Chapter 5

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On the way back from the graduation party, the carriage was very quiet and calm. The high-quality interior, with its soft cushions, made the vibrations barely noticeable.

Tiara Rose glanced at Aquasteed sitting in front of her but quickly averted her gaze. She thought he hadn't noticed, but Aquasteed had.

Seeing such a cute Tiara Rose, he couldn't help but smile.

Aquasteed, who had no idea about the situation, was thinking about the second part of the otome game "The Lapis Lazuli Ring," which is set in this world.

—Why couldn't I live long enough to see the release of the sequel... No, at least until the details were made public? I feel so regretful.

Prince Aquasteed, who didn't appear in the first part, was now right in front of Tiara Rose. It was more than just strange; it was suspicious.

Moreover, he had proposed to Tiara Rose, who was in the role of the villainess. The unexpected turn of events left Tiara Rose's mind in complete chaos.

—Should I talk to Prince Aquasteed instead of just worrying about it myself?

She glanced at Aquasteed again. Tiara Rose really tried to look without being noticed, but she ended up being smiled at.

Feeling embarrassed for being caught, she apologized, "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? I'm just here to see you home."

"Well, ... Prince Aquasteed is the dream of many women."

"..."

When Tiara Rose said this with a troubled smile, Aquasteed was a bit surprised.

He hadn't expected to hear such words from Tiara Rose. Perhaps she was more promising than he thought, which made him even happier.

"If you say that, can I have some hope too?"

"A...!"

The words, accompanied by Aquasteed's passionate gaze, resonated in Tiara Rose's heart.

Being the recipient of Aquasteed's smile, which was popular among the ladies, was too much for her to handle. She pressed her hand to her heart and took a small deep breath.

"Um..."

"Yeah?"

"Why did you...?"

She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence about the proposal, blushing and looking down. Her ears were red too.

"I always saw you reading in the library from the window."

"Ah? Maybe the back of the library?"

"Yes. I saw you reading in the shade, changing expressions cutely."

"Cute...?"

As Aquasteed said, Tiara Rose often read in the shade behind the library.

She did this to gain knowledge that her teachers didn't teach, to be a proper queen in the future.

The reason she didn't use the library was that she wanted to eat sweets while reading. In the shade outside, she could enjoy reading with snacks and tea.

Additionally, there were no other students around, so she could spend her time freely. The only one with her was her maid, Filine.

—It's embarrassing to think I was being watched.

She read many books, from history to foreign languages. But she also read many romance stories.

Thinking about the faces she made while reading, she felt a surge of embarrassment. If there were a hole, she would have wanted to hide in it.

"One moment you're reading with a serious face, the next you're blushing and looking embarrassed. When you were on the verge of tears, I almost wanted to go and comfort you."

"...! Please, forget it!!"

Aquasteed's words were so embarrassing that Tiara Rose covered her face with both hands. She couldn't show her face, it was too embarrassing.

However, Aquasteed quickly removed her hands.

"Huh...?"

"Since we're together, can you show me your face?"

"...!!"

He smiled and whispered sweetly.

"I... I didn't think I was being watched."

"No—I'm sorry for peeping. But seeing you read in the shade every day, I became more and more captivated. It surprised even me."

He lovingly held Tiara Rose's hand and smiled, "It's true, you know?"

"But you were Hartnights' fiancée. I couldn't take the fiancée of a prince from another country."

"Ah..."

As Hartnights' fiancée and the promised queen of the Lapis Lazuli Kingdom, Tiara Rose couldn't even consider a proposal, let alone marriage.

So, Aquasteed had planned to endure. He intended to return to his country after the one-year study abroad and forget about Tiara Rose.

But a turning point came for Aquasteed. The graduation party where the condemnation event took place.

"It was a stroke of luck. I was determined not to miss this chance."

"... Prince Aquasteed."

"Is it embarrassing?"

"Not at all. Standing there alone, you were a great support to me."

Even if she knew she wasn't at fault, she still felt nervous and had a significant amount of anxiety.

At such a time, the voice of someone who admired her was a great comfort and joy.

"I only greeted you once at a ball. So, I was very surprised."

"Yes. I rarely attended balls and left early when I did."

So, this was the first time Aquasteed and Tiara Rose were having a proper conversation.

Despite being almost like a first meeting, the atmosphere was very calm, and the small carriage felt like a comfortable space.

"Are you not worried? The other ladies probably said many things to you."

Worried, Aquasteed asked. Tiara Rose thought about it.

But no matter what the selfish Akari said, she wouldn't be hurt. Her words were all justified.

Moreover, the other ladies, who were Tiara Rose's friends, didn't have good feelings towards Akari. She felt reassured that they would remain friends.

"... Yes. But I'm not worried. There will be discussions in the future, but I'm very happy just to be able to come home like this."

"I see. I was a bit surprised when Prince Hartnights said he would exile you. Well, if he were to exile you—maybe I would kidnap you."

Aquasteed laughed mischievously. Tiara Rose couldn't help but laugh too, surprised by such a statement.

"I was serious. Anyway, Miss Tiara Rose, would you like to go on a date with me? Can I have your time?"

He kissed the back of Tiara Rose's hand and made his move. His study abroad period was one year, and it was coming to an end.

He had to return to his country soon, so he didn't have much time.

Of course, Tiara Rose was aware of this. Therefore, she thought she couldn't run away if Aquasteed was serious.

"Yes. Now that I've graduated from the academy... I no longer have to go to Hartnights for bridal training."

She smiled wryly and continued, "I have a lot of free time."

In this world, a lady with a fiancé and planning to marry after graduation would undergo a year of bridal training. But since Tiara Rose's engagement was broken, she no longer needed to do this.

"I see. Then—how about three days from now?"

"Yes, I look forward to it."

"Great. I'll come to pick you up, so please wait for me."

He probably had a meeting with King Alexander the next day. The day after that, Tiara Rose expected to be called by the king, so he set the date for three days later.

They also needed time to prepare. Suddenly being asked out by the crown prince of a neighboring country would be too much for Tiara Rose.

Then, a question popped into Tiara Rose's mind.

—Does this world, which is a sequel, not have a heroine for the sequel?

The only announced character for the sequel was Aquasteed. There was no information about a heroine, and it was more likely that there wouldn't be one.

After all, the main focus was on the playable characters.

—Is Prince Aquasteed really okay with me?

Would Aquasteed, who was now infatuated with Tiara Rose, become infatuated with the heroine of the sequel if she appeared? ... Like Hartnights.

This worry made Tiara Rose's heart uneasy.

"Miss Tiara Rose?"

"Ah, no... It's just that I still can't believe you admire me."

Because there should be a heroine in the second part. —But she couldn't say that. Sensing her unease, Aquasteed smiled reassuringly.

He reached out and gently touched her bangs.

"It's cruel to doubt me so much. I admire you so much."

"...!!"

Gently, Aquasteed's lips touched Tiara Rose's forehead. The brief touch accelerated her heartbeat more than any words could.

"You're cute. ... But, it's a pity. We've arrived."

"Ah..."

As Aquasteed's lips left her forehead, the carriage slowly stopped.

Peeking out the small window, she saw her mansion. She looked at Aquasteed with surprise, wondering how he had timed it so perfectly.

But he only smiled meaningfully and said nothing.

With a red face, Tiara Rose was escorted by Aquasteed and returned to her mansion.