Ch. 7: Magic Eyes
The moon shone beautifully over Dion’s shoulders as he held me.
OO: “Dion…”
Dion: “What is it?”
(I want us to break apart before my resolve shatters completely but…)
I couldn’t keep talking, but as if suddenly realizing, Dion loosened his arms around me.
Dion: “I see… if I keep doing this then you’re going to run away.”
OO: “No, I won’t run…”
Dion: “Then… I want to keep doing this, just a little longer. Can I?”
I looked up into his eyes and found myself unable to move.
As if taking that as agreement, Dion smiled, delighted, and held me again.
Ch. 8: Farewell to the Past
The day of the festival, held once a year for the sake of diplomatic relations between the Earth and Sky Country…-.
I had received an invitation from the Earth Country and attended the celebration.
(There are so many people…)
Dion: “Hey, don’t be loitering around.”
Dion was frowning in displeasure.
Dion: “Geez, I wasn’t even planning on coming to this, but when I was told you would be here…”
(…he came because he was worried about me.)
The rain glittered in the light of the sun as the ceremonial exchanging of gifts took place.
(That’s some lovely fabric…)
My eyes sparkled at all the fabulous items…
Child: “Kyaa.”
OO: “Ah…-.”
Suddenly, a girl no more than three, cried out and fell onto the fabrics.
At that very moment, she fell directly in the way of the King of the Earth Country, and everyone froze.
Earth Country King: “…”
The king’s sharp gaze pierced the girl.
Earth Country King: “Remove that disrespectful child at once.”
At the king’s orders, the palace guards moved to seize the girl.
(Oh no…)
I quickly defended the child, standing between her and the guards.
Guards: “Insolent girl!”
As they held their swords high and swung them down at me…
Dion: “You’re the insolent ones.”
Dion easily placed himself between me and the guards.
Dion: “Just who do you think this is!?”
(Dion…)
Earth Country King: “Guards! Put away your swords! That woman is…-“
Dion: “This woman is my lover!”
(Eh…)
Dion: “Princess OO… are you hurt anywhere?”
Dion knelt in front of me.
OO: “Eh…?”
(Oh, I see… he’s acting this way because this is a formal setting.)
Even while flustered, I somehow was able to remember that I was, in fact, the Princess of Traumere.
OO: “…I’m alright, thank you.”
Earth Country King: “Princess OO, I apologize for such disrespect.”
OO: “I’m alright. But more importantly, that child…”
Earth Country King: “And I must also apologize for the discourteous actions of my worthless son.”
(Worthless…)
Earth Country King: “I won’t allow him to rudely refer to you as something like his lover a second time.”
(Why is he saying something like that…?)
Earth Country King: “Aah, and please rest assured that child will be properly punished on the grounds of treason.”
Hearing that, I remembered when Dion told me of his sorrowful past.
————————
Dion: “That’s why my dutiful foster brother… Maylene’s son, Lane, stood in the way between Sefir and I. Then… because a retainer’s actions had inhibited his master, Lane was executed for treason.”
————————
(I’m sure this will be like how Lane was punished…!)
OO: “Wait…-.”
Dion: “You haven’t changed a bit Father!”
Dion’s enraged voice flew out as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
(Dion…)
Dion: “Isn’t that enough? What is even the point of this celebration?”
Dion turned a kind gaze towards the girl.
Dion: “…go back to your parents, I’m sure they’re worried about you. What sin has this small child committed? Besides… you won’t change your mind no matter what I say!”
OO: “…!”
Dion: “I’m out of here.”
Easily lifting the crying child into his arms, Dion pulled on my hand, and we left.
Ch. 9: A Smile
Leaving the venue where the diplomatic relations festival was being held, the little girl and I followed Dion and arrived at a flower garden in the back area of the castle.
Child: “Wow…”
The little girl, who had been crying for some time, now smiled in delight.
OO: “Um… is this alright? Leaving the festival…”
At my question, Dion gave an elegant smile.
Dion: “What do you think, Dream Princess?”
OO: “Eh…”
(We’re not in a formal location anymore, yet…)
Dion gently stroked my cheek.
Dion: “Your face is warm… you don’t have a fever, do you? Or could it be…-.”
Stopping there, Dion gently lifted up my chin.
Dion: “…you’ve fallen for me?”
OO: “…!”
As that teasing smile returned to his face…
For some reason, I felt relieved.
Ch. 10: A Night Alone Together
That night…-.
————————
Dion: “This woman… is my lover.”
————————
As the stars came out, I remembered the events from earlier in the day.
Dion: “So this is where you were.”
I gasped, suddenly hearing a voice coming from behind me.
Dion: “I was looking for you. Um… I’m sorry for what happened earlier. I put you through something terrible.”
OO: “It’s alright…”
Dion quietly looked into my eyes.
Dion: “…I think I’m going to live like a prince.”
OO: “Dion…?”
There was a serious look to his eyes that I’d never seen before as Dion looked at me.
Dion: “And I’m going to stop running. I know that if I don’t, I won’t change, and neither will my father or this country.”
OO: “…”
Dion: “And besides… I don’t want to see something like that happen again. I don’t think I could bear losing you.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Dion: “Well, that’s how it is.”
Ending the conversation there, Dion sat down next to me.
(H-he’s so close…)
I could feel my cheeks heating up and I averted my gaze.
Dion: “Now then, I’ve shown you my serious side. Now I’m going back to the usual me.”
OO: “Eh?”
Dion: “You know that it’s night, right? Do you really think it’s alright to be alone with me?”
OO: “Th-that’s…-.”
Dion’s face slowly drew closer as the moonlight illuminated him…-.
(This means…)
OO: “…uh, Dion… is this alright?”
Dion: “What? …ah, you want to know if it’s safe to be alone with me? …hm, who knows?”
(Dion…!)
He gently wrapped his arm around my neck and smiled, completely composed.
Dion: “I don’t think you are.”
OO: “Dion…”
Dion gently traced my lips with his fingers, his eyes fixed on me.
Dion: “You’re the one letting me do this… I’ll have you take responsibility.”
His deep voice was a whisper as he pushed me against a wall.
Dion: “…I love you.”
I was caught in the gaze of his flame-red eyes, and that beauty took my breath away.
Dion: “What’s your answer…?”
OO: “…”
Though I tried to speak, nothing came out.
And so…
(I can’t breathe…)
Dion stole my breath away, and I couldn’t do anything other than give myself over to the gentle affection…-.
(I love him too…)
Instead of responding, I gently wrapped my arms around his shoulders.
Then the kiss became even more desperate, and I could feel myself fading even as I was given no room to catch my breath…-.
…
……
Blearily, I opened my eyes, the chandelier above illuminating the space around me.
Dion: “Are you awake?”
As I lay in a bed, Dion sat beside it, smoking his pipe.
OO: “This is…”
Dion: “My room.”
At Dion’s words, the fog immediately cleared from my mind.
(Now that I think about it…)
The memories crashed over me like waves, and I leaped from the bed.
Dion: “Well I’m glad you look to be full of energy.”
Dion chuckled.
Dion: “Sorry, that was too far.”
OO: “Ah… um…”
My heart was pounding so much that it hurt.
Dion: “But there’s no point in apologizing now. Because tonight… I won’t let you go back.”
Saying as much, Dion gently took the ribbon of my blouse into his hand.
(What do I do…?)
He gently kissed my eyelids, the sensation causing my heart to quiver, and before I knew it, my skin was laid bare.
OO: “Wha…”
Though I tried to cover my chest with my hands, Dion wouldn’t allow it.
He kissed both hands, and all my strength fled.
Dion: “…you’re beautiful.”
His lips touched lightly on my chest.
OO: “Ah…”
My back twitched, arching back, and Dion gently placed his hands there, slowly lowering me onto the bed.
Dion: “I love you…”
(I’m sure… he’s said that to a lot of people…)
I was incredibly happy, yet…
I still thought those things, holding it deep in my heart, and was a little bit pained as I looked at Dion’s expression, overflowing with self-confidence.
Dion: “…”
Then, as if he’d read my mind, Dion smiled.
Dion: “I love you… and you alone.”
He whispered those words in my ear, and then placed an incredibly gentle kiss on my lips.
Dion: “OO… I love you.”
Those honest words were directed straight at me, leaving no room for doubt…
OO: “Dion…”
Tender kisses were placed all over my body.
(I love you too…)
Within the room that smelled of mint…
My own sweet sigh echoed.
END
Secret Story: You Light a Fire
Gazing at the stars from a castle corridor, after I had vowed to OO that I would live as a prince…-.
Dion: “Now then, I’ve shown you my serious side. Now I’m going back to the usual me.”
OO: “Eh?”
(How silly, it’s far too early to be surprised yet. Because…)
I spoke as I hid my desire to tease her.
Dion: “You know that it’s night, right? Do you really think it’s alright to be alone with me?”
OO: “Th-that’s…-“
I slowly moved closer to the flustered OO.
(And yet, you responding in such a cute way only fuels the fire in me… I wonder if you know that’s what you do to me?)
OO: “Dion…”
I gently traced over her lips as my name crossed them.
Then I looked straight into her eyes…
Dion: “You’re the one letting me do this… I’ll have you take responsibility. …I love you.”
I whispered those words low, having backed OO against a wall.
Dion: “What’s your answer…?”
(…no. I don’t need to hear it.)
OO: “…”
Not waiting for her to respond, I stole her lips.
Then…-.
(Just now…)
As the kiss continued, she wrapped her arms around my shoulders.
My heart started pounding seeing her so straight-forward.
(…geez, you really are adorable. But did you really think that would make me stop there…?)
The kiss heated up, my tongue tracing an entrance to her lips.
Then as I enjoyed that sweet sensation for a moment…
Dion: “…OO?”
Her body was limp as I called her name, but she didn’t respond.
Dion: “OO! Hey, OO! Damn, I went too far…”
OO had lost consciousness, and I gently lifted her up.
(…my bad. I was a bit too hasty. Next time I’ll be careful and go slow.)
I carried her back to my room, a slight feeling of guilt in my chest.
…
……
Sometime after I’d put OO in my bed…-.
(At this rate, I wonder if it’ll even be okay to continue.)
After I watched OO wake up, I gently brought my face closer to hers.
Dion: “Tonight… I won’t let you go back.”
As I placed a gentle kiss over her eyes, I took the ribbon of her blouse in hand.
Then little by little, I revealed her bare skin…-.
(Beautiful… I’ve never seen a woman so alluring.)
OO: “Ah…”
As soon as I placed my lips on her chest, her sweet noises echoed in the room.
Pleased with her current state, I gently lay her down so as not to frighten her…
Dion: “I love you…”
As I looked down at her, my true feelings devoid of any falsehoods burst out from me.
However…
(Those eyes… I guess it’s natural that she can’t believe me so easily. After all, I’ve done my best to sew those seeds of doubt from the beginning. In that case…)
I smiled, trying to put her at ease, then softly placed my lips near her ear.
Dion: “I love you… and you alone.”
After I whispered those words to her, the kiss I gave her was overflowing with all of my feelings.
Dion: “OO… I love you.”
OO: “Dion…”
Trying to convey the overflowing love I felt, I placed kisses over her entire body.
Then little by little, her sweet sighs spilled from her lips.
Dion: “…do you understand?”
Her breathing was labored, and I smiled mischievously.
Then, as if she were somehow pouting, she looked straight at me…
OO: “I don’t understand yet. So… tell me more. A lot more…”
She wrapped her arms around and pulled me in tightly.
As I looked at her properly, her ears and cheeks were burning a brighter red than I’d ever seen…
Dion: “Silly. You do get that right now, when we’re all alone, you acting all cute like that makes it so I can’t stop myself, right?”
OO: “…”
She remained silent but tightened her grip around me.
That only fanned the flames throughout my entire being…
Dion: “…I don’t know if you’ll pass out again. Are you prepared for that?”
OO squeezed me in response.
And so, until dawn would break, I continued to convey my love to her body and soul.
END