Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Shao - Prince of Secundati - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Head of the Water Spirits
Kingdom of Spirits, Secundati, Ondine, April... Ondine, where the household that inherited the power of the water spirits resides...
After being invited by Shao-san for waking him up the other day, I went to visit the Ondine castle. In the castle courtyard, there was a waterway around with vibrant flowers in bloom.
(Ondine is a really beautiful kingdom no matter where I look...)
When I stopped to look at the view without thinking, I saw Shao-saw in the courtyard.
Shao: Hello! MC-san!
The warm air around Shao-san made me confused somehow.
MC: Shao-san, it's been a while.
After greeting him, Shao-san smiled as the wind made his long hair sway. His clear blue eyes and his hair that was like a clear flowing stream.
(He's beautiful as usual...)
I gazed at his beauty...
Shao: Even though you came here and all, I can't calm down somehow, sorry. Look, since I was sleeping for so long, the water spirits' well-being has been damaged...
MC: Is that so? Then, I'm sorry for coming in at such a busy time.
Shao: Fufu, you don't need to apologize. It's true that this garden is really beautiful, but the water's power is completely weak right now. Please make yourself at home at least. In just a bit, I'll make some time for you.
MC: Okay.
When I responded with a smile, he smiled softly. I felt my heart becoming noisy from Shao-san's smile...
Chapter 2 - The Children and Water Magic
The next day... With someone from the castle showing me around, I was given a tour of the town in Ondine.
Castle Messenger: The lake that you can see from this tower is a holy spot that the household takes care of.
MC: What a mysterious lake.
Castle Messenger: There's a long history behind it. Also, a long time ago, int he building to the right, the previous prince...
While going around town and being taken to various places, I saw Shao-san with many men coming from the main street.
Shao: ...
When Shao-san saw me, he lightly bowed and came over here.
Shao: MC-san, what do you think? Of the town in Ondine.
MC: Yes, there are so many sights, it's fun. Shao-san, are you in the middle of working?
Shao: That's right. I'm inspecting the waterway in town. My apologies. I actually wanted to be the one to show you around.
When Shao-san looked at me with a troubled smile, I shook my head. At that moment...
Child 1: Ah, it's Shao!
(...Calling out to him so casually!?)
A group of children that were playing in the corner of the street ran up to Shao-san.
Child 1: Hey, hey, Shao! Let's play, let's play!
Child 2: Show us the fish that flies in the air like last time!
Shao: Oh my, such energetic children, here!
With children surrounding him, he snapped his fingers...
MC: ...!
From the waterway around our feet, water jumped out and took the form of a fish. The next moment, the fish started to swim gracefully in the air.
Child 1: Wow! Amazing, amazing!
Child 2: Kyahahaha! Ya~ay!
MC: That's amazing... Is this magic!?
When I became surprised and amazed with the children, Shao-san looked at me and smiled. I...
///Choices///
- It's so unusual that I couldn't help myself (☼)
MC: I-It's so unusual that I couldn't help myself.
(How embarrassing...)
Shao: It's okay, it's nice that you're so honest.
- ...Was that strange of me? (☽)
MC: ...Was that strange of me?
Shao: Not at all.
///Choices///
Shao: Fufu... But, I never thought that it would make you this happy. Smiling alongside the children is what makes you cute.
When I looked at the ground with my face down, Shao-san's laugh that was like a bell echoed in the blue sky...
Chapter 3 - A Blue Mallow Tea Party
After a few days have passed, Shao-san's work has finally settled down. We've been meeting in the castle and talking a lot and like today too, we met in the courtyard by chance.
MC: Are you done with work?
Shao: Yes. I just finished it all a while ago. MC-san, if you'd like, shall we have some tea together after this? Ondine is known for it's famous mineral water that the land is filled with. I'll treat you to some delicious tea.
MC: ...I can't wait! Please let me join you.
After that, Shao-san prepared a simple tea party in the courtyard.
When I sat down in a white garden chair, he brought me some tea that he poured out.
Shao: Here you go.
MC: What a pretty color... This is?
In the glass cup that Shao-san handed me, a light blue liquid was swaying.
Shao: It's blue mallow herb tea. Fufu... Your eyes are sparkling a lot.
MC: ...
With his elbow on the table, Shao-san smiled elegantly. His warm smile was beautiful like a woman's.
(He's really beautiful... And also, kind.)
As I was looking at him, I nervously placed the cup against my mouth.
MC: ...It's good! The refreshing scent is nice too. The mineral water that I had in the castle was good too, but... To think that it would be this delicious by using it for tea.
Shao: That's good.
Shao-san smiled at me.
Shao: Aside from the mineral water, won't you let me hear your thoughts about your visit in Ondine?
MC: Sure, let's see...
///Choices///
- The town children's smiles were nice (☽)
MC: The town children's smiles were nice. Just like the clear water in this kingdom, everyone was all pure... It made me think what it would be like if I was born in a kingdom like this.
Shao: You, MC-san? That sounds like fun.
As Shao-san smiled with a chuckle, he happily listened to me talk...
- The waterway that goes around the castle is pretty (☼)
MC: The waterway that goes around the castle is pretty. Especially how it comes from the second floor and connects with the fountain at the entrance on the first floor... It's really nice.
Shao: Water isn't just a source for life, but looking at it can make people happy. Is there anything else?
MC: Also... The water wheels everywhere in town were so refreshing to look at that it's comforting.
When I showed a smile, my feelings reached Shao-san.
///Choices///
As I forgot about time without realizing it, I talked to him about how I felt about the various places that I saw in this kingdom. It was so beautiful everywhere that it felt like the sights in Ondine have cleanse my heart...
Shao: ...
As Shao-san continued listening to me talk, he looked at me with his beautiful eyes.
MC: ...Is something wrong?
Shao: No, it's just that you talk so innocently... You saying that Ondine is such a nice place makes me happy. I'm sure that the world reflected in your eyes is overflowing with light.
His long fingers slowly reached out and were placed over my hand. I...
///Choices///
- Stare at Shao (☽)
MC: Shao-san...?
I stiffened up without realizing it, but I couldn't take my eyes off him.
Shao: MC-san, is something wrong?
He said my name gently. When his fingers that were on mine became warm, I realized that my heartbeat was gradually becoming louder.
- Pull hand away in surprise (☼)
MC: ...
Just as my heart throbbed loudly, I pulled my hand away without thinking.
Shao: Oh... Such a ladylike reaction.
///Choices///
MC: U-Uh...
Shao: ...Just kidding. You looked like you were enjoying yourself while talking that I couldn't help myself.
MC: S-Shao-san...!?
Just as I shouted, my shoulders twitched when he covered my mouth. As water in a small stream was flowing in the courtyard, a calming sound was made without pause...
Chapter 4 - Far Distance
In just a bit, it felt like the distance between me and Shao-san has gotten closer... As I was enjoying talking with him, I would always feel calm.
(I want to talk to him about all sorts of things more...)
When I started thinking that, one day...
I wanted to talk to Shao-san, so I searched for him in the castle.
MC: Um, have you seen Shao-san?
I asked that to a maid that was walking in the hallway.
Maid: If it's Shao-sama, wouldn't he be at the lake outside of town?
MC: Outside of town...?
The maid told me, to give strength to the water that has become weak again, Shao-san does a dance as an offering to the water spirits.
MC: Then, Shao-san is getting ready for that... Thank you very much!
After hearing that, I left the castle and headed to the lake...
(Come to think of it, this place is...)
-Flashback-
Castle Messenger: The lake that you can see from this tower is a holy spot that the household takes care of.
MC: What a mysterious lake.
-Flashback-
(The household's holy spot...)
The lake was bigger than I thought and I stared at the unseeable shore on the other side. While looking for Shao-san, I walked along the coastline and...
MC: Ah...
I became drawn towards the view before me.
Shao: ...
With his bare feet in the shallow part of the lake, Shao-san was dancing. Matching his movements, clear water hung around him beautifully.
(Pretty...)
When Shao-san waved his staff in the air, the water turned into a spiral and made the lake surface go up. Seeing him like that was mysteriously beautiful and it felt like he wasn't human...
(...He's like a different person than usual.)
Towards the divine dance, I...
///Choices///
- Call out to him directly (☼)
I tried to get closer to Shao-san and call out to him. Although, the moment, I was about to take a step...
MC: ...!
The lake water gathered in front of me and created a strong current as if it was preventing an outsider from invading.
(That's right, this place is a holy spot after all...)
- Just watch (☽)
(I shouldn't speak out...)
When I realized that I couldn't step into the scene that was like another world, I couldn't do anything, but watch him from afar.
(Why... My heart hurts.)
///Choices///
Shao-san's feet glided on the lake surface that was reflecting the vast blue sky. That completely blue world made my heart throb in pain.
(Why is my heart throbbing like this? Even though Shao-san is right over there... I can't get closer to him.)
In the end... I couldn't do anything, but watch Shao-san dance from that spot...
......
A few days later... It was the day of the offering dance to restore things for real. While feeling the distance between us has gotten closer since then somehow, I couldn't bring myself to speak to Shao-san.
Although, before the offering ceremony, Shao-san smiled at me.
Shao: Since it's a rare chance, please watch me as I'm looking cool. Today's dance will be a beautiful dance that's been passed down in Ondine for generations.
MC: ...Okay.
(I really can't tell him that I've already seen it...)
With Shao-san's beautiful smile before me, I...
///Choices///
- Good luck (☽)
MC: Good luck.
When I said that, I ended up sounding depressed.
Shao: What's wrong? You're not acting your usual self.
- ...I'm looking forward to it (☼)
MC: ...I'm really looking forward to it.
Shao: ...?
His blue eyes looked at me worriedly.
Shao: ...MC-san, is something wrong?
///Choices///
MC: N-Nothing at all.
Shao: ...? Okay, then...
Male Servant: Well then, MC-sama, come over here, I'll show you the way.
MC: Thank you very much.
I left from there with the male servant that was with Shao-san. My stiff hand that I was griping was sweating from uneasiness for some reason...
Chapter 5 - The Offering Ceremony
With the sun up high in the sky, the offering ceremony began... On top of the altar that was set near the lakeshore, Shao-san danced gracefully. As I was at a spot that was somewhat afar, I silently watched him.
Shao: ...
(Wow...)
As he danced by moving his fingers and walking, I was speechless from how beautiful it was...
MC: ...
How he's been smiling at me with a carefree expression up till now felt like a short-lived dream.
Shao-san that always enjoys listening to me talk...
Shao-san that made water fish swim in the air just as the children wanted...
(Despite that Shaos-san doesn't really keep up with appearances...)
MC: ...
My chest felt pain as it tightened somehow. From that pain, I finally started to realize that I've become attracted to him.
(That person governs the water spirit household... He's gentle, kind... As the head of the household, he's a really praiseworthy person. He's even kind to me, so I'm sure that he's usually like that...)
When I thought of that, I felt pain... Then, after a while...
Male Servant: If it's all right, shall I explain the ceremony in place of Shao-sama?
MC: Eh?
Shao-san's servant that led me here whispered that in my ear as if he was worried about me.
MC: Uh...
I...
///Choices///
- Respond with a smile (☼)
MC: Thank you very much. Please do.
Servant: Yes, of course.
When he looked at me with a graceful smile, I smiled as well.
- Nod vaguely (☽)
While feeling confused, I nodded vaguely. Then, when the servant hid his mouth with the folding fan that he took out from his chest, he began to explain.
///Choices///
At that moment...
Shao: ...
I felt Shao-san's gaze for a moment.
(He's in the middle of an important ceremony right now, could it have been my imagination?)
As I tilted my head to the side from that thought, the servant explained properly.
(Shao-san...)
I noticed that his eyes were following me. While listening, the servant's words didn't get in my head one bit...
Chapter 6 - Pain in the Heart
After Shao-san's dance, when the head priest of Ondine offered a few words to the spirits, the offering ceremony proceeded silently.
Then... By the time the ceremony has ended, it became completely dark in the area...
I returned to the castle by walking in the dark town of Ondine by myself. While my depressed feelings wouldn't go away... From the hallway, I looked at the dark courtyard and sighed. At that moment.
Shao: ...MC-san! You've returned to the castle. That's good, I was worried when you disappeared from the lake.
MC: Shao-san...
When I raised my face while feeling down, my eyes met with Shao-san's and he made a puzzled look as he frowned.
Shao: ...Is something wrong?
MC: Eh... No, nothing...
I couldn't bring myself to look at Shao-san's face upfront.
(Even though it felt like we were always close when we talk like this. Right now, it feels really distant...)
To hide the pain in my heart, I looked down.
MC: Um... Your dance at the lake was really nice... Well then, it's already this late, so I'll excuse myself.
Shao: Eh? MC-san, wait-
When I turned my back on him, I left. Although...
Shao: Didn't I tell you to wait!
MC: Ah...
When my arm was grabbed, I turned towards Shao-san.
(Why...?)
Shao-san made a somewhat angry look. As Shao-san was holding my arm and didn't look like he was going to let go...
///Choices///
- Please let go of me (☼)
MC: P-Please let go of me...!
Shao: ...No.
His grip around my arm got stronger.
- It hurts (☽)
MC: I-It hurts, Shao-san.
Shao: I'm sorry! But...
He loosened his grip, but he wouldn't let go of my arm.
///Choices///
Shao: Why are you being so distant tonight...?
Shao-san frowned.
MC: It's nothing...
Shao: How could it be nothing!
MC: I'm not feeling that well...
Shao: Are... Are you feeling unwell!?
MC: I-I'm sorry!
Shao: ..!
Just as his grip around my arm suddenly loosened up, I evaded Shao-san's hand and left from there...
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