Chapter 50

As the night grew deeper, Aquasteed was alone in the office, going through a mountain of documents, stamping them, and sorting them into those that needed urgent attention and those that could wait.

Normally, a guard would be stationed at the door, but Aquasteed had already dismissed them. Being so strong, Aquasteed didn't absolutely need a guard within the castle.

"Shouldn't you take a break, Lord Aquasteed?"

"...Eliott, is that you?"

"Isn't this work something that can be done tomorrow or later?"

Eliott, who had poked his head into the office, said, "There's no real need to rush, is there?"

"It's already past midnight, are you aware of that?"

"I know that much."

"If you do, that's fine. Lady TiaraRoses might be worried, you know."

Aquasteed usually returned to the room where TiaraRoses was waiting before the date changed, no matter how late it was. Knowing this, Eliott had come to check on Aquasteed, feeling suspicious.

Eliott brewed some tea and placed it in front of his master, who was reading documents. He could immediately see that Aquasteed's body was cold and his face showed signs of fatigue.

After taking a sip, Aquasteed said, "I know," again.

Aquasteed stretched and leaned back in his chair, looking at Eliott.

"What is it?"

"...Eliott, you saw it too, right?"

"Saw what—oh, you mean Lady TiaraRoses?"

The competent aide immediately understood what Aquasteed meant. During the date with TiaraRoses, Aquasteed felt terribly inadequate for not being able to do anything. From Eliott's perspective, both were amazing, but as a man, Aquasteed wanted to protect TiaraRoses, and that was understandable.

Blessed by the Sea Sprite King Pearl, TiaraRoses received the blessing of a water barrier that could defend against everything. This protective blessing of the sea enveloped TiaraRoses in a thin layer of sea magic, absorbing physical impacts and making it very useful. Aquasteed, on the other hand, received a blessing focused on offense. While the two blessings complemented each other well, Aquasteed also wanted the power to protect TiaraRoses.

"While I was protecting her, Tiara has become stronger and stronger."

"...Are you feeling lonely, Lord Aquasteed?"

"Lonely? I don't know, it feels a bit different."

Putting down the last document, Aquasteed sighed, "That's it for now."

"Everyone would think that TiaraRoses is worthy of standing by your side."

"Yes, they would. After being blessed by the Forest Sprite King, it's impossible for her not to be a suitable queen."

"...If I could, I would have kept her locked up forever."

Eliott chuckled quietly at Aquasteed's words.

"Isn't it you, Lord Aquasteed, who knows best that Lady TiaraRoses is not just a woman to be surrounded and protected?"

"I know that too."

—I want to become even stronger.

I want to be strong enough to stand by TiaraRoses without fading. Aquasteed thought this strongly. He was proud of TiaraRoses for helping the people, but he also wanted to protect her entirely. It was pure possessiveness, but he couldn't help feeling that way.

"Anyway, Lord Aquasteed should return to your room soon."

"Eliott?"

"Filene said that Lady TiaraRoses is still awake."

"...Why didn't you say that sooner?"

Even though he had told her it was fine to go to bed, no—given TiaraRoses' character, it was more likely that she was still awake. Aquasteed quickly left the office and returned to his room.

"Oh, you should be with Lady TiaraRoses instead of thinking alone. Lord Aquasteed really likes to put on a show."

While clearing away the empty teacup, Eliott muttered to himself, "What a troublesome master."

"Besides, if Lord Aquasteed, who is so strong, is worried about being weak... I would be less than an insect."

He didn't say, "How strong do you plan to become?" but he clearly understood that the future of the country was secure.

◇◇◇

Even if you want to sleep more—morning comes equally for everyone.

TiaraRoses watched Aquasteed get dressed while still half-asleep in bed. She had waited for her husband, who came home late, but getting up as usual was a bit difficult. Aquasteed, who must have been sleep-deprived too, had the same expression as always.

—Is Lord Aquasteed not tired?

I'm so sleepy with just a little less sleep.

"Hey, Tiara."

"Yes?"

TiaraRoses, who had just gotten out of bed with a yawn, looked at Aquasteed, who had a serious expression.

"Is something wrong?"

While tying Aquasteed's tie, she tilted her head. She worried that he might be late again today. She gently stroked Aquasteed's hair and said, "Please don't overwork yourself."

"Thank you, Tiara. Actually, my father asked me to have dinner with him. He said he has something to talk about."

"Is that so..."

They usually had dinner together, but not every day. Sometimes, due to work, they had to eat separately. TiaraRoses nodded and agreed, "I understand."

Aquasteed's father, the crown prince's father—Sotiris Marinforest.

He is the king of Marinforest, but he has not been blessed by the Sprite King. However, he has been blessed by the Sky and Sea Sprites. Even so, as the king of this country, there are things he "knows."

Aquasteed, invited to the dinner, finished his work early and went to the king's quarters.

The thick curtains blocked out the light from outside, and the only light in the room came from the chandelier. In the center of the spacious room was a small table that seemed out of place. The warm dishes were already served.

And most importantly—there was no one else in the room, not even a servant or aide.

—What is he going to talk about?

Faced with this unusual scene, Aquasteed frowned.

It's as if we're going to have a secret conversation.

No, we are.

"I'm sorry for the sudden call, Aquasteed."

"No, it's fine. Is something wrong?"

As they sat down, the king poured wine himself.

While watching this, the king's gaze suddenly shifted to Aquasteed's left hand. He seemed to be examining each finger, but Aquasteed had no decorations on his hand.

"Is there something wrong with my hand?"

Aquasteed usually didn't wear any decorations because he held a sword.

"I thought, since you are blessed by the Sky and Sea Sprites—"

"?"

"There is something that has been passed down in the royal family. Something only the king should know, not even written in books—something even the queen doesn't know."

"..."

From the serious look in his father's eyes, Aquasteed understood that what he was about to hear was true. He didn't think he would hear any kind of anecdote. Even if his father hadn't been blessed by the Sprite King, he was still the king. He didn't think it would be just an anecdote.

But.

"I am not yet the king. Is it alright?"

"A son loved by the Sprite King cannot fail to become king."

"Father..."

His father, proud that his son would achieve what he could not, puffed out his chest.

"The king of Marinforest is said to become a true king only when he has three rings."

"Rings?"

—Ah, that's why Father looked at my hand.

Apart from the ring he gave TiaraRoses when they got married, Aquasteed had no connection with rings. He had no idea what rings his father, Sotiris, was talking about.

"However, no king has ever obtained those rings."

"Not a single one?"

When Aquasteed asked, Sotiris nodded quietly.

If there was no record of anyone obtaining the rings, why was this story passed down? Aquasteed thought it might be a made-up story.

Seeing Aquasteed's puzzled look, Sotiris said, "Do you not believe it?" Of course, it was hard to believe immediately.

"There's no proof that these rings actually exist..."

"That's true."

While agreeing with Aquasteed, Sotiris continued, "However, there was a king who heard about the rings directly from the Sprite King."

"Ah, I see."

Indeed, if the Sprite King himself had said the rings existed, it would be a reliable piece of information. Even if no one had ever obtained them.

He thought he might get some information from Clayre. Although Pearl, who had also blessed him, was sleeping deep in the sea and couldn't be contacted.

"A true king is said to be able to create a ring with the power he desires."

"Is that the Sprite King's doing..."

Aquasteed thought it was a fitting power for the king of the sprites, who ruled over their respective elements.

—The power of a true king.

Sotiris didn't know the details of what this power entailed. The information had been passed down through hearsay and had lost accuracy along the way.

—Can I obtain those rings?

Blessed by two Sprite Kings, the image of Keith blessing Aquasteed was hard to imagine. It was more fitting for the Sky Sprite King Clayre to bless TiaraRoses.

"Are there any conditions to obtain those rings?"

"I think it's the king's favor, but even a blessed king couldn't obtain the rings."

No one knows, Sotiris said weakly.

"I understand. Thank you for telling me. ...Let's eat before it gets cold."

"Yes."

In the quiet room, the two of them ate quietly. Each was thinking about what they could do for the country—then.

—If this story is true.

A thought came to Aquasteed's mind.