Ch. 3: Beseeching the Blue Sky
The day after I'd met Lucien…-.
Lucien: "…it won't be pretty if people saw you defending me. And it's getting dark…If you don't have anywhere to go, you can come with."
I had arrived at Lucien's castle and the servant there was kind to me. I ended up staying as thanks for awakening the prince.
However…
The castle is lonely…
Lucien and his single servant were the only ones living in the small castle that bordered the town …
Lucien…I wonder if he's feeling alright.
I was heading to see him when I passed by the courtyard and heard the high trilling of birds.
And the sound of a man's laughter along with them.
Where is that coming from?
I happened to look up and…-.
Lucien: "Haha…don't worry, there's plenty."
On the balcony above, I saw Lucien enjoying himself with the birds.
The expression he wore was gentle, the complete opposite of what I'd seen the other day.
He looks so kind…
I felt a faint warmth well up inside me when…
Lucien: "You…!"
Lucien noticed me watching him, and immediately his expression stiffened.
I wondered if his voice deepened just from surprise, then all at once the birds flew up and away.
Ah, the birds…
[CHOICE]
-
I'm sorry (SUN)
-
You must really like birds (MOON)
Lucien looked at me again, then spoke with a faltering earnestness.
Lucien: "…do you want to come up?"
OO: "…can I?"
Lucien: "Do whatever you want."
Lucien abruptly turned his gaze away again.
I hurriedly went to Lucien's room before he could change his mind.
…
……
OO: "…pardon me."
Lucien's room was sparsely furnished, and despite being midday, it was quite gloomy.
This place is kind of lonely too…
Lucien: "…"
I saw Lucien from behind, standing on the balcony, and it seemed like he would vanish into the light.
OO: "Luci…-"
I went to come out on the balcony, and Lucien held his finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. In silence, he ushered me the rest of the way onto the balcony.
Lucien: "…you're pretty greedy today. Do you want more?"
His voice sounded so gentle as he talked to the little birds.
The birds responded by raising their voices in a light trill, and once more bunched around Lucien.
OO: "Wha…"
I accidentally broke the silence as I found myself impressed at all the different colored birds.
Then Lucien turned his head towards me…
Lucien: "It seems you're alright."
OO: "Eh…?"
Lucien: "They don't really like people."
It was only a little, but I saw kindness flair up in his eyes.
OO: "Oh I see. Then I'm glad."
Lucien: "…do you want to feed them?"
Lucien held a small leather bag out to me.
[CHOICE]
-
Thank you (SUN)
-
Won't I scare them? (MOON)
Lucien: "It'll be fine, just slowly hold out your hand with the birdseed in it."
OO: "…!"
I did like he said and the birds started to cluster around my hand.
I felt them lightly start to pick at the seed in my hand and a feeling of love filled my heart as I felt their ticklish pecks.
OO: "They're so cute…"
Lucien: "Yeah, the birds have different colored wings, but they all get along. No matter their color, the birds have their freedom…"
Lucien turned his eyes towards the heavens, as if beseeching the blue sky.
OO: "…"
As I looked at him sidelong, I thought his expression seemed unbearably sad…and yet also incredibly beautiful.
OO: "Yes, please. Thank you."
Lucien: "Just don't scare them."
As he gently placed the bag of seed in my hand, our hands touched.
It's warm…
At the slight sensation of warmth from his hand, I for some reason felt that same warmth fill my chest.
OO: "But…won't I scare them off?"
Lucien: "It'll be fine as long as you're quiet."
Lucien answered as he placed the bag of birdseed in my hand.
OO: "Thank you."
He was quite close now, and I could see the depths of kindness in his expression…
I thought he was scary when we first met but now…
My heart was pounding slightly.
OO: "You must really like birds."
I panicked and tried starting a conversation, to which Lucien looked at me with a troubled expression.
Then…
Lucien: "…I was just thinking."
Not looking at me, his answer came out like a mutter.
OO: "I'm sorry…!"
I looked guiltily at the dispersing birds and frantically apologized.
Then Lucien…
Lucien: "…whatever, it's fine."
His voice was so quiet I only barely caught what he'd said.