Chapter 1: Conflicting Desires (Part 1)
Oswald let out an exasperated sigh as he lay on the mattress tied to the dragon’s back, flying toward the island of the beastmen—Bestial Dominion.
Biting his lip, he shifted from his back to his side, facing Percival, who lay to his right.
Percival’s gaze drifted to his left while he faced the sky.
“You’re making that face again. What is it… Ah.”
He closed his eyes. “I see.”
His gaze shifted from Oswald to the maid, a few feet away from the two, peering below the dragon, entranced by the sea of clouds.
Oswald pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know how long I can go like this… I have to confirm my feelings, man. It’s fifty-fifty for my parents and her, so I-I have to choose one. Haaah.”
He sighed, shaking his head.
“I’m making it sound like she’s a burden, and… she’s not. She’s just…”
He trailed off, unable to find words that wouldn’t cast her in a negative light.
Percival dipped his head. “I understand…” He turned to Oswald. “You want to confess.”
“I-It has to happen. This has been gnawing at me ever since we dropped Liorah at the castle, said our farewells, and fulfilled her wish. It began last night on the carriage ride back to the manor. I was looking out the window at the village I’d always seen from the manor’s window. I’d barely made the remark when a weight fell against my shoulder. The faint tinge of lavender—once distant—now enveloped me.”
He shifted onto his back, gazing at the back of her head—her pigtails fluttering like flags in the wind.
“As soon as she fell against my shoulder, a warmth enveloped me like the castle’s blanket. My eyes grew heavy. It was like… for the first time, I felt at peace or… I don’t even know if that’s the right word.”
“Therefore, you find yourself tethered to her, and by confessing, your desire is to cut off your only tether to this world.”
Oswald shook his head, still looking at her. “Not… exactly.”
He turned to Percival without meeting his gaze.
“It’s more like… there are already tethers around her. Tethers of life… giving… loyalty… love. A-And, I’m the one holding onto those tethers, not letting go. So, by confessing… I’m basically telling that self to let it go, so I can leave this world behind easily—without regrets or sadness. Haaah.”
He shook his head again. “Right now, I’m just going to think of how I should confess. I’ll be silent for the rest of the way.”
With that, he lay back, staring up at the blue sky. Percival gave a nod and did the same.
Regrettably, Percival reflected, the outcome will not align with your expectations; indeed, it will produce the opposite effect.
* * *
