Ch. 5: A Small Concert
In the days to come…
Butler: “Lord Raith-!”
(Is this alright…?)
Raith kept hiding from the servants.
Raith: “I said run. Otherwise we’ll get dragged into this scramble for the throne.”
He let out a soft laugh as he grabbed my hand and began running.
Outside, we came to a secluded area, and Raith flopped onto a bench in relief.
Raith: “Isn’t the sky beautiful today too?”
While he gazed at the beautiful evening glow, he took his violin from its case.
Raith: “What would you like to hear?”
OO: “…”
(Is this really alright…?)
Without me answering, Raith closed his eyes and tapped the violin strings.
As his right hand played, a beautiful sound like the singing of birds filled the air.
OO: “Wow…”
Birds gathered around us, perching in the trees.
Raith smiled in pure bliss.
Ch. 6: A Voice That Calls to the Birds
I felt the evening light on the back of my eyelids, as if it was melting…
I was lost in Raith’s music as he played with his eyes closed, when suddenly the music stopped.
OO: “…?”
I opened my eyes, and he was looking at me kindly.
Raith: “You seemed quite happy as you listened.”
OO: “Yeah…”
(Now I’m kind of embarrassed…)
Raith: “You like music?”
OO: “Yes…somehow, it makes me feel happy.”
I answered, embarrassed, and Raith smiled in delight.
Realizing the concert was over, the birds took to the sky…
Raith: “…”
Raith took a deep breath.
Raith: “I think I’m going to leave this place.”
OO: “Eh!?”
Raith: “I don’t like conflict. But if I stay here, even as the last in the line of succession, I’ll get dragged into their fighting.”
OO: “…”
Raith: “I think I’ll leave the castle…and live a life where I can perform music and create art.”
Raith looked at the birds as they disappeared into the distance.
Raith: “Because making people smile with the music I play, or the art I create, is the thing I want to see most.”
(Raith…)
I was reminded of the look of pure bliss on his face as he had played the violin.
(Raith looked so happy.)
(I hadn’t thought of it before…but he really is more suited for the wide open world than the inside of a castle.)
Raith: “It’s selfish of me. Even though I was born a prince.”
Raith looked into my eyes.
At that time…
Butler: “Lord Raith-!”
We heard a butler’s voice, searching for Raith.
(Eh…!)
Raith suddenly hugged me and hid behind the trunk of a tree.
I noticed that his arm that was holding me was shaking slightly.
OO: “…I love your music Raith.”
I spoke slowly.
OO: “And your paintings…because you showed me how beautiful the world can be. I believe your art can bring people happiness.”
Saying so, Raith’s grip on me tightened.
Raith: “Then…will you come with me?”
OO: “Eh!?”
Raith: “We’ll travel the world together, seeing beautiful things, and making beautiful things for all kinds of people so they can be happy… Doesn’t that sound fun?”
OO: “But…”
Raith: “It’ll be alright. OO, you have nothing to worry about. I’ll protect you.”
Saying so, Raith looked into my eyes and I saw that his were sparkling.
(His eyes are beautiful…)
I felt as if I was being drawn into those eyes, and the sounds of the servants calling out faded away…
Raith: “…you’ll come, right?”
I could only grasp his hand.
(I can’t answer…)
Opposite the high castle walls…the birds were singing.
That sound seemed as if it was calling to Raith.
END