Ch. 7: When We Can't See Each Other
Morning, two days later…-.
I thought back to the night of the dance party.
(I want to see Sefir.)
Sefir had been very busy immediately after the party.
The ceremony for establishing diplomatic relations finished successfully, and I’d heard that the Sky Country had come to a mutual agreement on establishing real, genuine relations with the Earth Country.
(I’m really glad about it but…)
Butler: “Did you need something miss?”
I decided to ask the butler who had come to check on me about Sefir’s plans.
OO: “Um, would it be possible for me to be with Sefir this afternoon?”
Butler: “I’m afraid Lord Sefir is occupied all day with official business…”
(Like I thought…he’s busy. I wonder if it had been really unreasonable for him to take the time to teach me how to dance.)
Butler: “However, if it is something you desire Lady OO, I believe Lord Sefir would rearrange his plans.”
OO: “Oh no, it’s fine.”
I declined in a panic, then an idea struck me.
(…I know, I wonder if there’s anything I can do for Sefir to thank him when he’s so busy.)
OO: “Um…”
I decided to go around and ask the staff if they could tell me the things Sefir liked.
Ch. 8: Appearance From Behind
The bright sunlight pierced the early afternoon…-.
OO: “Excuse me, are you a close aide…of Sefir?”
I began my investigation right away, and I called out to a young attendant who was always with Sefir.
Aide: “Indeed, Lady OO.”
OO: “I wanted to thank Sefir… Could you tell me what kinds of things he likes?”
Aide: “Ah…in that cause, this morning he said he wanted to have black tea cookies.”
He gave a friendly smile as he told me.
Aide: “I believe they are sold in the town near the castle… When I’ve gone to buy them before, Lord Sefir has been delighted.”
(Then I have to get ready!)
Aide: “If you’d like, I can show you to the shop.”
OO: “Are you sure?”
Aide: “Of course. The timing is perfect as I’ve been wanting to go into town.”
OO: “Thank you so much…!”
(I wonder if this will make Sefir happy.)
My face lit up in excitement when…
Sefir: “…you seem to be enjoying yourself. What are you discussing?”
Sefir called out to me.
(I want to surprise him and keep it a secret.)
OO: “Oh, it was nothing.”
I hurriedly answered, and Sefir’s eyebrows knit slightly.
Aide: “By the way Lord Sefir, the butler was here looking for you.”
Sefir: “…I see.”
OO: “Ah, t-then, good-bye.”
Hoping I wouldn’t be noticed, I ran off.
…
……
(I’m glad I could buy them without any problems.)
I was able to get my hands on some cookies thanks to the help from the aide.
Aide: “It’s a good thing they weren’t sold out.”
The aide’s words died away, and my eyes were fixed on a single figure.
(Sefir…!)
Aide: “Lord Sefir…ah, yes. I believe he had an inspection of the town today. Ah, he is once again surrounded by people…”
(Why does he always say ‘ah’?)
OO: “He really is loved by the people, isn’t he?”
———————
Sefir: “… what they love is my mask.”
———————
(I don’t think the people see it as a mask.)
I stared fixedly at Sefir’s back, him surrounded by people, and the aide let out a chuckle.
Aide: “Are you interested in Lord Sefir?”
OO: “I-I…”
Aide: “Oh, if my lord were to love someone as cute as yourself Lady OO, it would make me happy.”
(Love…)
My heart suddenly started pounding at his words.
I panicked and started speaking to cover it up.
OO: “It was thanks to you that I could buy the cookies. Thank you for that…um, Mr. Aide.”
Aide: “Oh no, please call me Winny.”
OO: “Alright, Winny. Really, thank you so much.”
I smiled at Winny.
…
Sefir: “…”
Butler: “Oh, might that be…Lady OO…and Winny. They seem to be having fun…-“
Sefir: “…sorry, but I’d like to cancel today’s plans.”
Butler: “…Lord Sefir? Lord Sefir, where are you going?”
Sefir headed off towards the pair.
Ch. 9: Jealousy
Sefir: “What a coincidence.”
I was walking around the market with Winny, cookies in hand, when Sefir called out.
OO: “Sefir.”
I panicked and hid the cookies behind my back, and Sefir furrowed his brow.
Sefir: “I came to observe the town…however if you like, I shall guide you around.”
(I’m glad, but I shouldn’t if it’s going to interfere with his duties.)
OO: “That’s alright…Winny has been showing me around.”
Sefir: “… it seems you’ve gotten particularly close with my aide. Exactly what are you intending…”
OO: “Sefir…?”
I tilted my head hearing Sefir’s tone, and he seemed to realize what he’d been saying and stopped.
Sefir: “…please, forgive me. Forget I said anything. I have abandoned my duties for the day…it is not appropriate behavior for a member of the royal family.”
(Could I…have hurt his feelings?)
Sefir: “I can’t control myself around you…”
OO: “Eh…?”
Sefir: “It’s nothing. I shall return to my duties. Winny…please take care of Lady OO.”
Sefir looked so incredibly sad, and without thinking I grabbed his sleeve.
OO: “Um…actually, you’ve seemed so busy Sefir that I wanted to bring you cookies.”
I slowly took them out, and Sefir’s eyes went wide in surprise.
Sefir: “These are…my favorite…”
Winny: “Precisely Lord Sefir! I was simply guiding her to the shop, but were you jealous?”
Sefir: “…”
Winny spoke while laughing, and Sefir’s cheeks turned red.
Sefir: “That is… is it correct to assume you have feelings for me?
OO: “Eh…”
I was shocked by what he’d said so suddenly but…
His look was so serious that I nodded without thinking.
Then, Sefir suddenly lifted me up and…
OO: “Ah…”
We flew up high into the sky, and Winny waved us off excitedly.
Ch. 10: Kind Devil
We alighted at the castle, and while still holding me up, Sefir entered the bedroom.
OO: “Uh, Sefir…?”
The room was bathed in soft moonlight and felt very nice, however my heart was pounding uncontrollably.
OO: “…”
Setting me down, Sefir pulled me in close.
Surprised, I reflexively tried to move away, but Sefir caught my hand and…
OO: “Nn…”
His lips pressed hard into mine…-.
In surprise I still tried to pull away, but I couldn’t fight against the strong grip of his arms.
(What…is going on?)
The kiss was so sudden I hadn’t even had time to close my eyes…
It was quite surprising but…
Suddenly, my heart started pounding even more wildly.
(My heart’s racing so much it hurts…)
Slowly, my lips parted and I felt his tongue enter.
The kiss was still so tender, though it gave me no chance to catch my breath, and I felt as if my heart was trying to satisfy him.
(I…really like Sefir…)
Safir: “Before, you said you had feelings for me. …it is as you see. Before you, I need not wear my mask. Even so…do you still care for me?”
I was seized up in his heated gaze, and could do nothing other than nod.
Then Sefir smiled faintly…-.
Sefir: “Then…I will take you up on that.”
He whispered softly, and once more locked lips with mine.
Sefir: “It seems that the real me…will not permit your lips to speak another man’s name…”
OO: “…”
(Does he mean Winny…?)
I blinked and he gently covered my eyes with his hand.
Sefir: “The real me will not permit your eyes to see any man other than myself.”
My vision gone, I felt a soft fabric against my back.
Sefir: “The real me…-“
Still covering my eyes, Sefir touched my thigh and started to reveal my bare skin.
OO: “S-Sefir…!”
I stopped his fingers with my hand.
Sefir: “…I don’t understand either. I’m not myself… When I saw you having fun with Winny, I couldn’t stand it. I even went so far as to neglect my duties and run towards you… The real me is one splintered, separate from the prince everyone adores. When I am like this, it is for you alone…”
(I’m the only one who can see the true Sefir…?)
Sefir: “OO…”
Sefir’s fingers removed my socks.
(This is embarrassing…)
I turned away as he removed my blouse, and Sefir gently nipped my ear.
OO: “Ya…”
My voice escaped me in a faint noise of pleasure, and Sefir smiled kindly at me.
Seifr: “Do you not want this? You said before that you would still care for this version of myself.”
OO: “Y-yes but…!”
Sefir: “Then all is well. No matter how much you say no… I can no longer hear it.”
OO: “Sefir…”
Sefir snatched my words away with his lips, and I could feel his fingers stroking my chest.
(This really is…a different Sefir than before.)
The eyes I looked into still held the same kindness…but the fingers that caressed my skin wouldn’t allow me to resist.
(He’s like a kind devil…)
Sefir placed kisses on my face and down my neck.
OO: “…”
Sefir: “OO… I love you…”
Then as I felt his fingers moving and touching me more intensely…
I let out a wordless sigh of sweet pleasure.
END