Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Volker - Prince of Recordo - Moon End
Chapter 6 - Closed Off Heart
Since then... There was a tense atmosphere around Volker-san as usual.
(Despite the rumor of Eric-san deceiving Volker-san...)
Feeling worried, I went to his workplace...
Volker: What are you doing! Didn't I tell you that sort of thing is unnecessary!? I can take care of this myself! I don't want anyone meddling in for a while! I can handle this all on my own.
When I stopped after hearing his angry tone from the hallway, the workers were driven out from the room.
Official 1: Seems like there's nothing we can do.
Official 2: Yeah. He was being a little too impatient...
After hearing their hushed conversation, my heart became louder.
(Volker-san...)
When I opened the door and showed my face, I quietly looked inside.
MC: Um... Volker-san, are you okay?
Volker: ...I'm fine. Just leave me alone.
Volker-san said that to me coldly with a stern look.
Volker: ...Other people can't understand it. I have to... I have to lay out an even stricter system...
After that I became worried when Volker-san began talking to himself, but I wasn't sure on what to say to him...
Chapter 7 - A Victim of Overworking
There was a tense atmosphere inside the castle today as well... It seemed like he was spending a lot more time in dealing with the problems at work.
-Flashback-
Volker: ...
-Flashback-
After I was driven out of the workplace, so that Volker-san can do his regular duties, there wasn't much for me to do except to return to his room...
(Is he really okay right now? I'm worried about Volker-san's body and also...)
I remembered something as I was heading to his room in a hurry.
(I'm sorry for doing this...!)
As I thought of that, I opened the door to Volker-san's room.
Then, I saw Ruby looking sluggish.
(Is he... not feeling well? I knew it, since he's been so busy, he hasn't been paying attention to Ruby.)
When I quickly ran over and picked him up, he curled up in my arms listlessly.
(Oh, no...!)
My heart froze when Ruby fainted.
MC: Excuse me, somebody...!!
I called out for someone when I went out the door...
......
After entrusting Ruby to a veterinarian, I went to where Volker-san was. When I looked inside after opening the door, everyone was busy working. The heavily filled atmosphere made me feel hesitant.
MC: Excuse me, Volker-san...
When I nervously called out to Volker-san, he gave me a glance and went back to looking at the documents soon after.
Volker: What is it?
MC: Well...
While I was aware that I was interrupting Volker-san's work, I shook as I stood next to him.
MC: Ruby-kun doesn't seem to be feeling well. So, he's with a veterinarian right now...
After I told him that, his shoulders twitched.
Volker: ...
Although... Once again, he immediately started working on the documents with a stern expression.
Volker: Even if the veterinarian is giving him an examination, I can't return to him.
MC: That's...!
Volker: We're at a crucial moment right now. It's impossible to leave work in a situation like this.
(Volker-san... Even though it looks like he's in pain.)
Volker: I'll... go check on him afterwards.
After Volker-san said that, he had nothing else to say as he received some new documents.
MC: ...I'll take care of Ruby-kun.
Volker: ...Sorry.
With a depressing feeling holding me, I turned my back towards Volker-san and just as I was about to leave the room...
Official: My apologies, everyone is just feeling anxious...
One of the subordinates spoke up apologetically.
MC: No. I'm only being a nuisance while you're all working...
Official: Once things calm down, Prince Volker will return soon after. Since checking the system has become more difficult, everyone has been at a dead end. Sorry that we can't do anything despite your consideration.
MC: No, that's... Please do you best with work.
After leaving while thinking about the situation, I couldn't help, but feel a heavy pain...
Last Chapter - An Earnest Wish
As it was quiet in Volker-san's room, I was paying attention to Ruby's condition.
(I wonder... if Volker-san is done yet.)
Although, Volker-san hasn't returned to his room when it became night in the end.
(Ruby... It looks like he's feeling better. That's good.)
After some time while I was listening to Ruby eating his food in the cage, I fell asleep without realizing it...
......
??: ...MC?
MC: Mm...
When I felt someone shaking me, I slowly opened my eyes...
Volker: MC...
Volker-san was looking at me uneasily with a tired expression.
Volker: You're... You're going to catch a cold in a place like this.
MC: ! Volker-san...!
(I... I ended up falling asleep.)
I became awfully hot as his hand was on my shoulder at the moment.
Volker: ...Were you watching over Ruby?
Volker-san gave me a surprised look.
MC: Yes... I'm sorry for doing whatever I want.
Volker: No...
MC: Ah, Volker-san...!
When I got up, Volker-san quickly held me up just as I was about to aimlessly fall.
MC: ...
Although, while enduring my weight, Volker-san was shaking and at the same time, he lost his balance.
Volker: !
As he held me to protect me, he fell to the floor.
Volker: ...Sorry.
MC: No, it's okay to rest a little.
Volker: Yeah, I guess.
With Volker-san supporting me, he carried me to the bed and gently brought Ruby to his side.
Volker: ...Ruby.
As Volker-san affectionately narrowed his eyes, he gently petted Ruby.
(Volker-san really does care about Ruby... Even though he puts him aside when he's working.)
MC: Has work settled down a little?
When I asked that question, Volker-san made a wry smile.
Volker: ...The problem has been settled. Although... There are some missing gaps. A basic problem... There's nothing that can be done with human relations. My strength is...
-Flashback-
Official 1: Seems like there's nothing we can do.
Official 2: Yeah. He was being a little too impatient...
-Flashback-
(Come to think of it, everyone seemed to be really uneasy... Volker-san didn't mean anything bad, but it was probably because the mood wasn't good.)
Volker: MC, did you know? Rabbits... They can die from loneliness.
MC: ...?
With nothing good to say, Volker-san softly began to talk. As he was petting Ruby-kun, he softly and sadly narrowed his eyes.
Volker: But, that's a lie... The truth is, they hide when they're sick. Although, it seems like he wasn't feeling sad in any way. Somehow... Ruby must have been feeling cold.
MC: Volker-san...
It was suffocating as his eyes was looking heavily heartrending.
MC: ...Ruby-kun wasn't the only one that was feeling lonely. You seem to be lonely too, Volker-san...
Volker: ...!
Before I knew it, I was caressing Volker-san's hair.
(He was working so hard by himself.)
MC: Despite that there are people that knows what you really want and your true feelings. No matter what, you were doing it all on your own...
Volker: ...That's because it's work.
MC: Even so... It's making you painfully lonely. Why...
Volker: That's...
After it became silent as Volker-san took in all those words...
MC: ...!
He pulled my body and held me in his arms on the bed.
(Volker-san...)
With his long arms wrapped around my body, he buried his face against my nape. As he clung onto me affectionately... Volker-san spoke as he sounded like he was about to cry at any moment now.
Volker: Can you be the only one that won't become my enemy...?
MC: Enemy...
Volker: I don't want to cause trouble for anyone. I have to bring in the documents and restore them myself. That's what I thought... Yet, I pushed people away.
(Volker-san...)
Unable to bear those feelings, I wrapped my hands around his neck and clung onto him tightly.
Volker: When I came back, I was happy to see you there. Aside from Ruby, I had you by my side... Whenever I always come back from work, I want to be by your side. I want you here... Forever.
The strength in Volker-san's arms increased as he hugged me. From that strength and pain sounding voice, I nodded firmly without thinking.
As I was in his arms, I was slightly trembling...
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