♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

【Main Route Garden Gacha】

Robert

*《Secret Wedding》裡面有句"r change—"，一看就不完整，
我找了中文版和日文版的來看，把這句翻成了英文：
（If there is only one thing in this world that will never change—）

◆Prelude to Love◆
《Wavering》

Jily had asked Robert to teach her more about history and government,
and so they'd spent several hours studying together.

（You're so passionate about this—I never expected you'd be reviewing everything and preparing for your next lessons.）

Robert "Did that explanation help any?"
Jily was sitting next to Robert, her expression serious as she took notes.
But she looked up at his words, smiling and nodding.
Jily "Yes, it really did. Thank you!"

（Still, history and government, hmm?）

Robert glanced down at the book in front of them, and the word "monarchy" caught his eye.

（Well, that country was certainly a monarchy.
（And that's why—）

Memories from his past threatened to surface, but right then—
Jily "Robert, you know so much about these topics related to government and history.
Jily "Did you study this sort of thing before?"
Jily's voice brought him back to himself with a start, and he gave her a vague smile.
Yet at the same time he felt as if his heart was freezing inside him.

（I'm sure I remember Byron saying something like that to me once.
（I guess you're just as perceptive as he is.
（But I have no intention of telling you anything.）

For a moment Robert was lost for words.
But he did his best to hide it, giving her his usual smile.
Robert "That's a good question."
Jily "Yesterday you were telling me what it is a princess needs."
Her eyes were clear and bright as she gazed up at him.

（You're so beautiful, and so honest it's almost too much—
（It's almost as if you're willing to accept everything, every part of me.）

Robert caught his breath as he realized how his thoughts were deluding him.

（Why—why would I—）

He could barely hide his surprise, but Jily dropped her gaze thoughtfully.
Jily "When you talk about this sort of thing, it feels almost like—
Jily "I don't know, like this isn't just something you've studied, but something you've experienced—"

（If we keep talking like this, I don't know what I might end up saying.）

The thought scared him more than anything had in a long time.
He leaned forward, grabbing hold of the back of Jily's chair.
Robert "Say that I had. What good would it do you to know about that?"
His voice was so cold in that moment that it surprised even him.
Jily "What?"
Robert leaned towards her, his expression grim.
He was so close that he could clearly see the surprise and confusion in her eyes.

（There's no way I can tell you about what happened then.）

The bitter memory that had threatened him a moment earlier flashed through his mind.

*****
It was a memory from a long, long time ago.
Robert stood on the balcony, staring down at the town below, when a man spoke from behind.
Man "The noble who governs that border region has come to the palace, requesting an audience with you."
Robert "It doesn't matter how many times he comes, I won't speak with him. Tell him to return to his own lands."
Robert retorted, and the man hesitated before saying,
Man "Surely you are capable at least of listening to what he has to say.
Man "The city here has not yet suffered from Alder's attacks, but—
Man "The damage done to the border regions is growing, slowly but surely.
Man "If this goes on—"
Robert turned around, catching the man with his gaze.
Robert "What are you trying to say?"
Man "Well—"
The man shrank back from Robert's sharp glare, falling silent.
Robert "Above all else I must think of the prosperity of this nation.
Robert "All I'm doing is discarding what needs to be discarded, for the nation as a whole."
Man "Are you saying that they are 'what needs to be discarded'?"
Robert "If you understand, then tell them to go home."
*****

（I can't tell you. I don't want you to know.
（I've thrown away everything from back then, even my own feelings.）

Jily's gaze was too pure, too beautiful, and he couldn't stand the idea of seeing it fill with disappointment.

（I'm—）

Robert's heart ached, and his frown deepened.
He spoke again, his words cold, in a desperate attempt to push her away.
Robert "It's something you're better off not knowing.
Robert "Let's change the topic."

（I'd already decided that I would carry my past with me and never speak of it to anyone.）

He scowled a little at the contrary feelings welling up inside him.

（At least, that's what I thought.
（So why do I feel as if I could break down and tell you everything?）

Robert swallowed hard, unable to understand his own feelings.
Jily "Um—okay."

（This is how it has to be.
（If you knew my past, it would betray all your trust in me.）

Robert forced himself to smile the way he always did...

◆Finale of Fervor - Sugar◆
《First Step》

Robert returned to Wysteria and explained the whole situation to Giles.
Giles "So that explains why their real target was you."
Robert "Yes. I'm so very sorry for getting Wysteria involved in this."
Giles shook his head slowly at Robert's words.
Giles "No, the fault lies with these former nobles. Where are they now?"
Robert "I'm afraid they've already fled, and I'm not sure where to."

（I wish I could have spoken to them one more time.
（If I could have just listened to them, and accepted a little of the pain they've suffered—）

He remembered the way Jily had accepted his past.

（If I could have done for them what Jily did for me—）

Regret surged through him, making his heart ache.
Giles studied Robert's expression for a moment, a faint frown on his face.
Then he looked down at the parchment he was holding, his lips curving into a somehow fabricated smile.
Giles "I see. However, this document should be more than enough.
Giles "And thankfully this means we should also be able to fulfill His Majesty's wishes."

（Hang on, what does that mean?）

The words seemed to come out of nowhere, and Robert blinked at Giles in confusion.
Robert "His Majesty?"
Giles "Yes. I have a message for you, from His Majesty."
Giles smiled at Robert's surprise, and went on to say,
Giles "He was wondering if you would be interested in becoming the queen's advisor."
Robert "An advisor? Me?"

（And when you say queen—）

*****
Jily "Giles was talking to me about choosing a prince consort.
Jily "But he told me I could also just rule alone, as queen."
*****

（Before we returned here, Jily did tell me she'd been encouraged to rule alone as queen, but—）

Robert "I don't think I am suitable for that position."

（I don't want to cause any problems for Jily.）

Giles stared at Robert, his gaze piercing.
Giles "I thought you would say that. However—
Giles "You are the one who suggested we negotiate with Stein.
Giles "And that's the only reason the war ended so quickly.
Giles "Such an achievement is certainly enough to qualify for advisor."
Robert "That achievement... it wasn't just me."

（It's because Jily worked so hard as the princess to make it all work out.）

Giles smirked suddenly, amusement in his eyes.
Giles "You both say exactly the same thing."
Robert "We do?"

（Really?）

There was only one face that popped into his mind at Giles's words.

（Did Jily say the same thing?）

Giles "Naturally, this discussion has come about after evaluating Jily's actions as well.
Giles "However, before I counsel the princess on becoming queen—
Giles "I thought she might feel more reassured if she knew that you would be her advisor."

（I know you, Giles. Before you made this suggestion—
（You thought long and hard about both my feelings and Jily's, didn't you?）

Robert couldn't help but laugh wryly.
Giles "What do you think?"

（All this time I've been wanting to stand by Jily's side, supporting her.
（I never imagined my wish would be granted like this.）

It was as if the gloom clouding his heart had cleared away, and he suddenly felt calm and relaxed.
Robert "I will do everything I can, for Wysteria, and for the princess."
Robert's sure, dignified voice echoed loudly through the room.

＊＊＊

Time seemed to pass by in a frenzied rush after that.
Robert continued to support Jily as she worked on the many things to prepare her for becoming queen.
At last her coronation ceremony was held, and ended without a hitch.
Robert and Jily sat side by side on the edge of the fountain.
He could still picture her as she'd been during the ceremony, and he looked over at her.
Robert "You looked beautiful up there."

（It was a beautiful scene, and I'll never forget it for as long as I live.）

He reached out and took hold of her hand, twining their fingers together.
Jily smiled happily up at him, her eyes bright.
Jily "I'm glad to hear you say that."
Her smile was warm like sunshine, and it touched his heart.
Jily squeezed his fingers gently as she said,
Jily "I feel like the only reason I was able to take that first step towards becoming queen,
Jily "is because I have you by my side."
Her gentle words seemed to echo through him, and he smiled back at her.
Robert "Your first step, hmm? I think my first step was you."
Jily "What?"

*****
Jily "I love you, Robert."
*****

（And knowing how you felt, I was—）

*****
Robert "But you told me how you feel, even though you know my past.
Robert "I want to be open and honest with you, too.
Robert "Hearing you speak the words that I taught Byron all those years ago reminded me of how I used to feel.
Robert "I want to support you as you work to improve this nation, Jily.
Robert "No, not just support you.
Robert "Will you let me stand by your side, and help you protect the nation properly this time?
Robert "I love you."
*****

（The things I felt then have only grown stronger over time.）

Robert turned to meet Jily's gaze directly.
Robert "I've faced up to my past, and been able to take your hand and walk the same path with you.
Robert "That was my first step, and I was only able to do it because of you."
Jily "So you and I both have taken a new first step, haven't we?"
Jily was gazing right back at him, and he could see tears trembling in her eyes.
Robert "We have."

（I want to spend my life with you.）

Robert "From now on, let's take each step forward together."
Jily "I'd like that."
Robert pulled Jily close, reveling in the warmth and surety of their feelings...

◆Finale of Fervor - Honey◆
《For Meeting You》

The knights rushed forward, capturing the men who'd threatened the princess.
Robert ignored them and rushed straight towards Jily.
He cut the ropes around her wrists as fast as he could, and hugged her tight against him.
Robert "Jily, are you okay? You're not hurt?"
Jily "I'm okay."
Robert "If they'd hurt you, I don't know what I'd have done."

（There's no way I could have been entirely calm back there.
（If we'd turned up a moment later—）

A chill ran down his spine as he remembered the sight of the men all pointing their swords at Jily.
He squeezed her hands tightly, reassuring himself that she was alive, that she was right there with him.
Robert "I'm so glad you're okay."
He leaned closer, and she smiled up at him, her expression clearly relieved.
Jily "I'm glad you're okay, too."
Robert "I'm sorry for putting you through this."
Jily "Please don't apologize. After all, it was my idea."

（I knew it was dangerous from the moment you suggested we both do it.
（But even so—）

*****
Jily "In that case, I will act as bait as well."
Robert "Jily?"
Leo "Can I ask why?"
Jily turned towards Leo, speaking clearly.
Jily "I don't believe that Robert is his only target.
Jily "We foiled his plans. And if he's going so far as to attack Wysteria Palace—
Jily "Well, that means he holds a grudge against Wysteria itself now, too."
Leo nodded slowly, his expression understanding.
Leo "So you're saying that means his main target is you."
Robert "And you think more bait means more targets for him, meaning we can divide his forces?"
Jily "Yes, exactly. If we do that, won't it also mean less danger for everyone involved, as well?"
*****

Even though he'd been afraid, he'd been awed by the sight of her, so strong and ready to fight.

（I wanted to respect the ideas you proposed in your role as the princess.
（But I don't want to put you in a position like this ever again.）

Robert "Yes, you did. And it certainly went well.
Robert "But I don't want you to do anything this reckless ever again."
Jily "I could say the same for you.
Jily "Please don't suggest being bait all by yourself, not ever again."

（Even at a time like this, you're still thinking about other people.
（You're so kind it's enough to make me worry about you.）

Love for her welled up inside him, filling him with warmth.
He smiled at her, nodding in agreement.

＊＊＊

They returned safely to the palace, and the next few days were a blur.
At last Robert found a moment one evening to visit Jily.
They sat next to each other on the bed, and he turned to look at her.
Robert "It's been a little while since it all happened. Are you okay now?"
Jily "I am."
Jily nodded firmly, but her expression was still gloomy.

（I'm sure your fear from what happened has eased over time.
（But you look as if something else is bothering you now.）

Robert "Good. But you're fretting about something else, aren't you?"
Robert spoke gently, and Jily went on hesitantly, her expression still clouded.
Jily "The things you said that day—"
Robert "What things?"
Jily "I know your country fell to ruin, but I don't believe it was all your fault.
Jily "So when you talk about your crimes, and repenting—"
Her eyes wavered with emotion, and her voice was hoarse.

（I had no idea you'd be worrying about something like that.
（But one thing is true—I said that in a way that was bound to cause confusion.）

He spoke lightly, trying his best to reassure her.
Robert "And now you're worried.
Robert "But what I meant by those words was something a little different than what you're thinking."
Jily "Really?"
Robert "I said that because I don't want to forget what happened to Bergenia."

（Meeting that nobleman again, and seeing his pain—
（Well, it reminded me all over again that I destroyed the country in which I was born and raised.）

It was a deep regret that he'd carried in his heart for a long time.

（I've never been able to forget what happened to Bergenia.
（But I've always turned a blind eye to what I myself did to cause it.）

Robert "Before I met you, I ignored my crimes. I hid them. I ran away from them.
Robert "But that's not right. I have to accept my crimes for the crimes they were."
Jily herself had made him realize that he needed and wanted to face things directly.

*****
Jily "I was right—your kindness wasn't just a pretense.
Jily "The fact that you came here for me is all the proof I need."
*****

（I won't turn my back on my past, not ever again.）

Robert "You've accepted my past, which means—
Robert "I can't very well refuse to accept it myself.
Robert "I want to move forward with you, and make sure I don't make the same mistakes all over again."
He reached out as he spoke, placing his hand over Jily's.
He looked up at her to find her smiling gently at him.
Jily "Please, share that burden equally with me."
Robert shook his head quietly at her words.

（What I want to share with you isn't my pain.）

Robert "There are other, different feelings that I want you to share with me.
Robert "Will you share your life with me, and your happiness?"
Jily's eyes went wide, filled with vivid emotion and trembling tears.
Jily "As the princess—may I choose you, Robert?"
Robert nodded, lifting her hand to place a kiss against the back of it.

（My past isn't filled with good memories, but I won't stew over it anymore.）

Robert "Please, let me protect Wysteria—and you—as your prince consort."

（I'm sure that everything was a trial to prepare me for meeting you.）

Robert drew her gently towards him, catching her lips in a soft kiss...

◆Finale of Fervor - Secret◆
《Secret Wedding》

It was their day off, several days after the engagement ceremony.
Robert had taken Jily on a trip into town with him.
He took her to a lookout where they could see the whole town.
Jily "So this is your favorite place."
Robert "Yes, it is, because you can see the whole town so well."

（I invited you to come into town because we both have a day off.
（But I was surprised when you asked me to take you to my favorite place.）

They'd wandered around several stores in town, and then Robert had asked Jily where she wanted to go next.
That had been her response.

（But when you look like that, it makes me glad I brought you here.）

Jily's hair was blowing in the breeze, and she held it back from her face as she gazed at the scenery with a serene smile.
Jily "Do you like looking down at the town?"
Robert hesitated for a moment, not sure how to respond.
Robert "I guess I do.
Robert "When I worked as a painter here in town, I used to come here a lot."

（Ahh, that takes me back.）

He remembered the many times he'd visited so he could draw sketches.

（But there's a different reason I like looking at the town from here.）

Robert "When you look at a town, I feel like you can sense the country's colors."
Jily "Its colors?"
Robert "Yes. Like if it has warm colors, or dark colors.
Robert "I feel as if the faces of the people living there become its colors."
Jily "So what sort of colors make up Wysteria, then?"
Jily looked up at him, her expression bright and eager.

（You're so beautiful. Your eyes sparkle with curiosity.
（You haven't changed at all from how you were when I used to tutor you.）

Adoration welled up inside him, and he smiled down at her.
Robert "That's a good question."
He turned to look at the scenery spread out before him, and the words came naturally.
Robert "Gentle, vibrant colors, I think."

（Colors that are just like you, Jily.）

Jily beamed at him, her voice happy as she said,
Jily "What lovely colors."
Robert "Now I want to know how it looks to you."

（How is this scenery reflected in your gaze?
（We may be looking at the same thing, but I'm sure we see it differently.
（I mean, it can't be helped—the roads we've traveled are too different.）

The thoughts welled up unbidden, and he dropped his gaze.
Jily "I think it's the same for me as it is for you."
The wind carried her gentle voice to him, and he looked up with a start.

（The same?）

Jily "I don't know if you could call this colors, but—
Jily "When I look at the town, I can feel the gentleness and the vibrancy it conveys.
Jily "It seems almost like the colors of a painting, painted by you."
Jily smiled happily as she spoke, and it sent a sweet ache through his heart.
Jily "The colors, and the sky—
Jily "It makes me think how nice it would be to look out at the same landscape as you, always."
Robert "We can do that. I'm going to be with you forever, after all."
Jily "Robert—"
Jily lifted her head to gaze up at him, and he could see the happiness spreading across her face.
Jily "I know."

（I love you with all my heart.）

Robert reached for his jacket pocket, meaning to bring out the thing he'd secretly brought with him.

（If I'm going to give it to you, now is—）

Then he stopped mid-gesture, and lowered his hand.

（No, if I'm going to do this—
（I want to give it to you at a place that will make you even happier.）

Robert "Jily, there's one more place I'd like to take you. Do you mind?"

＊＊＊

Robert took Jily to a beautiful field, filled with blooming flowers.
They walked side by side, making their way slowly between the flowers.
Jily "It's so beautiful!"
Robert "It is, isn't it?"
As they walked, Jily spoke slowly, her voice soft and hesitant.
Jily "Sometimes, I find myself thinking—
Jily "If I hadn't met you again the way I did—
Jily "What would have happened?"

（If we hadn't met each other again?
（I suppose there might have been a future like that.）

He tried to imagine it, but sorrow welled up inside him.
Robert "Well, what do you think would have happened?"
Jily "I can't even imagine it."
She gave a chagrined laugh, and then spoke again, her voice gentle.
Jily "It's like I can't even think about what it might be like to not have you by my side."

（Oh, Jily—）

Jily was blushing slightly, but she lifted her head to look up at him.
As their eyes met, she smiled slowly at him.
Her smile seemed to shine in the light of the sunset, and it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

（You're always looking ahead, always focused on the future.
（And that's just a part of what makes you so beautiful.）

Joy seemed to blossom deep inside him, and he stopped walking.
Jily "Robert?"
Jily stopped as well, turning to look at him, and he smiled at her.
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box.

（Let me swear this today—I will make you happy.）

Robert "I can't even think about it either. I never want to let you go.
Robert "I want to share those feelings with you again today."
Robert opened the small box, and removed a ring from inside it.
It was studded with tiny gems, and they sparkled rainbow-colored in the light of the setting sun.
Jily "Oh! Is that—"
Robert "I know it's not official, but think of it like our own secret wedding ceremony."
Jily caught her breath at his words, her eyes suddenly wide and wavering.
Then her face split into a beaming smile, her joy clear.

（That first time I met you, and when I first saw you again at the palace, I was always outside the frame.
（I always thought I had no right to be happy.）

Robert turned to face Jily, looking directly into her eyes.

（But now... now I'm inside the frame, together with you.
（That's why I'm only going to look forward from now on.）

Robert "I, Robert Branche—
Robert "Do swear and avow that I will love and protect you my whole life long."
He slid the ring gently onto Jily's finger, and then began to let go of her hand.

（Wha—）

She gripped his hand tightly, holding on to him.
Robert "Jily?"
Jily "I want to swear too.
Jily "I swear that no matter what happens, I will always be by your side."
Her words were so direct, and they sent warmth flooding through them.

（Somehow you're always able to say things like that so easily.
（I really am no match for you.）

He reached out and pulled her into his embrace, wishing he could show her just how much he loved her.
Robert "Thank you.
Robert "I'll always be with you, too."

（I believe that we found each other again so that I could bring you happiness.）

He cupped her cheek with his hand, tilting her head towards him.
Jily smiled up at him, blushing happily as she closed her eyes in anticipation.
Jily "Robert—"
Robert "I love you."

（If there is only one thing in this world that will never change—）
（It would be my love for you.）

The setting sun wrapped them in a warm, golden embrace.
Robert leaned close and pressed a gentle, loving kiss against Jily's lips...