Ch. 6: A Freed Smile
Dealer 1: “Prince Kaede seems to have dried up.”
Dealer 2: “Then we need to hurry and take steps to make him aware of it so he’ll retire.”
Dealer 1: “It’s not a pretty thing for an artist whose talents have dried up to resist the inevitable.”
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I had coincidentally overheard the conversation between the two art dealers about how they’d given up on Kaede’s work, and my lips trembled with frustration.
OO: “Excuse me…-.”
I couldn’t bear it and went to chase down the dealers when somebody from behind grabbed my arm.
OO: “!”
I looked back in surprise and…-.
OO: “Kaede…!”
(No way… then did Kaede hear all that too…!?)
OO: “Kaede…”
(What do I do, he was already so worried…)
OO: “I… I think your work is wonderful no matter what anyone says! That painting on the sliding door was truly beautiful. So…-.”
I was overflowing with frustration as I frantically argued my position…
Kaede: “You don’t have to look at me like that.”
OO: “Eh…”
Suddenly, Kaede was gently stroking my cheek.
Kaede: “It’s alright, I know. Actually, hearing it with my own ears leaves me strangely relieved. Besides, I have the seal of approval from the Princess of Traumere.”
Kaede nodded at me, and I could see he wasn’t bluffing as he smiled and I could sense his fighting spirit.
Kaede: “I’m going to make something that’ll prove myself and leave everyone at a loss for words.”
OO: “…right!”
As if freed from his doubt, Kaede’s refreshing smile was dazzling…
And my heart started pounding a little.
Ch. 7: Light of the Ring
In order to create a genuine piece of art, Kaede kept himself hidden away the next day until late into the evening.
The cold wind shook the red leaves on the trees, picking up in intensity…-.
(Kaede… you can do it.)
Keeping that earnest wish close to me, I continued to think of the lone Kaede…-.
…
……
I received a summons the next day as the sun rose and hurried to Kaede’s room.
Kaede: “I wanted to get your impressions after seeing these two pieces.”
Kaede spoke with a seriousness that was unlike his usual teasing manner.
Kaede: “First is this.”
Kaede spread a hanging scroll before me painted with flowers and birds.
OO: “Um…”
(Is it really okay for an amateur like me to comment on this…?)
I hesitated under the tension as I tried to convey my own seriousness.
Kaede: “You can just tell me plainly. I want your honest impression.”
OO: “Alright…”
(I want to help Kaede…)
OO: “This piece… when I stand in front of it, I sense… a strength, and kindness. Like an innocent child reaching up to grab the sky…”
Kaede: “…alright. Then what about this?”
Kaede showed me another piece.
OO: “This one… it’s beautiful, but I get a sense of coldness and rejection… it’s frightening.”
Kaede: “I see… The first one I showed you is one that I was completely immersed in while creating. The latter one is something I did very recently out of desperation. …”
Kaede’s expression was humble as he ruminated over what I’d said, and I could see his unease…
Kaede: “Right… I think I’ve got it.”
OO: “!”
(I’m glad…)
Kaede turned to look at me as my body sagged in relief.
Kaede: “To me, you’re… no, never mind.”
OO: “Kaede?”
He looked away from me and seemed amused as he smiled.
OO: “Were you teasing me just now like you always do?”
Seeing him smile made me happy, and I spoke without thinking…-.
Kaede: “I wonder if I’ll ever be able to say?”
His beautiful eyes sparked with mischief.
Kaede: “But this isn’t the time to have this conversation.”
OO: “What do you mean?”
Kaede: “You want to know?”
Suddenly, Kaede’s face was incredibly close.
Kaede: “… shall I tell you?”
In the space of a breath, he moved even closer.
OO: “…”
My heart was pounding in my chest as I waited for him to continue speaking…
Kaede: “It’s a secret.”
He whispered those words into my ear before suddenly pulling back.
Kaede: “Your face looks like the leaves outside.”
I looked at Kaede as he chuckled, and felt my cheeks grow even redder…-.
After that, Kaede put his work in the gallery room, and three days went by in the blink of an eye…-.
Kaede: “It’s not complete yet but…”
As he spoke, he stood back from a beautiful sliding screen that gave off the feeling of a bright light.
OO: “This is…”
Kaede: “What do you think?”
Kaede asked me that question quietly, clearly a little more nervous than before.
I nodded and swallowed, putting my thoughts to words.
OO: “It’s… so beautiful… I don’t have the words for it…”
Kaede: “Really… it’s the light from the ring you carry.”
OO: “Eh… my ring?”
Kaede: “I wanted everyone to see the shining light from the moment you woke me.”
OO: “So that’s what it is…”
It made me happy that the theme of the piece was something that brought Kaede and myself together, and I felt more moved as more time passed.
Kaede: “I’m going to enter this one into the exhibition.”
Looking at the folding screen, Kaede’s smile couldn’t have been any brighter or gentler.
Ch. 8: Feelings That Can't Be Shaped
Kaede: “Really… it’s the light from the ring you carry.”
Kaede: “I wanted everyone to see the shining light from the moment you woke me.”
Kaede: “I’m going to enter this one into the art show.”
————————
A few days after that…-.
The day of the art exhibition finally arrived…-.
Dealer 1: “Lord Kaede’s piece is particularly wonderful this time!”
Dealer 2: “There’s a clear distinction between this and all the other pieces in the exhibition.”
Kaede’s piece was given high praise by the dealers and purchased at a high price, and he received the highest award.
(I’m glad…)
I looked on at a distance as Kaede was surrounded by a crowd of people giving him compliments.
Kaede: “…”
As Kaede responded to the crowd, he seemed to be looking around as if searching for something.
(Kaede? I wonder what’s wrong…)
Then, his gaze stopped on me.
Kaede: “So that’s where you were.”
Pushing aside the crowd, Kaede started to walk towards me.
Dealer 1: “Ah, Lord Kaede. We still have things to discuss for the next piece…!”
Ignoring the dealer who tried to stop him, Kaede arrived in front of me.
OO: “Kaede, um…?”
Kaede: “It’s noisy here. Let’s go.”
OO: “Eh…”
Kaede: “Come on.”
He forcibly took my hand and strode out of the venue…-.
…
……
Accompanying Kaede, we both returned to the castle courtyard after having left the exhibition.
The hustle and bustle of the exhibit hall seemed like a completely different world as we were wrapped in the quiet stillness.
Kaede: “…now we can take things at our leisure.”
Sitting on the veranda, Kaede let out a sigh.
Kaede: “It’s tedious to keep putting on a fake smile in places like that.”
OO: “But isn’t this good news Kaede?”
(Kaede was the headliner today but…)
Seeing I was worried, Kaede looked bothered.
Kaede: “I thought I wanted to prove myself to those guys, but I didn’t have any intention of going along with their ridiculous flattery… or did you have some ulterior motive to drive me away because you didn’t want to spend time alone with me?”
OO: “!… I never thought to do anything like that…”
I answered, flustered, and Kaede smiled wryly.
Kaede: “…well, it can’t be helped for me.”
OO: “Eh?”
Kaede: “I had decided to tell you something if the art exhibition went well… but now I don’t know how to do it…”
I was surprised, considering this wasn’t like Kaede at all, and he looked almost bashful.
OO: “Kaede…?”
Kaede: “But I can’t run away from something this important.”
Saying as much, Kaede got up and stood directly in front of me.
(He’s so beautiful…)
His russet hair seemed to shine and sparkle as the sunlight poured over him.
I was fascinated as I took in Kaede’s beautiful appearance once again.
Kaede: “…I’ve always wanted to tell you. Thank you.”
Those eyes, which were more kind and gentle than I’d ever seen before, gazed at me, and my heart jumped.
OO: “But I… I haven’t done anything that you need to thank me for.”
I could feel my cheeks heating up and I reflexively turned away.
Kaede: “…even though I was able to face my own problems simply because you were here? Plus, thanks to your help, I was able to break out of my slump. You may be intending to be modest, but saying that you didn’t do anything is a terribly cruel remark.”
OO: “Eh…”
Kaede: “After all, it’s like completely denying everything we’ve done together in a single phrase.”
OO: “I’m sorry…”
Kaede: “Geez, I’m jealous of how you can be so extremely honest.”
I thought Kaede would let out a sigh in frustration when…-.
OO: “…!”
Kaede came near and held me close.
OO: “Kaede…?”
I looked up at Kaede in surprise, and his heated gaze looked down at me…-.
Kaede: “So basically what I want to say is… …you know…”
OO: “…?”
Kaede’s gaze wandered as he hesitated to say what came next.
It was the first time I’d seen Kaede unsteady, with a crack in his usual composure.
(Plus…)
OO: “Kaede? Your face is red; are you feeling unwell?”
I said it without thinking…-.
Kaede: “That was an insensitive blow… you’re the reason my face is red.”
He was blaming me, but I could still see the kindness in his eyes even as he tried to glare at me.
Kaede: “Just how awkward do you think it is for me to try and express my affection?”
OO: “…by affection, you mean…”
Kaede: “Do you still not get it? I’m trying to say I love you.”
OO: “…!”
My face red, I looked up at Kaede at a loss for words.
The slightly malicious Kaede had hidden his honest and direct love there in his expression.
Kaede: “Aah… damnit.”
Kaede spat his words out and hugged me tight.
Kaede: “I should be good at giving shape to my feelings but… I can’t… do it well.”
OO: “Kaede…”
Kaede: “It’s your fault if I fall into another slump again.”
OO: “That’s…-…Nn!”
His lips pressed against mine, stopping my response.
(It’s hot…)
Our lips slowly parted and Kaede smiled, his face still red.
Kaede: “So that it doesn’t happen again… you’ll continue to be my inspiration, right?”
He once more placed his lips on mine.
As a pleasant autumn breeze swirled around us…
I felt certain of the love blooming in my heart.
END
Secret Story: The Light That is You
OO looked at the piece I had painted…-.
(Now then…what will you say?)
The piece I had wanted to show her was one of birds and flowers in autumn.
OO: “This piece… when I stand in front of it, I sense… a strength, and kindness. Like an innocent child reaching up to grab the sky…”
Kaede: “…alright.”
OO’s eyes sparkled as she was unable to look away from the painting.
(…like an innocent child huh. I’m surprised; that’s rather on point.)
It was a piece that I had simply enjoyed making, so much so that I had forgotten to eat or sleep as I worked on it in a fervor.
Kaede: “Then what about this?”
Feeling a little melancholy, I showed her one more painting I had prepared.
OO: “This one… it’s beautiful, but I get a sense of coldness and rejection… it’s frightening.”
Her voice wavered slightly as she shyly gave me her answer.
Kaede: “I see…”
The subject and composition of the two pieces had been the same, yet…-.
Kaede: “…”
(…she completely understood.)
I had always been praised at being a great artist as well as a prince.
Before I knew it, that praise had turned into a heavy pressure, and I grew even more proud and haughty as my heart was thrown into turmoil.
(This really is… a pitiable conversation. I hadn’t even realized it until I wanted to tell her plainly.)
I wondered why things hadn’t come out smoothly…
(It’s a simple thing, since I didn’t think I could paint what I wanted to.)
I glanced at OO who stood beside me.
(…what a strange girl.)
Since recently, the people around me had criticized my work with no finesse or sense.
And yet she was always able to see the heart of my pieces.
(OO’s straightforwardness is ridiculous, yet… after this, I won’t crack any more jokes.)
Kaede: “Right… I think I’ve got it.”
OO: “!”
OO gasped in surprise and looked straight at me.
(Thanks, OO)
Kaede: “To me, you’re… no, never mind.”
I panicked and looked away from her.
(What on earth was I going to say.)
OO: “Kaede?”
I turned to look at her, and her eyes were puzzled.
(…I bet you don’t even realize.)
I thought myself strange for having come to love the innocent OO…
OO: “Were you teasing me just now like you always do?”
OO asked me that in delight as I chuckled.
(Heh.)
Kaede: “I wonder if I’ll ever be able to say?”
For some reason, I felt like OO had just gotten me back, and I decided to tease her a little.
Kaede: “But this isn’t the time to have this conversation.”
OO: “What do you mean?”
Kaede: “You want to know?”
I suddenly moved closer and whispered into her ear.
Kaede: “… shall I tell you?”
I moved in even further and put on a sense of importance…
OO: “…”
Her cheeks were stained red like the leaves that blazed in autumn.
(Haha…)
Kaede: “It’s a secret.”
Satisfied with her reaction, I whispered those words in her ear and pulled back.
Kaede: “Your face looks like the leaves outside.”
(Aah… I want to paint as soon as possible. That pure brilliance that makes my heart tremble, the light that is you.)
I remembered the gentle white light that had surrounded me when I’d awoken.
(That is your light.)
That light was so beautiful and warm that it couldn’t be put into words…
(I remember thinking it was like the Goddess of Love.)
I looked at OO as she continued to blush and smiled again.
(I still… can’t say it yet though. If I finish my work, I’ll properly tell you my thanks.)
As I thought that, I suddenly felt uncomfortable.
(My thanks…?)
I was grateful of course, but those words alone seemed insufficient.
(Aah… what am I going to do?)
I was completely aware of the feelings I had for her, and smiled bitterly at my own feelings.
(To think I’d become so completely attracted to you already.)
My expression stiffened as I didn’t intend to let her realize my feelings, but…
The evening sun that came in through the window was unkind as my own face turned red.
END