Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Graham - Prince of Mysterium - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Gifted Novelist
Kingdom of Literature, Mysterium, September... After waking up Prince Graham, I was called to the literary award winning party as a guest.
At the Charlotte Literary Award winning party, the venue had a really elegant atmosphere.
(I wonder where Graham-kun is.)
Among the people that were having pleasant conversations, I searched for Graham-kun and...
Host: Now then, everyone, it's time. The winner of the Charlotte Literary Award, Prince Graham, please come to the podium at once.
A loud applause broke out in the venue and then...
Graham: ...
(It's Graham-kun...!)
As Graham-kun ascended the podium, he walked straight on the stage as he was all composed. While walking with his back straightened up gallantly, his presence became strong on top of the podium.
(It's amazing how dignified Graham-kun is...)
Host: Prince Graham, congratulations on winning the award. Won't you tell us how you're feeling right now?
Graham: ...It's an honor for you to understand...
Host: Ah, uh, is that all?
Graham-kun only nodded lightly.
Host: Eh, thank you very much. Your book this time though, it was very skillfully made and the composition was extremely praiseworthy.
Graham: It's just a story that I thought up. I only composed it into a story.
Host: I see...
After that, while the large awards ceremony continued, Graham-kun was quiet from start to finish...
(Graham-kun... He's really an amazing novelist.)
I strongly felt his calm behavior...
After that, Graham-kun came over here once the ceremony was over.
MC: Congratulations, Graham-kun.
Graham: It's you... You came.
Graham-kun responded with a proud smile.
MC: That's amazing. Getting such a big award...
Then, I noticed a broad smile on Graham-kun's still young face.
Graham: Yeah... Obviously. This outcome has already been decided, so this is the obvious result. Winning something like this award.
MC: Eh...? Um, what do you mean?
When Graham-kun said those words unconcernedly, I asked that as I was slightly surprised.
Graham: ...Okay... Perfect.
MC: Eh? Um...
(Just now, what...?)
Graham: ...
Although, as Graham-kun was smiling arrogantly, I couldn't bring myself to speak anymore.
(What a strange person...)
Till the end of the day, I became unable to converse with Graham-kun anymore, so I left the elegant venue...
Chapter 2 - Case Incident
After a while since Graham-kun attended the awards ceremony... A letter from him was sent to me.
(I wonder what's written in it.)
As I opened the seal with my heart pounding, inside the envelope was a strangely shaped letter.
(Huh, what am I supposed to do with this...?)
When I opened the letter with trial and error, it was tightly filled with precise and pretty handwriting.
(The craftsmanship in the letter and this handwriting, it's just like Graham-kun...)
Inside the letter was another invitation to Mysterium. After accepting the invitation, I set foot into Mysterium...
......
While going thorugh the town that still had the liveliness of the awards ceremony, I headed to the castle.
Then, after I arrived at the castle, I was led to where Graham-kun is... In the castle hallway, there was a crowd.
MC: Did something happen?
When I asked that, I looked through the crowd and gasped.
Graham: ...You finally came.
Graham-kun's expression stiffened up when he noticed me. As Graham-kun was standing in the middle of the crowd, I saw an outline of a human and bloodstains near his feet. I...
///Choices///
- Step back (☽)
MC: This is...
I took a step back without thinking...
Graham: There's no need to be scared. Furthermore, having a guest who's uninvolved coming over is no problem to me.
- Be speechless (☼)
MC: ...
As I was unable to speak due to being surprised, Graham-kun smiled.
Graham: It's unfortunate that an uninvolved guest had to see this.
///Choices///
(What does he mean...?)
Unable to understand Graham-kun's words, I tilted my head to the side.
MC: U-Um, I... Would it be best for me to be called over again?
Graham: That would be unnecessary. This kind of case is most likely just some child's prank.
(Case... Did Graham-kun solve it himself...?)
MC: If I'm not going to be a bother...
Graham: A bother? If you feel like you're bothering me, then that's when you're doubting my strength.
MC: ...?
Graham: I'm called the genius mystery novelist in my castle, so this kind of case happening... It's regrettable. Me... The overflowing intelligence, analysis skills and insight of Graham's, you should've realized that.
(I thought that he was a quiet person, but...)
I was a little surprised to see him talking so much.
(But, he seems a little trustworthy.)
Following the case, I saw his eyes brightening up more than the time I saw him at the awards ceremony...
Chapter 3 - The Recurring Disappearance Cases in Mysterium
When an incident happened at the Mysterium castle... Graham-kun was looking down at the human line and bloodstain on the floor with a serious face. Then...
Graham: Okay, I'll go all out into helping out with the investigation of this case.
When Graham-kun softly said that, the people in the area made a commotion soon after.
Man 1: N-No way, Graham-sama himself is...
Man 2: He's really going to help!?
Woman: Yeah, His Highness is...
(Looks like everyone must really depend on Graham-kun.)
Then, Graham-kun played with his hair with a proud look.
Graham: I can't let this case be handled by the hands of you guys. Therefore, I have no choice, but to take command as prince. I will solve this. This mystery case...
The next moment, I noticed Graham-kun's gaze on me as if he was waiting on me. I...
///Choices///
- That's amazing (☼)
MC: Graham-kun, that's amazing.
Graham: That much is obvious. I'm a prince of this kingdom first and a genius mystery novelist second.
Graham-kun puffed his chest out with pride as he had a look of self-confidence.
- You're so cool (☽)
MC: You're so cool, Graham-kun.
Graham: ...! ...Yeah, I guess.
For a moment, Graham-kun made a surprised look, but he instantly responded while being all composed.
///Choices///
MC: But... You shouldn't do something so dangerous.
Graham: Danger is the essential part of mysteries.
MC: But, this is a real case...
Graham: ...I want to try helping in solving this real case. I have good intentions.
MC: U-Um, Graham-kun.
Graham: ...I know what you want to say. You want to serve as my assistant, you have good spirit.
MC: Eeh?
(Assistant... Saying something like that at his own convenience...!)
Graham: Now, let's go. Let's hurry and start this investigation.
After saying that, Graham-kun started walking with his back facing me. I...
///Choices///
- Follow him quietly (☼)
MC: P-Please wait.
I quickly followed him from behind.
Graham: ...A case doesn't wait.
When Graham-kun turned towards me for a moment, he said that with a serious look.
- Ask where he's going (☽)
MC: U-Um, where are we going?
Unable to keep up with his erratic behavior, I asked him that. Then, Graham-kun turned towards me...
Graham: ...The place where the smell of the case is.
Is what he said...
///Choices///
Graham: The summary of this case... I'll explain it to you.
MC: O-Okay.
The moment I said that, I jogged up to Graham-kun until our shoulders were lined up next to each other.
Graham: It started a few days ago. Someone disappeared from within the castle. Although, no one knows the person that disappeared. All we know is that they disappeared.
MC: ...Do you know why they disappeared?
Graham: ...
As Graham-kun was acting eccentric, he held his head.
Graham: I don't know. But, the next day. Another person disappeared...
MC: No way...
Graham: Then, the case just now. Someone's bloodstain and fallen traces were found... Although, we still don't know just from that person's bloodstain...
MC: ...It's a really strange case.
Graham: Yeah, that's what makes it an unsolvable case. I'm the only one who can solve this mystery...
As Graham-kun murmured that, he racked his brain as he furrowed his brow.
MC: Then... Who could be next?
Graham: A man. That much is obvious. So, there's nothing to worry about with you assisting me, it'll be okay.
Just as he turned towards me with an intense look...
Graham: If something happens... I'll protect you...
Graham-kun's intelligent eyes trembled as his cheeks slightly blushed.
(Could it be that... He's embarrassed? Despite that he was talking so maturely up till now...)
With his face all red, Graham-kun's expression looked appropriate of his young age... Somehow, I thought he looked cute like that...
Chapter 4 - The Culprit's Objective
While thinking about the mystery case that happened in the castle, I was walking in the hallway with Graham-kun as our shoulders were lined up together.
-Flashback-
Graham: A man. That much is obvious. So, there's nothing to worry about with you assisting me, it'll be okay. If something happens... I'll protect you...
-Flashback-
(Graham-kun said that it'll be okay, but...)
MC: Um, Graham-kun. If a man is going to disappear next, wouldn't that mean that you'll be in danger too... Ah, what if you're the true target, Graham-kun?
Graham: ...Why do you think that?
Graham-kun stared at my face with great interest.
MC: It's just a thought... Since you're the first successor to this kingdom's throne, you're the only person I could think of.
Graham: A conspiracy theory. Interesting... True, that could happen to me. Although, that's very doubtful for someone in this kingdom to do.
Graham-kun suddenly furrowed his brow.
(I, Graham-kun doubting the people in his own kingdom...)
///Choices///
- I can't imagine that (☽)
MC: ...I can't imagine that.
Graham: No, that's not a problem.
Graham-kun responded as if he's not really worried about it.
- I'm sorry (☼)
MC: ...I'm sorry, Graham-kun.
Graham: It's not a big deal, don't worry about it.
Graham-kun said that without any hesitation.
///Choices///
Graham: Also, I don't hate your way of thinking.
MC: Eh...?
Graham: If this were a mystery novel... The culprit wouldn't be just anyone somehow.
Graham-kun played with his hair again and gave me an astray look.
Graham: As expected of my assistant.
That look was making my heart race...
(I wonder what's wrong with me...)
Unable to understand my own feelings, I softly gripped my chest. Then, at that moment...
MC: ...!
From within the hallway, I noticed some kind of black silhouette moving.
(J-Just now, what was that...!)
Graham: ...!
When something passed by so quickly before my eyes, I held onto Graham-kun tightly without thinking.
MC: G-Graham-kun, that black silhouette just now...!
Graham: ...Ah, w-weren't you just imagining things?
MC: But...
(I was sure that there was something, but...)
Graham: Mm... Ahem.
MC: Eh...? !?
When I looked up at Graham-kun's face after he cleared his throat, I realized that I was clinging onto him and quickly let go of him.
MC: Um... I'm sorry. I was just a little surprised...
MC: N-No, I don't mind.
Graham-kun said that as he looked away from me with a serious face.
Graham: A-Anyway, we're close to solving this case. Let's go.
(Eh? We're close, what does he mean?)
While thinking that it was strange, I placed my hands on my heated cheeks and moved forward...
Chapter 5 - The End of the Case
To solve this case, Graham-kun and I were walking in the castle. Before I knew it, the sun had gone down and night was starting to hang.
Graham: Okay, let's try going into this room.
MC: ...Okay.
In the room that was beginning to turn dark, there was a somewhat eerie feeling.
(Somehow... I'm scared.)
The odd atmosphere made me tremble...
Graham: A-Are you scared?
Suddenly, Graham-kun asked me that softly.
MC: Yes, just a little...
Graham: Then... You can... stay by my side a little.
I didn't really get that last part as he said that softly, but those words gave me a little reassurance.
MC: Graham-kun... Thank you so much.
As the side of his face looked slightly red due to the sunlight, I slowly got closer to him. Then, at that moment...
MC: ...!
Along with a loud sound, the lights in the room went off. Then...
??: You're next!
Just as I became surprised from that shout...
///Choices///
- Protect Graham-kun (☽)
MC: Graham-kun...!
(At this rate, Graham-kun will be in danger!)
When I thought of that, I held Graham-kun tightly.
Graham: ...
Graham-kun held in his breath from feeling the close distance.
- Cling onto Graham-kun (☼)
Without thinking, I clung onto Graham-kun.
Graham: ...It's okay.
Within the darkness, I felt his unsteady hand stroking my back.
///Choices///
Although, the next moment...
??: ...Uwah!
(Eh...?)
Along with that surprised voice, there was the sound of something falling.
Graham: Ah...
Graham-kun gasped. Then...
Graham: ...Grandfather! Are you okay!?
(Eh? Grandfather...?)
When Graham-kun quickly turned on the lights, he ran up to the person that was cowering on the floor.
Graham's Grandfather: Uu... I'm fine. I just tripped.
Graham: That's a relief... But, Grandfather, you spoiled it just now.
As Graham-kun helped the elderly man up, he sighed.
Graham's Grandfather: Ah, you must be Princess MC.
MC: Y-Yes. You're... Graham-kun's grandfather?
Graham's Grandfather: That's right. My apologies, it seems like I messed up the plan.
MC: Um...
Not sure what he meant, I looked at the two of them in front of me. Then, Graham-kun sighed in defeat and slowly began to speak.
Graham: Since you were coming, Grandfather thought about letting you experience mystery literature firsthand. In other words, it was a way to show our hospitality, but... With this, it was no good.
Graham's Grandfather: In the end, it was a failure.
Both Graham-kun and his grandfather's shoulders dropped in disappointment.
(They came up with all this for me...)
MC: Um, but I was unaware of it, even if that case wasn't for real. So, that's kind of a success...
When I said that, Graham-kun's grandfather smiled troubledly, but...
Graham: ...
Graham-kun was still silent with a gloomy look...
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