Ch. 6: Werebeast
Vairy was enveloped in a bright white light…-
I desperately reached out my hand, but a strong wind pushed me back and I couldn’t get close.
(…!)
Eventually the light disappeared and revealed…
OO: “Vairy…?”
The creature standing there wasn’t the Vairy from a moment before.
Its whole body was covered in dark fur, and its ears were alert.
I saw my surprised expression reflected in those pure black eyes.
Vairy: “Grrr…”
His breathing was rough, and he bared his fangs.
OO: “Vairy…”
I stood there, unable to move, unable to do anything other than call out his name.
Vairy: “Don’t come near me…! Hurry and…leave.”
OO: “Vairy, the curse…!!”
At that time, he suddenly rushed towards me with amazing speed.
(…!)
The next thing I knew, Vairy was standing before me, his claws poised to strike above my head.
Ch. 7: Unchanged Warmth
Beneath the sharp claws hanging over my head, I tightly shut my eyes.
In that instant, I heard something like a moan come from behind me.
(…what?)
Nervous, I opened my eyes and …-
Vairy’s claws had ripped through a wolf behind me.
Vairy: “Guess they smelled the blood huh…”
Before long, we were surrounded by a pack of wolves.
(There’s so many…!)
Without giving me a moment to think, the wolves leaped as one.
Vairy: “…!!”
Vairy grabbed my head and shoved me closer into his chest.
OO: “Vairy…!”
Vairy protected me as one by one, the wolves’ fangs bit into him.
Vairy: “…!!”
(But Vairy was already hurt…!)
OO: “Vairy! Let me go…!”
Vairy: “Shut up…just be quiet…”
(What do I do…? At this rate…)
Vairy’s face was twisted in pain.
Vairy: “Somehow, I’ll make an opening…when I do, run.”
OO: “No…I can’t leave you!”
Vairy: “Don’t worry about me, it’s fine if I get eaten…”
OO: “…! Why would you…!?”
Vairy: “…this change is different than before. I’m probably out of time. I can’t turn back.”
(Oh no…!)
Vairy: “It doesn’t matter now if I live or die. …You have to run.”
OO: “No, I can’t…!”
I felt that so strongly as I cried out.
(I don’t really know how to break the curse…but…)
I had finally figured out my own feelings.
(I like him…. And I definitely don’t want him to be alone…)
OO: “I want to save you…!”
I shouted without thinking.
In that one instant when Vairy looked surprised, I pushed away from his arms and stood in front of the wolves.
Vairy: “…you idiot!”
The wolves immediately turned to attack me.
(…!)
In that moment, Vairy’s terrifying roar echoed throughout the forest.
It was so loud I felt as if my ears would burst, and the wolves scattered in fear.
Vairy: “…what the hell!! That was stupid!”
OO: “…I’m sorry.”
As I felt discouraged, a gentle hand was placed on my head, just like before.
Vairy: “I’m glad you’re okay…”
(Vairy may look different but…)
The heat from that hand hadn’t changed. It was still Vairy’s warmth.
Ch. 8: Beginning of Love
Vairy and I had come back to the castle so we could treat his wound.
At first, Vairy had stubbornly refused to return to the castle, but he agreed on the condition that we wouldn’t meet up with anyone.
OO: “…does it hurt?”
I carefully touched him.
Vairy: “I’m fine…the place where Jess shot me closed up when I changed.”
Still, there were painful looking wounds on his fur-covered back.
(Because he…protected me…)
OO: “…I’m sorry.”
Vairy: “What’re you apologizing for?”
Vairy looked troubled, then began to speak with a heavy, low voice.
Vairy: “…I’ll leave this country. You should go too.”
My chest throbbed in pain.
OO: “…I can’t do that.”
Vairy: “I don’t get you. You know I can’t return to my original form.”
OO: “But…”
Then, the door opened suddenly, and the butler and a group of soldiers appeared.
The soldiers turned their swords on us.
OO: “…! The butler…?”
Butler: “…Lord Vairy, it seems you did not make it in time. Beasts are creatures that are detested in this country. I’m afraid that…”
Vairy: “…”
OO: “Wait…please wait!”
I stood between Vairy and the butler.
Butler: “Lady OO…I’m sorry you were dragged into this. However, this is a matter for our country to deal with.”
(I don’t really understand…how this country runs…but this isn’t right…!)
Vairy: “…leave it.”
Vairy put his hand on my shoulder and spoke in a quiet voice.
Vairy: “It’s alright.”
OO: “No…! There’s no reason for you to be attacked like this…!”
Butler: “Lady OO. Is this your desire…?”
(What…?)
Suddenly, all eyes were on me.
The butler seemed to be looking at me with a plea in his eyes.
(…the butler was the one who called me here. Maybe he…)
OO: “…yes. Please, don’t attack Vairy…”
Butler: “Ordinarily…this wouldn’t be permitted, however we are indebted to you for awakening Lord Vairy. …we never saw you here.”
At the butler’s words, the castle soldiers sheathed their swords.
Vairy: “…”
Butler: “Now Lord Vairy…as you are aware, we can no longer recognize you as a prince in this country.”
Vairy: “…yeah, I know.”
Butler: “You were always kind, that is something we all know quite well…please, take care.”
With those parting words, the butler and the soldiers left the room.
(The butler…)
Vairy: “…guess I was saved by you.”
OO: “I didn’t…”
Vairy: “…I wonder what I should do now…”
OO: “…!”
I gently placed my hand on Vairy’s cheek, his head hung low.
OO: “…why don’t we look for a way to break the curse together? There might still be time…”
Vairy: “…true love huh. You believe in that fairy tale stuff?”
OO: “…so you did know.”
Vairy rested his head on my chest.
Vairy: “How weird. Your scent is super calming…”
Vairy put his hand over mine as it lay against his cheek.
Vairy: “More than anyone else, I don’t want you hurt. …but I still want you at my side.”
OO: “…I’ll be with you. Because I…”
I again spoke the words that had been swallowed up in the wind before.
OO: “I like you Vairy.”
Vairy: “…even though I’m like this? And I don’t know what’ll happen after this.”
Rather than nodding, I held him close once again and kissed his forehead.
Vairy hesitated, but then nuzzled further into my chest, as if he were depending on me.
Vairy: “I don’t know how to say this, but I think with you, it feels like something is starting.”
(Yeah, this is the beginning…and I’m sure eventually it will become true love.)
A beautiful light was shining in through the window.
Without me even realizing it, daybreak had come.
END