Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Ciel - Black Butler Collab - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Heir's Dignity
Kingdom of Four Seasons, Hourai*... Hourai was still covered in white from the snow that's been falling continuously until yesterday.
T/N: Ouka, Hikage, Kaede and Touya's kingdom
When some snow fell outside the sliding door loudly, he raised his face from the book that he was reading. Although... Soon after, he lightly sighed and crossed his legs elegantly.
Ciel: ...How boring.
His name was Ciel Phantomhive... He was the current head of the Phantomhive family and a noble from the Victorian era in England.
(To think that there would be a lost person from another world besides me...)
From what I've heard, while he was on a luxurious cruise, it got engulfed by a thick fog and his group ended up here in the Dream World...
(I asked His Majesty to prepare a room for him, but...)
Although, as I was unable to do anything else, I didn't know what to do at a time like this...
MC: Where could your butler be... We should hurry and find a way for you to return.
Just as he smiled lightly, he looked at the snow outside as he seemed to have gotten more bored.
Ciel: You don't have to worry about him. He'll be back shortly with results.
After he finished eating the last piece of confection that was prepared by his butler, he puts the toothpick down dissatisfied.
(Is there something fun we could do...)
As the silence felt a bit awkward, I searched for a way to converse with him.
MC: Ah, I know.
When I thought of something, I took out a single invitation from my bag.
Ciel: What's that?
MC: In about 6 days, there's going to be an art exhibition. I've been invited to today's and tomorrow's opening ceremony. Since the snow seemed to have stop... If you'd like, do you want to go together? There'll be lots of unusual things on display, like a flower arrangement that'll make you happy from just looking at it.
Ciel: You'll become happy from just looking at it?
When Ciel-kun seemed interested as the invitation was in his fingertips, he lightly broke into a smile.
Ciel: Could it be that you want to see it?
MC: Ah... Yes. Feeling happy from just looking at it makes me wonder what kind of flower arrangement it is.
Ciel: ...
When I answered honestly, he sighed exasperatedly.
(Is he not... interested?)
Ciel: ...Very well then. It wouldn't be bad to broaden my knowledge.
After Ciel-kun said that, he got up and softly held his hand out to me.
MC: Um...?
Ciel: Don't you want to go?
His refined and mature behavior clearly showed what his social status was in the world he's from.
(I wonder if the way he's been living has made him to become this kind of person...)
His face that was still young made me think about the life that he has gone through...
Chapter 2 - Hidden Feelings
While stepping towards the town of Hourai that was still white, we headed to the widely known venue.
Ciel: Is this kingdom always this cold?
MC: No. The climate changes a lot in each season. Right now, it's winter in this kingdom...
Ciel: ...Well, it's fine as long as it's not foggy.
As Ciel-kun said that, his breath turned white.
Ciel: ...There sure are a lot of poor looking horse carriages.
Looking at the small black horse carriage that was prepared for us, Ciel-kun widened his eye a little. With a roof on top, the wind was blowing from the front of the seat.
Ciel: ...
(What should I do? If he says that he doesn't want to go...)
Ciel: What are you doing?
MC: Eh?
In front of the horse carriage, he held out his hand and looked at me. I...
///Choices///
- Take his hand (☼)
When I hesitantly held his hand...
Ciel: ...
He escorted me to the horse carriage very naturally.
- Hold back (☽)
MC: Um, you can go first.
Ciel: In my world, ladies are always first.
When Ciel-kun said that calmly, he urged me to go first.
///Choices///
Ciel: Let's go.
Once Ciel-kun sat next to me, he gave a signal to the coachman.
(...Ciel-kun is really mature.)
As I was looking at the side of Ciel-kun's face, I suddenly noticed that his eye shook.
Ciel: ...It's all the same, no matter which world it is.
MC: Eh?
Ahead of what he was looking at, there were two children running around in the snow with a large dog.
(How cute... They seem energetic.)
Judging from their height, the children seemed to be about 6 or 7 years old and their eyes were shining.
Child 1: Let's have a snowball fight! Let's go~~!
Child 2: Big Bro, I still want to make a snowman~
While watching the children that were filled with energy and playing, Ciel-kun smiled a little.
Ciel: Children can be greedy when they're playing. Also...
Child 1: Hey, you come join in too! Let's have a snowball fight!
Dog: Woof!
Ciel: ...
For just a moment... Ciel-kun closed his eye as if he was enduring something painful.
(Ciel-kun...?)
When Ciel-kun had his mouth shut, a heavy silence hungover inside the horse carriage.
(What should I do... I should say something.)
MC: Um, Ciel-kun, about your family...
Ciel: I don't have any.
MC: ...!
When he responded coldly, my heart throbbed. At the same time though, I recalled the fact that Ciel-kun was the head of a noble family.
(The head of the Phantomhive family...)
The fact that I didn't understand the heavy responsibility that his position holds, I felt remorseful.
Ciel: ...
(What should I say...)
When it became silent again, the moment I was about to speak...
Ciel: So, this is another world.
MC: Eh?
Ciel: Hopes and dreams become the energy to live... What a beautiful world this is.
As he was looking at the scenery in town, he smiled mockingly.
MC: Ciel-kun, don't you have any dreams?
Then...
Ciel: I've never thought about it. But... I do have a goal that I want to fulfill.
He said that deeply... But, the clear determination in his tone made my heart race...
Chapter 3 - Cold-Hearted...?
-Flashback-
MC: Ciel-kun, don't you have any dreams?
Ciel: I've never thought about it. But... I do have a goal that I want to fulfill.
-Flashback-
While hearing just the sound of the wheels moving...
(He has a goal that he wants to fulfill...?)
Although, feeling like that was a topic that I shouldn't touch, I didn't question it. At that moment...
MC: ...!
Just as the wheels hit something, the horse carriage's speed suddenly dropped.
Ciel: Hey, are you okay?
When my body swayed greatly, Ciel-kun became concerned.
MC: Yes. Did something happen?
When I looked out nervously...
(Eh...?)
A white snowball came flying over here.
MC: ...!
Without a moment, the snowball hits my head.
MC: It's cold...
Ciel: ...What are you doing?
When Ciel-kun sighed exasperatedly, he handed me a handkerchief.
///Choices///
- Say thank you (☼)
MC: Thank you...
Ciel: You... Are you really a princess?
After Ciel-kun narrowed his eyes questioningly, I returned a smile to gloss it over...
- Look away (☽)
MC: I'm sorry...
Ciel: Just hurry and wipe your head. It'll be troubling if you caught a cold.
When I accepted the handkerchief, we looked at each other and I became embarrassed...
///Choices///
I looked towards where the snowball came from. What I saw, in front of the children that seemed to be siblings, there were 3 boys that were bigger than them and were throwing snowballs.
Boy 1: Man, how weak! We'll be your opponents in your snowball fight.
Sister: Big Bro, I'm scared...!
Brother: Dammit...
Boy 2: You gonna cry? Shorty! A weakling and a crybaby!
(...We need to stop them.)
Just as I was about to get off quickly, Ciel-kun silently held me back.
Ciel: Just leave them alone.
MC: But...
Ciel: It's just a pointless fight between children.
(Ciel-kun...?)
His cold look was scaring me, but...
///Choices///
- Rebuke (☽)
MC: No! We need to help them...
Ciel: ...!
After I shouted that, Ciel-kun widened his eye a little. I got off the horse carriage and ran over to the young siblings.
- Shake him off (☼)
MC: But, I can't just leave them be...!
Ciel: Hey...!
When I shook off Ciel-kun's grip and got off the horse carriage, I ran towards the siblings.
///Choices///
MC: Are you okay?
Siblings: ...Yes.
Protecting the siblings that were about to cry, I stood in front of the boys.
Boy 1: What's with you?
MC: You shouldn't do this sort of thing.
Boy 2: Who are you! Don't get in our way!
Boy 3: If you're going to get in our way, then we'll strike you down too!
The moment the boys were about to throw snowballs at me...
Ciel: Coachman.
Along with a sigh, Ciel-kun's voice reached my ears. At that moment, the horse started running towards the tree that was near the boys.
Boys: Uwaaah~~!!
Just as the horse carriage grazed the tree, a pile of snow fell onto the boys.
MC: Ah...
As I felt bad about the boys that got covered in snow... They glared at Ciel-kun angrily.
Boy 1: Dammit! You've done it now!
Boy 2: Unforgivable! Just for that-
Ciel: Sorry. It seems like the horse was out of control. If you keep standing there, it might come running over to you guys soon.
Boy 1: Eek... Dammit! We'll remember this!
Along with a shriek, the boys ran off from there...
Ciel: Hmph...
(Ciel-kun... is a little scary...)
Ciel: That'll do. Let's go.
After saying that, Ciel-kun held his hand out to me.
MC: Thank you, Ciel-kun...
Cold, kind and scary...
(Ciel-kun is...)
Feeling a little uneasy, I took his hand and...
MC: ...?
Just when I felt like I was being pulled by something, I turned around. What I saw were the young siblings that were pulling the hem of my clothes as if they had something to say.
Ciel: It's cold. Let's hurry and go.
MC: Wait. These children...
Ciel: What? Do you still have something to say?
Siblings: ...!
Surprised by Ciel-kun's stern tone, the siblings quickly hid behind me.
MC: ...It seems like. Do you have something to say?
Ciel: ...
Placing one hand on his waist, he looked at me with a frown. Just as that eye slowly closed...
Ciel: The princess of another world... Just like your title, you sure are gullible.
MC: Eh...?
Ciel: Other people would just ignore them. That's what humans do.
After Ciel-kun said that dauntlessly, he turned around and headed to the horse carriage. I felt pain from what unimaginable thing that was hidden in that small back...
Chapter 4 - A Sudden Expression
The cold winter breeze blew between me and Ciel-kun... The moment Ciel-kun was about to return to the horse carriage gallantly...
Brother: Wait!
The boy ran up to Ciel-kun.
Ciel: ...What?
Brother: Here... As thanks! One for you, Mister and Miss.
What the boy took out from the bag that he was holding...
(Wow...!)
A rice cracker that has honey plums inside it, a small mochi that was covered in soybean powder and some various colorful candies...
Ciel: ...What's this?
MC: They're candies. How nostalgic...
Ciel: Candies?
(Ah...
When I remembered that he came from England, I became troubled on how to explain it to him somehow.
MC: They're snacks from this kingdom... They're... sweets. They're good.
Ciel: These are sweets? ...From what I can see, they look similar to the Japanese sweets that my servant likes.
As Ciel-kun made a puzzled look, the boy smiled broadly.
Brother: They're candies that I've received, but... I'll give them to you guys!
Sister Take mine too!
Ciel: H-Hey...
The siblings placed the candies in both of Ciel-kun's hands one after another.
(He might get mad if I say this. But, he looks cute like this...)
Wanting to take a picture of the adorable scene, I broke into a smile.
Ciel: You... What are you smiling for?
When he said that irritated, I...
///Choices///
- Feel like saying it's cute (☼)
MC: It's nothing strange or anything, you just looked so cu-
Ciel: Cu?
(Cute... I feel like if I say that, Ciel-kun would get mad.)
MC: No, it's nothing.
- I wasn't smiling (☽)
MC: I wasn't smiling...
Despite what I said, Ciel-kun's troubled expression was so cute that I broke into a smile again.
Ciel: ...Give me some space, you guys.
///Choices///
After a short silence, Ciel-kun sighed deeply.
MC: Want to try one? They're good.
When I broke off a small piece of the slightly sweet honey plum rice cracker, I brought it over to Ciel-kun's mouth.
Ciel: Wha...! What are you doing!
MC: Try it. It's good.
Ciel: ...! Fine. I'll eat it myself.
Taking the rice cracker from my hand, Ciel-kun nervously took a bite of it.
Ciel: ...It has an odd flavor.
When Ciel-kun's fairly pleased expression made me relieved, we smiled at each other.
Ciel: That's enough already, you guys. You should hurry and go home.
Then...
Sister: ...I don't want to go home.
The girl that looked so happy until now suddenly looked like she was about to cry.
Sister: It's lonely at home.
Ciel: ...?
Ciel-kun slowly blinked.
MC: Are your mother and father...?
Sister: Gone. We have Grandma and Grandpa, but it's really lonely...
The girl nodded and tightly gripped the boy's clothes.
Brother: ...You shouldn't be selfish. Didn't I tell you? Once we see the flower arrangement that'll make you happy from just looking at it, it'll be okay.
MC: !
(That's...)
Brother: Sorry, Mister, Miss. We'll be going now. Thank you so much.
After saying that, the siblings left while holding hands. While watching them off from behind...
Ciel: The flower arrangement that'll make you happy from just looking at it... Usually, displays that have been put up in exhibitions are valuable.
(Ciel-kun...?)
Ciel: ...What fools.
When Ciel-kun murmured that deeply, my chest tightened. As he was looking straight into the distance, it felt like he was looking at something that I was unable to see...
Chapter 5 - The Start of a Game
After parting from the siblings... We finally arrived at the widely known exhibition.
MC: The flower arrangement that'll make you happy from just looking at it... Those children were looking forward to it. We might get to see them again if we go to the opening day of the exhibition.
Ciel: ...Who knows?
(Ciel-kun...?)
Towards the side of Ciel-kun's emotionless face, I didn't know what I should say to him.
(I wonder if Ciel-kun will smile if he sees the flower arrangement.)
Ciel: ...Is that it? The flower arrangement that you mentioned.
When I raised my face after Ciel-kun said that, among the venue that was sparse with people, there was one spot where a crowd of people were.
(So many people. Also...)
MC: Everyone's smiling...
Even though they were all smiling, that scene felt somewhat cold for some reason...
///Choices///
- Let's go look (☼)
MC: Ciel-kun, let's go take a look.
Just as I was about to run over there, Ciel-kun grabbed my hand to stop me.
Ciel: Don't.
- Watch (☽)
MC: I can't see...
When I tried standing on my tippy toes to get a look, Ciel-kun lightly sighed.
Ciel: There's no need to see it.
///Choices///
With a cold look, he glared at the people.
MC: Um... Ciel-kun?
At that moment...
(Huh? What's that sound?)
Ding, ding... The sound of a bell ringing was getting closer to us. I saw a single man, that was watching the people from afar, walking over here.
Man: Traumerei Princess, it is an honor to have you here. I see that you have taken an interest in my flower arrangement.
(This person is the exhibitor of the flower arrangement...)
Around the tall man's waist, several bells were swaying.
(The sound from earlier was that... But, what are they?)
Man: This person is?
Looking beside me, the man asked that.
MC: This is... Earl Ciel Phantomhive.
Man: Phantomhive...? Earl?
Smiling mockingly, the man looked down at Ciel-kun.
Man: The person from another world. Nice to meet you.
Ciel: ...You sure have a lot of unusual stuff on display.
Man: Yes! Just look at the spectators' faces! My flower arrangement brought them joy!
Ciel-kun smiled lightly.
Ciel: ...Smells fishy.
Man: What...
Ciel: It's the same in all worlds. Filthy rats bringing in diseases.
Man: You brat...!
The man raised his fist with force.
MC: Stop it...!
As soon as I shouted that, the man immediately stopped his hand that was raised.
Man: Hmph... No matter what you say, it's the truth.
Ahead of the man's gaze, there were people around the flower.
Man: What do you think, Traumerei Princess? Everyone is smiling happily.
MC: ...
It's true that everyone is smiling. But... Their gazes were unfocused and their faces were too laxed.
(It's kind of... scary.)
Man: I've set up this exhibition. Don't you think it's attracting people more than anything?
Ciel: That is of no relevance to me.
Man: In that case... Wouldn't that mean you're lower than a filthy rat?
Ciel: What...?
Along with the sound of a bell ringing, the man looked down at Ciel-kun defiantly.
Man: Earl... You don't seem to be like any young master. Shall we play a game?
Ciel: A game...?
That word made Ciel-kun's brow twitch a little.
Man: If you're a noble like me, then wouldn't you have at least one or two works of art? Any kind of display will pull in a lot of people, so... Let's make it into a game. Also, whoever loses will have to do whatever the winner says... You okay with those terms?
Ciel: ...
(That's... But, Ciel-kun just came into this world.)
MC: That kind of game-!
The moment I was about to stop them.
Ciel: ...Very well then.
Soon after Ciel-kun made that short response, he turned his back towards the man.
MC: Ciel-kun...! Are you sure!?
Ciel: We'll play the game in 6 days. That'll be enough for me.
When Ciel-kun said that clearly, there was no hesitation in his eye at all...
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