Chapter 28

Since the incident with Keith, Aquasteed has spent overwhelmingly more time with Tiara Rose. It has reached the point where Keith can no longer find a chance to come over.

"Taking care of the flowers is good, but it's not good for Tiara's hands to get rough."

"It's, it's fine. I only water them..."

In the small garden where beautiful flowers bloomed, the two spent a leisurely time on a bench. The bench, designed with motifs of flowers representing forest fairies and birds representing sky fairies, was adorned with a cute fountain made of coral in the center of the garden. This garden was created by Tiara Rose. Thanks to the blessing of the forest fairies, several new species of flowers had been born, making it the most beautiful garden in the royal castle.

In such a place, pampering Tiara Rose had become a daily routine for Aquasteed. He gently kissed her hand and said, "Don't overdo it." It was a shame for her beautiful white hands to get rough from tending the garden. Tiara Rose thought it was no big deal, but her future husband was quite worried.

"If you say that, Aquasteed's hands are full of calluses too."

"These are fine. They are the result of holding a sword, like a medal to me."

"My hands are also a medal for taking care of plants."

"Yes, I know. But I don't like it."

He touched Tiara Rose's hand as if to envelop it, enjoying the softness by gently kneading it. Her soft hand, different from his rough one, was very cute. Though she seemed embarrassed, Tiara Rose did not refuse. She found it cute that Aquasteed was being so affectionate, and he felt the same way.

--- Such a sweet and melting year of bridal training passed in a blink.

◇ ◇ ◇

After completing her bridal training, Tiara Rose returned to her home country for the debut ceremony. Following the tradition, she came to Lapis Lazuli with Aquasteed.

Seeing her home after a year made Tiara Rose's heart warm. The large, sturdy house with its warm colors had always watched over her. But now, it was not the house that was watching over her, but Aquasteed.

--- I am so happy.

When she turned her gaze to Aquasteed standing next to her after getting off the carriage, he smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

"No, thank you, Lord Aquasteed."

"That's my line. Tiara took my hand. There's no greater happiness."

Elegantly escorting Tiara Rose, the two entered the house. They were greeted by her father and mother. They shed tears of joy at the long-awaited reunion, but smiled and said, "You look happy."

"Please tell me all about your time in Marine Forest."

"Of course, Mother. Please tell me about the year I was away too?"

"Yes. Let's talk all night."

Between mother and daughter, their father, the Duke Clamentier, could hardly insert himself. Clenching a handkerchief wet with tears, Aquasteed stepped in to support him.

"Men can't easily join in women's conversations. If you like, I can keep you company. I brought some good wine as a gift."

"Prince Aquasteed! Thank you. It seems our daughter is very happy to have married you."

If things had gone wrong, she would have had to endure a terrible marriage with Hartnights. Duke Clamentier still could not forgive the graduation party where she was condemned. Though he said not to worry on the surface, his heart was not so clean.

At that moment, a maid from the house announced a visitor. Though there were no particular plans, everyone's gaze focused on the unexpected visitor. Feeling apologetic for interrupting the family reunion, the maid mentioned the names of Akari and Hartnights. The room's atmosphere immediately turned tense. Duke Clamentier, using words he never used, angrily demanded, "Send them away."

However, Tiara Rose stopped him.

"Father, I want to talk to Lady Akari."

"What are you saying, Tiara? Have you forgotten what that woman did to you?"

Tiara Rose timidly expressed her desire to talk to Akari. However, her father was not the only one opposed; Aquasteed was too. But the one who showed the most anger was—Philene.

"What are you thinking, Lady Tiara Rose! I will never allow such a thing!"

"Besides, the day after tomorrow is the debut ceremony. It's better to rest."

"Prince Aquasteed also said so, didn't he?"

--- Hmm. What should I do?

Honestly, she had nothing to talk about with Hartnights. But she wanted to talk to Akari, who had sent her a letter last. Akari had encouraged her not to lose to the sequel's heroine, Aishira. What had she been doing this year? Coming with Hartnights meant they were working hard together as they had declared.

"Can I just talk to Lady Akari, please?"

"... Sigh. Tiara, you are quite stubborn. I wonder who you take after."

--- Definitely Father.

Though she would never say it out loud. The doting Duke Clamentier reluctantly allowed Tiara Rose to meet with Akari, but with the condition that Aquasteed would also be present.

"Lord Husband!"

"Philene is worried about our daughter, which is very touching, but since she wants it, there's nothing we can do. We will ask Prince Hartnights to wait in another room."

"... Understood. Then I will guide Prince Hartnights."

Turning around, Philene left the room to guide Hartnights. Everyone in the room felt an unpleasant premonition, but no one voiced it. They all loved Tiara Rose too much to say anything.

"Well, well... Let's go then."

"Yes. I'm sorry for being so demanding, Lord Aquasteed."

"No, I love listening to Tiara's demands."

"..."

When she apologized, Aquasteed laughed and welcomed her, making her blush and look down. They were escorted to a reception room where, as agreed, Akari was waiting alone.

"Tiara! It's been a while!"

--- She's so friendly!

Seeing Tiara Rose, Akari immediately showed a smile like a blooming flower. As the heroine of the game Lapis Lazuli, she was Japanese. Her well-maintained, smooth black hair and black eyes, along with a cute light pink dress, made her look elegant as she bowed.

"It's been a while. I'm glad to see you well, Lady Akari."

"Yes. I've been working hard with Lord Hartnights. The ending is long over, so now it feels like I'm playing a new game!"

Sitting across from Akari, she talked enthusiastically.

--- Treating the post-game ending as a new game is quite something...!

As expected of someone who loves otome games. Tiara Rose was beyond being amazed and almost impressed. She could only manage a wry smile and say, "Good luck."

In other words, Hartnights was now her target in the game.

"Oops. I'm sorry. Congratulations on your debut ceremony, Tiara and Aquasteed. The wedding is in a month, right? I hope you become happy soon."

"Thank you, Lady Akari."

"Thank you."

Akari's eyes, saying congratulations, held a flame of praise, as if to say, "You beat the heroine, well done!" She must have really not wanted to lose the sequel's heroine, Aishira.

"Did nothing happen during the year? Were you bullied? Especially by the sea fairies?"

"... I'm not liked."

"Of course. I knew it would be like that. That's why I brought this as a wedding gift."

Saying that, Akari took out a beautiful earring. Currently, Akari is known in Lapis Lazuli as a "princess who performs holy prayers." She is the first to create earrings in this world, bringing a new culture to a place where only earrings existed.

The earrings, made in pink and dark blue, clearly showed the colors of Tiara Rose and Aquasteed. These earrings are protective charms worn on each ear. Since they are infused with Akari's holy prayers, they cannot be mass-produced, but they are highly sought after.

"So, I also..."

Saying that, Akari showed her ear, where a yellow earring representing Hartnights' color was visible.

"Well, we're still a bit awkward. But recently, Lord Hartnights is very cute."

Laughing, she seemed to be thinking of Hartnights. Her expression was very happy, and Tiara Rose felt glad for her. Gratefully accepting the earrings, she asked Aquasteed if she could wear them.

"These? It's fine if Tiara wants to wear them—though I'm more surprised that you and Akari are getting along."

"Well... Yes, I was attacked by Lady Akari."

"Right, that's true! But now, we're like teammates in defeating the sequel's heroine."

Akari, who doesn't dwell on the past, nodded and told Aquasteed they were now friends. However, Aquasteed, seeing Tiara Rose's shoulders shaking with laughter, couldn't take it seriously.

"Tiara?"

"Sorry, Lord Aquasteed... Yes, Lady Akari did do terrible things to me. But you saved me."

Though her answer was vague, it was the best she could do. She remembered the letter from Akari when she left for Marine Forest, with the encouragement not to lose to the sequel's heroine. It was very motivating. Aishira, who was cute, was often by Aquasteed's side. Of course, Tiara Rose was more often by his side, but if she lost, she would feel ashamed. Aquasteed, whom Akari liked, chose her. So, Tiara Rose decided to always choose Aquasteed, not to lose to Aishira.

"Really. —You'll tell me everything someday, right?"

"... Lord Aquasteed?"

"I can tell that Tiara is carrying something she can't tell me. But if you don't tell me soon—be prepared."

He touched Tiara Rose's lips with his finger, as if to say, "Tell me everything." She was scared of how much he could guess, but she thought he would make her talk soon.

"Stop it. It's fine to be lovey-dovey, but not in front of me!"

"Sorry..."

Blushing, Tiara Rose apologized to Akari. It must be hard to see someone you liked being affectionate with another woman. Akari, drinking tea, laughed and said, "Well, it's fine." Then, she asked if Tiara Rose wanted to wear the earrings, to which she smiled and said, "Please."

Tiara Rose's ear had a dark blue earring.

Aquasteed's ear had a honey pink earring.

"Cute. Thank you, Lady Akari."

"Earrings are mysterious."

"Hehe! They are the first accessories I created in this world!"

Akari, proudly puffing out her chest, had grown over the year. She seemed determined to enjoy this otome game world until the end. She handed Tiara Rose a letter before leaving.

--- Be sure to be happy! She said, leaving.

◇ ◇ ◇

The debut ceremony was held at Tiara Rose's family home. Royalty, nobility, and many people gathered to shower the couple, who were marrying in a foreign country, with flowers.

In the morning light, Aquasteed and Tiara Rose entered the gathering. The guests showered them with flowers and offered hearty congratulations. Tiara Rose, blushing, smiled happily as Aquasteed escorted her. Duke Clamentier, with tears in his eyes, watched over her, glad she was happy. A daughter's happiness is a father's happiness.

From a hidden spot, Philene, with tears streaming down her face, and Elliott, who looked worried about her, watched. Philene felt bad showing such a face to Elliott, but she couldn't stop crying. She was relieved from the bottom of her heart that Tiara Rose didn't have to marry Hartnights. She might even say, "Cry more, tears!"

At the debut ceremony, there was a part where the bride pledged to her parents. Tiara Rose went to her parents, thanked them for raising her, and told them she was happy before leaving as a bride.

"Father, Mother, I am very happy. I am grateful for the strict upbringing by Father and the various experiences Mother gave me. Now, these are my strengths."

"Oh, I'm so happy to see Tiara smiling so happily."

"Please live a happy life in the neighboring country."

"Yes...!"

In her dress, Tiara Rose hugged her parents. When she hugged them tightly, she could feel their warmth. They had raised her and wished for her happiness. The warm applause filled the house, and the grand debut ceremony ended successfully.