Chapter 41

Suddenly, Aishira realized that she and Elliot were alone in the office.

Since he wasn’t doing anything to her in particular, perhaps the love potion had no effect on Elliot. Just as she thought this, Elliot moved unsteadily.

“Aishira-sama,”

“Eh...?”

She instinctively braced herself but quickly corrected her attitude.

Because Elliot’s eyes were brimming with tears.

—What, what’s wrong?

Aishira had never seen a man cry before, so she didn’t know how to react. However, she quickly understood that this situation was due to the love potion.

Otherwise, the always composed Elliot wouldn’t be in such a state.

Without saying much, Elliot started to cry uncontrollably, and Aishira panicked.

“Ah, that... It’s because of Lady Pearl’s potion. So, um, that...”

—What, what should I do?

Uncomfortable sweat trickled down Aishira’s body.

—I’m in a bind.

When she thought that Aquasteed might like her, she was startled. But when it was someone else, her feelings changed so much.

—I’m the worst.

With a bitter smile, Aishira looked at the crying Elliot.

She decided to have him sit on the sofa to calm down. When she encouraged him to sit, he easily sank into the sofa.

Good.

Aishira sighed in relief, but as she tried to leave, Elliot grabbed her wrist.

“Eh, Elliot?”

“I’m sorry... But my body and emotions won’t listen to me.”

“—!”

Elliot’s hand was trembling, and she understood that he didn’t want this.

“I care for you, but I don’t like you—”

“...I’m sorry.”

“It’s not something you should apologize for. I need to test the potion, and I drank it willingly.”

While wondering when the potion would wear off, she tried to endure the heat swirling in her body. But it wasn’t that easy.

Aishira’s soft, sea-like scent reached Elliot, unsettling his heart.

“Philine should have finished arranging the carriage by now. I need to head to the sea. Elliot, you should stay here...”

“No, I’m going. I’m Aquasteed-sama’s aide.”

Elliot stood up, still crying.

His face was already a mess, but unfortunately, the tears wouldn’t stop.

“Aishira-sama, the carriage is ready—Eh, Elliot!?”

“...Philine.”

“What’s wrong? Your face is terrible.”

Philine frowned slightly.

Then, she noticed Elliot’s hand gripping Aishira’s wrist.

“? What happened?”

“...No, it’s just...”

Philine asked, and Aishira hesitated, troubled.

At the same time, Philine remembered what Pearl had said while making sweets.

“The love potion is taking effect...?”

“...It seems so.”

Nodding, Aishira looked at Philine, who understood.

However, even if it was due to the potion, it wasn’t appropriate for Aishira, the duke’s daughter, to be treated this way. Philine tried to pull them apart, but Elliot’s grip was strong.

“I don’t think Elliot will do anything, but it’s not right for him to treat Aishira-sama like this.”

“...I know. I’m a commoner, so even if I like Aishira-sama, it won’t work out.”

“...”

Elliot’s words made Philine and Aishira exchange glances.

Elliot continued to cry uncontrollably. Thinking about it, Aishira remembered that he was a commoner, but social status couldn’t be easily changed.

While it might be acceptable for a noble to marry a man of equal or higher status, it was rare for a noble to marry a man of lower status.

—Is Elliot perhaps in love with a noblewoman?

Maybe the suppressed feelings came out due to the potion.

“Anyway, we don’t have time, so let’s go! Elliot, cover your face with this cloth.”

Elliot couldn’t walk with a tear-streaked face.

Sighing, Philine and the others moved to the carriage.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Wow, the sea looks terrible.”

“It’s completely black...”

The usually clear sea had turned a murky color. Keith’s voice was tinged with a sigh, and he muttered, “Again.”

“First, we need to stop the tsunami. I’ll scatter it with my wind, and Keith can block the aftermath with his trees.”

Nodding, Tiara Rose and the others landed softly on the sandy beach.

The usually peaceful place felt tense, and the sound of their heartbeats was unpleasant.

Hugging herself in anxiety, Aquasteed embraced Tiara Rose.

“Don’t leave my side. I’ll protect you, Tiara.”

“Thank you, Aquasteed-sama.”

Nodding, she clung tightly to Aquasteed.

“I think Aishira will use the sea fairy’s power to restore the damaged beach, so don’t worry.”

“Understood.”

As if to emphasize Aquasteed’s words, a strong wind blew. The smell of the sea grew stronger, and it was clear that it came from the sea.

The black sea surged, sending a large wave toward Tiara Rose and the others.

—This is the decisive moment.

Even though the sea disaster was caused by Pearl, it wouldn’t be directly resolved by another fairy king. This was an ancient rule.

This incident, even though it was due to Pearl’s rampage, was categorized as a conflict between a human and a fairy king who couldn’t get along. Therefore, fairy kings rarely appeared before humans.

While some believed it was best to avoid involvement, others thought it was necessary to actively seek help.

Staring straight at the sea, Aquasteed watched the approaching wave. He would use the power of the wind to push back the tsunami.

However, Aquasteed alone couldn’t scatter the wave.

“Clair!”

“The blessing of the sky fairy king to Aquasteed Marinforest. I expect great things from you, the king of this country.”

“Ah, Keith!”

“The blessing of the forest fairy king to Tiara Rose Lapis Marinforest. I’m here, so just focus forward, Tiara.”

Tiara Rose’s voice made Keith smile.

First, Aquasteed used the power of the wind to repel the incoming wave. Then, Tiara Rose used the power of the forest to block the massive splashes and the waves that couldn’t be repelled.

—But I’ve never used the power of the forest.

Tiara Rose, who was not very skilled in magic, felt anxious.

Pon—

A warm sensation touched Tiara Rose’s back.

“It’s okay, Tiara. I’m right here.”

“You can definitely use my power, right?”

“Aquasteed-sama, Keith... Yes, I’ll do my best!”

Aquasteed and Keith’s hands supported Tiara Rose’s back.

This made her feel incredibly reassured, and she felt that everything would be fine, despite the dire situation.

—Because I can’t imagine these two losing.

She smiled, and Keith chuckled.

“Come on, Tiara. I’ll lend you my power, so call forth the trees to create a breakwater.”

“Got it!”

She felt the power of the forest flowing into her and the country’s ley lines. The country, protected by the forest fairy king, was rich in nature, and those blessed by the fairy king could use a part of its power.

“Trees of the forest, lend me the power to protect this country!”

In response to Tiara Rose’s strong voice, Keith’s green hair danced. At the same time, small sprouts emerged from the sandy beach.

—Amazing. This is the power of the fairy king.

She was so amazed that the air seemed to vibrate. The sprouts grew rapidly into large trees that could serve as a breakwater.

“Yeah, that’s it. The excess water will be absorbed by the trees. Now—”

It depended on Aquasteed’s efforts. Keith smiled.

“I’m here, so I’ll protect the sea. Aquasteed! Put more magic into it.”

“I know. Wind, push back the black sea!”

A powerful wind blew, and the tsunami heading their way was pushed back.

—Amazing.

As expected of the main character in the sequel game. Tiara Rose thought that his overwhelming power might be on par with a fairy king.

The wave crashed with a loud splash, and the splashes rained down like rain. A few waves that couldn’t be repelled approached, but Tiara Rose and Keith would block them.

“Tiara, over here.”

“! Thank you.”

Gently, Aquasteed embraced Tiara Rose from behind, using the power of the wind to protect her from the waves.

It felt as if the sea was splitting.

“Trees, block the sea water.”

‘We’ll do our best too~!’

‘Yeah!’

In response to Tiara Rose’s voice, the forest fairies called out from among the trees.

It was clear that they were all trying to help Tiara Rose. The forest fairies were so warm.

She couldn’t let the tsunami reach the town, the forest, or anywhere else.

“My magic, I’ll do my best—!”

As Tiara Rose shouted, the water surface sparkled. The large splashes were absorbed by the grown trees.

And in the sky, a large rainbow appeared.

“Did we stop it?”

“Yeah.”

The black sea had disappeared due to the wind, and the breakwater of trees had prevented any damage to the town.

—Good.

Tiara Rose sighed in relief and looked at the trees that had protected the town.

Although they were wet, their roots were firmly planted in the sand, making them look majestic. The trees, infused with Tiara Rose’s magic, sprouted small buds.

“Eh?”

“Flowers will bloom. A new species of flower will bloom due to Tiara’s magic.”

“No way, such a thing...?”

She never thought her magic could make flowers bloom.

The pink buds slowly opened, revealing their colors. It was a cute flower with a small pouch at the base of the large petals.