automail junkie x alchemy nerd

Chevalier’s POV

Chevalier’s office

Rio: Excuse me! King Chevalier!

(Another noisy person came)

It’s been a few days since i decided to have an engagement ceremony with MC

And the butler, who came without warning, did not hide his displeased face.

Chev: State your business,briefly

Rio: Is it true that you did not propose to MC ?

(I was wondering what it was he wanted to say but….)

Chev: It's unnecessary.

I answered him without taking my eyes off the documents in front of me.

Chev: If that's all you have to say leave.

Rio: No way!! it's not unnecessary!!

The butler banged his hand on the desk and several papers flew off the desk.

There is no other dog who would dare to speak like that to the king who was previously known as the brutal beast.

Rio: Listen, King chevalier! you might think you are conveying your love properly to MC but….

Rio: But i dont think MC really understands your love!

(I never thought of that)

I looked up from the documents.

Rio: Propose to MC right now!

Chev: It’s none of your business

Rio: Even if you say that, MC is my friend and master!! I-

Rio: Eh….?

I took a small box from the desk drawer and the butler interrupted himself.

Chev: That's why I said it was not your business.

Rio: Huh? but you just said it was unnecessary.

Chev: Yes, it is in fact unnecessary.

Chev: ……But it will make MC happy.

Rio: ……!

Rio: I’m so sorry.

The butler picks up the papers from the floor and arrange them back on the desk.

(You know a lot about MC but so do I)

An official engagement was something I wanted for a while.

If I give her the ring, those feelings would be conveyed without a doubt.

Back to the throne room

I took out of my cape the engagement ring I had specially prepared for MC since a long time ago.

The truth is, I did not ask to get engaged to her in order to have her attend the festival ceremony.

I asked her to attend the festival ceremony in order to be able to ask her to get engaged to me.

TN : He means he used the festival ceremony as an excuse to get engaged to her and not the other way around.

(You have learned and matured enough. It was the right time.)

The festival ceremony was a very good excuse. 

But the Butler was right. Mc does not really understand my love.

(That simpleton…..)

I took the ring out of the small box and kneeled down in front of the throne where MC was still sitting.

MC: Chevalier!! It’s wrong!!

Chev: What is?

MC: The king should not kneel down!!

Chev: When showing respect, it does not matter whether I am a King or not.

Chev: Regardless, I will never kneel down in front of anyone but you, for the rest of my life.

I understand that being King is a position where you should never get down on your knees.

But I am not doing this as a King but as a human being.

I took MC’s hand and put the ring on her ring finger.

The ring had a small diamond embedded in a rose pedestal and was specifically made for her.

MC: Thank you so much.

(You look like you want to say something else but a thank you is enough for me.)

I wrapped her slightly trembling hand in mine, carefully not to crush it.

Chev: Don’t ever misinterpret my actions again.

MC: Yes!

MC: I still want to be the kind of woman you would be proud of.

MC: But I want you to remember that it’s all because I purely and simply love you.

Chev: …..

MC: I've always loved you. Now and forever.

MC rose slightly from the throne to drop a kiss on my lips.

Chev: That’s fine.

Maybe it’s because she’s been working so hard in order to stand next to the King

but sometimes MC puts public affairs before her personal feelings

(But i hope you will sometime put your feelings first

and remember who you are being loved by.)

The day of the engagement ceremony, the sky was clear as if it was giving us its blessing

Clavis: Chevalier, are you there ?

But the second this person entered the chapel, the sky became cloudy

Chev: I knew you’d come anyways

The engagement ceremony was made simple, with only me, MC and the witness.

It is established that the witness should be a person of similar rank to the people getting engaged.

Well…..I don’t mind letting Clavis by our witness.

First the butler, then my stupid brother…..apparently many people want to talk to me.

Clavis: To think that you would specially wear a tuxedo just for today.

Chevalier: …….

Clavis: Haha, It seems you love MC so much you can’t help it!

Clavis: That's very impressive coming from you who used to not care about anyone’s feelings.

He let out a long sight and sat on the chair.

FLASHBACK FROM CHEVALIER’S ROUTE WHEN HE TELLS HER LOVE IS UNNECESSARY FOR A KING. I SKIP CAUSE ME LAZY.

Certainly I have grown up as a person since those days.

This engagement ceremony itself is a symbol of that.

As i was ignoring the incessant rambling of my idiotic brother, the chapel door opened.

I saw her trying on that dress before but now that she’s wearing it officially it looks so different.

There was only one word in my mind to describe MC at that moment, she was like a diamond.

MC was dressed in a pure white engagement dress,

Her every gesture was refined to the point where the owner was as elegant as the dress.

The way she walked, the way she stood and most importantly the expression on her face….. It was all so beautiful I could not take my eyes away from her.

(I always thought you were like a raw gem that would shine after getting polished)

(But now that gem has become so beautiful that I couldn't help but admire it.)

Clavis: Ah! you're here at last! I was waiting for you!

MC: Eh? Clavis? Why are you here?

Clavis: That's not important right now!

Chev: …….

(She’s wondering why I am wearing a tuxedo.)

Chev: Since you're wearing an engagement dress I need to wear the tuxedo to match it.

MC: You look so good, I can't take my eyes off you.

Chev: ….. 

(That’s my line.)

Chev: Ridiculous….

Clavis: This is when you should say “MC, you're prettier! I m so in love with you my heart aches”!

Unexpectedly, my foolish brother was able to read my heart.

If I think of this as the result of me getting closer to other people, it is not a bad thing.

MC: Don’t tell me, Clavis, you are our witness?

Clavis: Yes, since my brother wants me to do it, I can not refuse.

Chev: Glasses must be struggling inside Clavis’s trap by now….

(As long as we have a witness, the engagement will be official even without Glasses)

TN: It means Sariel was supposed to be the witness but Clavis trapped him and came instead.

I took MC’s hand and led her toward the Altar.

There, on the wood table, the engagement pledge was waiting for us.

Clavis: An engagement ceremony is an event where you should express your love.

Clavis: Chevalier, you're usually shy but at times like this you should tell MC how you feel.

(I knew he had a silly reason for suddenly wanting to be our witness….)

Clavis, just like that butler, wants me to confess my love to MC.

(This is not worth listening to…)

Chev: After you put your name on this document you will officially be my fiancee.

Clavis: Hey….

Ignoring my brother's ridiculous words, I signed my name on the document.

I gave the pen to MC, and she signed her name right next to mine in neat handwriting.

The engagement ceremony’s whole purpose is signing the document,

but for MC who had an expression mixed between happiness and tension

It was worth having this engagement ceremony.

TN: He meant that they could have just signed the document in his office as long as they had a witness but he organized the ceremony just for MC.

Clavis: The whole thing is out of order….

Chevalier: It’s not the format that matters, it's the content

After signing the pledge….

I grabbed MC by the waist and kissed her defenseless lips.

The kiss is supposed to seal the words of the pledge.

But the kiss i gave her was not to seal mere words but to express my feelings for MC

With the hope that MC will keep on loving me now and forever.

Clavis: Wait a minute!!

The moment the kiss ended, Clavis expressed his disappointment

Clavis: Don’t tell me this little kiss was meant to say “I love you.”!!

Chev: Is that a problem?

TN: Gosh MC is so silent and passive here to the point that I feel that this is Clavis and Chev engagement ceremony rather than Chev and MC.

Clavis: Yes! There is a big problem!! Why do you think MC dressed up so beautifully!?

Clavis: It was to hear you say those words!!

Chev: ……..

MC: I already received a lot of Love for him.

MC: Chevalier always expresses his love through his attitude and actions.

Clavis: You should be more selfish and demanding! Don’t spoil him too much!

Clavis: There is no such thing as “you don’t have to tell me, i know”. There is meaning in hearing those words.

Clavis: Emotions take shape when they are expressed in words.

Clavis: You won’t be able to truly understand my brother’s feelings unless he tells you.

At that, he gave me a meaningful look.

Back when I almost threw away my humanity, Clavis was the one who kept me a little bit human.

Clavis: Chevalier, people cannot read minds as well as you do. Don’t just depend on MC to understand you.

To think he would scold me….

Unfortunately for me, Clavis is a better human being than me.

He often hides his true feelings behind a suspicious smile but….

What he said just now…..I don’t think it was just to tease me.

It’s not logical at all…..but somehow he was right.

I thought I had proposed properly but….

But now that i think of it, i haven’t said any words to convey my love.

So normal people may not consider that a proper proposal.

Clavis: So, you know, you should say “I love you”!

Chev: Ridiculous. Let’s go.

I pulled MC by the hand and walked out of the chapel.

AT THE GARDEN

Chev: ……..

MC: ……..

Chev: You had some expectations, right?

MC’s shoulder jumped slightly

As expected, it seems MC wants to hear those words.

MC: That’s not it.

MC: You have already given me enough.

(But……that does not seem to be enough)

I have never felt the need to put my feelings into words

I was convinced that people understood me even without me doing such a thing.

because the beast did not need words in the first place.

But if a person’s feelings take shape with words then….

there is no point sealing that oath unless i put it into words.

TN: He means the oath on the engagement pledge

MC: Anyways, the festival ceremony will start soon. I’ll go change my dress.

MC let go of my hand and tried to return to the palace first.

Almost unconsciously, I grabbed her hand and stopped her from leaving.

Chev: MC…..

The words that came out of my mouth next were sweeter than I thought.

MC: Chevalier?

(Today is a special day so….)

Chev: You said that you were sad that you could only wear this dress once.

Chev: I’ll organize an engagement party so wear it again there and show it off to everyone.

Chev: you're worth showing off……Since even the dazzling roses look hazy and dull next to you.

As I reveal bit by bit the content of my heart, surprise and joy paint MC’s beautiful face.

Chev: And…..

I pull her into my arms.

I put my lips to her ear and her skin turned bright red.

Chev: Now and forever, i will keep on loving you.

Chev: Because I, whom you loved and believed in, does not think love is unnecessary.

MC: Chevalier…..

Chev: Keep on loving me…..now and forever.

MC: Ah!

(Now that I think of it, I never said it clearly.)

(Ah, but it’s not bad to put it into words from time to time.)

I let go of MC’s red and shocked body and began to walk

But….i can already guess MC’s next move.

MC: Chevalier!!!

MC chased after me and held me back by the hand.

Then she stood up on her tip toes and landed a kiss on my cheek.

(As I expected….)

It surprisingly felt good….being able to express my feelings in this way.

MC: I will also always always love you!!

Chevalier: Indeed.

She grabbed my face and gave me a way deeper kiss than the little peck she just gave me.

(You are my one and only.)

Royal palace balcony, Festival ceremony

People’s cheer can be heard from below.

I looked down from the balcony with a panoramic view of the city, and MC stood next to me.

For the year when I was king and MC was gone, I stood here alone listening to the cheer of these people.

But now it's different.

Right now, MC is next to me. And she will keep being by my side, always.

Now that she was officially my fiancee, I felt a stronger connection to her than ever before.

The simple engagement ceremony will last forever.

Suddenly, I glanced toward MC.

She was slightly nervous but when our eyes met she smiled at me.

She was standing in front of the people and was acknowledged as the King’s woman.

Even after understanding the heavy burden she now carried, she was smiling.

(Even at times like these, you look happy)

(You really are…..foolish)

I think it is fine to give her more responsibilities from now on.

Of course, i will not give her just responsibilities

I’ll also give her a lot of love.

Chev: Be proud. You are the only woman I've ever acknowledged.

MC: Yes!

With a big smile, MC grabs my hand discreetly so that the people won’t see her.

I squeezed her hand tightly.

This is not the end. It’s only the beginning.

The love story that will be told for generations to come is only starting a new chapter.

THE END.

Part 1 / Part 2

I might also translate Clavis's story (Clavis story is very special so i m thinking of getting the epilogue because its their first time.)

So. We begin the story with a flashforward. Chevalier is alone in Emma's bookshop. The store is closed but there is a crying child behind him and he has no idea what to do because

Chevalier

Anyway

We go back a few steps to the start of the day (usually these stories work like a tv soap opera). We see Chevalier helping Emma with her shopping. He picks up stuff she forgets to get because he has read the recipes she intends to follow and lists she has made.

My love

As they are getting ready to leave a little boy bumps into him. He be like

Child: oh so sorry. I didn't see you there *smiles*

Child: *looks up at Chevalier*

Child: *cries*

Chevalier:

He's so tired of this shit and it shows.

Anyway. The kid's mother is Emma's friend. Emma tries to comfort him thinking the kid is hurt but he's like "no no THAT'S not why I'm crying"

See...this is why I don't like kids. Poor Chevalier. What did he even do to deserve this?

Anyway, the kid stops crying slightly and Chevalier finds it a good idea to try and comfort the little sh** but fails miserably and gets (for the first time in his life probably) the award of

At least you tried

The child starts crying again so Emma picks him up and rubs his back and magically the kid stops once more. I honestly don't know what magic power is this

This must-have happened so many goddamn times to him for him to say that.

Chevalier feels he is not needed, even more so that he is getting in the way, given the child's reactions. He turns to leave but Emma's voice stops him. Just then, the mother shows up. She is very thankful for her son being safe (he has a name but I didn't care enough to remember it) and she starts talking with Emma. She notices Chevalier and she sorta tries to hide her own version of the usual reaction people have to the man and asks Emma about him. Emma blushes and says that he is her "lover" (that word sounds so dirty even when it's true) in a "shy but delighted tone".

Chevalier kinda disappears then as Emma chats with her friend. But

Plot twist

The mother starts coughing. She claims that it could be the stress and tiredness of work and says she should be ok since today she would rest.

Emma is worried of course and urges the woman to see a doctor. But, wHaT dO wE dO wItH tHe KiD?

Chevalier actually volunteers to "see to the kid". I mean, I knew they had to either ask him or have him volunteer and asking him would be kinda cruel....but still. Guys, he volunteered to take care of a kid. He knows he sucks in that even though it's not his fault. It's not that he isn't responsible he's just...Chevalier. And the mother ACCEPTS. I mean, I'm not a mom but I would not entrust my kid to my friend's boyfriend whom I met 2 minutes ago even if I was dying.

But anyway. Emma suggests to Chevalier to use her bookstore since it was close and closed for the holidays. Cliff (the kid) cries and asks to go with his mother but she herself tells him to stay with Chevalier. After Emma insists, saying she will lead his mom to the doctor and come right to fetch him, Cliff agrees to go with Chev.

Next, we see the two, they are at the bookstore. Cliff impatiently waits near the door, his tearful eyes locked on the door. Chevalier keeps thinking that he needs to take care of him until Emma returns (oh sweetie). Taking care of children, however, is 'not something he is used to be doing'.

Chevalier, being his usual self, trailed his fingers among the bookshelves until they found a book that interested them, He sat back on a chair and focused his eyes on the freshly printed pages. Cliff, finally freed by the prince's unintentionally icy gaze, ceased crying.

Chevalier feels the boy's stare on him. He does not mind really, he is used to people's gaze lingering on him behind his back. But since he and Cliff are alone, he tells him, "If you have something to say, say it". He raised his eyes from the pages to meet the boy's. But as always his concern was met with a silent scream and some newly formed tears. "I'm used to this kind of reactions", Chevalier thinks to himself, "It doesn't feel unreasonable at this point".

"What should I do?", finally the boy addresses him.

"You just have to like me", Chevalier responds.

Chevalier returned to his book. Cliff took a few hesitant steps toward him until he sat on the chair opposite his. Chevalier is being very careful of his movements. He admits himself this is the first time he's been alone in the same space with a child.

(Premium End)

The sight of the crying child in front of him overlapped with his memories of his brothers. The "flashy and sloppy clowns" were scared of him, even if he merely passed them by. Chevalier followed the thread of his memory and gave out a little nosy laugh. At that time, he realised that Cliff's eyes had focused on the book Chevalier had opened in his hand.

"Are you interested in books?", the prince asks

"Yes...Emma loves books", the boy responded

And with that Chevalier handed the book over. Cliff scrambled between the pages but at last, he murmured, "Unreadable".

Probably, thought Chevalier.

"I can't read it", the boy repeated and asked for his mother.

"Even if I tell you I can't read it, there is no mother or Emma here to help you with it"

The boy's eyes watered again at Chevalier's words but, to his surprise, Cliff furrowed his eyebrows and kept the tears from falling.

"I want you to read it, Mr Schurier" (Yes he actually called him that)

It is Chevalier, the prince corrected the boy in his mind and oh boy I can feel the frustration but he is handling it so very well.

He stretched his hand towards Cliff. "Give it here", he said and the boy obeyed. "Once you dive into the world of books, the ocean in there is endless"

"What is an ocean?", the boy wonders (or so I think )

"It's like a big sea"

"The sea is bigger than the lake, isn't it?"

Chevalier is amused by the child's questions.

"I wanna see it", Cliff says excitedly.

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here in the context because Chevalier then tells him that "Words are imperfect. People are influenced more by their loved ones than by books" and that's just so much character growth right there.

"What do you mean?", the child wonders again

"To inspire people and change the way they think and live"

Chevalier answered the boy's questions as they followed each word he did not understand. Cliff faced difficulty understanding the story, it's true. But he did not give up on trying to. He explained that struggle to the prince.

"You probably are interested in books because Emma loves them so", Chevalier said, "That's inspiration"

Chevalier and Cliff continued reading the book until the latter grew restless of waiting.

"Are you tired of this book?", Chevalier asked

"I'm not bored...", the boy shook in his chair

Chevalier's perception was not the one to falter. He knew there would be many books that were of no interest to children and, according to his words, "there was no point in reading something to Cliff that the boy himself was not interested into"

The prince looked around and finally spotted one very particular book. His eyes widened as he read the title. Cliff seemed to recognise it too as he leapt forwards once Chevalier took it out of the shelf.

"Oh! Emma said she liked that one!", the child cried joyously.

"I know", said the prince.

"Why do you know her favourite book?"

Apparently, any rumour about Chevalier and Emma's relationship hadn't reached the child's ears.

"Because I'm her lover", Chevalier said plainly and without hesitation or shame (no filter around kids I love him but so many goddamn people would hate him)

He turned to face the child's eyes and the boy flinched. Cliff still seemed to be scared of him but he at least was not crying. Chevalier honestly thought he would. Has he gotten used to me, he wondered.

"No one is good", Chevalier began, his words trailing onto a thought of how Emma was and how she made him better. (I think)

Her calm appearance soothed the tension around him and her light chased away the fearful gazes that had plagued him all his life. And even though he knew it was unnecessary, Chevalier offered to watch this child for her. Emma loved him for the person he was and always urged the world to see him as something other than an object of fear.

And as the sun started to set the door to the store opened, an out-of-breath Emma rushing inside.

"Sorry, Chevalier, for being late-", she began but cut her sentence short as she was met with the sight of Cliff sleeping soundly on Chevalier's lap. Her lips curved into a smile.

"Thank you for taking care of Cliff", she whispered but the child still groaned and opened his little eyes.

"Oh, Emma-chan, welcome back!", he beamed.

"I'm home. Sorry I'm late", she gave him a bright soothing smile.

"It's okay. We read a lot of books", the child's face darkened before he spoke his next sentence, "Is mom ok? Is she sick?"

"She's just a little tired from work", Emma's voice continued calmly, "the doctor told her to rest tomorrow, and she's at home sleeping now."

"I want to see mom"

"Then let's go together", Emma gave Cliff her hand.

Soon after he took it however, Cliff looked back. "Thank you Mr Schurier for reading me the book"

Chevalier did not answer but he thought to himself, the day has come when children thank you.

The day progressed into the night, and soon Emma and Chevalier were heading back to the palace. The indigo colour of the sky revealed the glimmering stars that hid during the day.

"Chevalier", Emma called as they got to the prince's room. "Thank you very much for today.", she continued, "I was so happy to see Cliff with you. I'm so sorry If you feel like I forced you into it"

{

"You really think you did that?"

Emma nodded. Chevalier admitted to himself she had been the trigger, but the decision was made by him and him alone.

"Did I do something I didn't want?", Chevalier pointed out.

Emma was rendered speechless for a moment. When she regained her words she smiled and said, "I am even happier to hear you say that"

It was clear to Chevalier how Emma's expression's filled his heart with warmth. Her smile was enough to make his emotions threaten his body to overflow with them.

}

(this part right above I am not certain I forwarded well)

(Also 18+ after this I guess)

"Chevalier", Emma said, "Would you like to have a tea party tomorrow?"

"To thank me for taking care of the child?", Chevalier, as usual, read the reason for her request on her face.

"Yes. You wouldn't like that?"

Chevalier said nothing. It seemed awkward to be thanked with tea and scones. He took hold of Emma's wrist and pulled her onto his lap, before sealing her lips with his in a long kiss that left her leaning her head on his chest.

"And wait until tomorrow?", Chevalier said, "If you desire to give me thanks then give it now. Give me yourself"

Emma's cheeks went wine red, but she did not take long to answer, "You have me"

He was surprised how easily his composure could had wavered just because of those words. Speaking of things that had changed...these were a few. Just a few small changes every day came upon him but he felt them in all their might. He brought his hands around Emma's body and embraced her close to his, her lips curving upwards in happiness.

And here is a snippet of the epilogue preview I had no diamonds to buy but Chevalier says "No, you are better at this" and I just had to keep it.