Chapter 33

It was revealed that the sea fairy was the one who had stolen the sweets from Tiara Roses.

Tiara Roses couldn't hide her surprise that the sea fairy, who disliked her, had taken the sweets. Would someone who doesn't like you take homemade sweets?

—Strange things do happen.

However, with the mystery of the missing sweets solved, Tiara Roses felt a sense of relief.

"Are you thinking about something?"

"Oh, no... I'm just surprised that the sea fairy, who dislikes me, would take the sweets."

In the swaying carriage, Aquasteed asked Tiara Roses, who was wondering why. They were on their way to visit Aisira because the sea fairy was involved in the incident. Aisira, who was blessed by the sea fairy, would likely be able to get to the bottom of it.

—Do you think it was harassment?

Seeing Tiara Roses' innocent look of wonder, Aquasteed couldn't help but smile. Despite the sweets being stolen by the sea fairy, his adorable wife seemed quite relaxed.

"I hope Lady Aisira knows something."

"Yes, she's the one most favored by the sea fairy in this country. ...I'm sure she'll help us."

"Yes."

Nodding, Tiara Roses looked out the window at the approaching sea. Aisira Pearlrand, the daughter of a duke, is the heroine of the sequel to the game "Lapis Lazuli Ring." She was supposed to end up with Aquasteed, but he chose Tiara Roses instead. Aisira only realized she liked Aquasteed on the day of his wedding. It was too late, and the sequel quietly came to an end...

Tiara Roses trusted Aisira very much. Aisira had told her that marriage was arranged by parents and that Aquasteed had no romantic feelings for her.

"But I'm also looking forward to seeing Lady Aisira."

"She's been busy lately."

"Yes. I also brought some sweets as a gift, so I'm all set."

Smiling cutely, Tiara Roses made Aquasteed smile gently in return. However, his thoughts were far from his smile.

—Lady Aisira seems to know something.

Aquasteed recalled the other day. When Tiara Roses' sweets disappeared, and he suspected the sea fairy, he immediately requested an investigation. However, Aisira, who was usually quick with her work, didn't report back for a long time. When he asked for an update, she only replied that she was still investigating. Just as he was about to check in person, Tiara Roses spotted the sea fairy.

That's why they were visiting Aisira today.

"...We're almost there."

"The sea is beautiful today, Lady Aisira."

The sunlight sparkled on the sea, making it feel like midsummer even though it was early spring. Before getting off the carriage, Tiara Roses put on a wide-brimmed hat to protect herself from the sun. With Aquasteed's escort, she slowly got out of the carriage.

◇◇◇

"Welcome, Lord Aquasteed, Lady Tiara Roses."

"I'm sorry for the sudden visit."

They were led to the parlor and waited for five minutes. Aisira, with her straight, pale blue hair reaching her shoulders and orange eyes like the sun reflecting on the sea, was the beloved heroine of the sequel.

"Lady Tiara Roses, I'm sorry for causing you worry with my delayed response."

"No, please don't worry about it."

—Delayed response?

Hearing Aisira's words, Tiara Roses tilted her head in confusion. She couldn't show any surprise in front of Aquasteed, as any mistake by the queen would reflect poorly on her husband. Even with Aisira, she couldn't let her guard down.

—Perhaps Lord Aquasteed already knew it was the sea fairy.

If so, Aisira's words would make sense. He had asked her to investigate the sea fairy, but before the results came in, Tiara Roses had already spotted the culprit.

The ever-efficient Aquasteed was always thinking several steps ahead for Tiara Roses.

"I'm not sure where to start..."

"Lady Aisira?"

Aisira looked down, seeming hesitant to speak. Tiara Roses was worried, but Aquasteed encouraged her to speak.

She recalled the mistake she had made.

"..."

She lacked the courage to speak but couldn't disobey the prince. Aisira gathered her courage and recalled the events of the other day.

The sea fairy loved Aisira deeply. She adored the sea, raised fish, and created vast coral reefs.

So, when Aisira was sad, the sea fairy was sad too.

After Tiara Roses and Aquasteed's wedding, Aisira cried alone in the sea, fearing that crying at home would reveal her feelings for the prince. Her father was a duke, and any mistake could be disastrous. However, her decision wasn't the right one. The sea fairy, saddened by Aisira's tears, decided to harass Tiara Roses, the prince's wife.

"Where should I start..."

She couldn't say, "Because I admired Lord Aquasteed, the sea fairy is harassing Lady Tiara Roses." It was impossible. Moreover, Tiara Roses didn't know that Aisira had romantic feelings for Aquasteed. Aisira didn't want to cause unnecessary worry or hurt her.

Seeing Aisira's hesitation, Tiara Roses smiled gently.

"Lady Aisira, don't worry so much. If something happened at the sea, I'll help too. Right, Lord Aquasteed?"

"Yes."

Aquasteed nodded, assuring Aisira that it was okay.

"...I've been telling the sea fairy to stop stealing the sweets, but my words don't seem to have much effect."

"Even with Lady Aisira's request, who is beloved by the sea? I can't think of a reason why they would want my sweets so much..."

The sea fairies were acting out of concern for Aisira and wouldn't listen to her request to stop. As Aisira hesitated, Aquasteed spoke up.

"Tiara's sweets are special, and the sea fairy must have liked them."

"Hmm, my sweets are a bit special, but..."

Tiara Roses' sweets contained her magic, offering minor healing and physical enhancements. However, only a few people and the forest fairies knew about this. It was unlikely the sea fairies knew, but Tiara Roses accepted this as the only possibility.

"If that's the case, I could prepare more sweets... Yes, Lady Aisira, could you tell the sea fairies I'll prepare more?"

"Of course, but I plan to visit the sea fairy king."

"The sea fairy king?"

Tiara Roses was surprised. Currently, no one had the sea fairy king's blessing, including Aisira.

—Does she plan to ask the king to stop them?

However, meeting the king would be incredibly difficult, whether it was the forest, sea, or sky.

"Have you met the sea fairy king before, Aisira?"

Shaking her head, Aisira explained that while she was beloved by the sea fairies, she had never met the king.

"But I know the way to meet the sea fairy king. The sea fairy told me before."

"I see. So, Lady Aisira, you plan to ask the sea fairy king to improve the situation?"

"—Yes. I'll need some more time, but I'll do my best."

"Very well. Be sure to show proper respect to the king."

"I understand."

Aquasteed and Aisira quickly decided on a plan, leaving Tiara Roses out of the decision-making process.

—Is it right to ask Lady Aisira to do such a difficult task?

Feeling incredibly guilty, she glanced at Aquasteed, who smiled and patted her head, reassuring her to trust Aisira.

"Lady Tiara Roses."

As she hesitated, Aisira called out to Tiara Roses with a determined look. Tiara Roses straightened up, sensing the seriousness.

—Is she going to tell me?

Aquasteed was surprised but decided to observe without interrupting.

"The reason the sea fairy is stealing your sweets, Lady Tiara Roses, is because of me..."

"Me? Lady Aisira?"

"Yes, it's... me..."

"...?"

—Lady Aisira?

Aisira struggled to speak, and Tiara Roses tilted her head in confusion. She could tell it was very difficult for Aisira to say.

If the cause was her, it made sense that Aisira found it hard to explain. Yet, Aisira was trying her best to tell Tiara Roses. For Tiara Roses, that was enough.

Standing up from the sofa, she knelt beside Aisira, looking into her downcast face with a reassuring smile.

"Lady Aisira, you don't have to force yourself to tell me. Please, relax."

"...Lady Tiara Roses, I'm sorry... I..."

"Please look up. I'm not that troubled."

—It's just sweets; I can make more.

It would be much worse for Aisira to suffer.

"Thank you, Lady Tiara Roses. I'm grateful for your understanding... I will definitely meet the sea fairy king."

—Don't worry too much.

With that thought, Tiara Roses left Aisira's mansion with Aquasteed.

◇◇◇

"Lady Pearl, here are Tiara Roses' sweets!"

"Hmph. Human sweets are tasteless and inedible!"

In the deep sea, where the king dines, the sea fairy king Pearl and a fairy were conversing. The fairy held Tiara Roses' sweets, but Pearl didn't seem to care. The sea fairies had acted on their own, and Pearl didn't interfere in human affairs. He didn't have the same attachment to Aisira as the sea fairies did.

Aquasteed is stricter with Aisira because he loves Tiara the most.

(Regarding Tiara's matters)

Regarding the feedback about Tiara calling Aquasteed by his name:

She usually doesn't call him by his name to avoid trouble. She only does so when they are being particularly affectionate, as requested by Aquasteed... (Blush)