Chapter 13

Kira

"What are you doing, Vlad?

Vlad

"Oh, Kira. I'm fixing this."

He was holding a violin which had loosened strings. A person was standing there, looking on with worry. I guessed that was the violin's owner.

Musician

"You look like a florist... Are you sure you know how to fix a violin, Monsieur?"

Vlad

"Yes, an old friend of mine played the violin. Every time it broke he gave it to me to fix." "Hm, I think this should do the trick. I'll test it out."

Vlad stood up and ran the bow of the violin across the strings. The sound he produced was so beautiful it felt like the notes formed droplets of light scattering across the blue sky. Wow...! The moment was so passionate and sensuous it stole my heart. Before long, a crowd had gathered to listen to the music.

Vlad

"...Sounds like I fixed it. Hm? What are all these people doing here?"

Musician

"Hey, hey! You better knock it off or I'll be out of a job!"

Vlad

"Ahaha. I'm sorry. Here you go. Why don't you take over and play for everyone?" "This violin is probably missing you and longing to be played by its owner."

Musician

"Haha, you've sure got a way with words. I'd be glad to. Come on, everyone! Listen up!"

In moments, light-hearted music filled the air. Some people started to dance in time with the music while the others laughed and clapped.

Vlad

"Everyone looks so happy."

He has such a tender look in his eyes…It was the way one might look at the vast ocean, or an endless blue sky. He looked captivated.

Vlad

"Kira. It would be a shame to let this moment pass us by. Come on." "Give me your hand."

He stretched out his hand and I could feel my heart begin to race. Vlad's right. We should make the most of it! Itook his hand and said…

Kira

"Let's dance!"

Vlad

"Ahaha, I love that smile on your face. Let me take the lead."

As Vlad and I danced, I realized I was laughing out loud. We had so much fun together. That night, I finished my work at the mansion and was about to head up to my room when I heard noises from the balcony. Wait, is that a violin? The beautiful melody drew me in and I peeked around the corner. Le Comte was playing violin by moonlight while Lennon Watched with a glass of wine in hand.

Lennon

"You still play beautifully."

Gabriel

"This has been my partner since childhood, after all." ...Lennon?"

Lennon

"Hm?"

Gabriel

"Humans and pure-bloods can't ever live for the same time, hm?" "Their lives are over in the blink of an eye for us."

Lennon

"It's true."

Gabriel

"But this sound never changes. Such a little thing, and yet it's saved me so many times."

Lennon

"What's wrong with it? Humans can live on just one little bit of hope. We're the same." "Even though it's a little thing, go ahead and be free to love humans, and these residents."

Gabriel

"...You're right, Lennon."

The words were spoken softly into the night, entering my heart with warmth. Lately I'd forgotten about it, but I was an entirely different creature than le Comte and Lennon.

I could never understand the loneliness they experienced, no matter how hard I tried. But even if it was tough, I wanted to understand. I wonder why...When I looked into Vlad's eyes, I saw something there that reminded me of what I saw in le Comte and Lennon's eyes. The next day when I saw Vlad, I made a declaration.

Kira

"You'd better let me help you with your work today!"

I feel like I've been reneging on my promise!

Vlad

"Wow, this is the first time l've ever been lectured about not letting someone help with work."

Kira

"Oh! I'm not mad or anything!"

Vlad

"Ahaha, don't worry. I know that. All right, then. First…"

Vlad chuckled and was about to reach out towards the flower cart when suddenly…

Child

"Pardon!"

Vlad

"Hm?"

We turned in the direction of the voice to see a little boy wearing a newsboy cap.

Vlad

"Can I help you, my little customer?"

Child

"I want you to make me the most beautiful bouquet in the world! It's a present for someone special."

Vlad

"The most beautiful bouquet in the world... That might be a bit difficult." Can you tell me a bit about the person you'd like to give it to?"

Child

"What?"

Vlad

"Just tell me anything. What they like, what you think about them."

Child

"She plays a piano next to a window in a big mansion. So I think she must like piano."

Vlad

"I like piano, too."

Child

"Yeah, me too. Well actually -I like it when she plays piano." "When I'm on the way home from working in the coal mines and I hear her playing piano…" "Well, it's hard to explain, but I feel grateful to be alive."

Just seeing her made the world look beautiful, could turn an ordinary day into something special. It sounded like first love. I smiled at the boy, but suddenly a shadow fell over his eyes.

Child

"So I want to go to her and tell her I love her. Well, want to...but I'm sure she'll just think it's nothing but a nuisance."

Kira

"Why's that?"

Child

"Because she's rich and I'm not. We're from two different worlds."

He squeezed out the words and only then did I realize what he meant. 19th century France was very lavish at first glance, but there was actually a very grim divide between rich and poor. I'd been made all too aware of that in the month I'd been here. So I don't want to say something just to make him feel better. But at the same time, I didn't want him to throw away the feelings he was holding onto. I knelt down in front of him and looked him in the eye.

Kira

"It's true that you may live in two different worlds." "But maybe that's all the more reason for you to tell her how you feel?"

Vlad

"..."

Kira

"If you say what's in your heart, your feelings will get through to her. After all, you're both human. And…" "She's the girl you fell in love with, right. So you should trust yourself!"

Child

"!"

Just then, Vlad handed the little boy a bouquet made of bright yellow gerberas that almost looked like the sun itself.

Vlad

"These are gerberas. I don't know if these are the most beautiful flowers in the world." "But they certainly look like it when you hold them."

Vlad gently touched the little boy's back.

Vlad

"Go to her before they wilt. Gerberas symbolize hope and progress." "So have hope, and take a step forward."

Child

"Thanks, Monsieur Florist. Ah, here!"

Vlad stared at the coin the boy held out and shook his head. The boy bowed his head deeply and ran off towards his first love to give her the bouquet. His light footsteps grew distant and then he was out of sight. I stared at Vlad's profile as he watched the boy with affection. There's that look in his eyes again. Like he just loves everything he sees.

Vlad

"Hm? What is it?"

Kira

"I was just thinking...it seems like you really love people."

Vlad

"What?"

Kira

"You always look at them with a special look in your eyes."

Vlad

'I do love them. I think humans are like flowers--living each moment of their limited lives with enthusiasm." "But I could say the same to you, Kira." "You get on everyone's level and see the good in all of them. You're a very kind person." "I think that you're beautiful. I truly, truly think that."

The wind whipped my hair into my face, and Vlad reached out to gently smooth it away, tucking it behind my ear. His crimson eyes were so tender I couldn't even speak. Sometimes he gets this nostalgic look in his eyes when he gazes at me. Like he's looking at someone else inside of me. I wanted to know why, but at the same time I was afraid to. I didn't want to ruin this beautiful, fragile moment. So I just smiled back at him. One evening sometime later, Vlad and I sat on a bench together after the flowers had sold out. Once again I didn't end up actually helping Vlad today. We just had fun spending time together.I wanted to know why Vlad had asked me to help with his work when he clearly didn't need it. At first, Vlad said…

Flashback

Vlad

"I'm selling my flowers alone, but it's so much work. So I have a favor to ask you." "Will you help me out with my work?"

Flashback Ends

And it sounded like he was really desperate for help. But he seemed very easy-going and took his time at work... He didn't seem like needed help at all. In fact, it seemed like he was more than capable of doing it solo. So then why...?

Kira

"Hey, Vlad?"

Vlad

"Hm? What is it?"

Kira

"You asked me to help out with your work because you said it was too much for you."

Vlad

"But it doesn't seem that way?"

Kira

"Yes. So I was just wondering why you asked for my help."

Vlad

"All right, then. I'll tell you the truth. You're the descendant of the royal family and it's my job to be your bodyguard."

Kira

"... Um. You're joking, right?"

Vlad

"Yes."

Kira

"Vlad!!"

He let out a peal of laughter and then studied my face.

Vlad

"Fine, I'II tell you the actual truth." "I was hoping that if you helped me at work, it would distract you and help ease your loneliness and anxiety."

Kira

"What?"

Vlad

"You care so much about other people that you bottle up your own feelings."

Ah…

Flashback

Kira

"Basically, I don't want them to be sad, so I don't want them to know I'm sad, if that makes sense." "When I care for someone, all I want is for them to smile."

Vlad

"..."

Kira

"Ah, I'm sorry. I'm rambling, aren't I?"

Flashback Ends

When I'd run into Vlad unexpectedly that day, I'd just blurted out how I was really feeling.

Kira

"You remembered that little thing I said and met me every day because of that?"

Vlad

"It wasn't a little thing." "Don't write off your worries as something unimportant. I certainly don't think so." "People's hearts are what allow them to live."

Oh no... I think I'm going to cry...It felt like he was reaching out and gently caressing all the sadness I bottled up inside. I felt my eyes burning with tears.

Kira

"We just met... Why are you so nice to me?"

His crimson eyes glowed as he gazed at me fondly.

Vlad

"There's someone I've been searching for for a very long time...practically forever now." "You remind me of her for some reason, so I supposed that's why I was kind to you."

Kira

"..."

Vlad

"That was my reason when we first met. But as we spent more time together and I got to know you better…" "I wanted to help you and know more about you."

His voice was so certain when he said that. He reached out and gently handed me something. It was a beautiful purple bouquet.

Kira

"What's this..?"

Vlad

"They're clematises." "They're often planted by the entrances of inns, to comfort weary travelers." "The clematis symbolizes a traveler's happiness."

Kira

"A traveler's happiness..."

Vlad

"That's right. Kira, if you feel anxious about something and don't want to talk to anyone about it, I'm here for

you." "And once you feel better, I want you to be yourself and live how you want. Will you do that for me?"

He said it firmly. In the face of such kindness, what else could I do but say yes?

Kira

"Isn't there anything I can do for you?"

Vlad

"What?"

Kira

"All you've done is made me happy since the day I met you. I wish I could give you something in return."

There's not much I can do, though.

Vlad

"Will you do anything?"

Kira

"Yes! I'll do my very best!"

Vlad

"All I want is for you to say my name."

Kira

"Your name?"

Vlad

"Yes. When you say my name, I can't describe it but it makes me feel so warm inside."

Kira

"That's it? Surely I can do more..."

Vlad

"Perhaps you can, but that's what I want."

He gazed into my eyes, a smile on his face.

Vlad

"Try it for me?"

When he talks to me in that tender voice, it makes me feel like I'd do anything for him. His crimson eyes suddenly flashed with a certain danger.

Kira

"Vlad…"

Vlad

"Yes? What is it, Kira?"

Kira

"Did it work? Do you feel warm inside?"

Vlad

"Hm... Try it one more time."

Kira

"Vlad"

Vlad

"Ahh... Yes, it worked."

He reached out and gently touched my cheek.

Kira

"Vlad?"

Vlad

"You're so adorable when you're shy."

Kira

"...I'm sure you're the only one who thinks so."

Vlad

"You're feeling better now though, aren't you?'

Kira

"Oh…"

I reached up and realized I was smiling. He smiled back at me and gazed up at the sky.

Vlad

"It's almost nighttime."

Ilooked up and saw that he was right; the orange sky had gradually grown darker. And now it was painted in the beautiful colors of night. looked back down and Vlad was still gazing at the sky. It really did seem like he deeply loved everything he looked at. It captivated my heart.

That day I first saw Vlad…I thought he looked so sad, so cut off from the rest of the world. But now…It looks like he's giving the whole world a gentle embrace. He was a mysterious person, who seemed to think of the world as nothing but beautiful, and loved everything about it. And I want to know more about him...I didn't like even a little bit of distance between us. And I felt some emotion budding inside of me. I had no idea that it was the start of my last love--one that would change my entire fate.