Ch. 7: A Cold Gaze, and an Uncomfortable Feeling
I told Edmond about the boy from the slums, and his expression changed.
But it returned to normal almost immediately…
Edmond: “You really were concerned about these people…. That’s how it was from the very beginning. As soon as you came to this country, you got mixed up with the slums. You’re too nice.”
(This is wrong. He doesn’t look like the Edmond I know…he’s much colder…Edmond, what happened?)
Edmond: “Are you really that concerned about them?”
There was also a sorrow within that coldness that flickered in his eyes, and it stabbed at my heart.
OO: “Why…why? Edmond, you’re worried about them too, aren’t you?”
Edmond: “…”
As Edmond stayed silent…-
Boy: “It’s the prince-! Prince Edmond…!”
The boy’s voice drew nearer.
I looked back and saw the boy running towards us, out of breath.
(Did he see Edmond?)
Soldier: “Hey, don’t come any closer to the prince!”
Edmond: “Stop.”
Edmond raised his hand to stop the soldier as he moved to shoo the boy away.
Boy: “Please! Please help my mom…. She’s in trouble. She’s really really sick…so please don’t destroy this place! Please, save her!!”
(Even this little boy knows about the demolition…)
The boy desperately clung to Edmond.
Edmond looked down at the boy with a stern gaze.
Ch. 8: His Heart, and a Swirling Conspiracy
Edmond sank into silence as the boy clung to him.
His face was serious, as if he was considering something.
Boy: “Prince Edmond…please…*oo hick* …it’s not just my mom, there’s a lot of other people who are sick too. Everyone’s hurting…so please. Don’t destroy our home…please… *uu*”
The boy had grit his teeth, but he couldn’t bear it anymore and fell into a fit of crying.
OO: “Edmond, this is a request from me as well. Don’t tear this place down. Surely you can do something to stop this, can’t you?
Edmond: “It’s not possible. How many times do I have to tell you? It’s already been decided.”
OO: “But is that really what you want Edmond…? You really want to save this place, and come here again…-“
Edmond: “I’ve already agreed to it. Like I said, there’s nothing to be done.”
I looked at him, pleading, but he abruptly turned his gaze away and gave a small, sad smile.
OO: “Edmond…?”
Edmond: “Guess I can’t help it…”
OO: “Then…!”
My eyes lit up as he said it.
But he shook his head.
Edmond: “Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not going to stop the slums from being torn down.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Edmond: “But I don’t want you to look at me like that. OO. That sorrowful look doesn’t suit you.”
He gently caressed my cheek.
The palm of his hand…it was cool, unlike the warmth I usually felt.
(Why does he feel so cold? Edmond’s such a kind person, and yet…)
Edmond turned to face the boy.
Edmond: “Go home. I’ll send the medicine later.”
Boy: “Really!?”
Edmond: “Yeah…as thanks to your mother for before.”
OO: “Eh…”
Edmond: “The woman with the illness. …Long ago, when I would come here to play, she was one of the people I would pester.”
OO: “Edmond…”
But Edmond’s expression was still rigid.
Edmond: “…do you…do you like living here like this…?”
Edmond murmured to the boy, but it was like he was actually speaking to himself.
Boy: “Huh?”
Edmond: “Never mind…hurry home. Go see your mother.”
Boy: “Okay! Thanks Prince Edmond!!”
The boy ran back down the path he had come from, his steps light.
OO: “Edmond…”
Edmond: “Geez…I didn’t think you’d be this stubborn in your request. I’m not always kind. I have a strict side too.”
OO: “That’s…”
Edmond: “Smile for me OO.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Edmond: “I want to see you smile like you always do.”
I could see a deep sadness there as he made the request of me.
However…
OO: “…right.”
I gave a short reply, then I made myself smile, just like he’d asked…-
…
……
Without knowing Edmond’s true intentions, I spent my time stressing about what his real feelings could be.
(Edmond…what is he thinking?)
I walked through the courtyard, burdened by those heavy feelings when…
(Huh? Is that…the minister?)
The minister and an unfamiliar man of average height were talking in a corner of the courtyard.
Minister: “…ha…for crying out loud.”
??: “Hehe, it’s just as you said, Minister.”
Minister: “Hmph, if they’d hurry and tear that place down, there would be new riches at hand. How long are they going to cling to it…”
??: “Well then, we shall continue to support you…for the agreed upon price.”
(What does that mean…?)
I took a step backwards to retreat when my back hit something.
OO: “…!?”
As I stumbled, someone wrapped their arm around me, grabbing me.
Minister: “W-who’s there!?”
??: “Minister, you should be more careful of your surroundings. Someone might overhear.”
A man with the large build, the one who had grabbed me, took me out to meet the minister.
Minister: “You’re…Lady OO.”
OO: “What’s going on? What payment…?”
Minister: “It’s just want you heard. After the slums are torn down, we’ll build a large market in their place.”
OO: “Does…does Edmond know about that?”
As I asked, the minister let out a troubled sigh.
Minister: “The prince is far too sincere…if word of this got to him, he’s likely to stop the demolition.”
(But…! Then that means these people are destroying the slums for their own gain…!?)
Minister: “Hey, take care of her.”
OO: “Wai…nn!”
I went to chase after the minister as he left, but the man’s hand firmly clamped over my mouth.
Man: “Quiet.”
I struggled desperately, but I was no real threat to this man’s strength, and I was taken away from the castle.
Ch. 9: Crisis, and Eyes Full of Rage
After that…-
I was shoved into a small room somewhere in the slums.
(I have to tell Edmond.)
———————
Edmond: “Looking back on it, it was the royal family that caused that to happen…-“
———————
(The royals were so selfish, and even though they felt so much responsibility…at this rate…)
I looked around, knowing I had to escape, but the door was locked tight and my hands were bound behind my back.
I thought about what I could do when…
Slum Man 1: “Hehe. He was right, you really are a pretty girl.”
OO: “…!”
Several men shuffled into the small room.
I could sense something bad about them and my body started to tremble as a chill went up my spine.
Slum Man 2: “That nice guy outside said there was a real pretty girl in here. Said if we sell her, we can get some good money.”
(N-no…what’s going to happen?)
I felt my body go cold with dread, and I tried to cry out but…-
OO: “…!”
One of the men easily lifted me up.
OO: “L-let me go…!”
(I’m scared…what’s going to happen to me!?)
At that time…-
??: “In here!?”
There was a loud noise and the door was smashed in.
I had tightly closed my eyes in fear, but they opened in surprise to see…
OO: “E-Edmond…!”
Edmond: “You bastards…what do you think you’re doing!!?”
Edmond yelled, an anger in his voice that I’d never heard before.
Edmond, accompanied by a group of guards, stood there, his eyes blazing with fury.
Slum Man 1: “T-this is bad…”
I saw the man start to move.
Slum Man 2: “Tch…!”
OO: “…!”
Already raised up, the man moved to throw me to the ground, and my body smacked into the floor.
Edmond: “OO!”
Slum Man 2: “Move it!”
Right after that, the men scattered like spiders, but one after the other were caught by the soldiers.
Edmond: “You didn’t think you could run did you!?”
Edmond, acting as reinforcements, bashed his arm against the fleeing man’s leg.
Slum Man 2: “Gyaaa!!”
Seeing the man writhing in pain, my eyes shot open, and Edmond looked at me.
Seeing his gaze, I felt something cold crawl up my spine.
(But this is different from the fear I felt before…)
I had a strange feeling, like he’d been possessed by a beautiful, savage beast.
It seized at my heart, something that I couldn’t possibly put into words.
Edmond: “Gather up any of the other men around here. Don’t let any of them escape.”
Soldier: “Yes sir.”
Edmond called out his orders to the soldiers, as if stifling his anger. Then he reached out a hand to me.
Edmond: “OO…”
As if trying to soothe me, he carefully undid the ropes around my wrists.
Edmond: “Sorry I’m late.”
Just as everyone had left the small room, Edmond wrapped me up in his arms.
OO: “Edmond…”
As he embraced me, I tightly clung to his neck.
Perhaps from relief, I felt tears prick at my eyes, and I desperately tried to hold them back.
Edmond: “When you disappeared, I looked all over town for you. Are you hurt? What happened? Let me get a good look at your face.”
He fired off the questions in rapid succession, and I didn’t even know where to start answering, so I lifted my face.
He was so incredibly close that my heart leaped in surprise.
OO: “I’m…”
Edmond: “You’re shivering. You poor thing…”
The anger that had filled his eyes before was replaced by a different kind of fervor…
Edmond’s face was earnest, and he came in closer.
Edmond: “I’m sorry…”
After he gently kissed my forehead, we went to go.
Edmond: “Let’s leave this place at once.”
He spoke without any provocation.
Ch. 10: Within the Twilight, a Glimmering Desire
Edmond continued to hold onto me as we returned to the castle.
He sat me down on the bed and began a thorough check.
Edmond: “Tell me what happened.”
OO: “…I was only locked up.”
Edmond: “But there were those men there. Men…from the slums. What did they do?”
Edmond’s eyes blazed with fury.
OO: “Nothing, really…it looked like I was going to be taken away, but then you showed up just in time and saved me.”
Edmond: “…”
As his gaze fell to me again…-
He put his hand on my skirt and rolled it up.
OO: “!? E-Edmond!?”
Not caring that I had shouted in surprise, Edmond furrowed his eyebrows.
Edmond: “It looks like you were hurt.”
I looked, and just as he’d said, there was a large scratch across my knee.
And on my thigh there was a blue bruise.
(From when I was thrown to the floor…?)
Edmond: “Damn…”
OO: “…!”
If I thought about it, I felt the pain when…
Edmond put his lips to the wound.
OO: “U-Um…!?”
Edmond: “It’s for disinfection. You were locked up in that filthy place for a long time…”
OO: “…”
I could feel the tenderness from his lips on the wound on my knee.
I could tell the places he was touching were becoming hot.
(My heart…it’s too loud.)
Finally, Edmond placed a final light kiss on my knee and moved his head away.
Edmond: “With that, it’s clean.”
As I tried to control the furious pounding in my chest, I resolutely asked my question, seeing that his expression had softened just a little.
OO: “…what will happen when the slums are torn down?”
Edmond: “I’m surprised…even after what you just went through, you’re still worried about them.”
His gentle expression became stern once more, and Edmond spoke as if in condemning the place.
Edmond: “I have no intention of stopping the demolition.”
OO: “…”
He said it so bluntly that I could do nothing but hang my head.
Edmond: “But…”
OO: “Eh?”
Edmond stopped talking.
Edmond: “In any case, we both have some explaining to do. But only after your injuries are completely healed, alright?”
(Edmond…?)
A few days after that…-
The minister was disposed from power, and Edmond took me to visit the slums.
Townsman 1: “The prince! The prince is here-!”
Townsman 2: “The prince!! He’s going to tell us about the demolition-!”
Townswoman 1: “Yeah, stop this! Why do you want to steal away our homes!?”
Townsman 3: “I’m opposed to the demolition!!”
Attendant: “L-Lord Edmond, we really should stop…-“
Edmond: “…”
I didn’t know what Edmond was thinking, but he stayed firmly rooted to the spot.
At the same time, the group of people from the slums grew into an even bigger crowd.
OO: “Edmond…”
Edmond: “It’s alright.”
He gently patted my hand.
At that, his usual kind expression vanished and he adopted one of severe gallantry.
Edmond: “Everyone, listen!”
The shouts of protest gradually quieted after Edmond called out.
Edmond: “The demolition of this neighborhood will be carried out.”
OO: “…”
Edmond: “Please, be silent. I want you to listen to me until the very end.”
Again Edmond calmed the voices that had started to rise up in outcry.
Edmond: “There are many reasons we cannot continue to let this area exist as it is. Even now, this area has fallen under an epidemic. Crimes occur time after time. The disorder and poverty are clear to anyone who sees it.”
The people listened intently as Edmond spoke.
Even I had at some point become fixated on his intense figure.
Edmond: “This place…it has gotten so bad that it cannot be repaired. It will only continue to get worse. That’s why…it shall be destroyed, and we will build a new town!”
(A new town…!?)
Edmond: “I, Edmond, will carry full responsibility for this plan. An easy life, an affluent town of peace and safety, that is what I want. In the meantime, I guarantee you will all have a place to live. I hope you will all agree to this.”
The people stirred.
As if still not fully understanding the situation, they began to talk with each other.
However Edmond turned his back to them, bringing an end to his speech.
Edmond: “I won’t run…not anymore.”
He said it so quietly that no one other than me, who stood at his side, could have heard.
Edmond was quietly taking his leave when the people’s stirring turned into shouts of joy…-
On the way back…
I gazed at the scenery below the bridge we were crossing as we rode a carriage through the outskirts of the town.
OO: “You really surprised me…with what you said.”
I spoke those few words as Edmond remained silent under the starry sky.
Edmond: “What did you think?”
His eyes, searching for an answer, sparkled in the light from the twilight town.
OO: “I saw hope for the future…Is there anything I can do to help too? I want to support you Edmond, and those people.”
Edmond’s face broke into a faint smile.
Then…
Edmond: “I’m sure you do.”
Edmond put his arms around and held me from behind.
Wrapped in that gentle embrace, my heart leaped and pounded.
Edmond: “Look. The nightscape of the town is quite beautiful isn’t it?”
OO: “…yes.”
Edmond: “But if you weren’t here in my arms right now, if you were to disappear in that light of the town…I wouldn’t be able to stand it. I would worry… I would want to go immediately and find you safe, and hold you in my arms like this. If you were to suddenly be separated from me, I would worry…”
I could feel his affection from the warmth of his back and the beating of his heart as he spoke.
(Edmond…)
Edmond: “I wonder when it was I became so taken with you…. You tried your very best for the slums, and just like me, you ended up kidnapped…but you’re so strong. Even after that, you still think about the people there.”
OO: “No…I’m not strong. You were there…it’s because you saved me.”
Edmond: “And I’ll protect you. That’s why I want you to stay with me.”
His cheek gently brushed mine.
It felt like my whole body, in contact with his, was pounding and heating up.
Edmond: “Look at me.”
OO: “Eh…?”
I did as he said and turned my head around when…
OO: “Nn…”
His face was already so close that our lips met.
They were soft and warm, and our hot breath intermingled.
(I just…kissed him…)
For a second, Edmond let out a light laugh.
Edmond: “You are strong…and very cute.”
He smiled as my face flushed, and I couldn’t control the beating of my heart…
Edmond: “OO…I love you.”
His hands held me, demanding my presence.
As if responding to those feelings, as if wanting to tell him I would support him…I put my hands over his, wrapped in his arms.
END