Ch. 10: Announcement, and... (SUN)
A few days after his decision was made…-
Edmond led a group of followers from the castle into the slums.
Good luck Edmond.
The people in the slums gathered, unawares as to what was going to happen, but they all seemed uneasy.
Then Edmond raised his hand, his voice strained.
Edmond: "Everyone, please listen!"
It became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The people of the slums stared up at Edmond as he stood on a platform.
Everyone is really nervous…I'm sure this is the first time something like this has happened.
Edmond carefully looked at each and every person gathered there.
Then…
Edmond: "I have an announcement to make, here and now. I, Prince Edmond of the Kingdom of Dajeelburg, swear that I will devote myself to the betterment of these slums."
Murmurs spread out from him like a wave.
Minister: "W-what is he…"
Edmond: "I assume you won't believe me at first. However, I fully intend to do this. And I hope that someday you will believe me. I apologize to you, for these days of pain and hardship…I'm so very sorry…for everything."
Edmond bowed his head low.
The people stirred, getting louder and louder.
The people seemed confused about what Edmond had suddenly come out and said.
Edmond: "…"
At that time…-
Boy: "Prince Edmond…! I believe Prince Edmond!"
The voice that shouted above the rest was from the boy we had been seeing the past few days.
Boy: "And I want to help Prince Edmond too! I want to help my mom…!"
Edmond seemed surprised at first, but before long he smiled kindly at the boy.
Edmond: "Thank you."
After that…-
Slum Girl 1: "Prince Edmond-! I'll follow you too!! Please, change this town!!"
Slum Boy: "Prince Edmond-!"
The voices in the crowd gradually changed into cheers of support.
Edmond: "…"
Edmond raised his hand again.
The voices had turned to cheers, broken up by rounds of applause.
Minster: "No…"
Edmond descended from the platform and put his hand on the minister's shoulder, whose face had gone ghastly pale.
Edmond: "I've received Father's permission. The matter has already been decided."
The minister fell to his knees in defeat.
And then…
Edmond: "Now, let's go back."
Edmond took my hand, a refreshing smile on his face.
OO: "Right!"
I nodded, squeezing his hand back.
I'm so glad…!
I was enveloped by his smile, and the palm of his hand.
Edmond appeared to shine, his entire being full of kindness and strength.
Edmond: "It feels a little like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders."
He said it with a smile, holding my hand as we walked through the town.
All around us people were still cheering and applauding.
Edmond: "I had always felt uncertain, and unable to come up with an answer or solution. I think…I've finally been able to do the right thing. It's quite wonderful, to be honest with yourself."
OO: "Yeah, I think so too."
Edmond: "And besides, I'm a prince, which means I have to help the people."
OO: "Yes…it's wonderful."
His whole face lit up with a smile.
That in itself was proof that his wounds from the past had been healed…
The people's hearts darkened as the area turned into a slum and people fell to poverty…that's why Edmond…I'm sure that those bright, fun-filled days will return. I really believe they can get those days back…
Edmond: "Thanks for supporting me this far."
OO: "O-oh, I didn't do anything…"
Edmond: "This is thanks to you. You led me back to the slums, and back to the people I had once known. You shook me from my feelings of uncertainty…and led me to this conclusion."
OO: "I…I didn't really do all that."
Edmond: "Regardless of what you say, I'll always think it was because of you. So, will you stay by my side?"
OO: "Eh…!"
I blinked in surprise.
Edmond looked at me with a smile and…
Edmond: "Now Princess, let us return to the castle."
He spoke with an exceptionally bright smile, as if he'd been joking.
However, right after that…
OO: "…Edmond…?"
Edmond pulled me forcefully down a narrow alleyway.
Edmond: "There are a lot of good places in the slums. No one can see us here…"
OO: "…!"
There was a gleam in his eye, different than usual…and Edmond tightly grabbed my back and pulled me towards him.
Edmond: "I've been patient until now. Like a proper prince…and I've become accustomed to behaving myself around you. How many times…I've wanted to say how dear you are to me."
OO: "…!"
My heart started pounding in surprise, and I was at a complete loss for words.
Edmond: "I think I can say it now. That I love you. And that I want you…"
OO: "Ah…"
He gazed at me, his eyes full of passion, as he drew closer.
W-what do I do…?
I became entangled in his gaze, unable to quiet the beating of my heart or figure out what to do.
He was an inch away, and he closed his eyes…
Edmond: "I love you…"
Gently…he kissed me.
I could do nothing about the pressure squeezing tightly on my heart, so I clung to his chest.
OO: "Nn…"
Edmond suddenly pulled me in even closer, deepening the kiss.
I…can't…
I could do nothing as I felt myself suffocating…then slowly, he pulled back.
Edmond: "OO…"
His voice was so sweet and kind as he said my name.
Edmond: "…should I not?"
OO: "I-I…"
Edmond: "I've always wanted to touch you like this. To feel your body close to mine, to kiss you…I couldn't tell you until now, but now I want to tell you time and again how precious you are to me."
OO: "…me too…"
Edmond: "Hm? What?"
OO: "Me too…Edmond. I love you too…"
I spoke my feelings desperately.
Edmond's expression seemed to melt as it turned gentle, then held me tightly in his arms again.
Edmond: "Thank you OO. Now…once more…"
OO: "…yes."
I was again caught up in a sweet, passionate kiss.
This fragrance…
The sweet, subtle fragrance of black tea that I had smelled coming from Edmond since I'd come to this country drifted on the air.
We finally separated, and I wanted to respond to all of his feelings…
Wrapped up in that sweet scent that I loved, wishing to respond to him, I gave myself over to Edmond.
END