*Fan translation for funsies! IP owned by Cybird, translations are my own and may be inaccurate. See About page for more info.*
WARNING: Spoilers for sequel not yet released on global server, mentions of violence
From the back alleys dripping with rain, from the water’s surface filled with a deep darkness, from the station shrouded in steam,
Someone—
“I”— was calling out to myself.
“Come here, come here.”
“This is where I belong.”
And so I jumped— into the deep, deep, deep darkness, into your sinful arms, my beloved.
If life were a fairy tale, what exactly awaits at the end of a forbidden love?
“That concludes the account of this incident. Evil has been condemned at the hands of William Rex,”
“And I hereby record that his own sins have grown even deeper.”
“XX/XX/XXXX Fairytale Keeper Neema”
Neema
“All right… done.”
As I stopped my fingers from dancing on the typewriter and took a breath, the gentle silence of the night filled the room.
(…Ah)
That faint stillness was broken by the “tap, tap” of hard soles striking the floor, elegant and composed.
The moment the sound reached my ears, my heart leapt and I jumped to my feet. My hand reached for the doorknob at the same exact time as the knock sounded on the door.
Neema
“Come on in, Will.”
William
“…”
William
“I forgot to muffle my footsteps again.”
Neema
“Hehe, soon I’ll be able to open the door before you even knock.”
As I joked, the owner of those beloved footsteps wrapped his arms around my waist and gently kissed my forehead.
William
“I miss that first night when you were so stubborn about keeping the door shut, pretending to be asleep.”
Neema
“Huh!? W-Wait, how did you know I was trying to pretend to be asleep!?”
William
“Ahaha, so that’s how it was after all.”
Neema
“Ah…!?”
(He got me……!)
William
“I’m glad your body was honest about its hunger.”
Neema
“…Please, just forget about it….”
Will tenderly traced my ears, now flushed with embarrassment, and smiled.
My beloved William is today, as always, the Self-Righteous Monarch.
Gentle, dangerous, free, selfish, and enigmatic.
Even now that I’ve become his “special” one, I still long for him every single day.
William
“Is tonight’s report finished?”
Neema
“Of course, it’s excellent!”
Returning to my chair, I straightened the documents I had written with a quick tap, and held them up to show him.
Will rested his hand on the back of my chair and peered down at my work.
William
“Your work is as thorough as ever.”
William
“Victor told me that the bookshelves are already filled with three more rows of the reports you’ve written.”
Neema
“Has it already come to that?”
The reports to Her Majesty record in full detail the crimes he has committed. Many seasons have passed since I decided to live in this world of darkness as a Fairytale Keeper for the rest of my life.
During that time, the countless reports I’ve written are also the crystallization of my love.
There is nothing more sinful than taking a human life.
As Will himself once said, a sin is nothing more than a sin.
But Will, who values freedom above all else, condemns those who trample on it as evil, and passes self-righteous judgments—
I love him from the bottom of my heart.
I deeply desire to protect him from the punishment that will eventually befall him for the sins that he commits.
(Because that is what my heart cries out for— it is, for me, a “good thing.”)
If punishment is ever handed out for our sins, the final page of the report will record the outcome.
After all, a fairy tale only has a happy ending when evil is brought to justice.
(The story I’ve written will come to an end with a sad conclusion.)
(Just as he wishes… becoming the “spoonful of poison” that rebukes evil.)
That is the future we desire, and until that end comes to claim us, loving each other as our hearts desire is my… our wish right now.
William
“There’s certainly enough evidence for me to be remembered as a ruthless and wicked villain.”
William
“My thanks to the excellent secretary who continues to produce such flawless reports.”
His soft lips brushed ever so lightly against my cheek. That alone ignited a heat deep within my body, and the tenderness of his love set my heart ablaze.
Neema
“Come to think of it, my ‘personal records’ have grown quite a bit, too.”
William
“Hmm?”
—Yes, there is another story I have been writing.
When I showed him the bookshelf I had set up in my room, Will pulled out one of the books.
William
“Is this the latest? …Oh, it's an article about Elgar's concert.. I thought I'd become famous someday.''
This is a record of the people Will has pushed forward.
The businessmen, artists, and activists that Will supported during the "Mad Tea Party," as well as the victims who were rescued by Will, treated in a special ward to then fly free, occasionally appearing in newspapers to let us know about their successes.
From an article praising a young scholar who made great achievements in flood-control projects, to a flyer commemorating the opening of a shop opened by a boy rescued from a human trafficking ring, this is like a scrapbook of the achievements of those whom William has supported and helped.
It is just as thick as the reports of his evil deeds.
William
“If there are more records like this one, it would be a little troublesome for me as someone who is destined to be destroyed as an evil villain.”
Neema
“Well, that can’t be helped. There are more people Will has saved than there are people he has killed.”
Neema
“And besides, this story won’t cloud your ‘evil.’”
Neema
"After all, I’m the only one who knows that the common thread connecting these articles is William Rex."
I walk over to Will's side and run my fingers along the spines of the scrapbooks lined up on the shelf.
Neema
"I want to keep a careful record of it all."
Neema
"Not of the ‘wicked, self-righteous monarch,' but of the man I love entirely, Will."
William
"…"
Neema
“I-I mean, no matter what, even if Will says not to, I’ll keep doing it… okay?”
William
"…"
Neema
"Uh… is it really a no, then?"
William
"No?"
William
"I was just thinking how adorable you are trying to love every single part of me, just like always."
Neema
"W-wha… nn…!"
Those lips that had just sung words of love to me now gently press against mine.
As he slowly pulled away, Will’s fingertips toyed with my ear, now flushed with heat, as if he could see right through to my very heart.
Neema
“…You’re teasing me, aren't you?”
William
“Your lover has made a hobby of seeing your troubled face.”
(…Oh, come on.)
Even the way he shrugs his shoulders without a hint of guilt makes me find him so endearing. I guess I’ll never be able to compete with him, no matter how hard I try.
William
“I’ll put the records of your love back safely.”
Just as Will was about to put the book away, several envelopes tucked inside fluttered to the floor.
William
“……Ah.”
Will looked at the sender’s address on the letters and narrowed his eyes happily.
William
“This is more of a record of ‘you,’ isn’t it?”
They were letters that occasionally arrived from an orphanage, chronicling the healthy life of a certain young girl…
Neema
“Could you at least let this child be taken to the hospital?”
William
“…”
Neema
“……If I were to head to the hospital on my own, you’d have no choice but to come after me, right?”
Neema
“Since you all have been given the mission by Her Majesty to watch over me.”
William
“Trying to play games and bargain with us…”
William
“That takes a lot of courage, doesn’t it Neema?
At the almshouse where drugs for ‘Golden Butterfly’ were being manufactured, that little girl I lifted up with my own two arms,
After recovering in Will’s special ward, she’s now studying hard every day in a place she chose herself.”
William
“Neema is kind. Very different from me, who lets go once someone flies off freely.”
Neema
“That’s not true. This is my own selfish desire.”
Neema
“Because she was the first person I was able to reach out to… I just want to see her through to the very end.”
Neema
“So that the will that has taken root in her won’t be crushed again.”
William
“So, that is one of the reasons you have been researching “Foundling Hospital” orphanage lately.”
(…So, you did notice.)
Neema
“As always, you can see right through me.”
William
"About that matter… why don't we talk about it properly later?"
Will’s fingertips slipped gently against my ear, then softly through my hair.
That single gesture told me exactly what he meant, and a flush of heat spread across my ears.
Neema
"…In your room, Will?"
William
"…If that’s what you want."
I pressed my forehead silently against his broad chest, trying to hide the look of desire on my face. A soft, affectionate chuckle from Will rained down onto the back of my head like sugar slowly heated until it melts into an intoxicatingly sweet syrup.
After a night of being teased relentlessly and loved more deeply than ever before…
William
"…So, may I ask why you were looking into the orphanage?"
As I rested my flushed cheek against Will’s chest, soaked in the languid afterglow, he nuzzled the tip of his nose against the back of my head and asked the question in a secretive whisper.
Neema
"…I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. About people… after we save them."
I took Will’s hand and interlaced my fingers with his.
It is the poor and vulnerable who often fall victim to the harsh realities of the underworld.
Workhouses exist to provide a place for such people to live and work. However, these institutions are heavily characterized by the "punishment of idleness" and "forced labor." They even operate under the "principle of less eligibility," deliberately keeping living standards inside the facility lower than those of the lowest-paid workers.
Neema
"It would be a tragedy if the seeds of freedom Will planted were to wither away, wouldn't it?"
William
"…"
Neema
"So while I was researching this, I learned about 'foundling hospitals' or children’s homes."
The orphanages already existing in London are facilities for children abandoned by their parents. They guarantee food, clothing, and shelter, and provide education and vocational training rather than punishment to help the children support themselves.
Neema
"The current orphanages only offer training for a limited number of professions, though."
Neema
"I’ve been thinking it would be wonderful to have an orphanage that offers a wider range of choices."
Neema
"A place that supports children in choosing their own paths based on their own free will."
(I don't know what I alone can actually do.)
(But… I just can’t help but try to do something.)
I’m not the person I used to be, someone who silenced my inner voice and turned a blind eye.
William
“Well then, let’s build one. Your own orphanage.”
Neema
“Huh!?”
William
“I’ll come up with a few options from among the land and estates I own that might work.”
William
“You should go inspect the sites in person and choose a place you like.”
William
“As for funding, we’ll get it from the Rex family… and it might be a good idea to raise funds through the ‘Mad Tea Party’ as well. We’ll need staff, after all.”
Neema
“W-wait a minute…”
Things were moving along so smoothly that I panicked and sat up abruptly.
Neema
“I mean, I can’t just decide to build one out of the blue like that.”
William
“Is that a problem?”
As my eyes looked up at him bewildered, Will met my gaze with a smile as gentle as a spring rain.
(Oh……)
Those unwavering eyes ignite a warmth deep within my heart.
(That’s right… Will was always this kind of person.)
William
"You love me so deeply, so surely you understand."
William
"Do you think it's possible to expect me to just sit still after hearing something like that?"
He lays my desires bare, takes my hand, and gives me the push I need to take that first step forward.
(That’s exactly why I…)
(I adore you, I want to love you,)
(and I want to be loved by you… more than anything.)
I throw myself once more into Will’s open arms.
Neema
"…hehe"
William
"Hmm?"
Neema
"Oh, nothing. I was just wondering… how much more you’ll make me fall for you before you’re satisfied.”
William
"About that…"
William
"I feel the same way about you, Neema."
Our lips meet again.
The warmth of his palm against my back, the sound of his calm breathing, the scent of roses enveloping us both.
A day will come when I can no longer feel any of this.
(The day I lose my life fighting against Will's fate…)
That is exactly why my heart cries out.
I want to share this love with him right now, in this very moment.
I want to spread my wings and follow my desires freely by his side…
Neema
“An assassination of a high-ranking official?”
One day, after we’d set a date to visit a potential site for the orphanage and had been counting down the days in anticipation,
One morning, while I was eagerly counting down the days until the scheduled site visit to the potential location for the orphanage, shocking news was served alongside breakfast at the dining table.
Victor
“A few days ago, a member of the House of Nobles was found dead at his home.”
Victor
“Apparently, the body was found with what looked like a self-inflicted slit throat.”
(A slit throat…?)
Harrison
“The police haven’t made an official announcement yet, but it’s already in the papers. I wonder where the leak came from.”
Harrison
“Since the circumstances of the death are similar, people are speculating it might be the work of the ‘Queen of Hearts.’”
Liam
“But it’s not Will’s doing, is it?”
Harrison
“Yeah. It’s been cleverly staged to look like a suicide, but based on the wound and the condition of the crime scene, it’s clearly a homicide.”
Elbert
“‘Cleverly staged’ means, in other words…”
Neema
“The culprit is… a copycat of Will’s?”
William
“Either an ardent fan or an enemy trying to frame me.”
Will happily chimed in while tilting his teacup gracefully.
Because Will has accepted his fate as a villain destined for ruin, he seems to find threats to himself amusing rather than alarming.
(But……)
Neema
“Whether they’re a fan or an enemy, I find it unpleasant that they are exploiting Will’s villainy to commit evil for their own gain.”
Roger
“Haha, so there’s a passionate fan here too, huh?”
Liam
“Neema's love for Will is getting more intense by the day, it seems.”
Victor
“Hm? Is this the ‘Love Will’ Championship? Maybe I should throw my hat in the ring too?”
Alfons
“Sorry to interrupt the fun. It seems that this copycat wasn’t acting alone after all.”
Alfons, Jude, and Ellis suddenly appeared.
Roger
“You guys stayed out all night again?”
Jude
“Don’t ya lump me in with this guy, I was actually getting work done.”
Alfons
“That’s rude. You make it sound like I wasn't working, too.”
Elbert
“Huh? So you came home late this morning because you were working too, Al?”
Alfons
“Aha! No way! Is there a problem with spending my usual night out?”
Neema
“What do you mean the copycat killer wasn’t acting alone?”
Ellis
“Ah… well, it seems the assassination of a high-ranking official in the early hours of the morning wasn’t the only incident.”
Jude spread out a memo compiling several investigative files on the dining table.
Neema
“…Jude, how did you get your hands on these?”
Jude
“It’s a method you ain’t gotta know about.”
Ellis
“We saw the police station was in chaos on our way back from a raid, so we just quickly went in and grabbed some intel.”
Alfons
“I happened to be passing by on the street and skillfully distracted the security guards for them.”
(As always, Crown’s intelligence capabilities are impressive.)
According to the memo, assassinations of high-profile figures had apparently occurred simultaneously in multiple locations. The victims were all government officials, including members of parliament and diplomats. Some victims were killed, while others survived the attempts.
Jude
"The worst part is that a French goodwill ambassador was among the victims."
Jude
"Good thing it was just an attempt, but if they’d died it wouldn't be surprising if war broke out."
(War…)
It might sound like an exaggeration, but Jude is right.
History has proven that the actions of just one person can cause great chaos.
William
"…"
William glanced down at the list of victims and the newspaper article featuring the words "Queen of Hearts," then quietly curled the corners of his mouth into a smile.
William
"It is safe to say that this is a situation Her Majesty would find deeply concerning."
William
"As members of Crown, we cannot overlook this… right, Victor?"
Victor
"Yes, precisely."
Victor
"Fighting evil with evil, this is a job for Crown."
William
"I'm counting on you this time, too, Neema."
Neema
"Yes, leave it to me."
Neema
"As your knight, I will protect you… and document your evil deeds."
Little did I know at the time that this incident would cause the balance of England, and my own world, to crumble apart completely.
In a room filled with a gray silence, only the sound of turning pages echoes.
Lucien
"…"
The man seated in front of the fireplace mantel, Lucien Morsandre, gazed emotionlessly over the documents.
Euren
"That’s all for the report. The police security was so lax this time it was almost too easy~"
Sitting impolitely on the edge of the table, Euren, the man who handed over the documents, glanced at the major newspapers spread out covering the events of the last few days.
Euren
"Ooh what’s this~ 'Who is the Queen of Hearts?', 'Ally of the citizens? Or a deranged killer?'"
Euren
"'The full story behind the string of VIP assassinations,' 'Who’s the next target?'"
Euren
"Aha~… quite the uproar, isn't it?"
With every sway of his upper body, the flashy chinoiserie-style ornaments he wore jingled.
Glancing at him sideways and clicking his tongue in annoyance, Zane, a man with a strong, rugged physique, turned his gaze toward Lucien.
Zane
"…So, are we killing him?"
Euren
"Shall I go and check out the situation for you~?"
Lucien
"…No need. I'll handle it."
Zane
"Huh?"
Euren
"Oh Lord Lucien will!? That's rare~…"
In Lucien's hand, the flame at the tip of the match lit the edge of the papers, spreading rapidly. Thrown into the fireplace, the documents are burnt to ash.
Lucien
"All those who are cursed are destined for ruin."
Lucien
"It is merely a question of whether it comes sooner or later."
Lucien
"…Let us bring the curtain down on this fairy tale."
If life were a fairy tale…
What awaits at the end of a forbidden love?
A tragedy filled with pain and despair?
Or a happy ending where love redeems evil?
The answer can only be known by experiencing it with my own eyes, ears, and skin…
Following the voice of my heart, I dive deep, deep into this darkness.
--
Notes:
Wooow the sequel is shorter than the main story, but the chapters are very full! The writing is truly so beautiful, I'm really taking my time with it and hoping to convey everything it says. I got confused with the "principle of less eligibility", so I did some research and it turns out it is a real British Victorian era social principle from the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834. The idea is to deter people from crime or relying on government assistance by making the living conditions for those on government aid worse than the conditions of the poorest independent working people. She learned this from her research into the London Foundling Hospital, which was not really a hospital (though they did treat illnesses) but more of one of the first true orphanages in England in the 1700's.
Anyway, I hope to post one chapter a day but we'll see. This one took a while. I'll be adding in more images later!
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!
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!
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!
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
jp valentines 2026 ⸝ ecb story 𝜗𝜚 cw — presence of aphrodisiacs, awkwardly translated smut; mdni.
[LONDON INN - BEDROOM]
Alfons: To think you'd bring me all the way to a place like this in the middle of the day and gift me chocolates with an aphrodisiac.
Alfons: Would it be fair to assume you want to do oh-so-very naughty things that can't be done within Crown Castle's premises?
Kate: Yes…that's right.
Alfons sat on the bed, and I placed my knee in the space between his legs and grabbed his necktie.
Choosing aphrodisiac-spiked chocolates was a decision on impulse…but that was not all.
(I couldn't stop thinking about how much chocolates he had received before…)
What sort of outlandish Valentines had he spent, and with whom too?
These past few days, such thoughts ended up filling my mind.
(But I would hate to keep brooding over this. So…)
Kate: I'm sure you've had many of these sorts of Valentines before, but—
Kate: But by doing it under, well…an aphrodisiac…with a partner of a "proper, mutual love"…
Kate: I want to overwrite all those other memories.
I gave him a provoking smile, to which Alfons' almond eyes narrowed into arcs.
Alfons: Goodness, you really think of nooothing else but me, do you.
He took off his gloves and plopped a piece of chocolate into his mouth.
Alfons: Which is fine. Tell me then…what does a proper Valentines aphrodisiac fun entail?
—It didn't take long thereafter for the effects to show.
Alfons: Ngh, fu…haa…
I was simply pecking kisses on him over and over until the aphrodisiac's effects kicked in,
but Alfons' breath quickly grew ragged, and his heat seemed tight in his pants as it pushed the fabric up.
Alfons: Haa…this one is pretty strong, it seems.
Though it seemed to be taking its toll, Alfons stared at me through misty, coquettish eyes.
Alfons: So, Kate…what should I do?
Alfons: Would it be alright to brush against those darling hands of yours to feel good?
Alfons: Or perhaps I should hold back until you're all wet down here and put it in—
Alfons: And feel good from the inside…would that be correct…?
As he whispered into my ear, his fingertips started to rub along my crotch.
His words filled me with dirty fantasies, and as my bud hardened, nectar soaked inside.
Kate: F-first…I'll use my hands, okay.
I unbuttoned his pants and pulled on his undergarments.
His heat, which was bent back so that it stuck to his stomach, popped out, making me go dizzy from anticipation.
I ran my hand down his heat, which seemed bigger and more swollen than usual—
Alfons: —Ahh…this is incredible.
Alfons: Just a little touching is nearly enough to make me come.
Alfons: Isn't this stronger…than that aphrodisiac we had fun with before?
Alfons: Or maybe it just feels that way because this is something you prepared for me.
I intertwined my fingers with his, my eyes still on him, as I was unable to look away from his reaction.
His eyes, which were closed tight, suddenly opened in response. My eyes met with a somewhat lonely look.
Alfons: Hey, Kate…it's quite lonely to know you're the only one still sane.
Alfons: Would you care to eat a chocolate too?
An incredible allure surrounded him, and yet the puppy-eyes he gave me were so cute—
Kate: …mm, alright…then.
[BLACK]
—After I nodded, I was already a complete mess.
[LONDON INN - BEDROOM]
Kate: Ah— ahh—!
Alfons: Ahha, there it is again…see, you came.
Kate: Ah, ah, Al— nngh—
Alfons: But my apologies, as I'm hardly done yet.
Alfons smiled as he thrust deep to make his point.
I contracted repeatedly from my climax as his hard heat thrust in and out without mercy, the pleasure nonstop.
My stomach and rear were sticky from both my and Alfons' fluids, and the same could be said for the inside.
Alfons: It seems no matter where I touch you'll end up coming, Kate.
[SCREEN FLASHES WHITE]
Kate: Uhh!? Ah, ah—
His wet fingers flicking my nipples were enough for my vision to burst into white as I clenched on his heat from the inside.
Alfons gave an amused smile before he pushed down on the bud above the place we were connected,
and unable to recover from the climax, my insides helplessly bursted with heat.
(It feels so good.)
(I can't think about anything.)
I felt a wet sensation on my lips, which could do little but let out moans,
and Alfons licked the saliva that had dripped from my mouth before he knit his brows.
Alfons: Ahh…damn.
Alfons: Everything just flew right out, and it feels like my head will go blank.
Alfons: I suppose for a drug like this…it will induce an erection when not in that mood.
Alfons: It was something to use to forget everything and make your head go blank.
Alfons: But I'm not too sure about using it simply to love each other like this.
Alfons: …After all, what a waste it would be if we lost ourselves in so much pleasures our memories go poof.
(…Alfons…)
Just as I wished, he was trying to engrave this night in him…
The moment I thought that, I was at my limit.
[SCREEN FLASHES WHITE]
Kate: Ah, ahh—!
Alfons: Uh…? (O_O)
He hadn't even moved, but his breath stopped when I was thrown from the peak of pleasure.
Alfons: To come from that just now…perhaps you like me too much?
Kate: Mm, because…I'm so happy…
Alfons: ……ahh…geez.
He snuggled up to me like an affectionate cat before our foreheads, a bit slick with sweat, touched.
Alfons: You be sure to remember…all of today, alright?
[BLACK]
I nodded in the midst of my shallow breaths, to which Alfons gave a happy smile.
The Unwritten Stories feature a suitor’s main story, but from another suitor’s perspective.
Be it siblings, codependents, close friend, contractual partner, accomplices...
Enjoy yet another main story, from villains with various relationships.
please be aware that this event story contains spoilers for main stories. we recommend you read these stories after completing the respective main story.
as always, likes / reblogs / comments are appreciated!
𝐈. 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑
. ౿ RING SCHWARTZ ── .✦ [@.cheshireliam]
⋮ ♯ ﹒ 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑑𝑠, 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑 ﹒⟢ .ᐟ nica schwartz mad love ch22
william rex ┊ liam evans ┊ harrison gray ┊ elbert greetia ┊ alfons sylvatica ┊ roger barel ┊ ellis twilight ┊ jude jazza ┊ victor ┊ darius vogel ┊ nica schwartz ┊ ring schwartz
୭ ˖ 𓌔 his will letter 𓏻 ✦ 95K LP / suitor
william rex ┊ liam evans ┊ harrison gray ┊ elbert greetia ┊ alfons sylvatica ┊ roger barel ┊ ellis twilight ┊ jude jazza ┊ victor ┊ darius vogel ┊ nica schwartz ┊ ring schwartz
꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ 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!
3rd anniversary story archive event 𝜗𝜚 cw — spoilers for alfons' main story.
[PARK NEAR PALACE - DAY]
In Alfons' hand was a ribbon with "Alfons ♡ Kate" written upon it.
Alfons: I saw you looking at the couples tying their ribbons here rather enviously when we passed through this park before.
Alfons: So I figured to tie a ribbon of our own here, before the world comes to an end.
Kate: …I didn't think you'd notice.
Alfons: I know your longing look when I see it – and I will see it, at night or day.
While making a joke, Alfons held one end of the ribbon to me.
Alfons held onto the other end.
Kate: …Is it okay?
Those who bore the curse of the Mirror was fated to be forgotten after death. Their existence would vanish from both memories and written records.
And whether it was because the Curse bearer themself held regrets, or those around them were close made it so,
the only thing left behind in the end was a vague awareness that "someone" was there.
And there were times Alfons himself worried about this,
so I was hoping to casually engrave his name in this sort of date spot, but I couldn't bring that up.
Alfons: Today is the last day of this world, so we can do whatever we please.
Alfons: Since if everything were to end today, you wouldn't end up forgetting me. Not when we will die together.
Alfons gave a smile, seeing through my worries.
Alfons: So vanilla or otherwise…why not do them as we like?
Alfons: There's no time left for anyone to reproach or lament about that anyhow.
Kate: …Hehe, so basically like hitting and running?
Encouraged by Alfons' nonchalant words, the two of us tied the ribbon around the fence.
With each of us holding an end, we tied it tightly so that it wouldn't be undone.
It was a little embarrassing, but I also felt fuzzy being able to do something lovers would do.
Alfons: Are you enjoying yourself, Kate?
Kate: Yes, very!
(I want Alfons to enjoy himself too. …Okay!)
Kate: Alfons, we haven't eaten much breakfast before going out, right?
Kate: So while it is a bit early, how about we have lunch?
We sat at a park bench, we opened the basket we brought with us and ate our lunch.
After eating sandwiches light on the stomach…I brought out the dessert I had gotten up early to make.
Alfons: What's this…? (O_O)
Kate: A Twelfth Night cake.
The Twelfth Night cake was made to be eaten twelve days after Christmas day.
A single green bean was in the cake, and the person who found it first would be crowned king of that night.
Alfons: This certainly is…quite early.
Kate: Well, since the end of the world is upon us anyway, I figured it isn't too late to celebrate any sort of holiday or event.
Alfons: Ahha! Good point there.
Kate: It's been cut already, so take whichever slice.
Alfons: Then I will go with this one.
Kate: Then I'll take this one. …Down the hatch.
The many dried fruits were heavy, but it was so delicious I couldn't help but eat more.
Alfons: It's delicious, though I imagine it must've taken quite some time to bake. Was it not difficult?
Kate: It hardly felt like any time at all when I thought about how it'd make you happy.
Alfons: …Is that so. …Ah.
A bean rolled out from the cross section of the slice Alfons cut with his fork.
Kate: Ah, congratulations, Alfons! With this you are now king.
Alfons: …How could that be? Did you not put a bean in every piece?
Kate: There's no foul play here. You found the one bean, fair and square!
Alfons: Then a question from this king: why a Twelfth Night cake?
Kate: Do you remember when you brewed the blue mallow tea for me?
——Flashback——
[CROWN CASTLE - KITCHEN - EVENING]
Kate: Whoa…so pretty…! It's just like magic…!
Alfons: Hehe.
Alfons: So has your mood been lifted, even if a little?
——End flashback——
[PARK NEAR PALACE - DAY]
Kate: That struck me as mystical and interesting…and I wanted you to experience that same thing with food.
Alfons: …Is that so. You really do remember the things we did quite well.
Alfons: That being the case, would you also happen to remember what followed that?
Kate: …I-I do, of course…I wouldn't forget.
Alfons: Well, I've forgotten.
Kate: Huh…
Alfons: So if you'd be so kind, could you help jog my memory?
Alfons smiled in amusement as he said those testing words.
(Oh, he totally remembers too…!)
Kate: …Goodness, I suppose it can't be helped then.
I leaned in and gave a soft kiss.
[BLACK]
The warmth of our connected lips became a new memory as it quietly engraved itself in my heart.
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