Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Lateria - Prince of Amarena - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Kingdom's Critical Situation
Kingdom of Frozen Treats, Amarena, July...
Along with a bright light emitting from a ring, an elegant man that gave out a noble feeling appeared.
??: ...Where am I?
Without losing composure, the man calmly looked around the area.
MC: Are you okay?
??: You are...
MC: I'm...
After I explained myself to him...
??: I see... So, you rescued me.
MC: Y-Yes...
The prince looked at me with his beautiful eyes. As those eyes were looking straight at me, I got embarrassed and averted my gaze from them.
??: Thank you very much, Princess MC. Pardon my rudeness. I'm Lateria. The first prince of the Kingdom of Frozen Treats, Amarena.
When Prince Lateria smiled, he took my hand with beautiful movements and kissed my fingers.
MC: !
That natural gesture made me speechless.
Lateria: I don't know how long I was asleep for, so... Who knows what's happening in my kingdom during my absence... I'm worried.
Prince Lateria's beautiful eyes looked down sadly.
Lateria: I need to hurry and return to the royal capital right away. But, I shouldn't leave you in a place like this... Also, you're my savior and I need to thank you.
After he combed up his long hair, he elegantly held out his hand to me.
Lateria: Won't you come to the royal capital with me?
MC: Sure...
As if a spell has been casted on me, I reached for that hand. Together with Prince Lateria, we headed to the royal capital of Amarena...
Then, we arrived at the royal capital, but...
The central part of Amarena that we arrived at was in a bad state. The icy grounds have melted into a slushy liquid and the land has sunk in various places.
Lateria: This is...
Prince Lateria was speechless as he looked around at the state of the area.
Lateria: At this rate, the island itself will sink soon, that's no joke.
I heard that the territory of the island kingdom, Amarena, has ice that doesn't melt no matter what. Although, right now, the ice in the heart of the city is melting.
(What happened...)
Lateria: ...I must hurry and fix this.
As Prince Lateria furrowed his well-featured brow, he murmured that bitterly...
Chapter 2 - Lateria's Nephew
When Prince Lateria and I arrived at the central part of Amarena, the town's icy grounds had turned into liquid and was in a critical situation.
Lateria: It can't be that...
As Prince Lateria looked at the crumbled down buildings and houses, he was shocked.
Lateria: The royal family... What were my sister and the others doing... How did they let this happen...
(Sister?)
I tilted my head to the side when he murmured that word...
Lateria: MC-dono.
Prince Lateria's expression instantly stiffened up.
Lateria: I wanted to take my time to show you some hospitality, but do you mind waiting for a bit?
Prince Lateria looked apologetic from the bottom of his heart as he lowered his brow.
///Choices///
- I want to help somehow (☼)
MC: If there's something I can do... Then, please, let me help.
Lateria: ...You're a pretty kind person.
- Don't worry about me (☽)
MC: You don't need to worry about me... More importantly, I'm worried about the problem in the kingdom.
Lateria: MC-dono... Thank you for your concerns.
///Choices///
As Prince Lateria's shiny beautiful hair fluttered smoothly, he looked at me with a refreshing smile.
Lateria: Still, I'm going to do something about this situation, so it'll be okay.
MC: Then... Do you have an idea on what caused this?
Lateria: Yeah. You have nothing to worry about.
Prince Lateria gently smiled to reassure me.
Lateria: Then, I would like you to accept my hospitality. You're my savior after all. Won't you come to the castle with me?
MC: Sure...
As I was looking at his beautifully refined face at a close distance, I nodded with my heart going fast...
......
Butler: Lateria-sama, you're all right!
Head Maid: Lateria-sama...!
Once the people in the castle saw Prince Lateria, they ran up to him as they shouted in rejoice.
Lateria: Sorry about that, everyone. I just saw the state of the town. I'll be doing something about it right away. Call the ambassador!
When Prince Lateria gave that order with a dignified voice, the butler straightened himself up.
Butler: Understood!
The stiff atmosphere around the surrounding people was lifted.
Guard 1: What a relief... There's nothing to worry about, now that Lateria-sama is here...
Guard 2: Yeah... Who knows how long we've been waiting for this day.
The guards' expressions showed their wholehearted trust and respect towards Prince Lateria.
(Wow... Being supported by everyone in the castle.)
While I was admiring Prince Lateria, he turned towards me as I was watching him talk.
Lateria: I'll have the butler show you to a room. Take your time to rest there.
Just as he was about to give that order to the butler at that moment...
??: Well, well... Looks like His Highness, Lateria, has returned.
Along with Prince Lateria, we turned towards that arrogant sounding voice. Showing up from the other side of the hallway, there was a young man in a flashy attire.
Lateria: ...Dacre.
After Prince Lateria murmured his name with a complicated expression, I was told that he was his nephew and the second to inherit the throne.
Guard: Dacre-sama...
The surrounding guards looked at Dacre-san with stern expressions.
Dacre: I'm glad that the outstanding His Highness has returned.
While looking at the guards, Dacre-san snorted.
Lateria: Didn't you see the state of the kingdom? What have you been doing this whole time?
Dacre: Don't you know? I can't do anything with my strength.
Dacre-san shrugged his shoulders with a submissive smile.
(What is it... This feeling...)
That smile made a chilling sensation go down my spine...
Chapter 3 - The Ice Crystal's Temple
When Prince Lateria took me to the Amarena castle, we encountered his nephew, Dacre-san.
Lateria: Didn't you see the state of the kingdom? What have you been doing this whole time?
Dacre: Don't you know? I can't do anything with my strength.
Dacre-san responded to Prince Lateria's stern words with a faint smile.
Dacre: ...This person is?
Dacre-san turned towards me. That mockingly gaze made me stiffened up and...
Lateria: I need to take care of this now immediately. I'll formally introduce her to you later.
Prince Lateria suddenly stood in front of me to defend me from Dacre-san.
Lateria: I'll see you later, Dacre.
After giving a glance to Dacre-san, Prince Lateria looked away from him.
Lateria: The situation has changed... MC-dono, this way.
When he placed his hand on my back, we proceeded into the castle. We left from there while leaving Dacre-san at that spot...
......
While giving me a tour, we arrived at a well-made temple. With plants that were coiled around the stone walls that show how old it is, I can tell that this temple was from the old times like the castle.
Lateria: Sorry for getting you involved. I thought that you would be safer with me...
MC: Eh...?
(Safer...? What does he mean?)
Lateria: ...
As Prince Lateria was silently pondering about something, he opened the temple's mechanized door.
Lateria: ...There's something I'm curious about, but I'll tell you about it later.
MC: I understand.
When we went up the stairs of the temple, we finally arrived inside.
MC: This place is...?
Lateria: What Amarena holds deep in the ocean is the ice crystal that freezes the ground on the entire island.
MC: Ice crystal...?
Lateria: This temple is the hall that is used for offering prayers to the ice crystal.
In the center of the vast room, there was an altar with a huge washbowl, filled with water, placed on it.
Lateria: I'm going to send some power to the ice crystal through this reflective water.
MC: Power...?
As I tilted my head to the side, Prince Lateria looked at me as he chuckled with a smile.
Lateria: You'll understand by watching... Just wait for a bit.
MC: Okay.
When Prince Lateria went up towards the altar, he kneeled before the reflective water and silently looked down. When he slightly bent forward, he softly blew on the reflective water and ripples were spreading out softly.
(Pretty...)
That mystical scene took my breath away. While I was watching the sequence, there was suddenly a sharp stiffening sound.
(Eh!? What?)
Lateria: MC-dono, there's no need to panic.
MC: Prince Lateria...
Once he was done praying, Prince Lateria silently got up and returned from the altar.
Lateria: That sound just now was a sign that the ice crystal has responded to the power that I've sent.
MC: Then, that means...
Lateria: Yes, everything should be fine now.
///Choices///
- Amazing (☼)
MC: Amazing, all of that in just one moment...
With feelings of respect, I looked up at Prince Lateria...
Lateria: Sorry for making you worry.
Prince Lateria's hand gently held my shoulder.
- That's good...! (☽)
MC: That's good...!
Feeling relieved, I smiled at Prince Lateria...
Lateria: ...I'm glad that you feel that way towards my own kingdom.
While smiling, he gently caressed my hair...
///Choices///
Lateria: Now then, MC-dono, let's go check outside.
With an elegant smile, Prince Lateria suggested to me that we go out.
MC: Okay...!
As I was feeling excited, we headed outside of the temple.
Once we were outside, the melted ground went back to being frozen properly and the sunken land has evened out.
Lateria: Looks like we managed to surpass the crisis... It's all thanks to you waking me up.
///Choices///
- I'm happy to be of help (☼)
MC: I'm happy to be of help.
When I became bashful, Prince Lateria smiled at me.
Lateria: ...I'm glad that I met you.
- I didn't do anything (☽)
MC: That's... I didn't do anything.
Lateria: There's no need to be so modest. It's the truth that you saved me after all.
///Choices///
Lateria: Thank you so much.
Prince Lateria lightly held my fingers and looked at my face. Even though he thanked me, my heart was racing because of his handsome face being so close.
MC: Yes... That's good. Only you could've done that, Prince Lateria.
Lateria: Well, people do say that my powers are strong......
Just as Prince Lateria stopped his words there, he thought about something.
(Prince Lateria...?)
When he made a serious look, I couldn't bring myself to ask him about anything else...
Chapter 4 - A Moment of Rest
After Prince Lateria bestowed some power to the ice crystal, the problems in Amarena were averted peacefully. A few days later since then, when Prince Lateria went to check on the damages in the kingdom, he put in the effort to help with the reconstructions...
One morning, I heard a knock on the door and just as I was about to respond...
Lateria: It's me. May I come in?
(Prince Lateria!)
MC: Yes, come in.
Holding back my slightly noisy heart, I hurried to open the door and let him in the room.
Lateria: Do you remember me saying that I want to show you some hospitality?
MC: Yes.
Lateria: If it's all right with you, I'd like to show you around town. I especially want to treat you to Amarena's famous gelato, MC.
MC: !
When he suddenly said my name, my heart became a little noisy.
MC: I'd be glad to...! But, is the town okay?
Lateria: Yes, the damages in town weren't that bad. Everything's back to being peaceful now.
MC: I see, that's good.
Lateria: Who knows what would've happened if I had gotten there a bit later... It's thanks to you. I want to show you my gratitude.
When I nodded happily, Prince Lateria smiled in relief...
In the town of Amarena, there were lots of ice cream and gelato shops lined up next to each other.
Lateria: We gather every kind of frozen treat. Lots of people from other kingdoms come to visit here for that sole reason. But, speaking of Amarena...
......
After we bought some gelato from the most popular shop in Amarena, we headed to a nearby nature park.
Lateria: Are you enjoying the gelato?
As we were sitting on a bench, Prince Lateria asked me that.
///Choices///
- It's really delicious (☼)
MC: Yes, it's really delicious.
Lateria: That's good.
- It's making me cold (☽)
MC: It's making me cold.
Lateria: You'll get over the slightly chilly feeling afterwards.
///Choices///
Lateria: ...Parties and shows are common too... I wanted you to know about that part of Amarena too. I want you to know more about Amarena. No, not just the kingdom... But, myself as well.
MC: Prince Lateria...?
Just as I said that softly, Prince Lateria's finger softly touched my lips.
Lateria: ...Don't move.
MC: !
As I felt his warm thumb move, I became startled.
Lateria: There was some gelato at the corner of your lips. But, you're all right now.
MC: T-Thank you... Prince Lateria.
Lateria: ...
Prince Lateria combed up his hair with a troubled smile.
MC: Um...?
(Could it be that he's fed up with me...?)
Lateria: ...I'd be happy if you'd stop calling me in such a formal way soon.
MC: Eh...
From those unexpected words, I...
///Choices///
- What should I call you? (☼)
MC: Then... What should I call you?
Lateria: ...Try Lateria.
MC: ...Then... Lateria-san.
Lateria: You saying my name makes it sound so special.
- I understand (☽)
MC: ...I understand. Let's see... Lateria-san.
Lateria: You calling me by my names makes it feel like the distance between us has gotten closer.
When he happily smiled, he placed some of my hair over my ear.
///Choices///
As my gaze was wandering around in embarrassment, Lateria-san looked at me with a heated gaze.
Lateria: Why?
As he was looking at me with his beautiful noble smile, I became unable to say anything else...
Chapter 5 - The Nephew's Rebellion
By the time the stars were twinkling in the sky and night was hanging... When we went to town, the distance between Lateria-san and I had gotten closer as spent such a nice day together.
After we returned to the Amarena castle, Lateria-san escorted me to my room.
Lateria: Was today enjoyable?
MC: Yes, very. Thank you so much.
Lateria: That's good... MC!
Suddenly... Lateria-san's eyes widened in surprise.
MC: Eh...?
The moment Lateria-san shouted and reached out to me...
MC: ...!
From the dark room, a man suddenly appeared and captured me.
Lateria: You're... Dacre's subordinate.
In the air, Lateria-san clenched his hand tightly.
Dacre: ...Discovering the mastermind so quickly, how boring.
Accompanied by many subordinates, Dacre-san appeared from his hiding spot with a faint smile.
Dacre: I see that you had fun today... It's nice that you guys are getting along well. I'm jealous, Your Highness, Lateria.
As I was unable to move, Dacre-san pointed a dagger towards my neck.
MC: ...
The cold sensation made me tremble.
Lateria: What is the meaning of this, Dacre...
Lateria-san's eyes were shaking in anger.
Dacre: If you hadn't woken up, this kingdom would've sunk into the ocean and disappear.
Lateria: ...Why would you want something like that?
Dacre: Because I hate you... For looking down on my mother and me...!
Just as he mentioned his mother, Dacre-san had an annoyed look in his eyes as he shouted.
(Dacre-san's mother... In other words, Lateria-san's older sister...)
While my arms were restrained behind my back by the male subordinate, I couldn't do anything, but hold my breath as I watched the two of them talk to each other.
Dacre: Mother told me that she feels unhappy whenever she sees you. Even though my mother, the first born, was raised to inherit the throne... The moment you were born, you became the successor instead.
Lateria: ...
Dacre: Ever since I was born, I would listen to her cursing you and Amarena throughout my entire life. Because of that, everyone around me would compare us all the time, they all treated me like a failure... Can't you see why I couldn't help, but hate you from that?
As Dacre-san laughed mockingly, he doesn't seem to notice my existence since he was only focusing on Lateria-san.
(What should I do...)
///Choices///
- Struggle to escape (☼)
(I could probably escape now... I don't want to cause trouble for Lateria-san...!)
I was about to take this chance to escape, but I was pulled back that instant.
Dacre: Such an energetic princess... If you don't behave, my hand might slip.
- Look for an opportunity (☽)
(...It might be possible for me to escape while he's off guard.)
Just as I made that plan, Dacre-san glanced towards me.
Dacre: His Highness' precious princess, were you trying to think of a way to escape? If that neck gets covered in fresh blood, would that upset His Highness?
///Choices///
MC: ...!
Lateria: Dacre, stop...!
Just as he gripped the handle of the blade, Lateria-san shouted that with a tense expression...
Chapter 6 - The Appearance of a Prince
That night after Lateria-san and I were walking in town... I was taken hostage by Dacre-san, who ambushed me in my room.
Dacre: You shouldn't have woken up His Highness... Because of you doing something unnecessary...!
When Dacre-san's face strained into an aggravating expression, he grabbed my neck.
MC: ...!
(My breath...)
With my throat being strangled, I couldn't breathe well.
Lateria: MC has nothing to do with this!
Dacre: Nothing to do with this? If she hadn't woken you up...!
Dacre-san swung around the dagger that he was holding as he shouted. While he was choking me with his other arm, I wasn't given the chance to escape again.
(Lateria-san...)
As my consciousness was gradually getting hazy...
///Choices///
- Believe in Lateria (☼)
(...I'll believe in Lateria-san.)
When I looked at Lateria-san, he returned a strong nod.
- Close your eyes to calm down (☽)
To get rid of my fears just a little, I closed my eyes tight.
(It'll be okay... I'm sure that Lateria-san will save me.)
///Choices///
Lateria: Dacre... What is it that you want?
Glancing towards Dacre-san's subordinates that were in waiting in the corner of the room, Lateria-san asked that.
Dacre: I want everything destroyed, Your Highness!
At that moment... Among Dacre-san's subordinates, one of the men jumped in and kicked Dacre-san's arm from below. Just as the dagger fell on top of the carpet, I was breathing right at the same time.
MC: ...!
Once I was suddenly free, I was about to fall at that spot and...
Lateria: MC!
Lateria-san held me tightly.
Lateria: Are you okay? I'm sorry, it's my fault...!
Lateria-san looked down at me worriedly.
Dacre: W-What is the meaning of this...!?
While holding my shoulder, Lateria-san turned towards Dacre-san.
Lateria: I wanted to see if you were up to something. So, I put my subordinate into hiding.
Aside from the man that took away the dagger, a few other people seemed to be Lateria-san's subordinates. Lateria-san's subordinate started to hold down Dacre-san with his overwhelming strength.
Dacre: ...Kuh.
Lateria: Got anything else to say, Dacre?
When Lateria-san kneeled and looked down at Dacre-san coldly, he asked him that. With Lateria-san's noble appearance in front of him, Dacre-san looked really small...
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