Chapter 20

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Aqua Steed and Keith both narrowed their eyes. It seemed as if they were glaring at each other, as if trying to claim the Tiara Rose for themselves...

Taken aback by the sudden tension, Tiara Rose held her breath. She needed to clear up the misunderstanding and apologize to Aqua Steed for causing him worry.

But no words came to her mind—perhaps because the air in the room was tense.

"Ah, so you are—Aqua Steed."

Keith, with a mocking smile, stared straight ahead. Despite the tip of Aqua Steed's sword pointed at his throat, he did not flinch.

Aqua Steed, looking at Keith with a puzzled expression, repeated, "Let go of Tiara."

"Wouldn't you rather have me than a guy like him?"

"…!"

Ignoring Aqua Steed's words, Keith stroked Tiara Rose's hair.

With a troubled expression, Tiara Rose regained her composure. Keith's words, which seemed to be a flirtatious attempt, did not match the tense atmosphere.

"Please stop, Fairy King. I am the fiancée of Prince Aqua Steed."

"Is that so?—That's a shame. Really."

Tiara Rose looked at Keith with serious eyes and firmly stated her resolve.

Keith, as if laughing, moved the sword from his throat and directed a piercing gaze at Aqua Steed.

—Who do you think you're pointing your sword at?

Keith's eyes seemed to say.

Tiara Rose's words made Aqua Steed catch his breath. Who would have thought that the man in this room, who was trying to flirt with his fiancée, was the Fairy King?

However, Tiara Rose was not joking. This meant that Keith was indeed the Fairy King.

"I did not know you were the Fairy King of the Forest. I apologize for the disrespect. I am the Crown Prince of Marin Forest, Aqua Steed Marin Forest."

"Fine. I'll forgive you, as I'm in a good mood today."

Aqua Steed knelt before Keith and bowed.

Even as a Crown Prince, the Fairy King was a more revered being. Few, even kings, could stand on equal footing with the Fairy King.

"However, Tiara Rose is my fiancée. It doesn't seem proper for the Fairy King to be so close, does it?"

"Aqua-sama!?"

After finishing his greeting, Aqua Steed immediately pulled Tiara Rose into his arms.

He held her tightly, as if no one else could touch her. Tiara Rose, blushing, tried to wriggle free.

"What's this? You seem to be quite loved, Tiara?"

"…! It's because Keith did something to cause a misunderstanding!!"

Keith chuckled, finding the situation amusing.

He had not expected anyone to point a sword at him, the Fairy King, let alone the future king of this country.

—This is going to be an interesting country.

"Alright, I'll leave for today. Tiara."

"What…?"

"If you ever feel down, just call me. As a thank you for the cookies, I'll help you."

Keith walked over to Tiara Rose and Aqua Steed and gently kissed the back of Tiara Rose's hand.

In the next moment, he vanished.

"…Keith?"

"The Fairy King seems to have left."

"……"

Keith had disappeared, leaving behind Tiara Rose and a slightly colder-than-usual Aqua Steed.

"A, ah…!"

Tiara Rose tried to apologize, but Aqua Steed did not allow it. Without a word, he picked her up and sat her on the nearby sofa.

Tiara Rose, held in his arms, was placed on his lap. She could not ask to be let down, given his angry demeanor.

Silence fell between them, but Aqua Steed continued to stroke her hair.

"…Aqua-sama"

"……"

She timidly called out, looking into Aqua Steed's eyes. Though he did not respond, he smiled at her.

—Good. He doesn't seem to hate me.

Relieved, Tiara Rose tried to get off his lap to apologize properly but failed.

"A, Aqua-sama?"

"No. Stay here."

"……Yes."

In a tone that brooked no argument, he said, "I won't let you leave." His low voice whispered in her ear.

She wanted to face him and apologize, but his jealousy made it impossible. So, she remained in his arms and apologized.

"I'm sorry for causing you worry, Aqua-sama. I didn't tell you anything and stayed out this late…"

"…I'm not angry at you for that. The forest fairies took you, and I've already received a report from Tarmo."

"Is that so…?"

He said he wasn't angry, but Tiara Rose could see the anger in his eyes. He was definitely angry, and in the worst mood she had ever seen.

Though he smiled, his tone was not as sweet as usual, but rather matter-of-fact.

Tiara Rose apologized again, but Aqua Steed's attitude did not change. Instead, he pulled her closer, placing his hand on her waist.

"A, Aqua-sama?"

Her heart raced. She was supposed to be apologizing, not feeling this way. But her heart wouldn't stop beating.

"Tiara—"

He whispered her name in her ear, and his fingers traced her neck, making her shiver.

"Do you think I'm angry?"

"…!"

As he asked, Aqua Steed gently nibbled on her ear, making her let out a sweet moan.

He kissed down her neck, leaving red marks.

"Aqua-sama…!"

"…You're good at teasing me."

"Eh?"

He kissed down to her chest, his intense gaze locking onto her.

How did it come to this? Tiara Rose's cheeks were flushed, and her breathing was slightly uneven.

"Don't you understand?"

"Eh…?"

Seeing Aqua Steed's slightly sad expression, Tiara Rose became anxious.

He was definitely angry, but she couldn't understand why.

She had already apologized for causing worry, and he had said it wasn't that. But had she done something else to anger him?

Suddenly, it hit her.

—Maybe it's because Keith touched me?

Indeed, it wouldn't feel good to have one's fiancée touched by someone else, especially a man.

"I'm sorry. It's because Keith touched me…?"

"Yes—partly."

That was part of it.

So, the main reason was something else.

"Really, it's so easy to make me jealous."

"…?"

"Tiara is mine, isn't she? Isn't that right?"

He stroked her cheek and asked, "Do you understand?" She nodded and replied, "Of course."

However, she still didn't understand the main reason for his anger. Why was he so angry?

It probably had something to do with Keith, but she couldn't guess what.

"Tiara."

"A, Aqua-sama…?"

"That's it, the reason I'm angry."

"Eh—?"

—What exactly is it!?

Being called by her name didn't seem to be a specific reason.

Tiara Rose became even more confused, her mind swirling with questions. As she pondered, Aqua Steed pushed her down onto the sofa.

"I'll disinfect everything."

"…!"

He kissed the spots Keith had touched.

Caught off guard, Tiara Rose shivered. She couldn't believe this was happening, but then she remembered—

—This is a game world!

Kissed lovingly, Tiara Rose hid her face in embarrassment.

But Aqua Steed quickly pulled her hands away, intertwining his fingers with hers.

"Show me that cute face."

"…!"

He kissed her neck, but she couldn't move freely with him on top. She tried to catch her breath, feeling the heat.

"Ugh, Aqua-sama…"

"…Name."

"…Eh?"

When she called his name, a small voice reached her ears. What did it mean?

Name, name… She pondered, trying to understand.

—Is the reason Aqua-sama is angry because of the name? But he allowed me to call him by his first name.

Then she realized—

—I called Keith by his first name. Maybe that's why…?

Does Aqua-sama want me to call him by his first name too?

The thought that came to mind was unexpectedly delightful. She hadn't expected to be jealous over something like this.

But… Can I really call him by his first name? Not in public, but in private?

—Can I call you by your first name?

Once she thought it, it was easy. Her mouth opened unconsciously.

"A, Aqua…"

"…!"

Her eyes slightly moist, Tiara Rose blushed.

But she clearly called Aqua Steed by his first name. The name, whispered from her delicate lips, was the sweetest she had ever heard.

Aqua Steed chuckled, as if it were a dessert. He kissed her ear and hugged her as if she were a treasure.

"—Correct."