Rune Factory 5 – The Twin Dragons, Intertwined Feelings
-Prologue-
This story took place right after Ares saved the world from the Fathomless Dread and didn't choose anyone to be his marriage candidate.
"Hey, Ares."
"Yes?"
Ares heard Livia calling him when he was getting ready to harvest the crops he planted. Livia, or Lumenivia was the dragon of light and the older one of the two dragons who helped Ares get back on his feet when he was fighting Gideon and the Fathomless Dread. If she was not there, the world may not be in peace as it was.
"What do you need me for, captain Livia?"
"I need you to deliver this letter to Simon, sorry to bother you with this insignificant task."
"It's okay, not like this is the first time you asked me for this kind of work."
"… You jerk."
Ares laughed at her reaction but didn't pursue the matter further. Then, the door opened abruptly.
"I'm here, sister."
"Oh! welcome, Radea."
Radea, or Umbradea was the dragon of darkness who was also by Ares' side when he was storming into SEED Headquarter above the sky and was the younger one of the two dragon sisters. Even though she was younger, Radea was actually taller than Livia much to her chagrin.
"Welcome to the Silo, Radea."
"… Oh, you're here."
"I'm just next to Livia, though…"
Radea was not fond of Ares in the beginning because Gideon fed her false information regarding her sister. She was told Ares was the one who murdered Livia and was the reason why Radea couldn't find her sister anywhere which ultimately caused her to harbor vengeful hatred towards Ares. However, Livia appeared in front of her when she was almost killed due to the unstoppable absorption of energy to help her by taking some of the energy into herself. Knowing her sister was still alive Radea finally managed to forgive Ares to a certain extent although she was still awkward of how to act around Ares.
"Anyways, glad to see you around, Radea."
"… Hmph."
Ignoring Ares, she sat on her usual small table to read books. Seeing her minding her own business, Ares thought he should get going.
"Oh right, I almost forgot."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Do you have anyone you love, Ares?"
Radea's shoulder flinched slightly, but no one seemed to notice it.
"Someone I love, huh? Hm… Nope, not a single one at the moment."
"I see, it would be best if you could find a marriage partner, you see."
"Thanks for your concern, Livia. But I can't just love someone without seriously thinking about it or it would be rude to them."
"Since you're a mortal your time is not long, that's why I brought up the topic. But no rush! We still have a long way to go now that the Fathomless Dread is gone forever."
"Right, I'm off."
"Understood, good luck today too. Make sure the letter is read by Simon."
"Leave it to me."
"…"
Radea didn't say good bye to Ares, but Ares believed she knew he was going to leave. With that, Ares left, leaving only Livia and Radea in the room.
Then, Livia turned to Radea who was still reading… Or not.
"Your book is upside down."
"Huh? Huh!? Oh! How embarrassing!"
Panicking the moment she realized her book was not in the right position, she turned the book around.
"Something on your mind?"
"… No, nothing at all."
"I see, is it about Ares?"
"H-Huh!? Why would I think about that mortal?!"
"You're a kind girl deep down, Radea. You still feel guilty for accusing him of murdering me, right?"
"…"
Radea couldn't make a noise.
It was true that she was still awkward in how to interact with Ares, to the point she had to be snappy whenever he talked to her. But deep down, she wanted to express her gratitude for saving the world to him. If it was just her and Livia alone, they wouldn't be able to stop Gideon nor the Fathomless Dread.
But, that wasn't the only cause of her current dilemma.
"Hey, sister?"
"Yes?"
"How long is the average lifespan of mortals?"
"Hm, it varies from each region and how their environment is. But I'd say the average lifespan of a human is around 70 to 80 years."
"I see."
"Why the sudden interest?"
"Nothing, I was just curious."
"Hm..."
Radea resumed her reading. Seeing her little sister didn't seem to want to talk anymore, Livia returned to her own task.
Not without having a faint hint of how Radea felt about Ares.
"… Mortals sure live a really short life…" Said Radea with a voice only she can hear.
.
.
.
"Hey, Ares! I challenge you to a duel!"
"Oh, Lucy! Looking as excited as always, huh? But sorry, I can't at the moment."
"Boo, and here I thought today would be the day I win."
"Haha, maybe next time?"
As the two of them were conversing, Priscilla approached them with a big smile.
"Hey Lucy, and Ares too."
"Priscilla! Listen to this, Ares refused my challenge!"
"Hello, Priscilla. Fancy seeing you here."
"Heehee, Lucy is as energetic as always whenever she sees you."
"Wha! I- If you put it like that it would seem like I'm in… In love with him, you know?"
"Oh, really?"
"Eh… Uh…"
Perhaps remembering how she was like when she received the cursed truth mirror from her father before, she was blushing like mad. Ares found her way of blushing cute, but alas, he didn't think of Lucy in that way and in fact he didn't find anyone in Rigbarth as a potential partner for life.
After talking about their plan for the day, they went their separate ways and Ares resumed going to the clinic to meet Simon.
"Excuse me, Simon. I'm here to give you this letter from captain Livia."
"Hey, Ares. Come in."
Ares handed the letter Livia tasked him to deliver to Simon.
Simon opened the letter to read the content.
"… I see. It is certainly most instriguing."
"What?"
"Oh, don't mind me. It's just that captain Livia is concerned about the same thing as me."
"May I know what's concerning you two? Maybe I can help with it."
"Fufu, really?"
"Uh…"
Ares couldn't be too sure the moment Simon laughed. He had a bad feeling about it.
"If you're that eager to ease our concern, then so be it. You've been living here for about 3 years right?"
"Yes?"
"Do you plan to marry anyone?"
"… Huh?"
"You see, you already have a job as a SEED in Rigbarth Post, you get along with all the villagers here, helping them develop their shops, you're very capable in not just farming but also cooking, forging, crafting and making medicines, not to mention you saved the world even though no one out there knows about it recently. Seeing that you've done so much for us I am considering to let you marry my daughter, Lucy."
"… What?"
"You heard me. I'm hoping that you will take Lucy as your wife."
"T- That's too sudden…"
"Is it a no?"
Ares took a gulp.
"… I love Rigbarth. Everyone is so kind to me, even when I lost my memories and lost my way, the villagers still accept me as one of them. I mean I might not be entirely accepted at first naturally, but over time I was accepted as a part of the village. Rigbarth is an irreplaceable place for me, I would love to keep living here as a part of it and if possible starting a family. However…"
"You've not found the right person?"
"Regrettably so."
"I see, it's okay. Forcing you to marry Lucy is the last thing I want, so don't feel uncomfortable."
"I'm sorry, Simon. It's not like I hate Lucy…"
"Don't be, I've gone through your phase of course I would understand how it feels to love and not to love."
Ares let out a sigh of relief. He didn't think Simon would hate him for refusing but it was still not a good feeling to refuse someone especially if it was from people he cared about.
Ares stayed to talk about the future development of Rigbarth with Simon for a while. Without them noticing, the sky had turned dark.
"Oh look at the time, looks like you'll have to return to the post."
"You're right, I'm sorry for taking so much of your time, Simon."
"Don't be sorry, I don't have patients today anyway. Besides, I had fun talking with you."
"I see, I had fun talking with you too, Simon."
"Want to have a date?"
"I have to politely decline."
"Fufu, I'm just kidding."
"Please don't tease me, I'll be killed by your husband not to mention Lucy and Julian…"
After saying good bye, Ares left the clinic. On his way back to the silo, he saw Radea who seemed to be waiting for someone at the bridge. She was staring into the river while leaning to the bridge.
"Radea?" "Hello? Rigbarth to Radea?" "Do you want a dragon fang?"
"… Where?"
"Here."
"—It's not like I'm happy to receive this. Don't let it go to your head. …. But since you're offering I will take it."
"I know."
"… By the way, I happened to make more flan than I thought."
"Do you mind if I have some?"
"Sure, it's just leftovers anyways."
"I'm more than happy to accept it, thanks Radea."
"… 3"
This was Ares and Radea's small daily activity. Ares would give Radea a dragon fang every day right before the sun was down to help her soften up and sometimes Radea would give him something she made. At first, it was a surprise for Ares that Radea would love dragon fangs considering she was a dragon herself. It was equivalent to a human loving another human's teeth, to the current day it still made Ares wonder why did she love them so much, perhaps even more than how she liked flan or strawberry.
But there was one thing Ares found adorable to the point he couldn't help but want to tease her for it. It was the fact that Radea's actually pretty happy receiving her gift despite the unhappy act.
"Say, Radea?"
"I will make it an exception and listen to you for your offering, what is it?"
"Do you realize how your snappy attitude is the total opposite of how you're feeling?"
"Wha— Are you looking for a fight!?"
"That, that's what I mean."
"What are you talking about!?"
"… On second thought, I will keep it for myself."
"He— Hey! Tell me!"
Ares was afraid if he told her, she would stop showing this kind of reaction to him anymore. He didn't want that to happen for he had grown fond of it.
"—So, what were you doing today?"
"It's rare to hear you ask something like this, but I was talking to Simon."
"Simon? That doctor?"
"Yes, we were talking about the development of Rigbarth."
"The whole day? Talking to her?"
"Yes, why?"
"… Nothing."
Ares could see the sullen look in her face, but before he could say anything, Terry who happened to pass the bridge approached them.
"You're still here, Radea?"
"Huh?"
"Still?"
Radea was surprised by the sudden call from Terry, but Ares didn't miss the word 'still' Terry said.
"You've been here for about 2 hours, were you waiting for Ares all this time? Haha."
"!?"
Terry was half joking, but Radea's reaction was more than enough to confirm his suspicion.
Ares didn't know it because he was in the clinic, but Radea had actually been waiting for her 'offering' for 2 hours on the bridge and was really worried that Ares wouldn't come that day.
"Wh- Wha-!"
"You've been waiting for that long…? I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Radea."
"I- I- I WASN'T WAITING FOR YOU AT ALL!"
After shouting to the top of her lungs, Radea flew away in haste.
Seeing her shadow fading into the horizon, Terry began talking.
"She seems to like you a lot. Compared to the other villagers you seem to be her second favorite after captain Livia."
"Well… I do feel like she warms up to me a lot compared to the first time she came to Rigbarth."
"So, what do you think of her?"
"Let's see, she can't be honest to herself, she often says words she doesn't mean, although she may seem angry but if we pay attention to her face we can see that she's not angry at all, sometimes I could even see her smile even though her mouth was spouting something not quite friendly… Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to blabber like that."
However, Terry was smiling meaningfully.
"I see, so it's like that. I have to pity Rigbarth girls."
"Huh?"
"No, no, pay me no mind. But no matter what your choice is I will always give you my support. You're our hero after all. Then, I'll be going now. Don't stay out too long, okay?"
"?"
Not really understanding what was Terry going on about, Ares couldn't do anything but watch his back.
.
.
"I'm back."
"That sure took you a while, did you deliver the letter to Simon already?"
"Yes, but captain Livia…"
"Hm?"
"… No, actually don't mind it."
Ares couldn't say he knew the content of the letter because Simon told him about it, so he kept quiet.
"I see, you know what I'm talking to Simon about, no?"
"… Yes."
"Is that so, then the cat's out of the bag."
Livia stood from her chair and walked to Ares.
"It's like what I said this morning, we were concerned by the fact you haven't gone out with anyone after all these years. But it's not like we're rushing you, really. We just think that it would be a shame if you couldn't find your favorite person while not having the intention to leave Rigbarth."
"I understand your concern, captain. But…"
"Yes, you told me this morning. That's why we are trying to help you in some way, after all you're but a mortal."
"You're really kind and caring, captain Livia."
"Heehee, what I wouldn't do for my favorite ranger."
Livia was all smug, but deep inside she was feeling uneasy. She herself didn't seem to understand for she never felt something like this before. It was like her heart was beating real fast the moment Ares praised her but not when it was the other villagers.
"It's such a shame that you're extremely lazy."
"Hey! I've been working too you know!"
"Although, if I would pick anyone to be my wife, I'd pick someone like Radea... and captain Livia I guess?"
"—Eh?"
"Eh?"
Not even realizing what was he saying, the words flowed naturally as if it was natural.
Then, Livia's face starting to turn reddish.
"W- What are you saying?"
"A- Ah… It was hypothetically speaking! Yes! It wasn't serious!"
"It certainly didn't sound like that! And Radea? So you're saying you like Radea? A- And me?"
"No, I—"
Not being able to take the immense heat that was gathering in her face anymore, Livia pushed Ares out of her room.
"Anyways! Leave for now and cool your head!"
"Un— Understood!"
Blam*.
The moment the door was slammed shut, Livia fell to her knees.
Hands covering her red as tomato face.
"What do I do…"
She was afraid this day would come, the day when she was confronted with her own feelings.
Truth be told, she enjoyed the days where Ares was always coming to her office every morning and night before sleeping, having some small talks, receiving and giving gifts to each other, but they were not supposed to be together in a romantic relationship.
For dragon was an almost immortal being, they live a very long lifespan and to them humans' lifespan was just a tiny fragment of their lives.
However, the days she spent with Ares were unlike the days she spent with other humans. He was not afraid to get in contact and start conversations with her. Sometimes he also made fun of her which was something not any other human could do.
From those accumulative experiences she never felt before, she started to harbor affection towards him. She tried to deny it all the time by thinking there was no way a dragon could ever be in a romantic relationship with a mere human.
But, what happened now completely shattered what she used to believe.
"… Am… Am I… In love? With him…?"
-To be continued-