Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Ouka - Prince of Hourai - Sun End
Chapter 7 - The Deadline
As Ouka-san was breathing heavily, he somehow got up.
Ouka: I'm... okay. My apologies for only making you worried.
MC: Please don't apologize. Let's hurry and take you back to your room!
Just as I got closer to him and supported him up with my hand, Ouka-san gently pulled away from me.
(It's like the time when he held the flower petals...)
When I remembered that, I became overwhelmed with a heartrending sadness. Guessing what I was feeling, Ouka-san made a frown on his face.
Ouka: My deepest apologies. Please don't feel bad... But.
When he looked at my hand that he was holding, Ouka-san looked down.
Ouka: If I touch you anymore than this, I won't be able to take it.
(What does he mean...?)
Ouka: Please, stay away from me.
The moment he said that, some servants that arrived in the courtyard and noticed Ouka-san's abnormal behavior entered my vision.
Servant: Ouka-sama!
Ouka: I'm running out of time...
When he murmured that softly, Ouka-san turned his back on me as he was being supported by the servants. As I watched Ouka-san getting further away from behind, I only stood still in place in a daze...
Chapter 8 - The Indigo Curse
-Flashback-
Ouka: If I touch you anymore than this, I won't be able to take it. Please, stay away from me.
-Flashback-
When I remembered Ouka-san's rejection, I was unable to move in front of the sliding door. Behind this door was him suffering from his illness right now.
(Isn't there anything I can do...)
Unable to call out to him, I was about to leave from there and at that moment...
??: MC-sama.
When I turned towards that voice...
MC: Your Majesty...!
I frantically bowed when the king suddenly appeared.
King: There's something I want to talk to you about... Won't you come with me for a bit?
(Talk...?)
The king's serious expression made my heart noisy...
The two of us were walking while looking at the view of the cherry blossom petals fluttering down.
King: About Ouka... It's not just an illness.
MC: Eh...
The king was a little hesitant as he spoke heavily.
King: It's a curse... I'm the reason behind it.
(A curse...)
The unfamiliar word made me stop without thinking.
King: Before I ascended the throne, I had a lover.
It was a romance of social differences. Since he was going to become the next king, those around him were against it... In the end, he left his lover and chose to marry the current queen.
King: My lover... She was an expert in sorcery. In the midst of her anger, she cursed my first-born child.
(Sorcery...?)
-Flashback-
Ouka: My apologies, but there's someone I need to see before returning to the castle.
MC: Someone you need to see...?
Ouka: Yes, the shaman, Shiju-dono.
-Flashback-
I remembered those words, Shiju-san and Ouka-san's scared expression.
(Could it be that...)
King: The curse is strong. Also, I'm sure that Ouka is suffering right now.
MC: ...What kind of curse is it?
When I asked that hesitantly, the king looked at me with a sad look.
King: It's a curse that'll make him lose his life if he falls in love.
MC: He'll die... if he falls in love...?
As I was unable to fully understand, I repeated those words.
(Ouka-san falls in love. Then, he'll die soon after...?)
MC: That's...
Just as I said that.
Maid: B-Big trouble! Ouka-sama is!
From Ouka-san's room, we heard a shriek.
(Ouka-san...!?)
The king and I ran over towards where the voice was heard...
Ouka: MC-san...!
With sweat on his forehead, Ouka-san slowly walked over here.
MC: Ouka-san...!
Maid: You mustn't! Ouka-sama! Your body is...
Ouka: I'm okay... Don't stop me.
Then, just as he reached me, he used up all his strength and fell to his knees.
MC: ...Ouka-san.
Just as I was about to reach out towards his trembling shoulder, I just remembered something.
(I shouldn't touch him...)
Although, Ouka-san grabbed my hand.
MC: ...!
Ouka: It really is impossible for me... MC-san, I have something to tell you.
Butler: Ouka-sama, you shouldn't. You need to lie down...
Ouka: I'm okay. Won't you leave us alone?
The butler held back.
Ouka: Won't you listen to me? It's not that interesting or anything, but...
As Ouka-san was looking straight at me, I lightly nodded...
Chapter 9 - Determined Feelings
Outside the window, the cherry blossom petals were lightly and silently scattering around as usual.
Ouka: I see that you talked to Father... Was it about the curse?
When he asked me that kindly, I nodded.
MC: ...It'll happen when you fall in love.
Then, Ouka-san chuckled as he smiled elegantly.
Ouka: Could it be that you haven't noticed? ...I've fallen in love with you.
(Eh...)
Ouka-san slowly reached for my cheek.
(With me...?)
I was turning red up to my ears from his beautiful eyes and voice. But, I shouldn't let those fingers touch me.
Ouka: It's such a sad curse. I should be free to touch whatever I want. But, if I do as I like, I'll get closer to death...
When his elegant smile disappeared, he sighed deeply in pain.
Ouka: Shiju-dono was the one who casted the curse. She was Father's lover.
(I thought so...)
Ouka: Ever since I met you, I've been going to Shiju-dono many times. Even so, it doesn't look like she'll undo the curse no matter what.
MC: ...
Her feelings of love towards the king turned into a strong hatred...
Ouka: When I think about the kingdom, I can't allow myself to die. So, I tried forgetting about it...
Ouka-san looked at me with a heartrending smile.
His beautiful eyes looked mystical with the sunlight shining on them.
Ouka: But, even though I shouldn't fall in love... It's impossible for me.
MC: ...!
Ouka-san's position crumbled down lightly and was about to fall onto the floor.
MC: Ouka-san...!
I immediately held up Ouka-san's body.
(I shouldn't...!)
I was about to back away in a panic, but Ouka-san grabbed the hem of my clothes tightly and wouldn't let go.
Ouka: ...I'm okay.
His warmth gave me a strange comforting feeling... I clearly realized that I wish to be by his side too.
(I want to be by Ouka-san's side. But, it won't do any good like this...)
I bit my lip as that improper thought made my chest tighten...
Last Chapter - The Love That Gave Life
That night...
(There's no one around... Right?)
When I looked around carefully to check if no one was around, I secretly left the castle.
(I'm going to try asking Shiju-san to undo Ouka-san's curse. I... can't let him stay like that.)
I proceeded forward into the dark forest and then, I saw Shiju-san's temple deep within the forest.
(I'm a little scared... But.)
The moment I steadied my uneasy breathing and was about to speak... The temple doors opened without making a sound.
Shiju: I knew that you would come here. Come inside.
Showing a gloomy smile, Shiju-san appeared.
Shiju: You want me to undo the curse... Is that it?
As Shiju-san, who was sitting calmly, was making me nervous, I couldn't bring myself to look away and nodded.
MC: Please, please. At this rate...!
I deeply bowed to her.
Shiju: Please raise your head. You're a princess of a kingdom.
When I raised my head after Shiju-san said that...
Shiju: Is Ouka-dono that important to you?
The darkness around her was gradually become darker.
(I'm scared... But, I can't run away...!)
The next moment, she smiled.
Shiju: ...
When she chanted some kind of spell, a liquid that was emitting a captivating light purple light was in front of me.
MC: This is...?
Shiju: If you drink this, you'll become Ouka-dono's replacement.
MC: Replacement...?
Shiju: Ouka-dono's curse and pain will go to you instead.
MC: ! That's...
Shiju: Now then, what will you do? We can't wait for very long.
When she said that as she chuckled with a smile, I went through my thoughts.
(If I drink this... Ouka-san will be saved. But, I won't be able to love Ouka-san.)
In my mind, Ouka-san's pained expression appeared...
MC: ...
-Flashback-
Ouka: Since the first time we've met... I... Even though I knew that I shouldn't...
-Flashback-
MC: I... don't want Ouka-san to suffer anymore.
Shiju: ...
After I tightly gripped my hand, I reached out towards the beautiful liquid that Shiju-san was holding. At that moment...
Ouka: MC-san... Stop!
When I turned around, over there was Ouka-san with a pale face.
MC: Ouka-san...!
Ouka: I saw you leaving from the window... I knew that you would be here.
When Ouka-san stood in between me and Shiju-san, he strained his voice intermittently.
Ouka: There's no one else besides you that I would fall in love with, also... Why would you make that decision to stop my pain?
After he said that, he hugged me strongly.
MC: Ouka-san, you shouldn't...! Your body!
Ouka: I don't care!
I tried to shake his arms off, but they wouldn't budge.
Ouka: MC-san, I love you.
When Ouka-san smiled sadly, his lips touched my forehead. Although...
MC: ...Ouka-san?
Suddenly, it became silent. Unable to support his lifeless body, he slowly crumbled down to the floor.
MC: Ouka-san...!!
My voice that was nearly a scream made the forest at night shake. Ouka-san' wasn't breathing.
MC: It... can't be...
Hit by a painful feeling that was like a stab in the heart, I couldn't think.
Shiju: Isn't love painful?
Then, Shiju-san slowly whispered that as if she was singing. In a daze, I only looked at Ouka-san sleeping.
Shiju: Aren't you sad that you can't be together?
She slowly got on her knees next to Ouka-san. That's when I regained my senses.
MC: Get away from Ouka-san...!!
Shiju-san paid no mind to my shout and silently gazed at Ouka-san.
Shiju: ...Ouka-dono. I'll grant you life, so that you can protect your love.
After saying that, she gently placed his hand on his chest. At that moment, a gentle light surrounded Ouka-san's body.
(So bright...!)
Then, when the light stopped... Ouka-san slowly opened his eyes.
MC: Ouka-san!?
Ouka: I...
When he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze stopped at me.
Ouka: The curse is...
He murmured that.
Shiju: Yes. The curse has been lifted.
Shiju-san finished Ouka-san's next words.
Shiju: This curse has been lifted "the moment you were granted life by falling in love".
Shiju-san looked at Ouka-san pitifully.
Shiju: When your father betrayed me, I was in despair. Love in this world... Something like love, I thought that it shouldn't have existed.
Then, she kneeled in front of Ouka-san and slowly lowered her head.
Shiju: ...Thank you for showing me. That it should exist properly.
Ouka: Shiju-dono... Please raise your head. From the start, Father...
Shiju-san slowly shook her head.
Shiju: Please tell His Majesty. I deeply apologize. Also... I really did love him.
Shiju-san smiled. That smile looked very happy and also, very sad...
......
When we left Shiju-san's temple, we quickly headed back to the castle.
MC: I wonder if Shiju-san will be okay...
Shiju-san mentioned that she'll be leaving the kingdom until dawn. She seemed somewhat refreshed as she smiled from that idea.
(If the curse had continued on, her pain would've continued on too.)
As I was thinking about the smile that she showed in the end, at that moment...
Ouka: MC-san.
Ouka-san turned towards me and approached me until we were at a breathing distance.
MC: O-Ouka-san...?
Ouka: Can I touch you?
MC: Eh...
Despite how uneasy I was, Ouka-san's strong gaze made me nod lightly.
Ouka: Thank you...
Ouka-san touched my hair, cheeks and lips...
Ouka: I wanted to do this for so long. Your skin is so soft and warm...
In Ouka-san's eyes, a drop that was like morning dew appeared.
Ouka: I thought that I shouldn't do as I please. But, now I can do this with you...
After whispering that, he gently lifted my chin up...
MC: Mm...
He gently snatched my lips away.
MC: Ouka-san, wait...
Ouka: I'm done waiting.
The kiss became even more heated up.
Ouka: MC... I love you.
His arms that were hugging me felt very strong...
Ouka: Again...
As he demanded that, I entrusted my body to him.
(This is the first time... I've seen Ouka-san like this.)
Then, he placed his lips on my nape next.
MC: Mm...
Ouka: Fufu... You're a very cute girl.
With spring arriving, the plants became filled with life... As Ouka-san poured lots of his love onto me, I couldn't be any happier...
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