Ch. 1: A Single Flower, and His Expression
Kingdom of Dajeelberg in the Land of Black Tea, Month of Azure…-
The sun was climbing high into the clear sky…
I walked along the streets, the town looking like a painting as I made my way towards Edmond's castle, per his invitation.
These cookies should be alright to bring to a tea party.
Cookies in hand, something tugged on the hem of my clothes as soon as I'd stepped out of the shop.
Boy: "Hey Miss, gimme a cookie please!"
A young, shabby-looking boy stared up at me with a smile.
OO: "Um…"
Boy: "Please Miss!"
OO: "S-sure. Here you go."
I held out the cookies, unable to deny such an innocent request…-
Boy: "Wow…Thanks! Here, you can have this. Bye bye!!"
The small boy, smiling from the bottom of his heart, took the cookies and held out to me a single white flower.
OO: "What a cute flower…"
That boy…I wonder who he was.
Though I was curious, I re-bought the cookies and headed to the castle.
…
……
I arrived at the castle, and a butler led me to the party hall.
Even within the castle, the luxury looked like something out of a painting, and it took my breath away.
Something smells good…muscat?
I was enraptured by the beauty of the castle and the sweet, rich scent when…-
Edmond: "Welcome OO."
Edmond appeared, his smile brimming with kindness.
Looking at me, Edmond swept into a bow.
Such a beautiful person…
I was so fascinated by his elegant movements that I forgot myself for a moment.
Edmond: "Now, please come this way."
He suddenly held his hand out to me, urging me to take it
OO: "Ah…"
I took his hand, and could feel the same kindness in his grip that I saw on his face.
OO: "Oh, right. I brought some cookies if you'd like."
Edmond: "You brought them especially for this? Thank you. They look delicious."
OO: "It's for inviting me to this tea party."
Edmond: "You needn't have troubled yourself. In that case, let's enjoy them together."
Edmond handed the cookies to the butler so they could be prepared.
Edmond: "Oh? What is this flower…?
OO: "Oh, when I was in front of the shop…"
Edmond: "…did you happen to meet someone while you were in town?"
The gentle smile suddenly vanished from his face, and his expression clouded slightly.
What's wrong?
OO: "Y-yes. …I got the flower from a boy in town."
Edmond: "I see…let me see it."
OO: "Ah…"
Edmond took the flower from my hand and placed it on the corner of the table, his expression sorrowful.
What's going on? He suddenly stopped smiling…
His eyes were unfocused as they shimmered with an unknown sadness.