Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Lulus - Prince of Alchemia - Moon End
Chapter 7 - Sudden Proposal
-Flashback-
Lulus: The future... The making of the elixir... That reason is why I've been thinking about completing it before...
-Flashback-
The next day... Lulus and I were called to the throne room by the king and queen.
(I wonder what they want to talk about.)
As I stiffened up, I waited for them to speak until they sat on the throne...
Queen: There's no need to be nervous, Traumerei Princess. We're just strongly requesting a marriage agreement with you.
King: You and Lulus get along quite well and he's been called a genius since the founding of Alchemia. How about it? If you marry our son, that'll be the chance for both of our kingdoms to provide for each other-
MC: Eh?
Lulus: ...Huh?
(What was that just now...? Marriage?)
When I repeated that word in my mind, I looked at Lulus as he was standing beside me.
Lulus: ...
Lulus just stood there vaguely.
Lulus: Me... and MC? Just hold on. Um... Why so suddenly?
As he was shaking unusually, his gaze roamed around between the throne and me.
Queen: We can tell from looking at you. You've reached a dead end in the research, right?
Lulus: ...!
Queen: We heard that Traumerei holds the hidden dream power... In other words, it's powerful.
King: That's right. If you borrow that power, it'll surely complete the elixir quickly.
Lulus: ...
Lulus clenched his fist tightly.
Lulus: So, what you're saying is... I'm not enough to get the elixir, is that right?
MC: Lulus...
Lulus: Sorry. It's the same for you too, but... Any more of this and it'll just affect my pride.
Lulus stopped me and sidled up towards the throne.
Lulus: I understand that it's this kingdom's dearest wish... But... I will spend my life to make the elixir with my own hands!
When his voice echoed throughout the throne room, he left from there.
Queen: Wait, Lulus! You can't obtain the elixir by relying on the Kingdom of Spirits' power!
King: Lulus! Are you saying that your pride is more important than the kingdom!?
(That's...!)
As insults were being thrown at Lulus, he didn't turn towards the king and queen once...
Chapter 8 - Worrying...
The talk about Lulus and I getting married severed the relationship between parent and child greatly... Since then, Lulus has shut himself in his lab.
-Flashback-
Lulus: Sorry, I didn't mean for you to see me talk that way to my parents...
-Flashback-
(Lulus, even though he said that to me the last time we've met...)
It has already been 3 days and Lulus still haven't left the lab.
(If he continues to keep this up...)
When I looked outside the window, the sky was already turning red. Just as I stopped at that spot while feeling pain, I headed to the lab.
MC: Lulus? Are you in there...?
When I knocked on the door to the lab, there was no response. After I waited for a bit, I knocked once more. Then...
Lulus: ...MC?
MC: Lulus!
When I heard his voice that sounded like he just woke up, I slowly opened the door. Since the last time I've visited the lab, it was messier with all his written notes scattered around the floor, which was not giving me any space for me to walk on.
MC: Lulus... Are you okay?
Lulus raised his head from the top of the desk in the middle of the room. He seemed like a different person as his face showed that he has failed to complete the elixir.
Lulus: I'm fine... ...Somehow. I just can't come up with an idea or a formula. This is the first time that something like this has happened... Despite that I know why Father and Mother wants the elixir so strangely...
MC: ...
I remembered what they said to him a few days ago.
-Flashback-
Queen: Wait, Lulus! You can't obtain the elixir by relying on the Kingdom of Spirits' power!
King: Lulus! Are you saying that your pride is more important than the kingdom!?
-Flashback-
(Despite that he continued working hard this whole time... They said something like that to him.)
While thinking about his own feelings, I couldn't bring myself to say anything...
Lulus: You don't need to say anything.
MC: Eh...
Lulus: I don't want to borrow your power to make the elixir.
MC: That's... If you tell them how you feel, they'll understand.
The bags underneath his eyes, the huge piles of documents and books, his hands that became rough from the chemicals...
(They're all from Lulus working hard by himself. Even if no one understands or if there's not a single person that he can trust...)
Lulus: I'm grateful. Despite these slightly pitiful feelings.
MC: That's not...
Without waiting for my words, Lulus smiled self-mockingly.
Lulus: It's like what you said. Making the elixir is my life's purpose. Even so, if I do succeed in making the elixir, will it be used to bring misfortune to people? Thinking of what Father and Mother said, who knows what they'll do with the friendship treaty that we made with the Kingdom of Spirits from then on... That thought made my head go blank.
After he murmured that, Lulus gripped the notes on top of the desk.
MC: Lulus...
When I looked around the room a few times, I remembered how Lulus did his research.
MC: When you were continuing your research to pursue the elixir, you were shining so much. I do know that your alchemy has made people abundant. So... I'm sure that even the elixir will make people happy if you're the one who makes it.
The words that I didn't intend on saying just came out of my mouth.
Lulus: MC?
At that moment, Lulus finally looked at me. With an exhausted expression, he tilted his head to the side strangely.
MC: Ah... Just now, um...
Lulus: ...I see, you-
MC: ...!
His hand reached out to me and gently held my fingers. Although, just as he was about to speak, he stiffened up.
(Was he about to say something just now...?)
When I noticed that he swallowed up his words, I continued to wait for him. However, as he was holding my hand, he fell on the desk again...
MC: ...
In the end, I parted from him without a word that day. Although, his body warmth was still lingering on my fingers that he held...
Chapter 9 - Just One
Without saying much to each other, I left his lab that night... The next day, he went back to being the same as usual again and started concentrating on the research. Although...
MC: Lulus! Are you okay!?
When I heard that he collapsed in the lab, I hurried to his room to see him.
Doctor: Quiet. He just overworked himself. He'll get better after resting for a few days.
MC: I'm sorry...
After the doctor told me that as he was preparing a pillow, I became slightly embarrassed.
Doctor: Hohoho... But still, who knew that Lulus-sama had such a cute lover. Since Lulus-sama has been working for so many years... It's a joyous thing.
MC: !
Lulus: When someone is in a weak state... Can you not say something like that?
Doctor: You've changed too, Lulus-sama.
After the doctor smiled, he put away his medical tools in a bag and left the room. As Lulus was lying in bed, it became just the two of us as my cheeks were red from what the doctor said earlier.
Lulus: How pathetic... It seems like I got too worked up and ended up overdoing it.
MC: Lulus...
After he squinted his eyes and smiled, he got up and looked at me. His hand that held my fingers was the same one from the other day, but it was weak...
MC: You should rest up first. Then, you can do your research after that. I'll stay by your side until you complete the elixir.
As I said that so naturally, I gripped his fingers. Then...
Lulus: ...You said so yourself. If I'm the one who makes it, it'll make everyone happy.
MC: ...Yes.
He said those warm words.
Lulus: Can you promise me one thing?
MC: What is it?
Lulus: ...I'm not good at this sort of thing, so I can't put it to words well... Well, once I get better, there's a place that I want to go to with you.
MC: ...A place that you want to go to?
Lulus: No, I'll just say it clearly, I want to spend the day with you at ease.
MC: That's...
Just as I was about to question those blunt words, Lulus made a bit of an embarrassed smile...
Last Chapter - Trusting Those Words
One day, there was a clear blue sky crossing over... When Lulus invited me out after he got better, he took me to the residential area of the town in Alchemia and there was a huge fountain in the park.
MC: I didn't know that there was a place like this near town.
Lulus: Weren't you given a tour of the town before?
MC: Yes. The entire day just ended so quickly as I was going around town...
When he pointed towards the fountain, he moved the tip of his finger towards the building next to it.
Lulus: This place is a water filtering plant that was made from the use of alchemy's power. This fountain and flowing stream that's kind of on the other side of the park are being used by water that's been purified in the filtering plant. Even though the kingdom made a plan for a water filtering facility, it was my idea to make a park next to it.
MC: Really?
Lulus: Yeah. Since the water is going to get clean, the fountain should make it clean as well! That's what I wanted to show. I could say that was the purpose of my research too... Once I try rethinking some things, I might show something extraordinary.
After saying that, Lulus made a mischievous smile.
(The filtering plant was a result of Lulus' research.)
I looked at the vast grounds of the park. In the tranquil park during the day, people were peacefully spending their time in their own way.
MC: You're amazing, Lulus...
Lulus: Such praiseful words. I don't feel anything from anyone saying something like that, but I feel happy when you say it.
When he said that, he gently held my hand as he was next to me. I could hear birds chirping as they were going across the gaps through the planted trees in the park. When I got closer to him, he quietly hugged me...
(So warm...)
Within my heart, Lulus' presence was getting bigger. As I placed my head against his chest, I could hear his heartbeat going at the same pace as mine.
......
While peacefully spending time together, the sky began to turn into a gradation of red to blue.
(It has already become this late... But, I still want to be with him.)
The moment I thought of that.
Lulus: MC.
MC: Eh?
As the evening sun was shining on the park, Lulus held me.
Lulus: Today, there's something that I must tell you here. The time when you came to visit my lab... I realized something after hearing your words.
With a serious look in his eyes, he got down on one knee before me and...
Lulus: I... I love you. This is the first time someone has made me feel this way.
MC: Lulus...?
Lulus: I will continue my research and complete the elixir... Until I do, will you stay by my side forever? Can you trust those words...?
MC: ...Are you really okay with me?
Lulus: ...This isn't a joke. I don't even find people that tells jokes amusing. I'm just a hopeless man that only devotes himself to the alchemy that he finds fascinating. But, you're the only other exception that I'll shift my attention to.
MC: Lulus... I'm happy...
HIs sparkling eyes that were aiming for his dream straight on were now looking at me.
Lulus: I promise. Once I complete the elixir, I want to use it's strength for your sake. Just like that fountain, yours and everyone else's days of happiness are slowly getting closer... So, won't you watch over this kingdom's future with me?
MC: Yes... Lulus.
When he gently held my hand, he placed his lips on top of it. That soft warmth filled my heart with happiness...
(With Lulus here, this kingdom will surely...)
I had a feeling that there'll be a future filled with happiness for all the people living in Alchemia...
Add comment
Comments