Kaede - Prince of Hourai - Moon End

Kaede - Prince of Hourai - Moon End

Chapter 6 - A Calm Smile

When I overheard the conversation of the art dealers that turned their backs on Kaede-san's new art by chance, my lips were trembling in frustration.

MC: ...

At that moment, I felt someone's presence behind me and when I turned around... 

MC: !

Kaede-san was there, glaring at the art dealers as he furrowed his brow in annoyance. 

MC: Kaede-san... What you heard just now...

Kaede: Those fools don't know the true value of art and aren't interested in anything else besides money... Let them say what they want... 

After Kaede-san said that, he looked down at me with a smile. The calm look in Kaede-san's eyes made a chill go down my spine. 

(Kaede-san... He looks a little scary somehow... It can't be helped, after hearing something like that... But...) 

At that moment... I was unaware of the dark shadow that was dwelling within Kaede-san's heart... 

Chapter 7 - An Ominous Painting

-Flashback-

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. 

---

Kaede: Those fools don't know the true value of art and aren't interested in anything else besides money... Let them say what they want... 

-Flashback-

Since that day when he heard the art dealers' harsh criticism... Kaede-san has shut himself in his room to work on his painting. 

Today, I went inside the room, but Kaede-san was immersed in his work with bloodthirsty energy. 

(Kaede-san...) 

As I was getting an ominous feeling from his back, I hesitantly spoke to him...

MC: Kaede-san... If you keep pushing yourself like that...

Kaede: Pushing myself...? Do I look like I'm pushing myself? 

Kaede-san looked tired from lack of sleep and only laughed as his eyes shined.

Kaede: I'm not overdoing it. I'm just concentrating on my work. 

Due to Kaede-san's mind and body becoming exhausted, he wouldn't acknowledge it and turned his back on me. 

MC: ...

(If this is all that I can do, I probably shouldn't bother him...) 

MC: Sorry for bothering you...

Feeling pain in my heart, I quietly left the room afterwards... 

(He didn't mean anything bad since he was in a daze, but... It looks like he's losing energy from working on his painting right now... At this rate, he's going to tire out his mind and body...) 

As I felt uneasy, I turned around and looked at the entrance to his room... 

The next day, I wanted to check on him in his room, but I couldn't enter and left his meal near the door. 

(Kaede-san, he's concentrating today as well, so he might not notice me...) 

Just as I was about to leave quietly at that moment...

Kaede: Why are you leaving so quietly...? 

When I looked up, Kaede-san roughly stopped painting and arrived at the room's entrance. At that moment, he held my wrist tightly and strongly pulled me inside the room. 

Kaede: MC, answer my question. Didn't you hear me? 

MC: ...Um, I... I just didn't want to bother you...

Kaede: When did I say something like that? You're the only one that I'll welcome anytime. 

MC: ...

The anger in his tone disappeared as he said that. 

Kaede: Hey... Be honest. What do you think of this painting? 

MC: That's...

As Kaede-san held my wrist, I looked at the painting that he was in the middle of working on. Kaede-san's new painting was strong, but it gave off an ominous impression that it made me shiver. 

Kaede: Not bad, right? 

If I speak honestly, Kaede-san might deny my negative words. 

MC: Kaede-san...

Feeling uncomfortable about his new painting, I stayed silent...

Last Chapter - Until You Understand Me

I was unable to say anything about his new painting that gave out an ominous impression...

Then, on the day of the art exhibit... 

Art dealers gathered around in front of Kaede-san's painting and were praising it.

Art Dealer 1: Such a ghastly impact... It's wonderful!

Art Dealer 2: Hmm... Kaede-sama must have finally faced his carnage mind as an artist...

Art Dealer 3: Artists going crazy do bring out good paintings...

(...Kaede-san's painting is a nice piece of art... But...)

Child 1: This picture is scary...

A child murmured that while pointing at Kaede-san's painting with a teary expression. 

Child's Mother: Hey... Don't say that!

After the mother said that and took her child away in a hurry, I turned towards Kaede-san's painted folding screen with a scared face the next moment. I've already seen the kingdom's people make the same kind of reaction so many times now. 

MC: ...

With mixed feelings holding me, I couldn't find Kaede-san anywhere on the center stage, so I headed to his room...

......

MC: Kaede-san... Um, may I come in? 

Kaede: It's you. There's no need to be reserved at this hour. Come in. 

When Kaede-san stopped leaning against the pillar, he sat down and signaled me to come in. 

MC: Thank you. 

Kaede: Did you enjoy the art exhibit? 

MC: Yes... The art dealers were highly praising your painting. 

Kaede: Hmph. This'll make those guys realize my true abilities. 

With a scornful smile, Kaede-san nodded in satisfaction. 

Kaede: So, what about you? 

MC: ...Eh? 

Kaede: What did you think of it?

MC: Ah... Um...

Kaede: Hey... Did you even look at my painting? 

That was when Kaede-san's cheery mood went down. 

MC: Yes...

Kaede: What? Did you notice something about it? 

MC: No...

Kaede: If you have something negative to say, tell me. 

When he said that, I became frightened. 

MC: I'm sorry... It's just that, I preferred your other painting from before... 

I said that as I remembered the openly pure and gentle painting. 

Kaede: How impudent... Denying my art... Since it was you, I thought that you would understand the true meaning of my heart... That's what I was expecting. Such a disappointment. Being dejected by you. 

MC: That's not...

Just as I was about to speak, Kaede-san suddenly grabbed my arm and strongly pulled me. 

MC: ...!

When I lost my balance and landed on Kaede-san's chest...

Kaede: Such a noisy mouth... 

After he easily caught me, he raised my chin. 

MC: ...!

My body flinched in surprise, but Kaede-san wouldn't let me go. 

Kaede: MC... Why do you deny me? You're the only person that I have opened my heart to... If you're going to reject me, then I'll...

Kaede-san said that as he gently clung onto me. 

(Kaede-san...) 

Because of his tone and sorrowful eyes that were looking down at me... I lost the energy to resist.

(To be honest, Kaede-san is kind of scaring me right now... Even though he looks so sad and bitter...) 

Kaede: It's okay if you don't understand my art. In the meantime, I'm going to train you until you do. So, I'm not going to let you leave... 

As Kaede-san's grip around me got stronger, I trembled. Even so, I continued to endure being in his arms. 

(If me being with Kaede-san soothes the pain in his heart... I'll stay with him.) 

MC: Kaede-sa-... Mm!

When he grabbed my chin, he placed his lips over mine. It was a forceful kiss that wouldn't allow any refusals...

MC: ...

Just as our lips parted, he kissed me again soon after... When it was getting hard for me to breath during the repeated kisses, he began to place his lips against my nape. 

Kaede: I won't let you go... Until you accept me... 

MC: Kaede-san...!

Kaede-san held both of my wrists and pinned me down against the floor. 

Kaede: Accept... me...

I couldn't help, but be captivated by his sorrowful voice...

MC: ...

When I gave Kaede-san a small nod, he placed his hand on my chest. 

MC: Mm...

He placed kisses on my exposed skin. At that moment, I felt pain...

-Flashback-

Kaede: You have a good eye... I made that painted folding screen.

-Flashback-

I strongly prayed that I would see Kaede-san create something like that painted folding screen again someday...

Main Story

Sun End