Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Keith - Prince of Ox - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Eyes That Wouldn't Look at Me
Kingdom of Jewels, Ocs, November... The sunlight was shining brightly through the gaps of the golden trees.
As thanks for awakening Prince Keith... I received an invitation from the king, so I went to visit the Ocs Kingdom.
(So beautiful.)
As I was walking behind the butler that came to pick me up, I was looking at the beautiful scenery...
Butler: Our kingdom is beautiful at noontime.
MC: Yes, it really is.
While looking at the sunset, I narrowed my eyes.
Then, when we arrived at the castle, the butler led me to my room.
(Huh... That person.)
My feet stopped when I recognized that silhouette.
??: ...
The moment our eyes met, he instantly turned away from me.
Butler: Oh... Keith-sama, this is Princess MC.
After the butler said that, he turned towards me a little.
(I knew it, it's Keith-san.)
MC: Good afternoon, Keith-san.
Keith: ...
Then, Keith-san's eyes moved past me and looked at the butler.
Keith: Bring some champagne to my room. Also, prepare the documents for the kingdom's meeting tomorrow.
Butler: ...Understood.
the butler politely bowed. At that time, he neither spoke or looked at me...
Chapter 2 - Icy Gaze
The next day... When the king invited me to a tea party, I was looking at the side of Keith-san's face as he was sitting next to me. Just like yesterday, Keith-san wouldn't look at me at all as if he was ignoring.
(He didn't speak to me at all yesterday. I wonder if I did something to rub him the wrong way...)
When I thought of that...
///Choices///
- Stay silent (☽)
(I'll try asking him. But...)
He's having a serious conversation with the man next to him, so I couldn't speak to him.
- Speak to him (☼)
MC: Um... Did I do something?
With all my strength, I asked him that.
Keith: ...
Although, he only looked at me a little.
///Choices///
In the end, we didn't speak to each other at all and the tea party ended. Before I knew it, he returned to his room.
(We didn't say a single word to each other again.)
Feeling sad, I looked at the chair that he was sitting in. Then...
(Huh?)
On top of the table, i saw a beautiful fountain pen that was placed there.
(Could this belong to Keith-san?)
MC: ...
As I held it tightly, I left the assembly hall.
Once I was standing in front of Keith-san's room, I knocked on the slightly opened door.
MC: ...Keith-san?
When I didn't get a response no matter how many times I knocked, I heard the faint sound of a music box coming from the gap of the door.
(What a pretty sound...)
Attracted to that soft affectionate sound, I looked inside the room.
The curtains lightly fluttered from the soft wind. As he was sitting on the sofa with the sunlight that was like flowing waves hitting his cheek, Keith-san was sleeping.
(The wind is a little chilly today... So, he might catch a cold. I'll go close the window.)
Without making any loud footsteps, I passed by Keith-san. On the desk right next to him, the porcelain music box that was adorned with cute fawns and flowers was playing.
(Such a beautiful sound...)
Just as I thought of that...
MC: ...!
When a pretty strong breeze blew, the curtain made the music box fall.
(It's going to fall...!)
Just as I got up in a panic...
MC: Ah...!
The music box slipped from my fingers and ended up falling from the desk. Within the room, the sound of the music box being destroyed was heard.
Keith: ...
When Keith-san woke up from that sound, he looked at me surprised.
MC: U-Um... I'm sorry... I just came to deliver your fountain pen. Also, when I was about to close the window...
(What should I do...)
When I got down to the floor in a panic, I started gathering the broken pieces. As Keith-san watched me silently, he softly spoke.
Keith: ...That fountain pen isn't mine.
MC: Eh...
I couldn't move as he was looking at me with his ferocious cold eyes.
MC: I'm sorry...
Keith-san's gaze moved towards the broken music box. While looking at the music box, Keith-san's eyelashes made a shadow.
Keith: ...
As Keith-san was silent, he looked somewhat sad...
(This music box might be something very important... What should I do?)
MC: I'm sorry... Um, I... I'll do anything...
Keith: Anything?
MC: Yes...
When Keith-san looked at me coldly, he suddenly crossed his legs.
Keith: Then, become my slave starting from now.
MC: Eh...?
A cold wind blew between us. At that moment, his cold gaze was scaring me...
Chapter 3 - A Faint Smile
I trembled from the cold breeze that was blowing in from the window.
(By slave?)
While I was on the floor picking up the broken pieces, Keith-san looked at me with his icelike eyes. Keith-san suddenly stuck his foot out towards me.
Keith: Didn't you notice?
MC: Eh...?
Unable to understand the situation at all, I blinked.
///Choices///
- Look around the room (☽)
(What is it?)
As I was unsure, I looked around the room.
Keith: Where are you looking at?
- Ask him (☼)
MC: Um, what... do you mean?
Keith: You're so dull.
///Choices///
Keith: Can't you see that there's dust on my shoe?
When I looked at the end of Keith-san's shoe, there was a tiny bit of dust on it.
MC: Ah...
(I-Is this what he meant by slave? Why, this sort of thing is... But, I did break something valuable to Keith-san.)
MC: ...
As I was unsure about it, I took out a handkerchief with a guilty conscience and used it to pick up most of the broken pieces, then they fell from my hand.
MC: Ah...
I picked them up in a panic.
Keith: ...
As Keith-san was watching silently, he got up.
MC: U-Um?
Keith: ...I don't need a slave that can't wipe my shoes properly.
MC: ...I'm sorry.
Keith: Go.
MC: Eh?
Keith: I'm telling you to go reflect on yourself outside.
MC: O-Okay...
I was unable to look at Keith-san's face above me properly as he was looking down at me. When he told me to get out coldly, I left the room.
(To think that I would become a slave...)
As I was standing still in a daze, I remembered the broken pieces of the music box that were in my hands.
(But, I'm sure... that it's something very important. ...I need to apologize to him properly.)
While not dropping the broken pieces, I took out the handkerchief from my pocket. As I remembered the beautiful sound, I softly wrapped them in the handkerchief.
When I went to the courtyard, my body trembled from the pouring cold rain.
(It's a little cold... But.)
I thought back to when the music box broke into small pieces.
(I did break it after all...)
As I hung my head down, the cold rain made the back of my neck wet. Without wiping the drops of water off my cheek that became wet from my hair, I became puzzled.
......
While not knowing how much time has passed, I stood still at that spot.
(It's cold...)
My body gradually trembled as it became wet from the cold rain. At that moment... When I heard a loud deep sound in the sky, the area instantly brightened up into white.
MC: ...
(L-Lightning...?)
Along with the fierce sound of lightning increasing, I covered my ears and crouched down in place. Then...
Keith: You're so pathetic.
Suddenly, Keith-san was standing next to me while looking down at me.
MC: Keith-san...
Keith: ...
While holding an umbrella, he stared at me as I was getting wet from the rain. Suddenly, he slowly held out his hand to me.
(Eh...?)
///Choices///
- I'm sorry (☽)
MC: Keith-san... I'm really sorry.
As I said that wholeheartedly, my shoulders trembled.
Keith: ...Get up.
- Thank you (☼)
MC: T-Thank you.
As I was hesitant to touch his hand, I looked down a little.
Keith: ...
///Choices///
Keith-san grabbed my wrist and strongly pulled me up.
Keith: I tell you to reflect on yourself outside and you get wet from the rain like a fool?
MC: ...Yes.
Keith: You're so hopeless.
When we returned to the room with Keith-san pulling my hand, he made me sit down on the sofa.
(It's my fault that Keith-san got wet.)
MC: I-I... I'm going to go take a bath.
Just as I said that softly, Keith-san gently placed his hand on my head.
MC: ...?
When he softly narrowed his eyes, my heart lightly throbbed.
(Keith-san...?)
The rain suddenly lightened up as it was hitting against the window gently...
Chapter 4 - A Firm Smile
As my wet nape was a little cold...
MC: Keith-san, the bath is ready.
To warm up our bodies that got wet from the rain, I poured some hot water into the bathtub and after putting some scented oils in it, I went to call for Keith-san.
Keith: ...You're the one that got wet. You go in first.
As Keith-san was sitting on the sofa, he slowly reached out for my hair.
MC: No... I'm fine. You can go first.
With my cheeks all warm, I couldn't understand what I just murmured.
Keith: Then, let's go in together.
MC: Eh...
Keith: Aren't you my slave?
MC: U-Um...
///Choices///
- I'm sorry (☼)
As my heart was beating loudly, I took a few deep breaths.
MC: I'm sorry...
Keith: Don't be so quick to apologize.
Keith-san lightly sighed.
- Nod (☽)
When I blinked many times in confusion, I slowly nodded.
(It's because I'm a slave...)
As I was unable to look at Keith-san in the eye, he broke into a smile a little.
Keith: You don't need to get all shaken up.
///Choices///
Keith: ...Well, whatever.
After he said that, he went into the bathroom by himself. After the door closed, I sighed in relief once I was all alone.
(P-Phew.)
At that moment... I saw the broken pieces of the music box gathered on the desk.
(The music box that I broke... I wonder if Keith-san gathered them all.)
The broken pieces shined as they were carefully being used to restore the wooden box that had beautiful craftsmanship.
(It must be something important.)
My chest tightened. I took out the broken pieces that were wrapped in the handkerchief from my pocket.
(It fell into pieces like this. What I can do is...)
I gently placed the broken pieces that were in the handkerchief in the box.
......
Then, when Keith-san returned from the bath, I maintained my determination from earlier.
MC: I'll go prepare some water.
Keith: ...
Keith-san looked at me surprised for a moment.
Keith: ...It's fine.
MC: Eh...
When Keith-san turned his back on me, I poured some of the lemon water that I prepared in a cup.
MC: ...I'm sorry that I can't do things exactly as you say. I'll make sure to do them properly from here on. I... I'm Keith-san's slave after all.
Keith: ...
MC: I may not be anywhere near to making up for the music box that you value so much, but... I'll do whatever you say.
I bowed deeply. After a while, Keith-san softly spoke.
Keith: That was a keepsake of my deceased sister. Before she died in an accident, she gave it to me as a birthday present. To get over official work, I would use it at night to sleep and... The song in it was something that she composed herself.
MC: ...!
(It was that important...!)
MC: ...So, there's nothing I can do to make up for it.
After knowing about the sentimental value that the music box holds, I looked at Keith-san as it felt like my heart was about to break. Then, when he looked at the broken pieces in the box, he slowly closed his eyes.
Keith: ...I wasn't serious about the whole slave thing. You've done enough. Something with a form will fall apart someday.
Keith-san narrowed his eyes sadly. My heart throbbed in pain from the smile that he made...
Chapter 5 - Distant Voice
The next day, thick clouds were covering the sky...
(I want to do something for Keith-san as much as I can. There might not be anything I can do to atone for it though...)
When I heard about the circumstances behind the music box from Keith-san, I told the maid to let me clean his room instead.
(Keith-san was sleeping soundly. Even though he didn't have the music box...)
Once the bed was arranged, a scent was burning from a candle. From the neatly arranged room, I looked outside to see a downpour starting so suddenly.
(Keith-san went to town for an inspection. It'll be bad if he got wet.)
When I grabbed an umbrella in a hurry, I ran out of the room.
The people in the castle prepared a horse carriage for me when I was about to walk to town. Despite feeling strongly guilty, I gave in to their pleads and reluctantly went to town by carriage. When I saw Keith-san from the carriage window, I made it stop immediately and ran out into the rain.
Keith: You...
Keith-san widened his eyes when he saw me.
Keith: You went through all the trouble into bringing me an umbrella?
MC: I thought that you didn't have one... But, I should've thought better.
Behind Keith-san, a servant was holding an umbrella.
(I'm... such an idiot.)
As I hung my head down from my own foolishness, Keith-san took the umbrella from my hand.
Keith: I see. You were trying to help.
Keith-san made the servant to give me the umbrella. Then, after using the umbrella that I gave him myself, he stared at my face.
Keith: You...
(Keith-san...?)
///Choices///
- Ask him what's wrong (☼)
MC: Um... Is something wrong?
Keith-san gently touched my cheek.
- Look away (☽)
MC: ...
As he was looking at me, I turned away from him, but Keith-san grabbed my chin.
///Choices///
Keith: You... Your face is red.
MC: Eh...
(Now that he mentions it, I feel a little hot...)
The next moment... My vision became distorted.
(Huh...?)
Keith: Hey!
When he strongly held me up by the waist, the sky became distant...
Keith: MC...
Keith-san said my name... After I heard that, I fell into darkness...
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