Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Rolf - Prince of Lotria - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Charmed by a Strawberry
Kingdom of Dazzlement, Lotria, June...
Stars were twinkling in the indigo sky...
In the dazzling party hall, as the orchestra's instruments were playing an elegant melody, the king loudly announced the start of the party.
(Pretty...)
As thanks for waking up Rolf-kun, the king invited me to the castle and prepared this grand welcoming party that was making me excited.
Rolf: Over there... There's food...
MC: Wow, they look so delicious.
Rolf: There's cake too...
Rolf-kun cheerfully handed me a piece of cake that had a big strawberry on it.
Rolf: Here you go...
MC: Thank you, Rolf-kun.
When the pure white cream entered my mouth, it felt fluffy on top of my tongue and disappeared as it dissolved.
MC: It's good!
Rolf: Yes...
As Rolf-kun was eating beside me, he smiled in a daze. Then...
Rolf: Strawberry...
When he pierced the big red strawberry with a fork, his eyes shined outstandingly.
MC: Rolf-kun, do you like strawberries?
When Rolf-kun opened his mouth wide and stuffed his cheeks with the strawberry, he nodded.
MC: Then, would you like to eat mine?
Rolf: Are you sure...?
MC: Of course.
just as I was about to put the strawberry on Rolf-kun's plate...
(Eh...?)
Rolf-kun opened his mouth and waited.
(Is he telling me to feed him...? Could it be that... He always receives things by being fed like this....)
Towards his honest smile, my cheeks loosened up.
(He's like a cute little brother...)
MC: Here, Rolf-kun.
I placed my strawberry in his mouth.
Rolf: It's... good.
Rolf-kun's cheeks became stuffed with the strawberry. When he placed both of his small hands on his cheeks, his smile slowly went up.
Rolf: There are 52 pieces of cake... Even though it matches the number of guests, it'll be fine since there are still more...
With his eyes sparkling, Rolf-kun reached out for more cake.
(I wonder when he counted them all... He must really like strawberries.)
As I watched him from aside, he looked happy about his second piece of cake. It was cute how he was smiling so brightly...
Chapter 2 - Breakfast and a Trial
Once it became morning... I was having breakfast with the royal family.
Rolf: ......
When I looked beside me, Rolf-kun was frowning.
(Rolf-kun...?)
With a fork in one hand, Rolf-kun continued glaring heavily at his plate.
(Is something wrong...)
Worried, I was about to speak to him and...
(Huh...?)
Without anyone watching, Rolf-kun quietly placed his vegetables at the edge of his plate.
MC: Rolf-kun, aren't you going to eat your vegetables?
Rolf: ...I hate them.
(Ah... So, that's why...)
King: Eat them, Rolf.
When the king said that seriously, Rolf-kun's eyes became teary as if he was about to cry at any moment now.
Rolf: But... These vegetables... They're bitter...
He looked at me as if he was seeking for help.
///Choices///
- I'll eat them (☽)
MC: Would you like me to eat them?
Rolf: Are you sure...?
- You can do it (☼)
MC: You can do it, okay?
Rolf: ...
///Choices///
MC: Then, how about I'll eat just one and you can handle the rest?
Rolf: Uu... Okay.
I picked up one of the vegetables from Rolf-kun's plate. After I did that, Rolf-kun picked one up with his fork.
Rolf: Bitter...
Rolf-kun somehow ate his vegetables as he tightly scowled.
MC: You did well, Rolf-kun.
Rolf: Yes... But, can I leave the fish...? The way it's eyes are looking at me... It's scary...
When he said that with teary eyes, I felt like nodding to him. Although...
King: How long are you going to let yourself be spoiled, Rolf! You're the prince of this kingdom!
Rolf: ...!
Rolf-kun trembled from the king's intense voice.
King: I've made my decision. Rolf, I'm giving you a trial.
Rolf: A trial...?
King: After this, I want you to get "the royal emblem" from the cavern outside of town.
Rolf: Why...? I don't like caverns... They're scary...
Tears were forming in Rolf-kun's eyes.
Queen: You're fine the way you are, Rolf. Even though you're this small, you excel in arithmetic.
The queen cut in to defend him.
King: No. You're always spoiling Rolf like this. You'll be departing this afternoon.
After declaring that forcefully, the king exited the room at that moment.
Rolf: I don't want to... go to... a place like that...
In the silent dining hall, Rolf-kun's crying echoed.
(Rolf-kun...)
Queen: Won't you go with him?
The queen looked at me as if she was depending on me.
MC: Your Majesty...
Queen: Please excuse such a rude favor. But... As much as I want someone from the castle to go with him.
Completely worried, the queen looked at Rolf-kun.
MC: ...I understand.
Queen: Thank you very much!
When I responded, the queen happily hugged me.
MC: Let's do our best together.
I looked at Rolf-kun's face and smiled.
Rolf: ...
Although, as there were tears in his eyes, he wouldn't look at me...
Chapter 3 - Onwards to the Castle
After Rolf-kun and I left the castle at noon, we gulped when we arrived at the front of the cavern.
MC: Is this... it?
The dark cavern looked as if it was eagerly waiting for us to enter.
Rolf: I wonder if a ghost will come out...
Rolf-kun sounded faint as he was trembling.
MC: I-It'll be okay if we hold hands.
I somehow said that cheerfully and offered my hand to Rolf-kun.
Rolf: Yes...!
He held my hand and clung onto it. When I held his hand in return, we took a step into the cavern.
Rolf: ...Don't let go of my hand...
While relying on the lamp's light, Rolf-kun and I proceeded through. As we were huddled together, drops of water would sometiems fall from above and land near our feet.
Rolf: Eek...
Every time we heard that sound, Rolf-kun's body would shiver.
Rolf: Hyah! So cold...!
Surprised by the sound of water drop splashing, Rolf-kun bumped into a wall.
MC: Rolf-kun, are you okay...?
The moment I ran up to him in a panic...
Rolf: Uwah...!
Coming from the wall, countless of shadows flew out all at once.
MC: ...!
Rolf: B-Bats...!
MC: Rolf-kun, look out!
The moment Rolf-kun desperately shook off the swarm of bats... He slipped and fell.
Rolf: Ah...!
MC: Are you okay?
Rolf: Ow...
Rolf-kun bursts into tears like a dam.
MC: Rolf-kun...
Rolf: Father, he... He must hate me... That's why, he's... making me do this trial...
///Choices///
- Pet his head (☽)
As Rolf-kun was crying, I petted his head.
Rolf: MC-chan...
- That's not true (☼)
MC: That's not true.
Rolf: Then, why is he making me do this...
///Choices///
MC: It's because the king said that he knows that you can do it.
Rolf: Really...
MC: Yes. I'm scared too, but I came with you because I know that you can do it.
When I looked at his face, Rolf-kun looked at me with his clear eyes. Towards those eyes, I strongly nodded.
MC: It's okay, you can do it.
Rolf-kun's eyes shined brightly.
Rolf: I... can do it...?
MC: Yes.
Rolf: ...
Rolf-kun looked at his own hand and tightly clenched it.
MC: Let's do our best from here on.
Rolf: Yes...
When Rolf-kun strongly said that with a nod, he wiped away the tears from his eyes and pulled my hand. Although, his hand was trembling a little.
MC: Rolf-kun, are you okay?
Rolf: I-I'm okay... I can do this sort of thing after all.
///Choices///
- Walk ahead of him (☽)
Just as I was about to walk ahead of Rolf-kun...
Rolf: ...I'm okay...!
Rolf-kun took a big step and walked in front of me.
- Hold his hand tightly (☼)
(You can do it, Rolf-kun...)
When I held his hand tightly, Rolf-kun smiled weakly.
///Choices///
Although...
Rolf: That's...
In front of us, we encountered a huge stone wall that stood there inside.
MC: Since there was only one path, there's no way that we could have gotten lost, but...
While holding up the lamp, Rolf-kun and I frantically searched the wall.
(Even though we came all the way here... Why...?)
I was about to give in to the stone wall that wouldn't shake no matter what. Although, at that moment...
Rolf: Eh...?
MC: Rolf-kun, what's wrong?
Rolf: Right here... It looks like there's something I can press in the center.
Rolf-kun pressed that one section of the wall. Suddenly...
Rolf: Eh...?
After pushing some kind of switch in the center of the stone wall, the ground started to shake a lot.
MC: What's happening...!?
The ground that we were on suddenly tilted.
MC: ...!
As we were on some kind of slide, we slipped into the deepest part of the cavern...
Chapter 4 - I'll Protect You
We fell at the bottom of a very deep hole...
MC: ...!?
After I felt something hit my back, I opened my eyes to see that we were in a very wide area.
MC: We...
The lamp that fell from afar shined faintly on four stone walls.
(I wonder how far we have slipped down...)
When I looked up, all I could see was darkness. Along one path, there were a lot of separate paths that were filled with darkness.
Rolf: It's my fault... I'm sorry...
MC: That's not true...
Rolf: It really is impossible for me...
Giving up, Rolf-kun crouched down and started crying.
(Rolf-kun...)
I sat down next to him and held my knees.
(I need to cheer Rolf-kun up... But...)
Even though I wanted to cheer him up, the darkness was making me feel discouraged more.
MC: What are we going to do...
(We're going to be trapped here at this rate...)
Feeling scared, I felt heat in my eyes.
Rolf: MC-chan...
Rolf-kun looked at me surprised. I didn't want to worry him, so I quickly wiped my tears away.
MC: I-I'm okay...
Even so, Rolf-kun looked at me worriedly. Then, he firmly raised a brow.
Rolf: I'm sorry... I'm... okay now...
His small hand picked up the lamp that had fallen over.
MC: Rolf-kun...
Rolf: I... I'll protect you... Let's go.
After wiping his tears away with his sleeve, Rolf-kun offered his hand to me. His hand that became wet from tears was still trembling.
(Rolf-kun...)
When I felt his courage, warmth was spreading throughout my heart.
MC: Yeah, let's go!
I held Rolf-kun's hand and got up. At that moment...
MC: Rolf-kun, there's something written on the wall.
I walked towards the wall on the right.
Rolf: Eh...?
When he shined the lamp on it, there were a lot of detailed numerals written on the wall.
Rolf: Could this be...
MC: ...?
Rolf-kun's eyes suddenly shined brightly.
Rolf: It's most likely over here!
Rolf-kun strongly pulled my hand and advanced towards the divided path without any hesitation.
MC: You know...?
Rolf: Yes, the numerals that were written on the wall... I know them... They are... a sequence that combines the altitude and the position of the sun... If we follow those numerals exactly... and do them in order...
(Rolf-kun... He's a really amazing boy...)
Then, what appeared ahead were huge double doors. In front of the doors that had a huge lock hanging on them, Rolf-kun looked at the numerals that were written on the wall.
MC: Could this be a hint to opening the lock?
Rolf: It seems like it...
(There are a lot of numerals written on it, but... I don't understand it at all...)
When I looked at Rolf-kun as I was feeling uneasy, his obsidian eyes shined brightly.
Rolf: I'm not sure if I'm right.
After he said that, he reached out towards the lock mechanism. At that moment...
MC: What...!?
Along with a tremor, the surrounding walls were getting closer to us.
(Is this... a trap...? At this rate, we'll be...!)
Rolf: MC-chan!
I looked towards those trembling eyes.
///Choices///
- Say it's okay (☼)
MC: It's okay! I know you can do it, Rolf-kun.
Rolf: I... I'll do my best...!
- Feel like crying (☽)
(...Right now, I can't worry about Rolf-kun... Still.)
My face turned pale from the fear of the approaching walls.
Rolf: Just wait... MC-chan...!!
///Choices///
(You can do it... Rolf-kun...!)
While facing the lock, Rolf-kun focused on deciphering the sequence. The walls were about a few centimeters away from approaching us.
Rolf: Just a little bit more... Just a little bit more...!!
Sweat was running down Rolf-kun's forehead.
(Rolf-kun...!)
Click...
Rolf: I... I turned it off...!
The walls made a roaring sound as they moved back.
(W-What a relief...)
Then...
MC: The doors, they're opening...
When the doors slowly opened, a pale light poured out from that gap. We squinted our eyes from that radiance...
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