Chapter 52

Opening the door, she found herself in a sea on land.

Tiararose instinctively covered her mouth, fearing she might drown, but there was no water. A fish with a fluttering tail swam beside her, tickling her cheek.

"Amazing... It’s like a sea, but without water, the fish are swimming."

She tilted her head, wondering if the fish could swim in the air, but quickly concluded that it was impossible.

—This must be a special place of Pearl, the Sea Fairy King.

In other places, fish did not swim in the air. She had only seen fish swimming gracefully in seawater, never imagining such a thing could happen. While watching the fish swim elegantly, Tiararose slowly looked around the room.

The beautiful walls were the same pristine white as beach sand, with shells embedded here and there, evoking the image of a sandy beach. Lamps made of coral were placed at regular intervals, casting a soft glow. A deep blue carpet, intricately embroidered with golden thread, was laid on the ivory marble floor, delighting Tiararose as she looked at it.

And then, what lay ahead—

"...Is that the ring of the Fairy King?"

Tiararose’s gaze was drawn to the far end of the room.

In this vast, empty space, there was only one pedestal. On a slender stand, a ring pillow adorned with lace.

—It should be fine just to look, right?

She slowly approached the pedestal. The ring, sparkling brilliantly, was beautiful—beyond description.

The platinum with a slight blue tinge and a single pearl, when peered into, revealed a bubble of air, indicating its special and precious nature.

"This is the ring..."

Tiararose thought it was fitting for the Fairy King. She envied the heroine, Aishira, who would possess it, finding its beauty so captivating that she could stare at it for hours. Of course, doing so would make her late and reveal that she had left the castle without permission.

"What happens when you wear this ring?"

"Ah, this is the first time one of Pearl’s beloved children has come here."

"Do you know the effect of the ring?"

"Wh-what?"

Suddenly, a voice made Tiararose shudder. She thought she was alone, but quickly looked around. There were no people, only two fish.

—Could the fish be talking?

Given the existence of fairies, it wasn’t so strange for fish to fly and talk. Probably.

"My name is Tiararose Lapis Marinforest."

Tiararose took a step back and bowed to the two fish.

"Marinforest! Ah, are you the king of this country?"

"Since Pearl blessed you, you can’t just be an ordinary child."

"No, no! I am not the king!!"

Misunderstood, Tiararose frantically shook her head. She could never be the king. She explained that she had come here while researching the country.

"I am treated very well by the people of the neighboring country. I have never thought of such things..."

She desperately tried to convey her support for Aquasteed, who would eventually become king.

"Hmm, how boring."

"We thought you had an interesting soul, capable of such deeds."

The fish chuckled, and Tiararose sighed. She thought she would rather die than kill someone, but if she were the original villainess, it might have been different.

—But I won’t act as a villainess!

"An interesting soul?"

"Something different from ordinary humans, a mix of something else."

"..."

Tiararose thought it must be because of her memories from her past life. There was nothing particularly unusual about her, so it wasn’t wise to delve deeper.

"You seem to know you are special."

"Somewhat..."

The fish’s words made Tiararose smile in response.

"You are Tiararose Lapis Marinforest, correct?"

"Yes."

"You should take this ring."

The fish’s tail fin slowly traced the pearl of the ring. Tiararose’s eyes widened; she never thought she, not the heroine, would be allowed to take it.

She stared at the ring, adorned with a mysterious pearl. It was probably a pinky ring, fitting for a woman, as Tiararose thought of Pearl.

—What should I do?

Of course, the ring was intriguing, but she didn’t think it was something a villainess should possess. However, if she had permission, she wanted to take it. She loved this maiden game, and that was enough reason.

The fish urged her on.

"You, as one of Pearl’s beloved children, have the right."

"...The right, for me?"

Even as a villainess?

But being blessed by the Fairy King made her eligible. Perhaps there was no problem with Tiararose taking the ring.

"The ring of Pearl..."

Tiararose made up her mind and gently reached for the ring. As her fingertips touched it, a tingling sensation spread through her body, as if her blood was boiling. She hugged herself tightly.

"...Ah, ah..."

—Even without wearing it, what power.

Tiararose trembled, realizing the magnitude of the king’s existence.

She took the ring with both hands and carefully slipped it onto her left pinky finger. A warm sensation spread from the ring, coursing through her body, as if the ring was reshaping her.

"Hmm, it fits well."

"...?"

"Yes... It will take about a day for the ring to fully adapt to you."

"You can’t remove the ring until a day has passed."

Tiararose was anxious that such important information was given after she put on the ring. But if she couldn’t remove it, that was fine. Just as she was about to acknowledge, the door she had entered through opened with a bang.

"Tiararose!"

"Eh!? Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Aquas!! Why are you here!"

"That’s my line."

Aquasteed, out of breath, stood before Tiararose. He had followed the information from Elliot to reach here. The passage, accessible only to those blessed by the Sea Fairy King, was entered by Aquasteed alone, despite Elliot’s objections.

"...Where is this? And, Tiararose, that ring?"

"Ah!"

Tiararose was drenched in sweat, despite having come through a hidden passage. She explained that the ring belonged to the Sea Fairy King, clutching her left hand tightly.

"Ho, so you are the next king?"

"Fish...?"

"This place can only be entered by Pearl’s beloved children. I’m surprised there are two of you."

The fish swam around Aquasteed, laughing.

"Tiararose’s ring is Pearl’s ring. Take good care of it."

"We have nothing more to say. Go, beloved children."

"Thank you...!"

A gust of wind pushed Tiararose and Aquasteed out, and the door closed as the fish’s tail fin fluttered. Tiararose bowed deeply, grateful for being able to come here.

◇ ◇ ◇

She was excited and her heart raced when she came to the hidden stage of the Fairy King, but the way back was terrifying, unsure of what to do.

Next to Tiararose was Aquasteed, with a good smile, but clearly in a bad mood. She didn’t know how to cheer him up. She had left the castle through a hidden passage, influenced by Levi, despite their agreement.

After a long silence, Aquasteed broke it.

"Did you know there was a ring of the Fairy King here?"

"..."

The answer was yes.

For a lady from a neighboring country to know information that her own royal family didn’t, was impossible. But Tiararose thought it would be difficult to keep it hidden.

"...Akaris told me."

"Akaris? How did she know—oh, the power of holy prayers?"

"..."

Aquasteed’s convenient interpretation made Tiararose keep her smile and look ahead. The power of the holy prayers of the heroine was immense, bringing peace and prosperity to the country.

"Indeed, Tiararose and Akaris are close. But you should have told me if something happened."

"I’m sorry, Aquas. I won’t act on my own again."

"Even with multiple hearts, it wouldn’t be enough."

Aquasteed pulled Tiararose’s shoulder and embraced her, checking her for safety, touching her hair, cheeks, shoulders, back, and neck, and burying his nose in her neck, chuckling.

"Tiararose smells of the sea."

"It’s strange, but you also smell of the sea. This place is filled with Pearl’s power."

"True. I didn’t know such a place existed. Once we’re back in the castle, we have a lot to talk about, so be prepared to stay up all night."

"..."

The sweet atmosphere from earlier was gone, and Tiararose could only nod at Aquasteed’s dark mood.

—What happened to Levi?

He was supposed to wait at the entrance, but with Aquasteed here, he might not be. It was possible he was caught, but Tiararose didn’t think the butler would make such a mistake.

"Elliot is waiting at the entrance."

"Okay."

Pointing to the entrance, Aquasteed urged them to leave quickly. Tiararose nodded with a wry smile, deciding to return home, feeling guilty about Levi.

"I want Filene to make some tea."

"Sure, let’s—!?"

As Aquasteed led Tiararose out, they saw Elliot lying on the ground. Aquasteed, shielding Tiararose, looked around, but no one was there. It was getting dark, and while his night vision was good, it wasn’t wise to linger.

"Aquas!"

"It’s fine. Tiararose, stay behind me—!"

Suddenly, a heavy blow struck Aquasteed. He grabbed his sword and deflected the attack, but his hand tingled. He had no time to dwell on it.

"You move better than I thought."

"Levi!?"

Levi, who had struck Aquasteed, landed gracefully. Dressed in his butler uniform, he stood with a smirk.

Levi glared at Aquasteed, who drew his sword, steadied his breathing, and checked his opponent’s weapon. Levi had nothing in his hands.

—Magic?

But there was no sign of it. There must be some trick, Aquasteed thought.

"I’ll take it."

"Your target is—Tiararose?"

No way.

Aquasteed kicked the ground and closed the distance with Levi. Since Levi had no weapon, a close combat approach was best. He swung his sword, but Levi easily dodged.

—Fast.

Aquasteed could see him, but Levi was faster. He decided to use magic to stop him, but a sharp knife flew at him.

"What...!"

"I don’t particularly dislike close combat."

Levi threw knives at Aquasteed one after another.

"Where are you hiding all those weapons?"

Aquasteed deflected the knives with his sword, frowning. How could he hide so many knives in his butler uniform? He was drenched in sweat, desperately knocking the knives away. Frustrated, he cast a magic spell. He couldn’t just defend, and he was skilled in more than just swordsmanship. He deftly dodged the knives and attacked with magic, making Levi look slightly troubled.

"Maybe this will work."

"You’re not just a prince protected by guards."

Levi, looking annoyed, took a new knife from his sleeve and threw it at Aquasteed. Frustrated by the endless supply, Aquasteed decided to dodge them all until they ran out. He knocked the knives to the ground with his sword and focused on casting a powerful attack spell.

But he didn’t notice.

Levi was quietly approaching him, hidden among the knives. By the time he realized, it was too late. A strong blow to his abdomen made Aquasteed kneel.

"Well, then."

"!"

Levi turned to Tiararose, his gaze falling on her left hand.

His target was the ring of the Fairy King.

"Aah!"

"...Tiararose!"

Aquasteed’s voice echoed in the cove.

"Stop, Levi...! Why are you doing this?"

"To save Olivia."

"...What?"

Tiararose, glaring at Levi, was shocked by his response.

—Is the villainess of the sequel involved in some incident?

She had never met Olivia, but as a fellow villainess, she couldn’t help but care.

"But, if that’s the case... you could have consulted me. I might be able to help."

Try to calm down, Tiararose spoke to Levi, but he only gave her a cold stare.

"I need to save Olivia as quickly as possible."

I don’t have the luxury of working with you.

That’s what it felt like.

In a blur, Levi snatched the ring from Tiararose. But even with the ring, his expression didn’t change.

"Why...?"

Levi glanced at Tiararose and disappeared from the spot.

Thank you for always reading.

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