Ch. 9: White or Black (SUN)
Immediately following the diet's decision to fill in the swamp at the center of the forbidden grounds, Lucien's plan to invite others with black wings to join in the cause was put into action.
Lucien: "You alright? Don't push yourself."
Lucien stopped my hands as they worked and asked me that question.
OO: "I'm alright. I want to do what I can too."
Lucien: "Okay…but tell me right away if you start to feel sick."
OO: "I will, thank you."
There was a softness in his grateful expression that hadn't been there when we'd met.
Black Winged Person 1: "Prince Lucien, what should we do about this part…"
Black Winged Person 2: "Prince Lucien! We're finished over here!"
I saw just how many people had gathered around Lucien.
Lucien…
Lucien smiled awkwardly as he spoke with his comrades.
Warmth flooded through me as I saw that.
…
……
Several days after the work had begun…-.
Lucien: "…have we filled it in?"
Black Winged Person 1: "We did it Lord Lucien!"
Black Winged Person 2: "Thank goodness…"
Everyone who had been working cried out in unison and began exchanging words and embracing each other.
Lucien: "Does everyone feel okay?"
Black Winged Person 3: "Yes! Just a little tired from all that work!"
Lucien: "I see…"
Lucien let out a sigh of relief.
Black Winged Person 2: "At any rate, it's been a while since I've felt this refreshed."
Black Winged Person 1: "We're always being hated, or avoided…we would wonder if we should never have existed."
Lucien: "…"
Black Winged Person 3: "But I'm glad we were able to help the others out like this."
Black Winged Person 1: "Lord Lucien…thank you."
Lucien: "Everyone…"
Lucien looked at each of the people with black wings in turn.
Lucien: "…I'm sorry. The truth is, even though I should have protected you...From now on, I'll try to do what I can. It doesn't matter if we have white or black wings, we should all be united as one."
A fierce light shone in Lucien's eyes.
Black Winged Person 3: "Lord Lucien!"
Black Winged Person 1: "Lord Lucien…!"
I couldn't help but be captivated by his dignified expression.
Lucien: "…OO?"
Lucien noticed my staring, and tilted his head as if mystified.
Lucien: "What are you looking at?"
OO: "N-nothing."
I can't say I was staring at him…
I looked away and felt my cheeks heat up when…
OO: "!"
I was pulled in close, and he gently wrapped his wings around me.
Lucien: "…it's thanks to you. Thanks for staying with me."
OO: "I didn't do…-"
I could hear the heavy beating of his heart from within his chest.
I'm glad…
The cheers of the people around us grew so faint I could barely hear them as Lucien's heartbeat echoed clearly in my ears.