Ch. 1: The Jet-Black Prince
Arbitro in the Land of Judgment, Month of Shadow…-.
Within a small forest in the country that governs over judgment, I awoke a prince put to sleep by the Dream Eaters.
After the enveloping light had faded, a jet-black prince stood there, cringing as if in pain…-.
??: “It’s bright…!”
His body trembled slightly as he blinked at the dazzle of the setting sun.
His beautiful black hair was silky as it hung around his face, and he stood with elegance and dignity.
(He has wings of pure black…)
Jet-black wings spread out from his back and thrummed the air as they flapped.
His presence was overwhelming, and the deep, dark, mysterious sensation around him took my breath away.
??: “…you woke me up…?”
OO: “Ah…yes.”
He looked up to the sky through long eyelashes, then slowly turned his gaze towards me.
My heart thudded and I was assailed with a strange sense of exhilaration.
(How strange…I can’t help looking at him.)
OO: “Are you alright?”
??: “…do I look alright?”
OO: “Eh…?”
His scrutinizing eyes slowly turned from me as he looked down to the ground at his feet.
His broad wings slowly folded up over his back.
??: “It would have been better if I hadn’t woken up… Someone like me shouldn’t have woken up. You shouldn’t have done that…”
OO: “Ah…-“
He almost spat the words as he spoke, and as he took a step, I could see his body shaking violently.
He seemed in a rush as he turned his back to me, like he was trying to run away.
??: “…leave me alone.”
OO: “But you’re unsteady…”
??: “Just let me go.”
Saying as much, he started walking away with an air about him that said he wouldn’t let anyone get close.
(He looked really pale…I’m worried. I know he said to let him go but…)
Before I knew it, my feet were taking me after those jet-black wings.
Ch. 2: He of the Cursed Black Wings
I had awakened a prince with beautiful jet-black wings, and he continued to walk away with that same air of not wanting anyone to get close.
(He looks really pale…I wonder if he’s alright.)
Looking at his pallid face, I thought he could collapse at any moment…
I went after him, unable to just leave him alone.
??: “…how long do you plan on following me?”
His voice was low as he finally spoke to me.
OO: “I’m sorry, but I’m worried…”
??: “I told you to leave me alone. Go away, don’t come near me.”
He frowned in annoyance, which pricked at my heart.
(… I guess he’s right. I’m being a bother; I should stop following.)
OO: “…alright.”
??: “…”
My voice was small as I answered, and I noticed his eyes waver for a moment.
Then…-.
OO: “But…-“
His seemingly unsteady expression seized my heart and wouldn’t let go.
??: “…you’re persistent. I’m telling you to leave me alone.”
His face twisted in pain, and he was explaining quite clearly how he wanted me to leave when…-.
Child: “Whaa! My balloon flew away!”
From nearby, I heard a child cry out.
As I looked, I saw a balloon floating away from the child and rising higher.
??: “…!”
Immediately, the bewitching black wings beside me shifted and fluttered.
OO: “Ah…-“
They spread out wide, and it seemed as if those beautiful wings would go after the balloon…
Then, like a deflating balloon, his wings immediately folded back up on themselves.
??: “…”
(What’s wrong?)
He bit his lip as if lamenting something, and turned his eyes away from the sky.
At that time…
Mother: “Oh dear! I’ll go get it right away.”
The mother who was nearby spread her wings and lifted into the sky, and in the blink of an eye she’d retrieved the balloon.
Her wings were the pure-white color of snow.
Mother: “You must be careful with your precious balloon. Here, hold it tight.”
Child: “Okay…uh, hck. Sorry mama…”
Mother: “Come on now…don’t cry.”
I was relieved to see the boy reunited with his balloon when…
Mother: “Ah…”
The mother seemed to just now notice us, and her eyes went wide as she turned pale.
Mother: “W-we’re going sweetie. It’s dangerous.”
OO: “Eh…?”
I was taken aback by how quickly the mother and her child had left.
(What was that about?)
Then…-.
??: “…that’s how it is.”
OO: “What do you mean…?”
I tilted my head, not quite understanding what had played out before me, and he turned to look at me with eyes filled with sorrow.
??: “Nothing good happens if you hang around me.”
OO: “But that’s…-“
Before I could finish, he turned his back on me and walked away.
At that time…-.
Town Child 2: “Ah! It’s the Cursed Black Wings!”
Town Child 3: “Bad stuff is gonna happen! You get outta here!”
OO: “…!”
Some young kids that were walking by spotted us and immediately started throwing stones.
??: “…”
But even as he was pelted with stones, he didn’t say a thing.
(How awful…)
OO: “Stop it! How could you do something so terrible…-“
I ended up shouting at them and…
Town Child 2: “Wha! The cursed guy’s friend is gonna attack us!”
Town Child 3: “Run away!!”
The children ran away in surprise.
??: “…”
OO: “U-um…”
(It was the same with that mother and her kid…why does everyone look at him that way?)
Unable to find the right words, I just looked into his pure black eyes…
??: “The cursed guy’s friend huh…”
(Ah…)
I realized he’d let a faint chuckle slip.
??: “…sorry.”
OO: “N-no, I was the one…”
He seemed so kind for a second…then the sadness returned to his eyes, and I felt a pressure on my chest.
??: “Do you really not think anything of me?”
OO: “No…”
His eyes seemed to hold a sense of fear, but I also saw a glimmer of hope…time passed, then he turned towards me.
Lucien: “…my name is Lucien. What’s yours?”
OO: “Eh…”
Lucien: “I’m asking for your name.”
OO: “Ah…it’s OO.”
Lucien: “I see…”
(Lucien…)
His eyes seemed to waver with uncertainty, then he let out a small sigh.
Lucien: “…it won’t be pretty if people saw you defending me. And it’s getting dark…If you don’t have anywhere to go, you can come with.”
OO: “…!”
He casually threw the words over his shoulder, but I thought the black wings sprouting from his back gave a little flutter of delight.
Ch. 3: Beseeching the Blue Sky
The day after I’d met Lucien…-.
———————
Lucien: “…it won’t be pretty if people saw you defending me. And it’s getting dark…If you don’t have anywhere to go, you can come with.”
———————
I had arrived at Lucien’s castle and the servant there was kind to me. I ended up staying as thanks for awakening the prince.
However…
(The castle is lonely…)
Lucien and his single servant were the only ones living in the small castle that bordered the town …
(Lucien…I wonder if he’s feeling alright.)
I was heading to see him when I passed by the courtyard and heard the high trilling of birds.
And the sound of a man’s laughter along with them.
(Where is that coming from?)
I happened to look up and…-.
Lucien: “Haha…don’t worry, there’s plenty.”
On the balcony above, I saw Lucien enjoying himself with the birds.
The expression he wore was gentle, the complete opposite of what I’d seen the other day.
(He looks so kind…)
I felt a faint warmth well up inside me when…
Lucien: “You…!”
Lucien noticed me watching him, and immediately his expression stiffened.
I wondered if his voice deepened just from surprise, then all at once the birds flew up and away.
(Ah, the birds…)
OO: “I’m sorry…!”
I looked guiltily at the dispersing birds and frantically apologized.
Then Lucien…
Lucien: “…whatever, it’s fine.”
His voice was so quiet I only barely caught what he’d said.
OO: “You must really like birds.”
I panicked and tried starting a conversation, to which Lucien looked at me with a troubled expression.
Then…
Lucien: “…I was just thinking.”
Not looking at me, his answer came out like a mutter.
Lucien looked at me again, then spoke with a faltering earnestness.
Lucien: “…do you want to come up?”
OO: “…can I?”
Lucien: “Do whatever you want.”
Lucien abruptly turned his gaze away again.
I hurriedly went to Lucien’s room before he could change his mind.
…
……
OO: “…pardon me.”
Lucien’s room was sparsely furnished, and despite being midday, it was quite gloomy.
(This place is kind of lonely too…)
Lucien: “…”
I saw Lucien from behind, standing on the balcony, and it seemed like he would vanish into the light.
OO: “Luci…-“
I went to come out on the balcony, and Lucien held his finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. In silence, he ushered me the rest of the way onto the balcony.
Lucien: “…you’re pretty greedy today. Do you want more?”
His voice sounded so gentle as he talked to the little birds.
The birds responded by raising their voices in a light trill, and once more bunched around Lucien.
OO: “Wha…”
I accidentally broke the silence as I found myself impressed at all the different colored birds.
Then Lucien turned his head towards me…
Lucien: “It seems you’re alright.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Lucien: “They don’t really like people.”
It was only a little, but I saw kindness flair up in his eyes.
OO: “Oh I see. Then I’m glad.”
Lucien: “…do you want to feed them?”
Lucien held a small leather bag out to me.
OO: “Yes, please. Thank you.”
Lucien: “Just don’t scare them.”
As he gently placed the bag of seed in my hand, our hands touched.
(It’s warm…)
At the slight sensation of warmth from his hand, I for some reason felt that same warmth fill my chest.
OO: “But…won’t I scare them off?”
Lucien: “It’ll be fine as long as you’re quiet.”
Lucien answered as he placed the bag of birdseed in my hand.
OO: “Thank you.”
He was quite close now, and I could see the depths of kindness in his expression…
(I thought he was scary when we first met but now…)
My heart was pounding slightly.
Lucien: “It’ll be fine, just slowly hold out your hand with the birdseed in it.”
OO: “…!”
I did like he said and the birds started to cluster around my hand.
I felt them lightly start to pick at the seed in my hand and a feeling of love filled my heart as I felt their ticklish pecks.
OO: “They’re so cute…”
Lucien: “Yeah, the birds have different colored wings, but they all get along. No matter their color, the birds have their freedom…”
Lucien turned his eyes towards the heavens, as if beseeching the blue sky.
OO: “…”
As I looked at him sidelong, I thought his expression seemed unbearably sad…and yet also incredibly beautiful.
Ch. 4: While You Don't Know
A few days after I’d come to Lucien’s castle…
The small castle was almost completely void of people, so Lucien spent a lot of time on his own.
This day as well, when I was taking a walk in the garden…
(Ah…it’s Lucien. Looks like he’s feeding the birds again.)
I saw Lucien near the top floor of the castle.
Lucien: “…good job. Here, eat up.”
The look he gave to the birds was really quite gentle.
OO: “Lucien!”
I was so happy that I loudly called out to him.
Then…
Lucien: “…!”
The birds took off into the sky, frightened by my voice.
(I did it…again.)
OO: “…I’m sorry.”
Lucien: “You’re…always pretty noisy huh.”
I thought he’d be mad, but Lucien just smiled slightly.
(Lucien…!)
Careful not to scare the birds, I waved up at Lucien.
Lucien: “…!”
Noticing me, Lucien’s wings rustled.
At that noise, the small birds flew out of Lucien’s hand…-.
OO: “I’m really sorry…”
Lucien: “It’s alright. Come here.”
Quietly, I came up beside Lucien.
Lucien: “You’re too far away.”
OO: “…!”
I felt Lucien put his arm around me, then pulled me in closer to his side.
My cheeks burned as I was suddenly so close to him.
Lucien: “…just wait.”
Slowly, Lucien held his arm out in front of him.
After a moment, the little birds once again chirped in their cute little voices and returned to his hand.
OO: “Wow…-“
I spoke before I could stop myself, and in a panic I held my breath.
As I stood there like that, Lucien’s looked down at me with kindness in his eyes…-.
…
…..
I was amazed at the beautiful scene that played out before my eyes as he gave the birds their seed.
Lucien: “…looks like they’ll come even if I’m not the only one here.”
I looked up as Lucien spoke suddenly.
OO: “That’s…because you’re here Lucien. So they feel relaxed, right?”
Lucien: “I guess…we do always spend a lot of time together.”
Lucien looked at me with just a hint of kindness.
OO: “Could it be…you’re jealous?”
Lucien: “…jealous of what?”
OO: “Sorry. I had just thought, with you liking them so much…”
At my words, Lucien frowned slightly.
Before long, the birds had eaten their fill, and one by one they took off into the sky.
As he watched the birds grow more distant, Lucien spoke a few words.
Lucien: “…the only ones that come near me are him and the birds…and you.”
OO: “Eh…-“
Lucien: “Everyone is afraid of these black wings.”
OO: “Why…? I think it would be beautiful to see those wings dancing up in the sky.”
Lucien: “You say that because you don’t know anything.”
His voice was faint, and I almost couldn’t hear it, but those words grated on my heart.
Lucien: “…I want you to stay unknowing.”
His long fingers gently touched my cheek.
OO: “Lucien…?”
I couldn’t bear the fast beating of my heart, and I ended up looking away.
As I did so, I suddenly caught sight of the castle walls, and the large forest that lay beyond.
OO: “L-Lucien! What’s in that forest? It’s so big…!”
Lucien: “…!”
His complexion quickly changed.
Lucien: “Never go anywhere near there. Got it?”
He seemed to be glaring at the forest as he spoke with strong conviction.
The gentleness he’d had in his eyes once again froze over, and it made my heart ache.
Ch. 5: The Servant's Discussion
Lucien: “Never go anywhere near there. Got it?”
———————
The next day…-.
Servant: “Lady OO, do you have a moment?”
There was a knock at the door, along with the humble request from the servant.
I wondered if something was wrong as I opened the door and waited for the servant to speak…
Servant: “To be truthful, I wanted to discuss something with you about Lord Lucien… He seems to trust you a great deal Lady OO and…”
(Is something the matter with Lucien…?)
The servant hesitated, a sorrowful look on their face, and it moved my heart.
OO: “…tell me if there’s something I can do.”
Servant: “Thank you very much…would you mind coming with me?”
I went with the servant and left Lucien’s castle…-.
The place the servant led me to was where Lucien had said I must never go.
(This place feels kind of ominous…)
Before me stretched coils of sturdy barbed wire, and beyond was a thickly overgrown forest with trees of a strange black color, as if they’d been burned.
Servant: “Beyond this point are the forbidden grounds. If one were to enter…the miasma that permeates the area would turn our white wings to black.”
OO: “…! Does that mean that Lucien came here and…?”
Servant: “…yes. Everyone detests and fears those black wings, and views them as unlucky. Those affected by the miasma, and those born naturally… The reasons are varied, but everyone agreed to drive them into the recesses of the country where they now live.”
OO: “…!”
———————
Mother: “W-we’re going sweetie. It’s dangerous.”
Town Child 2: “Ah! It’s the Cursed Black Wings!”
Town Child 3: “Bad stuff is gonna happen! Get outta here!”
———————
(So that’s why…everyone acted that way towards Lucien…)
Servant: “For that reason, Lord Lucien has been confined to his castle…”
OO: “So that’s what happened…but why are you telling me?”
It was then.
Lucien: “What are you doing!?”
A voice, raised in anger, cut through to me from behind.
Servant: “Lord Lucien…!”
Lucien: “I couldn’t find you or OO, and I thought you couldn’t possibly be here, but I came anyway and…”
Lucien’s face was twisted in anguish.
Lucien: “OO, I told you to never come anywhere near this place.”
OO: “…”
Servant: “Please forgive me sire! She came at my invitation. Everyone in this country turns a blind eye to the problem of the forbidden grounds… That’s why I thought to have someone from another royal family look at it…I thought if the daughter of Träumere said something, then…-“
Lucien: “…!”
Lucien bit his lip.
Lucien: “…the rumors about the black wings are not something that can be changed. Don’t get her involved in this!”
Lucien’s voice was filled with anger and I…-.
OO: “Lucien, they said they were worried about you so I…-.”
Lucien: “There’s no reason for you to worry about me.”
OO: “But I…”
Lucien’s words shamed me as I looked at him, and it only made my heart ache more.
OO: “I’m sorry Lucien…!”
Lucien: “There’s no point in you coming here.”
Lucien looked at the deep, dark forest with annoyance.
Lucien: “…that’s enough. I’ll escort her back. You go on ahead.”
Servant: “…my deepest apologies.”
Watching the servant as they left with hunched shoulders, Lucien let out a deep sigh.
Lucien: “…this place has nothing but bad memories for us. Besides, it’s dangerous even for those without wings.”
(Us…?)
Lucien: “…it’s nothing. We’re going.”
OO: “Alright…I really am sorry.”
The dark, dark… dark shadows of the forest trees fell on Lucien’s wings and somehow made them even darker.
Seeing that, I was overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness.
OO: “…isn’t there anything I can do?”
Lucien: “…!”
At my question, Lucien seemed about to say something, but then shook his head with a gloomy expression.
Lucien: “…no, it’s fine. I want to hurry and get away from here.”
OO: “…Lucien…”
He started walking to get away, then stopped suddenly.
Lucien: “…that’s weird.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Lucien: “The border of the grounds should be further back from the barbed wire…”
Looking closely, I saw the blackened trees were just barely crossing beyond the barbed wire, as if they were encroaching their way towards where we stood.
Lucien: “Does this mean…the area is spreading?”
Lucien looked deep into the forest, his voice quavering.
Lucien: “Come here…”
OO: “Eh…-“
There was a thrumming sound, and his black wings folded around me as if trying to protect me from the discolored trees.
Lucien: “Why…?”
Then Lucien tightly grasped my hand as if he were frightened.
Ch. 6: Encroaching Miasma
Before the barbed wire that blocked off the forbidden grounds, Lucien stood as if frozen, clutching my hand.
———————
Lucien: “The border of the grounds should be further back from the barbed wire… Does this mean…the area is spreading?”
———————
OO: “…the forbidden grounds are spreading?”
Lucien: “This has never happened before…what does it mean?”
Lucien was pale as he stared fixedly on the boundary, and seeing him like that made it really dawn on me that this was a terrible, unheard-of occurrence.
Lucien stood there for a short time in silence when…-.
Lucien: “If it grows beyond the barrier of the barbed wire…it will be catastrophic. I have to hurry and find the cause.”
OO: “Eh…”
He let go of my hand, which he had been holding on to so tightly…
Then Lucien headed towards the barbed wire and into the forbidden grounds.
OO: “Lucien!”
Lucien: “Hurry and get back to the castle.”
Those were his parting words as he turned his back to me, and I…-.
OO: “You can’t…!”
As if in a daze, I grabbed Lucien’s arm as I realized what he was doing.
Lucien: “Let go. At this rate, there will be more like me…”
Lucien tried to pry me off with a trembling hand.
OO: “Lucien!”
Even though I knew I shouldn’t enter, I had no control of myself as I clung to Lucien.
Lucien: “OO…?”
His voice seemed so small as he called my name, and his body was trembling.
OO: “I heard that this area is dangerous and filled with miasma.”
Lucien: “I’ll be fine. I…there’s no way for my wings to get any blacker.”
OO: “But…”
Lucien: “OO…”
Lucien turned to look at me, his expression serious.
Lucien: “I can’t waste a single second, I have to hurry and find the cause. I have to do something…before it can’t be undone.”
Seeing Lucien’s ghastly expression, I felt my hands that clung to him gradually weaken.
Lucien: “I’m going.”
OO: “Ah…”
As we grew further apart, I unthinkingly held my hand out towards his back.
(His face just then…I can’t let him go in there alone.)
OO: “Then…please, take me with you!”
Lucien: “…what?”
OO: “I’ll be fine; I don’t have wings like everyone else.”
Lucien: “No. I don’t know what’ll happen if someone without wings is exposed to the miasma.”
OO: “Please. I know there’s probably nothing I can do… But I think it would be better to have two people go instead of just one.”
His pure black eyes seemed to waver with some emotion.
It was like he wanted to push me away, but he wanted me to be there… My heart ached as I saw all those complex emotions flit across his face.
After a little while…-.
Lucien: “…stick close, no matter what.”
His response was short as he firmly gripped my shoulder.
From that, I could feel his body heat through the fabric on my shoulder.
OO: “I will…!”
I hesitantly gripped Lucien’s clothing as I crossed the threshold into the forbidden grounds shrouded in miasma.