Apis - Prince of Avetel - Main Story

Apis - Prince of Avetel - Main Story

Chapter 1 - Hidden Poison

Kingdom of Poison, Avetel, March... As I was walking along a path that had beautiful colorful flowers in full bloom, I headed to Apis-san's castle. 

(What a nice scent...) 

The soft breeze that carried the flowers' scent tickled my nose. At that moment, the wind suddenly became strong and whirled up the flower petals all at once. 

(Is someone there?) 

Among the countless flower petals, there was a man standing still as his blonde hair fluttered. 

Apis: I've been waiting, Princess. 

MC: Apis-san! Did you come to get me? 

Apis: Of course. That's why I came all the way here. 

When he elegantly bowed, he spoke to me with his beautiful voice. 

Apis: The castle is not too far from here. Now, let's go. 

I was fascinated by Apis-san's behavior that was the exact description of a prince. 

Apis: My kingdom has a lot of beautiful flowers in bloom, so there are also a lot of bugs gathering around. Some of them are poisonous, so please be careful at night. 

At that moment, a single bee was approaching Apis-san. 

(Oh, no!) 

MC: Apis-san-

Without thinking, I reached out to Apis-san to warm him about it and... 

Apis: ...!

Apis-san strongly shook my hand off. 

Apis: Don't touch me...!

(Eh...) 

For just a slight moment, I noticed that his behavior has changed, but... 

Apis: ...My apologies. This bee isn't poisonous, so it's okay. 

Apis-san was already back to smiling elegantly.

(Just now was...?) 

Apis: Now then, let's go. 

Then, we started walking on the path that had flowers in full bloom once more. While feeling a little confused, I followed him from behind as he went on ahead... 

Chapter 2 - Don't Touch Me

When we arrived at the castle, we were greeted by Apis-san's mother's smile. 

Apis' Mother: MC-sama, you have my deepest gratitude for waking up Apis. 

(What a beautiful woman.) 

Apis-san's mother that had the same bright blonde hair as him bowed to me elegantly. 

MC: It was nothing... I was only called over. 

Apis' Mother: Apis is my precious son that's going to take over this kingdom someday. Words really aren't enough to express my gratitude. 

When she took a glance at Apis-san, she smiled. 

Apis' Mother: That's right, Apis, aren't you going to sponsor a banquet with some tradesmen tomorrow night? You should attend it too, MC-sama. 

The two of us suddenly looked at her. 

Apis' Mother: Escorting the princess of the royal family of Traumerei, I think it'll be good for your reputation. 

///Choices///

- Attend (☽)

MC: If you're okay with me, then I'll be glad to. 

Apis' Mother: That makes me so happy, thank you so much!

Apis: MC-sama... Are you sure about that? There's no need for you to push yourself. 

MC: I-I'm okay. 

- Refuse (☼)

MC: I-It's too sudden for me to be attending something like that. 

Apis: Mother, she just arrived here, don't you think you're rushing things? 

Apis-san came in to help just in time. 

Apis' Mother: MC-sama... Won't you please do it? They're all good people. I'm sure that you'll enjoy yourself. 

(...Somehow, it's hard to refuse her.) 

///Choices///

Thus, I agreed to attend the banquet. 

Apis' Mother: Apis, I'll leave it to you to play the flute as usual at the banquet. Everyone is looking forward to your performance. 

After his mother said that, she placed both of her hands on Apis-san's cheeks lovingly. 

Apis: Understood. Leave it to me. 

After saying that, his mother walked into the hallway. 

Apis: My apologies, please excuse my mother. 

Apis-san looked down apologetically. 

MC: No, I'm okay with her... But, she must really love you, Apis-san. 

Apis: ...Love me? 

The next moment... There was a cold dark expression on Apis-san's face. 

Apis: ...Ah, that's right. It's seriously such a pain. The banquet... It's a place that only has tradesmen fooling around and flirting with women. Those bootlicking fools that aren't interested in anything else besides money... They make me sick. 

Seeing Apis-san like that made him look like a different person than what I saw before. 

Apis: ...Disgusting. 

Apis-san murmured that when he placed his hand on his cheeks where his mother touched him. As I stood there perplexed, he left from there. Before I knew it, I grabbed Apis-san's arm... 

Apis: ...I hate being touched. 

He shook my hand off roughly.

(Just what is wrong?)

I was unable to speak anymore from his cold gaze. 

(But, he looks sad somehow.) 

As I watched him from behind, I felt pain for some reason... 

Chapter 3 - I Don't Want Love

The next day was moderately clear... 

(Even though tonight is the banquet.) 

The uneasiness that I was feeling became stronger.

-Flashback-

Apis: It's a place that only has tradesmen fooling around and flirting with women. Those bootlicking fools that aren't interested in anything else besides money... They make me sick. 

-Flashback-

(I'm curious about how Apis-san acted yesterday.) 

At that moment, I heard beautiful music being carried by the soft breeze. 

(That sound is...?) 

When I followed the sound, there was Apis-san blowing into a flute in the shade of a tree. As Apis-san had his eyes closed, his thing long fingers made sounds by playing the instrument. 

(What a beautiful sound.) 

When he noticed me, he lowered the flute and gently smiled. 

Apis: Is something wrong, Princess?

(Good, it's the kind Apis-san...) 

MC: ...I'm sorry. I interrupted you. 

Apis: No. I was just thinking about taking a break. 

Apis-san listlessly leaned against the tree. 

Apis: Today's the banquet after all. I need to practice. 

(...Apis-san doesn't look so good.) 

///Choices///

- Touch his face (☽)

MC: Apis-san, your complexion...

Curious, I was about to reach out for his cheek without thinking. 

Apis: ...! 

He immediately turned his head away to avoid my hand. 

- Get worried (☼)

MC: Um... Are you okay? You don't look so well... 

Apis: I'm fine. 

Even though he was smiling, his face was tinged with an unnatural red. 

///Choices///

Apis: ...I'm fine. Sorry, I need to get ready for the banquet. 

Just as Apis-san was about to leave, he staggered and collapsed. 

MC: Apis-san...!

When I tried to hold him up while enduring his weight, I fell to the ground as well. 

(Such a high fever...!) 

Apis: ...Don't touch me. 

When Apis-san fell, he made that cold expression that he showed from when we parted yesterday. 

(Apis-san, he's breathing roughly.) 

MC: I'm going to call for someone!

Apis: ...Don't call for anyone!

MC: But... 

Apis: ...Shut up. Don't let anyone know. Just lend me your shoulder for a bit... 

As I supported Apis-san, we somehow arrived at his room. Apis-san's painful breathing was the only thing that was heard in the speckless room. 

MC: There's no way that you can attend the banquet like this... 

I placed a cloth that was in ice cold water on Apis-san's forehead. 

Apis: ...I'm fine. 

MC: Please don't push yourself... Your mother will surely be worried. 

When I said that, Apis-san chuckled and smiled soon after. 

Apis: Yeah, she'll be really worried. 

MC: ...Yes. After all, when it comes to you. 

Apis: Are you going to say that she loves me? Hey, isn't love such a convenient word? 

(Eh...) 

Apis: That word is so confining that you can use it as much as you want. 

Apis-san continued murmuring incoherently. 

Apis: Manners, studying, the flute... As far as I can remember, that woman would extort me. Since she loves me and has high hopes for me, she'll continue telling me to do my best. I have to live by meeting all of her expectations. 

(That's...) 

Apis: Love, it's an act that takes away anyone's freedom. So, I... I don't want to love anyone. Love is meaningless... 

///Choices///

- ... (☽)

MC: ... 

With nothing to say, I became silent. 

Apis: I said too much about something so pointless. 

- That's not true (☼)

MC: I... I don't think that's true. 

Apis: You don't know anything, so why would you say something like that?

///Choices///

After hearing how Apis-san truly feels, I felt deeply depressed.

(I wonder if there's anything I can do.) 

As Apis-san was breathing in pain, I softly held his hand. 

Apis: ...I hate being touched. 

When Apis-san said that, he held my hand back weakly. As it felt like he became a little bit happy, all I could do now was pray... 

Chapter 4 - Meddlesome

 That night... Just as planned, we attended the banquet. 

MC: You really should rest...

Apis: So annoying, my fever went down, I'm fine. 

(But, it hasn't gone down completely.) 

In the assembly hall that was bustling with people in expensive clothes and jewelry, Apis-san escorted me politely. Then, when he led me to a seat that has a view of the assembly hall, he brought out the flute in front. 

Apis: To everyone who are attending, this is a way to appreciate you all from our kingdom. 

The beautiful tune that he played underneath a tree during the day was heard in the assembly hall. 

(I wonder if Apis-san is okay.) 

After the performance ended, there was suddenly a loud applause. When I looked at the people while listening to the particularly loud applause... 

(That's... Apis-san's mother.) 

As his mother was looking at Apis-san's proudly, she left the assembly hall satisfied next.

Apis: Ah, I'm tired. 

I turned around to see that Apis-san has returned to where I was. 

MC: ...!

His face was paler than before and there was sweat on his forehead. 

MC: Could it be that your fever went up!? 

Apis: ...It's not a big deal. 

MC: Shall we go back to your room? You're going to collapse if you keep this up. 

Apis: I can't go back. What'll happen without the sponsor present?

MC: But... 

Invitee 1: Apis-sama! That was a wonderful performance!

Invitee 2: Please come over to my kingdom next time! 

Just as I was about to take Apis-san to his room, he instantly became surrounded by a lot of people. 

(...What should I do? If it were Apis-san's mother... Will she be able to take his place as the sponsor?) 

When I thought of that, I quietly left from there. 

Apis-san's mother was quietly sitting on a bench as she was basked in the moonlight. 

Apis' Mother: MC-sama. 

When she noticed me, she smiled elegantly. 

Apis' Mother: Since Apis' performance has ended, I'm taking a little break. That child is my prideful son. He's most suitable to succeed this kingdom in the future. I must increase his reputation more. 

MC: Your Majesty, the truth is, Apis-san's condition is... 

??: ...What are you two talking about? 

Just as my words were suddenly interrupted, I turned around and Apis-san was standing there. 

Apis: ... 

While not saying anything, he looked at me appealingly. 

Apis' Mother: Apis! That was a wonderful performance. The visitors were also complimenting you. 

Apis: That's good. 

Then, when he moved his gaze towards me... 

Apis' Mother: ...MC-sama. I have a sudden proposal. Is it possible for you to accept Apis as a marriage candidate? 

MC: Eh... 

I widened my eyes from those sudden words. 

Apis' Mother: Of course, I'm not saying right now. If he gets married to you, Apis will become even more... 

///Choices///

- Apis-san's feeling are... (☼)

(A-A marriage candidate.) 

MC: ...Your Majesty, please think about Apis-san's feelings.

- Please wait a minute (☽)

MC: ...U-Um, please wait a minute. 

(Hasn't she thought about how Apis-san feels...?) 

///Choices///

MC: I understand that I'm being forward... 

I tightly gripped my hand. 

MC: I want to hear how Apis-san feels more. 

Apis: MC... 

Apis-san looked at me with a surprised expression. 

MC: I'm sorry, but... I don't want to see Apis-san in pain. 

Apis: Honestly.

Apis-san sighed with an astonished look. 

Apis: You're so... meddlesome. 

When I looked at Apis-san's eyes, there was a somewhat kind look in them. At that moment... Suddenly, a tiny black thing flew out from the bushes... 

Sun End

Moon End