Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue text - Flashbacks
Akito - Prince of Vilastin - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Reunion
Kingdom of Flower Spirites, Vilastin, February...
Within the bright light, a single prince slowly opened his eyes.
??: ...What am I doing here... I was just on my way to work and...
Even though his voice sounded hoarse from being asleep, he sounded alluring to my ears.
(What a beautiful person...)
I stared at him without thinking and when the young man noticed my gaze, he came to his senses and got up.
??: You were the one who saved me, right? You have my thanks... My apologies, I don't have time to spare right now... Let's get in touch another time.
MC: But... You don't really look so good.
When I asked if he was okay, the young man made a soft expression.
??: Yes, I'm fine. My body is okay.
After saying that, the young man left soon after...
The next day... When I received an invitation from the young man the day before, I visited a section of Vilastin.
(I was told to go to the Red Spider Lily Household, but... Am I supposed to meet him at the castle?)
As soon as I arrived at the castle, a servant came to greet me.
Servant: Welcome. I'll take you to where Akito-sama is.
MC: Thank you very much.
While walking through the long hallways, the young man- I was heading to where Akito-san is. Along the way, the servant told me many things about this kingdom.
Servant: Among the many kinds of flower spirits, the king of the household gets chosen by the Goddess of Earth and Water.
In other words, without a blood relative, someone will suddenly be appointed as a prince...
(That's kind of amazing... Was Akito-san suddenly chosen...?)
At that moment, I saw Akito-san walking before me.
Servant: Akito-sama.
Akito: I heard that you have arrived, so I came to greet you.
MC: Thank you very much. Going through the trouble to see me...
Akito: You saved my life, of course. Welcome to Vilastin.
As Akito-san had more color in his cheeks than the day before, he gently smiled. His gentle manners and that faint mysterious feeling I was getting from him made my heart race.
MC: This kingdom is really beautiful... As expected of the Kingdom of Flower Spirits.
Akito: That's right, you saw the town.
MC: ...?
Suddenly, he showed the sorrowful look from that day.
Akito: It's good that only beautiful flowers are there, but...
Even though I wanted to know why he sounded so sad... Akito-san quickly showed a smile, so I smiled back at him...
Chapter 2 - The Poisonous Red Spider Lily
After Akito-san invited me to the kingdom, he took me to a flower field.
MC: This is...!
I became captivated by the view that looked like a red carpet that was extending from the other side.
Akito: Since you've been calling the flowers of my kingdom a lot, I thought about taking you to this flower field.
MC: Amazing... The entire area is all red.
The red-colored flower field that I was looking at were all red spider lilies.
MC: They're so pretty...
Along with a sigh of admiration, I became deeply moved...
Akito: Pretty, you say... Your heart is really beautiful.
MC: Eh...?
As I felt my noisy heart, I looked at Akito-san.
Akito: If that person saw this, he'll say that they look like blood.
Like with the carpet of those red flowers, I became very surprised by that sad amile of his.
MC: No way...
Akito: Although, he's not entirely wrong. Lives are lost because of the poison that red spider lilies contain... When i think about that, I understand how they give that impression.
Akito-san murmured that with a somewhat defeated expression.
MC: Red spider lilies have poison in them?
Akito: Yes, that's right.
As Akito-san looked at the red spider lilies in pain, he quietly closed his eyes.
Akito: Still...
MC: ...
When Akito-san slowly opened his eyes the next moment, he smiled happily a little.
Akito: Aside from that, I was kind of expecting something when I took you here. In the end... You said such wonderful things to me.
MC: I... did?
Akito: Yes. You called them pretty. That made me really happy, so please don't make that face.
(For him to make that kind of smile... I never thought that he could do that.)
I felt my heartbeat increasing rapidly from that unexpected smile.
Akito: I'm really glad that I invited you here.
Since then, we talked a lot while looking at the red spier lilies.
MC: But... To think that they have poison in them, despite that they're so beautiful.
Akito: The poison is mainly in the bulb. Although, it's easy to extract the poison, so we have some emergency rations of it.
(Emergency rations of poison...)
///Choices///
- How strange (☽)
MC: How strange... But, it's kind of reassuring.
When I said that honestly, Akito-san made a relieved smile.
Akito: Yeah, it's not scary at all.
Well, it's not scary (☼)
MC: Well, something like that isn't so scary.
When I said that with a little relief, Akito-san smiled happily again.
Akito: I'm glad that you think that way.
///Choices///
Akito: Poison... If you change the procedure, it becomes a medicine. That's why...
Just as Akito-san was about to continue talking...
Akito: !
Akito-san saw a person's shadow from afar in the flower field and kept silent...
Chapter 3 - The Start of an Event
The red spider lilies wavered in suspense...
Servant: Akito-sama, my apologies for interrupting your conversation.
Akito-san's servant from the castle approached us.
Servant: The ambassador that you do business with wanted me to inform you that he is unable to meet with you due to an emergency...
Akito: ...I see.
Akito-san lightly sighed from that report.
(Akito-san?)
That warm smile from earlier disappeared from his face.
Akito: I understand, I'll return immediately.
After giving that short response to the servant, Akito-san turned towards me. When he made a sad worried look on his face, I...
///Choices///
- Are you okay? (☼)
MC: Um, are you okay?
I asked Akito-san that before he could say anything.
Akito: Eh...?
Then, Akito-san widened his eyes in surprise soon after.
Did something happen? (☽)
MC: Um, did something happen?
Then, Akito-san lightly smiled and shook his head.
Akito: Nothing... Why?
///Choices///
MC: ...You look a little... It looked like you were worried.
Akito: I see... Thank you very much. You're too kind. But, it's okay. Despite that I just want to spend a little more time with you...
My heart felt a stinging pain from the disappointed look that Akito-san was showing.
MC: ...Me too. After you're done with work and have the time, once more...
Akito: Yes, let's see. Tomorrow, I'll make some time for you. Let's return to the castle.
When Akito-san gently placed his hand on my back, it felt very cold...
......
After we returned to the castle, Akito-san guided me to the room that I'll be staying in.
Akito: Please, enjoy your stay here.
As Akito-san said that gently, his complexion looked a little pale. I...
///Choices///
- Are you really okay? (☼)
MC: Um, Akito-san... Are you really okay? You don't seem to be looking so well somehow.
When I looked at Akito-san while feeling worried, he made a troubled smile.
Akito: Yes, I'm fine. Thank you.
Say nothing (☽)
MC: ...
While feeling worried, I ended up staring at his face and...
Akito: ...Is there something on my face?
With a chuckle, he smiled a little.
///Choices///
Akito: ...You're a truly kind... and beautiful person. Somehow...
MC: ...?
Just as Akito-san was about to say something, he stopped talking there. Just as I thought how odd that was, he spoke again...
Akito: No, it's nothing. Today, please take your time to rest.
His gentle voice that sounded like a rejection made me unable to question him.
(Should I have said something...?)
Then, Akito-san turned his back on me and headed to his work. As he slipped into the darkness of the night, I noticed the existence of people starting to move...
Chapter 4 - Seeing Him in Town
The day after I went to see the field of red spider lilies... While Akito-san was working, a servant was showing me the town of Vilastin. The town was overflowing with flowers and greenery as usual and was filled with liveliness. With the scent of flowers drifting, it felt really nice.
(What a wonderful town...)
A white and yellow spider lily at a huge flower shop caught my eye. Before I knew it, I was heading towards the shop as if I was drawn towards it.
MC: ...Cute.
Employee: Thank you very much! Lately, various kinds have been made through cultivation, so that they can be something other than red flowers.
MC: I see.
When the employee happily explained that, I smiled as well.
Employee: Well, red spider lilies have an ominous saying that they are flowers of the dead and Hell... Even so, that's why Akito-san has been working hard in making them a flower that'll be beautiful and loved by everyone!
MC: Akito-san is...
(Come to think of it...)
-Flashback-
Akito: You called them pretty. That made me really happy, so please don't make that face.
-Flashback-
(At that time... Akito-san looked really happy. I didn't want to face him like that, but... He must really treasure these flowers.)
MC: It's really nice. Prince Akito is wonderful too.
Employee: Yes, that's right!
I conversed with the employee at that moment. Suddenly, it became noisy in the streets and when I turned around...
Akito: ...
(Akito-san...!?)
Akito-san and the group that was with him had some kind of mysterious air around them as they were walking in town.
(Akito-san and... Who are they? The other people's faces are half-hidden, so I can't see them well...)
I felt an intimidating air from the mysterious group's cold attitude...
Employee: "The Luminous Flower"...
MC: Eh...?
Just as I was about to ask what the employee murmured...
Akito: MC-san, I see that you're looking around town.
When I realized that Akito-san has appeared before me, I...
///Choices///
- Good work (☽)
MC: ...Akito-san... Good work.
Slightly surprised from my response, Akito-san quickly placed his hand on my back.
Akito: Yes, let's go back now.
- Say nothing (☼)
MC: ...
Even though he was being gentle as usual like yesterday, I felt something that was a little cold and became unable to say anything. Then, Akito-san softly placed his hand on my back.
Akito: What a coincidence. I'm happy to see you. Now then, let's return to the castle.
///Choices///
MC: Eh...?
As he was acting completely different from before, I became speechless from his forceful attitude.
(Why...? He seems to be in a hurry somehow.)
Akito: MC-san. The sun is going to go down soon.
///Choices///
- But... (☽)
MC: Um, but...
Akito: I'll escort you to the castle.
Akito-san interrupted me and pushed my back again.
- I still... (☼)
MC: Um, I still...
Just as I was about to speak while feeling perplexed, Akito-san quickly shook his head.
Akito: It's going to get cold, so let's go back.
///Choices///
Without listening to another word, Akito-san kept a firm expression as I returned to the castle with him...
Chapter 5 - A Flower That Wants to be Loved
When I met with Akito-san in town by coincidence, we returned to the castle together... Along the way, Akito-san kept silent with a firm expression.
(He wouldn't... listen to me.)
-Flashback-
Employee: "The Luminous Flower"...
MC: Eh...?
-Flashback-
The flower shop employee sadly murmured, "Luminous Flower"...
(He said that when he saw Akito-san and that group. What's the Luminous Flower...?)
Akito: ...How was the town?
When he suddenly spoke, my shoulders jilted up in surprise.
MC: T-The town... It was really nice!
Akito: ...
He looked at me with a sharp gaze as he listened to me...
MC: Um...
Akito: I see, that's good.
After sighing lightly, Akito-san made a soft expression.
(That's a relief...)
MC: Yes. Come to think of it, I saw a yellow and white spider lily at a flower shop. I like red ones, but yellow and white ones are really nice too.
Akito: Thank you. Hearing you say that makes me really happy. Those were cultivated by my recommendation. The red ones... They're hated for being ominous.
When Akito-san casted his eyes down sadly, I remembered the time when we were at the flower field.
-Flashback-
Akito: Pretty, you say... Your heart is really beautiful. If that person saw this, he'll say that they look like blood.
-Flashback-
MC: Still, I think red ones are really nice. I'm sure that there are lots of people that thinks they're beautiful.
(The view of that flower field was really pretty... Also...)
-Flashback-
MC: ...Cute.
Employee: Thank you very much! Lately, various kinds have been made through cultivation, so that they can be something other than red flowers.
-Flashback-
(Everyone loves red spider lilies.)
MC: So, your thoughts... of everyone coming to love the flower... I'm sure that they'll come to fruition.
Akito: MC-san...
Slowly, on Akito-san's face... For the first time, he made a gentle smile that was filled with joy.
Akito: If only there were a lot more people like you...
///Choices///
- Let's do our best (☽)
MC: Let's do our best.
Akito: Do our best... Yes... Exactly.
I'm sure there are (☼)
MC: I'm sure there are.
Akito: Yes... Yes, that's right. Also...
///Choices///
Just as Akito-san was smiling happily, his expression suddenly turned gloomy again.
MC: Akito-san...?
When I became worried, he gently placed his hand on mine and then...
MC: !
He strongly pulled my wrist and brought me towards him.
(Akito... -san...?)
He looked at me with a sad dark look in his eyes. My heart was pounding loudly.
Akito: I... Me and the others... Even though the people of the red spider lily are working so hard... They desperately want it to become a flower that's loved... Yet, I...
As he was staring at me, he slowly looked down again.
(Akito-san...)
MC: ...Akito-san. Please tell me.
Wanting to know what's lies behind those eyes, I spoke.
MC: What's the Luminous Flower?
When I asked that, Akito-san's body slightly trembled...
Chapter 6 - The Luminous Flower
Just as the sun suddenly went down, the transient moonlight shined into the room.
MC: ...Akito-san. Please tell me. What's the Luminous Flower?
Akito: ...!
When I asked that, Akito-san raised his face in surprise.
Akito: ...
Bewildered, his dark eyes slightly shook...
(I probably shouldn't have asked that...)
MC: ...I'm sorry. The truth is, someone mentioned that when you were in town...
Akito: I see...
Akito-san's nicely shaped lips sighed in defeat.
Akito: Since you've heard it, I guess it can't be helped...
After he loosened his grip around my wrist...
Akito: The Luminous Flower is an organization group of poisonous flowers like me, they're a special force.
Akito-san began to explain softly.
MC: A special force...
When I repeated those unfamiliar words like a parrot, Akito-san lightly nodded.
Akito: The poison that they make through chemistry with the poisonous plants is different., it doesn't leave any traces of evidence when it's been used. Because of that, there are a lot of kingdoms and groups that want to use them. We respond and gather those kinds of requests.
(Doesn't leave any traces of evidence, which means... They're being misused?)
Akito: By doing so, I... I tell myself it's to protect the kingdom that has no decent defense capabilities... Doesn't that make me so pathetically weak... I wish for that beautiful flower to be loved, yet that poison... It's hated for it's source of poison... That's what it's used for after all.
MC: Akito-san...
His sad confession made my heart hurt.
(Akito-san doesn't wish for the flower's poison to be used... But, for causing that sort of pain... Must it be used for that kind of reason?)
As I was unable to question Akito-san while he had his head down, I held his hand tightly just as he was about to let go of me.
///Choices///
- Thank you for telling me (☼)
MC: ...Akito-san. Thank you for telling me.
Akito: No... I ended up telling you something so pitiable.
As Akito-san was looking down, he helplessly shook his head.
- Don't blame yourself like that (☽)
MC: Akito-san, please don't blame yourself like that.
Akito: No, I'm not blaming myself.
Akito-san said that clearly as if he has cornered himself to the bitter end.
///Choices///
Akito: Also... We shouldn't talk anymore of this.
MC: Eh...
Akito: ...
It looked as if the light has disappeared from Akito-san's eyes.
Akito: Also, please leave tomorrow.
MC: Leave...?
Akito: I can't allow you to be put in danger because of this conversation getting heard. So please, leave...
MC: Ah...
When I became dumbfounded by those sudden parting words, Akito-san lets go of my hand.
Akito: I'm really glad... that I met you.
In the end, Akito-san said that with a smile as he looked like he was about to cry. Then... Akito-san headed towards the door and disappeared.
(No way...)
For a while... As I was in a daze, I quickly got up.
MC: Akito-san! Wait!
The moment I opened the door without thinking...
??: It's dangerous to be walking alone at night. Princess.
MC: ...!?
Suddenly, someone took hold of me and I became unable to move...
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