Ch. 6: Concert of Wonderment (SUN)
Dulfer: "I really wanted you to come, no matter what. I’ll sing my heart out."
I was told that the concert Dulfer had invited me to would be held in the castle garden.
Time passed, and as evening came, I made my way down to the garden and…
So many people…
The venue was already packed full of people.
Woman 1: "I heard Prince Dulfer is singing tonight!"
Woman 2: "Ah, I’m looking forward to hearing his beautiful voice."
…everyone really loves Dulfer’s singing.
Hearing those voices around me made me kind of happy for some reason.
At that time…
Man 1: "Hey hey."
I suddenly heard a voice and someone grabbed my shoulder.
Man 1: "If you’re alone, why don’t you sit with me?"
OO: "…no, thank you."
…no way. This is Dulfer’s concert.
I refused the man who had called out to me and went for a seat near the front to get as far away from him as I could.
Ah, Dulfer!
As I reached my seat, Dulfer and a host of other singers standing abreast appeared on stage.
Announcer: "And now we shall begin without delay."
The announcer sounded rushed, and Dulfer moved to center stage.
Dulfer: "Now then, without delay…"
It started with Dulfer’s solo.
Wow…
He was so comfortable with his singing range, and it was so indescribably beautiful that it could only have come from the heavens.
Next, the chorus joined in and I listened spellbound.
Woman 1: "Such beautiful singing."
Woman 2: "Yeah, it really is…and it’s fun at night. Do you think he’ll invite someone out afterwards?"
Woman 1: "Right!? Yeah, that would be nice too ~"
OO: "…"
Their conversation grated on my heart.
Everyone getting along…I don’t want Dulfer to do something where he’ll get hurt again but…
As I was thinking that, someone firmly grabbed my shoulder from behind.
Man 1: "Heeey~ lady~. You look awful lonely. You another one of the girls Dulfer dumped? Want me to comfort you?"
I looked behind and saw the man who had called out to be earlier, smirking at me.
I just wanted to sit peacefully and listen to Dulfer sing…
OO: "I-I’m fine. It’s nothing like that!"
My tone naturally came out severe.
Man 1: "…Hey come one, it’s fine right?"
OO: "…!"
He came closer and I got a face full of bad breath.
I want to get away…but we’re right in the middle of Dulfer’s singing.
At that time, the singing that had been so velvety smooth stopped abruptly.
OO: "Eh…!"
Dulfer stood on the stage, his brow furrowed as he looked down at us.
What should I do…I was being too loud…
I cast my eyes down, full of regret and embarrassment, when…
Dulfer: "Sto~p."
Suddenly, Dulfer brushed back his long hair and got down from the stage.
OO: "Eh…"
Coming away from the stage, Dulfer approached me and…
OO: "Dulfer…"
For an instant, I saw a flame burning in Dulfer’s eyes
The man behind me was right in his gaze…
Man 1: "…ah."
The man trembled.
Dulfer quickly shook off his hand that had grabbed my shoulder.
Dulfer: "Let’s go."
Without waiting for me to reply, Dulfer grabbed my hand and pulled me away.
Did I make him mad…?
As my heart was gripped by unease, I left the venue where a commotion had started…
…
……
Even after we entered a room, Dulfer hadn’t said a word to me.
OO: "Um, I’m sor…-"
I couldn’t stand it any longer and opened my mouth to speak when…
Dulfer: "Touching you so familiarly, that son of a bitch."
OO: "Eh…?"
For an instant I doubted my own ears…
Dulfer: "It’s nothing. Man…I was just uneasy watching from the stage."
I looked at his calm expression and was sure I had misheard what he’d said a moment ago.
OO: "Um, I…"
Dulfer: "It was that guy. I nearly burned the entire place to ashes."
OO: "???"
Dulfer: "Because you’re mine. I couldn’t let another man touch you. That was no time for singing."
OO: "Yours?"
Dulfer: "That’s right."
OO: "B-but, Dulfer, you have a lot of women already…"
Dulfer: "Hm? I’m tired of other women. Ever since you showed up."
OO: "…"
Dulfer: "I wanted to sing just for you this time. Because I’m yours."
Dulfer stood right in front of me and lifted my chin with his finger.
Tilting his head slightly, Dulfer’s hair flowed like threads of silk.
Dulfer: "I figured I would have to go this far if I chose you, OO."
He smiled sweetly at me.
I was so caught up in his gaze that I opened my eyes wide.
OO: "Really…?"
Dulfer: "I’ll make you believe me. I’ll spend all night if I have to."
He held me gently, as if I was something very precious.
That warmth told me that Dulfer was really thinking of me.
I’m happy…
I was so taken with him…my heart began to dance.
Dulfer: "I’ll do my best to not get dumped by you."
As if wrapped up in a singing voice made of pure light, I felt fulfilled from the depths of my heart.
END