Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Kaede - Prince of Hourai - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Prince That Rules Over Autumn
Kingdom of Four Seasons, Hourai...
To reunite with Prince Kaede, who immediately parted from me after waking up, I went to visit Hourai. I was amazed by the vividness of the town that had beautiful black coated buildings and colorful autumn trees.
(The black and red colors are so pretty...)
The emotions I was getting from the town made me remember the day I met Kaede-san.
(We didn't get to talk that much since we've parted, so I didn't get to know him well... Kaede-san had such an elegant vibe to him like this town.)
When I thought of that in a daze, I crossed the bridge over a canal.
Once I arrived at the castle, I went through the elegant parlor. As I was looking at the refined garden while waiting for a bit, I heard the sliding door opening softly and Kaede-san appeared.
Kaede: You finally arrived. You came from such a long way, right? Aren't you tired?
When he said those words out of consideration with an elegant smile, I looked at him.
MC: No... The scenery along the way here was so beautiful that I ended up looking at them on a whim.
Kaede: Beautiful, huh. For example, what did you like about them?
MC: Eh? ...Uhhh, the feeling of the autumn leaves' bright colors standing out on the black buildings...
Then...
Kaede: I see...
Just as he smiled gently, Kaede-san looked at me arrogantly.
Kaede: Just like I thought, you have good sense.
(Eh...?)
Kaede-san grinned.
Kaede: ...? What's wrong? I was complimenting you, yet you don't look happy?
While looking down at me, Kaede-san smiled maliciously.
(Huh... The air around him feels completely different than before...)
MC: Um...
Kaede: ...If you have something to say, say it to me clearly.
MC: Eh...
Kaede: Fufu. Now then, how much will you entertain me...?
Kaede-san's spellbound eyes looked at me like a cat that has found a mouse to toy with...
Chapter 2 - The Beauty of Autumn
When I arrived at Hourai to see Kaede-san, he didn't hide his excitement during our reunion. As the two of us were in the silent hall, there was the sound of trees rustling in the garden.
(This silence... It's kind of tense...)
As Kaede-san was observing me, he gently smiled.
Kaede: So, how was the atmosphere of the entire town?
MC: The town's... atmosphere?
Kaede: Now, what is your answer, Traumerei Princess? Since it's you, you would make a stale response, so that you wouldn't disappoint me.
When he asked me a question as if he was teasing me with a calm smile, I became speechless.
(I can't say it poorly... What should I do?)
I...
///Choices///
- I was captivated by it's beauty (☽)
MC: The town was like one whole piece of art that it's beauty captivated me...
Kaede: I see... You're not like a sheltered princess that would get caught in a web so carelessly. You don't look what you seem to be.
(I don't want to disappoint him... I wonder if I did that...)
- It gave me a gentle feeling (☼)
MC: I, uh... Seeing the natural artificial things in harmony in town gave me a gentle feeling.
Kaede: Compared to how troubled you are, that was a very impressive answer.
MC: ...Okay.
Kaede: But, your thoughts are very interesting.
///Choices///
Kaede: As expected... Your responses to my expectations, they make your presence special.
MC: Eh...?
Kaede: What? That vacant reaction. I'm saying that I'm interested in what you say.
MC: Eh... Yes!
As I was unsure on what to say, the moment I responded, Kaede-san frowned next and continued speaking.
Kaede: Also, it's obvious that it's beautiful. I was the one who handled the town's entire layout.
MC: The entire layout...!
(A prince doing the layout himself... Amazing...)
Forgetting what we were talking about earlier, I became honestly impressed.
MC: Kaede-san, you really do have an amazing talent...
Kaede: Thank you. Your compliment makes me happy.
Kaede-san unexpectedly made an honest response.
Kaede: The furnishings and works of art on display were all chosen and made by me. During your stay, please look around if you have time.
MC: Yes, I'm looking forward to it.
Kaede: Your words just now, even if they're just lip service, will you tell me your thoughts until the time of your departure?
Just as he showed a meek expression for a moment, he went back to smiling maliciously again.
MC: That wasn't lip service... The town was really amazing, so... I want to hurry and see Kaede-san's works of art that were made in town.
Kaede-san smiled deeply with a chuckle.
Kaede: ...In that case, I guess that meets my expectations. The art in town and castle were made with an autumn theme. Autumn is a season that has so much beauty in it...
MC: An autumn theme...
Kaede: The moon in the sky, the autumn leaves in the garden, the abundant harvest...
True, there are a lot of beautiful scenes that you can see in autumn.
Kaede: The need of wanting to present those things is what naturally gives me inspiration.
Instead of a malicious look like before, Kaede-san's expression was overflowing with love and kindness towards the beautiful scenery.
(He really is fixated on creating beautiful things...)
Knowing about Kaede-san's approach towards creativity made me respect him as an artist...
Chapter 3 - Kaede's Painted Folding Screen
-Flashback-
Kaede: The art in town and castle were made with an autumn theme. Autumn is a season that has so much beauty in it... The moon in the sky, the autumn leaves in the garden, the abundant harvest... The need of wanting to present those things is what naturally gives me inspiration.
-Flashback-
While I was looking up at him with feelings of admiration, Kaede-san chuckled with a smile.
Kaede: It's okay to look at me so adoringly, but... Doesn't that face make you look too defenseless?
MC: Eh? What do you mean...
Kaede: If you don't understand...
Kaede-san sighed exasperatedly.
Kaede: The household that rules over the autumn season within the Hourai Kingdom has a lot of people that excel in cultural related stuff.
MC: ...Is there some kind of connection to that?
Kaede: You're wide open. Aside from female artists, there are male artists that aren't just nobles...
(Could it be that...)
Kaede: You finally get it? That's right. That expression of yours is the face of a woman trying to seduce a man.
MC: I wasn't trying to do that...!
Surprised, I interrupted Kaede-san's words without thinking.
Kaede: ...
Although, I became silent, so that he could continue his words after that.
Kaede: Huh, was that really unintentional? Sorry, sorry. But, you should be careful, okay?
When he said that, I...
///Choices///
- The only one thinking that is Kaede (☼)
MC: You're the only one thinking that, Kaede-san...
Kaede: Haha, I see... So, were you trying to seduce me?
MC: ...I wasn't doing that.
- So mean... (☽)
MC: You're so mean, Kaede-san...
Kaede: Isn't that because you're the one who's causing the problem?
///Choices///
Kaede-san lightly sighed as he narrowed his eyes maliciously.
Kaede: I can't let you go after teasing you so much, so stay here for today. Come on, there's no need to be on guard like that.
///Choices///
- I'm not on guard (☼)
MC: ...I'm not on guard.
Kaede: ...I see.
Suddenly, Kaede-san approached me.
(Eh...!)
Just as I raised my face, my eyes met with Kaede-san's at a close distance.
- I can't... (☽)
MC: I-I can't...
Kaede: ...I'll be merciful and be kind to you, but who knows how long you can hold on.
MC: ...
Kaede-san gently caressed my cheek with his hand.
MC: Kaede-san...?
///Choices///
When I blinked while looking at him, Kaede-san smiled amusingly.
Kaede: Fufu. How naïve. You forgot to be wary of me.
MC: Kaede-san...!
Kaede: Just kidding.
After he smiled for a while, his expression changed.
Kaede: That's right, going back to what we were talking about earlier, Hourai has music presentations and is flourished with theaters.
(Changing the subject to suddenly...)
As I was unsure on what to say, when I hesitantly looked up at Kaede-san's face, he looked at me gently.
MC: To think that you're surrounded by so many beautiful things like music and theater, how nice.
Kaede: Yes.
When I became reassured from the ordinary topic, I finally calmed down and took a look at the hall. Then, my eyes instinctively stopped at the front of a painted folding screen.
MC: ...
I became speechless from how balanced the luxurious brushwork and delicate paintings were.
(My back is facing him, so he doesn't notice, but... Amazing...)
Kaede: You have a good eye... I made that painted folding screen.
MC: Kaede-san did...
(He's a little mean, but Kaede-san really is an amazing person...)
Kaede: What kind of feelings were you having?
MC: It may just be a painted folding screen, but it feels like it's clearing out the cold atmosphere in the room... It's really nice.
(He might tease me again, but even so.)
I frantically continued my words and told Kaede-san how I felt right now...
Chapter 4 - An Apathetic Sigh
I became charmed by the painted folding screen that Kaede-san made.
-Flashback-
Kaede: You have a good eye... I made that painted folding screen.
-Flashback-
MC: It feels like you're sharing the beauty of the world that's reflected in your eyes, Kaede-san... The art that you make is so nice...
As I was okay with being teased, I told him my excited feelings openheartedly.
Kaede: You're so...
The moment after he made an astonished look, Kaede-san bursts into laughter amusingly.
Kaede: I can see now that the Traumerei Princess is honest about everything she sees.
MC: Eh...!
Kaede: It's been so long since I've been praised so openly like this... I wonder how long it'll take for me to get nervous.
(Kaede-san...?)
Kaede-san's behavior was unusually brighter than before that it made me a little nervous and perplexed.
MC: Kaede-san, um... Are you okay?
He made a surprised look for a moment, but...
Kaede: I'm saying that I'm not okay, what am I supposed to do with you while you're being so sweet?
He instantly made that malicious smile again.
MC: Kaede-san...
Kaede: I know, I'll promise not to tease you for a while.
After saying that, his eyelashes went down as he lightly sighed.
Kaede: ...The truth is, I'm feeling a little troubled. The art that I've made, do you know how much they're worth? ...I've been truthfully told that they're just pieces of junk.
Those devastating words made me stare at Kaede-san's face.
MC: ...Your works of art are really nice. Like that painted folding screen.
Kaede: Well... That's because it was something I made with confidence... It's just that, the things that I've made lately. It's a shameful topic, but... Right now, I'm unable to come up with ideas to create art...
Kaede-san's shoulders dropped as he sighed. That melancholic expression was beautiful like art.
Kaede: I need to create a work of art to present at the "art exhibit" that the Hourai Kingdom carries out, but...
MC: How long do you have until then...
Kaede: ...I have 10 days left. But, I still haven't come up with a rough draft.
MC: 10 days...
Kaede-san turned towards me with a helpless smile.
Kaede: Looks like I won't be able to make it in time. Who would've thought that I would be in this kind of predicament. This being the extent of my own talent, such despair.
Hearing him murmur those self-mockingly words gave me pain...
MC: That's...
///Choices///
- Is there something I can do? (☽)
MC: ...If there's something I can do, please tell me.
(He'll probably say that he won't need me though...)
Kaede: ...I don't really like accepting help. Well, other than you, most people would be patronizing.
- Since it's Kaede-san, it'll be okay (☼)
MC: Please don't say something like that. I may be just an ordinary person when it comes to art... But. You made something nice like that painted folding screen, so... Since it's Kaede-san, I'm sure that it'll be okay.
Kaede: Fufu... Despite that your words are unreasonably encouraging, I want to believe in them now.
///Choices///
His words were harsh as usual, but Kaede-san's eyes were gentle compared to before.
Chapter 5 - A Genius' Agony
-Flashback-
Kaede: The art that I've made, do you know how much they're worth? ...I've been truthfully told that they're just pieces of junk.
---
Kaede: It's a shameful topic, but... Right now, I'm unable to come up with ideas to create art...
-Flashback-
Seeing Kaede-san's frail smile made me want to help him more.
Kaede: I ended up complaining and showing such a pitiable side to you... But, I can't give in to this predicament.
MC: Kaede-san...
Kaede: Also, talking to you was a little comforting.
MC: Eh...
Kaede-san's elegant gaze was focused on me.
Kaede: Your pure web... No, seeing your devotion is giving me such agony that it's idiotic.
///Choices///
- ...So mean (☽)
MC: ...So mean.
Kaede: I was complimenting you, yet you said something so impudent back at me.
- Pure web... (☼)
MC: By pure web...
Kaede: Huh? I was just complimenting you.
///Choices///
Kaede-san placed his hand on the tatami mat and approached me.
(Ah...)
On his cheek, his long red-blonde hair lightly hung there.
(Pretty...)
Kaede: You're really defenseless...
MC: ...!
Just as I noticed that he had gotten closer, I backed away in a panic.
Kaede: Don't run away... It makes me want to chase you down.
MC: T-Then, I won't run away... Just please distance yourself a little...
As I turned red when I rebutted, Kaede-san looked even more happy.
Kaede: You're really amusing. If you can stay in Hourai, that'll make me happy. Also, since you're here. I want to show you the art exhibit at least. I can't show you around Hourai, but there's a lot of beautiful art in every season. It's really interesting.
When Kaede-san said that, his eyes were really clear as he conveyed his sincere love towards art.
Kaede: So, I want you to stay in the castle for a while longer.
MC: But, won't I be a bother?
Kaede: No... Spending time with you might bring a new revelation.
When Kaede-san murmured that as if he was talking to himself, he lightly smiled. That smile looked somewhat sad...
(At first, I thought he was a mean and scary person, but...)
The thought of wanting to support him got stronger...
......
Since then, the days continued to pass as I was with Kaede-san, watching him create art.
Then, one day... Some art dealers came to see the art that Kaede-san made.
Art Dealer 1: Well, Kaede-sama's work is wonderful as expected.
Art Dealer 2: It really is. It must've taken a long time to complete.
Kaede: ...Thank you.
(That's good...)
While I was relieved from hearing the art dealers' words, I exited the room, so that I wouldn't get in the way.
Then, that evening...
(That's...)
As I was walking in the hallway, I went to check on the art dealers that visited Kaede-san. Just as I was about to greet them from behind...
Art Dealer 1: Prince Kaede is running dry.
Art Dealer 2: It's a such a struggle for an artist to mature their own talents, so it wasn't that beautiful.
Art Dealer 1: It's a futile resistance for an artist with dried up abilities if they can't create beautiful things.
I was speechless from hearing their unbelievable conversation.
(How cruel...)
As I gritted my teeth in frustration, I only stared at the art dealers from behind...
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