[Black Rose Wedding] The Token of Our Promise - Berrien
ā»Note: This translation was done by AI, and I'm not fluent in English, so it may not be 100% accurate and could contain errors.
Episode 1
Note before reading this Butler Story:
This story contains spoilers for the Event Story "Black Rose Wedding." It is recommended that you read up to Episode 13 of the Event Story before proceeding. If you wish to avoid spoilers, please return using the button in the upper left.
ā¦ā¦ā¦
The wedding, which we had prepared alongside the butlers, came to a successful close.
At the request of the bride, Lady Melissa...
It seemed the clean-up would be put off for a little while longer.
"Until then, the Devil Butlers should stay at this mansion as well."
"...No, I want you to stay."
With the client's earnest wish, we ended up spending a few more days at the mansion just like that.
On a night when I found myself wide awake...
I went out into the mansion's garden for a stroll.
Berrien:.................
You:
(Is that... Berrien?)
(He seems a bit down...?)
Berrien: Oh... Master, good evening.
You: Berrien, good evening.
Berrien: What brings you out so late?
Even though it is June, the nights can still be a bit chilly.
Please take good care of yourself.
As Berrien notices me, a gentle smile forms on his face.
While thanking him for his concern...
My gaze is drawn to something he is holding.
You: Is that... a bookmark?
Berrien: Eh? ......Yes.
...Are you curious about this too, Master?
Exactly as you thought, it appears to be a bookmark.
It uses pressed black roses...
And by the looks of it, it seems to be handmade.
You: Where did you get that bookmark?
Berrien: Well... truth be told, I found it in the storage room while setting up the wedding venue.
I couldn't help but feel curious about it...
So I brought it out of the storage room and was gazing at it like this.
You: It looks like an antique, but it's beautiful.
Berrien: Yes......
Although there is some deterioration, you can tell it was crafted with great care.
Speaking with me, Berrien appears no different from his usual self.
Was it just my imagination that he seemed down moments ago?
You: What were you thinking about while holding that bookmark?
Berrien: Eh?
What was I thinking about, you ask...?
No... it is nothing worth mentioning, really.
It is just that the night is so quiet...
I was simply spacing out a little.
You: I see............ You don't have anything troubling you?
Berrien: Hmm, something troubling me...?
Ah, there is one thing...
I suppose it is less of a worry and more of... a bit of a predicament.
Lately, Lord Seldor has been chasing me down every dayā¦ā¦
...No, he has been asking me questions.
He wants to know how to propose.
Lord Seldor is the client for this request...
And he is also the groom of the wedding.
Being incredibly shy, Lord Seldor...
Even now that the wedding is over, seems unable to properly convey his feelings to Lady Melissa once again.
Because of that, even after the ceremony...
It seems he has been seeking romantic advice from the butlers staying at the mansion.
Berrien: I have been answering him in my own way, but...
He tells me things like, "I don't feel the passion in it," or "It's not specific enough," so it hasn't been of much help to him.
That being said, since I have no real experience with proposals myself...
There is only so much I can do.
I spend my days racking my brain...
Wondering if there is any way I can be of assistance to him.
You: I see... That sounds tough.
Is there anything I can do to help solve Berrienās predicament?
You: I'll help you too. Let's think of something together.
Berrien: No, no, please...
While I am grateful for the offer, I cannot trouble you with this, Master.
You: But you are in a tight spot, aren't you?
Berrien: That is...... true, but......
...Heh.
Looking at that face of yours... it seems you have no intention of backing down.
...I understand.
By all means, please lend me your help.
However, it is not my intention to cause you any headaches either, Master.
Therefore...
If you don't mind, would you be willing to evaluate my proposal?
You: Evaluate your proposal?
Berrien: Yes.
With you playing the role of my partner, I will perform a pseudo-proposal.
And I would like you to tell me your impressions of it.
I was troubled because no ideas for a proposal were coming to mind...
But when there is an actual partner in front of me, it is a different story.
I am sure I will be able to think much more concretely than before.
If it makes things easier for Berrien, then that's fine.
Thinking that, I give him my consent.
The flow leading up to the proposal is probably just as important as the proposal itself.
And so...
We decided to practice the entire sequence, from the date all the way to the proposal.
ā The Next Day ā
Dawn broke...
And we immediately headed into town for our date.
Berrien: Hehe...
I look forward to spending the day with you, Master.
Hmm...
Perhaps this title is a bit inappropriate?
Since we are partners today...
In order to better grasp the actual atmosphere...
I shall call you by your name, Y/n-san.
You: Yes, please do.
Perhaps it is because of the "partners" setting...
Or perhaps it is because the "pseudo-proposal" is waiting for us later...
But even though we are just walking side by side, I can't help but feel restless.
Berrien: To be Y/n-san's partner with marriage in mind...
It is truly an honor.
That being said.....
What kind of date do partners who are thinking about marriage actually have?
I wonder if there are parts that differ from a regular date after all?
You: Hmm, differing parts, huh...
Berrien: Yes, for example...
While walking, your imagination might start to expand toward the future.
When you think that a married life is waiting for you...
Naturally, your thoughts would be drawn in that direction.
You might start thinking about a life together with every single thing you see.
Like wanting to drink tea together from this cup...
Or thinking that your partner would love this piece of interior decor.
And as you share those imagined scenarios...
Wouldn't the desire to get married grow even stronger?
You: That's true... That might be the case.
Berrien: Hehe...
It seems like it would be difficult to suppress those buoyant feelings.
In my case...
I feel like that would continue even after marriage.
Not just on dates, but even when I go out alone...
I would probably end up buying souvenirs for my partner every single time.
I might get scolded someday for buying too much.
You: Hehe, you'll have to keep it in moderation.
Berrien: Yes. But as I have mentioned before...
I want to convey my feelings to my partner over and over again.
My gratitude for them being by my side...
And just how immense their presence is within me.
I want to tell them so many times that they might grow tired of hearing it.
For someone precious to wish to be with you...
...And to actually be able to be with that precious person.
That truly is... a miracle-like thing, after all.
āThat is precisely why, as part of conveying my feelings... I feel like I would end up buying souvenirs.ā
As Berrien smiles while saying this...
I sense the same faint shadow I felt last night.
Whether it is loneliness or sadness...
Within his gentle smile, it definitely bled through for a split second.
You:...Did something happen, by any chance?
Berrien: Eh...?
...Hehe, what brought that on so suddenly?
Ah, Y/n-san.
Shall we take a look at that shop over there?
It seems to deal in accessories and interior decor...
It's quite an eye-catching shop, isn't it?
I feel like he just dodged my question...
But I can't press him any further.
As suggested by Berrien, I decide to step inside the shop.
Episode 2
The inside of the shop was packed tightly with various items...
Yet, that cluttered atmosphere felt strangely comforting.
Amidst all this, Berrienās gaze was drawn to...
A row of rings lined up on display.
Berrien:ā¦ā¦ā¦
You: Are you interested in the rings?
Berrien: Ah, well...
I was just thinking that when it comes to a proposal, the ring plays a very important role.
My eyes just wandered over to them without realizing.
You: An engagement ring... That definitely feels like a proposal.
Berrien: Yes... itās wonderful, isn't it?
To give an engagement ring, and for it to be accepted...
It is a promise to walk the same path in life together.
If that promise can take the physical shape of a ring...
I am sure that alone would become a great emotional support for the future.
It was exactly as Berrien said...
The presence of a ring might make the future shine even brighter.
Moreover, a ring gifted by someone precious...
Just holding onto it would remind you of them...
And it could even serve as a protective amulet.
While chatting about such things...
We continued to look around the shop.
Berrien: Hehe, look at this, Y/n-san.
What a lovely single-flower vase.
With such a small size, the types of flowers you could arrange in it might be limited, but...
Small wild flowers found while taking a stroll with your partner...
Could be displayed beautifully in this.
You: That would make taking strolls so much fun.
Berrien: Indeed.
It seems like it would color both of our hearts brightly.
Oh... is this a picture frame?
Hehe, the ornate design is beautiful.
If one were to purchase this frame...
We would have to find a nice painting to display inside it.
Under the pretext of searching for a wonderful painting...
We could plan our next outing together.
Discussing how we would use the things that caught our eyes...
This time spent sparking our imagination...
Was incredibly peaceful, bringing a wave of happiness.
Berrien: Hehe, this is delightful.
"Just holding onto it reminds you of the other person... and serves as a protective amulet."
It seems that doesn't apply only to engagement rings.
The things you looked at together, the items you bought together...
All of those things...
Will surely remind you of the time spent with your partner.
Each and every one of them.....
Will undoubtedly become an irreplaceable treasure.
..........
You:...Berrien...?
The expressions he showed from time to time...
Still felt somewhat different from the usual Berrien.
However... looking into his eyes as he gazed at me so gently and happily...
I quietly swallowed my questions.
ā A little while later ā
After leaving the shop, we continued to enjoy walking around the town.
Before we knew it, the sun began to set...
Feeling a twinge of reluctance to end the day, we returned to the mansion.
And, to mark the grand finale of our date...
We visited the Room of Vows.
(Footsteps echoing...)
Berrien: Hmm...
Coming here at night certainly gives it a distinct atmosphere.
Since there is no one else around but us, it feels even more tranquil.
As he spoke...
Berrien softly turned his gaze toward the altar.
His eyes looked somewhat serious...
Tinged with the same loneliness I had noticed a few times since last night.
Berrien:ā¦ā¦ā¦
You: ...Did something happen after all?
Berrien: Eh...?
You: Youāve seemed a bit down since yesterday.
Berrien: That is......
...I am sorry.
It appears I wasn't able to hide it completely.
If I caused you to worry, I apologize.
You don't need to apologize...
If it's something you can share, I want you to talk to me.
When I said that...
After hesitating for a moment, Berrien pulled something out from his breast pocket.
You: Is that... yesterdayās bookmark?
Berrien: Yes, as I explained yesterday...
I discovered this in the storage room while setting up this venue.
Every time I look at this leaf, I find myself thinking about many things.
...Up until now, in this place...
How many people have had to make life-defining choices here...?
How many have been crushed by a future with no options...
And forced to exchange vows they did not desire...?
I know it is nothing more than uncalled-for meddling on my part, though.
You: Why would you think that...?
Is it... not just a normal bookmark?
Berrien: ...Last night, I only showed you the front side, but...
This bookmark has a special inscription on the back as well.
The name of a certain lady, and...
The name of a past lord of this house.
The two names...
Are written side by side, as if holding each other close.
Curiosity got the better of me, so I did a little research...
The wife of the lord written here turned out to be a different name.
You: That means......
Berrien:......"I must not make wild speculations."
Thinking that, I tried to banish it from my mind.
But no matter what...
Once the imagination took root, it wouldn't leave my head.
...Was it a love forbidden by social status, forcing them to part ways...?
I couldn't help but wonder.
Black roses carry meanings such as...
"Eternity" and "A love that will never perish."
Perhaps he infused those unforgettable feelings into this black rose bookmark...
And married another partner for the sake of his family.
...Or so I imagine.
My imagination might be a bit too vivid, though.
Berrien stared intently at me with a sorrowful look on his face.
Unable to find any words to say...
I recalled his somewhat lonely demeanor throughout the day.
Berrien:...Y/n-san, you are precious to me.
I am certain... I will never be able to forget you for the rest of my life.
The time we spent together, the scenery we looked at...
All of it......... will remind me of you.
With someone so deeply important to me...
How could I ever bear to be separated?
Even if our statuses differ and we are fated to never be together...
There is no way I could ever accept that destiny.
If it is for the sake of spending my life with you...
I would do absolutely anything.
ā¦To say "Therefore,"...
I know it is a selfish wish.
But I want you, too...
To choose a future with me over anything else.
If you would do that for me...
I will make you happier than any other future ever could.
Berrienās words were powerful...
Yet... I could also sense a hint of hesitation somewhere within them.
Surely, Berrien...
Is hesitating to change someone else's life for his own sake.
He has continued to sacrifice himself for so long...
Because he is just that kind, yet strict with himself.
As these thoughts crossed my mind...
Before I knew it, I was squeezing his hand tightly.
Berrien:...Y/n-san...?
You:...Itās okay, Berrien.
Berrien: Eh...?
You: Your "selfish wish"... let me hear more of it.
Berrien: That is......
...Hehe...
Thank you very much.
As Berrien said this...
He pulled a box from his pocket......... and then, produced a ring.
Berrien: This ring... won't you allow me to place it on your finger?
Our promise for the future...
Please, let it take a physical form.
And every time you look at this ring...
I want you to remember me.
Within his gentleness, I felt a powerful resolve...
Berrienās eyes captured mine and wouldn't let go.
I simply nodded, slowly and deeply.
Berrien: Thank you... Well then......
By Berrienās hand, the ring was slipped onto the ring finger of my left hand.
It happened in just a fleeting moment, yet it felt strangely long.
Berrien:...Hehe.
How was my proposal?
Going as far as preparing a ring...
For a pseudo-proposal, it might have been a bit too much.
You: But... it was incredibly wonderful.
Berrien: Thank you.
Hearing you say that relieves me.
Initially, I planned to go ahead without a ring, but...
I wanted to properly convey my feelings...
So I secretly purchased it during the day.
...The vow just now was strictly a pseudo-proposal...
However, there is absolutely no falsehood in the feelings I put into it.
You: Was all of it... your true feelings?
To my question, Berrien did not nod...
Instead, he simply smiled gently.
Berrien:...I give that ring to you, Master.
As a memory of the day we spent together...
I would be delighted if you would cherish it.
In the light radiating from the ring...
I recalled the exact moment it was slipped onto my ring finger earlier.
The memory, which could never be forgotten...
Was etched even more vividly into my heart, alongside the ring that remained in my hand.
