◇ Coming-of-age romance / mutual pining / healing each other / an original story nobody has read
◇ Haughty young lady with incredible strength x gentle, pure-hearted young knight with a bit of a scheming streak
Being born on Earth was a sin. The golden-haired boy lay on the ground, clutching the rotten earth in despair.
"Get up."
A pair of military boots stopped before him. A cool voice came from above.
"Get up, Slaine Troyard."
*
"You have no respect for rank or any noble sense of honor. You're just a treacherous lunatic!"
"You filthy half-breed!"
"Kill her! We can't let her live!"
Lucy hated the royals, hated the nobles, hated everything in this rotten land, and hated herself for having to depend on them to survive.
She refused to give them what they wanted. She would fight and destroy everything, even if it meant destroying herself along with it.
"If you keep living, you'll meet good people and find warmth in the world." The golden-haired boy looked down at her. "I did."
-
"May I ask you to dance?"
"No."
He smiled gently, lowered his head, and stared at the ground, afraid of making her uncomfortable.
"I've overstepped. Someone of my standing couldn't possibly..."
"I never said that," Lucy interrupted impatiently. "Why do you want to dance so badly?"
"I've never danced before. I'm a little curious."
Though he seemed as he always did, Lucy caught a hint of disappointment. After a brief silence, she irritably lifted her skirt and curtsied.
"Would you care to dance with me?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she turned her face away and added, "You looked so pathetic, so... Anyway, you should be grateful..."
Afraid she'd change her mind, Slaine quickly grabbed the hand she held out, though it had begun to draw back.
*
Three years later
The golden-haired boy deftly dodged an attack, then used his height advantage to wrap his arms around her from behind.
"This time, it's my turn to protect you."
Once her surprise had passed, Lucy seized his arm and flipped him onto the ground.
"You're a hundred years too early if you think you can beat me!"
Slaine got back up and sighed helplessly. He really wasn't trying to provoke her!
*
This is a rotten age.
This is an age full of hope.
Fight, you who struggle in the darkness. Cast aside your false faith and carve out a new path.
Mortal bodies cannot stand against the power of gods. Even so, their blood and tears, their resistance and struggle, are never meaningless.
"You must understand humanity's fragility, limitations, and kindness."
"You must forgive yourself for being powerless."
*
A lifetime of stubborn tsundere denial
Before they fall in love
Lucy: Who likes you?!
After they fall in love
Lucy: Who likes you?!
After they get married
Lucy: Because you looked so pathetic!
After he gets his driver's license
Lucy: I'm only granting your wish a little because you've done your best to take care of me!
After their child is born
Lucy: What a headache. There are more idiots in the house now...
Slaine: Tsunderes are the cutest creatures in the world!
Theme: Accept your imperfections and do what you can.
