Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Patil - Prince of Farber - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Patil's Letter
Kingdom of Colors, Farber, November...
"I received something a little unusual. If you're interested, come over to my place."
When I received that letter from the prince, Patil, I visited his kingdom.
(It's such a beautiful town...)
While there were preparations for the upcoming festival, a lively atmosphere was drifting through town.
Patil: ...Oh. You actually came.
MC: Patil-san! It's been a while.
When Patil-san came to pick me up, his complexion was pale like a sick person... I stopped waving my hand without realizing it.
MC: W-What's wrong? Are you not feeling well...?
Patil: Hmm, no... That's not it.
While Patil-san scratched his bright hair, he deeply sighed.
MC: ...Did something happen?
Patil: Hmm... Hey, MC.
As he looked at me through his long bangs, there was suddenly a serious look in his eyes.
Patil: ...Won't you run away with me?
MC: Eh...!?
......
MC: A marriage interview? You?
Patil: Yeah. I really don't get the point of it though.
Patil-san brought the teacup to his mouth in annoyance.
Patil: ...Also, you don't need to use honorifics like "-san". I'm not good with that sort of thing. Just talk to me normally.
MC: O-Okay. I understand.
Just as I became relieved from his complexion going back to normal, I tilted my head to the side.
MC: Was it that sudden?
Patil: I heard about it 3 days ago. Dad told me about it firsthand.
MC: From the king himself...
Patil: It looks like the other party is the princess of the neighboring kingdom, Palletia. Her name was, ah... I heard it, but forgot it.
He was about to spill his tea in his hand without realizing it.
MC: You forgot it...
Patil: I won't remember it if I'm not interested.
Patil made a wry smile as he puffed his chest out proudly.
Patil: Besides, there's no need for a marriage interview in the first place. So, there's no need for me to remember it.
MC: But, earlier, you said, "won't you run away with me?"...
Patil: ...I felt so relieved when I saw your relaxed face. I forgot about it.
MC: Eh? O-Okay.
Patil: Anyway, what I mentioned just now is too much for me to handle... So, I want to undertake a single condition.
MC: A condition?
Patil: ..."A marriage with a royal of another kingdom must bring equal or better benefits to the kingdom". If I could achieve that, the current problem will go away.
After hearing that, I tilted my head to the side.
MC: But, by "benefits"... Just how are you going to do that?
Patil: ...Don't you remember my special skill?
As it felt like a question mark has risen above me, Patil made a somewhat mischievous look...
Chapter 2 - A Sage's Color
As Patil gave me a mischievous look through his long bangs, he smiled...
Patil: ...Don't you remember my special skill?
He slowly took out a small bottle from his pocket. When I looked inside of it, I spoke without thinking.
MC: Wow, pretty...!
Patil: It's my newest creation. I call it, "the Sky reflected on a Brown Lake Surface".
Inside of it was a bright, blue-colored liquid. As he angled it a few times, a sparkly silver-colored light whirled around in it.
Patil: Doesn't it leave a pretty nice impression?
MC: Wow... Did you make this, Patil?
Just like it's name, it was like looking at a clear sky in a vast transparent lake surface below.
Patil: Blue is popular during the warm season. There was a request for a new color from that color group. Even though I produced this kind of blue, it was a little troubling.
I sighed in amazement.
MC: You really can make any kind of color.
Patil's special skill was successfully reproducing a "color" that he's seen once. I've heard that he makes use of that ability by researching colors to develop them.
Patil: The exportation of colors is Farber's main business. A new "color" is their only merit. That's what becomes the focus of a new trend.
(In other words...)
Patil: What I make is for "profits". Do you understand?
When Patil placed the small bottle on the desk, his face clouded up a little.
Patil: ...Although, this sort of request is beyond expectations.
MC: Eh?
Patil: The King of Farber brought out this condition.
Patil took out a small leather covered diary.
Patil: ...The color sage, Simon. The legendary craftsman from over 100 years ago has developed various color mixtures that have never existed before. You could say that he's the one who shouldered the foundation of Farber's development.
MC: ...
He brought over the diary to me and slowly opened it. It was pretty old, but the pages that were roughly handled a little looked like they were about to scatter around.
Patil: This is the sage's, Simon's, research notes that he left behind.
MC: Eh!?
(Isn't that something valuable?)
Unconcerned about how startled I was, Patil continued talking with a calm expression.
Patil: Simone's own findings are usually free to the public. So, that knowledge is commonly known in this kingdom. ...Speaking of which.
As if he was talking about a really big secret, Patil's mouth approached my ear.
Patil: There's only one thing in here. A "color" that no one has ever successfully reproduced up till now.
MC: A color that hasn't been reproduced...?
Patil: That's right... Don't you think that's really interesting?
As he murmured that passionately, his eyes sparkled brightly like a child's...
......
The next morning... Along with Patil, we walked in the hallway of Farber castle.
Patil: Hey, you. Are you really sure about it?
MC: Eh?
Patil: ...Helping me out with my research.
The deadline of the task that was given by the king was 10 days, the opening of the kingdom's founding festival... So, I offered to help Patil.
///Choices///
- I want to see Patil's color (☽)
MC: Yes. I really want to see the color that you're going to make.
Patil: Hmm. You're a curious one.
- Am I being a bother? (☼)
MC: ...Am I being a bother?
Patil: ...If that were the case, then I wouldn't have called you over here in the first place.
///Choices///
Patil's walking pace became a little faster. I saw that his ears have turned red a little.
(Is he... embarrassed?)
Patil: ...This is my workshop.
Patil pushed the solid made looking doors open. I became speechless from the vast scene before me...
Chapter 3 - A Magician's Workshop
When Patil slowly pushed the doors to his workshop open...
Patil: ...This is my workshop.
When I took a step into the room, the vividness caught my eye.
MC: Wow...!
Along with some laboratory equipment, there were glass bottles with various colorful liquids in them set up. I was drawn to the suspended dried flowers and clusters of sparkling bright ore.
MC: Are all of these used to make colors?
Patil: Yeah. The plants and minerals that are gathered in Farber are what makes good quality colors in the first place after all. Of course, a product can't be made without a process... Ah, that's right.
From inside the room, Patil came back with a small box.
MC: This is?
Patil: Didn't I write, "something a little unusual", in the letter? Try opening it.
(Come to think of it...)
-Flashback-
"I received something a little unusual. If you're interested, come over to my place."
-Flashback-
Somewhat excited, Patil folded his arms while grinning.
///Choices///
- Is this also used for colors? (☼)
MC: Could it be that this is also used for colors?
Patil: If you're curious, then hurry and open it.
- ...A jack-in-a-box? (☽)
MC: ...A jack-in-a-box?
Patil: It's not something like that.
///Choices///
When I tried opening the lid as I readied myself a little...
(...A pebble?)
Inside was some kind of unusual black stone.
MC: This is the unusual thing that you wanted to show me?
Patil: Yes. Give it here for a sec.
When Patil picked up the pebble, he shaved off a corner of it with a file. As the powder landed on a small dish, it made a small pile of some kind of oil.
Patil: Close the curtain.
MC: O-Okay.
Patil: Watch.
When Patil lit up a match, he placed the fire on the dish next. Then...
MC: ...Eh!?
Just as it instantly flared up, the red flame changed color and turned white the next moment.
Patil: Isn't it interesting? It's called a white flame stone. Because of the metal that it contains, it makes that color when it's on fire.
(Come to think of it, I feel like I've learned about that in a school lesson in the past...)
MC: Isn't that called a flame test?
Patil: Heh. You seem to know your stuff. Exactly, it's what makes the colors for fireworks. Aside from white, there are various kinds of colors as well.
When Patil opened the curtains again, a bright light shined into the workshop.
Patil: I'm in charge of the fireworks' coloring for this year's festival. Anyway, to make it exciting, I've used the research funds to my heart's content. That's how I was able to receive this unusual material.
(Patil's handmade fireworks... How nice. I'm sure that they'll be really pretty.)
As I imagined that scene, I became spellbound...
Patil: If you have any spare time, would you like to see it?
MC: Eh?
Just as I turned towards Patil when he made that unexpected proposal, he quickly evaded his gaze from me.
Patil: The kingdom's founding festival... There should be some merit in seeing my fireworks.
MC: ...
(Is this why... he invited me?)
Patil: ...What's with that face? Can you not grin so suddenly?
///Choices///
- I'm happy... (☽)
MC: S-Sorry. I was so happy that I couldn't help myself.
Patil: ...That's okay.
- I'm looking forward to it (☽)
MC: Thank you. I'm looking forward to it.
Patil: ...Yeah, sure.
///Choices///
As Patil said that bluntly, he became a little embarrassed.
(...He's kind of cute.)
When I placed my hand on my chest as my heart was going fast a little, I smiled.
MC: First off, let's work hard on the king's task.
Patil: Of course.
We nodded at each other. Thus, I became Patil's "assistant"...
......
Patil: This is where the ink formula is written.
With Simon's diary on the worktable, Patil gave me some explanations.
Patil: Even though the materials in here are hard to receive, they're needed for the refining procedure.
When Patil ended his words there, he sighed lightly.
Patil: ...Well, the problem is that no one knows what kind of color it is.
(...No one knows it?)
I tilted my head to the side as I was reflected in Patil's eyes that were like glass balls...
Chapter 4 - Dedicated to Only One Person
-Flashback-
Patil: ...Well, the problem is that no one knows what kind of color it is.
-Flashback-
(No one knows it...?)
I tilted my head to the side from Patil's words.
Patil: To be precise, there isn't anyone in the world that knows it. After all, this color that Simon made was dedicated to "only one person".
MC: To only one person...
After I took a glance at him while waiting for his next words, he spoke somewhat troubledly.
Patil: ...Simon had a lover that was of a different social status from him. HIs partner was the daughter of a noble, but on the other hand, Simon was just a simple color craftsman. The two of them would exchange letters in secret, but they were unable to get married in the end... When the young woman got married to her fiancé that was chosen for her, Simon remained single for the rest of his life and devoted his life to his own research. The end.
(That's...)
Patil: It was a story of the past. So, it can't be helped... Well, the formula for the ink color that Simon used for writing his letters to the young woman at that time is there.
MC: Ink?
When Patil suddenly got up, he sat right next to me.
MC: ...!
Patil: "I can't express my feelings towards you in words."
As his sweet voice tickled my eardrum, the back of my neck trembled from a sudden chill.
Patil: "Even so, let me express it all with this color. This is my heart. Let your eyes see the flames that flare up from my love to you."
(His heart, with a color...)
Patil: Well, this is the writing from the afterlife. What was left written by Simon when he was close to his final years... Is something wrong?
MC: ...N-No. Nothing.
To hide my red face, I placed my hands on my cheeks.
(But, I understand somehow.)
Simon's ink from the sad love story must hold a really high value.
(...How come no one was able to reproduce it up till now?)
I thought about the color that was made a long time ago...
......
A few days later since we've started to reproduce the ink...
MC: Patil?
When I knocked on the door to the workshop, I didn't get a response from inside. I slowly took a look inside and...
Patil: ...
(...I knew it, he fell asleep on the floor again.)
///Choices///
- Speak to him (☽)
MC: Wake up, Patil. It's already morning.
Patil: ...Morning...?
- Shake his shoulder (☼)
When I lightly shook his shoulder, he made an annoyed groan.
Patil: ...Mm.
///Choices///
Once Patil finally woke up, he raised the upper half of his body while rummaging around.
MC: You must've been working hard.
Patil: That's how I live.
MC: ...Do you hate the marriage interview that much?
While having mixed feelings, I tried asking him that with all my might.
Patil: ...It has been a problem before. It's just that i don't want to get married to anyone in my life.
MC: Eh?
My heart throbbed deeply.
Patil: That's why I find marriage interviews to be a waste of time.
MC: ...In your life. Why would you say that?
Patil: ...Do you know how many siblings I have?
Patil folded his fingers on both of his hands in order.
Patil: In the royal castle, there are 7, including me. By the way, we all have different mothers.
MC: ...
(Is that so...)
Patil: I don't find anything wrong with that... It's just that it feels pretty empty. Getting married in exchange for contract agreements. I'm fine with just continuing my own research. I don't need anything else, but that.
MC: ...
(He doesn't want to get married to anyone...)
I recalled those words in my head many times.
(I... What's wrong with me?)
As there was only a very calm look on the side of Patil's face... I felt a sharp pain in my heart for some reason...
Chapter 5 - A Sleepless Night
-Flashback-
Patil: ...It has been a problem before. It's just that I don't want to get married to anyone in my life.
-Flashback-
When he said that coldly, my heart tightened strongly...
(I wonder what's wrong with me...)
While he was unaware that I was enduring a constricting feeling, Patil turned a page in the diary.
Patil: ...Simon is really hard to understand. Even though he knew that he couldn't get the woman, why would he go that far to stay attached to her?
MC: ...But...
While I couldn't understand it myself, I thought about what was said earlier.
MC: Despite that he couldn't get anything in return, could it be that it wasn't that simple for him to give up...?
Patil: ...What about you? Do you have a certain person in mind?
MC: ...!
Patil's eyes were looking straight at me.
MC: I...
......
MC: ...
After I left Patil's workshop, I returned to my room... I crouched down and sat in place.
-Flashback-
MC: I... There's someone that I'm interested in.
Patil: ...Heh. Is that so?
MC: It doesn't look like that person thinks about me much. But, I like how he works with all his might... It makes me want to help him a little.
Patil: ...
-Flashback-
(I see, I... Towards Patil...)
Aware of my own feelings, I was unable to hide my confusion... The sleepless night was slowly growing late...
......
The next morning... As I was feeling a little hesitant, I headed to Patil's workshop as usual.
(Huh?)
Patil: ...
Patil was at his worktable as if he was continuing his work from yesterday.
MC: ...Good morning, Patil. You're up early today.
Patil: ...?
When I did my best to speak as usual, Patil made a puzzled look. He turned towards the outside of the window an dlooked up at the clock on the wall next.
Patil: ...Ah, it's already morning, I didn't notice.
(He didn't notice...)
MC: You were up all night?
Patil: Ah... Yeah. Seems like it.
As Patil yawned widely, he rubbed his eyes.
Patil: Ah, crap... I got some dye on me.
MC: Hey, wait, you shouldn't touch yourself any more than that...!
Just as the uneasiness from a short while ago went away, I rushed over to Patil and pulled him away from the desk. When we sat down on the sofa, I held out a wet towel to him.
Patil: Mm...
(He's probably telling me to wipe him myself.)
As if he was telling me to hurry up, Patil lifted his chin and made a wry smile as he closed his eyes.
MC: ...Okay. I think I got it.
Patil: ...
Patil lightly opened his eyes. When our gazes met upfront, my heart skipped a beat greatly.
Patil: ...Sleepy.
MC: ...Okay. You can go to sleep.
(Come to think of it, there should be a blanket here.)
The moment I got up to go look for a blanket.
(...Eh?)
I couldn't move as my right hand was being pulled by something. What I saw was Patil beside me on the sofa as he was holding my wrist.
Patil: Where are you going...?
///Choices///
- Getting a blanket (☼)
MC: I was just getting a blanket.
Patil: I don't need it.
- Say nothing (☽)
MC: ...!
Patil: What's... with that response...
///Choices///
Patil narrowed his eyes softly.
MC: ...!?
Suddenly, he pulled my arm and I fell on top of he sofa the next moment.
(Ah...)
I could hear my own heartbeat being awfully loud. Before I knew it, I was in Patil's warm arms...
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