Ch. 1: Violin at Twilight
Kingdom of Telsot in the Land of Poison, Month of Blue…-
The raindrops clinging to the leaves glistened in the light of the setting sun.
(It’s so pretty…)
I looked up at the crimson sky, having arrived at the place I was to meet Raith in his kingdom.
(We were meeting here, right?)
After the rain, the town was bustling.
On the opposite side of the street, a violinist was playing a beautiful melody, and a crowd of people had gathered around them.
(It’s a lovely song…)
(Huh?)
Looking at the violinist, I was certain I had seen them somewhere before.
OO: “Excuse me.”
Pushing through the crowd, I came to the front and…
OO: “Ah!?”
An exclamation of surprise escaped my lips.
The sound of the violin stopped, and the face that turned towards me was lit up with a smile.
Raith: “OO!”
OO: “Raith…!”
I couldn’t hide my surprise at seeing a prince of the kingdom behaving so casually.
Raith: “I played while I was waiting for you, and people just kind of started to gather. Wait just a minute. Everyone is enjoying it so much, I’ll just do one more song.”
With a carefree smile, he once again drew the bow across the violin.
A lively melody flowed out, and one by one the people started to dance.
(Wow…)
In the midst of the crowd, I watched as Raith joyfully played his violin.
(It almost looks like he’s glowing.)
The setting sun was wrapped in the notes of a kind melody.
Ch. 2: The Angel's Halo
The next day…
Geez…it’s already afternoon.
I looked up at the clock in the room to check the time.
(I’m sure yesterday he said he’d come before noon but…)
Fed up with waiting, I left my room to find Raith.
(Did I misunderstand when we’d meet?)
I ran over to talk to a man walking in front of me.
OO: “Excuse me…”
??: “Princess, is something the matter?”
OO: “I’m sorry to bother you, but have you seen Prince Raith?”
??: “Did my younger brother break an appointment with you? For crying out loud…”
(Brother? Then, this is the older brother!)
(Now that I look closer, their eyes are similar…)
Raith’s older brother immediately led me to a nearby door.
Raith’s Brother: “Raith!”
He slammed open the door and…
Raith was sleeping peacefully in bed, his breathing steady and his arm around a large pillow.
Raith’s Brother: “Raith! You made the princess wait…come on!”
Raith: “Hm…m…”
Raith’s face twisted in annoyance and gripped the pillow tighter.
After a moment, he slowly stretched out his arm, grabbing his brother.
Raith’s Brother: “…! You’re still half asleep!”
As the older brother seemed as if he was about to be pulled into the bed, he forcibly removed his arm.
Raith’s Brother: “What the heck are you doing!? You should be behaving more like a prince!”
Raith opened his eyes, the color of silver grass, and languidly sat up.
Raith: “Come on, it’s fine. I have four magnificent older brothers who can rule over the country, regardless of me.”
Raith gave a big yawn, paying no mind to his brother’s anger.
Raith’s Brother: “What are you talking about!? It is the duty of the royal family to ensure the happiness and livelihood of the people, for the prosperity of the country! You’re unbelievable!”
The older brother shook with rage and his face flushed, then he left the room.
I bowed as he left, seeing him out, then quietly approached Raith.
Raith: “Aaaah, right…is it time? Sorry sorry.”
He reached out and gently placed his hand on my cheek.
OO: “…”
I felt my cheeks flush at the spontaneous gesture.
Raith: “I had a lot to drink last night, despite my better judgement. Just let me get ready.”
OO: “It’s fine…”
Raith smiled sweetly and got out of bed.
I reflexively took a step back, and as if just realizing what he was doing, Raith withdrew his hand.
Raith: “Sorry.”
Bathed in sunlight, Raith looked directly into my eyes.
(What should I do…?)
I looked away, unsure of what to do.
Raith: “…Ah.”
Again, Raith reached out and touched a strand of my hair.
OO: “Um…”
Raith: “…an angel’s halo. You have very pretty hair.”
Raith held up my hair to the light and looked at me with kindness.
(Letting him do that…)
My heart thumped in my chest.
Ch. 3: White Sunlight
The lazy afternoon sun filled the room with light.
Raith looked at my hair, as if it was something dazzling.
(How long is he going to do this…)
My chest ached and my heart was beating fast, so I looked away.
Then…
OO: “Ah…”
I noticed Raith’s room was full of beautiful paintings and sculptures.
Raith: “Do you like them?”
OO: “They’re very beautiful…”
Looking around, the language of nature was scattered about.
Raith smiled in delight.
At Raith’s voice, I remembered the tension from a moment ago, and I couldn’t respond.
But I was still able to nod my head.
Raith: “Thanks.”
Raith stood alone, and spoke quietly.
Raith: “These are all my works.”
OO: “Eh!? That’s amazing…!”
Raith: “You think? Everyone just says I’m fooling around.”
OO: “No way! They’re so wonderful.”
I was drawn closer to one painting.
The canvas had green on white inlaid with a vivid orange…
OO: “Beautiful…what is this…?”
Raith: “…sunlight through the trees.”
I hadn’t realized but Raith was suddenly behind me.
He reached out his hand from behind and lovingly caressed the white background.
Raith: “If you sprawl out in the evening sun, the light through the trees is even more beautiful.”
I felt Raith’s chest against my back and my heart sped up.
Raith: “I thought I’d put on the finishing touches tonight.”
I continued to look at Raith’s fingers, unable to turn around.
Raith: “Today the sunlight is white. I should be able to finish it off beautifully.”
(White sunlight…?)
I looked closer at the canvas and…
(He’s right.)
The white portions of the canvas could be seen as sun coming through the trees.
(The world that Raith sees is so beautiful…)
Forgetting he was right behind me, I bumped into his chest again.
OO: “I’d like to see more of your pieces Raith.”
Raith: “Go ahead. There are plenty here.”
Raith sounded embarrassed.
OO: “I’d like to be like you, and see the world that way.”
Raith: “Why?”
OO: “I think because…the world reflected in your eyes is so beautiful.“
Raith breathed out.
Raith: “I have nothing but time. My brother’s already have children, and as the fifth son, there’s no point in concerning myself with the throne. I…I’m a pretty useless prince.”
OO: “That’s not…”
Raith: “Well, it’s nice to be carefree. Thanks to that I can live surrounded by art. If you ask my father, I’m just goofing off. He’s always upset, telling me to deal with things like diplomacy or the military to support the country.”
(So that’s how it is…but I think fine arts are important too, not just diplomacy and military.)
I turned to look behind me at Raith, and his expression seemed a little sad.
But when he realized I was looking, he quickly put on a smile.
Raith: “…I’ll change my clothes.”
Saying so, he went to the back of the room.
(Raith…)
Suddenly, I remembered the sound of his violin as he’d played in the town.
(Everyone seemed to be having so much fun…)
I looked outside the window at the white sunlight.
Ch. 4: Large Palms
Raith finished getting ready and we left the room.
At that time…
(…?)
As we left the hallway, a butler came running up to us, out of breath.
Butler: “Lord Raith! Please come right away. The king has…”
The butler said only that much, suddenly noticing me and shutting his mouth.
OO: “You go on, I’ll head back to my room.”
I spoke quickly, aware of the unusual situation.
Raith: “…sorry.”
OO: “What happened?”
I asked without thinking.
Raith took in the state of the butler and tilted his head.
Raith “…I’ll go see. Wait for me.”
Raith left in a hurry.
…
……
Evening…
(I wonder what happened with the king…I’m a little worried.)
The sun sank slowly on the horizon, dying the world in gold, and I sat thinking on a bench in the garden.
I suddenly looked up at the sky and…
(Sunlight through the trees…)
Light was leaking through the canopy of leaves in the forest that could be seen opposite the castle.
I closed my eyes to its brilliance and felt the golden light of the setting sun on my eyelids.
(I wonder if Raith is alright…)
??: “…this…”
Suddenly, there was a loud voice and I opened my eyes.
Raith’s Brother: “A violin at a time like this!? Raith, you’re a prince…and an embarrassment to the royal family!”
(Is that Raith’s brother?)
Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw Raith’s brother gripping Raith by the shoulder.
Raith’s Brother: “And if you’re just going to be soaking up the people’s taxes, it’d be best if you weren’t around!”
(That’s too far…!)
At his strong words, I stood up from the bench.
I met Raith’s eyes over his brother’s shoulder.
(Raith…)
Raith smiled at me.
Noticing it, Raith’s brother looked my way, then awkwardly left.
Raith: “…surprised?”
Raith slowly walked over.
Raith: “My father fell. It’s the first time this has happened, so everyone’s all worked up. I had just thought that if I could play the violin, it would ease my father’s heart.”
OO: “How is the king doing…?”
Raith: “He’s alright. The physicians are with him, and things have calmed down for today.”
OO: “I’m glad…”
Raith: “But now my brothers are beginning to compete over the ascension to the throne.”
Through a window, I saw Raith’s brother arguing with someone.
Raith: “I’m sorry, I thought we could leisurely enjoy the season but…”
Raith placed his large palms over my eyes, concealing the scene before me.