After Deanna ran away with the pot of hot water (although she would deny it, it was a true escape), Kai searched for her presence and sensed her near the kitchen of the mansion. It was an excuse to run away, but it was also probably true that the hot water was running low.
　Since there was no sign of anyone other than Deanna in the kitchen, Kai didn't try to hide himself, but walked straight in and approached Deanna. When Deanna saw Kai, her expression hardened for a moment and then she sighed.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
Poachers may be commonplace, but the weapons they carry are not. I saw for the first time yesterday the latest gunpowder weapon in the stanza, and it's really dangerous.
I'm sure it's dangerous, but if you can catch him before he pulls the trigger, he'll be fine. It's also more powerful than the ones I've seen before, but the structure makes it more difficult to aim, so even if you do pull the trigger, it's a 50/50 chance you'll hit it.
That's what I found out when I examined the weapon, but it doesn't change the fact that Dee was reckless to go in without knowing the details. I guess you'll have to take Edward's sermon in stride.
...... Kai's teasing.
I'm not sure what to do. If you're going to do something, do it knowing that you're going to get pissed off.

　...... The truth is, there are other parts of the story that Kai was afraid of. When Diana was attacked by assassins at the Descent Festival, she hid in the forest, and it took a lot of effort to find her. Once you're in the Cresta Forest, it's impossible to catch a glimpse of Diana.
　In an instant, I would lose sight of the precious existence that I had grown accustomed to. This alone is frightening, but when you finally get there, the situation is already under control. --The ivy plants had caught the poachers in a tangle, and the birds and beasts of the forest had gathered around them. It was as if the "forest" was moving with a will to protect Diana, and Kai's heart was in turmoil.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　(Dee's spira is much higher than we think.) It's so high that a single trigger could awaken her to the miraculous power of giving life.
　And once awakened, Diana will probably continue to use her power to help others.
　...... This will surely only be the beginning of a harsh fate that will never end.

　--In front of Kai's inner struggle, Deanna is boiling fresh water and throwing wood into the kiln to increase the heat.
　Watching the flames, she sighs deeply.

She sighs deeply as she watches the flames, "Everyone is so overprotective. Your brother alone was a little too protective, but now Kai and Shayla have joined in.
"That's how much you care about Dee. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't get this worked up over people I don't care about.
I think I know that .......

　I'm not sure what to say. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try.

"Dee?
...... it.
"Hmm?
"That's what you call me. You're really good at switching it up.
"...... Oh, that.

　For Kai, Deanna has always been "Dee". In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　In truth, she was very expressive and had a wide range of emotions. I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm a kind, good-natured, yet stubborn and stubborn girl.
　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll be fine.

　--But he knows that if he lets his feelings come out, it could put Deanna in a difficult position.

I'm not under Dee's command, so I don't think I need to use honorifics or titles. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out the best way to make the most of your time with us. ...... He seems to be a lot more intelligent than I thought he was.
It's not like there's anything to be ashamed of when someone suspects you.
In the first place, it's disgraceful for Dee to even be suspected.

　It's easy to forget that Diana is now a "concubine" - technically, she is the wife of the king. Although she would never make a mistake of letting the enemy know how she feels about Deanna, you never know where and how this kind of story could get twisted and become a flaw for Deanna. Deanna's feelings for Kai are purely affectionate, but Kai's are not, and if rumors of the Red Rose's infidelity were to start, they would be told with some degree of truth.
　This must be avoided. ...... Such a situation must be avoided.
　I'm not going to let that stop me, even if I die.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and how you can get it.

"What's wrong with ......?
No, ...... I was just startled by something unexpected.
"Unexpected?　What part?
I'm sure you've heard the rumors, but I'm not sure if you've heard them.　I'm not proud of that level of rumor, but I've been hearing about it since my debutante year.

　I'm not proud of it, but I've been hearing about it since my debutante year. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at our own web site. I don't know.

...... How could the rumors be so far from the real thing? It's the furthest thing from the truth.
It's true. I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm not sure how you can do it with someone you don't know very well. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
"Oh, I know ......, is that what it is?
I don't know. I've been a debutante for a while now, and I've always been more physically mature than most kids my age. I don't know why that makes me more advanced.

　...... This is probably due to the familiar obscenity of men talking about women's breasts and how they grow if you squeeze them. As a man myself, I can guess that this is because she was raised by a man. Incidentally, this is a complete myth, and in reality, women's breasts do not grow when men rub them properly.



In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at .......

　In the event that you've got any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you'll be able to contact us at the web site.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
...... Well, before my debutante, Aunt Fifi and my brother told me that there would be bad rumors, regardless of what direction they took. At first, I was sulking because of all the bad things that were said about me, and I even insisted that I wouldn't socialize anymore. But even that seemed to be expected and was easily dismissed.
That's the Crester family. ......
I'm not sure what to say, but I think I've given up on the idea of finding someone who understands me in aristocratic society until I entered the palace. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money. ...... Now that I think about it, I've been sulking since I was a debutante. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. But until I entered the palace, I thought that they were only smiling on the outside. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
...... I don't blame you, you've been exposed to so much malice.
No, that's not it. ...... No, that's not true. I finally understood that when I entered the palace. Just because other people throw malice at you all the time doesn't mean I can treat them with malice too. There was no reason for me to sulk, stay in my shell, and despise the kindness that someone else could give me.
Dee ......

　It's times like this that I realize . I'm sure you'll agree. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　No matter how much she's hurt or tormented, Deanna never holds a grudge against anyone. The more she is hurt, the more she suffers, the more she tries to be kind to others.
　No matter how many times they betray her, no matter how much malice they throw at her. No matter how many times you are betrayed or maligned, never let that betrayal or malice distort your heart. I will continue to believe in the world, straight and clean.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time and money.

　--You can find a lot more than just a few of them.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　(This is why I don't know how much of my feelings will leak out if I accidentally call her "Dee") Although many people are surprised, Kai has never had feelings for anyone other than Diana. It's the first time he's ever felt anything like this, and he's still a bit confused.
　Looking into the pot, Deanna muttered, "I guess it's almost done.
　With a wry smile, I gave the inside of the pot a good stir and turned up the heat.

In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at .......
It's not too late to ask that question.　If I didn't like it, I would have stopped it a long time ago.
I know. That's what I thought too, but Dee seemed to be concerned about what I called her.
...... If anything, though. I don't feel comfortable being called 'Diana' by Kai. I feel like it's a bit impersonal.

　I turned around and looked at Deanna's face. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what you're talking about when you're a stranger to me. ...... Maybe I like being called 'Dee' by Kai a lot more than I thought I did. I've always admired the way your mother and father call each other by their nicknames.

　After she said that, Deanna looked at Kai with anger.

It's not that I was longing for a girlfriend relationship or anything.　It's not that I'm not interested in a relationship, it's just that I thought it would be nice for people who are close to each other to call each other special names.
It's just that I thought it would be nice for people who are close to each other to call each other by their special names. I'm not a fan of the name. I'd rather call her Dee than her first name, so I'm glad you like it.
"So ......?

　I'm so glad you like it.
　I stood up, resisted the urge to hug her, and gently took her hand in mine. She smiled softly at Deanna, who squeezed back modestly.

I know this is a little late, but... I've been touching Dee pretty unreservedly, don't you like that?　You said earlier that you don't really like touching men.
Why?　I've never felt uncomfortable touching a man, only those with ulterior motives.
...... Really?　You don't feel anything?
I don't think I've ever felt ...... anything.

　I've never felt anything like that. I put my hand on her back almost by reflex, thinking she was dizzy, and I felt her laugh.

"Yes, I knew it. I'm sure you're right. There's not a single thing to dislike about it.
"Not at all .......

　Whenever you are trying your best to control yourself, Deanna will unconsciously step over the boundary.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

You can't really compete with Dee.
"...... You're right. It's always been me who's always been defeated by you.
That's what I call an unconscious victory, Dee. I'm always the one losing to you, Dee.
Can a lioness who has made a name for herself in the underworld be so easily defeated?
"This is the truth of the world, so it can't be helped, can it?

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. Even if the day comes when Deanna falls in love with Kai as a man, it won't be as deep as Kai's love for Deanna. To be honest, when I look at myself objectively, I feel that I'm obsessed with Diana to the point of being a criminal if I make a mistake. Until a year ago, I had never imagined that such a "fever" existed within me.



(I don't know if the day will ever come when I can put my feelings into words. ......)

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to try. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. ...... No matter what happens to Diana in the future, no matter what encounters you have.

I'm not sure what to do. That's the only thing I can't shake.

　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a number of things you can do.


　　()


(...... Everyone who is by my side is too kind)

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　As she turns her attention to the sound of her heartbeat, she hears another voice.

Deanna, are you coming back?
Deanna, they're talking about Deanna over there, okay?
Ed, you're being so difficult. Don't worry about it. Deanna knows everything.
Why don't you tell her?　Tell her we're here for her.
Hey, Deanna. ......

Thanks, guys. I'll be back when the water's hot.

　Quietly, Deanna returned to consciousness and sank into thought.
　--The forest of Clester is a talkative place. I don't know if it's because of the land's history of having generations of "forest princesses", or if it's just the way it is, but people here talk about a lot more things than we humans think, and they're interested in people too. You can find a lot of people who don't care about humans and don't understand human language in other places, but everyone here understands what people are saying to some extent. I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who'd like to know more about this kind of thing.

(Although your father hid the rest of the Spiriel Lore to protect me, ...... even he didn't think that all of the Cresta were so well versed in human history.

　If Deanna wanted to, she could. If she really wanted to know the past...
　The forest of Cresta has been there since time immemorial, and life will respond to Deanna's thoughts and wishes. Since the time of the Maiden Princess of the Beginning, who was first invited to the forest long, long ago, what kind of bonds have been formed between the princesses of the past and the forest? --.

Everything from the beginning to the end.

"...... Dee?

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

"...... Just a little more. I'm not going to go back.

　I can't go back yet. I'm not going to go back yet. There are still people out there who care about Diana and are taking desperate measures to protect her.
　I can feel the pain of their thoughts. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I'm going to do it. ......
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

It's ...... fine with me, but... What's wrong, Dee?
It's nothing. It's not a big deal. I'm ...... sorry, Kye.
You don't have anything to be sorry for, Dee.
No. No. ...... I'm really, really sorry.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this. ...... would not let them go.

The miraculous power that gives life. ......But as the world knows, there is always a price to pay for using too much power.

　I think the princesses of the past were happy. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the forest loves you and the forest people love you. ...... would have wanted to live out their lives peacefully if they could.
　However, many of these women did not live long enough. The wise men who have been investigating the cause of this for generations have one day learned the cruel truth.

When the Princess of the Forest gives life to others, it is not her spiritual power that is used.
　--It's the core, the very foundation of the soul.

(The one who uses her soul to perform the miracle of giving life ...... is the "Princess of the Forest")

　Unlike spiritual power, which can be recovered by resting after use, the nucleus cannot be recovered once it is broken. Whenever you give life to someone, the core of the princess will be worn down little by little. ...... Eventually, the core will become too fragile to store spiritual power, and you will not be able to keep your soul, and you will die. .
　In the past, the wise men and women who knew about this tried to minimize the use of the power of the Princess of the Forest in order to prolong their lives. But somehow, in every age, fate has inexplicably "called" them.

　Sometimes it was a country that was dying of an epidemic.
　Sometimes it is a country that is dying of an epidemic, sometimes it is a mountain that has been burned to the ground by an unquenchable fire.
　Sometimes it is the mountains that have been burned to the ground by an unquenchable fire. Sometimes it is the land that has been emaciated by a great drought.

　The ...... "princesses" have always saved the world by their own will.

(I'm sure that when ...... this power is fully awakened, I too will be

I will be called. ...... for some reason, fate.

The truth about the princess is that it is a forbidden secret that has been passed down from generation to generation by wise men. There has never been anyone other than the Princess of the Forest who has used the Spirier to cut the core. If the truth were to come out, the Princess would be increasingly exposed to curious eyes as a unique being among those with spiritual power, and her body would be targeted. This was the decision of the wise men who were worried about that.
　However, an oral tradition that is not left on paper can easily be broken. Now, more than two hundred and fifty years have passed since the last princess died, and the truth about her is no longer known to Dualis. It's a great thing that the anecdote of the Princess of the Forest has survived in an age when even the existence of psychic powers is considered a fairy tale in folklore. ...... The great tree of Crester, who told us the story of the past, said with admiration, "It is a great thing that the anecdote of the Princess of the Forest has survived in an age when even the existence of psychic powers is considered a fairy tale in folklore. But .



(But maybe ...... your father and brother know something about it.

　Even though the oral tradition has died out, the fate of the successive "Princesses of the Forest" has been preserved in literature. If you read them, you can easily understand that they were short-lived. Even if the logic is unclear, the two of them should be able to easily predict that Diana would suffer the same fate once her power is fully awakened.
　That is why Dualis hid the Book of Spiriel Lore from Diana. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　...... And now, Edward, who has read the literature of the Princess of the Forest, has made the same decision as Dualis, and has decided to protect Diana more than the current Princess of the Forest, not only as the next Sage, but also as her brother. He is trying his best to protect Diana.

　--The one who is now wrapping Diana in his gentle arms.

I don't want to distract you with something that's not important. ...... cares about me, really cares about me.

　I'm sure everyone is thinking and hoping for the same thing.
I'm sure everyone is thinking and hoping that Deanna's power will not be awakened any further. I'm sure that everyone is thinking and wishing that Diana's power will never be awakened, and that she will never use her life-giving power again.

(......) I'm sorry. I'm betraying everyone's wishes.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here.
　...... On the night I learned the truth about everything, I made a vow.

(If I had the power to give life...) If I had the power to give life, ...... I would use it, and I would never let anyone take another life in front of me again.

　I don't want to hear any more of the cruel sound of someone's life being cut short in vain.
　I don't want to hear the sound of the water roaring back. I don't want to hear the sound of broken souls rotting away, unable to say goodbye to the ones I love.
　That's enough. Enough is enough.
　...... One regret is enough, and I will not repeat it again, or again, or again.

　Protect yourself, abandon someone else. It's not possible for Deanna to live like that. There was no way she could contaminate the world she loved with herself.
　So, Deanna... I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm not sure if you have.

She swore that she would get the power of the Princess of the Forest.



"Dee.

　Suddenly, her arm was released and Kai's palm, which was much larger and bony than it looked, was placed on Diana's cheek.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I've been so impressed with your work.
　In the kitchen, where the only sound is the fire exploding in silence, Kai stares at Deanna for a while.

Do you notice that?　I'm sure you've heard of it.
"What, is that... A swear word?
Sorry, it's just a fact. ...... Why did you apologize?
It's not like ...... Kai said, I'm really selfish. I don't care what anyone says, I will never bend what I want to do. Sometimes I hate myself for it, but I still can't give in.

　Betraying everyone's kind thoughts, Diana knocked on the door of her own cruel fate.
　I'm sure I'm greedier and more selfish than anyone else in this world.

　Accepting Deanna's words quietly, Kai smiled, ...... slowly, slowly.

"...... Okay.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

It's not the first time that Dee has been selfish. I know that no matter what anyone says, once you decide to do something, you never give up.
"Kai ......
You can do whatever you want, however you want. Even if it's dangerous for Dee, even if it's the worst possible choice that could shorten ...... her life. I'm going to smash any disaster that happens to Dee into pieces.
".......

　I'm not sure.
　I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'll never change my vow. No matter what happens, no matter what happens. I'll protect her no matter what happens. Body, mind, everything.
"How can ...... Kai be so kind? How can you be so kind?
Why? ...... You really don't know yourself, Dee.

　Kai's breath touches my lips. His words poured into Deanna's like soft warmth falling on her.

Kai's breath touched her lips. Dee has always been willing to do her best for others with her kind wishes, her straight eyes, and her warm heart. What you've given in this way has only come back to Dee in the form of everyone's thoughts. There's nothing strange about that.
"......, have I been giving to everyone?
I've been giving to you for a while now. I've been giving for a long time. ...... What more could I possibly give?
Kai. ......, I...
You don't have to say.

　Kai's fingers smoothly stroked Deanna's hair.

"I've been ready for you since the day I swore to protect you. --It's okay. If Dee chooses you, I'll protect you, even from Dee herself.
"I'm .......


So don't bother, Dee. --No need to apologize. Just follow the path you want to take and always smile like Dee. Because that's what I want.

　...... So it was. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea. This is the one, Kai.
　Kai easily saw through what she didn't even know herself. Even if you try to hide it, there is no way that he could not see through the vow that Diana has made with her own awareness.

　The fact that she was accepted and affirmed brought her more relief than she had expected.
　I felt like I would cry if I said it out loud, so Deanna took a step back and nodded silently.
　Kai, who never looked away from Deanna, nodded as well.

"Well, I guess that's just like Dee. I'm glad I came after you, it made me feel better about myself.

　I'm glad I came after you.
　It's a good idea to take a look at your own personal life and the way you live it.

I've been thinking about this for a while, but Kai is really good at spoiling me.
I'm not sure if that's true.　I don't mean to spoil you, but if that's how Dee feels, then maybe I am.
He's usually even more of a nag than his brother. ...... Is this the candy and whip they say?
"That nagging Edward is waiting for you. --Now that the water is boiling, let's get back to it, shall we?
...... I'm going to the forest, Kai, can you bring me some hot water?
I'm sorry, I won't spoil it for you there. You really don't like it when you choose the forest as your ...... escape place, do you, Edward-san sermon.
I'm not a fan of ...... sermons because they're long and they try to reason their way out of it.

　I'm not a big fan of that.