Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Drei - Prince of Crawford - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Pain on a Moonlit Night
Kingdom of Time, Crawford, November...
(Pretty...)
When I looked at what was around me, I was surrounded by a world of snow as soft snow was falling from the beautiful moonlit night.
I came to visit the Kingdom of Time, Crawford, when Drei-san called me over.
Once I was led to the inside of a room, my entire body became enveloped by the warm atmosphere.
(So warm.)
A fire was lit in the elegant brick fireplace.
(I need to go greet Drei-san.)
MC: Excuse me, where's Drei-san?
Servant: Prince Drei... I think he's in his room now. Tomorrow, a breakfast gathering has been planned, so you'll see him until then.
MC: I see...
Servant: Please, make yourself comfortable tonight.
MC: Thank you.
After saying that, the servant left the room.
(But, it would be best for me to go greet him properly.)
(Even though I'm doing things at my own convenience... Will it be okay?)
When I arrived in front of Drei-san's room, I was about to knock on the door and at that moment...
??: Do you need something from me?
The moment I turned towards that voice, both of my hands were grabbed and were strongly pressed against the wall.
(...!)
A slightly pale face with wavering sleek, light-colored hair... Even though I was scared, I knew that the person in front of me was Drei-san.
MC: I-I was just going to greet you...
Drei: ...What, it's you.
Drei-san suddenly releases both of my hands. Then, he entered his room after that.
(That was scary...)
There was a little bit of pain remaining in the spots where Drei-san grabbed me.
(Drei-san...)
Once I was left alone, I stood still at that spot...
Chapter 2 - At His Spot
The next morning... A servant led me to the assembly hall where the breakfast gathering was.
(Drei-san should be at the breakfast gathering too.)
When I remembered his menacing look from yesterday, I became depressed. With uneasiness holding me, I continued walking towards the assembly hall.
Once I arrived at the assembly hall, there were a variety of fruits, freshly baked bread and all kinds of dishes assembled on the table.
(To think that the royal family would arrange all this for me.)
When the king started, a lot of Drei-san's relatives joined in on the breakfast gathering.
(Somehow, I'm feeling nervous...)
Royal 1: Would you like some fruit?
Royal 2: This bread is good too.
MC: Thank you.
The royals talked to me one after another. Meanwhile, Drei-san was the only one not talking as he was only drinking coffee with his meal.
(Drei-san...)
Curious, I looked at him and...
MC: !
Suddenly, my gaze met with Drei-san's. Feeling nervous, I smiled and slightly bowed to him.
Drei: ...
Although, he looked away soon after and started drinking his coffee again.
(Drei-san...)
During the breakfast gathering, Drei-san wouldn't look at me...
After the breakfast gathering ended, I walked into the hallway as I was heading back to my room, but...
(Drei-san was the one who called me over to this kingdom. But, it doesn't look like he wants to talk to me... Why is that?)
The moment I started to get worried, the king, along with a servant, just happened to pass by.
King: MC-sama, did you enjoy the breakfast gathering?
MC: Your Majesty... Yes, it was a really delicious breakfast. Thank you for doing that for me.
King: It was nothing. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Aside from that, wasn't that kind of impolite?
MC: By that...?
King: Drei. He has always been a little unusual since back then. Usually, he wouldn't eat his meals much and would always shut himself in his room.
MC: ...I see.
King: This morning, he didn't talk much... How disgraceful.
///Choices///
- It was a little disappointing (☽)
MC: It's disappointing that we were unable to talk...
King: No, really. Even though he was saved by you...
MC: But...
- Not at all (☼)
MC: Not at all.
King: You're too kind, MC-sama. Thank you for your concern.
MC: That's... Concern is a little.
///Choices///
MC: Last night, I did something that was really impolite...
King: What do you mean?
MC: When I suddenly went to visit Drei-san's room, he got upset.
King: I see.
MC: ...
King: He doesn't really show that much interest in the people around him, so that's kind of normal.
MC: I see...
King: My apologies if he made you feel uncomfortable. But, please take your time to relax.
MC: Thank you.
King: Now then, if you'll excuse me.
After I bowed to the king, I started to walk again.
(Even more now... I can't understand why I was called over here...)
As I thought about that, I got lost in the castle.
(Where am I?)
The moment I was about to head back, there was a sweet scent of flowers drifting from somewhere.
(What a nice scent... Is it coming from outside?)
As I was being lured by that scent, I went astray and ended up at a flower field outside of the castle.
(Pretty... Who knew that there was a place like this near the castle.)
The various colorful flowers that were all around the area were like a carpet.
(I wonder which flower is this scent.)
As I looked around, I touched a flower that was near my feet and at that moment...
Drei: ...Is there something wrong with that flower?
MC: ...!?
I flinched at that moment when someone spoke to me from behind. When I turned around, Drei-san was there lying in the flower field.
MC: Drei-san!? Why are you here...
Drei: That's what I wanted to ask. This is my spot.
His detached voice softly echoed throughout the flower field...
Chapter 3 - Lured by the Scent of Flowers
In the flower field, the wind softly blew... When Drei-san suddenly spoke, I became speechless.
MC: Uh...
-Flashback-
Drei: That's what I wanted to ask. This is my spot.
-Flashback-
(If this is his spot...)
///Choices///
- Are you always here? (☼)
MC: Do you always come here?
Drei: Yeah.
- I'm sorry for intruding (☽)
MC: I'm sorry... I didn't know and ended up intruding at my own convenience.
Drei: ...
///Choices///
MC: Um, Drei-san...
Drei: ...
Drei-san closed his eyes without responding. Suddenly, I remembered the king's words.
-Flashback-
King: He doesn't really show that much interest in the people around him, so that's kind of normal.
-Flashback-
(I need to apologize for yesterday...)
MC: Um... Yesterday, when I went to your room so suddenly and surprised you, I'm sorry about that.
Then, when Drei-san slowly opened his eyes, he started to look at me.
MC: Drei-san...?
Drei: ...Why are you apologizing?
MC: Eh? Because I made you feel uncomfortable...
Drei-san sighed in irritation.
Drei: You were the one who freed me from the ring, so you don't need to feel courteous to me.
MC: ...That's a little surprising.
Drei: ...Sorry.
When he said that, he moved a little and picked a yellow flower that was in bloom next to him.
(What a cute flower...)
Without thinking, I brought my face closer to the flower that was in Drei-san's hand.
Drei: ...!
MC: That's a cute flower. Also... It smells nice.
The small flower petals softly emitted a sweet scent.
Drei: ...
When I looked at Drei-san as he wasn't responding, he was stiff with a surprised face.
(It's because I suddenly got closer to him.)
MC: I-I'm sorry.
Drei: ...Don't apologize every single time.
MC: ...Okay.
Drei: ...
(What do I do... It's silent.)
The pocket watch around Drei-san's chest was the only thing making noise with it's ticking sounds.
MC: Um...
While enduring the awkwardness, I spoke.
MC: Drei-san, why did you call me over to this kingdom?
Drei: Because Dad told me to... Don't you think it's because he wants to get along with the Traumerei Princess? During our meal, wasn't it noisy around you?
(I-It was.)
My shoulders dropped in disappointment...
Drei: Same here.
MC: Eh?
Drei: I want to get along with you too.
When Drei-san raised the upper half of his body, he looked at my face.
MC: Drei... -san...?
His unexpected words made me blink.
Drei: ...
When he held my hand, he gave me the yellow flower that he picked.
MC: Um, uh...
Drei: Will this raise it?
MC: Eh...?
Drei: Our friendship. If i give this to you as a present, will it raise it?
(Friendship... That kind of sounds like a video game.)
Drei: What do you think?
Although, Drei-san looked like he was enjoying himself a little...
///Choices///
- You raised it a little (☼)
MC: ...I don't really get it, but you raised it a little... I guess?
Confused, I responded to his question.
Drei: A little, huh...
When Drei-san furrowed his brow, he laid down in the flower field again and began to fall asleep.
- You raised it a lot (☽)
MC: ...Yes! A lot.
(It only made my heart race a little.)
Drei: ...I see.
When Drei-san made a satisfied look, he laid down in the flower field again and began to fall asleep.
///Choices///
(Despite that he's a moody person...)
When I looked at the flower that I received from Drei-san, I smiled.
(It kind of feels like a video game.)
Even so, being able to talk to Drei-san made me feel relieved.
Chapter 4 - Which is Real?
The next morning...
MC: Mm...
When I woke up, I looked towards the window to see that there wasn't a single cloud in the vast sky.
(What nice weather today.)
By the window, the flower that I received from Drei-san yesterday was displayed.
(I wonder if Drei-san is at the flower field again.)
Just as I thought of that, there was a knock on the door.
MC: Yes?
Although, I received silence in return.
(...What is it?)
When I opened the door and went into the hallway...
(Ah...)
In front of the door, a cute looking candle with a letter that was folded neatly was left there.
(What is this?)
There was a subtle scent of flowers coming from the candle.
(This scent... It's the scent of the flower that Drei-san picked yesterday.)
When I reached for the flower that was with it, I read it.
"Come to the flower field as soon as possible. Drei"
I became filled with happiness. When I quickly got dressed, I headed to the flower field.
Feeling excited, I arrived at the flower field, but...
(I wonder where Drei-san is.)
Drei-san was nowhere to be seen in the flower field. Then...
??: How careless of you to come alone.
When I turned towards that voice, multiple men in unmatching black suits were there.
MC: ...!?
Feeling the strange atmosphere, I stepped back, but... The men immediately surrounded me and blocked my way.
Man 1: There's no mistake, she's the woman that Drei called out to.
Man 2: It's hard to believe that gloomy prince would be with a woman.
MC: Y-You guys are...
Man 2: It doesn't matter, just come with us.
MC: Ow! ...Let go of me!
Just as one of the men roughly grabbed my arm at that moment...
Drei: Bingo!
MC: Drei-san!?
Behind the men, Drei-san was standing there with a bold smile.
Drei: Sorry for being such a gloomy prince.
///Choices///
- What's going on... (☽)
MC: Drei-san, what's going on...
Drei: Just stay there...
- Help me (☼)
MC: H-Help me...!
Drei: Don't rush me.
///Choices///
Drei: Let's see, MC, if you don't want to get hurt, duck down for a bit.
MC: Eh...?
The moment I got down, a bow gun suddenly flew out of nowhere and aimed at the men one after another. When the bow gun hit the men perfectly...
Man: Uwah!
The men fell to the ground after they screamed.
MC: ...!
As the bow gun flew around, I held my head down as I stayed down.
Drei: Just as stimulated. But, the accuracy rate was 95.5%. It needs some small adjustments. Still, to think that you would get deceived so easily. That's a little insufficient.
When it became quiet, I nervously looked up... Drei-san was standing there with some kind of remote in his hand.
(D-Drei-san?)
MC: U-Um... Just now was.
Drei: Those guys were some assassins that were sent because of the succession dispute.
(Succession dispute...?)
Drei: Didn't you know? In the Kingdom of Time, there are a lot of other kingdoms besides mine. The only one standing at the top will decide for the other kingdoms. Once a kingdom reaches the top, the superior prince will inherit it, but that much hasn't been decided. With things always like this, disputes happen. Well... I find it thrilling, so it's fun.
MC: ...Do you always get targeted?
Drei: It's fun to think of it as a game.
(A game...)
Drei: Right now, my friendship with you went up when I gave you a present first. The enemy called you over to the flower field. After that, the opponent was going to hold you hostage and change the route from that occurrence. So, I was lying in wait for an ambush.
(...I don't really get it somehow, but does that mean he wants me to say thanks?)
MC: Um...Thanks for saving me.
He became a little surprised as he looked at me.
Drei: ...You, don't you realize that you were used as a decoy?
MC: Even if it seems that way... It doesn't change the fact that you saved me.
After I said that, he looked away from me in discomfort.
(That's right, I need to thank him for the candle.)
MC: Also... Thank you for the candle.
Drei: ...That was for the game too.
MC: But, it's my favorite scent.
When Drei-san looked back at me, his eyes widened.
Drei: ...
MC: Drei-san?
Drei: ...Enough, I somehow feel like I'm about to go insane.
After Drei-san scratched his head, he left.
(A game, huh... Still.)
A sweet scent was drifting from the candle as usual. With mixed feelings in my heart, I entered the castle as I watched Drei-san from behind...
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