[Translation] even if TEMPEST - Lucien Neuschburn Fanbook Short Story
Author: Ayane Ushio Source: even if TEMPEST From Dusk Till Dawn Official Visual Fanbook
Veil of Promise - Lucien Short Story
Lucien loved Anastasia’s gaze. Her refined looking eyes were always full of courageous fire, while the natural upper curve of her eyelashes further enhanced her beauty. To steal glances at her side profile was one of his favourite past times.
However recently, for some reason, she had been looking gloomy. Her eyelashes were often lowered, there was no spark in her eyes, and she seemed worried. Perhaps it was because things had gotten so busy getting ready for the wedding. Although most of the work was being taken care of by the servants, there were still many tasks for the bride and groom to complete as well. Deciding on outfits, creating the guest list. Along with handling foreign relations and preparing speeches, there seemed to be no end to it all. He was doing his best so that her burden would be as light as possible, but there was still a mountain of tasks that could be done only by her. That’s right, it had to be because she was so busy-
‘Maybe she’s got a case of the marriage blues?’
Chowing down on some ‘Luscious Gems’, Mael asked the question. Lucien, who up until then had been busily moving around, froze.
‘It’s what they call it when someone’s feeling anxious about getting married. I mean, don’t they always say a person’s true nature comes out when they’re under pressure? Like, “Ah, this person only gives me half-replies when they get busy…..” or “They’re always pushing the hard tasks onto me…..”’
‘I’ve never not responded in full whenever Lady Anastasia speaks to me, and I always take the difficult tasks upon myself as much as possible!’
‘I was just talking examples~’
Mael sniggered. He didn’t really mean what he had said. He was well aware of the efforts Lucien went to for Anastasia, and could tell how much Anastasia loved him from how she spoke. It was obvious that they felt the same way about each other and were a good match.
‘But maybe I just think that I haven’t, and she sees it differently. Perhaps there have been times where she felt that I was treating her impolitely…..’
‘No, I don’t think that’s-……’
‘Maybe I should ask her directly? Although it might end up being a burden to her instead…..she’s a kind person…..so even if there is something she’s unhappy about, she might not say so.’
Somehow or other, it appeared he had started something he shouldn’t have. If the groom continued on like this and went out of control, he would likely end up receiving some iron discipline from the bride. In a panic, Mael followed up his comments.
‘Come now, I was joking! Joking, I say! Of course she isn’t dissatisfied with you. I’ve heard that there are other causes for marriage blues too, like exhaustion and loneliness.’
Loneliness. Lucien thought he had an idea of why that might be. Now that she was sequestered in the castle, she was unable to meet with Maya Kirkland or the members of the Wings. Even if they were all still in the same country, it was understandable that she might feel lonely living apart from those she had lived her daily life with up until now.
Taking Mael’s advice, Lucien wasted no time in making the suggestion to Anastasia.
‘Time off?’
‘Yes. You could go back and see Maya Kirkland, or pay a visit to the Wings. Please spend your time as you wish.’
Anastasia stared intently at Lucien. After a moment of odd silence, she lowered her head and said, ‘Thank you, I’ll need to think it over a little’ and left the room.
Left alone by himself, a stormy wind blew through Lucien’s heart.
What did she mean by thinking it over? About when she would take her time off? Or how many days it would be? Even since his childhood, Lucien had been unable to hold a good impression of royal marriage. He had never been able to forget his mother’s sorrowful and subdued side profile. So many things had happened before this point too. His brother was the person Anastasia hated more than anyone in the world, and it had been his father who had tried to violate her. Around the edges of the love he felt for her, there was also a trace of atonement.
Lucien ran out of the room. The maids told him that Anastasia had headed for the dressing room. She hadn’t yet finished selecting her wedding dress, so she was likely picking up where she had left off, they told him. He dashed down the hallway. Only women were allowed in the dressing room. He would have to wait outside for a while, but that didn’t matter. Lucien wasn’t so composed a person that he was able to bear any uncertainty when it came to her.
Anastasia was just before the dressing room door. She had the apprehensive look of a subordinate about to receive a scolding. Carried forward by momentum, Lucien called her name.
‘Anastasia!’
‘…..Your Highness? Why are you-’
‘If there’s anything you’re worried about, please let me know!’
‘Huh?’
‘The two of us are finally together after all, so we should share in each other’s burdens. No matter what it is, I am fully prepared to accept it!’
Lucien’s serious looking expression before her, Anastasia’s gaze swam, avoiding looking him in the eye. After some moments of doing this, as if she had at last made up her mind, she took firm hold of his hands-
‘Huh!?’
-And pulled him into the dressing room that was forbidden for males to enter.
Luckily, nobody else was inside. But more so than relief, it was surprise that won out first. The large room was completely filled with an array of wedding dresses, all lined up together with not even so much as a gap between them. They were dresses fit for a queen. They must have thought that just a few choices wouldn’t be enough, but because of that there had to be over a hundred of them there.
‘…..I don’t really know a whole lot about dresses.’
Anastasia began to speak, looking apologetic.
‘When they asked me what I thought about this one or that one, I had no idea what to say, so they just kept bringing more and more out. That’s why there’s so many.’
‘I see. There are a lot of nobles who use silence to signal displeasure, so they must have thought that was the case for you too.’
‘B-But that wasn’t it at all…..’
Anastasia’s head slumped forward.
So, it was the wedding dress that she had been worried about. Although he was glad it wasn’t the marriage blues, he couldn’t let this situation continue. Perhaps he could choose for her. But would doing that cheer her up?
At that very moment- Someone knocked at the door. Because Anastasia answered, ‘Yes’ on reflex, the door opened. The visitor was a maid.
‘Lady Anastasia. I have come to assist you, how are you faring?’
‘Ah, I’m fine for the moment. Thank you.’
‘Understood. Oh, and by the way- Prince Lucien was searching for you.’
‘Huh?’
‘He asked where you were, so I was certain he must have found you by now. …..Well then, I will take my leave.’
The maid left the room. Anastasia looked around the vicinity, but Lucien was nowhere to be seen. Upon pushing apart some of the nearby dresses, she found him hiding like a child. Lucien looked up at her somewhat resentfully, seeming to hold her responsible.
‘This room is supposed to be women-only…..There’s no telling what rumours will start if it gets out that I was here.’
‘M-My apologies. It isn’t as if we’re doing anything bad, so I thought it wouldn’t be a problem.’
‘…..…..’
Suddenly, Lucien gave a child-like smile. Seizing hold of Anastasia’s hands, he pulled her in between the tight gap between dresses.
‘Your Highness!?’
‘Since I’m already here, why not do something bad?’
Faster than Anastasia could speak a reply, Lucien stole away her lips. The kiss was a more impatient one than usual, so she couldn’t help but let out a sweet gasp.
‘Ahaha, you’re so cute.’
Apparently planning on extending his prank, Lucien gave an innocent laugh. Caressing her reddened cheeks, he kissed her again and again. Anastasia, on the other hand, didn’t have the time to laugh. Even just drawing a breath was as much as she could manage.
Exactly who was it that had reproachfully said it would be a problem if he was found. Right at this moment they were doing exactly the kind of thing they shouldn’t be. Anastasia looked up at Lucien in protest. Noticing her gaze, his smile only deepened.
‘You’re the one that brought me in here. Grabbing my hands so forcefully like that….how passionate.’
‘That wasn’t my intention.’
‘This is fun, it's like we’re having a secret tryst.’
‘….I think this might be a good time for us to play hide-and-seek.’
‘Hide-and-seek! I like the sounds of that, let’s do it.’
‘Huh!?’
‘I'll close my eyes and count to ten. During that time, please hide. Let’s start. One-’
It seemed Lucien really meant it. Anastasia hurriedly stood up.
The room was full of nothing but dresses, so there was no choice but to hide between them. Just as she was thinking to at least hide behind the ones at the furthest point away, a single dress caught her eye. The veil was decorated with fine lace. With its layers of tulle, it sparkled with accumulated light. As she touched it softly, despite it being white, she could tell it was different from the others. It was a gentle colour hue that seemed to blend into Anastasia’s skin.
‘Found you.’
Lucien embraced Anastasia from behind.
‘Ah…..’
‘Oh? That dress. It’s quite lovely, isn’t it?’
‘You think so too, your Highness?’
‘Yes. The decorations are detailed and high quality, it’s beautiful.’
Anastasia nodded.
‘But I’m not sure if it will suit me….’
‘It’ll be fine.’
Lucien said this with emphasis. The words, “Everything would suit you no matter what you wear” came to mind but he stopped himself from saying so. What she needed right now was not praise for her looks.
‘It’s a dress that you’ve chosen. I’m sure it will suit you.’
The day of the wedding. In a dress she had chosen herself, Anastasia walked a path that shone with light.
A new chapter had begun for the two who had exchanged vows for the future.
