Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Vashti - Prince of Votaria - Moon End
Chapter 7 - Vashti's Friends
At the party hall, it has already become filled with a large crowd of invitees. The merchant that I've seen in town was surrounded by some nobles and they seem to be having a fun conversation.
MC: Amazing, so many people...
Vashti: They're all my treasured friends.
As Vashti-san looked at his friends that were having friendly conversations, he smiled wholeheartedly.
(Vashti-san seems happy.)
Vashti-san pulled my hand into the assembly hall, but he became surrounded by a large number of people and drifted far away from me in just a blink of an eye.
MC: Vashti-sa-
I tried to call out to him, but my voice got drowned out by the lively voices of the invitees. As I was looking at Vashti-san from afar, he was smiling at many people, shook hands and sometimes hugged them while exchanging greetings.
(He's really popular. Even though it's so obvious, I'm not the only one that he's kind to.)
When I thought of that, my heart became slightly noisy.
(Why am I... feeling this way?)
As I was unsure while being aware of the tight feeling in my chest... I gently touched my hand that felt Vashti-san's warmth earlier...
Chapter 8 - The Significance Behind the Necklace
As the assembly hall was packed with a large group of guests, Vashti-san became surrounded by a crowd of people. While I was unable to get close to him, I was left alone.
(What should I do...)
When I looked around, the area where the food was entered my vision. Over there were some women that were about the same age as me and were enjoying the food.
(...Since this is a party, I might as well enjoy it too.)
The moment I slowly approached the food area... One of the women gasped when she saw me.
Woman 1: No way...
MC: ...?
Woman 2: What's wrong?
Woman 1: That's the necklace that has been passed down within the royal family for generations...
My neck became the women's center of attention.
MC: !
Woman 2: Then, this girl is the one that Vashti-sama has chosen with his heart?
As I felt my heart beating loudly, I turned away at that moment...
Woman 3: There's no way that Vashti-sama would confine himself to someone.
I could hear the women laughing.
Woman 3: Vashti-sama has never loved a single woman.
Woman 1: That's right. His heart would never choose a woman.
Woman 2: Then, why does she have the royal family's necklace...?
Woman 3: No way, could it be that she stole it?
The women looked at me as they whispered to each other.
(He would never love a single woman...?)
I took a glance at Vashti-san as he was surrounded by the large number of guests. As Vashti-san was enjoying himself, he hugged a friend and kissed their forehead.
-Flashback-
Vashti: This room contains the royal family's jewelry that's been handed down for generations.
---
Vashti: Don't you think that it looks good on you? Wear it for the party today.
-Flashback-
(He has never loved a single woman... This, this necklace...? Why?)
Feeling bewildered and embarrassed at the same time, I couldn't help, but get confused. I escaped from the women by going someplace far away from them.
(I don't know... But, I shouldn't be wearing this.)
The moment I placed my hand on the door, I stopped when someone called out to me from behind.
Vashti: MC.
When I turned around, I saw Vashti-san as he was surrounded by guests.
Vashti: Where are you going? The party just started.
I could tell that he was really worried about me from the anxious look in his eyes.
(Vashti-san...)
-Flashback-
Vashti: I've decided. I'm declaring you as my woman.
---
Vashti: Don't you think that it looks good on you? Wear it for the party today.
---
Woman 3: Vashti-sama has never loved a single woman.
-Flashback-
Overwhelmed by all sorts of feelings, I spoke vaguely.
MC: U-Um... I was just going to get a little fresh air.
Vashti: ...Why are you lying?
MC: Eh...
Vashti: What are you thinking? You're mine, so explain. If you don't... I don't know what I'll do.
MC: ...
When Vashti-san grabbed my arm, he pulled me towards him.
Vashti: ...
As he was looking down at me, his irritation grew.
MC: I... Am I really... someone special to you?
With a hoarse voice, I squeezed out those words to say that to him.
Vashti: !
Then, Vashti-san widened his eyes in surprise and after that...
Vashti: Don't tell me that you're still thinking that.
He lets go of my arm and turned away from me.
MC: Ah...
Vashti-san's back gradually became smaller.
(Did I... get the wrong idea...?)
When the deep pain in my heart instantly went away, I quickly left the party hall...
Chapter 9 - Wavering Feelings
-Flashback-
MC: Am I really... someone special to you?
Vashti: Don't tell me that you're still thinking that.
-Flashback-
After that... Without anyone watching, I snuck into the secret room that keeps the necklace safe.
(I had the wrong idea about Vashti-san...)
As my hand was shaking, I took off the jeweled necklace and put it back where it was. The necklace was shining divinely in the case and aside from when I was wearing it, it has always been a high-class item.
(I finally see it now... I love Vashti-san. How foolish of me... Realizing something like that now and ending up getting the wrong idea.)
Then, I looked at myself in the mirror. The red dress that Vashti-san gave me as a present was nice, but when I saw myself without the necklace on, I looked really sad in the mirror.
-Flashback-
Vashti: That's all right. We'll choose a dress that'll suit you.
---
Vashti: Yeah, you look cute in it, just as I thought. It's a suitable dress for you.
-Flashback-
When I remembered the straightforward words that he said to me, my heart throbbed loudly again.
(The dress and the necklace too... There was no reason to wear the things that he gave me.)
The moment I placed my hand on the door as I was thinking what I should do, I heard the voices of servants that were approaching from afar.
Servant 1: Have you seen MC-sama?
Servant 2: Yeah. Vashti-sama was acting strange too... I wonder if he's okay.
MC: ...!
I quickly left the room that I placed the necklace in and ran towards the opposite direction of the party hall...
Last Chapter - Feelings of Greed
After I returned the necklace in the secret room...
I was alone in the room as I was looking up at the moon in a daze from the window. While the party hall was crowded with people, my room was completely silent.
(Now... I want to be someone special to Vashti-san. How selfish of me.)
When I realized my own feelings clearly, I didn't return to the party hall. I took off the dress and softly laid down on the bed.
(Vashti-san...)
As I called out his name in my head, I fell into a slumber...
......
??: ...MC.
(Mm...)
??: MC...!
When I heard a deep voice from outside, I opened my heavy eyelids.
MC: Vashti-san...?
The door opened and Vashti-san entered the room.
MC: V-Vashti-san... Why?
Vashti: That's my line. You weren't in the assembly hall when I was looking for you and you put the necklace back. But, I couldn't ignore the guests... Now, I finally got to see you like this.
MC: Then, Vashti-san... You came here right after the party ended?
Vashti: I really wanted to go to you right away.
MC: I'm sorry...
Along with those last words, I looked at Vashti-san's face. He looked tired and his hair was disheveled.
Vashti: ...
Vashti-san grabbed my shoulder. As he was holding it a little roughly, he felt really warm.
Vashti: Why did you take off the necklace?
MC: ...The necklace was too extravagant.
Vashti: Really? It looked really good on you though.
MC: I couldn't bear the significance that the royal necklace holds.
Vashti: ...
MC: I heard that it's a necklace that you put on a woman that's special to you.
Vashti: Of course. Is there a problem with that?
MC: Yet, I appeared in the party wearing that...
Vashti: I forgive you. So, don't worry about it.
MC: ...But, there aren't any women that's special to you, right?
Vashti: What do you mean?
MC: Everyone, they're all your cherished treasure... Thinking of that makes it painful for me...
Vashti: You...
Vashti-san's eyes widened greatly.
MC: That's why I wanted to get away from that necklace... I'm sorry.
Vashti: What... are you saying...
As Vashti-san was taken aback, he touched my hand.
MC: Vashti... -san?
When Vashti-san averted his gaze from me, he readied himself by taking a deep breath.
Vashti: ...How can I make you understand?
(Eh...?)
Vashti: How can I make you nod? Yet, just when I thought about wanting to take hold of you, you stay away from me...
Vashti-san looked straight at me. Then...
MC: !
Vashti-san hugged me clingingly.
MC: V-Vashti-san...!
Vashti: Enough. I don't want to hear you speak anymore.
MC: Eh...
I could feel the sound of his heart beating loudly.
Vashti: Just when I thought that you were going to say that you hate being mine, you say that ou find it painful for me to cherish everyone next.
MC: That's...!
Vashti: I don't get you. Hearing your words makes me uneasy. Yet... That's why I want you. Don't go anywhere. I only want you. I'll even dispose of my entire collection. I know, I'll make the collection room your room.
MC: Something like that...
Vashti-san's hold on my got stronger.
Vashti: I'm serious, that's what I'm thinking. I don't need anything else, but you.
MC: Vashti-san...
I couldn't help, but become warm from those words.
Vashti: Promise me that you'll become mine. You're the only one that I want by my side. I want to keep you to myself. Even if you don't nod, I'm already...
Without saying the words at the end, I felt Vashti-san's lips going from my chest to my neck.
MC: ...
When I nodded that instant, he strongly hugged me. With his eyes looking at me, his tongue intensely went through my lips.
Vashti: MC...
While I was unable to breathe, I became indulged by his scary love...
MC: Vashti-san... I'm sorry.
(The truth is, I, too...)
Vashti: Why are you apologizing? ...No, never mind. I don't want to listen to you anymore.
MC: ...
When Vashti-san placed another kiss on my chest, he embraced me at that moment.
Wanting to satisfy that greed, I only entrusted myself to him...
Add comment
Comments