Ch. 7: The Throbbing of My Heart
That evening…-.
I had returned to my room and was taking in the starry sky outside my window.
Sefir: “Please pardon the intrusion.”
At that time, Sefir came to call on me in my room.
(Sefir…)
Relieved that I hadn’t yet changed out of the dress, I went over to meet Sefir.
Sefir: “Thank you so very much for today. You danced wonderfully.”
OO: “Really? I’m glad.”
Sefir: “And…you were very beautiful.”
(When he says things like that…)
OO: “…I wanted to thank you for teaching me.”
I had to say something as I felt an immense pressure on my chest, and Sefir smiled kindly.
Sefir: “The pleasure was all mine. Thanks to you, it seems as if the visiting dignitaries were very pleased. I do not have the words…to express how grateful I am to you.”
Sefir gently placed his fingers on my hand.
At the warmth of his hand, my heart leaped and I squeezed my eyes shut.
———————
Sefir: “I am truly happy, from the bottom of my heart, dancing with you.”
———————
(I want to ask him about what he said.)
The words were buried beneath the throbbing in my heart, and I could do nothing as I was swallowed up by that sweet feeling.
Ch. 8: Sudden Profession of Love
The following afternoon, on the day of the celebration for establishing diplomatic relations…-.
The ceremony concluded peacefully.
On this occasion, it seemed the Sky Country had come to a mutual agreement on establishing real, genuine diplomatic relations with the Earth Country.
(Thank goodness…)
I let out a sigh of relief, and we went to observe the festival behind held in the town.
We walked through the market, and many people gathered around Sefir.
Child: “Prince Sefir, here, a flower.”
A little girl handed Sefir a flower.
Sefir: “It’s very beautiful. Thank you.”
With a glance, Sefir took the flower and smiled kindly to the girl in return.
But somehow his smile seemed stiff, and no matter what I did, the thought of that weighed on my mind.
Villager 1: “Would you like a song?”
A man called out from the plaza opposite us.
A band was performing there, and people were dancing happily.
I slowly looked up at Sefir, and I saw that while he had the smile stuck to his face, he’d grown pale again.
———————
Sefir: “… what they love is my mask.”
———————
(That’s not true.)
Sefir: “We’re already here but…”
I promptly placed my hand on his arm as he seemed to be making his decision.
Sefir: “Lady OO…?”
OO: “I’d really like to dance with you. We’ve already been invited. And I’d like to dance the steps I’ve just memorized.”
Sefir: “…very well, one song.”
Sefir smiled, his face still pale.
Within the delighted townspeople, the sound of a waltz that I had been practicing for started to flow through the air.
OO: “This is a really fun version don’t you think?”
The waltz arrangement was upbeat, and the rhythm got even quicker.
(It’s so fast…! I feel like my feet are going to cramp up.)
The song finished, and everyone collapsed to the ground with smiles on their faces.
OO: “That was fun.”
Sefir was beside me, on his knees on the ground smiling in delight.
Sefir: “…it was.”
Saying that, his face was no longer pale, and my heart eased in relief.
Villager 1: “Prince Sefir! That was really fun!”
Villager 2: “This festival after 14 years, it’s all thanks to your efforts Prince Sefir!”
Villager 3: “We love you and this country Prince Sefir!”
Sefir: “…”
OO: “…I don’t think the townspeople see you as wearing a mask. If that were the case…they wouldn’t all be able to smile like this. And at the very least, I like you the way you are.”
Sefir: “…Lady OO.”
Sefir’s cheeks flushed slightly at my words.
OO: “A-ah, that is, I mean…-“
I had spoken without thinking, and blinked as I revisited what I’d said.
Sefir: “Lady OO.”
Looking me straight in the eye, Sefir smiled gently.
Sefir: “I adore you. Even though the song has ended…I do not wish for this feeling to fade.”
Within all the watching townspeople, Sefir knelt in front of me.
Sefir: “I would ask…that you please accept these feelings. Princess OO.”
In that moment, the noise of the marketplace was very far away…
OO: “Yes…”
I replied without realizing.
Within the eyes of the watchful townspeople, Sefir held me close.
Villager 1: “How auspicious! Our Prince Sefir has fallen in love!”
The townspeople all shouted their congratulations at once, and the band began playing a beautiful melody.
Sefir: “W-wait, everyone…”
Sefir tried to say something as a champagne glass was put in his hand.
He smiled awkwardly.
(Sefir is smiling…I’m glad…)
In the marketplace, below the sun bathing it all in a gentle glow…
I looked at Sefir in profile, and felt happier than I had ever been.
Ch. 9: Kiss of an Angel
That evening…-.
We had returned to the castle, and I stood shoulder to shoulder with Sefir beside the window.
(It was fun…)
Sefir: “Lady OO…”
He slowly put his arm around my shoulder, and whispered into my ear.
Sefir: “For the first time, I could smile from my heart in front of the townspeople. It’s because you accepted who I really am.”
OO: “Oh, I didn’t…”
The look he had when he was smiling was so incredibly kind that I couldn’t turn away.
Sefir: “I’m glad that I could meet you…”
His eyes slowly came closer…and I closed my eyes.
(I am…too…)
My words were stopped by Sefir’s lips, and a sweet numbness enveloped the depths of my heart.
Ch. 10: Prince of Dreams
Within Sefir’s arms…-.
I slowly opened my eyes, and from outside the window, dance music could be heard.
(That waltz…everyone’s still celebrating outside.)
I vaguely remembered that as Sefir sat perched on a bench at the window, his arm around my waist.
Sefir: “Do you enjoy this song?”
OO: “Yes…It makes me feel like I did when we danced. When I’m with you Sefir, I feel like a princess in a storybook.”
I grinned at him, and Sefir smiled as if slightly embarrassed.
Sefir: “From…a storybook?”
OO: “Yes, it’s like you’re exactly what comes to mind when people think of a prince. I feel like I’m in a dream.”
Sefir: “That is…because I always try to act as the prince people expect though. Without a single trace of gloom…”
OO: “No. The prince in the stories worries for everyone, and hurts. Even so, he protects the princess and the people. That’s the prince I imagine in the stories.”
I grinned, and Sefir tightly gripped my hand.
He gently kissed my forehead, and lifted me up from sitting on his knee.
Sefir: “Your words…they always fill me with joy. As long as you’re here, I believe I can be the happiest person in the world. Even when this song ends…will you stay with me?”
At his question, I nodded slightly.
Sefir then lifted my chin with a single finger…
Sefir: “OO…”
He kissed me softly…
His tongue parted my lips, and he slowly stroked my hair.
(My heart isn’t ready…)
I moved a hand to stop him, but his long fingers stilled my movement.
(No matter what, I can’t go against him.)
My hand lost strength, and Sefir’s fingers traced the nape of my neck.
OO: “Nn…”
I was ashamed at my reflexive response, but without a spare moment, I felt myself drowning in that deep kiss.
Sefir: “Please, promise me you won’t go anywhere. If you can’t, I…”
Without giving me a chance to answer, he moved to untie the ribbon on my chest.
OO: “Sefir…”
I covered my chest with both hands, and he kissed them. Then my fingers obediently yielded to his.
(Why can’t I turn him away…)
Sefir: “I don’t want to give you to anyone else.”
His elegant fingers removed my clothes, and laid my body bare beneath the twinkling stars.
OO: “…”
I turned away, embarrassed, but Sefir lifted up my hair and I felt his lips on the back of my neck.
Sefir: “I…love you.”
Those words echoed in the depths of my heart…
I stubbornly tried to cover my body, but I felt the tension in me slip away…
Sefir: “OO…”
With the utmost kindness, he kissed my eyelids.
As I felt the warmth of his lips, I also felt myself gently lifted up.
OO: “Sefir…?”
I felt the softness of the bed on my back, and I opened my eyes.
Sefir looked at me as if I was a precious treasure, and a contentedness washed over my heart.
Sefir: “Be with me, forever…”
His lips lightly kissed down my back.
OO: “Sefir…”
My legs were gently extended, and Sefir’s fingers traced up and stroked my thigh.
At last, I closed my eyes…
(I love him…)
I gently held him close, the man with pure white wings who was kinder than anyone else.
Only the stars twinkling in the sky could see us there.
END