Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Dion - Prince of Ivia - Main Story
Chapter 1- Light Rain
Earth Kingdom, Ivia, June... One day as rain was pouring from the bright sky...
(How pretty...)
As thanks for awakening Prince Dion... I received an invitation from the king, so I came to visit the Earth Kingdom.
Dion: It's been a while since it rained.
As the rain was sparkling in the light, Dion-san narrowed his eyes from the radiance as he showed me around the palace.
Dion: What do you think, isn't it pretty?
While the rain was pouring down elegantly, a servant held an umbrella over Dion-san.
(I see... So, it hardly rains in the Earth Kingdom.)
When I looked at Dion-san as he was looking up at the sky innocently, his expression suddenly turned gloomy.
(Come to think of it...)
As Dion-san frowned while glaring at the sky... I remembered this kingdom's sad history.
Long ago, the Earth Kingdom broke off relations with the Sky Kingdom*. Since then, they tried to revive their relationship, but both kingdoms would end up getting into wars...
T/N: Sefir's kingdom
(People of the same kingdom fighting each other... ...Somehow, Dion-san looks so sad.)
As I was unable to look away from the side of Dion-san's face...
MC: Ah.
I tripped on a small puddle.
(Huh...?)
Just as I closed my eyes, I felt some strong arms holding my waist and I slowly opened my eyes.
Dion: You'll get hurt if you don't watch your step.
I heard his deep voice right above my head.
MC: Thank... you.
Dion: You're so absentminded. To think that someone like you woke me up...
As he said that in amazement, Dion-san suddenly broke into a smile. I felt my heart skipping a beat from that expression...
Chapter 2 - Dion's Murmur
As rain continued to pour down gently... The gentle sound of the rain made me feel at ease. While Dion-san was walking beside me, he looked at the trees carefully.
Dion: Ah, I thought it smelled sweet.
When he murmured that, his long arms reached out towards a tree branch. There was a minty scent coming from the fresh thriving leaves.
MC: Wow, what a nice scent.
Dion-san's long fingers teared up one of the leaves.
Dion: There's a lot of moisture in it... Oh, well.
After Dion-san stuffed the leaf into the tip of the tobacco pipe that he was holding, he lightly touched the leaf with his fingertips. When a vibrant flame was made from his fingers, I softly narrowed my eyes from it's beauty.
///Choices///
- How beautiful! (☽)
MC: How very beautiful...!
Dion: Don't come any closer, it's dangerous.
- Magic...? (☼)
MC: Is that... magic?
Dion: ...This sort of thing isn't unusual.
///Choices///
When Dion-san said that, he softly raised my chin with his fingers...
Dion: Do you want to try smoking it? Or perhaps... Do you like the lingering scent?
Within the close touching distance, Dion-san whispered that to me.
MC: ...
When my heart skipped a beat again, I used my arms to distance myself from Dion-san.
Dion: You're interesting. How cute.
MC: ...!
As I realized that my cheeks were blushing, Dion-san chuckled with a smile as he looked at me.
Dion: Your face is red. Is something wrong?
(Dion-san is having fun by teasing me...!)
Butler: Dion-sama, it's almost time for your duties for the kingdom.
Just as the butler said that, I sighed in relief.
Dion: Tell them that I'm not feeling well.
Butler: Dino-sama, again with that... His Majesty will be waiting.
Even so, Dion-san ignored the butler and started walking.
MC: If you're worried about me...
Dion: ...No one will be waiting for me, so it'll be fine.
When Dion-san said that coldly, I gulped.
Dion: There's no need to worry, my superior brothers can do it properly. There's no point for a failure of a murderer to appear.
MC: Eh?
(Murderer...? What does he mean?)
Butler: That's...
Dion: Now then, where would you like to go next? Princess of Dreams?
Ignoring the butler, Dion-san placed his hand on my shoulder.
MC: ...!
Dion: Look. You're turning red again.
As he said that teasingly, Dion-san slowly smoked his tobacco pipe.
(I'm worried, but... Would he tease me again...?)
Butler: Dion-sama. You're being too rude.
Dion: Ah, geez, so noisy. I, the sixth prince, Dion, will use all my authority to abandon all of my kingdom related duties. That's why, I won't do them... Tell that to Father!
MC: Eh, um...!
While holding my shoulder, Dion-san started walking roughly. My cheeks that were wet from the rain became slightly cold somehow...
Chapter 3 - The Scent of Mint
Just as the rain suddenly stopped, the sky cleared up...
Dion: Ah, now I can smoke in peace.
After saying that happily, Dion-san slowly puts the tobacco pipe in his mouth.
(To think that he would really abandon his important kingdom duties.)
As Dion-san was smoking peacefully, I looked at him slightly surprised.
(Huh...)
As Dion-san's long eyelashes were down, he blew a little smoke out.
(Dion-san looks a little sad...)
MC: ...Um, Dion-san. Are you okay?
Dion: About what? ...Ah, you mean am I okay with it being just the two of us?
When Dion-san said that, he suddenly pulled me towards him by the back of my neck.
Dion: ...I wonder.
As he whispered that in my ear, he traced my lips with his index finger.
MC: ...!
Hit by his mint scented breath, my cheeks instantly turned hot. Seeing me like that, Dion-san smiled amusingly.
(Geez, that's not what I was worried about...)
///Choices///
- That's not what I'm worried about (☽)
MC: That's not what I'm worried about...
Dion: ...I see.
- Excuse me (☼)
MC: You can excuse me now.
Dion: Your face is red again.
///Choices///
Dion: That's fine. Getting close to me won't do any good.
(Eh...? What did he mean by that?)
When Dion-san said that, I stopped without thinking.
(But, it's obvious that he's not worried...)
Then, we left from there, but... That day that felt like a dream still had the scent of mint lingering.
The next day, it was beautifully clear...
With Dion-san showing me around, we were walking in town.
(Since we're doing this in secret, we don't have any servants with us. He wanted to take this opportunity for today...)
As Dion-san was walking beside me, I distanced myself from him a little.
Dion: Hey, don't stray away.
Then, when Dion-san pulled my hand firmly, he brought me back right next to his side.
Dion: Our kingdom isn't exactly peaceful. If you want to walk by yourself, you need to be prepared.
(Eh...?)
When I looked around, there were some slightly scary looking people.
MC: ...I'm sorry.
While I was drawn to Dion-san's hand, we started walking.
??: Oh, if it isn't Dion-sama.
At that moment, a kind looking old lady spoke to Dion-san.
Dion: Geh! Maylene.
(Who...?)
Maylene: You've brought another pretty girl/ Dion-sama, just how many girls do you have! You foolish man.
(How many girls... she says.)
The old lady called Maylene pulled Dion-san's ear.
Dion: Ow! Maylene, it's not what you think! She's not like that.
Maylene: Oh? Then, what is she?
Maylene-san looked at me with great interest.
Dion: ...She's a guest.
MC: N-Nice to meet you, I'm MC.
I quickly bowed to Maylene-san.
Maylene: My, so you were Dion-sama's guest. That's rare. If you're a guest of Dion-sama's, then you're a guest of mine! I have some tea, so please come over.
Dion: Hey, our plans are...
Without listening to what Dion-san had to say, the old lady walked off quickly.
MC: Dion-san, that lady...
Dion: She was my nanny... Good grief. Who would've thought that I would see her here...
Maylene: What are you doing! The sun is going to set!
Dion: ...Sorry. Let's just go with her for a bit.
(Somehow, Dion-san... looks kind of cute.)
///Choices///
- Yes, of course (☼)
MC: Yes, of course.
Dion: Geez, that Maylene...
As I smiled, I started walking behind Dion-san.
- Is your ear all right? (☽)
MC: Is your ear... all right?
Dion: ...It hurts.
As Dion-san looked a little embarrassed, I started walking behind him.
///Choices///
(Ah... The mint scent of Dion-san's.)
The house that we arrived at was right near the castle and had a garden filled with a lot of thriving medicinal herbs.
Dion: Sorry for bringing you here.
After saying that, Dion-san looked at Maylene-san with a really warm gaze...
Chapter 4 - Dion's Darkness
When we entered Maylene-san's house, we sat down next to each other on top of the beautifully embroidered cloth that was spread out.
Maylene: Hey, Dion-sama. Brew some tea with those herbs over there. Be careful.
Dion: Me brewing tea... Geez, using people so hastily as usual.
///Choices///
- I can do it (☽)
MC: I can do it.
Dion: It's fine. It'll be troubling if you got burned.
After saying that in refusal, Dion-san immediately got up and went to make the tea.
- Want me to help? (☼)
MC: Do you want me to help?
Dion: ...No, you can sit down.
///Choices///
(Dion-san is acting completely different than when he was in the palace...)
I broke into a smile.
(I wonder if it's possible that this is his true nature.)
When Maylene-san left the kitchen, I quickly hid my smile.
Maylene: My apologies for interrupting your date.
MC: No, we're not...
(It wasn't a date, but... What's the best way to explain it.)
Maylene: I'm glad. This is the first time I've seen Dion-sama with a girl that isn't a traveling dancer. Also... I thought I was seeing things when I saw him escorting you himself.
(That's probably because I'm the Traumerei Princess, but... Looks like he escorts all kinds of women.)
For some reason, Maylene-san's words made me sad.
Maylene: Dion-sama... He thinks that it was his fault that my son died.
MC: Eh...?
Maylene: Ever since that day... Dion-sama would always hide his social status and play around with traveling women.
(That day...?)
Maylene: Still. That was because he was gathering information about the Sky Kingdom from those girls that were going around the world.
MC: Information about the Sky Kingdom?
(What does she mean...?)
Dion: Why are you talking about such disturbing things?
While holding a tray with some tea on it, Dion-san returned.
Maylene: What's that, eavesdropping is bad manners. Just how long are you going to continue complaining and worrying, you won't become a man like that.
Dion: ...I don't need you consoling me. It was my fault.
Maylene: Who are you to say that! Don't give me that!
Dion: ...I'm going home for today. Hey, let's go.
After Dion-san drank his tea in one go, he got up.
///Choices///
- Please excuse us (☼)
MC: Um, please excuse us... Maylene-san.
Dion: Enough already, just hurry up.
- Become confused (☽)
MC: Eh? Okay...
Dion: ...Sorry.
///Choices///
Before I got up, I drank the tea that Dion-san brought over. Somehow, it's warmth made me feel like crying a little...
Chapter 5 - The Town in the Afterglow
As the sunlight turned the town orange...
After a while since we've left Maylene-san's house, we continued walking in silence.
(Even though I shouldn't worry about it...)
-Flashback-
Maylene: Dion-sama... He's thinks that it was his fault that my son died.
-Flashback-
(How can I not worry about hearing something like that.)
MC: Dion-san, um...
Just as I was about to speak wholeheartedly at that moment...
Street Woman 1: Di~on.
Some pretty street women that could tell who Dion-san was from looking at his clothes hugged him.
Street Woman 2: It's been a while. Hey, can we go to Dion's place tonight?
Dion: It's been a while... Ann and Sun, right?
Street Woman 1: It's Lizzie and Lily! Oh, dear. Despite that we have a lot of "information" right now.
(Information...)
-Flashback-
Maylene: Ever since that day... Dion-sama would always hide his social status and play around with traveling women. Still. That was because he was gathering information about the Sky Kingdom from those girls that were going around the world.
-Flashback-
(Maylene-san mentioned that.)
Street Woman 2: Hey, don't you love us?
Dion: ...Who knows. Well, if it's good information, I'll give you guys lots of love next time.
Street Woman 1: Then, won't you tell us who you really are tonight?
Dion: What... If you want to know who I really am that much, let me tell you something here.
After Dion-san said that as if he was avoiding the question, he ripped off the chest area of the street women's clothes. When some men that were passing by jeered at them, Dion-san smiled as a response to them.
Street Woman 2: Geez... How long are you going to keep on dodging the question...
The street women's words made my heart throb loudly.
(He's always avoiding questions with me too...)
Dion: Go already. Tonight.
After the street women left, Dion-san turned towards me as if he was just remembering me.
Dion: What, you're making a strange face.
///Choices///
- A strange face (☼)
MC: A strange face, that's...
Dion: You are. Your face is red too.
- Don't respond (☽)
MC: ...
Dion: What, weren't you paying attention?
///Choices///
Suddenly, Dion-san touched the ribbon on my blouse.
Dion: Want me to tell you too? ...About myself?
MC: ...
(I'm worried, but...! Still...)
-Flashback-
Dion: ...I don't need you consoling me. It was my fault.
-Flashback-
I kept thinking about Dion-san's sad expression.
(I want to know about Dion-san...)
Just as I was about to run away by reflex, I calmed myself down and nodded towards Dion-san. Then, he made a bit of a surprised look...
Dion: ...I don't want to get you involved.
After saying that softly, Dion-san lets go of the ribbon.
(He sounds so kind. Huh, what if...)
-Flashback-
Dion: You'll get hurt if you don't watch your step.
---
Dion: If you want to walk by yourself, you need to be prepared.
-Flashback-
(This whole time, he said all of that for my sake...)
Dion-san gently touched my cheek.
Dion: You're all cold.
(This is surely...)
Dion: Let's hurry and go back. If you end up catching a cold, our butler will nag at me again.
After saying that, Dion-san turned his back on me. With the evening glow shining on his cheek, I saw him smiling gently a little...
Chapter 6 - Within the Eyes
On the way back... When my shoulders were trembling from the cold, Dion-san bought a beautiful silk coat for me.
MC: I'm sorry... Having you buy something so expensive for me.
Dion: Don't worry about it. It's my policy to spoil women. Got any other requests?
When he said that as if he was used to it, Dion-san slowly pulled me towards him by the shoulder.
Dion: ...What, you're not trying to run away.
(...That's because I want to know more about Dion-san.)
MC: Um... Can I make a request?
Dion: ...What is it?
MC: I want to know you properly, Dion-san...
Dion-san looked at me softly. Then, those eyes suddenly changed into a look that makes him look like he was wearing a mask...
MC: Mm...
Dion-san placed his lips over mine.
Dion: This... is me.
Filled with composure, Dion-san smiled.
Dion: What's wrong? If you want more-
MC: ...
A tear fell from my eyes. Unable to say anything, i ran away from Dion-san the next moment...
......
Dion continued to watch MC run away from behind.
Dion: This is for the best... I don't want to hurt you. But...
Dion extended his hand out... Towards where MC ran off to. When that hand instantly lost it's strength, Dion hung his head down listlessly...
...
That night...
(Just as I thought that I was getting close to Dion-san's heart a little... Yet... Why did Dion-san make such a sad face?)
As I remembered, I felt tears beginning to overflow again. Just as I wiped those tears away...
Dion: MC... Won't you open up? Hear me out.
From outside of the door, I heard Dion-san's voice.
Dion: I'm sorry.
I slowly opened the door.
///Choices///
- Come in (☼)
MC: Come in.
Dion-san silently entered the room.
- Be silent (☽)
MC: ...
Dion: ...Sorry for coming here so late.
///Choices///
After a while since coming into the room, Dion-san silently looked outside the window and took a deep breath.
Dion: You must know about the situation between our kingdom and the Sky Kingdom, right?
MC: ...You mean... About how they used to be one kingdom, but they're now separated kingdoms due to ongoing wars between them?
After Dion-san nodded deeply, he continued.
Dion: When I was a child, I became friends with the prince of the Sky Kingdom, Sefir. We didn't know about each other's social statuses when we've met. Around the time I was 10, a revival festival was going on for appearances' sake. At that time, when I found Sefir... We ran off for no good reason. We were only children... So, we didn't know about the kingdoms' situation. Do you understand what it would mean if the princes of each kingdom become officially close? It would mean that our fellow kingdoms would be able to compromise. Although... At that time, I didn't understand how important the role I carried was. That's why, my smart foster brother... Maylene's son, Rain, he stood in between me and Sefir. I knew that there was no way in discussing to join forces because of the war between our kingdoms... Then... A servant that was trying to obstruct their master's actions got executed for treason.
MC: That's...!
Dion: I don't have what it takes to be a prince. That's what makes me a murderer. If I had gotten involved more, then that sort of thing wouldn't have happened. If I were more proper, I would've been more serious about dating someone... Like with you. I've always been living like that this whole time. That's why... When I watched you running away from me, I felt pain in my heart. I wanted to go after you. Once I knew that... I thought about wanting to know you.
(Dion-san thought that way too...?)
Dion: Am I too late now...?
(These are Dion-san's true feelings...)
MC: You're not... too late.
When I responded hoarsely, Dion-san closed his eyes.
Dion: Thank you...
Dion-san gently hugged me.
(I finally see it... The real Dion-san.)
My heart became very noisy from that warmth...
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