Chapter 38

I'm sorry for the delay in updating!

Clare likes Pearl.

Pearl likes Clare.

This is definitely a settled matter, but somehow, their love is mismatched.

Tiara Roses, sipping tea leisurely in her room, wondered if there was any way she could help.

But it's not good for me to interfere with the fairy king's matters, she thought, recalling what was said at yesterday's tea party.

"Why do you look so troubled? What's the matter?"

"Philine... There are two people who like each other, and I wish I could help them."

"Oh..."

Philine responded with a sigh.

"But isn't it fun that way?"

"Hmm..."

Indeed, if their mutual affection could turn into sweet memories, that would be nice, but those two are completely mismatched.

This is definitely not fun at all.

Clare should be more aggressive, she thought.

Seeing Tiara Roses' troubled expression, Philine smiled happily.

"I'm glad you seem to have some spare time now. You were always so busy before."

"...Yes, you're right. I was always so busy before."

It's only because she is now officially married to Aquasteed that she can be calm. She had only caused Philine worry since the first judgment event.

"By the way, weren't you planning to go shopping soon? Should we adjust the schedule—"

"No, I've decided not to go."

"Not to go...?"

Before Philine could finish speaking, Tiara Roses shook her head weakly.

They had planned to go shopping for Pearl's gift with Clare and Aquasteed, but after seeing Pearl's appearance in the bath yesterday, she thought it would be better not to go.

If I saw my crush shopping with someone else, I wouldn't like it either, she thought. Even though Aquasteed would be there too, it seemed Pearl didn't care about that.

"I need to tell Clare soon—"

"Did you call me?"

"Eh...!? Clare!"

Clare appeared at the worst possible moment, and Tiara Roses held her temples and sighed softly. She had planned to send a refusal through Aquasteed, but she didn't expect Clare to come the next day.

While Keith might act impulsively, she didn't think Clare would rush into things.

It must be because Pearl is special to her, she thought. Thinking about it that way, Clare is so cute. Tiara Roses thinks all girls in love are cute.

Well, Clare is technically a man, but...

She told Philine to call Aquasteed, and Tiara Roses prepared snacks and tea in the kitchen of her room.

She had intended to decline the shopping trip, but she couldn't turn away the fairy king. The position of a fairy king is more absolute than that of a human.

"Hehe, Aquasteed is such a problem. Telling me not to be alone with you, he's so possessive. Isn't he, dear?"

"Eh, um..."

Tiara Roses could only smile wryly at Clare's words.

She didn't mind at all and even wanted more possessiveness—she was in deep.

Seeing Tiara Roses' blushing face, Clare laughed.

"It was an unnecessary worry. I'm glad you two are happy."

"Thank you..."

"I need to choose a gift for Pearl too! I don't know what to get for a girl."

It was hard to tell Clare, who was looking forward to it, that she couldn't go.

But she couldn't say that Pearl was jealous either.

At a loss, Aquasteed appeared.

"Coming so soon after yesterday... Even Tiara would get tired. You should be more considerate."

"Oh, I forgot. I'm sorry, Tiara Roses."

Hearing Aquasteed's words, Clare apologized sincerely.

As fairy kings, they don't get tired unless something extraordinary happens. They are much stronger in power and life force than humans.

"No, I'm fine. But, um, you see..."

"Tiara?"

"Tiara Roses?"

She had to find a way to tell Clare she couldn't go. Clenching her fists, Tiara Roses looked straight at Clare.

"I can't go with you to choose Pearl's gift."

"Why? Did you change your mind?"

A slightly tense and stern atmosphere emanated from Clare after hearing Tiara Roses' words.

As the fairy king of the sky, her influence is strongest in the air and sky.

Shuddering, Aquasteed pulled Tiara Roses close to restrain Clare.

"Let her finish. You're scaring her."

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

"N-no! It's my fault. I didn't explain it well. I'm sorry."

After apologizing to Clare, Tiara Roses continued.

"I think it's better for a man to choose a gift for a woman he likes without another woman. Clare, you'll make her happier if you choose it yourself."

"That's what you think... But I'm afraid Pearl doesn't like me."

"Even so, a woman would be jealous if another woman went with you."

While this is Tiara Roses' opinion, the only ones here are Aquasteed and Clare.

It's fine to push through as the representative of women's opinions. Philine, as a maid, won't join this conversation.

"That's how women are..."

Clare was surprised by this idea, which she had never considered.

She pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"Then I'll go shopping alone! Thank you, Tiara Roses."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize for saying so much..."

"I'm very happy. Let's stay good friends, okay?"

"Of course!"

Watching the two of them laugh and play, Aquasteed sighed deeply.

Even though Clare looks like a woman, she is a man. He thought about scolding her later for being too familiar with Tiara Roses...

◇ ◇ ◇

"Shopping alone, how refreshing."

Clare parted ways with Tiara Roses and went shopping in the town.

She planned to choose a gift for Pearl at a store recommended by Aquasteed.

The shop had a sepia-colored roof, and the glass display windows were filled with beautiful accessories.

Each one was of high quality, and Clare naturally smiled, thinking how well they would suit Pearl, the queen.

Inside the store, there were even more items.

Among them, coral accessories caught Clare's eye.

Pearl looks great with coral, she thought. The colorful and vibrant accessories suit her traditional attire.

Imagining Pearl wearing them, Clare felt her heart warm.

"Hehe, I hope she'll like it."

"Welcome. Are you looking for a gift?"

"Yes, I am. I want something with coral."

A store clerk in a black suit responded politely, taking out coral accessories from the display case and carefully arranging them in front of Clare.

"What color should I choose? ...Red is beautiful, but the colors of the sky and sea are nice too."

That would be white or blue.

White is also beautiful. Pearl can wear any color, Clare thought.

"We also have a gradient option."

"Oh, how beautiful..."

The clerk presented a hair ornament made of coral, starting with a deep blue and gradually becoming lighter.

It was designed to make a gentle jingling sound when worn. The bottom part was white, so it would stand out against dark clothing.

"I like this! I'll take it."

"Thank you."

Deciding immediately, Clare looked around to see if there was anything else—she found a very cute brooch.

"Oh, this flower brooch is so cute. It would suit Tiara Roses! Please wrap this too."

"Of course."

Then, Clare thought, since we've become good friends, maybe we should have matching ones.

The flower brooches came in various colors. She chose a pink one for Tiara Roses, which would match her honey-pink hair.

But if I give Tiara Roses a gift, will Aquasteed be jealous?

She thought about it, but since she had already asked to wrap it, the purchase was decided.

Now, which one should I choose for myself? As Clare was picking, a strange sensation hit her.

"Eh? This feeling, the sea is getting rough...?"

Could something have happened to Pearl? Clare immediately rushed out of the store and looked toward the sea.

The townspeople were still far from the sea and hadn't noticed yet.

What's going on? Clare bit her lip.

Clare happily buying a gift for Pearl.

No one knows that Pearl, misunderstanding that Clare was buying all the gifts for Tiara Roses, has gone on a rampage...

This time, the book has been decided for publication!

It is scheduled to be released next month.

For more details, please check the activity report.

Thank you so much to everyone who has read this!