Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Lyon - Prince of Vilastin - Sun End
Chapter 6 - Lyon's Rebuttal
After seeing the servant's stern expression, Lyon-kun and I returned to the castle in a hurry...
......
Once we've entered the castle's main hall, his brothers that were waiting for Lyon-kun pressed onto him.
Lyon's Older Brother 1: Lyon! Explain why you snuck out of the castle like that!
Lyon's Older Brother 2: According to the townspeople, you've been constantly showing your face around town for no reason.
Lyon's Younger Brother: That's right, Big Bro, you need to get a hold of yourself...
Lyon: Eh...
Lyon-kun became surprised from hearing what his brothers said.
Lyon's Older Brother 1: Since you were chosen by the Goddess of Land and Water, you need to be more proper, otherwise, you'll just be making people uneasy.
Lyon: ...That's not true!
For the first time, Lyon-kun objected to his brother.
(Lyon-kun...)
Lyon-kun looked at his brothers as he puffed out his cheeks.
Lyon: I know that I shouldn't have made everyone at the castle worried, but... I've been watching over everyone in town properly and...
At that moment...
Guard: Lyon-sama, the townspeople are in front of the castle with a petition.
Lyon: Eh...
Lyon-kun's big eyes widened.
(A petition...?)
The atmosphere in the room became tense from the report that the guard has given...
Chapter 7 - The Strength of the Dandelion
When the guard mentioned the word, petition, the atmosphere in the room changed.
Lyon: Wait! What do you mean by petition? Is there some kind of problem in town?
Lyon-kun's big eyes trembled greatly in uneasiness.
(Lyon-kun...)
My heart started to become noisy from seeing him like that.
Guard: No, it's not like there's a big problem or anything, but... The flowers have withered and it has become a hindrance to the trades with other kingdoms. They want the royal prayers to be stronger...
(The royal prayers...?)
When I glanced towards Lyon-kun...
Lyon: ...The prince that has been chosen by the flower spirits needs to offer prayers every day to the goddess to maintain peace in the kingdom.
Responding to my gaze, he said that softly.
Guard: Among them, there are some people saying that Lyon-sama has been neglectful with the royal prayers...
Lyon: ...! No way!!
Lyon's Older Brother 1: See, this is because you've been playing around so carefreely.
Lyon: But...
While the eldest brother was blaming Lyon-kun, the second brother stepped in.
Lyon's Older Brother 2: We didn't say that it was bad to go out into town. But, if you're going out, you need to listen to the people more closely since you represent our kingdom.
Lyon: ...
As Lyon-kun only listened to his brothers uneasily, I couldn't do anything, but watch him.
Lyon's Older Brother 2: All the people of the dandelion are going to be looked down upon by the other flower spirits.
Lyon: ...Everyone in town...?
When he questioned that, his brothers silently nodded.
Lyon: T-That's... I didn't know that.
His voice was trembling as he said that. When I slowly walked up to him, I held Lyon-kun's hand.
Lyon: MC...
Then, Lyon-kun looked up at my face in surprise.
(Hang in there...!)
When those feelings got through to him, Lyon-kun looked straight at his brothers.
Lyon: ...Then, what should I do?
Lyon-kun asked that to his brothers earnestly.
Lyon's Older Brother 1: It must've been hard for you because you're young, but we'll help you here.
Lyon's Older Brother 2: That's right... Lyon, first, you must give out orders and should study more thoroughly.
Lyon's Younger Brother: I'll help too! So, Big Bro Lyon, give out an order!
His brothers looked at Lyon-kun with smiles.
Lyon: ...Me?
His eyes that were wavering in confusion turned towards me again. I strongly nodded towards those eyes.
(Since it's Lyon-kun, he can do it properly...)
Lyon: ...Okay. I'll go to the shrine and pray to the goddess!
That voice was no longer trembling...
(Lyon-kun... You can do it!!)
That clear straightforward voice reached the inside of my heart like a yell.
Lyon: So, Big Bros, you guys send out letter to the other princes of the flower spirits*!
T/N: Akito, Gerber and Nepenthes
Lyon's Younger Brother: And me?
Lyon: You go with the minister and get all the full details from the townspeople!
Then, after he took a deep breath again...
Lyon: Everyone, I'm counting on you!
Lyon-kun deeply lowered his head.
......
And so... To resolve the problem that had happened with the dandelion spirits, Lyon-kun spent the entire day being busy.
......
Then, by the time everything that has happened was taken care of, the stars started shining in the sky...
As I was unable to calm down, I spent the time in the castle courtyard.
(Lyon-kun... I wonder if he's okay.)
As I looked at the small flowers that were blooming in the courtyard, I thought about Lyon-kun. Then...
Lyon: Sorry, MC. Even though you came all this way here to hang out, this sort of thing happened.
Once Lyon-kun was finally done with work, he appeared while looking a little tired.
MC: No, you don't have to worry about me. More importantly, are the flowers okay?
Lyon: Yeah, I still don't know what'll happen tomorrow though...
When I looked at the small flowers, Lyon-kun smiled faintly.
Lyon: But, I'll reflect on myself this time... I shouldn't be thinking about myself... I need to be more proper, otherwise, my older brothers and younger brother won't be able to travel at ease.
MC: Lyon-kun...
His young face showed something that wasn't there before. It was the strength of the dandelion that won't lose to any kind of hardship...
Lyon: Hey, MC, it's going to get busy for a while, so we won't be able to meet. But, I'll become a praiseworthy prince the next time we meet and once that happens, will you come see me again?
MC: ...Lyon-kun.
Lyon-kun's eyes brightened up magically as the moonlight shined on them. For some reason, looking at those eyes made me feel overwhelmed.
Lyon: MC? Could it be that... You don't want to?
MC: Not at all! Yes, I promise!
Wanting to respond to those feelings, I nodded firmly.
Lyon: Then, it's a promise...
Just as he softly whispered that... Underneath the sky that was filled with stars, Lyon-kun placed a kiss on just my forehead...
Last Chapter - Looking Mature
-Flashback-
Lyon: Hey, MC, it's going to get busy for a while, so we won't be able to meet. But, I'll become a praiseworthy prince the next time we meet and once that happens, will you come see me again?
-Flashback-
Since then... By the time the seasons have went around after I left Vilastin... One day, I've received an invitation from Lyon-kun.
-Flashback-
Lyon: I've finally gotten used to doing my princely duties since then, so the withered flowers have returned to being healthy. If it's all right, won't you please come see my kingdom again?
-Flashback-
There was a single dandelion that came along with the letter.
(Lyon-kun...)
Warmth was filling up my heart. Then, I went to visit Vilastin again...
In the castle of the Dandelion Household that he manages, it somehow seemed completely calmer than before.
(This is...)
From what I can see, there were potted dandelions placed all over the castle. Also, they were all healthy and blooming happily in the sunlight...
MC: Um, these potted plants are?
Maid: Lyon-sama didn't want everyone's smiles to go away, so he filled the entire castle with flowers.
MC: Lyon-kun did?
Then, the maid smiled gently.
Maid: Yes. Now then, right this way, Lyon-sama is over here.
Once we were in front of Lyon-kun's room, the maid silently bowed and left.
(I wonder if Lyon-kun has been well.)
As my heart was pounding loudly from our longtime reunion, I opened the door and...
Lyon-kun was facing his desk while looking at some kind of document. That face looked so much mature than before...
MC: ...
Forgetting to speak, I ended up looking at him. Then...
Lyon: Huh? MC? Is that you, MC!? You came!!
MC: Ah... Yes! It's been a while, Lyon-kun.
Just as I spoke, he made that familiar sunlike smile on that stern face.
Lyon: Geez... Lyon-kun is a childish way of addressing me, it's embarrassing. So, from now on, call me, Lyon.
MC: T-Then, Lyon...?
Saying that gave me a ticklish feeling somehow. While looking at me, Lyon smiled deeply.
(Even his way of smiling seemed to have gotten a little mature...)
Within that cute form, I can see his inner strength from the atmosphere around him, it was like a straightened dandelion that could reach the sky...
MC: Lyon, you sure have become more praiseworthy.
Lyon: Yeah... That's because I don't want to make my brothers worry forever.
Even though his bashful behavior was cute, he was holding the document firmly.
Lyon: Sorry, just a little bit longer and I'll be done with work for today, so until then, you're free to hang around in the castle.
MC: ...Okay.
As Lyon continued his work vigorously, I left the room...
......
By the time Lyon was done with his duties, the sky was colored by the sunset completely.
When he called for me, I entered his room and...
(Huh...? Where's Lyon?)
Lyon was nowhere in his room. At that moment, I heard a song coming from somewhere.
(This song is...)
When I saw the opened window, there was a singing voice, along with a gentle scent drifting.
MC: Lyon?
Just as I said his name as I approached him...
He was sitting at the edge of the balcony while looking up at the sky that turned orange in a daze. Even though he was softly humming to himself, it sounded somewhat heartrending.
Lyon: MC...
He looked at the vast town of Vilastin that was below the balcony. Around Lyon, there were lots of bubbles floating as they were shining in the sunlight.
Lyon: ...Don't they smell nice? The bubbles look cute like this.
As those eyes shook sadly, my heart lightly throbbed. Then...
Lyon: Sometimes, I still yearn for it... Being free and doing as I please... A life where I'm not tied down to anything.
Lyon slowly closed his eyes.
MC: Lyon...
The words that he said softly made me remember what Lyon had told me before.
-Flashback-
Lyon: I want to hand over my position as prince to my brothers and go travel freely... I want to know more about the outside world...!
-Flashback-
HIs sincere wish for the freedom that he yearns for...
MC: ...
Without saying anything, I slowly walked over to Lyon...
Lyon: But, I'm a prince...
When he chuckled with a smile, he turned towards me. Suddenly, that face he was showing was maturely calm, but... There was a slight sadness hidden behind it... That it made my heart throb in pain.
Lyon: Hey, how do you see me now?
MC: Yes... You look really mature... It's nice.
When I answered honestly, I sat down next to him.
Lyon: ...Thank you.
Lyon placed his small hand over mine. His grip in that hand was filled with determination...
MC: ...
Wanting to respond to that, I held his hand back tightly. The bubbles that Lyon made left the balcony and drifted towards the sky. As those bubbles reflected the streets of Vilastin, they glowed beautifully in the sunset...
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