Ch. 5: With Royal Seal in Hand
(It’s so bright…)
A pale light spilled out of the crack in the door…-.
As my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw a single flower blooming.
(It looks like… a blue lily…)
The flower looked like it was casting the light, but from above I could see the bright sunlight pouring in.
Rolf: “This is… the castle flower…”
Rolf stepped up to the flower.
OO: “The castle flower?”
Rolf: “Yes… it’s the one used on the royal family crest… it’s a flower that only blooms in this country. And the heir to the throne is the only one who knows where it blooms…”
OO: “The royal seal… the symbol of the heir to the throne…”
Rolf gently touched the flower affectionately.
OO: “You found it Rolf.”
Rolf: “Yes…”
I saw Rolf smile brilliantly.
Then I suddenly spied a gap in the light further in.
OO: “Rolf… could that be…?”
(The exit…?)
I didn’t know how long we had been in the cave…
When we got outside, the sky was dyed a deep red.
Rolf: “So pretty…”
OO: “I’m glad you were able to find the seal Rolf.”
Rolf: “It’s because you were there OO.”
Rolf’s face broke out into a smile.
The evening sun shone on us as we walked the road back to the castle.
Ch. 6: Stronger Someday
Holding the flower that we’d found in the cave, Rolf and I returned to the castle.
Rolf: “I brought the royal seal.”
Kneeling respectfully, Rolf presented the blue lily to the king.
Seeing this, the king smiled in satisfaction.
King: “You did well Rolf. You’ve become a splendid prince of this country.”
Rolf: “…!”
At the king’s words, Rolf’s eyes opened wide in shock.
That expression gradually changed into one brimming with a smile.
Rolf: “Thank you… Father!”
(Good for you Rolf.)
A happiness filled my heart.
King: “And I must give my thanks to you as well. It’s thanks to you that Rolf was able to complete his test.”
OO: “No, that’s alright…”
King: “I must deeply apologize… for putting you through that ordeal.”
The king lowered his head, as did everyone else present.
OO: “I-I didn’t do anything…”
I frantically waved my hands in denial and Rolf smiled at me.
We bowed to the king and queen, then left.
We were on our way back to our rooms, then…
In the hallway, we passed by two knights.
The knights both bowed deeply to us.
(…?)
…
The two knights informed the king of what had happened in the cave.
King: “You did fine work on the escort.”
Knight 1: “Prince Rolf did splendidly.”
Knight 2: “I’m sure he was scared to death when the walls started closing in…”
Knight 1: “But he held fast and was very brave as he protected Lady OO. He is a fine prince of this country.”
The king nodded, satisfied with the information he had been given…-.
…
Having returned to my room, I let out a sigh of relief.
(We finished without any problems…)
Rolf: “OO…”
I turned around and saw Rolf in the doorway, looking at me.
OO: “Rolf.”
Rolf: “Um…”
Rolf wouldn’t look me in the eye, but it seemed there was something he wanted to say.
So, I called out to him gently.
OO: “What’s wrong?”
Rolf: “Um… I wanted to give you this.”
He handed me the blue lily.
OO: “…are you sure?”
Rolf: “It’s because of you that I was able to get it…”
(Rolf…)
Then, as if remembering something, Rolf took my hand.
OO: “Rolf…?”
Rolf: “Uh, well…”
Holding both of my hands, he seemed at a loss, then with utmost effort, he placed a kiss on my hand.
OO: “Eh…?”
Rolf: “Ah… sorry… this is… a sign of my thanks. Please accept it… Princess.”
Rolf spoke his feelings to me with all his heart, even if it was a little awkwardly.
Rolf: “I-I was told this is how a p-prince expresses his feelings…”
I felt a warmth bloom within me at seeing him so earnest.
OO: “Thank you Rolf…”
I took the flower from Rolf’s hand.
Just like a flower starting to bloom, a smile spread across Rolf’s face.
Rolf: “OO… I really like you… will you… stay with me…?”
OO: “Yeah…!”
Rolf: “Oh good…”
Rolf clung to me as if relieved.
Rolf: “Please wait for me… I’ll… get even stronger, and become a cool prince…”
OO: “Eh…?”
Rolf squeezed me, still smiling.
I gently stroked his back.
(Rolf…)
I wrapped my arms around him, and looked at the beautiful flower he’d given me.
That flower was bathed in a gentle moonlight.
END
Secret Story: The Feelings I Want to Tell You
The single flower I held in my hand swayed back and forth.
This was the royal seal.
(I didn’t think I’d actually be able to get it…)
I held myself with pride as I presented it to Father.
(It’s because of OO that I was able to do my best in the cave… that’s why I want to give her this flower as thanks. Ah… but… I’m so nervous, so I should practice first…!)
I imagined that OO stood in front of me.
Rolf: “OO, please accept this!”
(That’s no good… my voice was shaking a little. I wonder if I can be more cool, like the princes in other countries?)
Rolf: “This flower blooms just for you.”
As soon as I said it, my cheeks heated up.
Rolf: “…!”
(No, that’s too embarrassing! What should I do… at this rate, I won’t be able to give OO the flower…)
I was at a complete loss.
(I know…!)
I called over one of the knights standing in the hallway.
Rolf: “Um…”
Knight 1: “Do you need something Lord Rolf?”
Rolf: “…i-if there’s a girl…”
My voice started shaking in embarrassment as I tried to say it.
Knight 1: “What about a girl?”
I got even more embarrassed as the knight asked me to repeat it.
But I persevered and tried to ask again.
Rolf: “What should you say when you want to give a girl a present…?”
Knight 1: “Lord Rolf…”
Rolf: “I don’t know how to do it in a cool way… I… I’m a prince, so… I wondered… how other princes in other countries… um… expressed their feelings.”
Saying it out loud, the knight placed his hand to his chin in thought.
Knight 1: “Hmm, a good question… I think they might do something like kiss the girl’s hand?”
Rolf: “K-kiss!?”
The answer was more than I’d expected, and I unintentionally raised my voice.
Seeing me like that, the knight looked at me with a happy smile.
Knight 1: “However, isn’t it most important for you to do it your own way Lord Rolf?”
Rolf: “My way? But that’s really not cool…”
Knight 1: “Didn’t you go into the cave and retrieve the royal seal? Have more confidence in yourself Lord Rolf.”
(Confidence…)
Knight 1: “But Lord Rolf giving a girl a present…”
The knight stared at me, unblinking.
Rolf: “! You can’t tell Mother or Father…!”
Knight 1: “Yes, of course.”
(Will he really not tell them…?)
I tightened my hands into fists.
(I wonder if I can properly tell OO…)
And so, I went to OO’s room.
Rolf: “Um…”
OO: “What’s wrong?”
OO’s kind voice made me stand up straighter.
(I have to have courage and tell her how I feel!)
Rolf: “This is… a sign of my thanks. Please accept it… Princess.”
(I-I said it…! And next is… um…)
I took both of OO’s hands and placed a kiss on the back.
OO: “Eh…?”
OO’s eyes went round in surprise.
I reflexively moved back.
Rolf: “Ah… sorry…”
(W-was it weird…!? I wonder if I can ever become a cool prince…)
Rolf: “I-I was told this is how a p-prince expresses his feelings…”
I waited for OO’s reply, my heart pounding in my chest.
OO: “Thank you Rolf…”
OO looked at me with her usual bright smile.
(D-did I do it okay…? I think this is harder than when we were in the cave…)
OO tightly gripped my hand.
(I want… to become an even stronger and cooler prince.)
Thinking that, I jumped into OO’s arms.
END