Chapter Text
A: *sigh*
R: Hm? Is everything all right, Summoner?
A: Oh. Hey, Ryoma. Yeah, I'm okay.
R: Really? Your face tells me a different story.
A: My face always looks like this.
R: So...you are always looking upset?
A: I'm not upset! Just tired and overwhelmed is all.
R: I see. Is that all?
A: What do you mean?
R: I feel there is more than what you are telling me. Are you sure there is nothing else wrong? If there's something troubling you, I am more than willing to listen.
A: ...
R: …
A: ...I'm sorry.
R: I see. Perhaps another time, then. Good day, Amalthea. [walks off]
A: Ryoma, I- *sigh* Dammit.
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R: …
A: Oh, Ryoma! I've been looking for you!
R: …
A: Um...Lord Ryoma?
R: ...
A: *sigh* Crap. I knew he was mad at me...
R: Oh, hello, Amalthea. I was just meditating.
A: Oh, no! And I totally interrupted you! I'm so sorry!
R: Nonsense. Come sit with me. What is it you wanted to discuss?
A: Well, I...uh...a-about the other day. I-I just wanted to apologize.
R: Apologize? What for?
A: Well, you were trying to talk to me, and...I was being a jerk.
R: I didn't think so.
A: R-really?
R: I can tell you have a hard time opening up, Amalthea. Even now, as you apologize, I can sense you still have your guard up. Like there is a wall around your heart because you are afraid to trust.
A: I-I see.
R: Summoner?
A: I'm sorry. I-I guess I'm not used to being read so well.
R: Please, Amalthea. Tell me what troubles you. I want to be your strength. After all, I did tell you to think of me as a brother.
A: I-It's just that I've been told such things before. I was told that could talk to them about anything. Told that they were always there to listen. But when the time came, everything was just brushed aside or blown off as if it wasn't important. That, or I would be told just to get over it.
R: I'm sorry to hear that. Who is this "them" you are referring to?
A: ...my parents.
R: I see. It's starting to make more sense, now. If the two people you looked to the most as a child wouldn't acknowledge your feelings, how could you trust anyone else with your feelings as an adult?
A: Pretty much.
R: Hmm. Well, while I cannot do anything about the past, I do have an idea that might help your future.
A: What's that?
R: Why don't you meditate with me?
A: Meditate? With you?
R: Yes. Meditation helps quell bad thoughts and promotes the best ones. I think it will do you a lot of good.
A: I don't know. Knowing what goes on in my head, it might take a lot more than meditation.
R: Then I guess we have a lot of work to do. We'll start right away. Now, cross your legs the way I have mine, and sit up straight like this.
A: Oh. Okay.
R: Good. Now, just relax. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and empty your mind.
A: …
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A: Good morning, Ryoma!
R: Good morning, Amalthea! You're awfully cheery this morning.
A: Heh heh. I guess the meditation is starting to work.
R: *chuckles* Did I not tell you?
A: Yeah. Guess you were right. I have been feeling a lot less stressed lately. Even the bigger workloads don't seem to bother me as much.
R: I am glad to hear that.
A: Yeah. So, uh, thanks for putting up with me the way you have. I know I haven't been easy to deal with.
R: You are perfectly fine. Nothing makes me happier than to see you smiling.
A: Thanks. And I promise I'll try to do better opening up. It's still something I have trouble with.
R: Hm. Now that you mention it, there is something I wanted to talk to you about.
A: Oh, uh…what is it?
R: (Hmm. Her wall came back up.) Well, it's about what you said before. About your parents brushing aside your feelings and concerns.
A: Um, okay. What about it?
R: What were some things that you tried to talk to your parents about that they didn't seem concerned with?
A: I…don't remember.
R: Amalthea, please talk to me. I promise I won't dismiss you.
A: No, really, I don't exactly remember. At least not anything specific…
R: I can tell you're still holding back. I don't want to force anything out of you, I just think I could understand you better as our leader if I knew a little more about you. Please. Tell me what's on your mind.
A: *sigh* Well, there is one thing that comes to mind. There was a friend of mine from school that I had a huge crush on. You could even say I was infatuated with him.
R: Go on. I'm listening.
A: Well, I graduated a year before him, but when his graduation neared, there was a banquet being held to honor some of the students. For what, I can't remember.
R: Was this gentleman among those students being honored?
A: Yeah, but so was my sister who was in the same graduating class. That's why my family was going. Well, my stepmom and younger siblings were. I wanted to go, but I knew I'd be asked why, and I was embarrassed to admit it was because of a guy. Still, I asked.
R: What happened then?
A: Just as I figured, my stepmom asked me why I wanted to go. We didn't exactly get along back then, so in her eyes, I was already being a bother.
R: Why would you need permission to go if your sister was being honored? Shouldn't the whole family have gone?
A: Our family dynamic is a bit complicated. We weren't exactly close. Not like your family is, anyway.
R: I see. Forgive my interruption. Please continue.
A: Right. Well, like I said, I was embarrassed that my reason for wanting to go was just to be near my crush, so I found a photo, sorry, a portrait, I had of him and showed it to her hoping that it would be a good enough answer.
R: And was it?
A: Whether it was or not, I'll never know. All I remember was getting yelled at.
R: For what? You did nothing wrong.
A: As I said, she and I already didn't get along. If anything, she just didn't want me to be around her. I don't really think it had anything to do with the guy. If it did, like I said, brushed aside.
R: Amalthea...I'm so sorry.
A: Why? It's in the past. Nothing can be done about it. Besides, I've been over him for years, now. We're still friends, and last I saw before I came here, he had a girlfriend, so I'm fine. Really, I am.
R: So it would seem. Thank you for sharing this part of your past with me, Amalthea. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
A: Oh, it's not that big of a deal.
R: I see it differently, but we can discuss that another time.
A: Okay. I'll see you later, then.
R: You most certainly will.
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A: …
R: …
A: …
R: … *sigh* It is no use.
A: Hm? Ryoma, what's wrong? You've been awfully distracted these past few meditating sessions. That's why I brought us out here to my favorite spot behind the falls. No place more relaxing than this.
R: Yes, this is, indeed, a marvelous spot. Thank you for bringing me here. Do you come here often?
A: Only when I want to get some real alone time in.
R: So no one else knows of this place?
A: If they do, they do well not to come here when I am.
R: I see. Thank you, Amalthea.
A: Heh heh, what for this time?
R: It seems little by little you have allowed me more and more into your private world. You talk to me more and have allowed me to get closer to you.
A: Well...I guess with all of these meditating sessions, I've just gotten more comfortable with you.
R: I am very glad to hear that.
A: By the way, what did you mean when you said: "It's no use"?
R: ...
A: Sorry. If it's too personal, don't worry about it.
R: No, it's not that. It is the story you told me a few weeks ago. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
A: Really? Why?
R: Tell me. Your friend, did he ever find out how you felt about him?
A: Huh?
R: Did you ever confess your feelings for him?
A: Um...yeah, I did. Right before he graduated, I wrote him a long poem confessing how I felt.
R: Really? And how did he respond?
A: He, uh, said he couldn't reciprocate those feelings.
R: I'm sorry.
A: It was over ten years ago, Ryoma, relax. I've grown and matured since then. At, least, I would like to think so.
R: Hmm. I see. May I ask one more thing?
A: Yeah, sure.
R: How do you feel about me?
A: W-WHAT?!
R: How do you feel about me, Amalthea?
A: U-um, well, w-why do you ask? D-did I say or do something?
R: As a matter of fact, you did.
A: Oh, no! I don't know what I did this time, but I'm really sorry, Ryo-
R: You made me fall in love with you.
A: ...Huh? …What?
R: I have fallen in love with you, Summoner Amalthea. I asked about whether or not your feelings for your previous love interest were reciprocated because I wanted to know whether or not if mine would be as well.
A: R-Ryoma…
R: Are you able to give me answer?
A: ...
R: ...
A: To tell you the truth, I feel...safe.
R: Safe.
A: Yes. Safe. And intimidated, but in a good way, you know? For a while, you really did feel like the older brother I always wanted. But as time went on, I started feeling, well, more than that. I used to be nervous during our meditating because I was afraid you would ask more questions about me.
R: The wall around your heart.
A: Yeah. But over time, I began looking forward to our meetings, and even secretly hoped you would continue to ask more about me because it felt nice to have someone to talk to who wouldn't push me aside, and was patient with me. I feel like you are my rock, and your presence has become my sanctuary. It's a feeling I don't want to be rid of anytime soon.
R: So... Is it safe to say my feelings have been reciprocated?
A: Yes. I...I've fallen in love with you, too, Prince Ryoma.
R: Well, in that case…
A: Huh? What's that?
R: It is a ring, Amalthea. I want you to be my wife. My future Queen. Will you marry me?
A: R-Ryoma…!
R: I understand the wall around your heart has not come down completely. But as your husband, I vow to continue to be patient, kind, and strong. I will be there for you in your darkest hours, ready to hold you in my arms at the sign of the smallest teardrop. I will help shoulder whatever burden you carry, even if it just means holding your hand when you feel anxious. I promise to continue to be your rock and your sanctuary. If you will have me.
A: …
R: ...Amalthea?
A: …yes.
R: Yes?
A: Yes. To everything. I would be honored to be your wife. To be in your arms and hold your hand through my troubles. My rock, my sanctuary, yes. Yes to all of it. I will marry you, Ryoma.
R: Gods, Amalthea. You have made me the happiest man in existence! My heart has never felt so much joy!
A: Neither has mine. I-I love you, Ryoma.
R: I love you, too, Amalthea.
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