꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!
🗝️🤍 25 (MadLove) His Side story ⸝ unlock with 6 keys to his heart 𝜗𝜚 cw — slight religion mentions.
——Darius' POV——
[BLACK]
Owls will live with its mate for life.
Their mate will basically never change, and they live in a warm nest together with but one of its kind, and together they will die.
That nest is warm and comfortable, and the female owl, unbeknownst to it, is protected from many outside enemies.
[PALACE - BEDROOM - EVENING]
The ability that should have been a gift bestowed by God…couldn't even save the one I held the most dear.
Darius: I'll never forgive you if you die like this without even opening your eyes.
You were the one who changed me, taught me what love was, and yet—
Darius: Don't leave me…not without taking responsibility for changing me.
I would never be able to forgive her if she continued sleeping without opening her eyes and leaving me behind.
If she died like this, I really would invade England, just as I had said.
I'd destroy every place Kate held dear, every thing, every person, all of it—
I genuinely thought to erase any and all traces of the world she had lived in.
She was the one who made me realize that feeling called loneliness, and what a person's warmth felt like, and yet for her to just leave this world would just be shirking accountability.
(To hell with this power blessed by God.)
If I couldn't even save the things I held dear when it mattered, such a power was meaningless.
But, I was sure that this was also a result of my being late in realizing what was important to me.
If only I had realized sooner, if only I had accepted her sooner…
Such a future wouldn't have come and yet— I had made a mistake.
While struck with despair, it felt like the time waiting for a single person to wake up stretched for an eternity…
[WHITE]
And— it seemed I wouldn't be able to forget the events of that day.
[CARRIAGE INTERIOR - DAY]
I boarded a carriage, heading for the apartment Kate lived in.
(She's probably still cleaning.)
Quite some time had passed since Kate woke up.
Her wounds had healed, and she was going to start her new life as Vogel's fairytale keeper,
so she felt she should cut her lease with the apartment she lived at and went to clean things up.
I had wanted to come along, too, but then some troublesome work got in the way,
and so under the condition that we meet as soon as she was finished and that many guards accompanied her, I let her go to her apartment.
(I did tell her that I couldn't see any future, and even if something did happen I would kill them all, so it should be fine.)
(But still, I can't relax when I'm away from her.)
Ever since Kate had gotten injured, I ended up thinking that someday she may end up leaving me,
so I had come to feel anxiety from not being able to see her.
Anybody could kill her; she was just a human without any power or influence to her name.
Ever since I realized my feelings for her, that truth had scared me, not knowing what to do.
I had gone crazy to the point I couldn't feel calm without seeing her in my line of sight.
(This is also all Kate's fault.)
I also sacrificed a lot myself to be together with her.
——Flashback——
[PALACE - VICTOR'S OFFICE - MONOCHROME]
I was questioned for the incidents regarding Crown's kidnapping attempt and taking Kate hostage,
and upon being told I was forbidden from entering England for life and that I wouldn't be able to see Kate, I was on the verge of anger.
But I ended up donating information on Cursed ones that Vogel had gathered along with a part of our private assets to Crown.
And, upon revealing my origins, Crown let it go, and I was able to officially get her.
[LONDON CITY - BIRD'S EYE VIEW - MONOCHROME]
But as we were in England, Crown was keeping even more of a watchful eye than before,
and I was even told that if, by some chance, Kate got hurt, they would immediately chase me out of the country.
——End flashback——
[CARRIAGE INTERIOR - DAY]
(They're mixing personal and business matters way too much.)
I knew that Kate was Crown's favorite, but I didn't think it was to this extent.
That was why I had to sacrifice a lot myself to get her…but I haven't told her that.
If she knew everything and felt even the least bit moved by Crown's care for her,
I felt I would never be able to forgive her for god knew how many years, so I kept quiet about it for my own sake too.
(…I want to see her soon.)
We had only met in the morning, and we even spent the night together, but I still wanted to see her face so badly I could hardly bear it.
This, too, I blamed on Kate teaching me what love was.
(And besides, who can say if she's having some affair while we're apart?)
Even now, I wasn't able to believe in all of her words or her feelings.
And that was exactly why I wanted to be by her side, so she could make me believe when I couldn't.
Kate likely knew why I was the way I was with her, but nevertheless she didn't say anything and seemed to content to accept me.
[LONDON - CITY STREET - DAY]
I arrived in front of her apartment, and when I came out from the carriage, I saw there was one guard there, organizing the luggage.
Darius: Where's Kate?
Vogel guard: Miss Kate had departed for the palace a little while ago now.
Darius: Isn't it a bit early for that? Did she already finish?
Vogel guard: Yes. She felt that you would be worried, Lord Darius, so she was in quite a rush to return.
(So, I came late.)
[CARRIAGE INTERIOR - DAY]
I could only return to the carriage, I told the coach to return to the palace.
But on the way, I saw a familiar carriage parked in front of the church—
(…There's no way.)
[BLACK → WHITE CHURCH - NAVE - DAY]
I stopped the carriage and entered the church— and just as I thought, Kate was sitting on the staircase, staring up at the stained glass.
Darius: To think while your dear lover was waiting, you went and took a detour. What a mean thing to do.
In response, she smiled and spread her arms, calling out my name.
Kate: Darius.
And, me being me, her word alone was enough for me to forgive her selfish actions.
(I really am in love with you like a fool.)
Kate was a wicked one, too, knowing that if she did this I would end up forgiving her.
Unable to help it, I turned my back to her and sat several stairs down from her, and she wrapped her arms around me from behind in an embrace.
Darius: What were you looking at?
Kate: The stained glass. And how pretty it looks…
Darius: Ohh…
The heartbeat I could feel through my back beat its study pulse.
Relieved at her being alive, I looked upwards as well as she gently ran her hand through my hair.
Kate: I really like your hair, you know.
Kate: It feels soft and fluffy…like a sheep…
I narrowed my eyes from the comforting sensation, before she said something where I couldn't tell if it was praise or not.
Darius: Are you sure that was a compliment?
Kate: Of course it is!? I like your hair very much!
Darius: So you just like my hair? (¬⤙¬ )
A tad frustrated, I grabbed her hand. And Kate gave me a smile and pressed her forehead with mine.
Kate: Oh, no, I love everything about you. In fact, I fear words alone wouldn't be able to express how much I love you.
Darius: Love… (O_O)
That word reminded me of the fate I had never told, and I averted my eyes.
Darius: I…can't say "I love you" to you.
Kate: Huh…
Darius: My fate— it's "if I say 'I love you' to the one I love from my heart, I will die."
Kate: —!
Darius: Words of love are a poison that will kill me.
Darius: So, as long as I don't think to end my life…I probably won't be able to ever say these words to you.
I somewhat felt I just had to say that,
perhaps because I had come to realize, somewhere in my heart, that my "I love you" was no longer empty.
What should have been nothing but empty words seemed to be filled with color whenever they came from Kate, and Kate alone.
I had learned just how beautiful those words could be— how a single phrase could make the world seem so vibrant.
(And that's exactly why, if I ever return those words to you…)
I thought that I would probably end up dying from that. But for some reason, Kate smiled.
Kate: …Then, in place of "love," give me a lot of "I like you"s.
She went on about some "I love you" service, and finding that as foolish as it was adorable, I couldn't help but laugh.
(You truly are a strange woman.)
But as for me, who would never let go of this strange woman for life and would protect her to the end like a mate,
I couldn't say much, seeing how I was just as crazy.
(We're like two peas in a pod in that way.)
[CG - CONTENT WITH "I LOVE YOU" - DARIUS VOGEL]
Darius: You were the one who made me realize this feeling called "loneliness," so take responsibility and stay by my side.
In the pure white church, my partner smiled like the Virgin Mary, whispering countless words of love.
[CG PAN]
Kate: I love you, Darius.
There was surely not a drop of a lie or falsehood in those words, and when I had her say it on my behalf as well, I closed my eyes.
[BLACK]
—If it was with you, even this mad love could continue for eternity.
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!
Luca, looking quite shaken, combed his hair back as his expression twisted.
Luca: The emperor, who learned of what happened at the joint military practice the other day and of the plan to capture Crown, doesn't want anyone to worsen his relationship with England.
Luca: So he issued an order to assassinate Lord Darius!
Kate: —!!
[BLACK]
It was true Darius was thinking of taking Crown.
Vogel, who had come in hopes of deepening relations, would never be forgiven for bringing harm upon an organization directly under Her Majesty the Queen's imperial command.
[WHITE]
(But, Darius wasn't responsible for the incident from the practice.)
——Flashback——
[VOGEL STRATEGIC BASE - BEDROOM - DAY]
Darius: It seems somewhere along the way word got leaked that I was going to go after Crown at the end of the joint practice.
Darius: So they intentionally widened the gap between both countries, pushing me to realize that as fast as possible.
Darius: And then they probably wanted to kill us by sinking the whole boat that we had prepared to leave the country.
Darius: That said, I did foresee my family sinking, so we didn't board that boat.
——End flashback——
[VOGEL STRATEGIC BASE - BEDROOM - MORNING]
If what he said then was true, it was highly possible the true perpetrator was targetting Darius.
(What if that person was the emperor himself? Or if not that, what if the perpetrator worked together with the emperor to try and kill him?)
They would be able to explain the incident that happened as something Darius did in order to capture Crown.
But then, Luca said something I could have never seen coming.
Luca: A human from the army took Lord Darius away…and told him if he didn't want to be killed then to release the Queen's favorite.
Kate: The Queen's favorite…
Luca: —I'm talking about you. Crown's fairytale keeper.
Luca: The emperor fears he'll be attacked by England because a human who was a part of Crown got kidnapped.
Luca: If we release you, Lord Darius might come back.
If my existence could save Darius— there was but one thing to do.
Kate: …Take me there.
Luca seemed hesitant, but nonetheless put handcuffs on me.
Luca: …Don't take it personally.
Just when I was about to go out to the corridor in my nightgown— I remembered Darius' words.
——Flashback——
[VOGEL STRATEGIC BASE - BEDROOM - CURTAINS CLOSED]
Darius: Do not leave this room for some time.
When he said that, he looked different than usual.
Darius: And make sure you don't allow anyone inside aside from Nica, Ring, and myself.
Darius: If anybody else comes in, shout for help.
Kate: Darius, um—
Darius: If you don't want to die, then do as I say.
——End flashback——
[VOGEL STRATEGIC BASE - BEDROOM - MORNING]
Seeing how serious he looked, I couldn't do anything else but nod…but at that time, I suspected Darius had seen the future.
(Maybe that's why he had locked me in the room?)
He didn't tell me anything, so I didn't know for sure, but what I did know…
…was that if I left this room— I would be breaking my promise with Darius.
(I'm limited in the things I can do.)
But even if it meant breaking my promise, if I could save Darius…
[BLACK]
Out of my own will— I crossed the boundary.
We boarded a carriage, which arrived at the white church.
[WHITE CHURCH - NAVE - DAY]
Luca: This is where we'll hand you over.
With nobody in the church but me and Luca, we waited for that time to come.
After who knew how long, the door opened, and in came soldiers.
Kate: Darius—
I called out his name, figuring he had come together with them.
But, no matter how long I waited, he never showed himself—
(He's not here…? But why—)
The moment the door closed, the laughing of everyone but myself resounded in the church.
Luca: Pfft…ahahahaha—!! Damn, I didn't think it was gonna be this easy to lure you in here—
His condescending declaration made me realize at last that I had been caught in a trap.
Kate: …So, you tricked me?
As Luca came closer, I backed away, but when my heel hit a bump, I stopped where I was.
Luca: It's true that the emperor tried to assassinate Lord Darius, but that's already been taken care of.
Luca: There's no way he would ever leave a human trying to target be.
Luca: Word came in those who ordered for the assassination were killed across the board, which is probably giving the emperor a fright by now.
Kate: —!?
He pushed me on the shoulders as hard as he could, and having lost my balance I tumbled to the floor.
Luca: …Our lord [1] has changed ever since he came to England.
Luca: He valued his family more than anything, and he would never bat an eye for some inferior human, and yet—
Luca: He chose you, over Crown.
His gaze was as cold as ice, looking down at me from above.
Perhaps disgusted at how I looked, Luca raised his voice out of rage.
Luca: You were the one who tricked him, seduced him!
Kate: I did no such thing; it's just I had come to like him, so—
Luca: …"Like"?
The corner of Luca's lips twitched. And the very next moment— his foot caved into my stomach.
[SCREEN FLASHES WHITE]
Kate: Urgh—!!
The impact from being kicked sent my body flying, my back taking a heavy blow against the stairs.
(I can't…breathe…)
I couldn't even speak from how much pain I was in as I crouched down, when he grabbed my hair and forced my head up.
Luca: Now listen here! Lord Darius is a high and noble presence!
Luca: He's not a person you, some inferior human, can throw your filthy desires at!!
Luca's smile was wide— as his fingers went up to my neck.
Luca: Even when he makes a country for Cursed ones, you won't ever be a part of it.
Luca: And if you were allowed to be in it, I'd bet you wouldn't be able to do anything but suck up to us as a slave.
Luca: Ahh, and wouldn't you like it if we helped you practice for that role in advance? How about it, guys!
The soldiers who were waiting behind him, while spitting out vulgar words, raised their voices in delight.
And I glared at Luca in frustration.
Kate: So are you fine with doing the very things the humans who had hurt you did then…
Luca: Of course it's okay for us, since you humans are no different than livestock.
Kate: That, and there's no evidence that such a country can be made—
Luca: Ahh, so you don't know?
Luca cut my words off, his lips in a grin.
Luca: Our lord is very much capable of creating such a country.
Luca: After all— Darius Vogel is the son of the emperor, by blood.
Kate: What…?
Luca's coarse laugh rang in the nave as he happily talked about Darius' origins.
——Narration——
[GERMANY - PALACE - DAY]
It was a many a year ago when the emperor laid his hands on one of the female servants.
The servant, who had a weak standing, couldn't go against the emperor, and thus she brought a single life into the world.
If it became known she had given birth, there was no doubt she would be killed.
[BLACK]
She resigned from her job out of fear and vanished in the dark in order to save her child.
[CITY - ALLEYWAY - DAY]
But she quickly went short on money, and realizing she could no longer raise her child as things were,
she left him, who bore the same honey-colored as the emperor, before an orphanage—
—with nothing but a letter that detailed his name, "Darius", along with his birth date…
[GERMANY - PALACE - DAY]
And after that, the mother was found and killed.
But as time passed by, the emperor met Darius, who bore a close resemblance to himself, and he realized that Darius was his son.
And as Darius continued digging into his own origins,
he reached the same conclusion as well: that he was the emperor's son.
——End narration——
[WHITE CHURCH - NAVE - DAY]
(Darius is…the emperor's son…)
Luca: I didn't really think they would have any blood relations until I coincidentally overheard a conversation between Lord Darius and the emperor.
I was rendered speechless from shock, to which Luca spat more words out while laughing.
Luca: But if our lord were to usurp the throne then surely, Germany will become a country for Cursed ones!
Kate: —!
I had always thought, hearing about a country for Cursed ones, that it felt somewhat outlandish.
Would he really be able to create such a country? Even if he did, where would it be?
What of the people? The cities?
I imagined to create an entire country from scratch would take an absurd amount of moons.
But— now, I understood at last.
If the emperor's son took over the throne, he could make Germany into a country for Cursed ones.
(He could create that very country…right now, if he wanted.)
—Or at the moment when Darius wanted to create that country.
My head went blank, but Luca's words brought me back.
Luca: Our lord was chosen by God— or rather, he is a god in the flesh!!
[WHITE]
Darius, a "god in the flesh"…
In the eyes of the Cursed ones who were saved by him…he may be such a being.
[WHITE CHURCH - NAVE - DAY]
But—
[1] He isn't a god. (+4/+4)
[2] You're just pushing your ideals on him.
[3] You're wrong.
Kate: Darius isn't a god! He's—
Luca: Shut up, shut up, shut. Up—!!
Luca: Lord Darius is a god! The one and only god, just for us Cursed ones!
Luca: He's not someone the likes of you can just lay your hands on so willy-nilly!!
He pulled on my hair, hard. Pain shot through my head, but I grabbed Luca's hand and glared back at him.
Kate: —It may be as you say; Darius might be a chosen one.
After all, he was the emperor's son, a Cursed one who could see the future, and Vogel's director.
If one were to line up all the things he had…there was no doubt he was special.
Kate: That said…
(That's not all he is.)
Kate: Do you really know Darius, truly?
Luca: What are you—
Kate: Have you ever, even once, seen him for his truest self, not as the son as the emperor or a savior!?
My words caused Luca to make a look of displeasure, but he didn't give any response…
And that was all I needed for an answer.
Kate: No matter under what circumstances he was born in, or whether he's Cursed, Darius is Darius.
He was cruel, had a different sense from a normal person's, and was biased in his thoughts.
But, he would sometimes show a lonely expression, held such kindness that he never brushed me away when I held his sleeve, and would look after me.
He was someone who wanted a person to believe in, but couldn't fully do so.
And at his core, he was a warm person. I knew that well.
I took in a breath and looked Luca straight in the eye as I opened my mouth.
Kate: He— Darius Vogel is not any sort of "god."
Luca: You—!
At that moment, the church doors flew open, and I saw the pure white silhouette of my beloved storm in.
Darius: Kate—!!
Kate: Darius!!
Sweat soaked Darius' forehead as he cut down the soldiers one after another, without even sparing them a glance.
Luca: Lord Darius, why are you here…
The moment Luca's hand loosened around my hair, I escaped from his hold and ran straight for him.
Seeing me running toward him, Darius reached his hand out, and I returned the gesture.
But just when our fingertips were about to touch, Darius' eyes widened—
Darius: NO, DON'T!!!!
[SCREEN FLASHES WHITE → RED]
—and my body crumpled to the floor from the shock of something piercing through me.
[BLACK]
At first, I couldn't wrap my head around what had just happened.
[WHITE CHURCH - NAVE - BLOODIED]
(Wait, what…? Why am I on the floor?)
At some point, the church had become filled with blood.
There was an angry bellow from above me, but it sounded like I had heard it underwater.
Luca: Lord Darius won't love some human! You, some shitty ass woman!!
Something got pulled out from my body then, and the carpet became stained from a red-black substance.
That was when I had finally realized— that I had been stabbed.
Luca: Go and die, you lowly human!!!
A shadow loomed over me, a blade about to swing down on me.
But before I got slashed again, I heard the sound of someone falling, and instead I saw a pair of familiar shoes in my line of vision.
When I moved my eyes only— I saw Darius fall to his knees in a dazed state.
Darius: Kate…Kate…?
He pressed his hand on my pierced back, and with a voice like he was on the verge of crying, he called out my name with trembling lips.
Kate: Darius…you're alive…
The moment he heard my voice, his face looked even more sad as he pulled me into a hug.
Darius: Why, Kate…why did you break your promise…
Kate: I heard you would be killed…and got caught in a trap instead.
Kate: I'm sorry for being a fool…but I'm glad you're alright…
The blood wouldn't stop, dirtying Darius' pure white clothes.
Darius: No, I won't allow for this. I won't ever forgive you, so live and make it up to me.
His trembling hands felt warm as they wrapped tightly around me.
But even more than that, my body felt cold, and my vision went blurry.
Darius: If you die here, I'll invade England.
Darius: I'll pull all of Crown in and slaughter all the humans. Even then, are you fine with that?
Kate: That…wouldn't be so good.
When I gave a weak laugh, the arms around me tightened…and even in this situation, I couldn't help but feel so happy I could burst.
(I feel happy…)
If I could die in the arms of the person I loved, perhaps I couldn't ask for any greater happiness.
I had reached my limit…to the point I started to think such imprudent things.
Kate: gh…urgh…
It became harder to breathe, and my vision started to go dark.
Darius: Kate, no, you can't, don't you even dare.
Darius: I won't ever allow you to die in my arms.
His embrace tightened as he said so.
And I mustered the last of my strength to call out his name.
Kate: Da…rius…
Darius: —! What is it…
Kate: I love you.
[EYES CLOSE → BLACK]
I used all my energy to give a smile, and after whispering the words of love I had always wanted to tell him— my consciousness fell into the deep darkness.
Darius: KATE!!!!!
The last thing I heard was the voice of the person I loved, calling out my name.
t. b. c ⸝⸝
masterlist 🪽 ┊ ko-fi ☕️ ┊ comms 🤍 ┊ backlog 🕰️
────────୨ৎ────────
NOTES:
[1] Luca, when not referring to Darius as "Lord Darius" [ダリウス様] (dariusu-sama), uses [あの方] (ano kata) instead. It's like a polite way to say "he" or "him"…so I opted to use something like "our lord" here and thereinafter, which still omits Darius' name.
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!
🗝️🤍 21 (MadLove) His Side story 𝜗𝜚 cw — mention of drugs and violence.
——Darius' POV——
[BLACK]
A swallow is treated as a symbol for love and fortune,
but it is also said they symbolize a heart of loyalty.
[LONDON - VOGEL BASE - MEETING ROOM]
The clock hand ticking was the only sound in the room.
Darius: …
Ring: Um, Dari…
Darius: What?
Ring: Uh, well, I think you should maybe check to see how Kate is doing?
I let out a sigh, which made Ring's shoulders jump.
But Nica was quick to cover for him as he wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
Nica: You know, it's natural we'd be worried for her too when she's been out cold for the whole day. The least you can do is make sure she's okay.
Nica: Especially since you banned everyone but yourself from entering her room, right?
Darius: Of course I did. I wouldn't tolerate it if something happened to the hostage while she's sleeping.
The plan to capture Crown had failed, and in their place I had brought Kate after making her inhale a strong drug.
It was a drug made for military use, designed to dull the mind and rob bodily freedom.
Originally, its use was banned as it was too strong on regular civilians, so I was planning to use it on Cursed ones.
Nica: Speaking of sleeping, did you not even bring a regular sleeping drug with you? Why did you use that on her?
At Nica's question, I uncrossed my legs.
Darius: It was on purpose. If I used that, Kate wouldn't be able to get away from me, no matter if she wanted to, no?
Darius: It would be a pain if she ran away from me in the middle, you see. I needed that so she would do as I say.
The twins seemed to want to say something in response, but I purposely turned a blind eye to that.
(I know what you guys want to say: probably something like "what about its aftereffects?")
A regular human wouldn't be able to move properly for a few days after using that drug.
Even if they were conscious, they wouldn't be able to move their body. Such a sensation would without a doubt be frustrating, to the point it couldn't be expressed in words.
(But the moment I let my eyes off of Kate she goes and stirs up trouble, so it's better if she can't move.)
I needed to take away her bodily freedom, so she would never again press a knife to her neck.
(…My heart had never felt so cold before.)
——Thoughtscape——
[CROWN CASTLE - FOREST - MONOCHROME]
Even now, I remembered when she had put a knife to her neck.
Her trembling hands held the blade tightly; one wrong move, and that blade would have slit at her carotid artery.
(Blood would have spilled out…Kate could have died.)
If her hand slipped even a little bit, there was a possibility Kate would have died before I chose her.
Even now, I would get chills thinking about that time.
——End thoughtscape——
[LONDON - VOGEL BASE - MEETING ROOM]
I couldn't care less about human lives, and yet when it came to her, I couldn't see her that way.
I had probably gotten too close to her, to the point I had ended up thinking her life precious.
I might have gotten too attached…to my pet.
(This is ridiculous, truly.)
Just then, I heard a loud sound from above.
Ring: —? What was that? (O_O)
Ring was about to go check that moment, but before he could my body moved on its own.
(Based on the vibrations, that sound came from the room Kate's sleeping in now.)
Did she wake up? Or did someone sneak in to harm her?
[BLACK]
Because if it was the latter, I would have no choice but to kill them. With that thought, I left the twins in the strategizing room.
[LONDON VOGEL BASE - BEDROOM - DAY]
But, the only thing I saw when I arrived was Kate crouching on the floor.
Darius: …So why are you sprawled on the floor like that?
She raised her head, on the verge of tears.
The moment I saw myself reflected in her eyes for the first time in a day, I felt like a happiness I couldn't quite put to words hit me.
Kate: Da…rius…
Darius: Or well, I guess if you remembered what happened before you lost consciousness and was trying to get out of bed, you'd turn out like that for the most part.
Darius: Are you hurt anywhere? And don't you go saying you got injured just now, okay? I don't need the hassle that'll come after.
Kate: Wah…
I hoisted her still-slack body up and lowered her on the bed.
(What in the world am I doing, seriously…)
I checked her arms and legs, and after confirming there were no wounds or bruises, I pulled the sheets over her.
While it was true such marks would lower her value as a hostage, I was also simply worried for her.
(If a pet gets injured, that would be from its owner's lack of attention, after all.)
Kate: …Where…is this?
Darius: A base in London that Vogel uses to strategize.
Darius: This is one of the rooms.
I took a lock of her hair and brushed it to the side. It had a feel that made me want to keep touching it forever.
Darius: The drug you inhaled was pretty strong; I imagine you won't be able to get out for the next two or three days.
Darius: You probably won't be able to move much properly, so I think you should just do as I say and sleep here in that time.
Her mind was probably not working well from the drug, as her gaze wandered and she grabbed onto the sleeve of my clothes.
Kate: Is…Crown alright…
Darius: …I released them in place of you. They were paralyzed by an ability, but that should only be temporary.
Darius: So I think they're all better now.
Perhaps relieved from my words, her hand loosened around my sleeve.
But I didn't like that at all, so while brushing her hair I started talking about what had gone down while she was asleep,
and feeling the need to clear my name, I purposely spoke in a venomous tone.
After knowing everything, Kate made an apologetic face, but that only made me more irritated.
(Make that face all you want, but that doesn't change the fact you doubted me.)
(And…it doesn't change that you didn't take me in too.)
That day, if only she had taken me in—
I was thinking I could believe that stupid "like" of hers she kept going on about, but she never did.
Darius: It's not like I'm hurt by it or anything. This is far from the first time a human didn't trust me.
Darius: And besides, I don't really have any expectations from you at this point, so.
But then Kate held onto my hand weakly.
(…What the heck, and after you're the one who didn't believe me.)
She was nothing but an annoying robin, without an ounce of loyalty in her, pushing me with this one-sided love.
(…Ahh, you're so frustrating, I swear.)
[BLACK]
And yet— I couldn't bring myself to let go of that very bird.
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!
🗝️🤍 18 His Side story ⸝ unlock on 2nd read 𝜗𝜚 cw — unsolicited flirting, nica route spoilers.
——Darius' POV——
[BLACK]
The mallard's mating season lasts from spring to summer.
The offspring follow their parent, seeking feeding grounds and moving together toward the waterside.
Even when invaded or the group scattered, they would always form a line, with the offspring following after the parent—
[PALACE - ENTRANCE GARDEN - NIGHT]
Kate: There you are, Darius…!
Darius: Oh my god, you're so stubborn. ("¬_¬)
—And this felt quite similar to that.
A few days passed since I did the milk puzzle with Kate, and since then she had been chasing me all around.
(She really is persistent. I wish she'd just give me a break already.)
Every single day, from morning until evening, she would never tire to find me. And when she did she would run up to me,
and no matter how much I pushed her away, she would follow me without fail, almost like a baby mallard following after its parent.
That annoyed me so much, I walked at a brisk pace to leave her behind, which caused Kate to run after me in a panic.
When she could no longer see me, she wandered and looked around for me before her shoulders dropped and she went back the way she came.
Even when she grabbed my sleeve, even when she went around in front of me, I would turn around without brushing her away—
And at times I found myself watching from afar as she chased after me…probably because I found that a tad bit amusing.
(She's still a hindrance and annoying…but I guess I'm getting used to this too.)
To think the day would come I would understand how a mother mallard's feelings…
While thinking those mediocre thoughts, I left her in a brisk pace today as usual.
I turned a corner, where Kate's reflection in the window lost sight of me. She seemed to give up then as she returned to her room.
[BLACK]
—All the while unaware of how the corner of my lips naturally lifted…
[PALACE - OUTER CORRIDOR - DAY]
And then on a certain day, Kate was searching for me as she usually did today.
(Ah, there she is.)
The moment I found her in the palace's outer corridor, I debated whether I should turn on my heel,
but did not do so, perhaps because Nica was together with her.
A conversation bloomed between the two, and as for Kate she looked rather happy.
(…Wow, so she can make such a face for someone other than me too.) (¬⤙¬ )
Somewhat uncharacteristic of me, I grew frustrated and ended up wedging my way in between the two.
Darius: What are you two talking about?
Kate: —Darius!
Kate blinked in surprise, while Nica wore a grin like he was scheming something.
Nica: About you, Dari~ ( ^ω^ )
Kate: Ah, Nica, that's—
(What's with that attitude?)
Nica: The Spatzi here, you see, she's been saying she likes you oh so very much, her heart might burst.
Kate: I-I never said that!
My irritation worsened when I saw Kate hastily deny that.
Darius: You "never said that", huh. (¬_¬)
Kate: Ah, uh, no, I mean…yes, I didn't say that…but that doesn't mean it's not true either…
(All you have to do is say you like me in front of Nica like you always do.)
(Or what, do you have a reason you can't?)
I guess she wanted to hide it only out of embarrassment, or if not that, did she have some other ulterior motive?
I was feeling uncertainty at Kate's vague attitude, when all of a sudden Nica took her hand.
Nica: Say, Spatzi, what do you say you ditch Dari over here for me?
Kate: Wha…
Nica: I'm pretty nice, you know. And I never miss with expressions of love…be it kisses or taking it to a room, whatever you want.
Kate: —!
Kate held her breath again at Nica's words, which held enough charm to probably bind a normal human.
Nica: Wouldn't you prefer me over someone who won't even entertain you?
Nica: I figure you probably have some bottled up tension too, so what do you say? —And don't you worry, I'm an expert. (๑ o◡o)
At any rate, I didn't find that amusing at all, and the moment Nica tried to use his ability on her—
Darius: This isn't funny. ( ,,⩌⤙⩌,,)
Without thinking, I tore her away from him.
Darius: Isn't that you-know-what the fruit of your long-term intelligence work?
Darius: After doing things to make the other happy, you play their hearts and throw them out. That's how you end the job.
I hid Kate behind my back, throwing strong words at my family, which was unlike me.
Nica: Ouuch, you're so mean. You know I'm doing this all for the sake of the organization.
But the reason he had said this much was because he was charming Kate on purpose.
Darius: Uh, no, you've almost always acted for yourself.
Darius: You wouldn't lay your hands on some pet you have no reason to do it with, now would you.
(For someone smart like yourself, you wouldn't act provocative and whatnot against me, now would you?)
When Nica caught that hidden message, his face stiffened for a moment.
That was when Kate triedt o peek out, but I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and turned our backs to Nica.
Darius: We're going.
Kate: Wh— ah— wait…!
I knew Kate gave a small nod to Nica in farewell, but even that wasn't at all amusing—
(A white swan isn't suited for a robin.)
(All she has to do is chase after me like a baby mallard.)
[BLACK]
She probably noticed the way I tightened my hold around her shoulder.
[PALACE - GARDEN PATH - DAY]
Darius: Even if I don't say it out loud, as a pet you should follow.
Darius: Or what, are you saying a human needs this to be put to words? Even a dog knows to follow its owner.
And then, so that the baby mallard would never again leave me, I put pressure in my smile to make her understand who her owner was.
Darius: Hurry along now. (^ᗜ^ )
Though Kate looked perplexed, she ran to my side before gently pulling on my sleeve.
[BLACK]
Her happy face from that time etched itself in my memory…and I felt my irritation ebb away at last.
I translated and added subs to Ring’s main story trailer
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!
Nica & Ring will be featured as the cover boys for Vol. 23 of the Ikémen Fan Club’s newsletter. Prior to this, the illustrations will be released as a gacha. Additionally, Jude & Ellis’ IFC gacha will have a simultaneous re-run.
Card lines (Not 100% accurate):
Nica: Hey Ring, remember the day we made our promise?
Ring: Yeah….of course. If you hadn’t said anything to me at the time, I—
T/N: Text on white background = MC's words; text on black background = Ranmaru's words.
DO NOT REUPLOAD, INCLUDING TO OTHER PLATFORMS. REBLOGS OK.
This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection and no intention to be a replacement for official work. Original video belongs to Cybird. Reblogs appreciated.
I am hard of hearing, so I cannot guarantee that I heard everything with 100% accuracy, as some words/sounds don't register very well in my ears, especially when in a language I don't hear on a daily basis in my everyday life. Thank you for your understanding.
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