Ch. 4: While You Don't Know
A few days after I'd come to Lucien's castle…
The small castle was almost completely void of people, so Lucien spent a lot of time on his own.
This day as well, when I was taking a walk in the garden…
Ah…it's Lucien. Looks like he's feeding the birds again.
I saw Lucien near the top floor of the castle.
Lucien: "…good job. Here, eat up."
The look he gave to the birds was really quite gentle.
[CHOICE]
-
Call his name (SUN)
-
Wave (MOON)
OO: "I'm really sorry..."
Lucien: "It's alright. Come here."
Quietly, I came up beside Lucien.
Lucien: "You're too far away."
OO: "…!"
I felt Lucien put his arm around me, then pulled me in closer to his side.
My cheeks burned as I was suddenly so close to him.
Lucien: "…just wait."
Slowly, Lucien held his arm out in front of him.
After a moment, the little birds once again chirped in their cute little voices and returned to his hand.
OO: "Wow…-"
I spoke before I could stop myself, and in a panic I held my breath.
As I stood there like that, Lucien's looked down at me with kindness in his eyes…-.
…
…..
I was amazed at the beautiful scene that played out before my eyes as he gave the birds their seed.
Lucien: "…looks like they'll come even if I'm not the only one here."
I looked up as Lucien spoke suddenly.
[CHOICE]
-
It's because you're beside me (SUN)
-
Are you jealous? (MOON)
Before long the birds had eaten their fill, and one by one they took off into the sky.
As he watched the birds grow more distant, Lucien spoke a few words.
Lucien: "…the only ones that come near me are him and the birds…and you."
OO: "Eh…-"
Lucien: "Everyone is afraid of these black wings."
OO: "Why…? I think it would be beautiful to see those wings dancing up in the sky."
Lucien: "You say that because you don't know anything."
His voice was faint, and I almost couldn't hear it, but those words grated on my heart.
Lucien: "…I want you to stay unknowing."
His long fingers gently touched my cheek.
OO: "Lucien…?"
I couldn't bear the fast beating of my heart, and I ended up looking away.
As I did so, I suddenly caught sight of the castle walls, and the large forest that lay beyond.
OO: "L-Lucien! What's in that forest? It's so big…!"
Lucien: "…!"
His complexion quickly changed.
Lucien: "Never go anywhere near there. Got it?"
He seemed to be glaring at the forest as he spoke with strong conviction.
The gentleness he'd had in his eyes once again froze over, and it made my heart ache.
Lucien…!
Careful not to scare the birds, I waved up at Lucien.
Lucien: "…!"
Noticing me, Lucien's wings rustled.
At that noise, the small birds flew out of Lucien's hand…-.
OO: "Could it be…you're jealous?"
Lucien: "…jealous of what?"
OO: "Sorry. I had just thought, with you liking them so much…"
At my words, Lucien frowned slightly.
OO: "That's…because you're here Lucien. So they feel relaxed, right?"
Lucien: "I guess…we do always spend a lot of time together."
Lucien looked at me with just a hint of kindness.
OO: "Lucien!"
I was so happy that I loudly called out to him.
Then…
Lucien: "…!"
The birds took off into the sky, frightened by my voice.
I did it…again.
OO: "…I'm sorry."
Lucien: "You're…always pretty noisy huh."
I thought he'd be mad, but Lucien just smiled slightly.