#ikeprince jp

The final dinner of the year finally came to a close.

The main character is a gluttonous prince.

The dinner party, which began in the kitchen in the morning with an extraordinary amount of food, was a success,

Before we even get to the main course, there's a disconcerting turn of events一

Gilbert: "I'm hungry."

Clavis: "Lord Gilbert, what were you doing a few seconds ago?"

Gilbert: "I was eating the food that the little bunny had cooked for me."

Clavis: "And?"

Gilbert: "I'm hungry."

Licht: "It's abnormal."

Clavis: "It must have been absorbed into another space, not the stomach. Next time I'll refer you to a good doctor."

Gilbert: "Thanks for your concern."

Gilbert: "Waiter, bring me more food."

Licht: "It's impossible."

Clavis: "Emma is not a superhuman. She's working hard to finish a dish for you."

Gilbert: "You don't have to elaborate that much, though."

Gilbert: "In general, it's a terrible miscalculation not to have the little bunny at the dinner party."

Clavis: "You have us instead."

Gilbert: "Do you really think you can take the place of the little bunny?"

Licht: "I'm... offended by the way you said that."

Clavis: "Well, well, well. I'm just the entertainment guy for when the guests are bored. You're up, Yves, Luke."

Yves: "We've been playing this for a while now!?"

Luke: "Don't you hear the violin and the harpsichord? Listen."

Gilbert: "Thank you for your wonderful performance, but I got bored."

Yves & Luke: "Can I go back now?" | "Can I go now?"

Clavis: "Wait a minute, boys, it's not fair to expect Emma to take on this beast by herself..."

Clavis: "Besides, I've already set up traps to prevent you from escaping from this room."

Clavis: "If that's okay with you, you can go back. Hahaha!"

Luke: "Screw you."

Clavis: "But I am at a loss. Lord Gilbert seems to want other pleasures."

Clavis: "I have no choice. I guess this is my moment to show off."

Gilbert: "Oh, yeah!"

Clavis: "Can you at least hear me out?"

Gilbert: "I've got a good idea."

Luke: "I don’t think there’s any proof that your good ideas were good things." **

Yves: "Lord Gilbert, where are you going?"

Gilbert: "Of course, I'll go to the little bunny."

══════════════════

Emma: "一So, what brings you all to the kitchen?"

Emma: "And as for Prince Gilbert, he had a knife and fork in his hand."

Licht: "I don't suppose you're going to... eat every last bit of the finished product?"

Gilbert: "Correct."

Licht: "That's gruesome." // "That's pungent." **

Gilbert: "If we eat here, the waiters won't have to carry the food, and you can watch the little bunny, right?"

Gilbert: "It's good for everyone."

Yves: "The pressure on Emma is not half as great as it should be..."

Gilbert: "I'm surprised so many of them haven't been brought in yet."

Emma: "It's not ready yet! All the seasoning and decorations are incomplete一"

Gilbert: "Well, I'll have some."

Emma: "Aaaahh!? Seriously, Prince Gilbert, don't eat it!"

Clavis: "It's not good. If the Appetite Monster comes into its own, all the food and ingredients in this place will be lost."

Emma: "Please, please stop!"

Licht: "I get it."

Yves: "Whoaaaaah! Licht, don't pull out your sword! Your big brother won't allow you to stop him like that!"

Luke: "Then I'll hit him一"

Yves: "Are you crazy? We're dealing with a prince of a great nation! There's going to be a war!"

Clavis: "Well, then, I guess my一"

Emma: "Please don't do that!"

Clavis: "… Why can't people just let me say it all?"

Gilbert: "Mmm... it's delicious."

Emma: "Prince Gilbert... that's not… in good taste."

Emma: "... I've made it this far, but it's terrible."

Yves: "Emma... I know how you feel. The pain of having a delicious meal ruined in the process..."

Yves: "I get screwed over by Jin and Leon from time to time, so I know what it's like."

Licht: "… That's right."

Luke: "To see Emma so devastated and you keep eating, that's not human behavior."

Clavis: "He's a monster."

Luke: "… All right, Clavis, Licht. Gather all the ingredients in the kitchen."

Licht: "Why?"

Luke: "While you stall for time with the ingredients, Yves and I will help Emma finish up."

Luke: "Otherwise, Emma will go through the year with a lot of regret."

Emma: "Luke…"

Yves: "I agree. It's too early to give up!"

Licht: "Understood. Let’s do it, Clavis."

Clavis: "I agree. We need to get rid of the monster and bring in a happy new year for everyone."

Luke: "Hey, I brought you some food."

Luke: "You should be thankful that I put a bear and honey on the base that Emma was building." // "You should be grateful that I put the bear and the honeycomb on the foundation that Emma was building."

Gilbert: "Yes, yes, thank you."

Clavis: "Phew, I got one for you too."

Yves: "Hey, isn't Clavis in charge of the ingredients?"

Clavis: "I'm not going to be able to do everything I'm capable of if I'm just carrying food."

Clavis: "So I decided to switch to helping Emma in the middle of the process."

Licht: "… Unnecessary." **

Clavis: "Look at this adorable tiger, Emma was working on it, and I finished it?" // "Look at this adorable tiger! I finished what Emma was partially working on?"

Emma: "Ah! When did you...?"

Yves: "Is there something hanging out of that tiger's mouth?"

Clavis: "It's a delicious sauce."

Licht: "What's that stuck in its head?"

Clavis: "It's just a decoration."

Licht: "… With a high murderous intent…"

Gilbert: "Leave it for me, I'll eat it later."

Yves: "… I honestly respect Lord Gilbert for not being intimidated by the food arranged by Clavis."

Gilbert: "And by the way, little bunny, you really are a genius."

Gilbert: "The food here is good, and it's cute."

Gilbert: "Hey, how would you like to be my personal chef? I'll give you a great deal at Obsidian."

Emma: "I am honored, but I must decline."

Gilbert: "Too bad."

Gilbert: "It looks like I failed to recruit you, so let's have this little rabbit here heal me."

Emma: "Eh."

Gilbert: "Sugar Candy Story."

Luke: "It's confusing."

Gilbert: "Hehe… This little rabbit looks delicious."

Gilbert: "I'll taste every bit of it, chew it up so it won't go anywhere, and keep it in my stomach to cherish for a long time一"

Luke: "… Don't say anything meaningful. Emma's pulling back." // "… Don't say anything meaningful. I think Emma is the one who pulled it off."

Emma: "I'm not pulling away. It just hurts to imagine…"

Clavis: "Lord Gilbert, this tiger cake is delicious, too. Come on, it's time for cannibalism."

the cake with spicy sauce

Yves: "… Clavis wants to feed you whatever he wants."

Licht: "I don't care if Lord Gilbert eats it."

Gilbert: "By the way, I like it spicy and sweet."

Clavis: "What…"

Gilbert: "I'll taste it for you."

Emma: "Ah!"

Luke: "What's up?"

Emma: "Now... Now all the dishes are done!"

Luke: "Oh, you did great, Emma."

Licht: "Somehow we managed to stop the monster."

Yves: "Licht, you're dealing with a guest of honor, right?"

Clavis: "Then we'll carry it out of the kitchen."

Gilbert: "Well, I don't mind if I stay."

Luke: "It's only natural that you respect the food Emma made."

Luke: "It's not something you can eat in the kitchen."

Luke: "You move, or I'll carry you. Or do you want me to carry you?"

Gilbert: "… I used to be the one carrying you."

Luke: "Shut up." // "It’s so noisy."

Gilbert: "Luke has a point. Fine, I'll take you back to the venue."

Emma: "… Hehe."

Yves: "What's wrong?"

Emma: "I thought it would be more fun to do the preparation together than to do it alone."

Clavis: "Haha, of course. Good thing you sent me a distress signal early, huh?"

Emma: "That's not the only thing."

Clavis: "Oops, that smile is so sweet..."

Gilbert: "If the little bunny laughed like that, then I guess I was right to get into the kitchen." // "If the little bunny smiled, then I made the right decision to get into the kitchen."

Luke: "… You're just talking about consequences, aren't you?"

Licht: "The dinner is just the beginning."

Emma: "I agree."

Emma: "Let's end this year with a smile!"

Emma: “Prince Silvio, would you like to exchange diaries?”

Silvio: “Ha?”

We were chillin’ out in bed after taking a bath together when Emma suddenly proposed an unexpected idea.

Emma: “We’ll show each other our diaries.”

Silvio: “Who would do something so embarrassing? I ain’t gonna do it.”

Emma: “You really think it’s embarrassing? Your voyage log is in a book, you know?”

Silvio: “Those two are different things. I won’t do it even if you ask me to.”

(Her head is really full of such fantasies.)

Emma: “Fine.”

Not expecting me to disagree, she easily backed down.

Emma: “Then, it’s okay if I send you my diary alone, right?”

Silvio: “What’s your goal here?”

Emma: “It’s a secret.”

(I don’t get it.)

I could tell she was up to something, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

(Never mind. If she’s satisfied with it, fine.)

Silvio: “You’re going to send it anyway, aren’t you? Fine, I'll go along with it.”

Emma: “Thank you!”

She giggled and hugged me around the waist.

(I don’t really get how women think.)

Just like what she said, from that day on, she really did send me her diary.

Today I holed up in the castle's library to learn about the history and transition of Benitoite.

I've always known that the country is famous for its sea and trade. However, it was Prince Silvio's voyages that gave Benitoite the edge over other countries.

He had three major voyages in the past.

All of them were his greatest achievements that had already been compiled in history books.

My fiancée was really cool. I couldn't help but fall in love with him even more as I read about him in history books.

But what he achieved so far was not limited to voyages.

I'd like to know everything about him.

I might fall in love with him each time and suddenly want to hug him, but I hope he forgives me then.

(........)

(How can you write something so cringy?)

After reading her diary during my break, I closed it, and for some reason, my face wouldn't stop blushing.

It was so embarrassing that I almost jumped into the water but resisted and just ruffled my hair.

(But what's in it for her by giving it to me?)

(It's not like she has anything special to tell me. If anything, it just makes me feel good.)

(This is like a love letter now. Ah, damn it.)

It was sickening as a trader to benefit from the diary alone because the principle in business is fair trade.

Receiving Emma’s diary alone wasn’t fair.

(If she's only giving this to make me write a diary, then that's quite impressive.)

She might be a sassy woman, but I didn’t think she would use this kind of tactic.

(No point dwelling on it. I just have to ask her.)

Silvio: “Why do you want to exchange diaries?”

As soon as I finished my official duties, I stormed into her room and blurted out these words.

She was apparently studying hard, with a stack of history books on her desk.

She widened her eyes at my sudden visit, but stopped writing.

Emma: “I heard a rumor that you might be going on a voyage soon.”

(You already heard about it, huh?)

It was just a minor voyage一one that would leave the castle empty for a few days. But despite knowing this, Emma didn’t look too happy.

Emma: “This is the first time I’m going to be separated from you here in Benitoite.”

Emma: "I know you often go sailing, and there'll be times when we won't be able to see each other in the future, so I thought if I wrote a diary, I'd miss you a little less."

Silvio: "I see..."

I ended up clutching my head and grunting.

(If that's the case, you should've said so from the start. Why can't you do something as cute as this?)

Silvio: "It wouldn't make sense if you were the only one writing the diary."

Emma: "That's not true."

Emma: "Just having my diary will make you remember me when you go on your voyage. Pretty wicked, huh?"

(What's so wicked about it, you idiot?)

I ruffled her hair messily in annoyance at her overwhelming cuteness.

Emma: "Are you mad?"

Silvio: "Why would I be mad?"

Emma: "Because it was pretty selfish."

Silvio: "*sigh* It's not even close to being selfish."

(To be honest, I was planning to take your diary without telling you.)

Emma: "Then why did you mess up my hair?"

Silvio: "I just feel like it."

Emma: "Don't mess it up just because you feel like it!"

Silvio: "Shut up. I'm in the mood for this."

Now that I'd heard the reason, I couldn't bring myself to be embarrassed.

As I continued to mess up Emma's hair, I remembered again that no Benitoite businessman should ever break the most basic and important principle.

(It ain't my style, though.)

(Tch, I guess I don't have a choice.)

A few nights later, I returned to my room after finishing my work and heard the sound of lively footsteps thumping from the corridor.

Emma: "Prince Silvio!"

Silvio: "!?”

The door swung open with a bang, and Emma jumped into my chest like a rabbit.

Without giving me a chance to react, she suddenly hugged me, causing my body to freeze in surprise.

Silvio: "How many times do I have to tell you not to startle me?"

Emma: "This is not the time for that!"

She moved away from me and held up a diary.

It was the diary I purposely left in her room when she wasn't there.

(I left it there because I couldn't stand to see it being read in front of me.)

Emma: "I didn't expect you to write it."

Emma: "The content一"

Silvio: "Don't say it! Don't say it out loud!"

Emma: "I can't?"

Silvio: "You can't, you idiot."

(I want to get the hell out of here right now.)

Anticipating this, she blocked my way.

Emma: "Then let me tell you what I think of一"

Silvio: "I don't want any feedback!"

Emma: "I'll only say one short phrase."

I tried to cut off her words, but she quickly covered my mouth.

(This bitch...)

Emma: "I love you!"

I gulped, and my heart thumped loudly in my chest as I saw her face up close, beaming with delight.

Silvio: "You're getting carried away."

Emma: "Of course, I'd get carried away if I read that. It was like a love letter一"

This time, I put my lips on hers and took the words I couldn't bear to hear.

Silvio: "Don't say anything else."

(I don't want to remember it.)

Every time she tried to speak, I kissed her lips and entwined my breath with hers.

I held her hips and felt a slight tremor in my palms as I deepened the exchange of our tongues.

(I won't let you say anything cheeky for a while.)

Just to be sure, I kissed her more deeply, and lewd wet noises echoed around the room.

I knew that if I did this, she'd be even more embarrassed than I was.

When I took everything away from her, Emma turned her teary eyes upward, her breath uneven.

Emma: "Are you embarrassed?"

Silvio: "So what if I am?"

Emma: "Nothing."

She only grinned and said nothing about what I did, which would normally make her blush and complain.

Silvio: "Are you sure you want to be smiling like that?"

(Is my diary really making you that happy?)

I pushed her against a nearby wall and put my knee between her legs.

When I forcefully shook her, I could see from her expression that her composure had vanished.

Emma: "W-What do you think you're doing!?"

Silvio: "If you humiliated me, it's only fair that you should be humiliated as well."

Emma: "Ngh…I didn't humiliate you."

Silvio: "You ain't convincing me."

I unbuttoned her blouse and forcefully pulled down her upper garments.

As I mercilessly squeezed her exposed breasts, she began to moan.

(I was trying to keep you quiet, but if you keep making that kind of face, I wouldn't be able to hold back either.)

I lifted her skirt and continued to stimulate her directly with my knee.

When I smirked at the faint wetness I felt through my clothes, she noticed and looked away, blushing.

Emma: "Did you really hate the diary so much?"

Silvio: "If I really didn't like it, I wouldn't have done it."

I let out a small laugh, and despite her becoming somewhat disheveled, she laughed as well.

Emma: "Then, please stay with me for a little longer."

Silvio: "Ha?"

Emma: "Is that a no?"

(.........)

There was no way I could resist her request, seeing how she carefully held the diary.

Silvio: "I'll go along with you as much as you want if this makes you that happy. Damn it."

Swearing, I hold Emma in my arms and lay her on the bed.

As I sank her into the bed, the diary slipped from her hands, its pages flipping open.

I'm off to the shipyard today for a meeting to discuss the new voyage.

I'd most likely be sailing in a few weeks at this rate.

I plan to return in a few days, but I kinda feel bad leaving you alone.

We'll use an unknown route this time, so the danger is uncertain. This is why I can't take you with me.

I'll be back as soon as I can because you seem to be more lonely than I thought.

As you know, I'm a businessman before I'm royalty.

I will probably go on less risky voyages as I take over the throne, but I don't intend to stop because Benitoite has made rapid progress by crossing rough seas and creating new trade routes.

My way of doing things is different from my old man's.

I may make you lonely and worried, but I will spoil you when I can be with you.

I'll keep up with the diary, and if there's anything else you want me to do, just let me know.

I'll even do a few outlandish things for you.

I can't help but fall in love with you, too, every single day.

Fin.

I want to apologize for one thing to the rabbit who became a child.   //   There is one thing I would like to apologize to the little rabbit who has become a child.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Gilbert: "What are you doing here?"

Tough Guy: "Ah, I’m sure this has nothing to do with you, but stay back, you idiot!"

Gilbert: "What? It's creepy to stare at me."

Gilbert: "Can I crush your eyes?"

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

I thought I was being careful at the time, but I let out murderous intent.

The feeling of the baby rabbit trembling in my arms is still fresh in my mind.

Gilbert: "Emma, please."

Emma: "Wow, sparkles!"

Emma's little hands hold the suncatcher she just bought.

It was made from a collection of colorful gemstones, which scattered light around it through the sunlight.

Emma: "Are you sure?"

Gilbert: "Of course. I'm happy if the little rabbit is happy too.''

Emma: "Thank you. I will make it my treasure!"

Emma was so pleased with the "sparkles" that she wouldn't take her eyes off them.

It's not an uncommon commodity at ore festivals, but for Emma, it doesn't seem to matter.   //   It's not an uncommon item at an ore festival, but that doesn't seem to matter to Emma.

(You don't seem to be forcing yourself to be happy.)

(I hope that the scary memory from earlier will fade away soon...)

Gilbert: "Emma, there's a delicious sweet shop over there."

Emma: "Sweets!"

Gilbert: "Do you want some?"

Emma: "I want to eat!"

Gilbert: "Let's go, then."

I hold Emma's hand, still distracted by the suncatcher, and start walking away.

As I was about to head to the candy shop I wanted to visit, I felt a small resistance.

I stopped my steps and followed the gaze of those round eyes.

Before I knew it, she was staring at a small park in a corner of the city.

In a park that has only recently been developed using national funds,

Children about the same age as Emma are now playing happily.

(Is she… tempted to get in there?)

If it is an adult Emma, I would not let her get involved with people as much as possible because of jealousy, but I have no intention of tying her up as a child.

Perhaps it was because I had very different feelings about (little) Emma than I did about the adult Emma, but I was willing to be forgiving now.

Gilbert: "Go ahead."

Emma huffs as I let go of her hand.   //   When I let go of her hand, Emma gasped.

Emma: "What about Gil?"

Gilbert: "I'll wait here for you."

Emma: "Are you just waiting?"

Gilbert: "Then I'll watch the little rabbit play all day long."

Gilbert: "If you look like you’re having fun, I’m having fun too."

Emma: "…"

Emma's gaze keeps going back and forth between me and the park.

After making a pretense of hesitation, a small hand grasped my cold fingers.

Emma: "I knew it."   //   "As I thought."

Gilbert: "Why?"

Emma: "Because I wanted to be with Gil."

Gilbert: "It's written all over your face that you want to play with those kids."

Emma: "That's not true!"

Gilbert: "I know a liar when I see one."

Emma: "Then I'll play with Gil!"

Emma puffs out her cheeks and starts walking, pulling me by the hand.

The destination seemed to be in the park, and when I stopped in front of a swing, she asked me to sit down with her gaze.

Gilbert: "Maybe you'd have more fun playing with the other kids than me?"

Emma: "It's much more fun with Gil!"

(Did you care about me?)

(No, no matter how Emma is, she's still a child, so I can't believe that.)

When I give up and sit on the swing, Emma jumps onto my lap.

(... I can't help it.)

When I swung Emma slowly so she wouldn't fall, her innocent face blossomed. **

Emma: "Gil, more, more!"

Gilbert: "Emma has courage, doesn’t she?"

I kick the ground, thinking about my physical strength and trying to live up to expectations because I have been hoped for.   //   Since I was expected to, I tried to live up to her expectations and kicked the ground while thinking about my physical strength.

Although Emma was innocently enjoying herself, there was something smoldering in her chest.

══════════════════

Emma: "Sparkle... sparkle..."

Back at the Imperial Castle, Emma never gets tired of looking at the suncatchers.

I could even hear what sounded like singing and could tell what kind of mood she was in.

Gilbert: "Do you like it that much?"

When I sat down a little further away and asked, Emma turned around quickly.

Emma: "Yeah! It's so beautiful."

Emma: "And you know what, those sparkles... they're just like Gil's eyes!"

A small finger indicated a red gemstone that stood out among the suncatchers made of multiple gems.

(Speaking of...)

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Emma: "But you know what sparkles the most?"

Gilbert: "Oh, isn't that a gem?"

Emma: "Nope!"

Emma: "Gil's red eye is the most sparkling and beautiful."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

I chuckle at the memory.

Gilbert: "I wonder if my eye sparkles that much."

Emma: "Yeah, it sparkles. But you know..."

Emma: "Sometimes the sparkle just disappears."

Gilbert: "Disappear?"

Emma nods, releases her hand from the suncatcher, and runs over on her little feet.

And then she tugged at my clothes and tilted my face as if listening to a secret conversation.

Emma: "You know, you know."

Emma: "When Gil isn't sparkling, he looks lonely."

little Emma is talking about Gil's eye here.

Gilbert: "…"

(... It's my first time hearing that.)

(Yeah, but... maybe it's the difference between keeping your eyes down or not.)

Adults and children alike always look up when Emma is around.

I can't take my eyes off Emma, and when the sunlight hits her, her eyes may seem to sparkle.

(But I don't really pay much attention to the others.)

Of course, it's not like I haven't seen it at all, but I'm not interested.

I've never been conscious of it, but I seem to spend more time with my eyes downcast.

(Emma, as a child, is really watching closely.)

As I admire her, Emma raises her hands up.

When I picked her up, she looked like she was in a "hold me" pose, but when I picked her up, her little hands grabbed the fluff (of the cape) firmly—

Emma: "See, it's still sparkling."

Emma: "Sparkling like jewels!"

Her innocent eyes peered into my face, and my cheeks unconsciously relaxed.

Gilbert: "... I see."

Gilbert: "Maybe the reason you didn't go to the other kids at the park is because I'm not sparkling anymore?"

Emma: "Yes. When Gil isn't sparkling, things get a little tight here.''

Emma indicated the chest by saying, 'here.'

(I didn't mean to restrict you, though.)

It is no different for child Emma and adult Emma to react to loneliness that has come out unconsciously.

Gilbert: "I'm sorry."

Emma: "…?"

Gilbert: "Hehe, it’s okay if you don’t understand."

Gilbert: "In return, gentle one, I'll tell you big brother's secret."   //   "In exchange, I will tell you big brother's secret, who is kind to you."

Emma's eyes light up in response to the word "secret."

(I think you're more sparkly than I am.)

Gilbert: "When big brother is sparkling, that's when he thinks, "I love you, little rabbit.""

Emma: "!"

Gilbert: "But don't tell anyone, because it's embarrassing."

Emma: "All right!"

Emma clings happily with a big smile on her face.

(You probably knew intuitively that I was a scary person in the back alley...)

(You still feel attached to me.)

Gilbert: "You're so cute… Please love me forever."   //   "You're so cute… You'll always love me."

Emma: "Yes! Gil, you'll always, always love me, too."

Gilbert: "Hmm, of course."

(I know my "likes" are not always good for you, but...)

That is not something I should say to the little baby rabbit.

Gilbert: "Don't forget your promise to big brother, okay?"

It is extremely difficult to predict Gilbert's actions and thoughts.

Gilbert: "You want to be trampled on with only me in sight the whole time, don't you?"   //   "You always want me to be the only one in your sight, and you want to be trampled on, right?"

Emma: "What happened all of a sudden...?"

A refreshing smile tells me that the words are far from refreshing, and my head is in turmoil.

(I was reading a romance novel until a while ago, so maybe I'm even more confused...)

The book in my hand was taken away by Gilbert, who was sitting next to me, and placed on the bed.

As I was glued to his red eye, the distance between us grew shorter and shorter.

Gilbert: "You're thinking about it, aren't you?"

Emma: "I think so."

I answered as if it were a reflex, but it is not a lie.

(Gilbert must know that too.)

Emma: "Um, what kind of situation is this...?"

Gilbert: "A situation where I'm the only one in your sight?"   //   "A situation where only me is in sight?"

(I guess I should keep staring too...)

Gilbert: ". . . . . ."

Emma: ". . . . . ."

Gilbert: ". . . . . . . . . . . ."

Emma: "…… Uh."

(H-Hey, when you stare at me like this, I'm really embarrassed...)

Partly because he has such a well-defined face that one can't help but admire it,

If the person you love is staring at you for a few seconds, your heart will race with happiness and embarrassment.

I couldn't stand it anymore and turned my gaze away, but it was immediately returned by cold fingertips.

Gilbert: "No. You're only looking at me, right?"

As my fingertips caress his cheek, Gilbert's face comes closer, and he slowly devours it as if he were tasting my lips.   //   As his fingertips caress my cheek, Gilbert's face comes closer, and he slowly grazes my lips as if he is tasting me. **

His mouth, with a distant charm, draws a beautiful arc.

Gilbert: "Punishment."

Emma: "… It's too sweet to call it a punishment."

Gilbert: "Really? That's a problem."

Gilbert still stares at me while saying words that are completely heartless.

But my heart was not strong enough to withstand that condition.

Gilbert: "There you go again."

Emma: "Ah..."

Gilbert's lips brushed against my cheek and left my skin as it was, and then he moved down to my neck and brushed his teeth against me.   //   Gilbert's lips touched my cheek, and he left my cheek and moved back to my neck, his teeth brushing against my neck.

(I really don't know how this happened...)

I tried to back away from Gilbert, but he held me easily.

In the middle of it, a book touched my hand.

(Come to think of it, the story had just reached a climax before the book was taken away.)

The book was a gift from Gilbert, and I planned to spend the day immersed in the story.

(I was engrossed in reading at the time, so...)

Gilbert: "You have a lot of leeway to do your thinking in front of me."

Emma: "I've been doing some thinking, but it's about you, Gilbert."

Emma: "I was trying to figure out why you suddenly said, "You want to be the only one in my sight, and I want to be trampled."

Gilbert: "Now change "just me" to "just me" and say it again."

Emma: "? I only want to be trampled in sight, but I won't be trampled!"   //   "? I don't want to be trampled. I'm not going to be trampled!"

Gilbert: "Aww, we were already halfway there."

Gilbert: "So, have you got an answer?"

Emma: "It's just a guess."

Emma: "I was so engrossed in the book that I didn't notice Gilbert's call, I guess."

Emma: "一Oww."

Instead of answering, Gilbert set his teeth on my shoulder.

Gilbert: "You finally realized that."

Gilbert: "You're the only person I've ever met who's so absorbed in reading a book that you leave me standing right next to you?"

(Jealous as always...)

Gilbert's jealousy is continental, and at the same time, I find my own mouth relaxing.

(But I'm quite happy about it...)

Emma: "I'm sorry, I got carried away."

Emma: "I'll read your book some other time."

Gilbert: ". . . . . ."

Gilbert smiles with satisfaction, and I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Emma: "Let me do something to make up for being too absorbed in my book."

Emma: "Right, let me make you some sweets. I have time now, and I can make a whole cake一"

Gilbert: "I won't let you go."

Emma: "…!"

I tried to look away, but Gilbert's hands cupped my cheeks.

Gilbert: "If you start making sweets, you won't be able to look at them, will you?"

Gilbert: "You answered that you wanted to be trampled, and now you're lying to me?"

Gilbert hugged me and put his arms around me so tightly that it was painful.

(You mean you won't let me go until you've explored me completely...?)

Gilbert: "Sounds like it's going to be a fun day."   //   "It's going to be a fun day."

I can't help but brace myself and wonder what awaits me in the future.

(But I guess it's too late for that, because I don't hate it either.)

My mind was so caught up in Gilbert that I didn't realize that my plans for the day had already been ruined.

As I spent time at Obsidian, my concerns only continued to grow,

And one of them is now particularly on my mind.

Emma: "Gilbert, I just overheard something."

Gilbert: "What is it, Little Bunny?"

Gilbert looked up from the book he was reading in bed and tilted his head slightly.

Emma: "Is it true that Gilbert will kill any man who makes eye contact with me?"

(When I first heard that rumor, I thought it was impossible...)

(Looking back over the past few days, I certainly haven't seen the men again who have made eye contact or exchanged words with me.)

(Since it's not just one or two people, it's hard to think it's just a coincidence, and there must be some reason.)

My words brought a refreshing smile to Gilbert's face, whose true meaning I could not read.

Gilbert: "Who told you that rumor?"

Gilbert: "You mean you talked to another man?"

Emma: "No, I really just overheard it, I didn't hear it from anyone."

Gilbert: "Really?"

Emma: "Gilbert, you hate lies, so I won't deceive you."

Gilbert: "I guess so, but I won't tell you."

(… There's something about him.)

(It doesn't sound like he's going to tell me honestly…)

I am well aware that Gilbert is not a simple person to deal with, but I can't back down.

(Gilbert would not have killed a competent person unnecessarily either.)

(If so, I want to know the truth about why the people who were involved with me are disappearing.)

(... Okay.)

Determined, I cupped Gilbert's cheeks in my hands, and I kissed him.

Gilbert: "… What is it?"

The lips that touched mine arched slowly, staring back at me as if enjoying my next reaction.

Emma: "Please tell me the truth."

Emma: "Gilbert, you don't like lies that have been disguised as "rumors" either, do you?"

Gilbert: "You say it, too. But was I so naive to expect me to tell you just now?"

(I know... I knew that.)

(I'm so embarrassed, but...)

Pretending to be oblivious to my nervousness and shame, I slip my negligee off my shoulders.

But Gilbert just stared at me, clad in nothing.

(You mean it's not enough? Then this time...)

I wrap my arms around his neck, and after a nibbling kiss, I seal our lips deeply, and our tongues entwine.

Gilbert: "You're getting more and more nasty."   //   "You're getting more and more lascivious."

Emma: "If Gilbert is willing to teach me, I will be embarrassed and nasty."

Gilbert: "You become without purpose."

Emma: "Aah..."

A cold hand around my back holds me close, depriving me of escape.

Emma: "No... Nnn..."

Gilbert: "You're going to make me talk, aren't you? I'm not even going to try."

I enjoy my voice desperately holding back as I play with the tip of my finger.

I could barely stand and put all my strength into his arms as if I were clinging to him.

Emma: "I can't do it… If you do that..."

Gilbert: "It's taking too long."

Emma: "Whoa…!"

The next thing I know, I'm pushed down on the bed, and Gilbert is looking down at me.

Gilbert: "I'm going to keep you company."

Gilbert: "You better satisfy me or I'm not going to teach you anything, okay?"

(I may not be able to sleep tonight...)

As if lured by the eyes staring back at me, I entwine my arms around his neck and press my lips to his.

When my tongue was inserted, it was easily sucked in and gradually and intensely intertwined with it.

══════════════════

The next morning—

Gilbert, who was in a good mood, led me to a military training area, which I rarely set foot in.

Gilbert: "Just peek behind the pillars, okay?"

I was given fresh pressure, and I sneaked a peek around to avoid being noticed by the soldiers present…

(! That's the guy I greeted a few days ago and never saw again.)

I looked around and saw that the people working were all people I remembered exchanging greetings with once.

Gilbert: "I'm having them work here so they don't have to deal with you again."

(They were just reassigned to a more secluded location. So rumor has it they were killed...)

I didn't believe the rumors, but when I found out the truth, I felt a weight fall from my shoulders.

Suddenly, Gilbert came into my view.

Gilbert: "You just made eye contact with them, and you exchanged a few words of greeting, so I'm willing to put up with it."

Gilbert: "If anything more than this happens… I will turn "rumors" into "truth," okay?"

I am horrified to hear horrible things said to me as if they were sung to me.

Gilbert: "I understand. I'll keep that in mind."

(Redeployment is such a hassle... and yet he's still as jealous as ever.)

Gilbert's way of loving is unusual, but I can't say I dislike it…

(I'm also influenced a lot by Gilbert.)

(Even so, it is quite difficult to live without talking to or making eye contact with men other than Gilbert.)

(If our eyes meet, another redeployment will occur, and the court will be very busy in a different way.)

Emma: "… I wonder if it would be better if I wore a blindfold when I go out."

Gilbert's eyes light up when I casually mutter these words.

Gilbert: "Do you want to try it right away?"

Emma: "I'm joking! I really don't want to do that."

(This face looks like he's really going to do it someday…)

Emma: "I don't have to wear blindfolds."

Emma: "I don't have to do that. All I see is you, Gilbert."

Gilbert: "Hehe, I'll let you off the hook for that."

Gilbert: "For now, okay?"

(… He’s a really troublesome person.)

My cheeks relaxed as I thought of this, and I realized that somewhere in my heart I was enjoying this situation.

—Thanks to the rumors, I felt like I was able to learn more about Gilbert's and my thoughts again.

I was walking with Gilbert through the streets of Obsidian,

I found a drink labeled "A magic spell that deepens love," which may or may not be true.

I had bought it in a small bottle as a joke,

I had no idea that it would later cause such a situation.

══════════════════

Gilbert: "You look lascivious... This drug works so well."   //   "What a lewd face... This medicine works so well."

(I didn't know...)

(... I can't believe that... it was an aphrodisiac...)

On the bed, I repeatedly take deep breaths to calm my flushed body.

Gilbert seemed to know the contents of the vial from the beginning, sitting beside me and smiling refreshingly.

(I took it honestly because he told me to drink it, but if I had known, I would have wanted him to stop!)

There's no way a great villain has such conscientious consideration, and even if I glare at him, he'll dodge it with a smile.

Gilbert: "Hey, what do you want me to do now? You're in pain, and I want to help you."

(... You're having fun.)

Gilbert: "... Hehe, you look like you're trying to say something?"

Gilbert reaches out to me and gently unbuttons my dress.

I was wearing the clothes that Gilbert had tailored for me today, but they were easily pulled down to my waist.

Emma: "No, don't... please."

Gilbert: "Why?"

Emma: "Really... Now is not a good time."

(I can't believe that a light touch is all it takes to make me say "this.")

The hot tingling in the depths of my body causes even the slightest movement to cause me to let out a lusty sigh.

I backed away to keep as much distance as possible, but a cold hand held me by the shoulder.

Gilbert: "Do you want me to... touch you here?"

Emma:  "Aaah..."

Just a light kiss on my ear makes my body jump exaggeratedly.

Gilbert: "Or is it this way?"

This time, my neck is pecked, and my waist moves on its own.

(It's like it's not my body...)

(…… What is this "spell to deepen love"…)

I just want to cry because I am just being disgraceful in front of the person I love.

Still, there was no sign that Gilbert would stop,

A hand came down to lift up the hem of my dress and stroke the place where the heat was building up.

(一… Uhm.)

Just by doing so, something overflows from deep inside my body, and the heat spills out.

Tears welled up at the sensation of wetting his cold hand.

Gilbert: "Ahaha, I only touched you a little bit, but you made such a mess."

Emma: "That's why I said 'no'…"

Gilbert: "Yeah, embarrassing, huh?"

(I don't want it anymore...!)

(... I don't want Gilbert to see me in such an embarrassing way...)

I was not allowed to run away or hide, so I covered my face with my hands.

Gilbert: "Oh, are you crying?"

Emma: ". . . . . ."

Gilbert: "Do you want me to stop?"

When I desperately nodded, Gilbert took a small breath.

Gilbert: "Then I'll stop."

(Huh...)

Gilbert quickly releases me and reaches for the book on the side table.

He opened the book as if nothing had happened, and then silence fell.

(… Good… but weird.)

(I wonder if it's my imagination that he looks somewhat grumpy...)   //   (Is it my imagination that he seems to be in a bad mood somehow...)

I hurriedly put my dress back on, but just the rubbing of my clothes makes my body tingle, and I make strange noises.

(And… For now, I'll just go back to my room. Then I'll just be quiet until the drug wears off.)

Emma: "… Good night, Gilbert."

I slipped out of bed as though I was running away and headed for the door of his room一

Emma: "Um..."

Gilbert: "Hm?"

Emma: "Why is there a lock on the inside of your room?"

Gilbert: "I wonder why."

(When did I get locked in!?)   //   (I've been trapped before I knew it!?)

I turned around and saw Gilbert closing the book and smiling at me.

Gilbert: "Ahaha, I'm sorry, Little Bunny. Did you mean to run away from me?"

Gilbert: "I was so hurt that you took a love potion and ran away from me. …It hurts."

Emma: ". . . . ." 

Gilbert: "The drug's gonna last a while, okay? But you can't even go back to your room."

Gilbert: "You'll be writhing in front of me all night. What's so embarrassing about that?"

Gilbert: "Hehe, you will feel so much better once you get comfortable."

(Yes... maybe.)

The vicious fever that is raging inside my body is not subsiding, but rather consuming me even more.

I can't even move around because I feel like I would stain the floor just by walking.

(I was so embarrassed, I didn't want to show Gilbert how I was acting, so I ran away...)

(Hurry… I want to be released.)

Emma: "Gilbert…"

Gilbert: "No, it's punishment."

Emma: "Punishment?"

Gilbert: "If you want to feel good, you have something to say to me, don't you?"   //   "If you want to feel better, do you have something to say to me?"

Emma: "… I-I'm sorry?"

I was going to apologize for trying to escape, but Gilbert shook his head.

Gilbert: "No, I don't want you to apologize."

Gilbert: "Do you think the words I want to hear from your mouth are such clichés?"

(Then what is it?)

Gilbert: "Little Bunny, with your body like that, why didn't you want to do it?"

Emma: "The person I am now... isn't something I'd like anyone to see..."

Emma: "… I didn't want to disappoint you."

Gilbert: "Heh, do you think I'm going to be appalled by you for that?"

Gilbert: "Hmm, you're an idiot."

(Oh, I see...)

(That's why Gilbert got so grumpy when I refused him.)

I shake my head and return to his bed, despite the stimulation of my clothes.

Emma: "… If you can be appalled by something like this, I wouldn't be here."   //   "… If something like this is going to make you stunned, then I wouldn’t be here."

Gilbert: ". . . . . ."

(Gilbert's love is not such a half-hearted thing.)

(No matter how disgraceful I am, there's no way the great villain will let me escape...)

This time I took off my dress and dropped it on the floor.

Emma: "Help me... please."

Gilbert: "Hmm, that's correct."

Gilbert, who has dismissed the book, taps the bed sheet.

I sat down on the spot and was pushed down by a light push on my shoulder.

Gilbert: "I'm sure that the little rabbit won't be satisfied with a half-hearted touch today, will you?"

Emma: "No, no... Even the slightest touch is enough to make my body go crazy一"

Gilbert: "I see. Then I'll have to be even gentler with you."

Saying "gently," Gilbert lifted my leg without mercy.

I had a bad premonition, and the next moment, I felt his breath in the center of the endless overflowing of heat.

(No way, that spot...!)

Gilbert: "You can make a lot of mess, okay? I'll help you."

Emma: "Wait一... Ahhh."

The bite on the tender spot makes my whole body bounce.   //   The bite on that ripe spot makes my whole body jump.

The stimulation was so strong that it blew away my words and thoughts, leaving me with nothing but pleasure and a sense of weariness.

While I breathe roughly and repeatedly, I am bitten and nipped again.

The never-ending torment seemed to drive me insane.

(You said… you’d be gentle!)

Emma: "I don't want to... I can't一"

Gilbert: "It's okay, Emma."

Wiping his lustrous, wet lips, Gilbert peers into my face and covers my mouth.

When he violated not only my lower abdomen but also my mouth, I could not stop crying from the excessive pleasure.

Gilbert: "You're pretty no matter what you look like, so don't hold back."

Gilbert: "... Otherwise, I'm going to have to punish you again."

(I'm scared, but...)

I reach out to him with an earnest gaze and hold his head in my arms.

I asked for a kiss that would make me crazy, and Gilbert responded.

(You really... make a face that says you love me一)

As we kiss deeply and repeatedly, his body moves forcibly on top of mine, and I let go of my reasoning.   //   As we kiss deeply and repeatedly, his body is forcefully laid on top of me, and I let go of my reasoning.

I was so disturbed that I don't want to think back on it, but Gilbert was still the same, full of love一