez, that’s mean!”
I pouted slightly but…
Lid: “What, it’s a compliment.”
Lid’s face was practically bursting with a smile, and I smiled too.
OO: “Yeah I guess you’re right…”
Lid: “…hey, don’t get down! I’m obviously joking!”
I couldn’t help smiling seeing Lid panic like that…
Lid: “What…weirdo.”
Lid smiled back at me.
As we laughed together, a delicate melody started to fill the hall.
Lid:” Guess it’s time for the dance. You go back and have fun.”
OO: “But…”
(I feel the most relaxed when I’m with Lid…)
OO: “I can’t really dance…”
Lid: “…”
Lid thought for a moment then…
Lid: “…Bro!”
His gazed shifted off of me as he called out.
Callan: “Lid, Lady OO…”
Callan had finally finished greeting all of the guests and looked towards us.
Callan: “I do apologize. I haven’t been able to come and greet you properly…”
Lid: “Bro, nice timing! Take care of her. Seems she’s bad at dancing!”
Callan: “Lid! That’s rude…”
OO: “L-Lid…”
Lid: “My bro’s a great dancer. Just leave it to him and you’ll be fine.”
I was completely bewildered as Lid quietly whispered to me.
Lid: “See ya, good luck.”
Saying as much, he patted me on the head and walked away.
(Lid…)
Lid walked further away, and for some reason I felt overcome with loneliness.
Callan: “Lady OO…”
OO: “Y-yes…!”
I turned around, and Callan was looking straight at me.
Callan: “Would you…care to dance with me?”
Callan tentatively held his hand out to me.
I took his hand, unable to turn him away, but…
Even as I danced with Callan, I found myself subconsciously searching for Lid.
Ch. 3: What I Remember...
The day following the party…-.
I got up from the bed and put myself together, then there was a knock at the door.
Lid: “It’s me. You up?”
I hurriedly finished brushing my hair, then let Lid in.
Lid: “Nice work yesterday! You tired?”
OO: “No, I’m fine…Callan was a very good dancer.”
Lid: “…oh yeah?”
(Lid…?)
For a brief second, I thought I saw Lid’s expression darken but…
Lid: “Since you’re here ‘n all, I’ll show you around town today.”
Immediately, Lid smiled at me with his usual cheerfulness.
OO: “Ok! I’d like that.”
My heart leaped at his suggestion.
I got ready and we left the room…-.
Callan: “Lady OO…!”
I nearly collided with Callan who was standing outside the room.
Lid: “Whoa, sorry Bro! What’s up? You need her for something?”
Callan: “No, I…”
Callan faltered.
Callan: “I-I have an inspection of the town today, and I thought I’d ask Lady OO to go with me…”
Lid: “…”
Lid seemed to be carefully considering something, but his tone was lighthearted when he finally spoke.
Lid: “…I see! Then I guess I’ll leave her with you.”
OO: “Eh…?
OO: “But Lid, I was…”
Lid: “Alright Bro, she’s all yours!”
I tried talking, but Lid purposefully interrupted me.
OO: “…then, I’ll go with Callan.”
Lid: “Good, have fun.”
Lid said as much, but wouldn’t look me in the eye.
Lid: “Take your time looking around! I’ll do what I can to take care of any work you got this afternoon Bro!”
Lid said as much then quickly walked away from the room…-.
And so I accompanied Callan on a tour around the town.
Stepping out of the carriage, I was immediately caught up in the comings and goings of the people.
However…-.
(I wonder…what Lid’s doing.)
For some reason, I my thoughts turned to Lid.
Callan: “Lady OO…?”
OO: “Ah…I’m sorry!”
(Oh no, I’m…being rude to Callan…)
Callan: “It’s alright…it’s my fault for asking you out so suddenly. I should thank Lid…he’ll take over while I’m on business. He always helps me out from behind the scenes. He doesn’t show any interest in the throne…and he’s always only concerned about me and other people.”
OO: “…I kind of got that impression from him.”
(Lid…)
After that, we went around the town and eventually returned the castle…-.
That night…-.
After saying my farewells to Callan, I headed back to my own room and happened to pass by the courtyard…
(Lid…?)
Lid was looking up at the sky, standing in the courtyard with the moonlight shining down.
Lid: “Hey, what’s up?”
I didn’t know why, but I felt relieved when I heard his cheerful voice.
Lid: “How was it? He was a perfect guide right?”
OO: “Yeah, but it was a little tense. That’s not how I feel when I’m with you Lid.”
I said it without thinking, and after Lid finished looking surprised, he awkwardly scratched his head.
Lid: “That’s…where’d you go?”
OO: “The library, the city hall, the opera hall…”
Lid: “Haha! That’s my bro for ya. Well, I guess if it’d been me, I’d have taken you to shops with good food, and the best places for taking a nap. Probably just stuff like that…I was right to leave it to him!”
Lid’s smile was full of mischief, and it made my heart pound.
OO: “Haha…but I think I’d like that better. I’d like to go to town with you next time Lid.”
Lid: “OO…”
Suddenly, Lid reached his hand out to my face.
(Lid…?)
OO: “…”
I reflexively turned away in embarrassment and…
Lid: “…look here.”
His voice was quiet, and I nervously looked back at him.
OO: “…”
I couldn’t turn away and my eyes locked with Lid’s.
Lid: “…”
His beautiful green eyes shimmered.
His hand was about to touch my cheek, and I felt my heart speed up, and then…-.
Callan: “Lid, Lady OO.”
Callan, who seemed to have just been passing by, approached us.
Lid: “Bro…”
Lid stealthily lowered his hand that had been extended towards me.
Callan: “What are you two talking about?”
Lid: “…”
Lid looked between me and Callan, then…
Lid: “…I was askin’ how the trip into town with you went.”
He answered with a grin.
Lid: “Welp, I’m heading back to my room. She’s all yours Bro.”
OO: “Eh…”
Turning his back on me, Lid walked back into the castle.
Callan: “Lady OO…”
OO: “…please excuse me, I’m leaving too…!”
I apologized to Callan and chased after Lid.
Ch. 4: Overflowing Words
As if repelling Callan, I ran away from him and desperately chased after Lid.
OO: “Lid, wait…!”
Lid: “What, you two finished talking already?”
OO: “Why do you always run off so suddenly…?”
Lid: “Why? … Well…”
Lid hesitated awkwardly.
OO: “Even though I…I want to be with you Lid.”
The words spilled from my mouth.
Lid: “…me?”
Lid looked at me, his eyes round…
Lid: “No one’s ever really said that to me.”
He looked at me fondly, smiling in delight.
Lid: “Right then! You still good? Wanna go hang out in town!?”
OO: “Hang out…now?”
Lid: “Yeah, now! That ok?”
OO: “Yeah! I’d like that.”
And so Lid and I covertly snuck out in the night and went into town.
Walking down a street with stalls, we looked around the different shops…
(This feels like a date would in the world I came from…)
As I thought that, my cheeks automatically flushed red.
OO: “This is good…!”
The place Lid had brought me to was a modest little restaurant set up on one of the side streets, and it felt like a secret getaway.
Lid: “Right? This is my favorite place. Hey! Seconds please. Looks like this girl can really eat.”
OO: “T-that’s not true…!”
Lid: “Haha…I’m not very good at being a guide like my bro.”
OO: “This is the real, normal day-to-day stuff that I haven’t seen since I came to this country. I really enjoy doing things like this. Thanks Lid.”
My words made Lid’s face turn a faint shade of red.
Lid: “You’re weird. Liking normal stuff…”
Owner: “Prince Lid, sorry for the wait!”
The friendly restaurant owner brought out our food.
Owner: “I wonder what Tiga and Sai would do if they saw you with such a cutie.”
(Tiga?)
Lid: “D…don’t tell them about it!”
I saw Lid suddenly start to panic.
OO: “Who’s Tiga?”
Lid: “Ah, right…”
OO: “Why are you panicking?”
Lid: “I-I am not!”
Lid: “Tiga is the prince of a country that’s friends with mine. Then there’s Sai too. We’ve been friends since we were little, and we hang out together now and then.”
Lid looked so happy as he talked that I could tell the three of them were really good friends.
Lid: “Tiga’s always doing something, he can’t sit still. And Sai keeps him in check. I just kinda hang around them…”
OO: “Haha…”
Lid: “…I’ve got a lot of really capable people around me, but my brother’s the same. I wondered if he had some power to attract people. I’m kinda jealous.”
(Lid…?)
Lid’s expression clouded suddenly, and without thinking I peered into his face.
Lid: “Ah, i-it’s nothing.”
Realizing I was looking at him, he instantly returned to his usual cheerful self…
That enjoyable time passed in the blink of an eye, and we made our way back to the castle.
Lid: “Well, sorry for dragging you all over the place. Night.”
I couldn’t get Lid’s gloomy expression from earlier out of my head, and I called out to him as he walked away.
OO: “Hey…will you take me into town again? This time to one of those napping spots. I…I really enjoy being with you Lid.”
Lid looked surprised but…
Lid: “Yeah, sure!”
He looked at me fondly, and took a piece of my hair up in his hand.
Lid: “…thanks.”
He gently tucked the strand of hair behind my ear, and it tickled.
I hadn’t realized how big a part Lid had come to play in my world…-.
Lid thought back to what OO had said.
Lid: “She likes being with me, huh…”
A warm feeling filled his chest, and even though they’d only just parted, he couldn’t wait to see her again when…
Callan: “Lid.”
With an odd expression, Callan stood outside of Lid’s room.
Lid: “What’s up Bro?”
Callan: “I was thinking of making a proposal to Lady OO.”
Lid: “…! …that so. Yeah, you’re pretty obvious Bro.”
The smile he gave then to his brother, whom he loved and respected, was the best he could manage.