Ch. 8: Beginning of Love (MOON)
Vairy and I had come back to the castle so we could treat his wound.
At first, Vairy had stubbornly refused to return to the castle, but he agreed on the condition that we wouldn't meet up with anyone.
OO: "…does it hurt?"
I carefully touched him.
Vairy: "I'm fine…the place where Jess shot me closed up when I changed."
Still, there were painful looking wounds on his fur-covered back.
Because he…protected me…
OO: "…I'm sorry."
Vairy: "What're you apologizing for?"
Vairy looked troubled, then began to speak with a heavy, low voice.
Vairy: "…I'll leave this country. You should go too."
My chest throbbed in pain.
OO: "…I can't do that."
Vairy: "I don't get you. You know I can't return to my original form."
OO: "But…"
Then, the door opened suddenly, and the butler and a group of soldiers appeared.
The soldiers turned their swords on us.
OO: "…! The butler…?"
Butler: "…Lord Vairy, it seems you did not make it in time. Beasts are creatures that are detested in this country. I'm afraid that…"
Vairy: "…"
OO: "Wait…please wait!"
I stood between Vairy and the butler.
Butler: "Lady OO…I'm sorry you were dragged into this. However, this is a matter for our country to deal with."
I don't really understand…how this country runs…but this isn't right…!
Vairy: "…leave it."
Vairy put his hand on my shoulder and spoke in a quiet voice.
Vairy: "It's alright."
OO: "No…! There's no reason for you to be attacked like this…!"
Butler: "Lady OO. Is this your desire…?"
What…?
Suddenly, all eyes were on me.
The butler seemed to be looking at me with a plea in his eyes.
…the butler was the one who called me here. Maybe he…
OO: "…yes. Please, don't attack Vairy…"
Butler: "Ordinarily…this wouldn't be permitted, however we are indebted to you for awakening Lord Vairy. …we never saw you here."
At the butler's words, the castle soldiers sheathed their swords.
Vairy: "…"
Butler: "Now Lord Vairy…as you are aware, we can no longer recognize you as a prince in this country."
Vairy: "…yeah, I know."
Butler: "You were always kind, that is something we all know quite well…please, take care."
With those parting words, the butler and the soldiers left the room.
The butler…
Vairy: "…guess I was saved by you."
OO: "I didn't…"
Vairy: "…I wonder what I should do now…"
OO: "…!"
I gently placed my hand on Vairy's cheek, his head hung low.
OO: "…why don't we look for a way to break the curse together? There might still be time…"
Vairy: "…true love huh. You believe in that fairy tale stuff?"
OO: "…so you did know."
Vairy rested his head on my chest.
Vairy: "How weird. Your scent is super calming…"
Vairy put his hand over mine as it lay against his cheek.
Vairy: "More than anyone else, I don't want you hurt. …but I still want you at my side."
OO: "…I'll be with you. Because I…"
I again spoke the words that had been swallowed up in the wind before.
OO: "I like you Vairy."
Vairy: "…even though I'm like this? And I don't know what'll happen after this."
Rather than nodding, I held him close once again and kissed his forehead.
Vairy hesitated, but then nuzzled further into my chest, as if he were depending on me.
Vairy: "I don't know how to say this, but I think with you, it feels like something is starting."
Yeah, this is the beginning…and I'm sure eventually it will become true love.
A beautiful light was shining in through the window.
Without me even realizing it, daybreak had come.
END