Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Million - Prince of Sincea - Moon End
Chapter 7 - Him Revealed
After a while since then...
Million: Because of the other kingdom's condition, the market prices have gone down... At this rate, the merchants' complaints are going to get worse. Honestly, incompetent people are always in the way.
When Million-kun threw the economic papers on the desk, he sighed deeply.
(Even though he has been smiling while talking to the visitors earlier...)
Since that night... While Million-kun was in front of me, he shows his normal face.
Million: ...What?
When Million-kun noticed my gaze, he scowled bluntly.
MC: Nothing... It's just that, you're pretty skillful.
Million: ...Huh? That's it?
MC: Yes, you do splendidly in different things.
Million: How plain, don't you think I'm a bad person?
(A bad person? Million-kun...?)
He can be rude sometimes, but he cherishes this kingdom from the bottom of his heart. I realized that when he does whatever he could to protect the weak.
MC: I don't think you're a bad person. Right?
Kitten: Meow~
Million: ...You really are strange.
Million-kun murmured that as he affectionately rubbed the kitten's chin.
(Did I say something strange?)
I made a wry smile towards his blunt attitude and...
Servant: Million-sama...!
A frantic servant ran into the room...
Chapter 8 - Creeping Shadow
A servant ran into the room in a panic.
Servant: Your Highness, please look at this...!
The servant held out a newspaper.
Million: ...!
Million-kun's face stiffened up when he looked at it.
(This is...)
"The Sincea Kingdom's Beautiful Prince, Million: Dark Suspicions Hidden Behind the Smile"
On the newspaper, there was a written article that was filled with ill intent towards Million-kun's diplomatic system.
Servant: We must deal with the person who wrote this article in the kingdom...!
Million: This is concrete information about a leak... To administer justice, we need to gather evidence properly.
Million-kun calmly told that to the panicky servant.
Servant: Million-sama... Does that mean you're going to accept this!?
Million: At a time like this, we won't get anywhere without an explanation. Right now, I'm just going to do official work.
Servant: ...
(Is that all right...?)
When Million-kun suddenly looked at me, he sighed deeply.
Million: ...Haa, stay on your guard. It'll probably be too much for you to handle.
MC: Eh...
Million: Don't think too much about what's happening. There's nothing for you to worry about. Got it?
With both hands on his hips, he looked at me as he said that...
......
Since then, a few days have passed in just a blink of an eye. During the times when Million-kun goes to inspect the town, he listens carefully to what the people say, but...
Million: Spread these documents around.
Servant: ...Understood. Although, the ambassador of the Meskina Kingdom has sent a request to have an audience with you.
Million: Yeah. Right now, I'm unavailable.
Since Million-kun hadn't been meeting with anyone, the people working in the castle have started distancing themselves from him.
Servant: Well then, I'll go send this letter...
Whenever the retainers encounter Million-kun, they become startled and start working happily with caution.
(At this rate, anyone who saw the new report will be staying away from Million-kun...)
MC: Million-kun...
Million: ...What?
As Million-kun puts down the documents that moment, he responded bluntly.
MC: I made some tea, so... How about you rest for a bit before it gets cold?
I softly placed a plate of cookies on the desk.
Million: ...Sure.
Without raising his head, Million-kun silently does his work by himself in a trance.
MC: Million-kun. Have you talked to anyone properly?
Million: Talk? There's no need to. Like I said, we won't get anywhere without an explanation. Also...
MC: Eh...
Before I knew it, Million-kun held my hand at that moment.
Million: ...
(Million-kun...?)
With nothing to say at the moment, there was a bit of uneasiness in Million-kun's eyes.
Million: ...No, never mind. It's possible that you'll be facing some trouble due to the circumstances. For now, just stay in your room.
MC: ...? Okay...
......
Along with the prince's smile disappearing, the economic state of Sincea has fallen... In the midst of the depression atmosphere, the people of the kingdom have begun to lose faith.
Servant: A letter has arrived for you, MC-sama.
MC: ...For me? Thank you very much.
While thinking that the nameless sender was strange, I opened the seal.
"It's about the dark rumor of Prince Million. If you want it to be rewritten correctly, come to this spot alone."
(Could it be... The person who made the leak in the news report?)
When I read the letter one more time, I was convinced by the contents that it contained.
(Million-kun has bet everything in order to protect this kingdom... I don't want to see it fall like this no matter what...!)
Just like what I promised, I went alone to the place that was mentioned in the letter...
Chapter 9 - The Reason Behind the Smile
I went to the designated spot that was in the letter that was sent to me...
??: ...Princess MC of Traumerei.
There were two messengers in clothes from another kingdom waiting for me.
(These two, where have I seen them...?)
When I looked at one of them, I gasped as I remembered. It was the ambassador of the Meskina Kingdom that Million-kun was talking to on the night of the dinner banquet.
(This person is...!)
Ambassador: Just like what I wrote in the letter, I'll have the news story rewritten correctly, but on one condition.
MC: And that would be...?
Ambassador: I want you to break off relations with Sincea as the Traumerei Princess.
I was surprised by the sudden request.
MC: That kind of decision...
Ambassador: Were you hesitating when you came here?
The messenger made a bit of a cold smile.
Ambassador: Seems like the Traumerei Princess is a cruel person as well. Are you saying that it doesn't matter if Sincea dies out?
MC: No, I...!
Ambassador: Looks like you have been deceived by the prince's beautiful mask too.
The messenger showed some sympathy and looked at me as he furrowed his brow.
Ambassador: The Sincea Kingdom is a foolish kingdom that is supported by a prince that lies and deceits... Right now is the time to stand up and free the people from the prince's dark anticipations.
(That's...)
I remembered Million-kun's sad past. He earnestly pursues for everyone's happiness by freeing them from the heavy poverty. Behind his beautiful smile, there was nothing, but the pain that he was enduring by himself...
MC: It's a shame, but... What you said isn't true.
When I made the response, the ambassador's expression changed.
MC: I believe in Million-kun. He'll never give in to those rumors and will protect this kingdom till the end.
Ambassador: I see... Well then. I guess I'm going to have to take you to my kingdom right away.
(!?)
The messenger grabbed me and covered my mouth.
(This scent...!)
As my consciousness was swaying, my vision became dim...
Last Chapter - Grateful Feelings
When I smelled the cloth that had a chemical in it, my consciousness was starting to fade away.
(Million-kun...)
That was when I called out his name.
Million: MC...!
After hearing him shout my name loudly, I regained consciousness by a slim chance.
Million: You...
Million-kun's expression clouded up when he saw the ambassador of Meskina.
Million: Don't touch MC with your filthy hands!
Ambassador: Of course, I'll return her soon. Unless you sign a contract that'll have Sincea swear dependency to my kingdom.
(What does he mean...?)
Million: ...!
When he held out a document, there was a raging anger in Million-kun's eyes after he looked at it.
Million: These contents... It's the same unequal treaty that Dad had to deal with...
Ambassador: Oh, is that so? How unexpected.
As the ambassador responded innocently, he shrugged his shoulders with a chuckle.
Ambassador: If you want to protect the Traumerei Princess, sign this contract.
MC: Don't say such a ridiculous thing...!
Million: ...MC.
I looked at Million-kun as I desperately reached out to him.
MC: Don't forget! DIdn't you want to protect this kingdom? If you do, don't sign it no matter what...!
When Million-kun heard me, he closed his eyes tightly to endure the pain.
Million: What I want to protect most is...
Then, he quietly took a deep breath to compose himself. With a trembling hand, he was about to sign the contract.
(No...)
MC: Million-kun...!
Kitten: Meow!
At that moment, the kitten jumped out from Million-kun's chest.
Messenger: W-What the...!?
When the kitten jumped at the messenger and surprised him, it used it's sharp claws to scratch his face.
Million: MC...!
The moment the messenger loosened his arms, I took that chance and ran over to Million-kun.
Million: Thank goodness...
Million-kun hugged me tightly and placed his lips against my forehead.
(Million-kun...)
Soon after, the guards arrived and arrested the ambassador of Meskina.
......
A few days later since then... We cleared up everything to the retainers that day. About how the Meskina Kingdom was truly aiming to form an unequal treaty with the Sincea Kingdom and that they were the ones who were spreading the dark rumor about the prince... And how Million-kun thinks about this kingdom's people more than anyone else and dedicates everything to it... When everyone heard me explain about the neutral situation, they finally felt reassured. Then, the truth behind the dark rumor of the prince had spread out to town. Thus, Sincea has become lively like before...
......
That night... In the lamp lit room, Million-kun and I were cuddled up together quietly.
Million: Honestly... You do such unnecessary things.
MC: ...I'm sorry.
Million: Anyway, did you really think that I wouldn't do anything? The publisher of that news story has made proper arrangements to destroy the evidence.
MC: T-Then, what you're saying is...
Million: ...
MC: Million-kun?
Million: That's what I assumed since you got involved. That's why I told you not to do anything...
MC: ...I'm really sorry.
Then, Million-kun became silent. There was nothing, but the moonlight shining into the room.
Million: ...It's not a problem, it's actually a good thing.
MC: Eh?
Million: At that time... The kingdom, honor and fortunes too... I thought it would be all right to throw them all way. All so that i can stay by your side...
As Million-kun hung his head down, his voice was shaking faintly.
MC: Thank you... Million-kun.
I softly smiled at Million-kun.
(Eh?)
At that moment, he pushed me down against the sofa and looked into my eyes.
Million: Caught you.
MC: U-Um...
Million: This is your punishment for making me worried.
When Million-kun looked at me with teary eyes, my chest tightened in pain.
Million: ...I became really worried when you disappeared. You're the only one who can make me feel that way. Hey... Will you make up for it?
(...!)
Million-kun teased me by placing his soft lips against my nape. Instead of words, only my sweet breath came out from my lips.
Million: MC... Won't you stay by my side from now on? ...No matter what kind of person I am?
In Million-kun's daring eyes, it felt like there was a pure angel and a mischievous devil coexisting together...
(If he looks at me like that...)
As my heart was pounding sweetly, it showed me what love is.
Million: Fufu... Looks like you've realized it. Just like this, you're weak against me.
MC: Wha...
Million: ...Am I wrong?
His huge teary eyes made me speechless.
(Cute... And also, affectionate...)
Before I knew it, I realized that I was strongly captivated by him. With his body so close to me, I became aware of how hot my cheeks were... As I looked at Million-kun, I gave him a small nod. Then, he happily narrowed his eyes... He placed his lips against my ear and whispered to me...
Million: ...Thank you.
When he said that clearly, his voice spread out throughout my entire body...
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