Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Gilbert - Prince of Clairboor - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Shiny Blue Eye
Moon Kingdom, Clairboor, June......
King: Well, it'll be okay... You're an excellent body double after all. As long as that eye color shows, you can convince anyone that you're Gary... But, brace yourself. The Traumarei Princess might notice somehow.
Gilbert: As you wish... Your Majesty.
...
As it felt like I could hear the stars twinkling in the silent night... I arrived at the palace after being invited by Prince Gary of Clairboor.
Butler: Gary-sama has been waiting for you.
After the butler said that, he opened the beautiful solid doors the next moment...
MC: Wow...
When I looked up, there was a large chandelier in the ceiling lighting up the hall and various colorful dresses dancing elegantly to the music.
(It's like I'm in a dream.)
Gary?: MC-sama.
When the people that were dancing moved out of the way, they politely bowed. Coming through, Prince Gary kneeled in front of me.
MC: Gary-san.
Gary?: Welcome to my castle, MC-sama.
When he held my hand, he softly placed a kiss on top of it.
(He's like a prince from a picture book.)
On his pale handsome face, the chandelier light shined around his blue eye. With the black eyepatch on his other eye, it gave Gary-san's pure bright face a mysterious look.
Gary?: Would you care to dance?
MC: My apologies, I... I can't really dance.
Gary?: It's okay. I'll lead you.
As it felt like Gary-san's sweet smile has casted a spell on me, I was taken to the dance floor...
Chapter 2 - Spell Broken
As time went by as I was having fun, the party ended before I knew it. After I returned to the room that was prepared for me, I laid down on the bed as it felt like I was still dreaming.
(I had such a wonderful time.)
Even now, the warmth of Gary-san's hand from when he was escorting me still remains. When I closed my eyes, I saw his soft smile and blue eye.
(He really is like a prince from a fairytale.)
When I placed my hands on my warm cheeks, I tossed and turned in the bed and looked outside the window. Then...
MC: A shooting star?
Making it feel like the dream was still ongoing, lots of stars were shooting through the night sky.
MC: Pretty...
(Since it's a rare chance, I'll go watch them from the courtyard.)
Following the shooting stars, I got up from the bed.
I walked through the silent hallway that had lit up lanterns here and there. Just as I was about to turn in the hallway...
(...Huh?)
From the gap of a door to a room that I was passing by, I saw Gary-san.
(It's Gary-san.)
Gary-san slowly took off the eyepatch that was on his other eye. Then...
(Eh...?)
From the shadows of his hand, a golden eye that was like a shining star was revealed. Even though I was looking from afar, the waythat alluring eye shined made me gasp and at that moment...
Gary?: Who's there!
Gary-san shouted that sharply. When Gary-san turned around, his other eye's clear blue color was being shown like at the party.
(His eye colors are different from each other?)
After hiding his golden eye by putting the eyepatch over it, Gary-san quickly came over here.
MC: U-Um.
As Gary-san was acting like a different person than when he was at the party, he looked down at me with a scary expression.
///Choices///
- I'm sorry (☼)
MC: I-I'm sorry.
As I stiffened up from him looking at me calmly, I somehow murmured that softly. Then, Gary-san's blue eye narrowed coldly.
- I didn't see anything (☽)
MC: I-I didn't see anything!
Gary?: ...You're bad at lying.
///Choices///
Gary?: Come.
MC: ...!
Gary-san grabbed my arm and pulled me into the room by force. Looking at me as I stood still dumbfounded, Gary-san sat down in a chair and crossed his legs elegantly.
Gary?: So, what did you see?
MC: I-I...
I nervously looked at the eyepatch that was hiding his golden eye.
Gary?: ...It would've been nice to have you dream and then leave without knowing anything.
MC: Gary-san...?
Gary?: Those who know about the secret of this eye aren't allowed to leave.
MC: ...What do you mean?
Gary?: How troubling. Talking about this eye to someone. It's because the real Gary doesn't have this eye color.
MC: The real... Gary?
Gary?: Gary isn't here. Right now, he's probably looking at the stars in faraway kingdom.
Gilbert: My name is Gilbert. Gary's body double.
MC: ...!
His blue eye that was the only one revealed shined coldly...
Chapter 3 - His Name
As the man called Gilbert was looking at me coldly, I didn't move a bit.
(Body double? He's not Gary-san, but Gilbert-san?)
Due to the sudden turn of events, I couldn't help, but be confused.
Gilbert: You must be speechless because of how surprise you are. Well, that's obvious. The only people that know about this secret are the ones that reside in this castle.
When he slowly got up, he stood right in front of me. His hand that was gentle during the party held my chin up forcefully.
MC: ...
Gilbert: I never thought that you would find out about it...
///Choices///
- Glare firmly (☽)
When I looked back at that gaze firmly...
Gilbert: Your boldness is good, but your shoulders are trembling. How does it feel to wake up from a dream, Princess?
- Apologize for seeing it (☼)
MC: I-I'm sorry.
Gilbert: It's too late for you to be apologizing now.
///Choices///
With Gilbert-san's hand seizing me, he pushed me against the wall.
MC: ...!
Stopping me, Gilbert-san's hand blocked my way of escaping.
Gilbert: It can't be helped now that you know. It's a topic that can't be spread from here. If you do reveal it in other places... Do you understand what'll happen?
As he held my hand, he looked down at me unforgivingly.
Gilbert: Your response?
He looked at me with a cold smile...
MC: ...Yes.
That was the only thing I said while trembling.
Gilbert: Good.
When he finally released me from the wall, my body lost all it's strength.
MC: ...I'm going to go back to my room.
As my heartbeat increased rapidly, I held my own body tightly.
......
I slowly opened my eyes from the bright morning sunlight that was shining in.
(I feel like I had a bad dream.)
During the beautiful morning, I thought of that in a daze. Although...
Gilbert: You're late.
Without knocking, Gilbert-san entered as his cold voice brought me back to reality.
///Choices///
- Don't speak (☽)
(Gilbert... -san.)
Gilbert: You look like you still want it all to be a dream.
- Please knock! (☼)
MC: P-Please knock.
Gilbert: How bad of you to be sleeping for so long.
///Choices///
(So, what happened yesterday really wasn't a dream.)
Gilbert: Starting from today, you're going to be staying by my side.
MC: By your side...?
When Gilbert-san pulled me by the back of my neck, he whispered to me.
Gilbert: I don't want you talking about me, so I need to keep a close eye on you.
MC: I-I won't say anything...
Gilbert: It doesn't matter what you say. I make the decisions here.
MC: No way...!!
Gilbert: What about your response?
MC: ...
While holding my chin, he gave me a cold look.
(Scary...)
Feeling a chill go down my spine, my body slightly trembled.
Gilbert: What, are you scared?
MC: That's not...
Gilbert: If you're going to say it strongly, say it with a better face. Smile. If you make that kind of face beside me, you'll bring suspicion.
MC: ...
Even though I somehow moved my cheeks, I couldn't smile well. Gilbert-san sighed in irritation.
Gilbert: You're bad at this. When you're in front of people, do it properly.
After telling me that, he turned around...
Gilbert: Let's go, you're coming with me.
As I was feeling uneasy, he stepped out of the room elegantly with his back facing me. When I held my hand that was trembling a little, I followed that cold back...
Chapter 4 - Subordinate Princess
Following Gilbert-san, I stepped into a fancy room.
Gilbert: Kings from every kingdom will be gathering here soon. You'll be sitting here as my assistant.
As I was unable to endure it any longer, kings gathered around and sat down at the round table.
Gilbert: Welcome to my kingdom.
With his long fingers folded together on the table, Gilbert-san smiled kindly. That expression made it feel like he was acting like a prince from a picture book.
(Deep down, it feels like I still want to think that he's a different person...)
Foreign King: You seem to have an adorable secretary, Gary-dono.
(I-Is he talking about me?)
Foreign King: She's blushing, so it looks like she's attached to Prince Gary.
MC: That's not-
Foreign King: Prince Gary, were you shy about bringing this girl out into the moonlight?
///Choices///
- Smile politely (☼)
Holding back my uneasiness, I somehow smiled. Then, Gilbert-san smiled at me for a moment as if he was praising me.
- Stiffen face (☽)
My face and heart stiffened from the smiles in the room. Gilbert-san looked at me.
///Choices///
Gilbert: How funny. She's just my assistant.
Foreign King: Oh my, then I must've gone a little out of line.
Gilbert: No... MC-san. Would you tell a maid to bring some sweets for everyone?
MC: Y-Yes...!
After he said that kindly, I left the room while holding back the urge to run away.
(Could it be that he was helping me back there?)
......
Once the meeting has ended peacefully, Gilbert-san saw the kings from other kingdoms leave and took me back to his room.
(It looks like Gilbert-san is tired. Being a body double and having me unexpectedly must be really troubling...)
As he deeply sighed, it kind of felt like he was slightly distant from me. Just as I was about to speak to him, there was a knock on the door.
MC: !
Gilbert: Go inside the closet.
When I closed the closet door in a hurry, I saw the king coming in.
King: You seem to be playing out your role as expected.
Gilbert: Your Majesty... It makes me relieved to hear you say that.
King: But, don't get the wrong idea. You're a body double after all. Don't forget where you stand.
Gilbert: ...Understood.
Satisfied with Gilbert-san's response, the king left. From the gap of the closet door, I saw his eye that was filled with emptiness.
(Gilbert-san...)
///Choices///
- Watch him (☽)
Unsure on what to say to him, I didn't do anything, but stand still.
Gilbert: How long are you going to watch me?
MC: I'm sorry.
Gilbert: Don't look at me with those eyes.
- Speak to him (☼)
MC: Um...
When I opened the closet door, I walked towards him.
(I need to say something. But, the words won't come out...)
Gilbert: What? Are you pitying me?
MC: That's not-
///Choices///
Gilbert: I don't need your sympathies.
When Gilbert-san said that, his blue eye silently closed. I softly gripped my chest...
Chapter 5 - Becoming Distant...
Ever since then, Gilbert-san has been busy, he would always be talking to some assistants and his room light would be on until late at night.
(I wonder if Gilbert-san is all right.)
While walking by in front of me, Gilbert-san's handsome face showed his tired he was.
MC: Gil... Gary-san.
Gilbert: ...What?
He responded tiredly ad he raised a brow.
MC: If there's anything I can do to help-
Gilbert: I don't need any help from you.
MC: But...
Gilbert: I'm busy. I don't have the time to be dealing with you.
After saying that, Gilbert-san headed towards the heavy doors and disappeared.
(Despite that he strongly declared that he wants to keep a close eye on me by having me by his side before. Does it have something to do with the issue I saw with the king?)
-Flashback-
Gilbert: I don't need your sympathies.
-Flashback-
When I remembered how Gilbert-san acts so determinedly in front of people, I felt pain.
(What should I do?)
At that moment...
MC: ...!
Just as I heard some footsteps, someone grabbed me from behind.
(Who!?)
Man: Don't make a sound.
When I heard a deep voice whispered to me from behind, my body froze.
Man: Where's Prince Gary?
MC: !
The sharp edge of cold metal touched my throat.
(A knife!?)
Man: Tell me! If you don't...
Maid: Kyaah!
We heard a woman scream from behind.
Gilbert: What's wrong!?
Along with some footsteps, Gilbert-san spoke.
(Gilbert-san!)
Gilbert: What are you doing?
Man: You're Gary?
Gilbert: ...The one and only.
Man: I see, you... I'm after your head. It's because of you that so many people are getting killed.
(What does he mean...?)
Gilbert: ...I see. In that case, there's no need to go through all the trouble into scaring her. Release her. Aren't I the one you have business with? So, you can aim that blade directly at me.
(Gilbert-san...!)
///Choices///
- I'm okay (☼)
MC: I-I'm okay!
As my closed lips were trembling, I forced myself to smile at Gilbert-san. Although...
Gilbert: If you're trying to put on a brave face, smile more properly, didn't I tell you that?
- Look at him (☽)
(Don't! Otherwise, you'll be!)
Despite that I wanted to say that, I couldn't bring my voice out. When I tried to get that through to Gilbert-san somehow by looking at him, he slowly looked down.
///Choices///
Gilbert: It'll be okay. I'm used to being a scapegoat.
When Gilbert-san told me that, I felt something colder than the knife on my throat...
Chapter 6 - You Are You
Gilbert: It'll be okay. I'm used to being a scapegoat.
(Being a scapegoat, that's...)
Gilbert-san's words made my heart tighten.
(Has he always been put in danger as a body double like this?)
When I noticed Gilbert-san slightly narrowing his eye, it felt like he can tell what I was thinking. Instead of that cold look in his eye, it was making a very straightforward look.
Gilbert: Now, release her!
Gilbert-san moved one step forward all dignified.
(Don't, Gilbert-san...!)
When he took one more step closer...
MC: ...!
As I bit my lip, I squirmed around in the strong man's arm.
Man: Kuh... Hey! Do you want to die!
The cold blade of the knife made a cut on my throat. Not caring about the strength of his strong arm, I moved around thoughtlessly.
Man: Dammit, hold still...!
The moment the man flinched when I used all my strength to push him towards the wall, I ran over to Gilbert-san.
(Gilbert-san!)
Gilbert: !
Just as I was about to fall, Gilbert-san caught me with one of his arms.
Gilbert: ...
At that moment, he was holding me tightly in that arm, but...
Gilbert: I'm here.
After he whispered that in my ear, he ran like the wind towards the man. He grabbed his arm and held him down against the floor.
Man: Dammit...!
As the man glared at him with his bloodshot eyes in frustration, his blue eye looked down at him coldly.
Gilbert: ...What a fool.
I heard him murmur that softly. After watching the guards taking the man away, Gilbert-san sighed in relief.
Gilbert: Why did you do something like that?
MC: Eh...?
Gilbert-san's finger softly touched my neck. At that moment, I felt it hurt for the first time.
MC: Ow...
Gilbert: That's obvious... So many cuts were made. It's a good thing they're not that deep... That was dangerous. Who knows what would've happened if you had gotten stabbed back there.
///Choices///
- If I had noticed (☽)
MC: If I had noticed...
Gilbert-san placed his hands on my shoulders that were trembling right now.
Gilbert: You're so foolish...
- Same goes for you (☼)
MC: Gil... Same goes for you, Gary-san, what were you thinking?
As I tightly gripped his hand, I asked him that.
Gilbert: It doesn't matter what I was thinking.
///Choices///
MC: ...Have you always been targeted like that?
Gilbert: Yeah...
MC: Why...
Even though it was just the two of us in the hallway right now, Gilbert-san answered while being cautious of his surroundings.
Gilbert: ...It's because the current monarchy wouldn't say that they would support the citizens by any standards. Gary would've done something about it...
MC: ?
Gilbert: No... Let's stop talking about it. Anyway, it's no big deal as long as I'm the scapegoat.
I couldn't help, but feel pain from those words.
MC: But... Wouldn't someone be there to protect you?
Gilbert: ...Huh?
MC: A lost life... can't be replaced. Also...
(Gilbert-san isn't Gary-san. He's Gilbert-san.)
MC: People can't be a replacement for someone else.
Gilbert: ...
Gilbert-san's blue eye looked down at me without blinking. After saying those words without thinking, I immediately covered my mouth with both of my hands.
MC: ...I'm sorry.
As Gilbert-san wasn't blinking, I quickly lowered my head. With the moonlight shining into the hallway through the window, it projected Gilbert-san's shadow...
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