Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Riel - Prince of Hyule - Moon End
Chapter 7 - The Pokkle's Eyes
As we were passing through an area with dark trees, we silently continued forward... After obtaining the king and queen's approval, Riel-san and I went to the forest to look for the poachers.
Riel: MC-san... I'm sorry for troubling you. But, I just can't tolerate this no matter what...
Riel-san murmured that regrettably.
MC: I want to protect this forest like you do. I want to think of this forest the way you see it even more...
Riel: ...For you to think that way, I can't express my gratitude enough. Thank you...
When Riel-san made a bit of a feeble look, I smiled and nodded.
Riel: The trees told me They said that the Pokkle from earlier has returned...
MC: Eh...?
As Riel-san walked forward quickly, I frantically followed him. Then... Someone that looked like a mage had their hands on the Pokkle's body and was chanting some kind of spell.
(He's using magic to give it medical treatment...)
Riel: It looks like she can return to the forest once she makes a complete recovery. This place is overflowing with spiritual energy after all.
When Riel-san said that softly, he went down on his knees next to the Pokkle and began to gently pet her neck.
Riel: ...I'm sorry.
After Riel-san whispered that softly, the Pokkle made a soft cry as if she was saying she's okay...
Chapter 8 - Determined Gaze
The moment when I saw that the Pokkle had something to say...
Riel: Alright, let's go. We can't let those poachers do as they please.
Riel-san energetically got up. Then, the Pokkle feebly grabbed the hem of Riel-san's clothes with her mouth.
(Could it be that she's trying to stop Riel-san?)
MC: Riel-san. Do you think she's trying to say something?
Riel: Eh?
MC: Earlier, I noticed it when the two of you were talking...
Riel: That's...
Riel-san uneasily averted his gaze.
MC: Don't you think she's trying to stop you? She doesn't want you to go into the dangerous forest...
Riel: ...
Riel-san's brow twitched.
(I thought so.)
MC: Then...
Riel: Even so, I don't want to be stopped. It's my duty as prince to protect this forest and the spirits here. That's the reason why I'm here.
MC: Riel-san...
Riel-san's eyes trembled with determination.
Riel: Don't worry. I'll have some servants escort you back to the castle. Even though we saw Mother and Father earlier together... I can't put you in danger.
MC: But...
-Flashback-
Riel: I'm going after those poachers!
Queen: Riel. Please think about it clearly. Letting your anger take control of your impulses and foolish behavior will be your downfall.
Riel: But...!
-Flashback-
When I remembered how fired up Riel-san was by his anger, I became filled with uneasiness.
MC: I can't let you break your promise with the king and queen. Also... I really like this forest and the spirits too. So, let me protect them with you.
Riel: MC-san...
Riel-san's eyes widened a little. Although, he smiled gently soon after...
Riel: Thank you so much.
As I felt myself being wrapped up lightly... Riel-san hugged me. Due to the sudden close distance, my heart became noisy.
Riel: The courage that you have, you're the first woman that I've met that gives me reassurance.
Riel-san softly lets go of me...
Riel: Let's go together.
MC: Riel-san...!
I tightly held his hand that he offered to me.
Riel: In return, promise me. Don't overdo it if I'm put in danger again.
MC: Okay, I understand.
Riel-san strongly gripped my hand in return...
......
After that we continued walking while searching for the poachers in the forest.
MC: Riel-san... What are the poachers after?
When I asked that question, Riel-san made a sad look on his beautiful face.
Riel: I think it's the Pokkle. This forest has a lot of rare creatures and the Pokkle were the first. Because of that, they'll go for a really high price in the outside world.
MC: No way...
The sad truth made my chest tightened in pain...
Chapter 9 - An Unforgivable Sin
The forest trees swayed in suspense by the cold nightly breeze... Riel-san made a pained look as he explained the reason why the poachers were going after the forest creatures.
Riel: Lots of creatures can't live without this forest's environment. So, if they get taken out of here...
Riel-san's words ended there.
Riel: Even so, because of the rare creatures, there's no ending to the poachers...
(No way... The forest's beautiful plants, the Pokkle and the others are...)
As I thought about it, my chest tightened until the last moment.
Riel: But, it's not just the creatures that are being captured, I heard that even their dead bodies are valuable. There are rumors that making a drug out of them will grant immortality... That sort of rumor is the reason why this is happening.
MC: How sad...
(Aside from the rumor... How could they do something so cruel.)
Riel: Thank you. You're such a kind person.
There was affection showing in his gentle eyes.
Riel: I love this forest. Because of that love, I want everyone to know how wonderful it is. That's why I'm going to close it off to thugs and open it up to some people.
I was moved by the strong look in Riel-san's eyes.
Riel: ...I want people like you to love this forest.
MC: Riel-san...
Unable to withstand his words, I tightly clenched my hand.
MC: I'm certain that we'll catch those poachers.
Riel: Yeah. I'm sure of it... I won't allow them to use violence against this forest. Also... I won't let something sad like this happen again.
Riel-san's eyes looked like they were looking into the distant past...
MC: Riel-san?
When I called out to him, he spoke softly.
Riel: ...Before, a Pokkle that I was friends with got killed.
MC: Eh...?
After Riel-san murmured that in pain, he talked about it.
Riel: When I was a kid, I was always with a Pokkle that I got along with. That child... He got killed by poachers... It was like having my own family being killed at the same time. That's why I'll never forgive them.
(Something like that...)
As a raging flare of anger was burning in his eyes, we went looking for the detestable poachers...
Last Chapter - Basking in the Sunlight
-Flashback-
Riel: When I was a kid, I was always with a Pokkle that I got along with. That child... He got killed by poachers... It was like having my own family being killed at the same time. That's why I'll never forgive them.
-Flashback-
When he told me about his sad past, my heart felt like it was about to split painfully.
(Riel-san...)
As I tried to look for the words to say to him...
Riel: ...Quiet.
MC: ...
Riel-san pulled my hand and quickly hid in a tree's shadow.
Riel: ...
(That's...!)
Before us, we saw some men holding guns.
Riel: Those guys...!!
MC: Riel-san...!
Riel-san appeared in front of the poachers.
Poacher 1: W-What do you want!
Poacher 2: ...
Riel: I am the prince of this kingdom, Riel. You have committed a grave sin.
After he said that with an unusually deep sounding tone, he nimbly jumped up...
Poacher 1: !? Uwaah!
Poacher 2: Gyah!
Riel-san took down the poachers in a blink of an eye and at that moment, he pinned them both against the ground at the same time.
Riel: I won't... I won't forgive you...!
There was a ruthless swaying flame within Riel-san's eyes. The expression that Riel-san was giving to the poachers made me shiver.
Poacher 1: P-Please forgive us!
Poacher 2: W-We won't do it again!
Riel: As if someone will believe you...!
As Riel-san raised his voice angrily, he swung the staff that he carries.
(Oh, no...!)
MC: Riel-san!!
I yelled out his name without thinking. When I jumped out from the tree's shadow, I grabbed Riel-san's arm.
Riel: Get down!
MC: No!
Riel: MC-san!
His shout sadly echoed like a wail throughout the pure forest.
MC: Riel-san... Why the queen and that Pokkle tried to stop you... I understand now.
(They wanted him to forget about his anger... Otherwise, the kind Riel-san would disappear...)
MC: That's enough. If you continue...
Riel: MC-san...
As Riel-san held down the two poachers, his shoulders trembled in anger. Then, there was the sound of the soft grass being stepped on...
Riel: Jukab...?
Jukab appeared and raised his head towards Riel-san as if he was trying to say something to him.
Riel: ...
After a while, Riel-san stayed silent...
Riel: ...Okay, Jukab.
When he quietly nodded, he called for a nearby servant in waiting. At that moment, several servants took Riel-san's place and took the poachers away. After that, Riel-san looked at me with his eyes that were filled with anger.
Riel: Even Jukab... He told me to stop it already...
MC: Riel-san...
As he hung his head down, Jukab looked at me as if he was telling me to stand beside him.
(Jukab...)
I walked towards Riel-san and softly cuddled up next to him...
......
After a while since then... While Riel-san stayed silent this whole time, he quietly gazed at me.
Riel: Can we walk for a bit...?
When I nodded and made a bit of a relieved expression, Riel-san started walking. Then, where we arrived at was...
Somewhere at high ground that had a beautiful view of the sunrise that was beginning to spread out.
MC: This place...
Riel: Isn't it pretty? I sometimes come here... to see this light.
After saying that, Riel-san held my shoulder.
Riel: MC-san... I'm really glad that you stopped me. Jukab was a little mad. He said that I still can't control my anger like a child...
MC: Jukab... He was mad?
When I thought about those invisible gentle eyes being like that, I thought about how strange that was.
Riel: ...You couldn't tell?
MC: No, not at all... After all, his gentle face was hidden.
Riel :Fufu, gentle face, huh...
After Riel-san reflected on what I said, he began to chuckle with a smile.
Riel: I see. Even though I protect this forest with my life, I was actually being protected by everyone... Me too... I have to become more gentle. Including being a worthy prince...
He put more strength into his hand that was holding my shoulder.
MC: ...Riel-san, you're really kind. That's why you got really angry... I'm sure that getting angry is needed to protect this forest. But...
I put the feelings that were dwelling within my heart into words.
MC: I love your smiling face.
When I said that, Riel-san happily smiled.
Riel: You're such a kind person, that's rare. You're like the rising sun that's very warm...
Riel-san's fingers gently touched mine.
Riel: Fufu... Such a soothing feeling. With you around, I'm sure that it'll be all right. That's what I think...
We stayed close together for a while... As we were close to each other, our entwined fingers warmed me up. As the sun rose up in the sky, it's bright light shined upon the forest and us...
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