Ch. 1: Within the Silence...
The light of the sun gently broke through the forest, wrapping it in a gentle atmosphere.
Having accepted an invitation from Prince Haku's Kingdom of Livaille, I continued to walk through the forest towards the castle.
Such a quiet forest…
I listened carefully, hearing the occasional rustle of the leaves as the wind blew, but that was all.
As I continued to walk, I came upon an enormous tree with many leaf-filled branches.
…what a massive tree.
In the shade of the tree sat a man with familiar long hair.
Haku…?
Haku was so still it almost looked like he wasn't breathing, and his gaze was on a book held in his hand.
OO: "Haku…?"
Haku: "…"
My call to Haku was swallowed by the silence of the forest.
…I wonder if he's concentrating. I don't want to interrupt…I'll wait till he's done reading.
…
……
I didn't know how much time passed like that when…-.
Haku suddenly looked at me and quietly closed his book.
Haku: "…you're here."
He directed the words at me, his voice barely above a whisper.
OO: "Ah, yes…"
Haku: "…"
On that note, Haku once again slipped into silence.
Unable to bear the quiet…
OO: "Um…"
Haku: "Right… the people in the castle invited you."
He spoke shortly, his words like a flicker.
Haku: "…come on."
Haku stood slowly, then walked away from me.
…he sure is quiet.
I felt like Haku, whose footsteps themselves were so quiet, was going to disappear…
I hurriedly chased after him.