Ch. 1: Unseen Face
Terramater, Kingdom of Secundati in the Land of Spirits, Month of Sunlight…-.
I took in my surroundings in the first town I’d come to visit.
(This is the land protected by the earth spirits, controlled by the Terramater family. Where Zant is…-)
A few days had passed since I’d awoken Zant with the power of the ring.
Zant’s older brother, serving as king of Terramater, had invited me here.
Once I’d crossed into the castle, the brother king had ushered me inside.
However I didn’t see Zant anywhere.
Then after a little while…-.
Zant: “So you’re the one my brother said had come.”
Zant appeared, his mouth hidden behind a scarf that fluttered gracefully around him.
OO: “Zant, it’s good to see you.”
I panicked and bowed my head, but Zant only glanced at me before looking away.
Zant: “…for what purpose are you here? I already said my thanks when you woke me. Or did you come here to say you expect some kind of reward?”
OO: “That’s not…-“
His sharp, cold gaze was piercing, and the rest of my words stuck in my throat.
Brother King: “You dare address the princess who saved you like this!? Think a little more of your duty as someone who could rule…”
Zant: “I don’t need to… this kingdom has you. I’m not needed.”
OO: “Ah…-“
There wasn’t enough of a gap at the end of their conversation for me to call out to him, and Zant ignored me as he turned and left the room.
(I wonder if he’s just always impolite. Or maybe… there’s something else going on.)
Feeling a sense of distress, I watched Zant as he disappeared from sight…-.
…
……
After that…
I was being shown around the castle by a maid the king had called for me.
OO: “There are so many beautiful flowers.”
Throughout the interior of the castle were potted plants, blooming with beautiful flowers.
A light sweet scent tickled at my nose.
OO: “Does everyone in Terramater like flowers?”
Maid: “Yes. It’s thanks to Lord Zant who commands the power of the earth and makes the soil rich. And it’s not just flowers. We also collect a marvelous harvest of crops and other things.”
OO: “Zant does that…?”
Maid: “Yes, Lord Zant is a very kind person. Though I think me might be a little too kind to me and the other servants.”
(…I see.)
I hid my shock as the Zant she talked about was so different from the impression of him I’d gotten not long ago.
(Zant…just what kind of person is he really?)
The bright sunlight gently shone down on the flowers in the courtyard.
As I looked at the flowers basking in that light, I began to get curious about Zant’s true face.
Ch. 2: An Expression for an Instant
After that, I was guided to a guest room and opened the window to take a break.
A warm breeze caressed my cheek.
OO: “…the wind feels so nice.”
My gaze fell to the courtyard outside the window when…
(Oh? That’s…)
I saw Zant, who appeared to be talking to a gardener in a flowerbed, their face hidden by the brim of their hat.
Zant: “…”
I couldn’t see his mouth like before, but the atmosphere around them seemed calm.
(It’s completely different from the look he gave me before…)
At that time…
Zant: “!”
Zant noticed me watching and looked towards me.
OO: “Ah…-“
In an instant, his expression turned severe.
My shoulders slumped as I felt overcome with sadness.
Zant: “…what do you want?”
OO: “…!”
I hadn’t expected him to call out to me, and my heart jumped in surprise.
OO: “Ah…um, is it alright if I come out there?”
The words came out before I even knew what I was going to say.
Naturally I thought he’d object but…
Zant: “…I don’t care.”
His reply was blunt.
I immediately headed out to the courtyard.
When I arrived, I could hear voices coming from further in.
Zant: “…then how about we try lowering the acidity of the soil a little more?”
Gardener: “Yes, I think that might be the best thing to do right now.”
Zant and the gardener continued their conversation as they fussed with the soil in the flowerbed.
(Would it be alright to call out to them?)
As I watched the two of them, I…
(I’ll wait till they’re done talking.)
…
……
After waiting a little while, Zant suddenly turned to look at me.
OO: “…Zant.”
I timidly called out to him and…
Zant: “…!”
Zant turned to me, slightly surprised.
Zant: “…”
He stared at me with those cold eyes and…
Zant: “Do you need something?”
(It would have been better if I hadn’t come…)
Though I felt regret, I pulled myself together and smiled at him.
OO: “The flowers in the garden and in the castle…they’re all very lovely. The maid told me it’s all thanks to you.”
Then…
Zant: “… Thank you…”
OO: “…”
(It was just for a moment, but I think he smiled…)
I found myself staring at his eyes when the gardener smiled kindly.
Gardener: “Lord Zant’s command of the earth spirits is truly impressive. Even within the line of succession-“
Zant: “That’s enough, I just know about the earth.”
Zant spoke quietly, then turned around towards me.
Zant: “…sorry about earlier.”
He muttered those few words as he brushed the dirt from his hands.
OO: “Th-that’s alright!”
I practically shouted in response the unexpected apology.
Zant: “…”
His light blue eyes, clear as water, stole a glance in my direction.
(Zant…?)
But without another word, Zant left the garden.
Gardener: “Oooh.”
The gardener smiled fondly as he watched Zant leave.
Ch. 3: Zant's Past
Zant: “…sorry about earlier.”
——————–
After Zant had left the courtyard…-.
OO: “Um…could you tell me if I’ve done something to upset him?”
I was nervous as I asked the smiling gardener…
Gardener: “Haha. It’s nothing like that. Didn’t you see how pleased Lord Zant was as well?”
(He was happy…?)
I thought back to Zant’s expression earlier, then looked back to where he’d disappeared. The gardener let out a sigh.
Gardener: “…he’s had a miserable life. Ever since the accident…”
OO: “Accident…? Did something happen to him?”
Gardener: “…”
The gardener looked down, crushing the hat in his hands against his chest.
Gardener: “Lord Zant was still young…there is a shrine to the earth behind the castle, and its foundation was loose…his mother and father went out to protect it but…they died.”
OO: “…!”
Gardener: “Lord Zant has been depressed ever since…”
I waited for him to continue, but the gardener just shook his head.
I considered what Zant must be feeling as the gardener looked down, a sorrowful expression on his face.
…
……
The light of the setting sun seemed sad as it cut through the windows into the hallway.
(To think something like that happened…)
My heart ached each time I thought back to what the gardener had told me.
At that time…-.
Zant: “…what’s wrong?”
I turned around to see Zant standing there, a suspicious look on this face.
OO: “Zant…”
OO: “Um… do you have a minute to talk?”
Zant: “…are you wanting to spend your time being unproductive?”
Zant muttered those words in his deep voice, then looked away as if disinterested in me.
OO: “…”
Though I wanted to talk to him, the words wouldn’t come, and I could do nothing more than look into Zant’s eyes as we were dyed in the red of the setting sun.
Zant: “…what?”
OO: “…I heard about you, earlier, from the gardener.”
I mustered my courage and began to talk about it…
Zant: “And?”
OO: “Eh…?”
Zant: “…”
With just that single word, we fell into silence.
I became painfully aware of the ticking of the clock in the corner.
Zant: “…”
Finally, Zant looked down and let out a sigh.
Zant: “I can guess what you’re going to ask. You’re talking about the incident with the earth shrine, right?”
OO: “…”
Zant: “…you’re pretty easy to read.”
For a moment, he glanced up at me, then looked away again.
Zant: “So, what do you want to say?”
OO: “…”
His tone was so harsh that I kept silent.
OO: “…”
Seeing me like that, Zant let out another sigh.
OO: “I’m worried about you…”
Zant: “…!”
At my words, Zant’s eyes became piercing.
Zant: “…it has nothing to do with you.”
For some reason, my heart ached as I picked up the despair in his voice.
OO: “Zant…-.”
Without thinking, I reached out for his hand and…
Zant: “I don’t want your sympathy!”
He slapped my hand away.
OO: “…”
I shrank away as he yelled and slapped my hand. Then Zant looked shocked.
Zant: “I’m… sorry. But don’t concern yourself with me anymore.”
OO: “Wait, Zant…”
But he had already left, vanishing further down the hallway.
(Why…?)
My gaze drifted out to the courtyard where the flowers swayed in the breeze, soaking up the evening sun.
(Even though Zant can make such beautiful flowers bloom with his power over the earth…)
Feeling the sting of his rejection, I was overcome with a painful sense of helplessness.
Ch. 4: The Distance to You
Zant: “I don’t want your sympathy!”
——————–
The next day…-.
I sat on a bench in the courtyard, absorbed in my feelings. That was when Zant’s brother noticed me and walked over.
Brother King: “You don’t look very happy.”
OO: “Your Majesty…I’m sorry, I was just lost in thought.”
Brother King: “Is it about Zant?”
OO: “How did you know that?”
Brother King: “…”
Zant’s brother didn’t say anything, but instead smiled sadly.
A short time passed when finally…
Brother King: “…do you know about the accident?”
OO: “Yes…but I don’t know the details.”
Brother King: “I see.”
Zant’s brother slowly closed his eyes.
Brother King: “When our parents went to the Earth Shrine…Zant and I went with them. Hoping to fix the loose soil, we used the power of the earth spirits. However, Zant and I were both still young and couldn’t use that power very well. His immense power went wild…-.”
(Then that means…)
Having told the painful story thus far, Zant’s brother opened his eyes.
Brother King: “…he really is a very kind person. He’s not very good at expressing his feelings though. So please…I’d like you to try and get along with him.”
OO: “Your Majesty…”
Brother King: “And I’d like for you to heal his wounded heart as well. I’m fully aware that this is a selfish request. But if it’s you…I think you could do it.”
His expression was that of heartbreak, and I could tell he was deeply worried about Zant.
OO: “…I will.”
I nodded even as I hesitated, and Zant’s brother lowered his eyes as if in apology.
…
……
Another day after that…-.
The sky was blue and clear, and the bright sunlight incessantly rained down on the ground.
I noticed Zant working out in the fields.
OO: “Hello.”
Zant: “…”
I wondered how long he’d been working as I noticed the sheen of sweat on his burly arms.
Zant remained silent, so I sat down and watched his hands while he worked.
OO: “You have a gentle hand. Even the flowers look happy.”
Zant: “…it doesn’t concern you.”
His response was cold and blunt as usual.
But I…
OO: “I heard from the king that this country has a lot of fertilized fields that produce delicious vegetables. Would you be able to show me how you work them?”
Zant: “…”
OO: “…is that asking too much?”
Zant: “If there’s something you want to see, then do whatever you want.”
I continued to sit near Zant, moving a little closer as he watered the flowers.
Zant: “…”
Only a gentle breeze stirred in the quiet courtyard.
After that, Zant didn’t open his mouth to speak again until…
Zant: “This is the depth you want to go when you dig in the soil. This fencing holds the soil in place. That way the weeds won’t grow.”
I felt like I’d broken through a little, and I could see a gentle expression on his face more often as he was caught up in his work.
That made me happy, and I hung on his every word…-.
The days continued like that until…-.
I noticed Zant out in the vegetable garden and watched while he tended to the vegetables he was always growing.
Before long, the sun was approaching the middle of the sky…
Zant: “What…are you doing?”
Suddenly, Zant spoke to me.
Ch. 5: Warm, and Awkward...
Zant: “What…are you doing?”
I was suddenly called out by Zant…
Zant: “There’s other things you can do if you’ve got free time. So why are you only interested in what I’m doing?”
OO: “Well I…-“
Zant: “…”
The coldness was returning, and he dropped his shoulders as if troubled.
Zant: “I’d guess…my brother asked you to.”
OO: “!”
Zant: “That’s why you’re here with me. Am I wrong?”
He looked at me with pain in his eyes…
OO: “Well, yes, but… but I was curious myself. About you.”
Zant: “!”
Zant’s eyes opened a little wider at my answer.
OO: “Y-you’re wrong.”
I spoke in a panic and…
Zant: “Like I said, you’re easy to read.”
I felt like Zant was smiling just a little bit.
Zant: “Well, it’s fine…you don’t need to pay attention to me anymore.”
His words seemed to hold resignation, and I bit my lip.
Zant: “…see, you’re making that worried face again. That’s because of me right? …you’re just asking for trouble if you concern yourself with me.”
(But I…)
The sun was bright as it shone down from its zenith on the vegetables in the garden.
And yet I felt a pain in my chest…
OO: “Please…don’t say that.”
I felt as it my voice was being squeezed out through my throat, and Zant pushed up on the scarf as if flustered.
Zant: “Sorry…I keep causing you to make that face. It’s fine… I don’t mind if you worry about me.”
OO: “Ah…”
And then…
As I hung my head, looking down, he placed his large hand on my head.
He was worrying about me with those gentle hands that lovingly tended the flowers and the soil.
(His hand is warm…)
His hand was even bigger than I’d thought, and my heart started pounding.
I slowly looked up and into his face…
Zant: “…”
His expression was filled with kindness and loneliness, all of which flowed over me.
I felt a tight pressure squeezing my chest and could do nothing other than swallow any words I had been about to say.
Zant: “…”
He gently rubbed my head, as if handling something fragile.
Zant: “I’m not good at this kind of thing…”
He was awkward with his hand, but it was still a very nice feeling…
I thought to myself how I always wanted to feel the heat from Zant’s hand.