Chapter 42

While gazing at the shimmering rainbow, Tiara Rose took a deep breath.

When Pearl caused a tsunami, Tiara Rose had thought about what would happen, but she managed to stop it and gained a little confidence in herself.

"Phew..."

"Are you okay? You must be tired since you don't usually use magic much."

Aqua Steed supported Tiara Rose by wrapping his arm around her waist and smiled, saying, "You did a great job," while gently stroking her honey-pink hair.

Tiara Rose nodded slightly and leaned against Aqua Steed, feeling the wetness of their clothes from the splashes.

She thought vaguely that they should change, but then she suddenly noticed something.

"Lady Aqua?"

"Hmm?"

Aqua Steed was slightly surprised by Tiara Rose's sudden look but maintained his gentle smile.

"Ugh..."

"Tiara?"

"No, it's nothing..."

—Lady Aqua, you're a real man, even when you're dripping wet!

The droplets falling from his dark blue hair were quite alluring.

She reached out her hand, and Aqua Steed smiled happily. As she touched the droplets on his bangs, her fingers trembled slightly from the cold.

"Your hands are warm, Tiara."

"! No, that is... I'm sorry for touching you with my wet hands."

"Actually, I want you to touch me more."

"Kyaa!"

Aqua Steed pulled Tiara Rose's hand and embraced her.

Despite being wet and cold, she felt a warmth she couldn't explain. Her heart was beating so loudly, but she surrendered to the comfort.

The two were in their own sweet world, but the green fairy king, Keith, couldn't just stay silent.

"Hey, you two, have you forgotten we're here?"

"Well, well, Aqua Steed did a good job, so it's fine. But, we should dry your clothes so you don't catch a cold."

Clair called out to Keith to calm him down and then used the wind to dry Tiara Rose and Aqua Steed's clothes.

The warm breeze made Tiara Rose marvel at the fairy king's skill. Aqua Steed could also control the wind, but he couldn't adjust the temperature as perfectly.

"Thank you."

"Thank you, Lady Clair."

It felt like they had hung their clothes out in the sun, she thought, looking at her fluffy, warm dress.

"Tiara, your flowers—fit you, don't they?"

"Eh?"

While looking at the flowers blooming on the devastated beach, Keith smiled.

The flowers that bloomed with Tiara Rose's magic were beautiful, large pink blossoms. However, there didn't seem to be anything unusual about them. Tiara Rose tilted her head and walked to the flowers with Aqua Steed.

The first to notice something odd about the flowers was Aqua Steed.

There was a small, bag-like bulge under the large petals, and something seemed to be inside.

"...? What is that?"

"It looks like something is inside. It feels powdery. Tiara, why don't you open it?"

"Okay..."

Encouraged by Aqua Steed, Tiara Rose picked the flower.

A sweet fragrance wafted up, and her cheeks relaxed.

—But, what is this bag?

It was about the size of a strawberry, and when she shook it, it made a rustling sound. She gently broke the bag, and white powder appeared.

—Could this be...?

While staring at the white powder, Aqua Steed tilted his head, clearly not knowing what it was.

Keith, who seemed to know the answer, watched with a smirk.

"Hey, Keith. What is that?"

"It's something Tiara likes."

"Eh? Does Tiara like powder?"

Clair was surprised by Keith's answer, never imagining Tiara Rose would like mysterious powder.

However, Tiara Rose was certain of what it was from Keith's words.

She put a little on her fingertip and licked it.

"Tiara!?"

"Mmm, it's fine. Look."

Aqua Steed was startled by her sudden action but Tiara Rose just smiled. She showed him that it was harmless by offering her finger with the white powder—high-quality sugar.

"Typical Tiara, or something..."

"?"

Tiara Rose was puzzled by Aqua Steed's comment.

Without explaining, Aqua Steed took Tiara Rose's hand and sucked on her fingertips. Seeing his red tongue, Tiara Rose gasped.

—W-What am I doing?!

Unconsciously, she had offered her finger to Aqua Steed, never expecting it to be sucked.

"A-Aqua-sama..."

A warm sensation traveled from her fingertips, making her shiver.

"Mm, your fingers are sweet, Tiara."

"Ugh—"

Her face turned red instantly, and her ears felt hot. Not knowing what to do, she let Aqua Steed have his way. But then Keith intervened.

"Cut it out, you're making me envious."

"Tiara is my wife."

Keith pulled Tiara Rose away, but Aqua Steed didn't let go and hugged her back.

"Really, you two should get along better."

Clair sighed and took the high-quality sugar, nodding in understanding. She licked it and smiled, saying, "It's sweet."

With this sugar, the quality of Tiara Rose's pastries would improve. That's why Keith said it was something Tiara Rose liked.

Keith, who ignored Clair's words, walked towards the sea, challenging Aqua Steed.

"Are you going?"

"Yes."

Clair's brief answer made everyone fall silent.

—She's going to Pearl.

Why did things have to get so complicated? Tiara Rose thought, feeling that Pearl had gone too far.

—Could Lady Clair have had enough...?

A bead of sweat trickled down her face as she watched Clair looking at the sea seriously, a face she had never seen before.

"Keith, what about Lady Pearl...?"

—What will happen?

She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.

Keith, usually carefree, replied with a serious tone.

"Nothing will happen. We are fairy kings, so nothing can be done to us by humans."

"Then, why is Lady Clair...?"

Why is she going to Pearl? A bead of sweat trickled down her back.

Seeing Tiara Rose's worried face, Keith told her not to worry and sent Clair off to the sea.

"Clair is probably the most upset about this."

"!"

"I'm not as fond of humans as Clair. After all, the forest doesn't bless humans much, does it?"

Tiara Rose nodded in agreement.

Currently, only Tiara Rose was blessed by the forest, which was very special in the kingdom and helped her status as a bride from another country.

"Clair has always liked humans. He was also cooperative with Aqua Steed, right?"

"Yes. It's not an exaggeration to say that Clair knows all the information about this country."

The information gathered from the sky was vast.

However, the most beautiful flower that caught Clair's attention was in the sea.

While it wasn't easy for a fairy king to obtain information, there was a difference between Keith on land and Pearl in the depths of the sea.

"Is Lady Clair going to be okay...?"

"Who knows. But, I think Clair will handle it well—..."

"That guy, though a pervert who likes cross-dressing, can be scary when he gets angry."

Keith laughed, imagining the scene when Clair and Pearl would meet.

"Keith! This isn't something to laugh about..."

"It is, really. Just leave Pearl to Clair."

Keith's casual reassurance made Tiara Rose uneasy, but they couldn't go to Pearl. They had to clean up the devastated beach and inform the town that the rain of seawater was not a problem.

As they started talking about returning to the castle to dispatch knights, a carriage stopped. Aishe, Filine, and Elliot got out.

—Are they exhausted?

The three looked exhausted, and Tiara Rose tightened her resolve, thinking there might have been other problems.

"!"

"...Elliot?"

"Your face looks terrible, man."

Tiara Rose gasped, and Aqua Steed looked puzzled. Keith bluntly stated his thoughts.

The one in front of them was Elliot, who was crying continuously.

"Right, you took a love potion... I thought it wouldn't be a problem since Elliot has a high resistance to poisons—"

It seemed to have had some effect.

However, they didn't have an antidote, and it was uncertain if one even existed for a fairy king's potion. As Aqua Steed pondered what to do, Aishe spoke up.

"Um, I..."

"No, Miss Aishe, you don't need to worry. I'm sorry for leaving you behind. Did Elliot do anything to you...?"

"No, nothing."

Aishe's words relieved Aqua Steed, and he looked at Elliot.

"I, I will go to Lady Pearl and ask for the antidote!!"

Currently, only Aishe, blessed by the sea fairy, could go to Pearl's palace. She was also uncomfortable with the topic of the love potion and didn't want Elliot to remain under its influence any longer.

"Lady Aishe!? Lady Clair is already there—"

Tiara Rose tried to stop her, but Aishe didn't hear and jumped into the sea with a splash.

Elliot followed, jumping in after her.

"Whaaat!?"

"..."

Aqua Steed sighed in exasperation, and Keith tried to suppress his laughter.

Tiara Rose wondered how they could remain so calm but prayed that everyone would return safely from Pearl.

The book will be released in 3 days.

I'll try to update as much as I can!

I changed the link at the bottom of the novel to the page for the villainous lady instead of the label. You can see the character introductions for Hart Knights and Akari, so please check it out.

Hart Knights is a handsome guy! (He's a prince, after all)

Additionally, I received some comments about the tsunami scene.

(I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond)

I also struggled with how to depict it while writing.

However, I decided to keep it as it is.

I hope you understand.

Well, there's a little more of the main story, but I would be happy if you could continue to follow it!