Ch. 3: This Person is Good!
In the hall of the castle, I was at a complete loss as Toto again pressed me to become his owner.
What should I do…no matter how many times I explain, Toto doesn’t seem to understand…
Then, I heard the sound of a door opening further down the hall.
??: "Lord Toto, you have returned…! …did you go out searching for your owner again?"
An older gentleman approached us, speaking with a voice that easily carried down the hall.
I peeked around Toto, and the man stiffened in confusion.
??: "Please excuse me, I didn’t know we would have a guest… I am Lord Toto’s butler."
OO: "Nice to meet you."
Good…I finally met someone who will listen to me properly.
I gave the full explanation of what had happened up till now.
…
……
Butler: "I see…the Yumekui attacked Lord Toto… I am…truly grateful to you for rescuing him."
OO: "It was nothing."
Butler: "Still, Lord Toto, you should not go out to such a dangerous place."
At the butler’s chiding…
Toto: "… you’re so annoying."
Eh…!?
I was surprised as Toto’s previously cute demeanor vanished and his face twisted in annoyance.
Toto: "…I was just looking for someone to be my owner. You got a problem with that?"
Toto…? His tone is suddenly more gruff…
Seemingly used to this kind of thing, the butler just sighed and looked at me.
Butler: "I’m sure there are some things that have surprised you since you arrived at the castle."
OO: "Yes. Like how there aren’t many people here."
Butler: "Lord Toto is the only member of royalty that resides in this castle. Lord Oswald, the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz, is the one who gave Lord Toto this land of Padtown…Lord Oswald entrusted Lord Toto with ruling over this place."
OO: "I see…suddenly becoming a prince like that…"
[CHOICE]
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That’s an amazing story… (SUN)
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That seems like it could be quite a problem (MOON)
Toto: "…I told Oswald, you know? I said I didn’t mind being a prince, but that I can’t do anything without an owner."
That does seem to be the case…
The butler seemed to think the same thing, and he asked something of me while I was still at a loss for words.
Butler: "…I’m quite aware this is an unusual request but…Princess of Träumere, would you consider becoming Lord Toto’s owner?"
E-even the butler. But…
OO: "Well…you see, that’s…"
Butler: "Of course…there’s nothing to be done then. Please forget I asked."
Sensing how I felt, the butler quickly withdrew his request.
Butler: "It would be all well and good if there were someone somewhere to become Lord Toto’s owner…But finding such a person is quite difficult…"
Toto: "Huh? Whaddya mean? I don’t want anyone but her! Everyone else is trash."
T-trash…!?
Butler: "It seems Lord Toto has taken quite a liking to you, Princess of Träumere."
The butler was overcome with emotion and started to tear up…
I didn’t know what to do, but I couldn’t seem to put a stop to this.
Toto: "Besides…I’ll still think you’re the only one for me, even if you tell me no…"
His expression could be either excited or sad…and Toto let out a sigh. I…
[CHOICE]
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Why do you need an owner? (SUN)
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Can’t be just be friends? (MOON)
Butler: "…the truth is, Lord Toto came to us having lost his memories…"
OO: "Eh?"
Butler: "…all he can remember is searching for his owner."
That’s why Toto is so obsessed with having an owner.…a prince all on his own…with no memories…
As I looked around the spacious castle that Toto lived in by himself, I felt a complicated mixture of feelings.
OO: “That’s an amazing story…”
I said quietly, taken aback, and as Toto’s eyes sparkled, he leaned forward.
Toto: “Just now, you said I’m amazing right?”
In that state, Toto looked like an incredibly excited dog wagging its tail.
W-what do I do? He looks so happy.
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything that might change how happy he was, so I forced a smile and dodged the question.
OO: "That seems like it could be quite a problem."
I felt sympathetic for Toto’s situation as I looked at him, and in that moment Toto’s face lit up.
Toto: "That’s right! It’s a big problem! Help me!"
OO: "Um…"
OO: "Can’t we just be friends?"
Toto: "I want to be owned."
OO: "Why do you need an owner?"
Toto: "What do you mean 'why'?"