Chapter 21

It had been twenty days since Tiara Roses arrived at Marine Forest.

Even though it hadn't been a month yet, so many things had already happened. Her meeting with the heroine, Aishira, and her encounter with the Fairy King.

Of course, there were also opportunities to have tea parties with the noble daughters of Marine Forest as part of social activities.

And now, the formal bride education was about to begin.

However, Tiara Roses, who was the fiancée of Prince Hartnitz of Lapis Lazuli, had already acquired almost all the necessary cultivation.

Therefore, the education would focus on the culture of Marine Forest, matters related to fairies, and history. Additionally, it would involve building a relationship of trust with her fiancé, Aquasteed.

"I must be thorough. I am to become the queen of this country..."

She sank deeply into the canopy bed, her vision filled with the beautifully decorated bed.

The night grew quietly deeper, and Tiara Roses closed her eyes to sleep, but sleep did not come easily.

Was it due to the anxiety of the upcoming bride education? Or was it the uncertainty of whether she could truly become the queen?

Tiara Roses couldn't tell.

"Lord Aquasteed. No, Aquasteed."

Just before falling asleep, she always thought of Aquasteed.

Since she started calling the Fairy King by his first name, Keith, they had an unspoken rule that in private, she should call him Aquasteed without any honorifics.

In private, it was Aquasteed.

In the presence of close friends, it was Lord Aquasteed.

In public, it was Prince Aquasteed.

"...I might slip up someday."

Thinking this, she rolled over. She did this to prevent herself from smiling too widely.

When Keith and Aquasteed confronted each other, Tiara Roses was indeed worried, but the result was that the distance between them had narrowed.

For this, she was very grateful to Keith.

Thinking about these things, Tiara Roses felt her thoughts might never stop.

She had to hurry; the bride education would start tomorrow. Chiding herself for her wide smile, Tiara Roses closed her eyes again slowly.

◇◇◇

"Very well done, Lady Tiara Roses. You are truly excellent."

"Thank you, teacher."

These words from the teacher came just one month after the bride education began.

Elegantly performing a lady's bow, Tiara Roses smiled. In this one month, the focus was solely on social matters, which was unusually fast.

Etiquette, dance, embroidery, and general knowledge. In all these areas, Tiara Roses was praised by the teacher on her first try.

Tiara Roses was genuinely happy that her efforts as the fiancée of Hartnitz had not been in vain. She had thought these skills would be unnecessary since she was supposed to be exiled.

"Next, we will spend a week learning about fairies."

"Yes."

"Although this is generally known knowledge, we will delve deeper. As you will become the queen of our country, please study diligently."

With that, the teacher handed Tiara Roses a thick book.

Flipping through it, she found it contained comprehensive knowledge about fairies. Indeed, much of it was not widely known.

Tiara Roses thought it would be very helpful to learn this over a week, as information about fairies was not widely shared with other countries.

—Perhaps there are restrictions on information.

If so, she must carefully confirm what she can and cannot say. Tiara Roses kept this in mind.

"Lady Tiara Roses, you are very well-liked by the forest fairies. Do you talk to them about anything?"

"Well... When I go to the garden, they come close. We don't have specific topics; mostly, we talk about how beautiful the flowers are. They also like sweet pastries."

"Pastries?"

The teacher's eyes widened in surprise at Tiara Roses' mention of pastries. She had never heard of fairies eating anything before.

To be precise, humans had never offered food to fairies, and when they did, the fairies never accepted it.

Therefore, it was believed that fairies did not eat human food.

"Forest fairies like pastries... I have been blessed by the sea fairies—would they eat pastries if I offered them?"

"Unfortunately, it seems the sea fairies do not like me. I think it would be best if you tried it, teacher."

Unfortunately, not only were the sea fairies not fond of Tiara Roses, but they even disliked her. In compensation, the forest fairies blessed her.

Hearing Tiara Roses' words, the teacher nodded and said, "I will try it."

"Then, we will end today's lesson—oh, Prince Aquasteed."

"Huh?"

Just as the teacher was about to inform her about the next fairy lesson, Aquasteed entered the room.

It seemed he had come to fetch Tiara Roses, and he smiled, saying, "It seems to be over."

"Yes. Today's lesson has ended. Lady Tiara Roses was so excellent that we completed the six-month curriculum in one month. The remaining week will be spent on fairy lessons."

"I see. Tiara is very excellent."

"Thank you, Prince Aquasteed. I will do my best."

Bowing to the teacher, Tiara Roses left the room, escorted by Aquasteed.

As she wondered where they were going, it seemed their destination was Aquasteed's office.

They walked down a long corridor with a red carpet, and she looked at the decorations on the walls. Each one was beautifully crafted, using a generous amount of coral, a specialty of Marine Forest.

"Tiara, this is my office. Let's talk about the future."

"Yes."

Upon entering, the room was neatly arranged.

She was invited to sit on a sofa, and Aquasteed sat opposite her, with Tarmo, her guard, standing behind her.

Eliott was preparing documents and seemed to be working on something else.

"Feel free to relax, Tiara. Only my close aides are here."

"Yes, Lord Aquasteed."

Eliott, of course, and Tarmo, who was currently her guard, were originally Aquasteed's aides.

Still, it was difficult for Tiara Roses, who had just started her bride training, not to feel nervous. However, his consideration was appreciated.

"I've been hearing daily reports about your bride education. All the teachers have praised you for your excellence."

"That's too kind of you."

Tiara Roses felt embarrassed by Aquasteed's proud words.

Manners, etiquette, and general knowledge were things she should naturally be able to do. Therefore, she even wondered why she needed to learn such basics.

However, in reality, while noble daughters might have elegant manners, they often lacked a deep understanding of everything.

It was difficult to become a lady like Tiara Roses without strict education from a young age.

Therefore, the bride training for noble daughters who were to marry into the royal family was known to be particularly rigorous.

"I'm thinking of having you observe my work for the remaining period."

"Your work, Lord Aquasteed?"

"Yes. To understand the country's situation accurately, that would be the best way. Although you will become the queen and won't be directly involved in my work after marriage—knowing is never a bad thing."

Tiara Roses thought this made sense.

While Aquasteed handled all the administrative tasks, such as document processing and issuing orders, Queen Tiara Roses would often accompany him on inspections.

If she knew the usual work situation, it would be very beneficial. She would know how to handle different situations and how to respond to people.

However—

"I am still just a fiancée. Giving me information about Marine Forest, especially to the Crown Prince, Lord Aquasteed—"

As a fiancée, I shouldn't be given too much information.

Just as Tiara Roses was about to say this, Aquasteed placed his finger on her lips, signaling her to stop.

Ignoring her confusion, Aquasteed simply said, "It's fine."

This was a clear indication that he had no intention of letting Tiara Roses go.

—Lord Aquasteed's trust is, of course, very reassuring. But, the game might proceed as planned...

The possibility that the heroine, Aishira, could become the queen was not zero. Thinking about this, Tiara Roses stopped herself.

If she kept thinking like this, she might lose a winnable battle.

She chided herself to be more confident.

Whenever the game came up, she tended to become hesitant, which was a bad habit.

"I will do my best to be of use to you, Lord Aquasteed."

"Yes. I count on you, Tiara."

"Yes."

Thus, Tiara Roses began her daily routine of studying about fairies and observing Aquasteed's work.

"However, there is one thing I want you to promise."

"Yes, what is it?"

"If you have any problems, come to me immediately. Never keep them to yourself."

Thinking it might be a strict rule, Tiara Roses braced herself, but it was simply a concern for her.

Nodding sincerely, Tiara Roses made Aquasteed nod in satisfaction.

However, Tiara Roses did not know.

That the heroine, Aishira, frequently visited this office under the pretext of work—...