Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Haku - Prince of Rivaille - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Within the Silence...
There was a warm feeling as the sunlight was gently shining on the forest. When I received an invitation from Prince Haku's kingdom, I was walking down the forest path that leads to the castle.
(Such a peaceful forest...)
As I listened closely, I would occasionally hear the leaves sway and the trees rustling from the wind blowing. When I proceeded into the forest, I encountered a huge tree that had branches with a lot of leaves.
(...What a big tree.)
In that tree's shadow, I recognized the long-haired man that was sitting there.
(Haku... -san?)
Haku-san didn't look like he was breathing as he was quietly looking at the book in his hand.
MC: Haku-san...?
Haku: ...
When I called out to Haku-san, my voice got sucked into the silence of the forest.
(...He's probably concentrating. It'll be bad to interrupt... So, I'll just wait until he's done reading.)
......
After a lot of time has passed... Haku-san saw me and quietly closed the book.
Haku: ...You were here?
He said that softly as he looked at me.
MC: Ah, yes...
Haku: ...
Then, Haku-san became silent again. While enduring the silence...
MC: Um...
Haku: That's right... Someone at the castle gave you an invitation.
He blinked as he said that.
Haku: ...Come.
Haku-san quietly got up and walked with his back facing me.
(...Such a silent person.)
As he made soft footsteps, it felt like he was about to disappear at that moment for some reason... I eagerly followed him from behind...
Chapter 2 - A Beautiful Doll
In the silent forest, Haku-san and I were walking together...
Haku: ...
Since Haku-san was tall and was making big steps, I was doing my best to keep up with him. At that moment...
MC: Ah...
We saw that the road ahead was entangled with thorns, which stopped us from taking that path.
(We won't be able to get through like this...)
Haku: ...
Haku-san proceeded into the overgrown thorns.
MC: Haku-san! ...That's dangerous!
I called out to him, but Haku-san touched a thorn with his hand.
Haku: ...
MC: Haku-san! Your hand is bleeding... Are you okay!?
Haku: ...I'm fine.
Haku-san looked at his injury as if it was nothing serious and walked on a different path.
(...Is he okay?)
When we arrived at the castle, a butler and some maids greeted us.
Butler: Welcome, MC-sama. I see that you're with Haku-sama.
MC: Yes. We met up in the forest and he brought me along.
Butler: Haku-sama, welcome back.
Haku: ...
Butler: Ah, your hand is injured...! Let's get it treated right away.
Although, when Haku-san slipped away from the butler and maids, he disappeared into the hallway.
MC: Haku-san...?
Butler: Please don't worry about him. Haku-sama is... He doesn't really show his emotions much.
Maid 3: Speaking of which, does he even have any emotions?
Maid 2: I've never seen Haku-san's expression change before.
Maid 1: Hey, there was that time when the queen passed away...
(Eh...?)
Butler: Quiet! You're all in front of MC-sama.
The butler scolded the maids for their whispered conversation.
Butler: MC-sama, you must be tired. I'll prepare some tea for you.
MC: Ah... If you'd like, please take these. They're nothing special or anything though.
As a gift for the invitation, I brought some homemade cookies.
Butler: Thank you for your consideration. Now then, I'll call for Haku-sama, so that you can have some afternoon tea.
When I arrived at the courtyard, the butler arranged a table and prepared some tea. On the beautiful plate near the teacups, my homemade cookies were on it.
Haku: ...
MC: ...
Ever since the afternoon tea had started, the silence continued.
(I need to... talk about something...)
MC: Um, Haku-san, what kind of book were you reading in the forest?
Haku: ...A philosophy book.
Haku-san murmured that as a response towards my question.
(Philosophy... I don't understand it, but... I need to respond somehow.)
Just as I was panicking as I was trying to find the right words to continue this conversation...
Haku: And you?
MC: Eh?
Haku: What kind of books do you like?
MC: I-I...
///Choices///
- Adventure stories (☽)
MC: I like stories about adventures and fantasy.
Haku: Stories...
- Romance stories (☼)
MC: I like romance stories.
Haku: ...Stories?
///Choices///
Haku: I don't understand stories. People suddenly smiling and crying... I can't understand it.
(Haku-san...?)
-Flashback-
Butler: Please don't worry about him. Haku-sama is... He doesn't really show his emotions much.
Maid 3: Speaking of which, does he even have any emotions?
-Flashback-
(Haku-san... Doesn't have any emotions?)
Haku: ...
As he ate my cookies, his expression didn't change...
Chapter 3 - A Smile for Just a Moment
In the peaceful early afternoon...
As the calm wind would occasionally make Haku-san's long light brown hair flutter... The sound of the wind became noticeable within the silence as the afternoon tea continued.
Haku: ...
MC: ...
(The conversation ended up stopping...)
When the topic of our favorite kinds of books ended, it became silent again. Feeling somewhat uneasy, I looked at the table...
(...Huh?)
Haku-san ate all of my homemade cookies.
MC: ...
I wanted to ask if they were good, but...
Haku: ...
Haku-san quietly got up from his seat and went inside the castle.
(He ate them all...)
I became filled with a slightly warm feeling. For a while, I stared at the empty plate...
The next day... The sky was clear today and the sunlight was shining softly.
(The wind feels nice...)
As I felt the wind against my cheek while walking in the courtyard, a flower with yellow petals was vibrantly blooming in the sunlight.
(Such a pretty flower...)
At that moment, I felt someone's gaze from above. When I looked up...
Haku: ...
MC: Haku-san...!
Like yesterday, Haku-san was looking at me with a blank expression.
///Choices///
- Be perplexed (☽)
MC: ...
As he stared at me silently, I blinked a few times from being perplexed.
Haku: Is there something wrong with that flower?
- Talk to him (☼)
MC: Um... Haku-san...?
Haku: ...This flower. Is there something wrong with it?
///Choices///
MC: Ah... Yes! I was thinking that it's a pretty flower...
Despite how I sounded, I said that to Haku-san in surprise.
Haku: It's... pretty?
Even though Haku-san's expression didn't change, I saw his brow twitch.
MC: Don't you think that... it's a pretty color?
Haku: I don't get it.
When he murmured that, he was about to suddenly walk off somewhere.
MC: Um...
Haku: What?
(I stopped him, but... What should I do?)
Haku: ...
He stood still as he stared at me.
Haku: Does looking at this flower make you happy?
MC: Eh...
Haku: You seemed happy from looking at it.
(That's kind of... embarrassing.)
Haku: ...Come with me.
After saying, he started walking quietly again.
MC: Eh... Okay...!
When those unexpected words made me get up, I followed his tall back...
Along with Haku-san, we arrived at a meadow behind the castle...
MC: Wow...! Pretty...!
Like the flower from earlier, the whole area was in full bloom and was a bright yellow color.
Haku: ...Pretty...
Haku-san tilted his head to the side as he watched my eyes brighten up. Seeing him behave like that was somehow cute and it made me smile. At that moment...
MC: Ah...
From somewhere somewhat afar, a rabbit was staring at us.
MC: Haku-san, a rabbit! How cute...!
Haku: ...
When the rabbit approached us with no signs of running away, I picked it up.
MC: Ah...
For the first time, I've noticed that the rabbit had an injury on it's front paw.
MC: Poor thing, it's injured... It must have gotten into some kind of fight with a wild animal...
Haku: ...Poor thing?
When Haku-san slowly approached me and the rabbit, he tilted his head to the side.
Haku: What were you thinking just now?
MC: Eh...
///Choices///
- Something painful (☽)
MC: Seeing the rabbit in pain was making me feel pain too.
Haku: ...
- Something sad (☼)
MC: ...Something sad because I feel sorry for the rabbit.
Haku: Sad...
///Choices///
After thinking for a while, Haku-san picked up the rabbit from me.
Haku: Your words... They're hard to understand because of your abstracted expression. Shall we give it some treatment at the castle?
(Haku-san...)
MC: Yes!
As the rabbit was being held in Haku-san's long arms, it nuzzled against him as if it was thanking him.
Haku: ...
Haku-san made a curious look as he petted the rabbit's back.
MC: How cute...
Haku: Cute...
(Ah...)
Haku-san slightly made a gentle smile.
Haku: I see, so this is cute.
(Did he smile just now...?)
Seeing Haku-san smile for the first time made me happy. Before I knew it, I was smiling too...
Chapter 4 - Smiling for Real
After I returned to the castle with Haku-san... We gave some medical treatment to the rabbit in Haku-san's room.
(Wow, so many books.)
In Haku-san's room that was like a library, the scent of books was faintly in the air.
Haku: This should do it.
Haku-san skillfully wrapped a bandage around the rabbit's paw.
Haku: Done...
After saying that, Haku-san softly petted the rabbit's head.
(That's good...)
MC: Haku-san, thank you. Now then, I'll...
Just as I was about to leave after saying that...
Haku: Hey.
When he suddenly stopped, I turned towards him energetically.
MC: W-What is it...?
Haku: Those things from yesterday, I want to eat them again.
(By things...?)
When I tilted my head to the side this time, Haku-san spoke softly.
Haku: The cookies that you made.
(Ah...)
My heart skipped a beat from Haku-san's unexpected words.
MC: Did you like the cookies?
When I asked that, Haku-san started thinking again.
Haku: Is this... what it feels like to like something? I don't get it, but... I want to eat them again.
///Choices///
- Say thank you (☼)
MC: Okay... Thank you.
Feeling happy, I said that loudly.
Haku: Why are you thanking me?
- Smile (☽)
(Haku-san likes my cookies...?)
With happiness rising within me, I smiled.
Haku: Why are you smiling...?
///Choices///
MC: It's because I'm happy.
Haku: I see...
Haku-san quietly smiled.
MC: Next time, I'll put some dried fruits in them!
Haku: ...Sure, please do.
(I'm happy... He likes my cookies. I wonder if there's anything else that Haku-san likes.)
Haku-san's smile surprisingly made my heart throb.
The next day... I immediately went to Haku-san's room with some cookies that I made.
(I'm glad that I was able to borrow the kitchen.)
Just as I was about to knock on the door to Haku-san's room...
Haku: ...
MC: Haku-san...!
When the door quietly opened, Haku-san appeared.
Haku: ...What's wrong?
As Haku-san looked down at me, his long hair lightly touched his cheek.
MC: Um, are you going somewhere?
Haku: I'm going to the forest to read books. Do you want to come too?
(I'm happy... that he's inviting me.)
MC: Yes! ...Ah, that's right.
I showed Haku-san the cookies that I brought with me.
MC: Yesterday, you said that you wanted to eat these...
Haku: You're pretty fast...
Haku-san softly smiled at me just now. My heart throbbed noisily.
(I wonder why, but I want to see Haku-san's smile more...)
In my heart, a sweet emotion was beginning to form...
Chapter 5 - Heartbeat
It was silent in the forest today too. In the gentle wavering sunlight that was shining through the trees, I was reading a book that I borrowed from Haku-san.
(...This is hard.)
When I glanced towards Haku-san, he was quietly reading a book.
(...He was reading a book like this when we met too. At that time, he didn't notice me for a long time. Although, the maids mentioned that he doesn't have any emotions...)
As I remembered Haku-san's smile, it gave me a warm feeling. While I was staring at him, he closed the book.
Haku: ...
Haku-san quietly looks at me with his gray-colored eyes.
MC: I-I'm sorry! Was I bothering you?
Haku: Did you get bored?
MC: Eh...
Haku: Of that book...
Haku-san moved his gaze towards the book that I was holding.
MC: Ah... Well, it's a little different for me...
Haku: I see. Sorry. I don't really have any stories.
When Haku-san said that, he hung his head down apologetically.
MC: Oh, no...! I should be apologizing. Since you went out of your way to let me borrow it...
Haku: Won't you tell me?
MC: Eh...
Haku: Why... do you like stories?
MC: Uh...
I frantically searched for the words to say.
MC: It's because... I could relate to the characters and their feelings in the stories.
Haku: ...
MC: Like being happy and sad. It makes me feel like I'm part of that story too.
Haku-san looked straight at me.
Haku: ...I really don't understand.
///Choices///
- Don't you have any emotions? (☼)
MC: Um... Like being happy or sad... Have you ever felt that way, Haku-san...?
Haku: ...?
- I'm sure you'll understand (☽)
MC: I'm sure that you'll understand it too! Besides... Weren't you smiling at me?
Haku: ...I see. I smiled in front of you.
///Choices///
Haku: ...I.
Even though Haku-san's expression didn't change, he sounded a little sad.
Haku: My mother was an emotional person.
(...Was?)
Haku: Her emotions were really unstable. She would cry tears of joy when she's happy and would break things when she's mad. She was quite violent with me a lot. She almost killed me too.
(No way...)
Haku: To get away from a mother like that, I would immerse myself in books. Before I knew it, I was reading them. I was unable to smile nor be mad in a home like that... Well, it's more like I don't know how to. No matter what my mother said or did, I was unable to feel anything. It became really easy.
MC: Right now, your mother is...?
Haku: She's dead.
MC: ...!
Haku: She has been for a long time. At that time, I didn't even feel anything.
(Come to think of it...)
-Flashback-
Maid 1: Hey, there was that time when the queen passed away...
-Flashback-
(Haku-san lost his emotions to protect himself...)
I didn't know what to say after Haku-san was done talking.
Haku: But...
Haku-san suddenly held my cheek with his large hand.
MC: Haku-san...?
Haku: You're full of emotions too, but... You're different from Mother. When I look at you, I get some kind of strange feeling.
MC: Haku-san...?
When his long fingers caressed my cheek, my heart started going fast and at that moment...
Haku: ...!
Suddenly, Haku-san strongly pulled my arm and placed me behind him.
MC: ...!
When I tried to steady myself from that sudden strength, I fell at that spot.
MC: Haku-san...?
Just as I looked at Haku-san confusedly...
??: You're Prince Haku... Right?
A tall man menacingly stood before Haku-san.
Man: So, you came here together.
The moment the man drew out a sword...
Haku: ...!
Haku-san quickly took out a dagger from his breast pocket and immediately thrusted it towards the man's throat.
(So fast...!)
Haku: ...Disappear.
When the tip of the blade touched the man's throat, a little bit of blood flowed down.
Man: Kuh...
The man grimaced and backed away from us, but...
Man: ...
(Eh...?)
When I saw him grin for a moment, he went into the forest and disappeared.
MC: ...
I was unable to move as I was down.
Haku: ...Are you okay?
Hauk-san put away his blade and helped me up.
MC: Just now...
Haku: Yeah. He's most likely a bandit. I've been attacked by them before.
Haku-san said that bluntly as if nothing has happened.
Haku: Whenever I was alone, I would have a lot of attendants with me.
(I see...)
Haku: ...Your knee.
When Haku-san said that, I looked at my knee to see that there was a scratch on it.
(That must have happened when I fell earlier...)
Haku: ...
Haku-san suddenly picked me up easily.
MC: H-Haku-san...!?
As my cheeks turned red from being surprised, he started walking fast.
MC: Um, I'm fine! It's not a big deal!
Haku: Still, I ended up letting you get hurt.
MC: That's because you were protecting me... Also, I'm heavy...
As I blinked from embarrassment, Haku-san murmured a few words.
Haku: It's no different than what happened to the rabbit.
I felt his warmth when I touched him.
(I can hear Haku-san's heartbeat...)
Within the silent forest, only our heartbeats were making noise...
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