Warning: Contains spoilers for the 2nd arc of the main story
Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Ivan - Prince of Trugville - Main Story
Chapter 1 - An Unexpected Present
That night when Adam was unable to control his powers of stealing dreams, he disappeared right in front of us... The wind that was blowing in the clear night sky gently touched my cheek.
(...Is someone here?)
When stiff footsteps were getting louder each time, I turned around.
Ivan: ...Traumerei Princess, so this is where you were.
MC: Ivan.
After parting from Fllayg-san and the others, he stayed with us in Meteobul*. Although... We haven't really discussed if he's going to be on his own from here on.
T/N: Ster's kingdom
Ivan: You weren't in your room, so I went looking for you. Shouldn't you be resting?
MC: I wanted to relax by getting a little nightly air.
To stop Adam's powers from going out of control, we used up all our power... For a while, everyone was relaxing in each their own way.
Ivan: There's something I want to talk to you about. Is now a good time?
MC: I don't mind.
Ivan: When dreams stopped coming from Traumerei, our family suffered. That fact hasn't changed.
As his piercing gaze stabbed through my heart, I readied myself for him to continue those criticizing words. Although...
Ivan: But, I've realized that you used your power for Adam's sake.
As Ivan's eyes narrowed a little, that sharp look subsided.
Ivan: You have my gratitude.
(Ivan...)
I never thought that he would say that. I didn't even feel his usual surging hatred at all just now...
Ivan: Also, I'm sorry for all the pain that I've caused up till now. Sorry!
When he lowered his head deeply, I became bewildered.
MC: A-Anyway, please raise your head.
Ivan: This is a token of my apology. Take it.
Just as Ivan regained his position the next moment, my vision became filled with red.
(Eh?)
As he was making a very sincere face, he presented a bouquet of large roses...
Chapter 2 - A Straightforward Person
As I stood still surprised, the sweet scent of roses lightly tickled the tip of my nose...
MC: Going out of your way to do this...
Ivan: What are you saying? Don't girls become forgiving if you give them flowers?
(Eh?)
As if he was telling me to hurry and accept them, Ivan pushed the bouquet onto me. Flustered from Ivan saying that so seriously, I shook my head greatly.
MC: T-That's not true.
Ivan: What...? Don't tell me...
When he widened his eyes as if he has realized something, Ivan pulled back the bouquet towards himself. His cheeks turned red very fast.
Ivan: Was that all a joke...
MC: A joke?
Ivan: I went to Rufus-nii-san for advice on how to apologize to you. Then... He told me, "you shouldn't go empty-handed if you want a girl to forgive you. Go give her a bouquet". When I asked if any flower would do, he told me to go with roses...
T/N: ROFL. Rufus rocks! XD
(Then... He went and did exactly that.)
Touched by Ivan's straightforward honesty, I became warm.
Ivan: I took it too seriously again... This always happens. I'm going to take this back.
MC: Wait!
Just as Ivan hid the bouquet behind his back, I quickly stopped him.
MC: Even though you were only apologizing... I know that your feelings must've been hurt as well. So, there's no need to worry about me.
Ivan: ...
MC: I can't accept this as a symbol of your apology. But, if it's all right, do you think you can give them to me normally?
I wanted to accept the bouquet that was filled with Ivan's feelings dearly.
Ivan: If that's what you want, I don't mind.
MC: Thank you. They're really pretty.
When Ivan handed me the bouquet, I held it tightly with both arms.
///Choices///
- Make a pressed flower (☽)
MC: I'm going to make pressed flowers with these. That way, they'll last forever.
Ivan: They're yours. So, do whatever you like with them.
Even though he said that detachedly, he didn't sound cold.
- Smell them (☼)
MC: They smell nice.
When I inhaled the scent, I smiled at Ivan.
Ivan: So, you can make a smile like that.
///Choices///
MC: I like flowers, so I'm happy.
Ivan: I see... Just like him.
When Ivan murmured that heartrendingly, he looked up at the night sky, where Adam disappeared to. At that moment...
(Ah!)
Above us, a shooting start made a long trail as it strode across.
MC: The stardust clock has the power to grant anyone's wishes.
Ivan: Yeah. But... Adam's wish of "wanting to live with his family", we couldn't make it come true.
When Ivan turned towards me, there was a strikingly sincere look in his eyes...
Ivan: I thought that it would be best to go with you guys to save Adam. Is that okay?
MC: Of course. Let's save Adam together. It feels reassuring to have you with us.
Ivan: You have my thanks.
In just a moment, Ivan's expression softened up.
Ivan: I thought you weren't going to approve.
When he said that in relief, the nervousness that he's been holding onto was conveyed to me greatly...
Chapter 3 - A Hidden Weakness
With the sound of our scattered footsteps, they gradually became strangely alike...
Ivan: Someday, Adam might say this. Once he gets better, he'll want to try going on a journey. I want to make that wish come true no matter what.
While we were heading to our rooms, we kept on talking about Adam.
MC: Then, is there something that you want to do, Ivan?
Ivan: You don't need to think about that. Don't worry about me.
(Don't worry about him, why...)
When he said that as if it was nothing, I trembled with confusion. The next moment...
Ivan: ...!
Suddenly, Ivan started staggering and placed his hand on a nearby pillar.
MC: Are you okay!?
When I looked at him in a panic, Ivan's face turned pale.
Ivan: ...Yeah. Adam's power is just affecting me a little again.
MC: Again?
Ivan: When you were with my family... It happened when Adam lost control of his powers.
Since that day... After I left, Ivan hasn't been feeling well like right now.
MC: Have you been enduring it this whole time...?
Ivan: No, I'm just suddenly feeling dizzy. When you allowed me to join you, it settled down a little.
As Ivan made a wry smile, he shook my hand off.
Ivan: Anyway, you don't need to worry about me.
(But, his complexion still doesn't look so good...)
MC: I'm worried, so I'm going to take you to your room.
Ivan: Worried? About me?
When Ivan made a surprised look wholeheartedly, he asked that in return.
///Choices///
- We're friends, so you can rely on me (☼)
MC: We're already friends after all. So, I would like you to rely on me.
Ivan: Just because I'm joining you guys... Doesn't mean that I want to get along.
- Did I say something strange? (☽)
MC: Did I say something strange?
Ivan: No... It's just that no one has ever said something like that to me before...
///Choices///
As he was breathing in pain in front of me, I couldn't give up at that moment...
MC: If you want to save Adam, you need to hurry and get better too. So, please.
Ivan: For Adam...
The next moment, the stubborn air around him softened up.
Ivan: True, it's just as you said. Okay.
When he accepted just now, I became relieved for the time being.
MC: If you'd like, you can hold onto my shoulder.
While holding the bouquet in one hand, I placed my other hand on his back.
Ivan: Isn't it hard for you to be doing something like this?
MC: I'm not that weak. I'll be okay.
When I smiled, I reservedly placed Ivan's supple arm around my shoulder.
(It looks like he's taking care of himself now.)
Despite feeling his warmth, he wasn't that heavy.
......
As Ivan was lying on the bed, the moonlight shined on him as it went through the window.
Ivan: ...You sure are making yourself comfortable.
Feeling a little uneasy, Ivan looked up at me as I was sitting beside him.
///Choices///
- If there's something that you want (☼)
MC: If there's something that you want, you can tell me anytime. You don't need to hold back.
Ivan: There's nothing that I want. You sure like to look after other people, Traumerei Princess.
- But, you still shouldn't push yourself (☽)
MC: But, you still shouldn't push yourself.
Ivan: You sound like Yzak-nii-san when you're saying something like that.
///Choices///
When he broke into a faint smile, I felt relieved.
(His complexion looks better than before.)
But, there was something else I was curious about...
MC: Could Rufus and Cyril be feeling unwell too...? If that's the case, then we need to go check on them.
Ivan: ...No, it's just me. It's been like that since before.
MC: Just you, Ivan?
Ivan looked down away from me and continued speaking hesitantly.
Ivan: It's probably because I'm vulnerable to the effects, but... Out of all my brothers, my powers are the weakest in stealing dreams. Even though I'm Adam's twin brother... I'm the exact opposite of him.
As his hands gripped the sheets in frustration, they trembled slowly.
Ivan: Because of that... I couldn't steal enough dreams for him. Rufus-nii-san and Cyril have always been better than me... Always...!
Ivan clenched his fists so much to the point that they were turning red painfully. His uncontrollable frustration towards his own body made my heart hurt very much...
Chapter 4 - Touched by Those Feelings
-Flashback-
Ivan: Even though I'm Adam's twin brother... I'm the exact opposite of him. Because of that... I couldn't steal enough dreams for him. Rufus-nii-san and Cyril have always been better than me... Always...!
-Flashback-
As he said that strongly, Ivan gritted his teeth. Drawn towards those strong feelings, I remembered Adam's words...
-Flashback-
Adam: Even though we were born the same way, I'm the only one that's like this... That's why Ivan always worries about me. He has always been worried about me more than about himself.
-Flashback-
The painful expression that Adam showed pierces my heart even now.
(Just because they're "twins" can't be the only reason. Aside from being the weakest in stealing dreams... He has always been so desperate more than anyone...)
Unable to continue speaking, it became heavily silent.
Ivan: Even though there was no point in telling you all that... The reason why I'm not feeling well... is because I'm weak.
After Ivan said that awkwardly, he turned his back on me.
Ivan: Traumerei Princess, you can leave now.
(Ivan...)
When I saw the side of Ivan's face a little, it looked very stiff as if he was trying to endure the pain by himself.
///Choices///
- There's something I still want to talk about (☽)
MC: There's something I still want to talk about. Is that okay...?
Ivan: If you do, just hurry and say it.
Ivan said that coldly with his back still turned towards me.
- Just a little bit longer... (☼)
MC: Just a little bit longer...
Ivan: ...
Ivan didn't respond, but he didn't refuse either.
///Choices///
(Both Adam and Ivan never talked about how they felt this whole time. Because they were thinking about each other...)
Mesmerized by their feelings, I searched for the words that could bring them together like thread.
MC: Adam... was worried about you, Ivan.
Ivan: About me...?
MC: He felt that you were blaming yourself.
Ivan: ...!
MC: Was he wrong...?
Ivan: ...No...
He murmured that as his voice dwindled away.
Ivan: He has never told me that clearly... But...
When Ivan sighed deeply, his back listlessly sunk into the bed.
Ivan: Every time I see Adam starving in pain... I felt guilty. Even though my dream stealing powers are weak, I thought that it would be good enough to hold him down...
As a response to Ivan's feelings, the atmosphere in the room shook heartrendingly. I spoke to Ivan with all my feelings in my voice.
MC: It's not your fault that Adam has an unusual power. I'm sure of it.
Ivan: Traumerei Princess...
As Ivan clenched his fist strongly, he endured himself from crying. When I held that hand the next moment, a drop of moonlight was reflecting brightly...
Chapter 5 - Closing the Distance
As the night breeze blew in from the window, it made a sad sound...
Ivan: I was the one who was relying on Adam... I was probably just trying to run away from my feelings of guilt by protecting him.
Looking like he had committed a sin, Ivan made a regretful look.
When I looked up, there was a very disappointed look in Ivan's eyes. My hand held his hand tightly.
MC: Ivan, your feelings towards Adam are real. Also, they reached him properly... Adam feels the same way himself, he wants you to put yourself first.
(So, don't say stuff like, "don't worry about me", about yourself.)
MC: If you have a wish, Adam would be happy.
Ivan: ...My wish...
After he murmured that as if he was reflecting upon himself, he closed his mouth. When I looked up at the clock as it's hand was starting to sound loud, it was already very late at night.
MC: I'm sorry for overstaying. I should be heading to bed soon-
Just as I was about to let go of Ivan's hand at that moment...
(Eh?)
Ivan held my hand instead and wouldn't let go of me for some reason.
MC: Ivan?
Ivan: Ah, no... It's nothing. You can go, I'm going to sleep.
After he lets go of my hand quickly, he turned over in the bed.
(I wonder if he's okay.)
MC: If something happens, you can tell me anytime. Sleep well.
While holding the unforgettable bouquet that he gave me, I left the room...
......
The next morning...
Ivan: Traumerei Princess!
As I was walking in the castle courtyard, Ivan ran towards me.
MC: You seem to be in quite a rush, did something happen...?
Ivan: When I saw you from the window, I ran after you.
As his shoulders were going up and down greatly, he continued speaking proudly.
Ivan: I thought of a way to get better. So, I ate breakfast properly.
MC: Breakfast?
Ivan: Isn't it the source to becoming healthy? That's what Yzak-nii-san is always telling me.
Understanding the meaning of what he has told me, I softly smiled internally...
///Choices///
- Was it good? (☼)
MC: Was it good?
Ivan: Yeah. I liked how fluffy the pancakes were. Also...
Ivan gave me the full details on what he thought about the breakfast menu.
- Were you eating by yourself? (☽)
MC: Were you eating by yourself?
Ivan: I was with Cyril. We couldn't get Rufus-nii-san to wake up in the end.
As Ivan lowered a brow, he lightly shrugged his shoulders.
///Choices///
It's good that he's feeling better.)
Ivan: By the way, Traumerei Princess. Are you free today?
MC: Yes. Since we'll be leaving this kingdom tonight.
Ivan: Then, spare some time for me. I want to thank you for yesterday.
Ivan looked at me wholeheartedly with a serious look in his eyes.
(To thank me?)
Surprised by another unexpected favor from him, I blinked repeatedly...
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