Ch. 10: Within the Twilight, a Glimmering Desire (MOON)
Edmond continued to hold onto me as we returned to the castle.
He sat me down on the bed and began a thorough check.
Edmond: "Tell me what happened."
OO: "…I was only locked up."
Edmond: "But there were those men there. Men…from the slums. What did they do?"
Edmond's eyes blazed with fury.
OO: "Nothing, really…it looked like I was going to be taken away, but then you showed up just in time and saved me."
Edmond: "…"
As his gaze fell to me again…-
He put his hand on my skirt and rolled it up.
OO: "!? E-Edmond!?"
Not caring that I had shouted in surprise, Edmond furrowed his eyebrows.
Edmond: "It looks like you were hurt."
I looked, and just as he'd said, there was a large scratch across my knee.
And on my thigh there was a blue bruise.
From when I was thrown to the floor…?
Edmond: "Damn…"
OO: "…!"
If I thought about it, I felt the pain when…
Edmond put his lips to the wound.
OO: "U-Um…!?"
Edmond: "It's for disinfection. You were locked up in that filthy place for a long time…"
OO: "…"
I could feel the tenderness from his lips on the wound on my knee.
I could tell the places he was touching were becoming hot.
My heart…it's too loud.
Finally, Edmond placed a final light kiss on my knee and moved his head away.
Edmond: "With that, it's clean."
As I tried to control the furious pounding in my chest, I resolutely asked my question, seeing that his expression had softened just a little.
OO: "…what will happen when the slums are torn down?"
Edmond: "I'm surprised…even after what you just went through, you're still worried about them."
His gentle expression became stern once more, and Edmond spoke as if in condemning the place.
Edmond: "I have no intention of stopping the demolition."
OO: "…"
He said it so bluntly that I could do nothing but hang my head.
Edmond: "But…"
OO: "Eh?"
Edmond stopped talking.
Edmond: "In any case, we both have some explaining to do. But only after your injuries are completely healed, alright?"
Edmond…?
A few days after that…-
The minister was disposed from power, and Edmond took me to visit the slums.
Townsman 1: "The prince! The prince is here-!"
Townsman 2: "The prince!! He's going to tell us about the demolition-!"
Townswoman 1: "Yeah, stop this! Why do you want to steal away our homes!?"
Townsman 3: "I'm opposed to the demolition!!"
Attendant: "L-Lord Edmond, we really should stop…-"
Edmond: "…"
I didn't know what Edmond was thinking, but he stayed firmly rooted to the spot.
At the same time, the group of people from the slums grew into an even bigger crowd.
OO: "Edmond…"
Edmond: "It's alright."
He gently patted my hand.
At that, his usual kind expression vanished and he adopted one of severe gallantry.
Edmond: "Everyone, listen!"
The shouts of protest gradually quieted after Edmond called out.
Edmond: "The demolition of this neighborhood will be carried out."
OO: "…"
Edmond: "Please, be silent. I want you to listen to me until the very end."
Again Edmond calmed the voices that had started to rise up in outcry.
Edmond: "There are many reasons we cannot continue to let this area exist as it is. Even now, this area has fallen under an epidemic. Crimes occur time after time. The disorder and poverty are clear to anyone who sees it."
The people listened intently as Edmond spoke.
Even I had at some point become fixated on his intense figure.
Edmond: "This place…it has gotten so bad that it cannot be repaired. It will only continue to get worse. That's why…it shall be destroyed, and we will build a new town!"
A new town…!?
Edmond: "I, Edmond, will carry full responsibility for this plan. An easy life, an affluent town of peace and safety, that is what I want. In the meantime, I guarantee you will all have a place to live. I hope you will all agree to this."
The people stirred.
As if still not fully understanding the situation, they began to talk with each other.
However Edmond turned his back to them, bringing an end to his speech.
Edmond: "I won't run…not anymore."
He said it so quietly that no one other than me, who stood at his side, could have heard.
Edmond was quietly taking his leave when the people's stirring turned into shouts of joy…-
On the way back…
I gazed at the scenery below the bridge we were crossing as we rode a carriage through the outskirts of the town.
OO: "You really surprised me…with what you said."
I spoke those few words as Edmond remained silent under the starry sky.
Edmond: "What did you think?"
His eyes, searching for an answer, sparkled in the light from the twilight town.
OO: "I saw hope for the future…Is there anything I can do to help too? I want to support you Edmond, and those people."
Edmond's face broke into a faint smile.
Then…
Edmond: "I'm sure you do."
Edmond put his arms around and held me from behind.
Wrapped in that gentle embrace, my heart leaped and pounded.
Edmond: "Look. The nightscape of the town is quite beautiful isn't it?"
OO: "…yes."
Edmond: "But if you weren't here in my arms right now, if you were to disappear in that light of the town…I wouldn’t be able to stand it. I would worry… I would want to go immediately and find you safe, and hold you in my arms like this. If you were to suddenly be separated from me, I would worry…"
I could feel his affection from the warmth of his back and the beating of his heart as he spoke.
Edmond…
Edmond: "I wonder when it was I became so taken with you…. You tried your very best for the slums, and just like me, you ended up kidnapped…but you're so strong. Even after that, you still think about the people there."
OO: "No…I'm not strong. You were there…it's because you saved me."
Edmond: "And I'll protect you. That's why I want you to stay with me."
His cheek gently brushed mine.
It felt like my whole body, in contact with his, was pounding and heating up.
Edmond: "Look at me."
OO: "Eh…?"
I did as he said and turned my head around when…
OO: "Nn…"
His face was already so close that our lips met.
They were soft and warm, and our hot breath intermingled.
I just…kissed him…
For a second, Edmond let out a light laugh.
Edmond: "You are strong…and very cute."
He smiled as my face flushed, and I couldn't control the beating of my heart…
Edmond: "OO…I love you."
His hands held me, demanding my presence.
As if responding to those feelings, as if wanting to tell him I would support him…I put my hands over his, wrapped in his arms.
END