Chapter 26

For generations, the path to the Fairy King has been passed down only to the royal family of the Marine Forest Kingdom. It is a path of hope left by those who were loved by the king for their descendants.

As Aquasteed walked, the leaves covering the ground rustled. It was a green tunnel that far surpassed the Tree Gate. The flowers blooming in a riot of colors were all types that one would never see in the castle. Perhaps, without the great blessing of the forest fairies, it would be impossible to see them on the ground.

This was the passage connecting the queen's private room to the Fairy King.

"This is quite an amazing passage... The forest fairies would probably like it."

"Yes. Keith, the Fairy King, should be ahead."

It took some time, but Aquasteed successfully navigated the hidden passage. It was a difficult magic, but Tiara Rose was waiting at the end. There was no choice but to push forward.

The two people advancing through the passage were Aquasteed and Elliot. Aquasteed had thought about having Elliot wait, but Elliot firmly refused, not wanting to let his master, Aquasteed, go alone to the Fairy King.

"When it comes to Lady Tiara Rose, one can't see anything else."

While Aquasteed is usually calm, when it comes to the princess he dotes on, it's a different story.

To begin with, it was unthinkable to bring a princess from another country who had not yet married into the office.

How much more infatuated will he become during the one-year period of bridal training?

If he neglects the noble ladies of his own country, it will affect his future. As the crown prince, Aquasteed's position is at risk if he is disliked by powerful nobles.

He must be careful. In Marine Forest, only the king, who bears the greatest pressure, is allowed to prioritize love in marriage.

Other members of the royal family are expected to prioritize the country's interests, though this is not officially stated. Of course, there are royal family members who fall in love and marry noble ladies who benefit the country.

Elliot sighed and looked ahead. It was a straight path with no end in sight.

"I don't know how far it is. I can't see the end at all."

"It's a magical passage. I've been trying to investigate, but it's not working."

"I see. If Elliot can't do it, it must be tough."

Elliot is more skilled in exploration magic than Aquasteed. If he says it's impossible, it probably is.

For now, there's no choice but to keep moving forward.

There might be a spell that prevents them from reaching the end. Of course, there's also the possibility that there is no such special spell.

Since magical exploration is impossible, the best option is to walk.

But the next moment—!

With a thud, a sharp sword appeared in front of Aquasteed.

"…!?"

"Aquasteed-sama!"

It was thrust into the ground from the ceiling. A typical trap.

Aquasteed narrowly avoided it by stepping back, but there was no time to relax. More swords were about to rain down from the ceiling.

Drawing his sword, Aquasteed deflected the falling swords. Though sudden, it was no problem for Aquasteed, who regularly practices swordsmanship.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Still, to go to such lengths to set a trap..."

Originally, this passage connected the Fairy King to the beloved queen. It's unlikely that such traps existed back then.

Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that Keith set the traps for Aquasteed.

"I'll go ahead."

"No. I want to get to Tiara as quickly as possible, so it's fine this way."

Stopping Elliot from taking the lead, Aquasteed continued down the straight path, ready to draw his sword at any moment.

However, traps are unpredictable. The next attack was a pitfall.

"Ah…!"

This couldn't be deflected with a sword.

Aquasteed shouted, "Air!" and used wind to lift his body. Though it was only for a moment, it was enough.

He grabbed the edge of the hole and pulled himself out with his arm strength. Brushing off the dirt from his clothes, he continued walking as if nothing had happened.

Elliot looked at him with a bemused expression but said nothing, knowing how urgent the situation was.

"We need to hurry, Elliot."

"Understood."

To avoid wasting time on traps, Aquasteed increased his pace.

Next, swords shot out from the sides, and leaves attacked like sharp blades. But Aquasteed deflected them all with his sword.

It was hard to tell who was the servant and who was the master. Elliot's mutterings didn't reach Aquasteed's ears...

◇ ◇ ◇

"Hmm..."

"Ah, Tiara, you're awake~"

"Let's eat some fruit~"

Tiara Rose woke up on a soft, comfortable bed.

The forest fairies around her were peeking at her, looking happy. The cute green fairies made her tired heart feel better.

"Right, I was brought here by Keith against my will."

"The king isn't here right now~"

"Let's play, Tiara~"

"Huh? Playing is fine, but—mmph!"

When Tiara Rose tried to say she wanted to return to the castle, a forest fairy pressed a juicy fruit to her mouth. "Eat, eat," they said happily, and she took a strawberry into her mouth.

As she chewed, the fairies brought more fruits to her. Strawberries, apples, oranges... and a yellow, round fruit she had never seen before.

It was truly a fruit of the forest.

"Eat lots and lots~!"

With a smile, the forest fairies handed fruits to Tiara Rose. She tried to eat them all, but the fairies brought them so quickly.

Shaking her head, she said with a smile, "I can't eat that much."

The fairies laughed.

"Thank you. I'm full now."

"That's good~!"

"Was it delicious~?"

"Yes, very. The fruits of the forest are delicious."

Feeling satisfied, Tiara Rose looked around the room.

The room, surrounded by the forest, was very comfortable and made her feel at ease. It was as if she was wrapped in cotton and cherished.

But she couldn't stay here. "Excuse me, fairies, I want to return to the castle. How can I do that?"

"Back to the castle~?"

"Are you leaving already? I'll be sad~!"

The fairies suggested playing more, but one of them pointed to the door. Feeling guilty, Tiara Rose gently opened it. The sound of the flowers decorating the door announced that it was open.

The door led to a passage that seemed to connect to somewhere.

"Over there?"

"Yes, come this way~"

A fairy took Tiara Rose's hand and led her through the Fairy King's castle. Everywhere was filled with pleasant green, unlike any place in the human world.

After walking down a long passage, they reached a large room.

Where is this?

She couldn't see an exit. But then she noticed something. At the upper part of the room was a throne where the king would sit.

But Keith wasn't there now.

It made sense since the fairies said he was out, but the empty throne looked very lonely.

"I need to go back now. Aquasteed might be worried."

Last time, she was seen with Keith, and he was very jealous. She couldn't bear the thought of Aquasteed being with another woman.

She didn't want any more misunderstandings.

"Who's Aquasteed~?"

"He's my fiancé."

"Is he the one Tiara likes?"

"Yes, I really like him."

The fairies called out to Tiara Rose, and she nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The only thing Tiara Rose was worried about was the otome game. She trusted Aquasteed's feelings for her.

In fact, she was so pampered that she had no choice but to trust him. The only thing she feared was the power of the otome game, which was incredibly terrifying.

"Really, humans are so complicated."

"Keith!"

Keith appeared behind Tiara Rose with a teleportation spell and leaned against her from behind.

Ignoring her scolding, he picked her up and sat down on the throne.

Sitting on Keith's lap, she protested, but he ignored her. She couldn't read his expression.

"Did something happen?"

"Does Tiara want to go back to the castle?"

"Of course. I don't want to cause any more trouble for Aquasteed..."

She looked down, not wanting to be a burden to Aquasteed.

Tiara Rose, blessed by the forest fairies and favored by the Fairy King, was contributing to the country. But because she was from another country, she didn't realize her importance.

Or rather, her mind was preoccupied with the otome game, leaving no room for other thoughts.

"Really, humans are so troublesome."

Keith chuckled and gently stroked Tiara Rose's hair. "The princess just needs to wait," he said gruffly, taking a breath.

"Keith?"

Tiara Rose frowned, sensing that the Fairy King knew something. But she also knew he wouldn't answer her questions.

As she pondered, the large door in the throne room opened with a bang.

"Tiara!"

"Aquasteed...!"

Her vision filled with deep blue. The person she loved more than anything—

It's Aquasteed's turn from here on out!!

Reading the comments, I'm amazed at how popular Keith is. I always enjoy reading your comments.

I'm sorry, but I'm using my time to write, so I can't reply. I'm sorry I can't respond...