Chapter 34

Tiararose's mornings start early.

Basically, there is some kind of schedule every day, so she spends quite a bit of time tying her hair and adjusting her dress.

Feline, her maid, prepares everything for her every day, but I can't help but wonder when she takes a break.

"Feline, you haven't taken a day off at all, have you? It's not good to push yourself too hard."

"Well... Thank you for your concern, Lady Tiararose. But I'm fine. I enjoy taking care of Lady Tiararose."

"......"

I think that's a bit much, but Feline smiled happily while fixing Tiararose's hair.

The maid, watching the two of them with a smile, prepared the tea. In the morning, warm drinks are prepared to keep the body from getting cold.

She took a sip and tried to recall what the schedule was for today.

In the morning, there was a small tea party with the daughters of the nobility. The afternoon was free. It was the first time in a while that she had a day with only a half-day schedule, so she could spend the afternoon leisurely.

"Feline, are the tea party gifts ready?"

"Yes. I've prepared cute-shaped muffins, so I think everyone will be satisfied."

"Thank you."

She was inviting three daughters of earl families, and she would give them sweets as souvenirs when they left. The sweets Tiararose made were well-received both in appearance and taste.

Honestly, she wanted to rest a bit, but Tiararose had only been in this country for a short time. To get used to the country, she frequently held tea parties.

Additionally, she wanted to gather as much information as possible.

How many of the nobles in this country would genuinely support Tiararose?

To be able to help Aquasteed, she was trying to build a foundation little by little, in her own way.

Of course, he planned to protect her from everything, but...

◇ ◇ ◇

"Oh, Lady Tiararose is really good at making sweets. It's wonderful."

"I might try it next time."

"Yes, please do. Making sweets is fun too."

Four women, including Tiararose, were talking in voices like flowers. The topics were typically feminine, about sweets and fashionable dresses.

They didn't seem very interested in politics, as it didn't come up in the conversation of the young ladies.

—Then, what about the blessing of the fairies?

The thief who stole the sweets was a sea fairy. Tiararose wanted as much information as possible about the fairies, even if it was common knowledge. There might be something she, who had come from a neighboring country, didn't know.

"Do you all receive the blessing of the fairies from a young age?"

When Tiararose asked the three young ladies, they all nodded.

"Yes, the blessing of the fairies is often received in childhood. Therefore, children spend a lot of time playing outside."

"Fairies live outside, so it's healthy and wonderful."

Tiararose nodded in understanding.

It seemed that most people received the blessing in childhood, except for those who came from outside the country like Tiararose.

"Also, children are more likely to receive the blessing. ...Unlike adults, they are pure."

The young lady said this, covering her mouth with a fan, looking troubled.

Indeed, it was easy to understand that fairies would want to bless pure and cute children rather than adults who were full of schemes. The probability of being blessed as an adult was much lower.

—Then, I was lucky to be blessed by the forest fairy.

When she confirmed with the young ladies, two had been blessed by the sea fairy, and one by the air fairy.

"Do you usually talk to the fairies...?"

"Well, no. Lady Tiararose, you can't talk to fairies that often."

"Is that so?"

Fairies often visited Tiararose, so the distance between her and the fairies was very close.

—But, Feline doesn't really talk to fairies, does she?

Feline had been blessed by the sea fairy, but Tiararose had never seen her talking to a sea fairy, nor did she know that the thief was a sea fairy.

"Lady Tiararose, you were blessed by the King of the Forest Fairies. That is very special."

"...Yes. Since he blessed me, a foreigner, I must cherish it."

Tiararose smiled softly and looked out the window.

Surely, there were forest fairies near the plants and flowers. The leaves rustled, as if they were laughing back at her.

After that, the tea party ended with the young ladies telling her about the fairies and how special it was to be blessed by the King of the Forest Fairies.

After seeing the young ladies off, Tiararose headed to her private small garden.

She planned to read leisurely since she had no afternoon schedule.

Although all the books she read were about the history and documents of this country, Marinforest, it was a bit strange to call it a break...

She took a sip of the fragrant tea Feline had prepared, and today's reading was a history book.

Even though it was a world of a dating game, the fact that it had a solid history dating back to ancient times was profound.

It made her realize that this world, even if it was a game, was a proper reality.

Therefore, Tiararose enjoyed reading history books.

She liked the feeling of living with her own feet, not being confined to the game.

"...Wow, there was such a time."

"Oh, is something interesting written there?"

"Yes. There was a sweets competition—huh?"

In Tiararose's private garden, a third person's voice.

Even though Feline was away, Tarmo, her guard, should have been there.

Before Tiararose could identify the voice, she looked at Tarmo.

—He is doing his job.

However, his face was wide with shock.

When Tiararose looked at the source of the voice again, she was taken aback by the beauty.

Long, straight blue hair reaching her waist, golden eyes that seemed to see through everything like a king.

The beautiful woman smiled and sat down in the chair opposite Tiararose.

"Um, who are you...?"

"I haven't introduced myself yet, sorry. I am Claire, the Queen of the Air Fairies."

"!"

—The Queen of the Fairies!

She never thought she would meet not only the King of the Forest Fairies, Keith, but also the Queen of the Air Fairies.

It was understandable that Tarmo was shocked.

Her heart racing, Tiararose stood up and bowed deeply.

"Oh, you don't have to be so stiff."

Perhaps she didn't like a stiff atmosphere, the Queen of the Air Fairies, Claire, smiled.

Her gaze then moved to the sweets Tiararose had prepared.

"Would you like to try them?"

"Thank you, I would love to!"

"—I have also prepared tea."

Feline, who had sensed the situation, brought tea for Claire and set it up.

Tiararose was genuinely happy to have such a capable maid.

Seeing Claire add milk, Tiararose explained the sweets.

"These are cheese tarts I baked. I used several types of cheese, so I think you can enjoy a different flavor from regular cheese."

"Sounds delicious. I love cheese. ...Yes, it's really delicious!"

The sweets Tiararose had prepared were cheese tarts.

They were not large but were made in small, cute bite-sized pieces.

The crispy crust was a favorite of Keith as well.

Claire ate the cheese tart in two bites, elegantly.

While feeling happy that someone was enjoying her sweets, Tiararose wondered why she was here.

When she tilted her head, she suddenly met Claire's eyes.

"Hehe, I came to see the princess of Aquasteed."

"..."

—It's related to Aquasteed!

Hearing this, she suddenly felt as if she was being evaluated, and a wave of tension ran through her.

If the Queen of the Air Fairies deemed her unsuitable, what would happen?

Tiararose's body trembled.

Her heart was beating so loudly.

However, her worries were dispelled by Claire.

"Don't worry. I'm not here to eat you or anything."

"Oh... I'm sorry, I—"

"It's okay. I shouldn't have come so suddenly. But I'm glad the princess of Aquasteed is a good girl."

Reaching for a second cheese tart, Claire said she just wanted to have a little chat.

Relieved, Tiararose relaxed her shoulders.

"These sweets have Tiararose's magic in them. It's strange but comforting."

"To be honest, I'm not very good at magic... The only thing I can do well is to put a little magic into the sweets I make."

Normally, no one does such a thing with sweets. Or rather, no one can.

It could be said that this was a skill only Tiararose, who was full of love for sweets, could achieve.

Therefore, Tiararose, who often ate her own sweets, was in perfect health.

Small injuries healed quickly on their own. It was very convenient, but she didn't want to worry Feline, so she never told her.

She would definitely be scolded and told not to get injured in the first place.

"Fairies don't need to eat anything. So, I envy that you can make such delicious things."

"Lady Claire..."

Claire's slightly sad smile appeared fragile in Tiararose's eyes.

At the same time, a desire to share more sweets with her arose.

Such food that could bring so much happiness should be more widely known.

"If you need me, I can always help! I will prepare delicious sweets for you, Lady Claire."

"Tiararose, you're so kind. ...Then, can I be a bit spoiled?"

Claire smiled happily and said she wanted a female friend.

If she said so, Tiararose also wanted a female friend.

However, her status as the crown princess's fiancée prevented it.

The young ladies she invited to tea parties would never consider her a friend.

Considering this, although there was a status difference between Tiararose and Claire—both of their feelings were understood, so Tiararose decided to indulge Claire's request.

The impromptu tea party between Tiararose and Claire turned into a very peaceful and enjoyable girls' gathering.

Aquasteed was supposed to appear, but that's for next time!