Ch. 1: Soft Rain
Ivia, the Earth Country, Month of Azure…-.
On this day, the rain was pouring endlessly from the bright blue sky…-.
(It’s kind of pretty…)
As thanks for waking Prince Dion…
I received an invitation from the king and had come to the Earth Country.
Dion: “It’s been a while since we’ve had rain.”
As Dion showed me around the palace, he squinted his eyes at the sun, which shone despite the rain.
Dion: “What do you think? Pretty, right?”
One the servants gracefully and quietly opened an umbrella for Dion as he got wet from the rain.
(Oh, I see… in the Earth Country, it must be rare for them to get rain.)
Dion looked up at the sky with a simple interest as I watched him, then suddenly his expression darkened.
(Now that I think about it…)
Dion’s form as he frowned and glared up at the sky…
Made me remember this country’s sorrowful history.
Once, the Sky Country and the Earth Country had been a single nation, but they had split from each other some time ago.
Then despite multiple attempts to re-establish diplomatic relations, the two countries were still in the midst of a cold war.
(They were once people of the same country, yet now they fight each other… …Dion seems somewhat very sad about that.)
As I was unable to take my eyes from Dion’s profile…
OO: “Ah.”
I slipped in a puddle of water.
(Huh…?)
I had reflexively closed my eyes, but now I felt a strong arm around my waist holding me up, so I slowly opened my eyes.
Dion: “You could get hurt not watching where you’re going.”
His deep voice resonated from above my head.
OO: “Right… thank you.”
Dion: “You’re a bit careless. I can’t believe someone like you woke me up…”
Dion let out a huff and smiled even as he said that about me.
That expression made my heart skip a beat.
Ch. 2: Dion's Muttering
The gentle rain continued to fall…-.
The sound of the rain relaxed my heart.
Dion, who walked beside me, leisurely looked at the trees around us.
Dion: “Aah, I thought it would smell nice.”
He muttered to himself and extended a long arm out to one of the tree’s branches.
A fragrance like mint drifted from the verdant and dense foliage.
OO: “Wow, that smells nice.”
Dion plucked a single leaf with his long fingers.
Dion: “They’ve become pretty damp… oh well, it’s fine.”
Dion packed the leaf into the pipe he carried and touched it lightly with a finger.
A brilliant flame erupted from his fingertip, and I quietly looked on intently at its beauty.
OO: “Is that… magic?”
Dion: “…this kind of thing isn’t all that rare here.”
OO: “That’s so beautiful…!”
Dion: “Don’t get too close, it’s dangerous.”
Saying as much, Dion placed a finger beneath my chin and lifted my face up.
Dion: “Do you want to try smoking it? Or… is the scent more to your liking?”
He moved closer at the contact and whispered those words.
OO: “…”
My heart leaped once more, and I pushed Dion away.
Dion: “You’re an interesting one. And you’re adorable.”
OO: “…!”
He looked at me even as I felt my cheeks start to flush red, and he let out a laugh.
Dion: “Your face is all red. What’s the matter?”
(Dion, you sure are enjoying teasing me…!)
Butler: “Lord Dion, it is time to return to the palace.”
I let out a held sigh as the butler came to interrupt at just that time.
Dion: “Just tell them I’m not feeling well.”
Butler: “Lord Dion, not this again… His Majesty the King is waiting.”
Regardless, Dion ignored the butler and started to walk away.
OO: “If you’re worried about leaving me alone…”
Dion: “…it’s fine, there’s not actually anyone waiting for me anyway.”
Dion’s reply was incredibly cold, and I gasped without thinking.
Dion: “Don’t worry about it, my excellent older and younger brothers have it well in hand. There’s no place there for a failure and a murderer.”
OO: “Eh?”
(Murderer…? What does that mean?)
Butler: “That is…”
Dion: “Come on, where do you want to go next, Princess of Dreams?”
Dion touched my shoulder and spun me around even as he cut off the butler.
OO: “…!”
Dion: “See, look. You’re all red again.”
Teasing me, Dion took a slow drag on his pipe.
(I was worried… and yet he’s teasing me again…?)
Butler: “Lord Dion, you are being far too discourteous.”
Dion: “Ugh, shut up. I, Dion, the sixth prince, do hereby abdicate any and all power I have with matters pertaining to the palace. Therefore, I will not be returning to the palace… you can tell my father that!”
OO: “Eh!? Um…!”
Still holding my shoulder, Dion stomped off.
The rain that wetted my cheeks felt just a little bit cooler.
Ch. 3: The Smell of Mint
The rain suddenly stopped, clearing up the sky…-.
Dion: “Aah, now I can smoke at my leisure.”
Happily, Dion slowly put his pipe to his lips.
(It looks like he really isn’t going to attend the important political discussions.)
I watched Dion as he took a slow breath, a little surprised.
(Huh…)
Dion’s long eyelashes fluttered as he breathed out a thin trail of smoke.
(Dion really does look lonely…)
OO: “…um, Dion. Is everything alright?”
Dion: “What? …ah, are you wondering if it’s alright for us to spend time alone together like this?”
After saying as much, Dion suddenly put his hand behind my neck and pulled me in…
Dion: “…I wonder.”
He whispered those words in my ear and traced my lips with his thumb.
OO: “…!”
Under the influence of his minty scent, I felt my cheeks heating up.
Seeing me like that, Dion let out an incredibly amused laugh.
(Geez, I’m never worrying about him again…)
OO: “I’m leaving.”
Dion: “Your face is all red again.”
OO: “I’m not going to worry about you anymore…”
Dion: “…I see.”
Dion: “That’s fine. There aren’t any decent people who get close to me anyway.”
(Eh…? Why would he say something like that?)
Hearing him say that, I suddenly stopped walking.
(But I already decided not to worry about him…)
I left things at that, but…
Even in my dreams that night, I was wreathed in the scent of mint.
The next day, while the weather was beautifully clear…-.
I walked down the streets of the castle town with Dion showing me around.
(We’re travelling incognito, so there aren’t any attendants or anything. I have to seize the chance I have today…)
I moved to distance myself slightly from Dion as we walked side by side.
Dion: “Hey, don’t get too far.”
He grabbed onto my hand and brought me back to right beside him.
Dion: “It’s not like our country is completely safe. If you want to walk by yourself, you have to prepare yourself for that.”
(Eh…?)
I looked around and noticed some scary-looking people.
OO: “…sorry.”
I continued to walk, still holding on to Dion’s hand.
??: “Oh, if it isn’t Lord Dion.”
At that time, a nice-looking middle-aged woman spoke to Dion.
Dion: “Gah! Maylene.”
(Who…?)
Maylene: “You’ve got a pretty girl on your arm again. Just how many girlfriends do you have!? You’re such an idiot.”
(How many girlfriends…)
The woman called Maylene pulled on Dion’s ear.
Dion: “Ow! Maylene, you’ve got it wrong! She’s not like that!”
Maylene: “Oh? Then who is she?”
Maylene looked at me with great interest.
Dion: “…she’s a guest.”
OO: “N-nice to meet you. I’m OO.”
Flustered, I bowed to Maylene.
Maylene: “Oh I see, a visitor to see Lord Dion! That’s quite unusual! If you’re a guest of Lord Dion, then you’re a guest of mine as well! Come with me and I’ll make you some tea.”
Dion: “Hey, we’ve got plans…”
Maylene didn’t seem to hear Dion as she quickly walked away.
OO: “Um, Dion, who is…”
Dion: “She was my nurse… aw man. I didn’t think we’d run into her here…”
Maylene: “What do you think you’re doing!? It’s getting late!”
Dion: “…sorry. Just go along with it.”
Dion let out a loud sigh, holding his ear which likely still hurt.
(This side of Dion… is kind of cute.)
OO: “Right, of course.”
Dion: “Geez, that Maylene…”
I grinned and walked behind Dion.
OO: “Is… your ear alright?”
Dion: “…it hurts.”
I started to follow behind Dion, who seemed a little upset at being punished.
(Ah… I can smell Dion’s minty scent.)
The house we arrived at was right near the castle, and many different medicinal herbs were growing in the nearby garden.
Dion: “Sorry for dragging you along like this.”
Dion’s expression as he spoke and looked after Maylene was full of warmth.
Ch. 4: Dion's Darkness
Entering Maylene’s home, we sat on beautifully embroidered cloth.
Maylene: “Come now Lord Dion, use that herb to brew some tea. Carefully now.”
Dion: “Why do I have to do it… geez, you’re a slave driver as always.”
OO: “Let me help you.”
Dion: “…it’s fine, just sit.”
OO: “I’ll do it.”
Dion: “It’s fine. It’d be a problem if you burned yourself.”
Even as he spoke, Dion was quick to stand up and go prepare the tea.
(He’s completely different than how he was at the palace…)
I smiled at the thought.
(Perhaps this is what he’s really like.)
Maylene came back from the kitchen and in a panic, I hid my smile.
Maylene: “I’m sorry for getting in the way of your date.”
OO: “Oh no, it wasn’t…”
(It wasn’t a date… but I’m not really sure how to explain that.)
Maylene: “You know, I’m glad. This is the first time I’ve seen Lord Dion with a girl who wasn’t a traveling dancer of some sort. And… I almost doubted my own eyes, seeing you were on your own with him.”
(That’s probably because I’m the Princess of Traumere, but… I guess he really is normally surrounding by women.)
For some reason, Maylene’s words made me feel sad.
Maylene: “Lord Dion… he blames himself for the death of my son.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Maylene: “Ever since that day… Lord Dion has hidden his standing and spent all his time fooling around with traveling women.”
(That day…?)
Maylene: “But you know, those girls who travel all over the world are the ones who are able to get information on the Sky Country.”
OO: “Information on the Sky Country?”
(What is she talking about…?)
Dion: “You’re talking nonsense.”
Dion came back, carrying a tray with the tea.
Maylene: “Oh my, eavesdropping is impolite. Besides, how long do you plan on this undignified act of feeling sorry for yourself and moaning on?”
Dion: “…I don’t need you to console me. It was my own fault.”
Maylene: “And just who told you that!? You bring that person and have that stand in front of me!”
Dion: “…I’m done for the day. Hey, let’s go.”
Dion took a single sip of the tea and forcefully stood up.
OO: “Um, please excuse us… Miss Maylene.”
Dion: “Come on, hurry up.”
OO: “Huh? Oh, right…”
Dion: “…sorry.”
I drank the tea Dion had prepared before standing up.
Within that warmth, I could almost taste tears.
Ch. 5: The Town in the Red Sunset
The setting sun dyed the townscape orange…-.
A little while after leaving Maylene’s home, we continued to walk together in silence.
(I had made my choice not to worry about him but…)
————————
Maylene: “Lord Dion… he blames himself for the death of my son.”
————————
(I can’t help but worry after hearing something like that.)
OO: “Um, Dion…”
Making up my mind, I called out to him, but…
Dancer 1: “Dioooon.”
I knew from a glance at their clothes that these beautiful girls were dancers as they clung to Dion.
Dancer 2: “It’s been a while. Hey, can we come by your place tonight, Dion?”
Dion: “Been a while ladies… Ann and Sen, right?”
Dancer 1: “It’s Lizzy and Lilly! Ugh, I’m done. We even came here this time stocked up on ‘information’.”
(Information…)
————————
Maylene: “Ever since that day… Lord Dion has hidden his standing and spent all his time fooling around with traveling women. But you know, those girls who travel all over the world are the ones who are able to get information on the Sky Country.”
————————
(Maylene said something about that.)
Dancer 2: “Hey, do you like us?”
Dion: “….I wonder. Well, let’s say my affection depends on the quality of that information.”
Dancer 1: “Then, tonight you’ll tell us your real identity?”
Dion: “What… if that’s really what you want to know, then I’ll just tell you right here.”
Dion evaded the question, then grabbed the fabric on the front of the girl’s costume and ripped it.
Some men that were passing by started to cheer and Dion smiled in response.
Dancer 2: “Geez… you’re always dodging the question like that…”
I felt a stabbing pain in my chest at her words.
(He’s always dodging me too…)
Dion: “Go on. Later tonight then.”
With the dancers gone, Dion looked at me as if just realizing I had been there.
Dion: “What’s with that weird face?”
OO: “I’m not making a face…”
Dion: “You are. Your face is all red.”
OO: “…”
Dion: “What, are you self-conscious?”
Suddenly, Dion took the ribbon from my blouse into his hand.
Dion: “Did you want me to show you too? …my true self?”
OO: “…”
(And here I was worried about him…! But…)
————————
Dion: “…I don’t need you to console me. It was my own fault.”
————————
Dion’s sorrowful expression crossed my mind.
(I want to know more about Dion…)
I calmed my instinct that said to run and nodded at Dion.
Then, he looked slightly surprised…
Dion: “…I don’t have any intention of dragging you into this.”
His voice was quiet as he spoke, and he let go of the ribbon.
(His voice is so soft. Could it be that…)
————————
Dion: “You could get hurt not watching where you’re going.”
Dion: “If you want to walk by yourself, you have to prepare yourself for that.”
————————
(He was always saying things like that for my sake…)
Dion lightly brushed my cheek with his hand.
Dion: “It’s getting chilly.”
(I’m sure, even this…)
Dion: “Let’s hurry back. My butler won’t shut up about it if I let you catch a cold.”
Saying as much, Dion turned his back to me.
In the light of the setting sun, I could see a small, kind smile on his face.
Ch. 6: Within His Eyes
On the way back…-.
My shoulders were shaking from the cold, and Dion bought me a beautiful silk coat.
OO: “I’m sorry… this must have been expensive.”
Dion: “Don’t worry about it. It’s a rule that women should be pampered. Is there anything else you want?”
He spoke with a practiced air as he gently put his arm around my shoulders.
Dion: “…what, you’re not going to run?”
(…because I want to know more about him.)
OO: “Um… is it okay for me to say what I want?”
Dion: “…what is it?”
OO: “I seriously want to know more about you Dion…”
Dion looked at me with gentle eyes.
But then his eyes and his expression shifted, as if he were suddenly putting on a mask…
OO: “Nn…”
Dion stole a kiss.
Dion: “This… is me.”
Dion smiled, brimming with confidence.
Dion: “What’s wrong? Then I’ll try again…-.”
OO: “…”
Tears fell from my eyes.
Unable to say anything, I turned from Dion and ran…-.
…
Dion continued to watch as OO ran away.
Dion: “This is for the best… I don’t want you to get hurt. But…”
Dion reached out his hand… in the direction OO had run.
His hand immediately fell limp, and he hung his head…-.
…
That night…-.
(I thought I was getting just a little closer to Dion’s heart, but… then… why was Dion the one who looked so sad?)
Remembering it, the tears started to flow again.
As I wiped them away…
Dion: “OO… will you open the door? Please listen to what I have to say.”
Dion’s voice came from the other side of the door.
Dion: “I’m sorry.”
Slowly, I opened it.
OO: “Come in.”
Quietly, Dion entered the room.
OO: “…”
Dion: “…sorry for coming so late.”
He waited a little while, looking out the window in silence before letting out a heavy sigh.
Dion: “I assume you know the circumstances surrounding my country and the Sky Country.”
OO: “…long ago, they were one single country, but now they’re separate and currently in a cold war… is that what you mean?”
Dion nodded in agreement, then continued.
Dion: “When I was a kid, I was friends with Sefir of the Sky Country. We would meet up, unaware of our respective social positions. When I was ten, we held a celebratory restoration festival for the sake of appearances and diplomatic relations. From my seat, I saw Sefir… and I rushed over to him, not thinking. We were just kids… we didn’t know anything of the situation between our countries. Do you know what it means for the prince of one country to approach the prince of the other in a formal setting? It meant that our countries were meeting in a compromise. But… I was young then, and naturally couldn’t bear the responsibility of something so serious. That’s why my dutiful foster brother… Maylene’s son, Lane, stood in the way between Sefir and I. The countries were in the midst of a cold war, and I became aware of the fact that we shouldn’t join hands without proper consultation. Then… because a retainer’s actions had inhibited his master, Lane was executed for treason.”
OO: “That’s…!”
Dion: “I’m not at all capable of being a prince. I’m a murderer. And I’m sure that the same thing would happen again if I were to get close to anyone. When someone decides to try and get close to me, I run from them… just like you did. That’s always how I’ve lived. But… seeing you run off like that made my heart ache. I felt greedy. I thought of how I wanted you to know… and how I wanted to know you.”
(Dion was thinking the same thing…?)
Dion: “I wonder now, if I was too late…?”
(These are Dion’s true feelings…)
OO: “You’re… not too late.”
I answered, my voice hoarse, and Dion shut his eyes.
Dion: “Thank you…”
Dion gently hugged me.
(I’ve finally met him… the real Dion.)
The warmth I felt made my heart pound.