Ikemen Series Translations

Though the season didn’t call for it, the rain came down in a heavy downpour.

Whenever it rained like this, my mind would always take me back to thoughts of Rio……

And with every drop that hit the ground, soaking into its soil, my troubling thoughts only grew.

(Hm….?)

It was time for my court history lessons with Sariel, this time for “Belle” purposes, so I was heading towards his offices.

But when I entered the room Sariel wasn’t here alone.

Nokto: “Oh, MC. Is it already that time?”

Clavis: “Studying with that shitty four-eyes is the worst kind of hell there is. Why not let me take over as your teacher, huh? It’ll be more fun.”

Luke: “Fun? Havin you as a teach would really make it hell.”

(It’s Nokto, Luke and Clavis……so basically it's a gathering of the foreign faction.)

MC: “If I’m interrupting something I can come back later.”

Sariel: “No. Actually, your timing is perfect.”

Sariel: “I wanted to speak to you about this matter as well, so there is no need for you to leave.”

(Something is different about Sariel today. I get the feeling he seems uneasy about something.)

Or maybe it was because of the rain clouds outside casting shadows in the room. Those same shadows half obscuring his face from view.

As I closed the door, wondering what he wanted to discuss with me, Nokto tilted his head in question.

Nokto: “Oh, Rio isn’t with you today?”

MC: “He’s with Prince Silvio at the moment.”

Clavis: “Ahh, the usual services?”

MC: “Yes……He’s been calling for him every single day without rest it seems.”

Luke: “That ain’t good. You know, I saw him once while he was working. That guy has Rio working like a slave.”

(.......Is that true.)

Unlike Luke, I never had the chance to see how Rio is when he’s helping Silvio. But  given what I know, it wasn’t hard to imagine.

(But if that’s true, Rio has never once shown me that he looked tired.)

(When we’re together he’s always his bright, energetic, kind, smiling  and fun self……)

(.....Even though he doesn’t have to be. He doesn’t have to push himself like that to keep me from worrying.)

Nokto: “I can’t say why, but it does look like Silvio is interested in Rio.”

Nokto smiled as though something about that was amusing but I was just confused.

MC: “Interested in him? Don’t you mean disgusted?”

Nokto: “Tell me, who would keep someone they found disgusting by their side twenty-four seven?”

Nokto: “Silvio chooses people. For someone who just hates someone’s guts, he’s going way overboard.”

Nokto: “Maybe he just thinks Rio makes a good errand boy, or maybe……”

Clavis: “Under the pretext of waiting on him, he’s actually keeping an eye on him. One can only wonder why.”

(To…keep an eye on him?......I never thought of that.)

(But even if that’s true, what reason would he have to do that……?)

Sariel: “Whether it’s one prince or the other, both of them are trouble.”

Sariel: “If we’re supposedly on friendly terms, I wish they would show us a little consideration.”

Nokto: “Good luck with that. That country’s princes are nothing but guys who are so into themselves, they just do what they want……Consideration isn’t in their vocabulary.”

MC: “.........Excuse me.”

Once there was a break in the conversation I spoke up, and everyone there turned towards me.

MC: “What did you mean by ‘they’re both trouble’?”

MC: “What did you mean by ‘they’re both trouble’?”

Right now, Silvio is the only prince from the Benitoite Kingdom residing in Rhodolite.

But going off of what both Silvio and Nokto are saying, it’s almost like there’s more than one person causing trouble.

Sariel: “It’s exactly what you think.”

Nokto: “Say, Princess, do you happen to know how many princes Benitoite has?”

MC: “There’s 2, right?”

~~~~Flashback~~~~

Rio: "To start, Bentoite’s castle is home to '2 princes’.”

Rio: “The first one, is the jangling, high off his own arrogance himself, prince Silvio.”

Rio: “And the other is……Prince Emidio. Prince Silvio’s biological younger brother.”

~~~~End Flashback~~~~

MC: “Rio taught me a few things about Benitoite, and that was one of them.”

Nokto: “He did? That’ll make this easier then.”

Clavis: “Just the other day, an exciting official notice was delivered to the palace.”

Luke: “Apparently some guy named Emidio is comin’ to Rhodolite.”

MC: “Wait. Prince Emidio?”

(Why is he coming? I mean, we’re already hosting Silvio here……)

Sariel: “It would’ve been helpful if he put some consideration into his timing, however.”

Sariel: “At present, we not only have Prince Silvio here, but Princes Keith and Gilbert are also staying in the palace.”

Nokto: “With Emidio added into the mix, it’s just one big party of foreign princes from the neighboring countries.”

Nokto: “So, we decided to have our own mini get together to decide who’s the lucky guy to deal with Emidio.”

In contrast to Nokto’s nonchalant smile and flippant attitude to the situation, Sariel dropped his head into his hands..

Even as a lie, he didn’t look like he’d be able to wholeheartedly extend a welcome to yet another surprise visitor.

MC: “Why is Prince Emidio even coming here in the first place?”

Clavis: “That’s the million dollar question.”

Sariel: “On paper, the reason for his visit is tourism…..”

Nokto: “Given the circumstances, that prince isn’t so happy-go-lucky, to some all the way over here for some ridiculous reason as sightseeing.”

Luke: “Soooo, he’s here to find out MC’s true identity?”

Clavis: “No. Originally, Silvio didn’t even know about MC until he came to the palace himself.”

Clavis: “I don’t believe that the rumors of an unknown woman who suddenly showed up in the castle would have reached all the way to Benitoite.”

(Then why……?)

(......Oh!)

~~~~Flashback~~~~

Rio: “Taking into account the current King’s age, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d make his decision soon.”

Rio: "You got it! That’s why both princes are out there working their butts off to show everything they’ve got.”

~~~~End Flashback~~~~

MC: “Succession rights…..”

Nokto: “Hm?”

MC: “It’s something else that Rio told me about.”

MC: “Benitoite is currently deciding who their next King will be in secret……”

MC: “Both Prince Silvio and Prince Emidio are trying to show off their worth and accomplishments to the current King.”

All: “............”

MC: “Which has me thinking, maybe the real reason for both of their visits to Rhodolite has something to do with that.”

It’s not just Jade that’s here in Rhodolite. We even have the Prince of Obsidian here, who’s country has practically cut off relations with every other country.

In terms of making connections worthy of being a King, it’s a golden opportunity that can’t be missed. All of the big players are in one place.

(Though, whether or not that’s his true goal, unless we get it from the horse's mouth we can’t be sure of anything.)

Nokto: “Well then……That’s the first I’m hearing of that.”

Nokto: “So, right about now, Benitoite is in the final stretch of choosing their successor?”

MC: “Um, yeah…At least, that’s what I heard from Rio.”

(Taking the King’s age into play it’s about time for him to step down from the throne. So the succession war is also heating up.)

(...That’s what Rio said.)

Clavis: “I also hadn’t known that. I had believed that the current king was going to continue ruling for another 10 years……”

Sariel: “I thought the same. Where did Rio come by this information?”

MC: “Well, I mean…books and documents, I guess.”

MC: “If not, then…Maybe he asked Prince Silvio directly?”

Nokto: “But would Silvio really share such information so willy-nilly?”

(Well when you say it like that, no. I find that hard to believe he would.)

(...But finding information that the princes and Sariel don't know about in books doesn’t seem very likely either.)

Nokto: “——Well, whatever. Let’s say that’s what's going on in Benitoite.”

Nokto: “So then they came over to tally up their achievements in a rush while the 3 countries were all gathered in one place.”

Sariel: “Now they’re involving us in their personal squabbles. Should I even ask for consideration at this point?”

Luke: “Too bad they’re not the type to sit’n listen are they?”

Nokto: “True that……You be careful, too, ya hear.”

Nokto’s deep ruby red eyes landed on me.

Nokto: “Emidio is already in Rhodolite.”

Nokto: “It stands to reason while here, he’ll drop by the palace to say hello.”

Clavis: “I don’t think you’ll really be on his radar, however, if you’re someone ‘Silvio finds interesting’ his tune may change.”

Clavis: “You wouldn’t want to be caught in the middle of those two as well, right?”

(No kidding…Sounds like a nightmare just thinking about it.)

On top of being Bell, he’s the type of person I’d rather avoid having any interactions with if I could help it.

Sariel: “I want to cover our bases, so please do inform Rio about this as well.”

Sariel: “......Though, I’m not entirely unconvinced he isn’t already aware of all this. Your pet dog is exceedingly capable.”

Nokto: “Forget just knowing about it, he could already be making the first move.”

Clavis: “If all that’s true, it makes me want him for myself.”

I’m not sharing. 4+/4+ Rio would also be happy. Believe me, I get it.

MC: “Sorry, but that’s not happening. He’s my butler and I’m not handing him over.”

Just in case he was serious I quickly put that thought to rest, but after I spoke Clavis let out a huge, roaring laugh.

Clavis: “Ah, yes that’s right. How could I be so rude? He is your beloved butler. Far be it from me to separate you two.”

MC: “I don’t particularly like the way you say that.”

Nokto: “But it’s the truth, no?”

MC: “Yes, but only him being my butler. No extra adjectives needed.”

The more words I seemed to speak, the wider the grins on both of their faces seemed to get.

And that same unbearable feeling I had a few days ago when I was cornered between Leon and Clavis, came back with a vengeance. A boulder to crawl under would be very nice right about now.

MC: “A-anyway, I was also summoned by Prince Silvio to see him after my lessons. So, I’ll tell Rio then.”

Sariel: “I’ll leave it to you.”

(Benitoite’s 2nd Prince, Emidio……)

(I don’t really want to meet the guy, but I wonder what kind of person he is.)

Silvio: “ ——Emidio, that fucking bastard.”

As the rain continued and lightning crackled outside, Silvio sat with his feet propped up on the table, glaring at the documents before him with a heavy sigh.

Rio sat right beside him in front of a large pile of letters in a pattern of opening letters, checking them and then categorizing them into relevancy.

They sat alone in the room, and almost as if in response to the strange tension between them, thunderstruck loudly from outside.

Rio: “That doesn’t say much, You consider everyone a ‘fucking bastard’.”

Silvio: “Yeah, and of all the bastards he’s the worst of them.”

Rio: “Even worse than you?”

Silvio: “Ya damn bastard, what you say? Don’t lump me in that lot, I’m nothing like that.”

Rio: “Hmm, I don’t know. After all these odd jobs you’ve foisted on me, I have a different opinion on the matter.”

Silvio: “Hmph. Guess I should give the good pup his reward now.”

Silvio: “......So, you don’t even remember anything about Emidio?”

Rio’s fingertips twitched.

Silvio: “You must be wanting to know whether or not Emidio is going to be a threat to that woman.”

Silvio: “If that’s what you want to know, there’s faster ways for you to figure that out than hearing it from me.”

Rio: “What are you trying to say, Prince Silvio? I don’t seem to follow.”

There was a large grin on Rio’s face as he piled the huge stacks of letters he had previously categorized in front of Silvio.

Silvio’s expression only grew worse, matching the growing intensity of the falling rain outside.

Silvio: “......Disgusting.”

Silvio: “Were you always that much of a coward?”

Rio: “Well, that’s not very nice. And since when have we been so close?”

Rio: “Or did you forget my name that quickly? It’s Rio Ortiz.”

Silvio: “………”

Rio: “My dream is to be MC’s beloved, and loyal husband. I’m as average as average can get.”

Rio: “I don’t know anything about you or Prince Emidio.”

Rio: “And I plan on keeping it that way. The world you live in is too much for an average guy like me.”

Silvio: “Bullshit!”

Silvio dropped his feet from the table with a heavy thud onto the ground.

His movements were harsh and fast, causing his jewelry to shake much more violently than usual.

Silvio: “It’s like I told you on the night of the Goodwill Gala.”

Rio:”………”

As the smile on Rio’s face dropped into a frown, there was a hint of irritation clouding his ocean blue eyes.

Silvio: “Or maybe you forgot, and need to hear it aga—“

Rio: “I don’t need reminding, or your meddling.”

There was an edge of roughness coloring his voice when he spoke. Like the words were squeezed from his throat.

Rio: “So keep it to yourself. I don’t want to hear it.”

Silvio: “…Bastard.”

Silvio snatched Rio up by his necktie.

However, despite being yanked forward by Silvio‘s aggression, Rio’s gaze never wavered for a second.

Silvio: “I couldn’t give a damn about what happens to you. In fact, I’m thinking I should just kill you now. Do us all a favor.”

Silvio: “But, just seeing someone running with their tail between their legs like a coward makes me want to hurl.”

Rio: “....Then go find a toilet and leave me alone.”

Silvio: “You better watch that mouth, you piece of shit butler.”

Fueled by hatred and contempt for Rio, Silvio shoved him away and sent him stumbling back.

Rio fell into the display case standing nearby, causing the flower vase to tip over and fall to the ground.

The sound of the glass vase hitting the ground rivaled that of lightning shattering through the skies,and the roses inside scattered.

Only to be trampled underfoot without hesitation by Silvio’s foot.

Silvio: “I can’t even stomach looking at you right now.”

Silvio: “I really should just erase your existence right now”

Rio: “......Try me.”

Rio: “I may not have my memories, but I haven’t sunk so low as to get erased by someone like you.”

Silvio: “............”

Rio: “............”

The two of them exchanged a murderous filled glare as they stood over the trampled roses on the ground, neither one looking ready to back down.

Then came a frantic knock from the door moments before it was opened.

MC: “There was a loud noise earlier and–”

MC: “What’s going on!?”

Once my lessons with Sariel ended, I made my way towards the parlor room. However, what I saw when I arrived looked like the scene of a battle.

There was a shattered vase, destroyed flowers, Rio’s clothes were all in disarray and a very irritated Silvio was the bow that tied it all together….

Not even a saint could see this and pretend that nothing had happened. Not when the evidence was this overwhelming.

Rio: “I apologize, Mistress. My clumsiness caused a mess again.”

MC: “Your what?”

Rio came to my side wearing a wry smile.

When I was able to get a closer look at his clothes, I could see what looked like a huge water stain on his uniform.

Rio: “I fell and bumped into the vase, knocking it over.”

Rio: “I wish I could say that’s all I did, but with Prince Silvio’s short temper, he got all angry at me.”

Rio: “He screamed ‘The hell are you doing’, and grabbed my collar.”

MC: “Oh…So that’s why your clothes look like that.”

SIlvio: “........Hmph.”

(Silvio does look pretty angry.)

That was an understatement. He was visibly pissed off, his eyebrows practically touching from his heavy scowl. Silvio then took a seat angrily.

(I get that it was an accident but still…)

I passed my gaze over the trampled roses,and felt pity for their unfortunate fate.

Rio: “Please forgive me for showing such unsightly behavior, Mistress.”

MC: “Don’t apologize. I’m just glad you weren’t hurt.”

(His tie came undone.)

I reached out with the intention of fixing his tie for him, but just before I could touch it, my hands stopped and I froze where I stood.

Rio: “....Mistress?”

(............)

(Is this something that a normal friend would do for eachother?)

The memory of that time I cleaned the dirt from Rio’s face without really thinking about it flashed in my mind. Back then I never even considered the question.

Rio: “Are you alright? You seem troubled?”

I must have looked strange suddenly freezing like I did, and when I came to, Rio’s clear blue eyes were peering down at me.

A burst of sudden heat, stronger than anything I had ever experienced before, rushed through my body and I recoiled in a hurry.

Rio: “Hm…?”

MC: “Ah, sorry. I was just surprised.”

(Why did I do that…)

Silvio: “Oi, quit firtin’ in front of your honored guest.”

(Oh, yeah. I forgot he was here.)

I turned to once again face Silvio, who had gotten comfortable stretching his feet out and reclining back in his seat.

MC: “Please forgive me. Rio told me that you wanted to see me?”

Silvio: “Yeah, I got a little job for you.”

Silvio: “And if you fail, consider our alliance with Rhodolite over.”

(.....no way….)

(Our alliance!?)

The cold rain rolled down my face. 

In my hands I held both a silver sword and a high quality, dark blue outfit covered in mud…

And lastly a small velvet box with a ring inside of it.

Enlaid in the ring’s center was a single large gemstone, and even under this terrible weather, the stone didn’t lose its shine..

I stood frozen as I stared at it. The ring was so strikingly beautiful that I hesitated to even touch it.

It what appeared to be a carriage accident falling from the cliffs, the heavily injured man found in the rubble had left behind a ring——

Looking at this, the realization of what this meant made my hands tremble.

Even now, during all of this time, there was a woman out there somewhere waiting for him to come back. A woman important to him.

I couldn’t let this thread of happiness so long in the making be broken in a place like this. Buried under rubble never to be found again.

Owner: “MC, don’t get too close to that boy.”

I heard the Owner’s voice mixing in with the pouring rain.

?: “MC, don’t let yourself get too involved with him.”

???: “You have a kind heart, so I know you want to take care of him. That kindness of yours is a good thing, really. But—”

???: “You can never, ever give him your heart.”

MC: “What……what do you mean?”

I wasn’t asking just to ask. I really didn’t understand what he meant.

At that time I hadn’t understood the meaning of the Owner’s words, “giving him my heart”.

Owner: “There’s no hidden meaning. It’s just as I said.”

Owner: “He doesn’t have any memories. Without you to help him it will be hard for him to have a life and survive.”

Owner: “To a man, who has lost everything in his life, your existence alone will be a source of light.”

Owner: “Emotions will run deep and attachments will form.”

MC: “...........”

Owner: “You’ll be fine if you two simply remain friends. But if you began to see signs of something more than friendship appearing——”

MC: “You’re over thinking things, Owner.”

In order to shield the ring from the rain, I carefully closed the jewelry box and laughed.

MC: “I hardly even believe it myself anything like that would happen. And let’s say it does happen……”

MC: “I wouldn’t accept or respond to a man who probably has a fiance out there waiting for him.”

Owner: “............”

MC: “Anyway, I’m glad we were able to find it before it was lost for good. This must be something very important to him.”

MC: “I hope he gets his memories back quickly and is reunited.”

The owner remained silent.

His eyes watching me in pity

My head tilted in growing confusion.

Just what was it that had the Owner so worried?

Owner: “Ah, I almost forgot……”

Owner: “You have never known love.”

~~~~End Flashback~~~~

Clavis: “——......My, oh my. Things have gotten interesting.”

The first person to speak after sharing my story was Clavis.

In his enchanting, and alluring golden yellow eyes I saw two words shining in them as clear as day, “pure entertainment”.

Clavis: “So what your saying is that despite Rio already having a fiance, he’s been putting the moves on you this entire time.”

Leon: “But just finding a ring doesn't prove he has a fiancé.”

With Leon still on my left and Clavis on my right, I was still very much trapped between the two of them. Unable to run. And at the mercy of their unwavering stares.

Leon: “Still, calling him irresponsible for trying to seduce you while carrying something so damning on his person only feels right.”

Clavis: “Ahahaha, loyal as he is, never would I have imagined that down bad dog of yours would turn out to be a man unfit for the title of gentleman.”

MC: “....N-no, he’s not like that….it’s that he…Rio, doesn’t know.”

Clavis&Leon: “Hm?”

(Yeah, I’d probably have the same reaction.)

From what I’ve said thus far, it seems almost pointless to hide everything from him.

But there’s more to the story.

MC: “When I found it, of course I wanted to give Rio what I had found in the forest. I wouldn’t keep it from him.”

MC: “Especially since it was a clue to maybe getting a hint on how to have his memories return…”

MC: “However——......”

~~~~Flashback~~~~

Rio: “That’s enough!”

MC: “.....mn…..”

Everything was just tossed onto the floor. A freshly washed and folded jacket, a sword clean of dirt and the small velvet box.

Rio then hugged his knees, curling himself into a ball on the bed as though he hated the simple act of looking at those items.

Rio: “I’m sorry……”

MC: “....It’s alright……”

Rio: “............”

MC: “......But why did you do that?”

I didn’t mind seeing the jacket on the floor. Or even the sword..

But…when the small box hit the floor I felt a sting in my chest. 

Rio: “......I don’t know.”

Rio: “I just felt…disgust.”

MC: “............”

Rio: “Could you hold on to those “things” for me?”

Rio: “There may come a time in the future when I’ll need it but…for now, it’s useless.”

Rio: “I don’t even want to look at it.”

~~~~End Flashback~~~~

MC: “ ——It seems that Rio is afraid of learning more about his own past.”

Leon: “Which makes it hard for you to say anything to bring it up. I see.”

I nodded at Leon’s sidebar.

MC: “I think……Rio hadn’t realized that what was in the box was an engagement ring.”

(Given the situation at the time, it didn’t seem like the best time to tell him.)

(And seeing Rio with such a terrified and frightened look in his eyes. I was so——)

To this day, I was never able to break the ice and talk about it.

When I lowered my eyes sadly, Leon placed his hand on top of my head and began to ruffle my bangs.

Leon: “Now I fully understand why you were trying to make things clear between you two.”

MC: “.........”

Leon: “.....It must be painful.”

MC: “Ng……”

(Hmm, is it?)

The “painful” that Leon seemed to be talking about, didn’t sound like he was referring to the pain of Rio having been ripped apart from his fiance. 

Rather, it sounded like the words were meant for me.

(....But wouldn’t it be weird for me to think that?)

(Yeah, of course it would.)

~~~~Flashback~~~~

Owner: “You…don’t know love.”

~~~~End Flashback~~~~

For some reason, the Owner's words from that night came back to me. Echoing in my mind.

(No, I’m alright……I don’t have any feelings like that. So I’m still ok.)

(I can still say goodbye to him with a smile.) 

It’s not painful

I feel better now

I’ll be sad when he leaves 4+/4+

MC: “I will be sad when we have to say our goodbyes.”

(It doesn’t mean anything serious by thinking it’ll hurt. After all this time it’s normal.)

(I mean…Rio is my friend.)

Though Leon didn’t say anything else afterwards, he simply responded with a bitter smile.

Clavis: “But, I must say. I’m honestly very intrigued.”

Clavis: “Ever since I heard Sariel’s report I had a gut feeling the loyal pup of yours would be harboring an interesting past.”

Clavis: “And now after what you said, my suspicions were just solidified, hahaha!!” 

MC: “.....What do you mean, Sariel’s report?”

Clavis: “Oh? You mean you hadn’t heard?”

Clavis: “It’s necessary for all servants wanting to work in the palace to have an in-depth background check done.”

Clavis: “Your butler was no exception. Sariel used every single connection he had in order to dig up who your friend really was.”

Clavis: “And what was the result? Absolutely nothing. The search was a bust.”

Well that was to be expected since he has amnesia——Is what I wanted to say, but nothing would come out.

Sariel’s investigation would have been different from how I went around town asking.

He was someone who had the position and means to find out how another person lived, their family and personal history, and their social status. 

Yet he didn’t come out with anything.

Leon: “....As long as a person is alive and living, there will always be clues and evidence of such left behind.”

Leon: “And going off of your story, it sounds like Rio is part of the upper class. So it would be double in his case.”

Leon: “It should be easy to trace back a person of nobility. However, everything came up blank.”

MC: “Does that ever happen?”

(There were no traces left behind proving that he ever lived……)

Clavis: “In any case, it isn’t normal.

Leon: “It’s also true that Sariel’s investigation was mainly done within the scope of Rhodolite.”

Leon: “Maybe if we were to expand that search to other countries, we might come up with some other clues.”

Clavis: “For now, the bureaucrats decided he wasn’t a threat to you so they hired him.”

Clavis: “Sounds like a mystery worth solving.”

Clavis: “....Especially one that Sariel couldn’t solve.”

(Somehow, the more I hear….the more worried I get.)

(I’m getting the feeling that, Rio’s secret might actually be something even crazier than I can even imagine——)

Nokto: “——Man, that little secret of yours is really unbelievable.”