Hii!! Thank you for translating ikevil. I love how you format your master lists, they’re so cutesy!! I know there have been implied ages for the crown members so I was wondering if there were canon ages for the Vogel characters?
hii anon! ty for reading and for your kind words on my masterlists— im glad theyre being noticed by those like you as i do put quite some time into making them and sort of finding my style so to speak (ppl who have been here longer or looked at my older stuff may have noticed slight changes over time to the way i format stuff ahha) 🎀
details abt ages of vogel members ↓
as for vogel ages .. we dont have a lotta details abt exactly how old they r aside from a few lil details they did drop. definitely not enough to pin down a specific number like we could do for some crown members unfort (￣^￣)ゞ as for some things we do know:
i think nica and ring were ~7 when they met darius, who is definitely quite older than them. in darius’ past records, he was ~7 as well in the first chptr. but we don’t know how much time has passed btn then and chptr 2, when he was adopted into vogel— so we start seeing his teenage sprite.
its been mentioned the twins r around the same age as kate. if kate is ~25 or ~26, perhaps that would make the twins ~25 to ~27. they r definitely older than 24 though, bc if ellis were to join the family, darius mentioned he would be their “little brother” or smth. and ellis is 24.
(roger has met nica before while the twins were in haus, but its unknown how much of an age gap they share. its probably a somewhat considerable one though given how nica may not remember this, but roger does.)
nica mentioned that darius is in fact older than them and that he has a “baby face.” so whatever age we’re probably thinking based on his looks alone, he is probably older than that. i mean, he was already well into his teens when he met the twins, so hes presumably around 10 ± 3 years older than them.
also, it was mentioned that darius had met william while his father was still alive. so if they ever mentioned at what age will’s father passed away.. probably?? ~14 (that would probably make darius up to ~9 years older than william.. nearer to 9 though bc theres no way hes the same age as william, or otherwise that wouldnt line up with the twins timeline with darius)?
so anyways based on this if i had to ballpark darius’ age it would probably be ~34 to ~37. based off of comparing from the twins and william, who is confirmed 28.
beyond that, for now it is up to your imagination hehe 💃🏻
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
𐙚 (i) — technically a standalone story taking place in the present time (so it is kate × darius), but still reading his past records before this does contextualize some things that goes on here.
——Kate’s POV——
[PALACE - LOUNGE ROOM]
Same as always, I was called by a free-spirited Darius, where he pushed an unreasonable request on me.
Darius: I’ve been pretty bored. Isn’t there anything interesting to do?
Though fed up with him and his usual self, I had ended up growing used to it as I sat down beside him.
Kate: Would you care for a game then?
Darius: Like what?
Kate: A game that’s been trending among young people these days that...
I stiffened in the middle of my sentence, to which Darius shot a quizzical look.
Darius: Now just what sort of game is this, to be freezing up at it?
Kate: No, it’s just, how to say...I was just thinking how it didn’t really seem like a game you’d play, and all that...
Darius: Hurry and out with it.
He grabbed my cheeks so that our gazes met. Seeing him in what looked to be a sour mood, I resigned and opened my mouth.
Kate: It’s a game of love.
Darius: A game of love? (O_O)
When I nodded, his hands still on my cheeks, Darius let me go.
Kate: It’s quite popular with young couples.
K: You say “I love you” to each other, and whoever gets shy first loses...
Darius: And what in the world is so interesting about that? It’s just a bunch of happy-go-lucky humans saying meaningless words to one another, is it not.
Kate: That’s what I thought you’d say, so I was trying to think of another game.
Hearing the answer I expected, I let out a sigh, when Darius made a show of giving some thought— before responding with an answer I didn’t expect.
Darius: Actually, let’s do it, this game of love.
Kate: Huh!?
Darius: You were the one who suggested it, right? Then we’ve got to find out for ourselves if it’s interesting.
He uncrossed his legs, resting his chin on his hands.
Darius: With that, you go first.
Kate: Whaaa...
Darius: Go on now.
(Well, now that we’re doing this, I think I may want to make Darius go shy.)
I recomposed myself, looked straight at Darius— and spoke words of love.
Kate: I love you, Darius.
His brows did twitch. But, I couldn’t see any signs of shyness.
(Just saying it is making me embarrassed, I think...)
He hadn’t said a single word to me, and yet I was already on the verge of averting my gaze.
But if I looked away, that would be my loss, so I forced myself to hold in the urge as I held Darius’ hand in mine.
Kate: It’s your turn now.
He opened his mouth, about to say those words of love.
And realizing that made my heart beat louder.
(It’s getting hard to breathe.)
I knew it was a game, but still my heart raced more and more until anticipation and nervousness made me hold my breath.
But— and it was for a split moment...
I could see hesitation on his face—
(Darius?)
Though I felt it strange for a brief moment, Darius spoke.
Darius: I love you, Kate.
At that moment, the colors in my world shifted.
The Darius before my eyes seemed to sparkle even more, and the way he held onto the palm of my hand made my heart race even more.
In contrast to me, whose heart had been pierced by only a single phrase, he seemed somewhat relieved as he looked away.
Darius: ...So it really is okay.
Darius said something, but my heartbeat was so loud it never reached my ears.
My entire body grew hot, and the moment our gazes met once again, I squeezed his hand a bit tighter on instinct.
When I did, Darius stroked my cheek.
Darius: Your cheeks. They’re bright red.
Kate: Huh—
I could feel his warmth through his gloves.
Darius: So it’s your loss, isn’t it? (＾▽＾)
Kate: Wh— the one who looked away first was you, you know.
Darius: Well, you were red in the face long before that. Or do you wanna continue?
The corner of Darius’ lips lifted a fraction— and seeing that, I couldn’t help but want to hear those words one more time.
Kate: I...I love you Darius.
If we were playing by the rules, it was undoubtedly my loss.
But...even so.
(Just one more time, I want to hear those words from your mouth.)
I bit my lip as if to say I was going to burn it into my ears like it was the last time I was going to hear them.
Sensing this, Darius widened his eyes before he moved his lips, seeming perplexed—
Kate: Mm...!?
—before stealing my lips.
(W…why…)
I could feel the heat of his breath brushing along my skin, his golden strands along my cheeks.
His honey-colored eyes were staring into me, and the moment our eyes met, he deepened the kiss.
Kate: Da…rius…
I called out his name in between breaths,
and Darius’ eyes widened— before he slowly pulled away.
But I didn’t want him to let go, so I pulled at the hem of his clothes, my eyes filled with heat.
Darius: … (;¬_¬)
He froze up for a moment, his fingers on his own lips, before he smiled his usual smile.
Darius: So you really did lose this one, I take it.
Kate: Huh…
Darius: And since you lost, maybe I should make you iron my shirt, for starters?
Kate: …Excuse me?
Darius: Then there’s also dinner preparations. Ah, I’m in the mood for duck today. (*¯︶¯*)
Kate: Okay, that one might be going far—
As Darius continued to push all these tasks onto me, I stood up.
When I did, he sported an annoyed look.
Darius: You were the one who dragged me into this foolish game, so you do as you’re told now. (`ー´)
For some reason, I couldn’t leave him alone when I saw that expression, so I once again sat down.
Kate: …Where’s your shirt then?
When I said this, his usual smile returned.
Darius: I’ll bring it to you later.
Kate: Wah—
He plopped his head onto my lap before closing his eyes.
Darius: So…for now, just be my pillow.
[BLACK]
His hand tightened a bit around mine, and in return, I held his hand back.
I love that as SOON as it's about cursed people he suddenly feels so much sympathy and feels sorry for not only baby Nica and Ring, but also for the guy that got electrocuted, and he seems to be able to recognize those feelings? Yet whenever it's about Kate, a human, he doesn't really know what he's feeling or has problems understanding it, unless that too changed when he grew up, but he still seems to greatly care about cursed people.
hi anon! you bring up a good point about darius ヽ(⌒▽⌒)ﾉ i (affectionately) think of him as a sort of walking irony myself, aha. but anyway i can give my two cents here.
abt darius' empathy or emotional capacity ↓
the way i see it, his whole thing about separating the cursed from the humans and viewing the former as "superior" is basically a trauma response to the abuse he went through. i guess a sort of subconscious way to give himself a reason for both his purpose in creating a family and a reason as to why he's been put into the harsh environment he was forced to endure. its twisted, yes, but in his own way i think it keeps him grounded.
but then kate comes into the picture, and what a queen she is, because she goes in and sorta shakes up darius' world view without even trying. because wdym hes feeling butterflies for a mere, lowly human!? before kate, darius had always seen humans as a whole sort of group, but kate is the exception. she is the outlier. and when there's an outlier, there are times when you kind of have to confront if there's something wrong with your own views. but i think that's hard to do, especially when its linked to trauma.
tbh i think it's not that darius doesn't know what he's feeling, per se. but i do agree with him not really understanding it. i think he does indeed realize what he feels for kate is love. we see in his 2025 jp bday story that the first thing he does to "test the waters" with kate is to kiss her. (but of course, he's still confused at how hes not repulsed after doing so, because to him all humans are lowly and inferior, and that in theory should include kate. so to darius, feeling love toward her shouldn't be an option. it simply cannot be.) at first, he may have felt her to be of use to him and calls her "his favorite" .. yk, the same way the previous head of vogel did with darius. but when he starts feeling genuinely more attached and feeling more for her, calling her "his favorite" can only go so far, i think.
i think he knows, deep down, what it is he's feeling. but i don't think he's ready to face both putting that label to what he's feeling and the can of worms it potentially opens when it comes to his own views and trauma. at least, not yet.
Can you give us facts from Nica’s route that has caught your attention and find interesting or cute? Btw love your translations!
hi anon! ty for reading my tls and for the ask 🥹🫶 as for interesting tidbits from nicas route, suree! i think its a good opportunity to delve into it anyhow as i can compile everything to one post, hehe
some interesting or cute things from nicas route (minor spoilers) ↓
i know i said this before, but for compilation’s sake i will say it again: a lot of “right choices” in his route involve ring. basically, the implication on his character is that he cares so deeply for ring, he would rather kate worry over ring than himself at any opportunity
in nicas journal, it was said that halfway through the entries he started using a code. in japanese this is called [ニカ語] (nika-go). in english, it can be translated to smth like nicanese. its a written language he made up himself
(but when it was revealed darius actually had the journal nica thought he had lost all along, and had decoded everything in it, nica was like damn, gotta make a new code now)
i do find it very .. human of nica when he initially takes advantage of kate and plays with her feelings, but then when he shows his true colors at kates lowest moment, he gets upset that kate “isnt able to understand him”. was it a good reaction? eh, not really, all things considered. but i think its this raw display of emotion and irony — which also stems from his attraction to her! — that makes him feel all the more human
later in the story, kate starts getting into all these incidents as a result of “bad luck”. this is like nicas oh shit realization that he had let her too much into his heart, bc his curse essentially sucks the luck from those he is close to and turns it into his own luck. one time, kate had gotten a new blouse dirty and nica genuinely looked pretty stressed or distraught abt it
(of course, ring also gets caught up in these incidents. together with kate. and bc nica has never — and likely never will — reveal the true nature of his curse to ring, ring thinks his bad luck stems from coincidence)
nica does use some “dirt” hes got on kate to basically pressure her into doing his bidding, but despite even after showing his true colors, he never makes her pay for anything. one time, he made kate wait a whole hour in line to buy sandwiches by herself, but it was revealed nica had paid for them in full. and though he teases her when it comes to divvying the sandwiches, he ultimately lets her have the one she wanted (and the first pick). he is not nice, but he is kind
nica is nooott one to show vulnerability. but surprisingly, one of the most obvious places, and also pretty hidden in broad daylight, is the titles of his attire mission stories. theyre all in german, but if you do tl them, they basically reveal his truest feelings
in one of his later letters, he writes down the names of those he had used his ability on in the past and the numbers he had known them as — the same ones mentioned in his and rings past records btw! — and while he never apologizes outright for what he did, he still writes out exactly what he did to them back then. it does read like a confession of sorts. if this was earlier in the story, before kate made notable impact on nica, he wouldve been more unapologetic. i think to add an angsty note with this context: he writes this letter after all of them died, with one of them having taken her own life after nica basically said she could do what she wanted to basically vent out her feelings, and nica wouldnt fight back. she didnt like this though, bc it felt like if nica didnt fight back, it was meaningless
this may have actually been in his past records epilogue (but still, takes place after his blind love chptr 24)? but there is a time after he and ring reconcile. he for once shows a boyish childishness along with ring, when they share a bunk bed and start throwing pillows at each other, nica kicking up against rings bed board.. but ig they forgot they were no longer kids for a moment, bc these silly twins broke the bunk bed 😭👌
nicas alcohol tolerance is virtually nonexistent. even at parties, he is never seen drinking any alcohol. the moment he takes a sip, he goes all red and tipsy
Hello! What a lovely change you've made with your profile, super cool, you always make them so different.
Also, I had recently read the epilogue of Dari's horrible childhood story, and I found it weird he actually managed to say "I love you", I really thought he was going to distract her, which he kinda did later?
It's especially weird because he couldn't say it in his wedding story in the epilogue, so what made this different? That he didn't mean it, maybe, but I thought that was his whole problem with the old director, that he never meant it. It's probably a little silly, but it did leave me wondering.
I hope you have a wonderful morning/night
hi anon! first of all, ty for noticing my profile change! i try to bring in a bit of variety for themes aha. secondly you bring up some interesting points, so lemme yap a tinie bit about it nagi-style abt my interpretation! (a.k.a. it'll either probably make more sense or it'll sound like a load of gibberish /lh)
darius and "i love you" ↓
i think, unfortunately, darius is really desensitized as a result of the habitualization associated with these words. and it sure didn't help that the one who perpetuated this was someone who saw him only as a tool, lesser than humans. as a result, he probably does need a lot more affirmation than just words when it comes to love. as we can see in the past records epilogue, he only very slightly reacts to kate saying "i love you" to him (even though it was probably much more genuine), and when kate first proposed the game, he basically thought it was ridiculous.
tbh, darius seems to have more of a problem with the system or hierarchy he's forced into and the oppression he has to face, especially in light of the awareness that he is stronger than those who oppress him. but certainly, the old director not meaning his "i love you"s was a symptom of the "bigger problem". because of this, he probably associates those words with the very system he despises to some extent as well. like.. if he says "i love you" to others (i.e. without meaning or believing it), wouldn't that mean he was no better than the one he saw as inferior?
as time passes, though, he does grow more fond of kate. he goes out of his way for her, uses his ability to protect her, and feels comfortable with her to the point he doesn't mind physical touches. and these signs are not really beyond him either. that is to say: i think he does at least have some subconscious awareness of what it is he's feeling. at the very least that kiss in his past records epilogue seemed pretty "impulsive" on his part, as he seemed surprised when kate called his name.
but anyway when it becomes dangerously close to bringing those feelings out to the forefront (feelings that, to him, he technically shouldn't really have toward kate).. like you mentioned, he chooses to distract her— and by extension himself as well.
This is a fan translation so please don't expect it to be 100% accurate; expect grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Creative liberties have been taken. All content belongs to Cybird. Reblogs are appreciated but do not repost.
cw: explicit sexual content; MDNI
𝖊𝖕𝖎𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖚𝖊
Our lips slowly parted.
At such close range, Nica met my gaze and curved his mouth into an amused smile.
Nica: A countryside noble lady and a man who snuck aboard in the third class cabin.
Nica: So… how was that little change in our relationship, my lady?
Kate: It was a little nerve-racking. But…
Nica: Were you too lonely being apart from me to worry about that?
Faced with his teasing look, I hated how honestly I wanted to nod, so instead I buried my face against his chest, safe in his arms.
Nica let out a small chuckle, gently patting my head as he murmured,
Nica: We’re heading back to England. I sorta wanted to travel just a little longer…
Sensing the loneliness in his voice, I lifted my face. He was gazing at the sun sinking into the horizon, his eyes narrowed against the glow.
Kate: …Let’s go again someday. Next time, when it’s not a mission or anything.
Nica’s gaze shifted to me. His eyes, reflecting the sunset, shone like one-of-a-kind jewels.
Nica: Tickets are expensive though. Are you going to gift them to me?
Kate: I— I’ll do my best…..
Nica: Ahaha
We stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, quietly gazing out at the horizon for a while.
But as the surroundings began to darken, Nica slipped an arm behind my knees and lifted me up.
Nica: We decided to spend the rest of the time together, so let’s go to my room.
The sultry whisper near my ear and the deliberate way he phrased it made his intention perfectly clear.
To hide the heat rising in my cheeks, I looped my arms around his neck.
Kate: ….Okay
In the first-class cabin area, we showed the guard two tickets.
Having made it inside without trouble, we headed to the room Nica had won.
He set me down on the bed, and before either of us realized it, our lips met.
The ribbon of my blouse was loosened, and my clothes were slipped off with hands more hurried than usual.
After tossing aside his jacket, Nica began removing the rings from his right hand.
That alone made my lower belly throb, my chest filling with anticipation.
Nica: Such a lewd look when I haven’t even touched you yet.
Noticing my gaze, he brushed my cheek and slipped the finger freed of its ring into my mouth.
Kate: Mm…
My tongue and palate are slowly stroked, my mouth toyed with at his leisure.
Nica: Since I always make you whimper with these fingers, just taking off the rings make you look like that.
Kate: Ah….. mh!
Nica: ‘Ah.. mh’? What is it, hm? Do you wanna say ‘it’s because you made me like this so you should take responsibility’?
Kate: Hhng—
Because his finger was still inside my mouth, I couldn’t form my words properly.
Taking my muffled sounds however it suited him, Nica removed the rings from his left hand with his mouth.
Kate: Mmh…
His long fingers began to slide between my legs.
Feeling my swollen clit which was noticeable even through my underwear, he gave me a knowing grin.
Nica: See? You’ve been thoroughly trained.
Kate: —!
When he flicked the bud sharply, pleasure jolted through me and my hips lifted on their own.
He shifted my underwear aside, and buried his face between my legs, sucking on my clit.
Kate: H—ah…!
As he licked, teased, and softly bit me… an intense, almost paralyzing pleasure surged from my lower abdomen and spread throughout my body.
Nica: A young noble lady wouldn’t have experienced something this filthy before, would she?
I met his provocative gaze as he looked up at me from between my legs.
I twisted desperately, trying to escape the stimulation, but there was no getting away.
The pleasure was so overwhelming that all I could do was suck on his fingers to endure it.
Kate: —mm…
The moment his tongue slipped inside my slick core and hit just the right spot, my vision went completely white.
As I struggled to catch my breath in shallow gasps, Nica lifted his face and gently wiped away the saliva that had spilled from my mouth without me noticing.
Kate: Ah…
Seeing me completely undone, with saliva dripping from my mouth, Nica reached for his belt, clearly aroused.
Nica: You were caught by a bad man, fell for him, and ended up giving him your body.
Nica: And on top of that, you’re so well conditioned that just watching me take off my rings turns you on?
Nica: You can’t be satisfied with ordinary sex anymore, can you?
Something hot began to move up and down against my pussy.
Dripping in my cum, it felt like he could slip inside with even the slightest pressure.
Nica: You want it?
His heat-filled eyes looked down at me.
As I swallowed softly, Nica deliberately said something cruel.
Nica: If you don’t say you want it, I’ll just keep doing this. So, what’ll it be?
Each time we rubbed together, an obscene wet sound echoed, the heat building higher with every movement.
It already felt more than good enough…and yet, I couldn’t stand it. I wanted what came next.
(Nica… it’s not enough.)
Slowly, I wrapped both legs around his waist, pressing his hard length against my most sensitive place.
Letting out a shallow breath, I tightly gripped the hand he’d planted beside my head.
Kate: …I want it. Please give me all of you, Nica.
He lifted the corner of his mouth in a grin and swept his bangs back with his other hand.
Nica: Good girl.
this line actually said 'well done', but i took the opportunity to tweak it. (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)
A sweet, dizzying kiss fell onto me, and for a fleeting moment I lost myself in it.
Then he drove himself all the way in, piercing me to the deepest point, and I let out a small cry.
Nica: Hah… that face is adorable.
Looking intoxicated, Nica stroked my cheek.
He never once let me go until the ship reached the port.
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
𝜗𝜚 obtainable at level 25 of the event .ᐟ cw — stalking.
——Thief’s POV——
[LONDON - ALLEYWAY - NIGHT]
(I’m gonna die...he’s gonna kill me...!)
I ran haphazardly through the night streets of London.
Plain thief: Haah...hah— dammit...!!
I could no longer hear the sound of footsteps, so I probably managed to shake off my pursuer.
The thought gave me leeway to relax, but hiding in the alleyway and trying to peek out to assess the situation was a mistake.
Well-dressed blond man (Darius): Fooound you.
Plain thief: Eeek...!
Wait, no, the mistake may have actually started long, long before this moment.
[BLACK]
Right...it all started when I ended up dreaming of that woman—
——Flashback——
[LONDON - CITY STREET - DAY]
When was the first time she first drew me in?
She was a lovely girl who put all her energy into her job as a letter carrier.
(If she could be my lover...)
(Or not. I don’t stand a chance.)
I was just another thief on the streets. I’d steal poor goods and meager amounts of money for a daily income, then splurge it all on booze. That was the sort of shit life I was living.
I didn’t have anything on me to catch such a pretty girl’s eye.
Just looking at her was enough for me. And then, all of a sudden, she disappeared.
(Did she get moved to a different sector as a letter carrier? Hopefully she didn’t fall sick...)
Just when the thought passed me...
Kate: How is it, Darius? This place has gotten quite some praise...
Well-dressed blond man: Hmm...I guess it’s okay. But I think the one you made before tastes better.
Kate: Huh? Th...thank you.
(Who in the world...)
She was together with a pretty man who was very well-dressed, enjoying a Baumkuchen at a café.
(What the...and here I was worried over her. So she found herself a good man and quit her job?)
The pair were like a painting, even when looking at a distance: beautiful, perfect, befitting of one another...
Plain thief: Dammit...dammit, dammit, god dammit!
(I could probably sell that man’s cane for a fortune.)
Plain thief: ...I’ll steal it.
[BLACK]
I found an opening when the man stood from his seat and the girl was looking away to steal the cane that was leaning against the table.
And then, without them noticing, I ran to the alleyway. Or that was the plan—
[ALLEYWAY - DAY]
Kate: Haah...w-wait...!
Plain thief: Wha...!?
(S-she chased me!? That woman...chased me?)
Kate: Um— about that...I’d really suggest returning that...! If it’s now, you’ll still be safe!
Plain thief: Hah?
Kate: It’s for your own good! If you value your life, then let’s return it! Okay?
Plain thief: For...me...?
(...It must be love.)
Plain thief: Ahh, I-I’ll return it.
Kate: Thank you so much.
The woman gave me a smile from the bottom of her heart.
(Ahh...she’s like an angel.)
[BLACK]
Ever since that day, my days of love began.
[PALACE - EXTERIOR GARDEN - DAY]
(So she comes in and out of the palace. She must’ve changed jobs then...she’s so cute today.)
[LONDON - CITY STREET - EVENING]
(She goes to this café a lot. Is it her favorite? ...I love her.)
[LONDON - CITY SQUARE - NIGHT]
(Ahh, she’s being dragged around by that man again.)
Well-dressed blond man: ... (¬_¬)
Well-dressed blond man: Kate, you get on the carriage first.
Kate: Wah— what’s going on all of a sudden?
(I see now, this is all against your will.)
(Don’t worry, I’ll save you. ...I love you.)
[LONDON - SIDE STREET - NIGHT]
Plain thief: Shit...I hate that guy so much...every time, every damn time, he gets in our way.
Plain thief: If only he wasn’t there!!
I decided to kill that man who went in and out of the palace.
All to set her free.
——End flashback——
[BLACK]
—Little did I know, though, that would be the trigger to my downfall.
[LONDON - ALLEYWAY - NIGHT]
Well-dressed blond man: Fooound you.
Plain thief: Eeek...!
He had blond hair and honey-colored eyes.
But in contrast to his sweet appearance, the killing intent coiled around him made my entire body freeze up.
(This guy’s bad news, I don’t know why, but something’s telling me he’s really bad...!)
Well-dressed blond man: That girl went out of her way to extend some compassion to you, so I turned a blind eye once.
Well-dressed blond man: But then as if all that disgusting stalking wasn’t enough, you dared to show your face before me...
Well-dressed blond man: She told me to not kill you over just a single theft, and it was a load of trouble anyway, so I was thinking of letting you go anyhow.
Well-dressed blond man: But I guess not, seeing as how foolish and shallow you humans are. The moment you’re given another chance, you let it get to your head.
The man held his cane, an extension of his luxurious attire, before dragging it up.
That seemingly-harmless cane started to turn into a brutal weapon, and I could only stare at it with tears flowing.
Well-dressed blond man: To be clear, that girl is my favorite.
Well-dressed blond man: And every time I take her out, your revolting stare and odor was so unpleasant...
Well-dressed blond man: So, I’m going to need you to die, okay? ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )
(Ahh...this man is detestable, but—)
(If nothing else, his smile is just like hers...)
[WHITE]
—It was like that of an angel.
——Kate’s POV——
[PALACE - CORRIDOR - DAY]
Darius: Kate.
Kate: Darius? What’s the matter?
Darius: Have you noticed anything different recently? 𐔌˙.
Kate: Recently...? Umm...ah.
Kate: A little bit ago, there were times I would feel someone’s look and would find the same person when I turned around...or wait, it actually happened a lot.
Kate: But recently, I haven’t felt anything like that.
Darius: Hmm, I see.
(That man was the one who stole Darius’ cane...but I felt it best to keep quiet about that.)
That day, Darius of course noticed that his cane got stolen,
and thinking the thief would end up killed, I chased after him in a panic to convince him to return it, and all ended without incident.
(At that time, he did return it without resisting...but could it be that he was still targeted?)
While it was too late now, I couldn’t help but worry, and on instinct I pulled on the hem of Darius’ clothes.
Kate: Darius, did you...did you also feel him staring?
Darius: Me? Ahaha, are you worried about me now? You really are an interesting one, aren’t you.
Darius: There wasn’t much of note.
Darius: Just that some evil influence stirred up thanks to you, so I took it in my own hands to end it, I guess.
(Evil influence...?)
Darius: So shouldn’t you be thanking me riiight about now?
Kate: I’m not really sure for what, but...thank you very much?
Darius: You’re very welcome. ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ )
Darius gave me a sunny smile, in a good mood, before patting my head.
[BLACK]
For some reason, the feeling of his hand felt very comforting, and I found myself narrowing my eyes in response.
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
🕊️ 15 His POV. tl — @kurishiri 𝜗𝜚 you need to unlock bond level 22 with nica to unlock this story .ᐟ
——Nica’s POV——
[BLACK]
Seeing you profess your love for the “true” me, I couldn’t help but think you were honest to the point of foolishness— but I felt just as drawn.
[DILAPIDATED BUILDING - DOUBLE DOORED CLOSET]
It wasn’t like this was my first time getting hit or wounded.
It was just as I continued to deceive people, I gradually came to learn to keep an appropriate distance to some extent.
Running away first before they attack, pulling away before the relationship gets serious...
I would see what would come, and I learned to stay evasive and avoid them.
So the idea of me choosing to get hit and hurt like this on purpose was preposterous.
(It would’ve been fine if getting wounded had its worth, but getting beat to a pulp like this is a whole different story.)
Or so I thought, but I had ended up choosing to get hit by Monica and the others—
And the fault lied with her, who held me in her arms as she held back her tears.
(Yeah...it’s because of Kate I ended up considering facing other’s grudges head-on.)
My vision was hazy as I leaned my body into her, bearing the pain.
(To think, too, I never had to pay the price for deceiving people before.)
When I saw the scars on Monica’s arms, it finally hit me who she was.
(It’s the girl who first took on an experiment that was meant to be done on Ring.)
Kate said that I would end up getting stabbed by someone I’ve played with.
When she said that to me, at the time I thought, “There’s no problem because I’ve been able to evade their grudges up until now. And wouldn’t it be too late then anyway?”
Yes, that was what I thought...
(But, the blame lies with me alone.)
If I was even one step late, blood would not stop flowing from Kate’s neck,
and Ring, too, would probably not make it out unscathed again.
(I was the one who brought them into this mess.)
Her neck, which didn’t have a single wound before, now bore the mark of fingers that strangled her, prominent enough to see their shape, along with a slash wound.
(...What the hell am I doing?)
As long as Ring was alright, that’s all that should’ve mattered, and yet I couldn’t help but feel relieved from the bottom of my heart at how she was alive in my arms.
(Please, I’m begging you, don’t step any further into my life.)
I wasn’t ready to take in another one I held dear.
(Ring alone keeps my hands full.)
And yet, here you were, hitting me with your blindingly honest nature without an iota of awareness for what I was feeling.
Kate: I like you. The true you.
Nobody had ever realized it before, but she saw right through my emotions.
Kate: ...You mean even though you went off about how you’d become the world’s happiest man, all while looking anything but happy?
(Ahh...this woman’s a load of trouble.)
My consciousness having reached its limit, I wasn’t really sure what I was saying at this point.
Nica: ...To become the world’s happiest man, I need more money, more power.
That’s why, I may have failed to realize then—
Nica: Because then, I can bring in the person...the people I care about...
Nica: I can...bring Ring into my happy fate too...so...
[BLACK]
—how the amount of those I held dear had increased.
[EYES OPENING → CROWN CASTLE - LOUNGE]
(So bright...)
Though I was annoyed at the light filtering in through my eyelids, I opened my eyes...
...to find an unfamiliar ceiling, and my younger brother peering at me.
Ring: —Nica!
Ring looked to be on the verge of tears as he called my name, and in response I lifted myself up and looked around.
But, I couldn’t find her, who had been with me until I lost consciousness.
Nica: Where’s Kate?
Ring: Ah, she...
Nica: What about her wounds? Is she okay?
Ring: W-wait, calm down! She’s doing fine.
Ring: Roger came in a bit ago and called her outside.
Nica: ...I see.
After a moment of relief, my face scrunched from the dull pain in my body.
Ring placed a hand on my back, gently rubbing it.
Nica: ...Are we in Crown Castle?
Ring: Yeah, we’re in the lounge. After you lost consciousness, we carried you up from the basement and had Roger take a look.
Ring: It seems they wanted to avoid letting you stay for a long time down there, so they set up a bed here.
Nica: Damn, I would’ve loved to fish around for documents there.
I knew that the basement functioned both as Roger Barel’s clinic and a place housing research on the Cursed.
(If only I could’ve nabbed some documents on the Cursed from down there...well, I can keep dreaming.)
Nica: Did you report to Dari?
Ring: Yeah. And the incident during the mission was kept under the wraps from Crown.
Nica: Figured. We can’t exactly tell them, “We were off to kill someone who got in Vogel’s way,” you know.
Ring withdrew his hand from my back with a sad expression.
Ring: …They said they were raised in Haus, just like us, and their lives were ruined by you.
Ring: Just what did you do to them? (·•᷄_•᷅ )
I couldn’t bring myself to say I had made them take on the experiments Ring was originally meant to go through in order to protect him, so I gave a lie off the bat.
Nica: They often said way back when they wanted to see in an experiment if I could use my ability on the other kids.
Nica: It looks like they’ve been through a lot, living a life while in love with me.
Nica: You know, like a love-hate.
I let out a thoughtless laugh: a signal that said not to ask further.
Ring looked like he had something he wanted to say, but ultimately swallowed those words and changed the subject.
Ring: …When I heard they were from Haus, I hesitated to kill them.
Ring: I was spineless, and that caused trouble for you, and it got Kate hurt.
Ring: I’m really sorry, Nica…I know how important she is to you.
Nica: …Who said she was important?
Ring: Huh? (O_O)
Nica: The Spatzi is my toy. A far cry from “important.”
But Ring tilted his head in response, perplexed.
Ring: You had never let anyone other than me or Dari close, so I thought that was the case.
Ring: Was I wrong?
Nica: Yeah, wrong as can be. She’s just a toy I’m playing with while we’re staying in this country.
Nica: And I was worried about her just now because I was the one who got her involved. That’s all there is to it.
Ring: Oh…
Ring seemed to be thinking about something, and I let out a small sigh so that he wouldn’t notice.
That’s right, she wasn’t “important” or anything of the sort.
(I really can’t afford to gain more things important to me.)
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
𝜗𝜚 from the 2026 valentines ce .ᐟ cw — unsolicited use of aphrodisiacs, awkwardly translated smut (m.b. dub-con); mdni.
[PALACE - PARLOR - DAY]
Darius: Are you trying to fool around?
Kate: Wh— about what?
He put a chocolate in my mouth, and I listened as I ate.
Darius: There’s no way I’d ever eat something so suspicious. Or what, did you want to do something to me?
I had intended to give the chocolates to him as a Valentine’s present...but after hearing such an unexpected response I couldn’t help but be bewildered.
Kate: (´･ω･`)? What are you talking about...
But then all of a sudden, my legs gave out on me as I sunk to the floor.
(Wait, what, my body feels so hot...)
Darius: They put aphrodisiacs in these chocolates.
Kate: ...Whaaat!?
Darius: I knew it the moment I smelled it. And since it’s you, you probably bought these at the chocolatier that’s been the talk of the town, didn’t you?
Kate: How did you know...
Darius: Because I heard they were selling chocolates that made you aroused after eating them. That said, I didn’t think you’d actually go and buy them.
(I-is selling that kind of chocolate even normal!?)
Darius: So? Here you are, eating the very chocolates you bought thinking I’d like them,
Darius: which were spiked with an aphrodisiac— how the tables have turned. Do you have anything to say to that?
Kate: I really didn’t mean it...!
Darius: My god, humans really are foolish. Making something like this to drown in desires is so rash of them.
He was going off in a scolding, all the while my body was growing more and more hot to the point I couldn’t even respond.
Kate: What...should I do...it’s so hot...I can’t take it...
Growing delirious from the heat, I slowly grasped onto the hem of his clothes.
When I did, Darius gave me a full smile— and he lifted me up in his arms.
Kate: Wah—
Darius: Pretty bold of you to seek help from me.
He sat me on the sofa, but my body continued to throb to the point it hurt.
I bit my lip— but then I saw him take off his gloves with his mouth.
Darius: At this point we can only get it all out.
Kate: Huh...ah!?
All of a sudden he stroked the crotch of my undergarments, causing me to raise my voice from the tingling pleasure.
Kate: W...hy...
Darius: When there’s no water to make you spit it out, we’ve got no choice but to get it all out from below, right?
Then as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he pulled down my undergarments and buried his fingers inside, which was already soaking wet.
[SCREEN FLASHES WHITE]
Kate: Eek...ahh—
My insides easily took his fingers in as they twitched and squeezed around it.
It was as though they were begging for more...and they sucked his fingers in more deeply.
Darius: It’s so tight it feels like my fingers might tear off...does it feel that good?
Darius: See, look, there’s another finger in, easy. And it looks like I could put in more, too.
Three of his fingers were inside, his fervent kneading making a squelching sound.
My head went completely blank in a matter of some tens of seconds from the pleasure.
[SCREEN FLASHES WHITE]
Kate: Uh...wai...ah—!!
The nectar overflowed, dripping down his fingers and changing the color of the sofa.
In the midst of my panting...I felt the tingling in my body grow more harsh, bringing me to the verge of tears.
(—Why...am I craving more...!?)
I grew scared of how my body seemed to throb with even more of a pang than before I had reached my climax, causing me to grip on his shirt.
Kate: Darius...I...there’s something wrong with me...
I was half-crying as I clung to him, to which Darius let out a sigh of exasperation.
Darius: Lucky for you that I’m your partner. Any other human around here would have probably violated you by now, methinks.
Darius tried to move his fingers inside once again, but with the remaining sliver of rationale I tried to stop him from doing so.
Kate: But, you should do this...with the one you like...
Darius: Then why did you take my fingers in so easily? Do you like me?
Kate: Huh— ah...
Darius: We’re already at this point, and yet you still have room to indulge in those fantasies about doing this with “someone you like”...you’re just as pitiable as you are interesting.
My mind delirious from the heat, I couldn’t affirm or deny.
(Wait...I...do I...) [1]
Darius: Aww, looks like you can’t think anymore. See, this is why humans are such weak creatures.
I bit my lip to bear what my body was going through as his hand reached up to gently pat my head...
(Ah...)
When I looked up and met his gaze, I saw him wearing the smile of an angel. The moment after relief hit me, though...
Darius: But you are a special one. ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ )
The fingers, which had been still, then began to move quickly.
[SCREEN FLASHES WHITE]
Kate: —Ahh!
They applied pressure inside, causing fireworks to spark in my vision again.
Darius: I’m keeping you company because you’re my “favorite” [2].
Darius: So you should be thanking me.
[BLACK]
Darius whispered that in my ear— laughing like he was having fun with it all.
Fin
masterlist 🪽🍫 ┊ ko-fi ☕️ ┊ comms 🤍 ┊ backlog 🕰️
────────୨ৎ────────
NOTES:
[1] Just to clarify, she is wondering here if she really likes Darius, though she doesn’t complete the full thought here and is more so implied based on the Japanese version.
[2] In dialogue, Darius says [お気に入り] (o-kinīri), which means “favorite”. But this is just what the furigana says. The actual meaning behind his “favorite” this time is [奴隷] (dorei), which means “slave” or “servant”; it’s a bit of a derogatory word.
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
𝜗𝜚 if you reached level 50 for both nica and ring during their 3rd season bday parties, you would get a profile label and a story of them celebrating together; this is that story .ᐟ
——Ring's POV——
[BLACK]
It was our first birthday since the tension between Nica and I loosened.
And mustering up my courage, I suggested we hold a birthday party together for just the two of us: something I had always wanted to do.
[PALACE - LOUNGE - DAY]
(The day's finally come…!)
Thanks to Nica, who had pleasantly agreed to the idea,
we were able to throw this party for two, despite it being before our actual birthday.
Nica: Whoa, there's food left and right here. What's going on?
Ring: Dari prepared them, saying food is essential for a party.
Nica: Ohh, well, he really went all in then.
There was so much food lined up on the lounge's table it would make one question "isn't this enough already,"
and in the center of it all was a large cake with both our names written on it.
(He said it was a surprise for the day of, but…this is incredible.)
Grateful for Dari's thoughtfulness, I sat down on the sofa.
Then I took a nearby glass and filled it with juice, my eyes meeting with Nica's.
Nica: Well then…
Ring & Nica: Prost.
Our glasses clinked when they tapped each other, signaling the start of a fun party to come.
Nica: I didn't think you'd come up saying you wanted to hold a party, all things considered.
Ring: …Well, to be honest, I always wanted to do this. We almost never celebrated together ever since leaving Haus, you know?
Nica: Ahh, true…was just going through a lot then.
As we ate, we reminisced on memories from the past.
That said, there were only a handful of times I spent our birthdays with Nica since leaving Haus.
(At some point, Nica started to avoid celebrating his own birthday.)
So, to both me and Nica, today was the first time in a long time where we were spending time together, as siblings.
Nica: Oh, right, we were gonna exchange presents too, weren't we.
Nica set down his fork before handing me a paper bag.
Nica: Here, for you.
Ring: ! Thanks, can I open it?
Nica: Mhm, go right ahead.
When I opened the bag, inside was a new gardening set.
From a new trowel to a potted plant, my eyes sparkled at all the gardening goods I took out from the bag.
But the moment I found seeds for orange roses, I looked up at Nica.
Ring: …Orange roses…in the language of flowers…
Nica: Language of flowers? I just bought it because it seemed to suit you the most, that's all.
Or so he said, but Nica gave a soft smile.
(…I'm sure he got it for me, knowing its meaning.)
I realized as soon as I saw that smile, and filled with happiness, I held the seeds close.
Ring: Thank you, I'll take care of them.
Ring: I'll show them to you right when they bloom, so wait for them.
[BLACK]
When I said this, Nica gave me his usual smile.
——Nica's POV——
[PALACE - LOUNGE - DAY]
When I saw the way my brother held the orange rose seeds, seemingly biting back a smile, I came to a realization.
(…He figured me out.)
Having figured out their meaning in the language of flowers, Ring broke out into a happy smile over and over, holding the seeds close.
I couldn't help but nearly feel second-hand embarrassment and his childish gestures—
Nica: So, you were the one who wanted to exchange presents. Did you get something too?
—so wanting to change the subject, I made a show of teasing him, which brought Ring back to reality.
Ring: I do, of course! I do…it's just…
But for some reason, he handed me a paper bag with trembling hands…
(Wait, what? He looks extremely nervous.)
I opened the bag, thinking what in the world could be inside, and—
Nica: Huh? (O_O)
Inside was a scarf that matched the color of our hair.
But, that wasn't where the problem lied—
Nica: Is it just me, or is this a bit frayed?
As I looked at the misshapened scarf, frayed areas here and there, Ring raised his voice, his face flushing.
Ring: I-it's a handwoven scarf…! (｡>\\<)
Nica: ……Handwoven!?!? Σ(°ロ°)
It didn't occur to me this was handmade by him, so I ended up letting out the loudest voice today.
Nica: Wait, sorry, but why handwoven!?
Ring: Uhm, I was looking around when I saw this written in a magazine…
Ring pulled out a magazine then, from god knows where, and opened it to the page where a handwoven scarf was written.
Nica: …Hold up, wait a minute, it says here that these are recommended things to gift to your lover!
Ring: Wha— ah…you're right!! (O_O)
But writen on there wasn't "presents to gift your sibling," but rather "recommended presents to gift your lover."
Nica: Ahahahaha!! Oh my god— that's so funny…!
I couldn't help but laugh while holding my stomach at my brother's outlandish misunderstanding.
Ring's lips trembled, his face flushed red, and unable to bear it any longer he looked down, seeming down.
Ring: …You would always gift me with presents I wanted.
Ring: But no matter how much I thought about what you wanted, nothing would come to mind…
Ring: So I thought, if it's something handmade it could convey my gratitude to you.
(Shit, I went too far.) (O_O)
I wrapped the scarf around my neck before gently patting Ring's shoulders.
Nica: Sorry, sorry. I really am happy about the present. I'll treasure it.
Nica: It's not so bad celebrating like this, just us two. Not that we know if it's actually our birthday though.
I sported a light tone, and Ring opened his mouth with a resolved air.
Ring: Um…I want to do this again next year!
Nica: Huh?
Ring: Ever since we joined Vogel, we barely got to celebrate together like this, and it was lonely for me.
Ring: So, I want to make up for that from now on.
Ring: I want to celebrate my only family's birthday!
I blinked at Ring's earnesty, but—
Nica: …If we exchange presents every year, won't it just be a cycle that goes on forever?
Ring: …!
As always, there seemed to be some sort of loophole to my brother's words, causing me to laugh.
(But, well, it should be fine.)
After all, to Ring I was his Bruderherz.
Nica: Then I've got to grant my brother's wish.
I put out my pinky finger, the corner of my lips lifting.
Nica: I'll celebrate with you, until you grow tired of me.
Ring smiled happily in response, linking his pinky with mine.
Ring: Right, it's a promise!
We exchanged a promise with our pinkies.
[BLACK]
And I felt that our "bond" had, once more, become a bit stronger.
Hii, I've been reading ur translations of darius' main route (tyty for translating!!) And its honestly stressing to read, maybe he's not the character for me. But what do u think of his route? After reading chapter 4 I'll be honest his character seems a bit irredeemable so far to be deemed as a love interest and I'm starting to feel like if he wasn't a love interest and based in Germany he'd be on Crowns target list (because what the hell was chapter 4) which is a bit sad since I initially liked him a bit more from the event stories. And maybe this is an issue in this game overall but the way they talk about women at vogel is crazy + the imagery of darius beating humans with a whip is just terrifying? If you would be willing, could you share your thoughts and if his route gets any better because I really do want to like him but so far he's really turning me off 🥹, if I was Kate I'd be begging Victor for help
Thank you for translating as always!! I'll probably stop reading for now for the sake of my heart, also I don't mind spoilers so feel free to go in as much depth as you want, if you want 🥹🩷
hii! ty for reading my tls! it means a lot to me to hear hehe /gen and don’t worry, i finished his mad love branch and almost done with blind. so i can give you my two cents. ideally i would want everyone to sort of give him a chance as he is one of my mains.. but i also understand darius is not for everyone; i think his event stories do feel more mild than his main route. lemme give my thoughts on his story and you can decide what you want 👍 (uhh heads up though that it’s also kind of incoherent because my yaps do be like that ahha)
more darius route stuff below the cut ↓
but first off, just to clarify, the stuff about like the way they treat women in general and all that in vogel never really comes up again after ch4. it was like a one-off thing that ultimately darius neither fully confirms nor denies and kate never witnesses (and, arguably, it's a claim made by nica, who is proficient at lying, masking, what have you...so take that as you will). anyhow en might choose to omit these. but as for me, with any tl i do i mostly set personal feelings aside and translate everything i see so that you get an experience similar to that if you were to read it "untouched." though i will always try to warn as necessary.
and if you want a more specific number, i would say things generally start to get “better”?? after ch9~10, give or take.
william actually eventually becomes a pretty major confidant for kate; he becomes a sort of go-to when she needs help or advice. and that is sort of when she, well, more actively tries (<- the big keyword here) to see more eye to eye with darius. do they actually? eh, no, not really lmao but i think this is exactly what makes this story interesting. the fact they don’t always see eye to eye through their conversations is sort of what breathes life and tension into their relationship. narratively speaking, i think the dialog sparked between kate and darius, and the fact they don’t always agree, is really strong and carries the story.
now all that said, i did say “better” but at the end of the day darius is a very psychologically messy character, and the writers very openly show it, so even if i say “better” that does not necessarily equate to “less stressful to read” one to one. the emotional stakes are more or less always there through the story. they do pull out that sheer, raw, ugly side of emotions and channel that through darius. so, yes, he will do violent things. yes, he will do the wrong things. yes, he will make you wanna yell at him and shake him in tupperware. and for sure, he will be a villain. for anyone who wants to romance a ““true villain”” darius literally fits these boxes the most out of all the ikevil love interests, in my humble opinion. he was always meant to be a terrifying character.
(something you kind of have to wrap your head around from the get-go, or soon enough, is that darius treats all humans as “inferior”; it’s like equivalent to humans knocking chess pieces down or swatting mosquitoes. once you get that, his actions start to make a bit more sense — not to be mistaken with endorsement.)
but also, something you will probably come to realize if you do continue reading, or after reading, is that there is this actually quite sad irony where you kind of pick up he is actually very sensitive. in fact, he is extremely sensitive. to the point it also gets weaponized and backfires against himself. but also his position sort of forces him to snuff out his own emotions in the sense he has never once been viewed once as a human, but rather as a tool, god or angel.. even though a “human” is exactly what he is at the end of the day. he doesn’t know how to handle or process his emotions (and pretty severe loneliness! he has never been loved, may have kinda given up on that idea.. until kate comes around, and has never loved anybody in turn) in a healthy way. so it often becomes explosive, even, or manifests itself as “irritation”...in quotes because i don't think it's always strictly irritation, but rather it's the label darius himself chooses to use on what he feels.
but aside from that comment from nica insinuating the alleged treatment toward humans who get deemed as “useless” in vogel, the pacing in his story is also, in my opinion, a bit of a mess as well, but in general i would say there are sort of three “overarching arcs” in the story:
ch1~10 sort of lead up to a bigger twist in the story’s direction, and really hitting home that darius is someone who can actually be dangerous.
ch11~20 focuses more on kate and darius — it’s where the brunt of the actual romantic feelings development takes place, especially from darius -> kate. man’s emotionally going through it, give him some time /lh
ch21~25 is the final conflict and where emotional stakes really go high. it’s sort of the arc darius really needs to grapple with the fact his feelings conflict with the beliefs that were partly borne from his trauma.
romance or love interest wise, darius is more or less a yandere. especially in later chapters, the symptoms really show. well, he was always depicted as a character who needs to be in control and is pretty manipulative. but when his feelings are more genuine, they also make a sort of possessiveness grow in him as well. for example, there was a scene in one of his side stories where he basically thinks to himself that he will choose to withhold certain info from kate because if he revealed it, it would also let kate know that crown does hold her dear. and darius doesn’t want her to know or affirm that.. lest he go violent against crown.
to be honest, i would say darius’ main story is one of those stories you really do need the his side stories. because again, i think he’s quite psychologically complex. so if nothing else, one would probably find it interesting to see what goes through his mind. especially when reacting to kate, who is a walking talking antithesis of his beliefs.
also, while he is a love interest, there is sort of a caveat where he, by nature, is distrustful. as far as i remember i think there was a couple lines where he basically thought that per the nature of his curse, a part of him may not fuuully believe kate’s love toward him. but he sticks with her because, for one at least he knows his own feelings are genuine — and he wants to believe kate’s feelings as well. and this is already a big step for him. in the past, i think somewhere in his heart he had given up on the idea anyone could ever love him (and vice versa), so for him to want to believe kate does indicate a sort of change where he sort of softens up. speaking of, he actually does pretty openly show vulnerability in later chapters as well, for example, by holding her without his gloves, crying — yes, he cries! — etc.
and i think it’s in those little quiet moments that really feel more rewarding, especially as they contrast with the tone in a lot of other scenes.
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
🗝️🤍 06 His Side story 𝜗𝜚 cw — violent thought in passing.
——Darius' POV——
[BLACK]
A robin would get easily attached to people, its sense of caution faint.
Seeking out food, they approached humans, even resting their wings by their side,
and perhaps that was why it was regarded as a beloved bird in England.
[PALACE - INNER CORRIDOR - NIGHT]
Darius: Hi there, to my pet.
After the meeting ended, I approached Kate, who was making her way back to her room, without so much as a footstep.
The moment she turned around, she looked as though she wasn't expecting me at all.
She took a step back, but I closed that distance by taking one step forward.
Kate: D-did you need anything?
Her voice was hesitant, giving way to a faint sense of fear as it trembled slightly…
(Did I do something to make her this scared?)
While I had my questions, Kate seemed to relax when I gave her a smile.
Darius: Mhm, seeing how brilliant my pet was, I was thinking of giving a reward.
Kate: Brilliant?
Darius: Your deductive reasoning was really good then. It was like you hit the nail on its head.
I gave her words of praise along with headpats.
Though Kate seemed rather shaken, I guessed she was happy, as she averted her gaze shyly.
Kate: I…I wouldn't say that…
(…Humans really are simple creatures.)
Just a little praise was enough to make them change their expressions like an open book, easily letting their guard down.
(But when they're happy, they become more obedient, so I'll just give more praise like this.)
Darius: I'm pretty proud myself that I've got such a good pet.
I purposely spread my arms, to which Kate seemed a tad perplexed.
Darius: I'm in a really good mood right now.
Darius: So if you're going to beg for a reward, then now's the time.
Back at the meeting, it became clear to me that Kate was an even more outstanding human than I had thought.
(Not that I expected much from her in the first place, but I was happy when I heard her personal theory.)
So I was thinking of giving her a reward in light of how a mere human could exceed my expectations…
But for some reason, Kate didn't seem too happy about that as she lowered my hand.
Kate: I simply tried to give my own theory…so I will pass on the reward.
Darius: Really? Are you sure?
(Well, that's strange, humans always wish for some reward at a time like this.)
I wasn't sure if I would say she was passing on a reward as much as she seemed to want something else…
Kate: Yes. Because, I mean, I'm not a pet…
(…Ahh, I see now.)
Kate: Eek—
When I grabbed her arm and drew my face closer, Kate's eyes widened.
Kate: Wha…
My lips approached her small ones, trying to plant a kiss.
But again, for some reason, just before I could Kate turned her head away.
(—? But why?)
Darius: Oh? This was the only thing left I could think of when it came to rewards a human female would want.
Kate: Did it look like I wanted a kiss!?
Darius: Yeah. That's how it normally works, right?
If humans didn't want some physical item as a reward, more often than not they sought some sort of sexual favor.
"I want to be loved by a good-looking man," "I want you to give me a young woman"…
"I want to play romance and fulfill my desires."
I've seen many such humans, to the point I've lost count, but—
Kate: Then at the very least, I'm different—
I let her arm go at her embarrassed reply.
Darius: Oh, I see. You really seemed like you wanted something more physical though.
(Hmm, there really are strange humans around.)
But when I went back to giving her headpats, Kate's seemed to enjoy that as her eyes narrowed.
(I guess this is why they call her a robin?)
Easily attached to people, a faint sense of caution, able to laugh like all was fine in this den of evil…in that sense, she really was like a robin.
Darius: So you want this instead? You really are strange.
Kate: I mean…aren't a kiss and headpats very different things…?
Darius: Well, they're practically one and the same to me.
I didn't feel they were that different, but apparently that wasn't the case for her.
Kate: Darius, I do have something I want to say.
Darius: Hm? (╹ - ╹)?
Kate: …When it comes to kissing, I won't feel happy about it…unless it's from someone I truly like.
Kate: And I think…in general, others feel the same way.
Darius: Ohh… (￢_￢)
(Not that I could care.)
Her words went in one ear and right out the other, when she took on a slightly more direct tone.
Kate: That, and I don't think calling people pets is a good thing.
Kate: I do acknowledge that I had lost, yes, but I am still very much a human.
Kate: So, I'd like you to treat me not as a pet, but rather as a person.
Darius: …Are you scolding me right now? (O_O)
My hand stopped where it was, and she looked somewhat troubled.
Kate: I wouldn't say "scolding"…I was just clearly telling you what I was feeling…
Darius: Mhm, I thought so. There's just no way you, a mere, lowly human, would ever scold me.
Kate: What do you mean by "mere"…mm—
My hand made its way from patting her head to tickling her chin, which caused Kate's voice to leak out.
(That was a close one. If she was being rebellious I would have strangled her then.)
Darius: So, you don't like kisses.
I had no need for a pet that bit back at its owner.
That was what I thought when I casually brought up the topic of kisses, and for some reason she seemed to become incoherent then.
Kate: Huh…ah, um…I just don't like kisses without any feelings behind them…
The way she seemed rather vague was funny, so I couldn't help but laugh a little.
Darius: You really are an interesting girl, aren't you.
Kate: Huh?
Darius: Well, see you tomorrow. And have a good night.
I left her with those parting words as I walked off without turning back.
(Yeah, she really is a strange human.)
Like on a day I came across something interesting, my mood miraculously lifted. I made my way back to my room while humming a tune.
[BLACK]
And a faintly sweet smell lingered on the gloves that touched her.
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
𝜗𝜚 cw — mention of drugs, canon-typical violence.
[CARRIAGE INTERIOR]
When midnight passed, I boarded a carriage with William.
We were to conduct an investigation on the case regarding the letter with a butterfly on the silver sealed wax from some days prior.
The letter, which was sent by the former Count Adkins' family, had no address nor name,
but based on the results of the investigation, we ascertained that someone named Viscount Clay was the one who wrote it.
William: It would seem Viscount Clay and the now-condemned Count Adkins were quite close.
William: We couldn't find proof of his participation in the Golden Butterfly at the time, but there is a possibility word has reached his ears.
I stared down at the documents, the carriage swaying slightly.
That moment, pain ran through my entire body…and on instinct I bit my lips.
William: Are you alright? You look pale.
Kate: No, I, um…though embarrassing to admit, my muscles are aching…
Because of that game of Fangen during the day, all of my muscles were screaming.
(It didn't happen much until then.)
When I worked at the post office, I would go round to many houses on the daily, so I didn't go through much muscle pain.
Ever since I came to the palace, though, I didn't have as much opportunity to exercise…and so here I was with the aches.
Hearing the reason, William started laughing in amusement.
William: Heh…I see. It seemed like you were getting run ragged, but at any rate, how did it end?
Kate: I…ended up getting caught with just a little left on the clock…
I talked about what had happened in the woods where I got caught, to which William gave me a sympathetic smile.
William: That's a shame then. My bet was that you would come out as the winner.
Kate: Your bet? With who?
William: Roger. It seemed he could "hear" you running about.
(I see…)
When my shoulders drooped, though, what felt like a cramp ran through me, causing my breath to hitch.
Kate: …It was like he had me dancing on the palm of his hand from the start.
William rested his elbow on the windowsill as he lowered his gaze.
William: Darius Vogel's senses are more sensitive than that of a normal person's, I take it.
Kate: Huh?
William: When I was working with you then, it looked like he realized you were there. That caught my attention.
William: After that, I asked Nica Schwartz about it.
William: And according to him, his sense of smell is sharp, and he has very good eyesight.
William: Not only that, he is incredibly shrewd, which allows him to stay one step ahead a lot.
William: He talked about how he was no doubt having fun, knowing where you were running from the start.
William: So, yes, you may have really been dancing atop his palm.
I thought back to when Darius grabbed my arm.
[BLACK]
At that moment, his eyes were like a vulture's, aiming at its prey.
Following its trail, it would set a trap on its weak spots and go in for the catch.
In that nigh one hour, I was nothing more than prey he could hunt down anytime.
[CARRIAGE INTERIOR]
(I had no chance of winning from the start.)
And the moment I had let my guard down, thinking I really could run away, that was when I fell into the palm of his hand.
He had probably used that one hour time limit to lower the guard of and hunt down many people before.
Kate: Hm? Wait, so you bet on me winning, even when you knew all of that?
When I asked, William untied the ribbon that had stayed tied to my neck.
William: Indeed. After all, our brilliant fairytale keeper is very much deserving of trust.
I was happy Crown saw value in me, but…if only I could be the same for Darius.
(Not as a "pet", but rather as an equal, perhaps?)
I thought such things for a moment, when I returned to the conversation with a start.
Kate: By the way, what were the stakes of the bet?
The carriage stopped, and the door opened.
William: The vintage whisky hidden in the lounge. ദ്ദി˙ ᴗ ˙ )
William got off first before reaching a hand toward me…whilst wearing a mischievous smile.
[BLACK]
William: I reckon it's something Victor had bought and forgotten about.
[VISCOUNT CLAY'S MANOR - CORRIDOR - NIGHT]
Viscount Clay's manor was eerily quiet.
(Less because it's night…and more so because it feels deserted. I wonder why?)
While feeling a faint disquiet, William led the way while I followed.
When I did, he stopped and placed an index finger on his lips.
Kate: —? …!
When I followed William's gaze, I saw red-black blood staining the carpet.
The drops led to a room— and with quieted footsteps, we approached the door.
[VISCOUNT CLAY'S MANOR - DINING ROOM - NIGHT]
Slowly opening the door, there we saw in the middle of the room a bloodied man leaning against a chair of the dining room.
Viscount Clay: Who…are you guys…? Did he call comrades…
—That man being Viscount Clay himself, who was in prior documents.
But the Viscount was in the middle of the room, a sword impaling him—
(Who did this…)
In contrast to my shock, which rendered me speechless, William pulled out the envelope with the silver butterfly.
William: Did you send this?
When the viscount laid his eyes on the envelope, his already-pale complexion paled further.
Viscount Clay: T-that…
William: "Tell me everything you know about this envelope."
William activated his ability, and so the viscount's mouth opened, regardless of his will.
Viscount Clay: I was the one who sent that letter…several months ago, I received a letter from the former Count Adkins.
Viscount Clay: When I saw that he wanted me to tell his family that he was alive, I…at first I couldn't believe it.
Viscount Clay: I saw his corpse, his throat cut, with my own eyes over a decade ago.
Viscount Clay: There was no way I could believe it. It had to be some prank.
But then, the viscount's lips started to tremble.
Viscount Clay: But then, along with the words about reviving the Butterfly, there was a special opium inside as well.
That opium was produced in secret by the count, so the viscount ended up hearing them out at least.
But, the topic surrounding the Butterfly and the method of production for the special opium…
Before he told the viscount, the count passed away, thus his ambition was left buried in the dark.
(William and Victor said that those who had ties with the Butterfly had been condemned…)
But this person was probably someone who knew only of its name, without ever having been selected as a member.
Viscount Clay: Before I could join the Golden Butterfly, the organization fell.
Viscount Clay: But if I could revive it, and kill the sender of the letter…all power could have been mine.
Not as gold, but rather silver.
Using the insignia pressed on the wax of the count's letter, the viscount sent letters to those who would likely join him.
And then, this very night— they were to gather in this dining room.
There were ten plates, all empty, lined up along the table. But there were no signs of any of them having been touched.
Viscount Clay: But none of them came…instead, one young person who couldn't have been invited came, holding an envelope.
Viscount Clay: And then he stabbed me. But I couldn't tell who that was, since his outerwear had covered his head.
Viscount Clay: Have…have I been betrayed?
The viscount started grumbling, and William looked down on him with cold eyes.
Viscount Clay: I haven't done anything yet. I shouldn't be charged with any crime—
William: You have tried to spread the word of the Butterfly's revival, sowing the seeds of evil.
William grabbed a knife from the table and slide it across the floor.
William: If other crimes are involved, there is no reason not to be charged.
The knife stopped before the viscount's eyes.
William: And wouldn't you say our job is to stop evil before it runs rampant in the world?
William turned toward me.
And knowing what he wanted to say, I slowly nodded and took one step back.
William: Viscount Clay.
The knife gleamed in his red eyes.
William: "Kill yourself by slitting your throat with the knife."
[SCREEN FLASHES → RED]
The polished silver then lost its gleam.
[VISCOUNT CLAY'S MANOR - DINING ROOM - NIGHT]
The viscount's body crumpled to the floor after he took his own life with a slit to the throat.
The color gradually staining the carpet seeped its way toward the table,
when William, who had made his way to the other side, picked something up.
Kate: That's…
That blood-soaked something was an envelope with a silver butterfly insignia pressed onto it.
William: Probably the envelope that young person who impaled the count brought with.
It was a letter addressed to Baron Fergus, which stated today's date and time and meeting location,
accompanied with a message that everything would fall into their hands.
(So does that mean the one who stabbed the viscount was this Baron Fergus?)
But he said it was a young person who couldn't have been invited.
That was to say—
Kate: So, this letter got stolen by this unknown person.
William looked satisfied as he handed me the letter.
William: Exactly. The mastermind of this case is neither the former count nor the viscount.
William: So, there is probably a different person pulling the strings.
William: And there is a possibility the recipient of this letter had made contact with that very person.
[1] Who could that young person be?
[2] Is it possible the baron is the mastermind?
[3] So the viscount was betrayed? (+4/+4)
Kate: So the viscount was betrayed?
William: That would be most likely. Or if not that, the recipient could have been attacked when the invitation was stolen.
William: But that wouldn't explain how the proof was purposely left here.
William: They left the viscount in a state he could converse, and left this letter that would serve as a clue.
William: Almost like…they were setting the stage for who would come after.
The manor in a state of eerie silence, the drops of blood that stretched through the corridor, the viscount crumpling in the dining room, and a single letter.
I didn't think deeply about it before, but now that he mentioned it, everything seemed to be a little too set-up.
(But for what?)
A stage was set for whoever would come after.
Was it for the recipient of the envelope? Or—
(For us?)
That outlandish thought came up, to which I crossed my arms.
(The only one who knew we would be coming here today was Victor.)
(Even if this was all a stage, it should be for someone else…)
I knew it wasn't set up for us.
But until we left the manor behind,
[BLACK]
for some reason, the stir in my chest wouldn't stop.
[PALACE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT]
Figuring we should look into the baron as soon as possible, we thought to search for other recipients of the letter.
We went to the office to report to Victor, but the door was locked hard.
Kate: He is probably asleep by this hour…
William: …
It was two in the morning.
(…Maybe we should swing by another day?)
I was about to say that maybe we should split ways here for now and come again tomorrow morning,
when a maid approached us at the same time, handing us a memo.
Kate: "Thank you for your work. I know you must be tired from it, but I would like you to come to the parlor"…
William: It's Victor's handwriting.
We looked at each other and tilted our heads at Victor's message,
[BLACK]
but as we intended to meet with him anyway, the maid let us to the palace's parlor.
[PALACE - PARLOR - NIGHT]
Darius: Ahh, there you guys are. Welcome back.
The moment we opened the door, Darius called out to us.
Victor: Thank you for your work. Apologies for calling you guys when you must be tired.
William: We don't mind. But…what is going on?
We blinked at the two, who sat at either end of the table, facing each other while eating desserts and drinking wine.
But in contrast to the cold expression Victor wore as he ate his tart with perfect manners,
Darius wore a smile like that of an angel's, bringing the tart to his mouth while making a mess of his hands.
Darius: I had some business with him as the chief of Vogel. And then I heard you guys were involved in this case.
Darius: So, with this stroke of good timing I thought to make time until you guys came back and hold a dinner party.
(This case?)
Wiping the berry sauce stuck to his mouth with the back of his hand, Darius signaled to the maid.
Receiving the signal, the maid lifted the lid of the main dish placed in the heart of the table.
But what was placed on the plate was not food— but a letter with a silver butterfly.
William: ! (O_O)
Darius threw a glance at me and William, the former surprised and the latter eyes wide.
He then put both his elbows on the table, wearing a beaming smile.
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