Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Douglas - Prince of Ancura - Main Story
Chapter 1 - An Invitation to the Ship
Kingdom of Pirates, Ancura, August...
At an endless vast and beautiful clear cobalt blue ocean... In this land that had the most beautiful ocean in the world, the prince that I had woken up from a slumber was smiling at me right now.
Douglas: Thanks for saving me. I'm Douglas. You are...?
His hand that he held out was big as it was over my hand.
MC: ...MC.
Douglas: MC... What a beautiful name. Nice to meet you.
When I looked up at his firm body, the sea breeze made his bright silver hair flutter lightly.
Douglas: MC, you're the benefactor of my life. You have my thanks from the bottom of my heart.
MC: No, it was nothing...
Douglas: No, words aren't enough to express my feelings. I know! Our kingdom... Let's go have some fun on the ship.
MC: Kingdom... It's a ship?
Douglas: That's right, I'm a pirate after all.
(A pirate...? A prince is?)
With questions holding me, I was invited to Douglas-san's ship just like that...
......
At the harbor that I was directed to, a vast blue ocean entered my vision.
(Pretty...)
When I went up to the shoreline, I looked down and saw a bunch of tropical fish in the coral reef at the bottom of the ocean.
(Ah, clownfish! How cute!)
As I became lively from the beautiful ocean that took my breath away and tiny tropical fish, I heard a familiar voice.
Douglas: Sorry to make you wait.
MC: Douglas-san!
Douglas: You came. Before we depart, I need to get some supplies and food at the harbor town here, so how about we take a little walk in town?
When he winked so naturally, my cheeks became slightly warm from looking at Douglas-san.
MC: O-Okay.
After I responded confusedly, he held my hand strongly...
(Eh! His hand...!)
MC: Um...!
Douglas: Hm? What's wrong?
MC: N-Nothing...!
Douglas: I'm taking you to the best seafood restaurant in town, MC.
With Douglas-san smiling broadly next to me, I placed my hand on my chest as it was being noisy...
Chapter 2 - The Kingdom of Pirates
As the comforting sea breeze caressed my cheek...
With my hand on Douglas-san's arm, we walked through the harbor town. As my heart was beating fast from feeling Douglas-san's warm arm, the lively streets caught my eye.
Douglas: This place is always crowded with a lot of people. Are you bad with crowds?
MC: No, I'm having fun from just looking at them.
Douglas: I see, that's good.
After seeing my smile, Douglas-san smiled greatly.
MC: So... This is Douglas-san's kingdom.
Douglas: That's right, this is my kingdom. Just one part of the land territory.
MC: Land territory?
Douglas: There isn't a lot of land here. Instead, there are the royal families at the bottom of the ocean, Lorelai and Coralia*.
T/N: Sarasa and Corail's kingdoms
MC: Kingdoms at the bottom of the ocean...
I got absorbed in listening to his unimaginable explanation.
Douglas: Looking at the ocean from the land like this is nice, but what's in the ocean is even more beautiful.
(If there's a kingdom there, doesn't that mean they have people there? Even though they're in the ocean, how do they breathe...?)
As I imagined people living in the ocean, all sorts of questions came to mind and before I knew it, I became silent for a while.
Douglas: Haha!
MC: Eh... Douglas-san?
When I heard him laugh next to me and came to my senses...
Douglas: You're so interesting, MC. Your face immediately shows it and I can't get enough out of seeing it.
Douglas-san smiled amusingly.
Douglas: Am I correct that you're thinking of something right now, MC?
///Choices///
- Eh, you can tell? (☼)
MC: Eh, you can tell?
Douglas: Yeah, this is the first time I've seen a girl making different kinds of expression so much.
When Douglas-san said that, he looked at me with a smile.
- It's showing on my face again? (☽)
MC: I-It's showing on my face again?
Douglas: By again, it's always.
When Douglas-san said that, he laughed again.
///Choices///
Douglas: Were you thinking, "even though they're in the ocean, how do they breathe"?
MC: Y-Yes...
When he got that precisely right, I nodded honestly. Then, Douglas-san looked out into the distance with a calm expression and started talking about the world in the ocean.
Douglas: In the ocean, there's a specially covered area that has oxygen in it. You'll be able to breathe the same way as you're on land there. Of course, the people that reside in the ocean can breathe underwater. They're mermaids after all. I can take you there if you'd like, you can see mermaids and seamen that show themselves above the ocean from the top of the ship.
MC: ...! Please do, I want to see them.
Douglas: Sure, look forward to it.
The kingdom in the ocean that I've never seen before and the people that live there... As the dreamlike world that Douglas-san talked about made me excited, we slowly walked in the seaside town.
Douglas: My kingdom is... The ship itself is like a metropolis. A moving fortress town over the ocean...
MC: A fortress town...?
Douglas: Yeah. Long ago, in the world above the ocean, there were disputes about the small land happening here and there.
The gentle smile that Douglas-san was showing earlier turned gloomy as he made a bit of a sad expression.
Douglas: When those disputes were starting to affect the ocean kingdoms... My ancestors that were originally doing business by ship made a pact with the land pirates... No, they eliminated them.
After saying that, he looked at the far-out ocean.
Douglas: That's why... I need to watch over it properly.
MC: Douglas-san...?
Just as I questioned him, he looked at me gently.
Douglas: You'll understand when you get there.
While hearing the sea birds squawk happily, we started walking again...
Chapter 3 - A Well-Informed Owner
After hearing about the history of this kingdom that's surrounded by a beautiful ocean, I walked in the coastal town with Douglas-san. After a while, I saw a one house restaurant.
Douglas: Well, we're here. Let's go in this restaurant.
MC: Okay.
When we went in, a stimulating and appetizing aroma was lightly drifting.
Douglas: The seafood here is the best.
///Choices///
- I was getting hungry (☽)
MC: I was getting hungry.
Douglas: Haha, you're so honest, MC. Then, let's go order a lot.
MC: Okay!
When we exchanged smiles, Douglas-san looked at the menu.
- It smells good... (☼)
MC: It smells good...
Douglas: I can guarantee it's taste.
MC: I'm looking forward to it!
As I was filled with expectations, Douglas-san looked at me as his eyes narrowed happily.
///Choices///
Douglas-san escorted me to a seat next to a window that shows the ocean.
MC: Thank you.
Douglas: You're welcome.
When I sat in the chair that Douglas-san pulled out for me, he sat down in the seat across from me.
(Douglas-san does look like he's used to escorting.)
Douglas-san was a bit different than the image that I had of a pirate. The beautiful ocean and friendly vibe around him made my heart skip a beat and at that moment...
??: Ah, if it isn't Douglas.
A woman in an apron came over here and smiled at Douglas-san.
(She's really pretty... Does she... work here?)
After placing some menus in front of us, the woman started talking to Douglas-san intimately.
??: It's been so lonely not seeing your face here lately.
Douglas: I'm here, but I'm busy. My ship caught some good fish today, so I'm expecting some good meals.
??: Leave it to us, I'll bring out some food that'll melt your tongue! By the way...
The woman moved her gaze towards me and looked at my face with great interest.
??: Oh, is this Traumerei's?
Douglas: You have sharp ears as expected.
??: Douglas, I am well-informed.
Douglas: Haha, you've got that right.
(She's addressing Douglas-san so casually, do they have an intimate relationship...?)
I thought of that as I listened to the two of them laugh happily in the restaurant. At that moment, I suddenly came to senses when I felt the woman's heated gaze as she was looking at me.
??: What a cute princess.
MC: N-Nice to meet you... I'm MC!
Douglas: Haha... There's no need to be scared. She's the owner of this restaurant after all.
Owner: Nice to meet you. Eat as much as you want today!
Douglas: You need to mind your manners more towards the princess.
Douglas-san lightly sighed as he said that.
MC: No! There's no need to...
Just as I said that, it became noon and more customers were entering the restaurant.
Douglas: Look, this isn't the time to be lazy, get to work.
Owner: I know. Well, make yourselves comfortable.
MC: Yes, thank you very much.
As the owner smiles, she left.
Douglas: Sorry for how noisy we were.
MC: No, it's okay...
While watching the owner going around in the busy restaurant, I suddenly realized that my mind was in a haze.
(It's obvious that Douglas-san looks like the kind of person that would be friendly with a lot of women... Still, I wonder why...)
Then, Douglas-san looked at me and tilted his head to the side.
Douglas: MC, what's wrong?
///Choices///
- She seems busy (☽)
MC: She seems busy.
Douglas-san noticed that I was looking at the owner.
Douglas: Yeah, this place is popular, so it gets pretty crowded at both lunch and dinner hours.
He gently smiled as he said that.
- Nothing (☼)
MC: Ah... No, it's nothing.
Douglas: Really?
Dougla-san looked at my face worriedly.
///Choices///
Then, I held in the words that I wanted to say and started having a trifling conversation with him...
Chapter 4 - A Pirate's Duty
My shoulders lightly dropped from how friendly Douglas-san and the female owner were with each other and then... Food was being brought over to our table one after another.
Douglas: The temperature of the ocean around here is low, so the fishes' bodies are firm and really tasty.
MC: I see, it all looks really good.
Douglas: There's no need to hold back, so go ahead and eat a lot.
All the seafood on the table looked so fresh and big.
MC: Thank you for the food.
When I tasted a large piece of shrimp, it's springy body bursts open in my mouth.
///Choices///
- It's really delicious (☼)
MC: It's really delicious!
Douglas: That's good. Then, eat as much as you want.
MC: Okay!
After hearing my thoughts, Douglas-san smiled happily.
- I'm impressed (☽)
MC: This is the first time I've tasted such delicious seafood, I'm impressed.
Douglas: Seeing you this happy makes it worth bringing you here.
When Douglas-san said that, he happily narrowed his eyes.
///Choices///
As I was eating the tasty food, Douglas-san shook his wine glass around with a chuckle.
Douglas: You seem to have cheered up, so that's good.
MC: Eh...
Douglas: You were making a gloomy look earlier.
MC: !
(How embarrassing... He noticed.)
Feeling like he saw through me, my cheeks became warm.
Douglas: ...
As I was unsure if he knew about my feelings or not, Douglas-san happily took a sip of wine.
Douglas: Actually... I thought that I scared you when I told you that I was a pirate and that you wouldn't want to see me again.
MC: That's not true...
(It's true that I thought he was a little scary though...)
Douglas: Fufu... You're so honest, MC. Were you really that scared?
MC: Eh...
When I became surprised, Douglas-san laughed.
Douglas: I'm joking. We're not what you think we are. We mainly get rid of poachers that gather resources illegally and maintain order on the land and sea. See? That doesn't make me scary, right?
///Choices///
- Yes... (☼)
MC: Yes... The truth is, I thought you were a little scary.
Douglas: Haha, you really are honest.
MC: I'm sorry.
Douglas: You don't have to apologize.
Douglas-san shook his wine glass around as he looked at me amusingly.
- But... (☽)
MC: But... Above all, aren't you a pirate?
While looking at me as my eyes have widened, Douglas-san narrowed his eyes.
Douglas: Haha, your reactions really are amusing, MC.
///Choices///
Even though it hasn't been that long since we've met, spending time with Douglas-san has been really fun...
(It's strange...)
The feeling of wanting to know him more was rising.
MC: Then, aside from being a pirate, you protect the sea.
Douglas: Well, that's close to it.
-Flashback-
Douglas: My ancestors that were originally doing business by ship made a pact with the land pirates... No, they eliminated them. That's why... I need to watch over it properly.
-Flashback-
(He said something like that earlier.)
I felt admiration towards Douglas-san protecting the peace of the vast ocean...
Douglas: But, at the same time, I do some treasure hunting.
Suddenly, he gave me a mischievous look.
MC: Treasure hunting?
Douglas: Yes, treasure hunting. Doesn't that make me piratelike?
MC: Treasure hunting... Yes, that does give you the image of a pirate!
When I became surprised from those single words that Douglas-san said, my heart throbbed...
Chapter 5 - Sorrowful Eyes
Douglas: Yes, treasure hunting. Doesn't that make me piratelike?
After hearing that Douglas-san devotes himself into maintaining the peace on land and sea and does treasure hunting at the same time, my eyes shined.
Douglas: That's a nice look... Usually, this sort of topic doesn't get girls excited.
With a hand on his chin, Douglas-san approached my face.
Douglas: You... Do you have what it takes to be a pirate?
MC: U-Uh...
Douglas: Sorry, sorry, I was just teasing you a little.
As he lightly laughed, Douglas-san took another sip of wine, but...
Douglas: ...
(Huh...?)
When the smile on his composed face disappeared, he looked at me sadly.
MC: Douglas-san?
Douglas: Ah... Sorry, I was just in a daze.
Those eyes of his looked somewhat sad.
Douglas: ...You curious? About me.
MC: !!
Suddenly, when I realized that I was staring at him, I quickly looked away from him.
Douglas: You really are cute.
After sighing deeply, he looked at the ocean through the window.
Douglas: Actually, I'm looking for my old man's keepsake.
MC: ...Your father's?
Douglas: Yeah, in that bag... There was a present.
As there was a sorrowful look in his eyes, Douglas-san continued talking calmly.
Douglas: When I was still young, his ship became shipwrecked due to bad weather and everyone got thrown off into the raging ocean. At that time, my old man protected me and my mother with his life... But, his whereabouts are still unknown. I'm sure that... My old man is somewhere out there in this vast ocean. Remembering my old man makes me sad sometimes and finding that bag will bring pain to my heart.
(Something like that...)
As Douglas-san looked at the waves of the ocean heartrendingly, the side of his face made my heart tighten.
MC: ...
While not saying anything, Douglas-san suddenly looked at me with a gentle smile.
Douglas: ...MC, don't make that face.
MC: ...
Douglas: Ah... Could it be that you're disappointed that I'm unexpectedly a mama's boy?
///Choices///
- I know how you feel (☽)
MC: ...I know how you feel, Douglas-san. If that happened to me, I would be thinking the same thing.
When Douglas-san looked at me with a bit of a surprised face, his expression slowly softens up.
- That's not it (☼)
MC: That's not it! You were only thinking about your mother, Douglas-san.
I bit my lip strongly from thinking about the sadness that filled up his heart.
Douglas: You're so kind.
When I looked up, Douglas-san was looking down at me with a soft gaze.
///Choices///
Douglas: If... If I find a nice treasure while you're here, I'll give it to you as a present.
As he was staring at me, I hid my embarrassment by smiling. At that moment...
Owner: Come to think of it, some interesting news came in.
When the owner came to pick up the empty plates, she spoke to Douglas-san softly.
Douglas: Interesting news?
The owner quietly handed a note to Douglas-san. When Douglas-san checked the note, he grinned.
Owner: What do you think?
Douglas: I'll pay whatever you're asking for.
Owner: Thank you!
As I was unsure on what was happening, I didn't do anything, but watch those two doing a give and take. Then...
Douglas: MC, we'll be heading back to the ship soon.
MC: Ah... O-Okay.
(Just what was written on it...)
As I looked at Douglas-san's wide back, we headed out the exit of the restaurant...
Chapter 6 - Going On a Treasure Hunt
...
After Douglas and MC ate and left the restaurant, they were being watched by some suspicious figures.
Man 1: ...Finally, Douglas is on the move.
Man 2: Seems like it... We should return to the harbor and follow them.
As the men were having a hushed conversation, their eyes followed the two of them...
...
Afterwards, we thanked the owner and left the restaurant. After eating so much seafood, I felt the comforting sea breeze while walking...
(Douglas-san and the owner were talking about something in secret earlier, but what could it be about...)
Curious about earlier, I glanced towards Douglas-san as he was walking beside me.
Douglas: Hm? What is it?
Douglas-san noticed and looked at me as he lightly tilted his head to the side in puzzlement.
MC: Ah, uh... I was curious about what you were talking about with the owner in the restaurant...
Douglas: Ah, her, she's actually an informant. She's serving food now, but she used to hunt for treasure in the ocean like me before.
MC: Eh! A beautiful woman like her?
Douglas-san smiled amusingly from my reaction.
Douglas: Were you surprised? She's actually a scary woman.
///Choices///
- She must be strong (☼)
MC: Aside from scary, I think she's strong.
Douglas: You think so?
MC: Yes, being able to hunt for treasure like a man is amazing.
Douglas-san slowly nodded from what I said.
- That's unexpected (☽)
MC: That's kind of unexpected. She went treasure hunting despite being a woman?
Douglas: Of course. Despite that there aren't a lot of women that do that.
I lightly nodded from his understanding response.
///Choices///
(Then, that woman is more like a friend to Douglas-san...)
When I thought of that, I lightly sighed in relief somehow.
Douglas: Fufu...
Just as I heard Douglas-san laugh, I looked up in surprise. Then...
Douglas: It's really interesting how your expressions change so frequently... I really can't get enough from looking at you.
Douglas-san placed his large hand on my cheek.
MC: ...
As I was surprised and embarrassed, I held in my words...
Douglas: ...
His eyes were shining somewhat brightly.
Douglas: I know, MC, how about we go treasure hunting together?
MC: Eh!? ...I can come too?
Douglas: Yes, please do, become my goddess of fortune.
Douglas-san's hearty smile looked brighter than the sun that was shining on the ocean...
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