Ch. 1: Prince of the Rat Family
Kuyou, Land of the Calendar, Month of Brilliance…-.
I had received an invitation from Prince Shin after awakening him from his ring a little while ago, and I now was visiting the castle of the Rat Family, one of the royal families of Kuyou.
Servant: “Please, this way.”
I was shown to the room where Prince Shin was waiting for me and spied a moss garden through the windows of the corridor.
(Pretty…)
The garden was still wet with dew, and that coupled with the scarlet balustrades made it seem like something from a painting…
The rest of the castle was kept immaculate, and I could only sigh in wonder.
But in that moment…-.
Retainer: “Lord Shin, the Princess of Träumere has arrived.”
Stepping into the large reception hall, I was overwhelmed by the vast number of people waiting there.
Shin: “Thank you for coming Princess of Träumere.”
As if compelled by that voice, I reflexively stood up straighter.
Prince Shin looked straight at me from the raised dais he sat on.
OO: “Prince Shin…”
Shin: “The Rat Family welcomes you.”
His words of welcome were kind, but I shivered slightly, frozen in place by those cool silver eyes.
(What is this feeling…?)
I wondered if the attendants felt the same thing as their expressions stiffened standing before Prince Shin.
OO: “…thank you for inviting me.”
Shin: “I must present you with something suitable to show my thanks. This year, the Rat Family is hosting a ghost kagura.* It promises to be a magnificent event.”
It was tradition to hold a ghost kagura at this time every year in the Land of the Calendar…-.
As was customary, the ghost kagura was a festival for spirits who were passing on. People would dress up as ghosts themselves so the spirits would pass by without noticing them, thereby saving them from any evil intent or kidnapping the spirits might cause.
OO: “…yes. I am looking forward to it.”
At my answer, Prince Shin smiled slightly.
Shin: “I see. Then until that time comes, please take care and enjoy yourself.”
In accordance with Prince Shin’s words, the gathered retainers all bowed their heads in unison.
I didn’t move a muscle upon seeing that spectacle, and Prince Shin just quietly looked at me.
*Translator Note: A kagura is a traditional event in Shinto practices that incorporates music and ritualistic dancing.
Ch. 2: Disposition Like a Knife
The next morning after we exchanged greetings…-.
(I couldn’t sleep…)
Still sleepy, I rubbed at my eyes as I headed for the room where breakfast was being prepared.
————————
Shin: “I see. Then until that time comes, please take care and enjoy yourself.”
————————
Remembering Prince Shin’s eyes in that moment, my body shivered again as if from cold.
(Am I… scared?)
I shook my head as if to deny those thoughts floating to the surface of my mind.
Servant 1: “Good morning, Princess. Did you sleep well last night?”
Servant 2: “Breakfast is ready. Please come this way.”
The voices of the servants called out to me here and there, as if fretting over me.
(I feel like they’re a little too concerned with me…)
I smiled to try and keep them at bay as I headed for the room.
But I didn’t see Prince Shin there…
OO: “Excuse me, where is Prince Shin?”
Servant 1: “Lord Shin does not eat much. This morning, he has already left to take care of matters for the festival.”
OO: “This early in the morning…”
Servant 1: “Lord Shin is quite busy with the festival this year as he is managing it all by himself. But thanks to the power of Lord Shin, I’m sure this will be a splendid festival.”
The servant’s words and expression were all over the place, but I could tell they had put their absolute trust in Prince Shin.
(He’s an amazing person…)
Servant 2: “If the kagura is imperfect again like that one time, the spirits will descend…”
The anxiety in their voice caused ripples as the expressions of all the other attendants began to darken.
Even I remembered how the spirits had descended last year and caused a major uproar.
??: “If you speak of it, your fears will take shape. I’ve told you this before.”
OO: “!”
A calm voice echoed in the room.
The air in the room became more solemn, spreading out from a central figure like ripples on the water.
OO: “Prince Shin…”
Shin: “It’s not good to cause undue worry for our guest.”
Prince Shin sat and everyone became completely silent.
(Prince Shin is here now, but the air feels even more strained…)
Paying the tension no mind, Prince Shin glanced at me and the corners of his lips twitched slightly.
Shin: “It’s gotten quite late. Let’s have breakfast.”
As if a switch had been flipped, the servants started moving after his calm words…-.
…
……
The mealtime flowed on in the grave atmosphere…-.
However, Prince Shin simply kept his eyes down and did not move to touch his food.
OO: “Um… It’s good, you know?”
Shin: “I’m glad to hear that. It was made specifically with you in mind.”
OO: “Are you not going to eat?”
Shin: “Don’t worry about me.”
OO: “But…”
Shin: “Pay me no mind and continue eating.”
(Could it be… he came here because of me?)
I watched him, not even touching his chopsticks, and was filled with unease when…
Servant 3: “Lord Shin! The ink painting has ripped again…!”
The servant ran up to Shin, frantic and out of breath.
OO: “Ink painting?”
I spoke without thinking and Prince Shin slowly opened his eyes. There was a dangerous glint in those silver eyes, directed at the servant.
Shin: “Is it necessary for me to listen to this right here, right now?”
OO: “…!”
His voice was calm, and yet I felt a cold shiver run up my spine.
Shin: “I’ll deal with it later.”
Servant 3: “M-my apologies…!”
The servant seemed to shrink as they bowed to myself and Prince Shin.
Shin: “It became quite noisy there for a minute. The kagura is approaching, so everyone is becoming restless.”
OO: “Um… what about the painting?”
Shin: “It’s a trifling matter. Nothing you need to worry about.”
OO: “Ah… then if there’s anything I can do to help…-.”
Then…-.
Prince Shin squinted at me, his gaze piercing me like an arrow.
Shin: “I’ll say it again. You are a valued guest. You mustn’t concern yourself over unnecessary things.”
I was seized by his cold gaze and my voice caught in my throat.
(Prince Shin…?)
His words were intended to be kind towards a visitor, yet what I felt in his tone was… disdain.
(Is he telling me… not to interfere?)
Shin: “Please excuse me. I apologize that I was the one who invited you here, and yet I cannot accompany you. If there is any place at all that you’d like to see, you may, and I’ll have someone escort you in my place.”
He once again gave that small, thin smile.
I couldn’t say a single word under that forceful gaze.
Ch. 3: Hidden Heart
As the sky caught fire, slowly turning a vibrant shade of vermillion…-.
I looked at the clouds drifting overhead and let out a sigh.
————————
Shin: “I’ll say it again. You are a valued guest. You mustn’t concern yourself over unnecessary things.”
————————
(His tone was so cold… No, not just his tone. Even his smile, and his words…)
I had felt as if he was completely rejecting me, and I couldn’t say anything.
His mannerisms were gentle, yet his aura was so overwhelming…
(Maybe he thinks of me as a hindrance…)
I thought back to our time at breakfast and felt overcome with apprehension.
I knew nothing of his true intentions, but I headed for where Prince Shin was…-.
…
…..
I nervously peeked into the room and saw Prince Shin’s back.
(I wonder what he’s doing?)
He was bending over a large sheet of paper laid out on the floor, a brush in his hand.
The ink-tipped brush flowed across the paper, and it was as if he were breathing life into the form of the tiger on the page.
OO: “Wow…”
My voice slipped out of its own accord, and I hurriedly clamped my hand over my mouth.
Shin: “…”
Setting the brush down, Prince Shin slowly turned towards where I was.
His gaze pinned me in place, and I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt…
OO: “I was curious.”
Shin: “I see.”
OO: “I’m sorry…”
Shin: “Why are you apologizing?”
Shin: “I’m the one who told you you could go anywhere you wished. Though I did wonder if you would come here.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Shin: “As I thought… you are a pure and sweet lady.”
OO: “…!”
Prince Shin was smiling, yet there was an emotion behind it that I couldn’t read.
(I wonder what he’s thinking.)
Shin: “Come in.”
Having received Prince Shin’s permission, I entered the room and looked around again.
Shin: “This is where we are gathering the items needed for the kagura.”
Glamorous clothes, masks made to resemble animals, and even items that looked like weapons were packed into this room.
Among them was an ink painting of a dragon that stood out.
OO: “Wow… did you paint this one too Prince Shin?”
Shin: “You can just call me Shin.”
OO: “Then… did you paint this Shin? It’s like it’s alive.”
Shin: “Since time immemorial, we have been told the spirits are not able to come near the ink paintings. This is especially true of the ones depicting the Sacred Beasts.* That is why they are here.”
OO: “Oh I see. But then what about the ripped one…?”
I spoke without thinking and quickly shut my mouth.
Shin: “…”
Shin picked up the finished painting and stood.
Shin: “Follow me.”
He spoke quietly and then held his hand out to me.
I timidly took his hand, which was bigger than I’d expected, and the coldness I felt from his palm left a lasting impression…-.
…
……
I could hear the sound of a drum echoing somewhere as I walked alongside Shin through the town.
Townsperson 1: “It’s Lord Shin…!”
Townsperson 2: “He’s come all this way for the kagura. How reassuring…”
Everyone we passed stopped, calling out his name as they bowed their heads.
As Shin watched the people…
Shin: “This morning, regarding what you heard, there are still many people who are concerned after what happened with the kagura last time.”
OO: “Right…”
We stopped and Shin ordered the servants with just a glance to put up the painting.
OO: “So it was a painting to adorn the town then.”
Shin: “In this country, there are Sacred Beasts for the four cardinal directions, and at the center, there is a golden Sacred Beast who governs them all. We lift up our prayers to the four Sacred Beasts, and the power of the central Sacred Beast increases. A power that purifies the spirits. That’s why, in order to offer our prayers to the four Sacred Beasts, we hang ink paintings of them around the town at this time. The report you heard was just that one of those ink paintings had a slight rip.”
The light of the setting sun made Shin’s hair look pale as he spoke in an unconcerned manner.
Shin: “If it’s ripped, it just needs to be repaired. That’s all there is to it.”
OO: “If you say that’s all…”
I knew I wasn’t familiar with such things, but I recalled the immense amount of detail that Shin had painted.
OO: “But that’s no simple task, is it?”
Shin: “It would be more difficult for me to present the people with a defective piece.”
OO: “But it’s important…”
Shin: “…as it has been ripped, I’ll need to look it over.”
(He said he’d repair it but… even with how wonderfully he paints, I wonder how much time it would take. Besides, Shin has a lot of other stuff he needs to be doing too.)
Even though we were surrounded by people, it felt like Shin was standing there alone…
OO: “Um.”
Shin: “…what?”
OO: “Are you alright doing this alone?”
I blurted it out, and Shin turned his gaze on me.
We’d been face-to-face this entire time, but this was the first it felt like he was actually looking at me.
Shin: “It’s not like I plan to do it alone. There are the other princes, and the other servants, right?”
OO: “Well, that’s true, but…”
Shin: “…”
Given his handsome profile, and the aura he exuded, I felt that I would be swallowed up just by looking at him…
Still, it was a feeling other than fear that welled up in the deepest parts of my heart.
Shin: “Have I eased your concerns?”
OO: “Yeah…”
Shin: “I’ll have to excuse myself. I’ll leave you to the retainers from here.”
He turned his gaze to the servants standing behind me, then left.
Everyone that passed by him seemed to cower slightly in fear.
His figure as he walked among them was beautiful… and yet it pained my heart.
*Translator Note: In Asian mythology, there are four Sacred Beasts that each represent the cardinal directions: Seiryuu, the azure dragon of the east, Suzaku, the vermillion bird of the south, Byakko, the white tiger of the west, and Genbu, the black tortoise of the north.
Ch. 4: A Walk in the Flower Garden
A few days passed, and the preparations for the kagura were coming along without problems.
Even though Shin and I hadn’t spent much time together during those days, we would still sit together for breakfast.
Shin: “Princess. Today they are practicing the kagura dance. If you’d like, you can come watch.”
He sat there as if he wasn’t busy at all, but…
Again, he didn’t touch any of the food as he sat at the table.
(I know he’s busy… but he still comes to see me. Is he eating properly? His complexion is looking a bit off…)
I found myself staring at him and…-.
Shin: “Princess?”
Realizing I hadn’t answered him, Shin turned just his eyes towards me.
OO: “Um… after it’s over, will you have some time?”
I asked cautiously, my gaze searching his.
Shin: “…why?”
OO: “I wanted to have a talk with you.”
Even after I stated my desire, his expression remained unchanged…
Shin: “In that case… I’ll see you after the kagura rehearsal.”
The kindness was gone from his voice, and the air around us turned cold…-.
…
……
After the kagura rehearsal had ended, as promised, I walked alongside Shin.
(Did I ask something unreasonable? But…)
I looked down at the package I had prepared before going to see the rehearsal.
(I might be meddling, but he needs to eat something…)
We continued to walk, not speaking to each other, and I looked around at the flower garden spread out around us.
OO: “This place is quite beautiful.”
The wind made the blooming flowers wave, and a sweet smell drifted towards us.
Shin: “So then, what did you want to talk about?”
I could feel the coldness in his voice as Shin looked down at me.
Shin: “It’s something you wanted to speak about in private, yes? If not, there was no need to go this far to meet. Or is there something you want from me?”
OO: “…”
My breathing shook as the aura that clad his body pressed down on me.
OO: “There’s something I wanted to do.”
Shin: “…and what is that?”
Shin looked at me intently, as if trying to figure out my true intentions.
OO: “It’s not much but…”
Shin: “You can skip with the preamble. Speak.”
His way of speaking was blunt as usual, and I could sense his irritation.
OO: “I brought this for you.”
I unwrapped the package of dango wrapped in bamboo leaves and held it out to him.
OO: “You didn’t seem to be eating at mealtime so… I thought maybe you could eat if it was something like this.”
I was finally able to catch my breath and speak as I looked up at him.
Shin: “Dango…”
OO: “Yes. I’m sorry if you don’t like them.”
Shin’s eyes seemed to open wide as if I’d taken him by surprise.
(I asked him out here for something like this… I wonder if that was stupid of me.)
I started to feel regret when…
Shin: “Did I ever tell you dango are my favorite dish?”
Now it was my turn to go wide-eyed at his unexpected response.
OO: “Eh…!? No, you didn’t.”
Shin: “That’s what I thought.”
He gracefully crossed his arms while continuing to look straight at me.
But finally…-.
Shin: “Thank you. I accept.”
The stiff demeanor he wrapped himself in seemed to soften just a little.
OO: “It was my pleasure.”
Shin: “Is that so…”
OO: “I’m glad.”
Shin: “Why?”
His gaze seemed to slip off me as he gazed into the distance…
Shin: “I wonder how long it’s been since someone has worried about me.”
OO: “Huh…?”
Shin: “Nothing. Never mind.”
He looked happy as he accepted the package.
(…)
It was the first time I’d seen him smile tenderly, and I couldn’t stop my heart from pounding violently.
…
As time passed by calmly, in a corner…-.
??: “I got to see something unusual… from the Rat Prince.”
A suspicious shadow watched the two from a distance and smiled smugly to itself.
Ch. 5: The Distance That Separates Us
After that, I would often invite Shin out to the flower garden.
But the distance between us didn’t seem to change…-.
————————
Shin: “Thank you. I accept.”
————————
I wanted to feel that atmosphere from him again… and keeping that thought to myself, I spent my time with him.
One time…
Shin: “You must think I look very tired.”
OO: “Eh?”
His quiet voice went straight to my heart.
OO: “It’s not that, I just thought it might be necessary for you to take a break…-.”
Shin: “…”
That gaze that seemed to see the entire inner workings of my heart was turned directly at me.
OO: “…sorry, that was a lie. I wanted to talk and learn more about you.”
I spoke with resignation, and he let out a soft chuckle.
OO: “I’m sorry, I know you’re busy.”
Shin: “I never said it was a problem. You have a bad habit of apologizing all the time.”
OO: “…!”
Shin: “Don’t misunderstand me. That’s how it is for people in your position.”
OO: “…I’ll try to do better.”
Shin: “Ah, that obedience of yours is also a problem. If you don’t learn to be suspicious of people, you’ll end up getting used by them, see?”
(Shin… has never talked to me like this before.)
I felt as if the distance between us was shrinking just a little, and my expression softened.
Shin: “…?”
Shin slightly furrowed his brow, then…-.
Servant: “Lord Shin! We have a problem!”
A servant from the castle came running up in a panic…-.
…
……
We hurried back to the castle and were met by the pale faces of the retainers.
Shin: “This is…”
I gasped, seeing the shredded ink painting laid out on the desk.
(How terrible…)
Shin: “Claws… just like last time.”
Shin muttered to himself as he saw the ripped painting.
Retainer: “Lord Shin, I think it would be in our best interest to cancel the kagura. We saw it, characters that looked to be written in blood.”
OO: “Written in blood?”
Retainer: “It was a curse on Lord Shin!”
Shin: “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Retainer: “If we continue with the kagura like this, great misfortune will fall on Lord Shin…-.”
In that instant, Shin’s eyes turned terrifyingly cold.
Shin: “Who gave you permission to speak?”
Shin’s quiet voice carried throughout the room, and my spine tingled as if I’d been struck by lightning.
Retainer: “M-my apologies…”
Shin: “The kagura will continue as planned. We shall not continue to be brought down and manipulated by such actions.”
Shin threw off the painting, then took a step towards the threshold of the room as if intending to leave.
OO: “Wait! Does that mean you…”
Shin: “If you know what is going to happen, then I will only talk of coming up with a way to defend against it… That is what you can do for me.”
OO: “But…-.”
As I tried to argue, Shin covered my mouth with his hand.
Shin: “…don’t cause an uproar. Fear is contagious. It will spread to the people. The Family of the Rat is at the top of the royal families. We will continue our preparations flawlessly, holding onto that pride. Now, there hasn’t been anything suspicious going on up till this point. If things become suspicious, the people’s unease will only grow. Understand?”
Shin slowly removed his hand.
(I get it… but…)
OO: “We should stop…-.”
Shin: “I do not take orders from you.”
OO: “Aren’t you… worried?”
Shin: “I have no need for things like worry.”
His eyes were like ice, unwavering.
Shin: “If you say anything more that gets in my way, even if you are the Princess of Träumere, I will ask you to leave.”
His words stung and he turned his back on me, as if wishing to remove me from his sight.
Shin: “I will not tolerate people who get in my way… no matter who they are.”
(Shin…)
The distance that I had thought was shrinking between us…
Seemed to have grown even wider now, and I couldn’t stand the pain in my heart.
As I regretted that it had been my own words that had brought about this situation, I left the room and him behind.
Ch. 6: One Who Deceives the Heart
The sun was setting, causing the shadows to start stretching out over the garden…-.
After I had left Shin’s room, absentmindedly walked down the hallway and looked out at the garden.
————————
Shin: “If you say anything more that gets in my way, even if you are the Princess of Träumere, I will ask you to leave.”
————————
The distance between us had grown once again.
(My chest hurts…)
But more than that, I couldn’t sit still thinking of Shin having to suffer.
At that time…-.
OO: “…?”
There was a noise and I felt like I was being watched, so I turned to look behind me.
But there was nothing there.
(Did I imagine it…?)
The unpleasant sensation seemed to have disappeared too.
I let out a breath and started walking when…-.
Shin: “Where are you going?”
A strong hand grabbed my arm and pulled.
OO: “Shin…!”
(Why…)
Before I could ask if he’d chased after me, he pulled roughly on my arm.
Shin: “Come.”
I bit my lip, feeling something well up inside me that I couldn’t put into words…-.
…
……
Without speaking, we went down into the garden and Shin let me go without looking at me.
OO: “Shin…um.”
Shin: “…”
Even though I said his name, he still did not turn to look at me.
His shoulders seemed to be tense…
OO: “Shin…”
Shin: “Be quiet.”
His sharp tone stilled me, and I kept anything I was about to say in check.
But I could only stare at his back, silently.
Shin: “…”
Shin seemed to want to say something as he surveyed the area around us attentively.
After a little while, Shin slowly turned towards me…
Shin: “As you can see, the questions are piling up.”
His voice was incredibly cold, as if telling me not to ask about it further.
OO: “That’s… did you come to tell me to leave?”
Shin: “You’ve overstayed your welcome. Don’t concern yourself with me.”
OO: “…”
His clear rejection drove a dull pain into my chest.
But…-.
Shin: “…”
(Shin…?)
I felt as if there was something deeper hidden beneath his rejection…
OO: “Please. Tell me what you’re thinking right now. I want to know…”
I continued to look directly at him as I made my request.
Shin: “…it means that if I present a weakness, I will fall from the top.”
Shin seemed isolated, barely opening his mouth as he spoke.
His voice was low, as if he had trouble saying the words, and I could almost sense the fear there, but…
I realized these were words spoken from the heart, and I listened intently.
Shin: “I am not a forgiving nor tolerant person. I get rid of things I don’t need. It’s so there can be no gap or weakness to be taken advantage of. But…”
Shin’s hand slowly drew closer to me.
His beautiful, long fingers gently stroked my hair.
OO: “Shin…”
Our eyes met and I felt an even stronger pain in my chest.
At that time…-.
Shin: “…you’re still here?”
Shin seemed to growl those words, and there was a rustling as the air seemed to tremble.
OO: “What the…-.”
Shin: “Quiet.”
The uneasy feeling I’d sensed before suddenly surrounded us…-.
??: “Kekeke, such cold words… the Rats truly are arrogant.”
The voice seemed to crawl up from the earth, and I shivered.
Shin: “A bakeneko*…”
(A cat…?)
The trees seemed to shake violently, and a black cat as big as a leopard sauntered down from the trees in front of us.
OO: “…”
It saw me gasp and gave a Cheshire-cat grin.
In the next instant…-.
Shin: “…!”
The black cat bared its fangs before firmly pressing its paws to the ground and leaping.
*Translator Note: Bakeneko are yokai (spirits/demons/ghosts/etc. in Japanese culture), also called ‘monster cats’. They were originally normal cats who became monsters after a certain period of time and became vengeful. They can shapeshift, speak, curse, and do other nefarious things. Not to be mistaken with a nekomata, which are a more powerful variation of the bakeneko and have two tails.