Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Zwei - Prince of Riement - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Blank Eyes
Kingdom of Time, Riement, February...
From the clear blue sky, the midwinter sunlight was softly shining down...
(So bright...!)
When the cold atmosphere of the back alley went away from the strong light that was released, a prince appeared before me. The prince was still in a daze as he looked at me with blank eyes.
Zwei: ...Did you wake me up?
MC: Y-Yes?
Zwei: I see... Your name?
MC: It's MC.
I told him about myself.
Zwei: ...The Traumerei Princess.
I noticed that the darkness in his eyes was getting duller.
(Is something wrong?)
MC: Um, your name is?
Zwei: My name is Zwei.
Without looking at me, he murmured that softly at the moment.
(Does he dislike me somehow...?)
MC: U-Um...?
Zwei: ...me.
MC: Eh?
Zwei: It would've been best... If you had let me sleep like that.
Zwei-san murmured that as if he was saying his final thoughts wholeheartedly.
MC: Zwei-san?
Zwei: ...No, it's nothing... Please forget about it.
(It would've been best to let him sleep... What did he mean by that?)
Zwei: Now then, if you'll excuse me.
(...Eh!?)
When Zwei-san turned his back on me, he began to walk.
MC: Ah... Please wait!
Zwei: What is it, Princess MC? There's no need to care about me.
(Uu...)
MC: Um, if there's anything I can do...
Zwei: ...?
MC: You can contact me... Uh... That's all.
Zwei: There's nothing at all. Rather, you, the Traumerei Princess, would waste your time by feeling sorry for me.
Despite his words, Zwei-san sounded really cold.
MC: Um... I... Just a little before, I was living an ordinary life instead of being a royal. So, won't you treat me normally?
After I said that, Zwei-san gave me a bit of a surprised look.
MC: ...?
Zwei: ...What a strange person.
As Zwei-san's blank eyes looked at me for a moment, I noticed that he was showing a bit of a smile.
Zwei: Now then, if you'll excuse me.
When Zwei-san turned his back on me again, he started to walk into the back alley with a cold air around him.
MC: Zwei-san...!
As he was walking despondently, he looked as if he was being gravely burdened by a darkness, which made me unable to go after him...
Chapter 2 - Opening Up...
Even now, the heavy grave atmosphere was spread out.
(I went along with Zwei-san on a whim, but...)
As I followed Zwei-san, we arrived in town. Aside from food and daily necessities, there were all kinds of shops lined up next to each other.
(Even though there are a lot of shops, it's not that lively somehow...)
I could feel the dark expressions of the people that were walking down the street everywhere.
(The atmosphere is heavy...)
Among that, I was following Zwei-san from behind, we walked into an alley that had little light.
MC: Um, where are we...?
Zwei: ...
Zwei-san didn't respond.
(I wonder if he's troubled from me coming along... But... I'm kind of curious.)
As we continued walking, we arrived at a refined bookstore that was overflowing with books at the storefront.
(Judging from the titles, there must be nothing, but difficult books...)
When Zwei-san casually entered the store, he instantly disappeared.
(Zwei-san must read these kinds of difficult books.)
What were assembled at the storefront were a lot of books that were about subjects that I wasn't familiar with. When I picked one up and looked in it...
Zwei: Are you still there?
MC: I'm sorry.
Towards those rejecting sounding words, I tried to search for the words to continue the conversation somehow.
MC: ...There are a lot of difficult books here.
Zwei-san was holding a lot of books in both of his hands, along with 10 of them on the counter.
MC: Um, are you really going to buy all of those?
Zwei: ...
Zwei-san became silent and looked at the books.
///Choices///
- Stay silent (☽)
While seeing Zwei-san like that, I was unable to bring out any questions.
Zwei: You might get bored from listening to me.
- Please tell me (☼)
MC: ...Won't you tell me?
Zwei: ...
///Choices///
When Zwei-san moved his gaze from the books to me, he spoke formally.
Zwei: ...They're academic books for math.
MC: Academic books... Do you like math?
Zwei: ...I like learning.
MC: Learning...
Zwei: It's... just a hobby of mine.
Zwei-san showed a gloomy expression.
(Come to think of it, the time when I woke him up from the ring...)
-Flashback-
Zwei: It would've been best... If you had let me sleep like that.
-Flashback-
(I wonder if those words have a connection with Zwei-san's expression...)
As I was feeling pain from looking at that face, I spoke.
MC: I'm not that good with math...
Then, Zwei-san showed a disappointed look.
Zwei: When the answer becomes clear in math, that theory become really beautiful.
MC: It's difficult for me... I'm more interested in language.
Zwei: Language...?
Zwei-san looked like he was waiting for my next words as if he was urging me to continue.
MC: By feeling the words, your imagination grows the more you think about it. That kind of excites me.
Zwei-san quietly looked at me.
MC: I'm sorry, was that strange...?
Zwei: No...
The next moment, Zwei-san softly smiled.
(He smiled...)
Zwei: Come to think of it, a child said the same thing to me.
MC: Eh...?
Zwei-san quietly smiled as he looked at me...
Zwei: I'm going to return to the castle after this. Would you like to come with me?
Those unexpected words made my heart race.
MC: Thank you!
Zwei: Right this way.
MC: Okay.
When Zwei-san started walking on the path to the castle, I continued to follow him from behind. The faint winter sunlight gently shined on the path that we were taking...
Chapter 3 - A Castle for Learning
With Zwei-san leading the way, we arrived that the castle. The winter air inside felt nice against my cheeks that were heated up from walking a little.
(The atmosphere in the castle is a little heavy...)
The castle that was built further away from the noisy town made it feel like a lot of months and years had passed.
Zwei: I'll take you to your room.
MC: Thank you.
The inside of the room wasn't that luxurious, but it was warm with an old feeling to it.
MC: It's a really nice castle.
Zwei: It's an old castle though... It's where I bring my books. There aren't a lot of servants here, so it might be a bit of an inconvenience...
MC: It's okay. Like I said before, I lived an ordinary life. Aside from how nice this castle is, uh... The atmosphere that the location gives out is...
Zwei: It's best not to worry about that. The fact is that it's an old castle.
After saying that with a smile, Zwei-san looked down as if he was pondering about something.
Zwei: ...Can I call you, MC-chan? You told me to treat you normally after all.
MC: ...Sure!
When I responded energetically, Zwei-san smiled bashfully.
(Despite that I thought he was a cold person at first. He's actually a really kind person...)
MC: Zwei-san, do you live here because you like the atmosphere here?
Zwei-san's expression suddenly darkened.
MC: I-Is something wrong?
(Even though he was smiling just now, I did something again...)
Zwei: No, sorry. Don't worry about it.
When Zwei-san quickly responded, he spoke to me gently.
Zwei: My relationship with my father and brothers... It's not that good.
MC: Relationship...?
As Zwei-san furrowed his brow, he began to talk a little at a time.
Zwei: I too... I've wished to make this kingdom abundant before. To make that happen, I did everything I could as a prince. But, my father holds power over the king of the royal family and nobles and doesn't think about anything, except for making money. My brothers too, they're only taking advantage of that power struggle...
MC: Zwei-san?
Zwei: What did you think about the town in this kingdom?
From those words, I remembered the lifeless town.
MC: ...
As I wasn't saying anything...
Zwei: The town became like that... because of the royal family. Instead of carrying out official duties, they only think about pointless strategies... They only look for power and don't do anything about the people's lives.
MC: Zwei-san...
Zwei: I got tired of that royal family... I still think that even now, but there's nothing I can do anymore.
When Zwei-san said that softly, I felt that strong determination.
Zwei: Freeing the people from the pain of the kingdom's current state... Is it futile?
///Choices///
- That's not true...! (☼)
MC: That's not true...!
Zwei: ...It's okay. Thank you.
- It must've been troubling (☽)
MC: ...It must've been troubling.
Zwei: ...
Zwei-san became silent as he looked down.
///Choices///
(So, that's why he said that it would've been best to let him sleep.)
MC: But...
Just as I was about to speak, I closed my mouth.
(Doesn't Zwei-san really want to save the kingdom...?)
Zwei: You, making that kind of face is troubling.
Zwei-san gently placed his hand on my head. When I looked up, Zwei-san was smiling sadly... That face was making my heart ache.
Zwei: I know. Tomorrow, the children from town will be coming to study. It might not be a formal spot, but if you'd like, we can talk to the children together... What do you think?
MC: Children...?
Zwei: Yes. It's like a hobby of mine. I teach children to learn.
MC: How nice...!
(Ah...)
-Flashback-
MC: By feeling the words, your imagination grows the more you think about it. That kind of excites me. I'm sorry, was that strange...?
Zwei: No... Come to think of it, a child said the same thing to me.
-Flashback-
(Was that... about the children!?)
Feeling a little embarrassed, my face turned red...
Zwei: Tomorrow, won't you try showing yourself for a bit?
Zwei-san gently smiled.
///Choices///
- Yes! (☼)
MC: Yes!
Zwei: The children will be happy too.
- But... (☽)
MC: But, won't I be intruding?
Zwei: Not at all.
///Choices///
Zwei: I call upon the children to a classroom that was quickly built next to the castle. Tomorrow, you can come visit any time you'd like.
MC: Thank you.
Zwei: Now then, take your time to rest for today.
MC: Yes. Goodnight.
When Zwei-san left the room, I saw him off as he walked into the dark hallway.
(Somehow, I feel like the distance between us has gotten closer.)
As I felt a faint happiness running through my heart, the twinkling dusk light shined in from the window...
Chapter 4 - Sudden Visitor
The next day... The warm sunlight was looking bright in the winter sky.
-Flashback-
Zwei: Tomorrow, won't you try showing yourself for a bit?
-Flashback-
When Zwei-san invited me, I arrived at the classroom near the castle.
(...I wonder if it's okay for me to enter.)
When I looked inside the room, Zwei-san noticed me and lightly beckoned towards me. From the back of the classroom, I slowly took a step inside. Within the cold atmosphere, the children were sitting around Zwei-san.
(Zwei-san, he looks so serious...)
As Zwei-san looked straight at the children, he spoke to them eagerly.
Zwei: Everyone. There have been many wars in history that led to today, but there's a lot to learn from them. Along with helping each other, it's good for us to live by loving one another. Right now, you guys are in the middle of working that out.
Seeing Zwei-san being different from yesterday gave me a warm feeling. At that moment...
???: What are you doing!
MC: ...!?
Suddenly, along with an interrupting shout, a single man roughly forced himself into the classroom.
(This person is...!?)
???: It's been a while, Zwei.
Zwei: ...It's been a while.
MC: Um... This person is?
Zwei: ...My older brother.
When the light in Zwei-san's eyes went away, they turned dark.
Zwei's Brother: I came here secretly to see what you were doing... What are you doing by gathering children in this deserted castle!?
Zwei: ...This is a place for learning.
(The children are scared...)
I hugged the children as they were trembling from what's happening now.
Zwei's Brother: Learning? In other words, you're taming these children to turn them into your private army?
Zwei: ...What are you saying?
Zwei's Brother: Don't try to feign ignorance, you're actually aiming for the throne as well!
Zwei: Don't you think that's enough... Please stop doing this in front of the children.
Zwei's Brother: The children! They're not your children!
Zwei-san's brother stood in front of the children and gave them a piercing glare.
MC: Stop!
Before I knew it, I stood in between Zwei-san's brother and the children...
Zwei's Brother: What's with you!
He roughly raised his hand.
MC: ...!
Zwei: Stop!
The next moment, Zwei-san shouted that as he placed his arm around me.
MC: Zwei-san...!
Zwei-san's brother stopped his hand that was raised up.
Zwei's Brother: Hmph... How pointless. I'll leave for today, but Zwei, be sure to come to the castle tomorrow. The royal family being scattered around is a bad example to the people.
Zwei: ...
after looking at Zwei-san, he left soon after. As Zwei-san watched his brother leave from behind, a dark shadow appeared in his eyes.
MC: Zwei-san... Are you okay?
Zwei: MC-chan... I'm sorry for scaring you.
As Zwei-san said that, he gently held my hand.
(Ah...)
For the first time, I noticed that my hand was trembling.
Zwei: Sorry, it's my fault. Thank you for protecting the children.
///Choices///
- You didn't do anything bad (☼)
MC: You didn't do anything bad.
Zwei: You're so kind...
- It was a spur of the moment (☽)
MC: ...I just moved at the spur of the moment.
Zwei: Your courage saved them.
///Choices///
Zwei: Really, thank you...
Zwei-san shrugged his shoulders guiltily.
(Zwei-san...)
Him being like that and him facing the children seriously weren't that different from each other...
MC: Zwei-san... How about you try confronting your own feelings?
I said that.
Zwei: Eh...
MC: Seeing you think about the children. Somehow, I feel that you shouldn't give up...
Zwei: Confronting myself...
MC: Yes.
When Zwei-san became confused, he looked at the children.
Zwei: My feelings...
At that moment, the children ran over to Zwei-san.
Child 1: Teacher... You can do it.
Child 2: Go get that guy!
Zwei: Everyone...
Zwei-san looked at the children and then, they gave him determined words.
Zwei: ...I've made my decision.
As the sunlight that was warm like embers was shining into the classroom, it made Zwei-san's serious eyes shine...
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