Ch. 1: Charmed by Strawberries
Land of Glamor, Lotria, Month of Azure…-.
Stars twinkled in the indigo blue sky…-.
The elegant sounds of an orchestra playing echoed through the luxurious party hall.
The king loudly announced for the festivities to begin.
(How beautiful…)
I had been invited to this castle as thanks for awakening this country’s prince, Rolf.
Seeing this grand welcome party that had been prepared for me, I felt my heart flutter.
Rolf: “That’s… where the food is…”
OO: “Wow it looks so good.”
Rolf: “And there’s cake…”
Rolf excitedly handed me a piece of cake with a large strawberry on it.
Rolf: “Here you go…”
OO: “Thank you Rolf.”
I took a bite of the pure white cake and felt the fluffy texture dissolve on my tongue.
OO: “It’s delicious!”
Rolf: “Yes…”
Rolf stood beside me eating, his expression enraptured as it broke into a smile.
Then…
Rolf: “Strawberry…”
His eyes sparkled considerably as he pierced the large red strawberry with his fork.
OO: “Rolf, do you like strawberries?”
Rolf stuffed his mouth full of the strawberry and swallowed before nodding.
OO: “Then do you want mine too?”
Rolf: “Are you sure…?”
OO: “Of course.”
I went to put my strawberry on Rolf’s plate…
(Eh…?)
Rolf stood there with his mouth open wide, waiting.
(Is he saying he wants me to feed him…? Maybe… this is how he usually does it.)
He smiled, fully trusting me, and I felt my cheeks warm.
(He’s like an adorable little brother…)
OO: “Here you go Rolf.”
I fed him my strawberry.
Rolf: “It’s… delicious.”
The strawberry filled his mouth.
He placed both of his small hands on his cheeks and smiled, his expression softening.
Rolf: “There are 52 pieces of cake… even counting all of the guests, it would be okay to take a second piece…”
His eyes sparkled and Rolf helped himself to another slice.
(I wonder when he had time to count that… he must really like strawberries.)
I watched him from the side as he happily enjoyed his second helping of cake.
His sparkling smile was quite sweet.
Ch. 2: A Test with Breakfast
The next morning…
I ate breakfast seated with the rest of the royal family.
Rolf: “… …”
I casually glanced to the side and saw Rolf frowning.
(Rolf…?)
Holding his fork, Rolf continued to look gloomily at the plate in front of him.
(I wonder if something happened…)
Concerned, I was about to speak to him when…-.
(Huh…?)
As if trying to avoid notice, Rolf carefully pushed aside his plate with vegetables.
OO: “Rolf, are you not going to eat your vegetables?”
Rolf: “…I don’t like these.”
(Ah… that’s why he was just looking at his plate…)
King: “Eat your vegetables, Rolf.”
At the king’s weighty voice, Rolf’s eyes blurred as if he were about to cry.
Rolf: “But… these vegetables… are too bitter…”
He turned his eyes towards me as if asking for help.
OO: “Do your best, alright Rolf?”
Rolf: “Okay…”
OO: “Do you want me to eat it for you?”
Rolf: “Will you…?”
OO: “Then how about I take a bite first, and then you take one after?”
Rolf: “Uh… alright.”
I picked up a single vegetable from his plate.
Once I’d done that, Rolf followed my lead and used his fork to grab a vegetable.
Rolf: “It’s bitter…”
He was somehow able to eat it, and his mouth formed into a tight frown.
OO: “Good job Rolf.”
Rolf: “Thanks… but can I not eat the fish…? The eyes are always looking at me… it’s scary…”
His eyes wet with tears as he spoke, I was about to nod.
However…
King: “How long to you plan on behaving so childishly Rolf!? You are this country’s prince.”
Rolf: “…!”
Rolf trembled under the king’s severe tone.
King: “It’s decided. I will give you a test.”
Rolf: “A test…?”
King: “After this, you are tasked with going to the cave on the outskirts of town and retrieving the Royal Seal.”
Rolf: “Why…? I don’t want to go there… it’s scary…”
Tears fell from Rolf’s eyes.
Queen: “Rolf has his own merits. He’s so young, but he excels at numbers, right?”
The queen cut in as if trying to protect Rolf.
King: “No. You’re always saying things like that and spoiling him. Rolf, you’ll leave this afternoon.”
Leaving the declaration at that, the king left.
Rolf: “I don’t want… to go… to that place…”
Rolf’s tearful voice echoed in the quiet dining hall.
(Rolf…)
Queen: “Would you go with him?”
The queen looked at me, her eyes imploring.
OO: “Your Majesty…”
Queen: “I am aware it’s a discourteous thing to ask of you, but… the castle staff can’t go with him either.”
The queen looked at Rolf, the deep concern for him clear on her face.
OO: “…alright.”
Queen: “Thank you so much!!”
At my answer, the queen happily pulled me into a tight embrace.
OO: “Let’s do our best together Rolf.”
I looked to Rolf and smiled.
Rolf: “…”
But Rolf didn’t look at me, the tears still falling from his eyes.
Ch. 3: Now, Into the Cave
When afternoon came, Rolf and I left the castle.
When we finally stood before the cave, I gasped.
OO: “Is this… the right place?”
The cave was so dark I couldn’t see inside, and it seemed as if the cave was eagerly awaiting the chance for us to get lost.
Rolf: “There might be monsters…”
Rolf’s voice quavered so much it basically disappeared.
OO: “Uh… it’ll be fine if we hold hands.
I somehow kept my voice light as I held my hand out to Rolf.
Rolf: “Right…!”
He took my hand, practically clinging to it.
Confirming our linked hands, we set foot into the cave.
Rolf: “…don’t let go, no matter what…”
With only the light of a lantern to guide us, Rolf and I walked forward.
We huddled together, and occasionally droplets would fall from the ceiling at our feet.
Rolf: “Eek…”
Surprised by the noise each time, Rolf would start to tremble.
Rolf: “Hya! That was cold…!”
Surprised by the sound of a splash of water, Rolf bumped into the wall.
OO: “Rolf, are you alright…?”
I hurriedly rushed over to him and…
Rolf: “Uwa…!”
The space I thought was a wall started to bulge, then countless shadows burst forth from it.
OO: “…!”
Rolf: “B…bats…!”
OO: “Look out Rolf!”
Rolf frantically tried to shake off the flocking bats, but then…-.
Rolf slipped and fell.
Rolf: “Ah…!”
OO: “Are you okay?”
Rolf: “It hurts…”
It was as if a dam had burst, and Rolf began to cry.
OO: “Rolf…”
Rolf: “I’m sure… Father hates me… that’s why… he gave me this test…”
OO: “That’s not true.”
Rolf: “Then why did he send me here…?”
I gently patted Rolf on his head as he sobbed.
Rolf: “OO…”
OO: “He told you to come here because he was sure you could do it.”
Rolf: “Are you sure about that…?”
OO: “I’m sure. I’m scared too, but I came with you because I knew you could do this Rolf.”
I looked into his eyes and saw myself reflected there.
I saw myself nod emphatically.
OO: “It’s alright, you can do this.”
Rolf’s eyes sparkled.
Rolf: “You really think… I can do this…?”
OO: “I do.”
Rolf: “…”
Rolf looked down at his own hands and clenched them into fists.
OO: “Let’s keep doing our best.”
Rolf: “Right…!”
He nodded with a strong voice then wiped the tears from his eyes and pulled on my hand.
However, I could still feel the slight tremble in his hand.
OO: “Rolf, are you alright?”
Rolf: “I’m… I’m okay… I can do this.”
(You can do it Rolf…)
I tightly squeezed his hand, and Rolf smiled slightly.
I moved to walk ahead with him behind me.
Rolf: “…I’m alright…!”
Rolf took bigger steps and moved his way to walk in front of me.
However…
Rolf: “Oh no…”
In the depths of the cave, we ran into a large rock wall that blocked our way.
OO: “It’s been a straight path this whole time, so we can’t have gotten lost…”
I held up the lantern as Rolf and I frantically searched the wall.
(We’ve come this far… why…?)
The stone wall was unyielding no matter what we did, and I felt my heart sink.
But at that moment…
Rolf: “Eh…?”
OO: “Did you find something Rolf?”
OO: “Right here… it feels like I can push it.”
With force, Rolf pushed on one part of the wall.
There was a *thunk*…-.
Rolf: “Eh…?”
The stone sunk in as if it were some kind of switch.
The ground started to shake violently.
OO: “What’s happening…!?”
It felt like the ground beneath us suddenly slanted.
OO: “…!”
It was like a slide as we slid down, deeper into the depths of the cave.
Ch. 4: I Will Protect You
We fell to the bottom of a deep, deep hole…-.
OO: “…!?”
I felt my back hit something and opened my eyes to see a vast emptiness.
OO: “Where are we…?”
The lantern, which had fallen some distance away, illuminated the surrounding stone walls.
(I wonder how far we fell…)
When I looked up, all I could see was darkness.
There were a number of branching paths, each leading to a deep impenetrable darkness.
Rolf: “This is my fault… I’m sorry…”
OO: “It’s not…”
Rolf: “I really am useless…”
Rolf crouched down and began to cry, as if broken down by the weight of his feelings.
(Rolf…)
I sat across from him and hugged my knees in the same way he was.
(I have to cheer him up… but…)
My feelings of hopelessness only increased at the darkness around us, even though I knew I needed to cheer Rolf up.
OO: “What should we do…”
(If we just sit and wait here…)
I felt tears prick my eyes as I felt fear.
Rolf: “OO…”
Rolf looked at me, shocked.
I hurriedly wiped the tears away, not wanting to make Rolf worry.
OO: “I-I’m alright…”
But Rolf continued to look at me worriedly.
Eventually, he straightened his shoulders.
Rolf: “I’m sorry… I’m… alright now…”
He picked up the discarded lantern in his small hand.
OO: “Rolf…”
Rolf: “I’ll… protect you… let’s go.”
Wiping his tears on his sleeve, Rolf held his hand out to me.
His hands, damp with tears, continued to shake.
(Rolf…)
Sensing his courage, I felt a warmth spread through my chest.
OO: “Yeah, let’s go!”
I took Rolf’s hand and stood up.
Then…-.
OO: “Rolf, there’s something written on the wall.”
I walked up to the wall on our right side.
Rolf: “Eh…?”
The lantern illuminated the wall, covered with finely drawn numbers.
Rolf: “This might be…”
OO: “…?”
Rolf’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Rolf: “I’m sure it’s this way!”
He pulled strongly on my hand and walked down one of the pathways without any hesitation.
OO: “You know where to go…?”
Rolf: “Yes, those numbers on the wall… I know them… They’re… numbers associated with the altitude and location of the sun along its progression through the sky… If we go on the path according to the numbers… we should hit a curve…”
(Rolf… he really is amazing…)
And so we went on, and came to a set of large double doors.
In front of the enormous lock keeping the door shut, Rolf looked at the numbers written on the wall.
OO: “Is that a hint on how to open the lock?”
Rolf: “It looks like it…”
(There are so many numbers written out… I don’t understand any of it…)
I anxiously looked at Rolf and saw a momentary flash of light in his dark eyes.
Rolf: “I think I can do it.”
Saying so, he reached his hand out to the locking device.
Then…-.
OO: “What…!?”
There was a rumbling below ground and the walls to either side of us started to close in.
(Is this… a trap…? At this rate…!)
Rolf: “OO!”
Rolf looked at me, his eyes wavering.
OO: “I’m alright! You can figure it out Rolf.”
Rolf: “I’ll… do my best…!!”
(…I can’t worry Rolf right now…but…)
My face paled under the fear of the looming walls.
Rolf: “Just wait… OO…!!”
(You can do it… Rolf…!)
Facing the lock, Rolf gave his full attention to deciphering the mathematical equation.
The walls moved closer, centimeter by centimeter.
Rolf: “A little more… just a little more…!!”
Sweat fell from his brow.
(Rolf…!)
There was a bang…-.
Rolf: “I… stopped it…!”
There was a thundering roar from beneath the wall.
(Th-thank goodness…)
And then…-.
OO: “The door is opening…”
The door slowly opened, and a pale light flooded through the crack.
We squinted our eyes against the brightness.