Joshua - Prince of Bergant - Sun End

Joshua - Prince of Bergant - Sun End

Chapter 7 - Throbbing Heart

The morning on the day before the founding festival... 

(He hasn't been scolding me a lot. I wonder what he's going to teach me today.) 

I found myself looking forward to the lesson. While heading to the lesson room with light footsteps, some noblewomen in elegant dresses called out to me. 

Noblewoman 1: Good day, Princess MC. 

(Come to think of it, these people introduced themselves as the princesses of the neighboring kingdoms at the welcoming party.)

MC: G-Good day. 

I felt a little awkward as those words came out from my lips. 

Noblewoman 2: Are you feeling better after that time? 

(That's right... I passed out at the party.) 

MC: I'm already better now... My apologies if I caused you any worry. 

Noblewoman 2: Not at all. More importantly, I'm quite envious of you, being carried by Joshua-sama like that. 

MC: Carried... me? 

Noblewoman 1: Yes. Joshua-sama did that when you passed out. 

(I-I didn't know that...!) 

Noblewoman 3: To see Joshua-sama, who's so polite and calm, to panic like that... I was so surprised. 

(Is that so?) 

I felt my cheeks blushing. 

Joshua: MC. 

Just as Joshua-san was passing by while heading to the lesson room, I immediately lowered my eyelashes. 

(I wonder why, my heart is...) 

When Joshua-san called out to me in an unfamiliar way, my heart throbbed greatly. 

Noblewoman 1: MC...? 

The women looked at me soon after. 

(I wonder why... They seem to be glaring at me.) 

Chapter 8 - A Cold Tone

As the clear morning sunlight was shining on Joshua-san... I felt the women's sharp glares while holding back my throbbing heart. 

Joshua: Princesses. My deepest apologies. 

Joshua-san politely bowed to the princesses of the neighboring kingdoms. 

Noblewoman 1: Did you two make plans? 

MC: ...Yes, he was teaching me manners. 

Noblewoman 2: From... Joshua-sama...? 

Joshua: It's absurd for me to be teaching her... Is it that surprising? 

When Joshua-san frowned elegantly, the women blushed from that gesture. 

Noblewoman 3: Um... May we join in as well? 

Joshua: Eh...? 

Noblewoman 2: Please. We're so envious of her having Joshua-sama as a teacher... 

Noblewoman 1: That's right. We would love for you to teach us some first-rate manners as well. 

(Joshua-san is really popular.) 

As I felt a slight pain in my heart, I tilted my head to the side. 

(They seem really desperate, so I think it'd be best to let them join.) 

MC: ...Then, let's all-

Just as I was about to speak, I felt Joshua-san's sharp glare. 

Joshua: Princesses. 

Joshua-san immediately made an elegant smile. 

Joshua: My apologies, but... I wanted to teach MC-sama with just the two of us. Otherwise, MC-sama wouldn't be able to concentrate in the lessons I'm giving her. Princesses, until the next time we meet. 

With a smile, Joshua-san pulled my hand and left from there. I could feel the women's piercing gazes on my back... 

MC: Um... Was that okay? 

Joshua: ...About what? 

MC: Somehow, they all seemed really desperate. Also... They seem to be mad at me. 

Joshua: Hmm... Taking people into consideration, looks like I haven't been training you enough. 

The polite smile from before disappeared from Joshua-san's face. 

Joshua: Well then, looks like I'll have to be even more strict. 

Unlike the image I've had of him before, Joshua-san smiled mischievously at me. 

MC: Joshua-san... 

The cold tone that I've gotten completely used to hearing felt very reassuring to me for some reason... 

Chapter 9 - A Crescent Moon and Tea

Outside the window, the crescent moon was shining... 

After the last lesson ended, Joshua-san invited me for some late-night tea. 

(The founding festival tomorrow... I wonder if I'll be okay. Since he went out of his way to give me some lessons, I need to do my best.) 

When I told myself that, I became filled with uneasiness. 

Joshua: Here, I put some honey in it today. 

Joshua-san handed me a cup that had tea in it. This place is where we have teatime after lessons as a daily routine. 

Joshua: So? Why are you making that kind of face? 

MC: Eh? 

Joshua: You look uneasy. 

(He can see through me no matter what.) 

I hung my head down even more. 

Joshua: ...How disappointing. Who do you think has been teaching you manners? 

Joshua-san held up my chin. 

(If he looks at me like that...) 

As he was looking straight at me, I averted my gaze. 

Joshua: All that you need is self-confidence. ...Okay? 

The crescent moon was being reflected in Joshua-san's eyes as he was looking at me. The uneasy feelings that were making me tremble went away from Joshua-san's words like magic... 

Last Chapter - Sweet, Yet Cold...

Then, the day of the founding festival has arrived. 

(I need to do my best.) 

I hurriedly left the room and waited at the spot where I was going to meet Joshua-san as promised. 

Noblewoman 1: Ah, MC-sama. 

While I was waiting, the princesses from yesterday surrounded me. 

Noblewoman 2: I'm looking forward to seeing how you behave today. 

Noblewoman 3: It'd be best if you don't sully Joshua-sams's good name. 

MC: ...

Their glaring eyes were intimating me. Then...

MC: Ah... 

I was being held by some gentle arms from behind.

Joshua: That's not something a lady should be doing. 

MC: Joshua-san... 

Noblewoman 1: Joshua-sama...!

Joshua-san was smiling. The women's cheeks were blushing red. 

Joshua: Doesn't showing some consideration for someone one of the basics in manners? You don't need to worry about MC. Compared to you ladies, you don't seem heart-warming at all. She's been taught her just about everything in great detail after all. 

As his finger traced my nape, Joshua-san continued. 

Joshua: By me. 

Noblewoman 1: ...

The princesses left from there in a panic. After sighing deeply, Joshua-san released me from his hold. 

MC: ...Thank you. 

When I held my warm nape, I thanked him somehow. 

Joshua: It would've been really troubling if you hadn't spoken back at them. You're making that uneasy face again. 

MC: ...I'm sorry. 

Joshua: Well then, time for the final lesson. 

When he said that and looked at me in the eye, Joshua-san kneeled in place. 

MC: Um, Joshua-san...? 

Joshua: ...Beautiful. You, who is more refined than anyone, has taken my heart away. 

MC: Eh...? 

His affectionate and gentle voice made my heart throb greatly. 

Joshua: Whether or not you're part of the royal family of Traumerei. 

Joshua-san looked straight at me... 

Joshua: I am proud to be by your side. Also... People would be bestowed with pride if you sustain the proud and strong dignity that you hold. 

He gently placed a kiss on the top of my hand. The warmth of those lips and Joshua-san's words penetrated my heart. 

Doorman: Princess MC of the royal family of Traumerei, along with Prince Joshua, have arrived. 

Just like the welcoming party last week, I stepped into the venue. 

(I'll be okay. Because Joshua-san taught me.) 

I smiled elegantly with pride just as Joshua-san taught me. 

Gentleman: Hey, has Princess MC always been like that? 

Lady: She's like a different princess from last week. Somehow, she seems more refined. 

I could hear the people murmuring. 

Joshua: ...How do you feel? 

When he whispered that to me, I smiled deeply more. 

MC: I feel like I've become a real princess. 

Joshua: You've always been one from the start. 

Joshua-san smiled in amazement. Although, that gaze looked very gentle...

MC: It's thanks to you, Joshua-san. Thank you. If you weren't around, I... 

Joshua: Then, choose me. I'll stay by your side forever.

MC: Eh...? 

When I heard him again, Joshua-san smiled elegantly. 

Joshua: ...It's time to dance. 

When the music started playing, I was unable to ask what he meant earlier. 

Joshua: Your hand... Princess MC. 

Just as he taught me, I gently took his hand that was presented to me. Then, when he held me by the waist... I felt his lips while feeling his breath right next to my ear. 

Joshua: Just to make myself clear, I wasn't asking you earlier. 

MC: Earlier...? 

As I was unable to hear my heartbeat, I somehow said that. 

Joshua: Stay beside me forever. 

He placed a gentle kiss against my cheek... 

MC: ...!

Joshua: I won't allow you to retaliate. Your answer? 

I couldn't hear the music that was echoing in the party hall as my heart was throbbing. That tone that is always cold and harsh was filling up my heart with warmth. 

MC: ...Yes... 

I noticed that the music that was echoing in the dance hall sounded very distant. When we approached the shadow of a pillar the moment the song ended... 

MC: ... 

He placed his lips on my chest. Just as I became surprised and was about to stop him, he grabbed my wrist and held me down easily. 

Joshua: ...There we go. 

When I looked down, he placed my dress' ribbon on the red mark that was on a spot that could or couldn't be seen. 

(This is...) 

Joshua: I put my mark on you. Act graceful, so that it won't be seen. 

There was a mischievous look in Joshua-san's eyes. Just as a new waltz song started playing, he left my side and bowed in front of a nearby woman. As my chest that he kissed was warm, I felt a heartrending pain every time I breathed. 

(I can't dance...) 

Even when I took the hand of a man in the next dance... My eyes only followed Joshua-san... 

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