Chapter 55

"Here's the pearl ring..."

"Clair, give it back to me, I'll put it on the tiara."

"......"

In the bedroom of Tiara Rose and Aquasteed.

Aquasteed had hurried back after receiving the ring from Levi, the sea fairy king, but—Clair was staring intently at the ring, making it extremely difficult for him.

He confirmed that Tiara Rose was still sleeping soundly and called out, "I'm back."

Aquasteed had asked Clair to verify if the ring Levi brought was genuine.

Of course, the moment he touched it, he could feel the powerful magic. However, he couldn't conclude it was genuine just from that. There was a possibility that the inhuman butler had set something up.

"......Having the pearl ring in my hands, and yet I have to give it back..."

Reluctantly, but still properly, Clair handed the ring to Aquasteed.

"You're always in the real Pearl's palace, right?"

"You're saying that, Aquasteed?"

"I'm just not in the mood."

Aquasteed wanted to put the ring on Tiara Rose's finger as soon as possible and wake her up from her sleep. The time spent chatting with Clair felt like a waste, and he was eager to get it done.

――Aquasteed really loves Tiara Rose, doesn't he?

Clair smiled softly at the sight of Aquasteed, who was not in the mood. Taking the ring, Aquasteed immediately took Tiara Rose's hand. The sight was earnest, and it made Clair feel affectionate, as if she were giving her blessing.

Aquasteed's finger, with Clair's ring.

Tiara Rose's finger, with the pearl ring.

Even if it was just the pearl ring, the two, who were deeply in love, holding the rings together gave Clair a sense of comfort.

She wished they could be as deeply in love as the two who held the rings.

Smiling sadly, Clair watched them.

"Tiara... Wake up soon and show me your usual smile."

"...Hmm..."

Aquasteed gently placed the beautiful pearl ring on Tiara Rose's left little finger. He looked at her as if praying for her to wake up.

He kissed her warm fingertips and waited for her eyes to open. Seeing her slightly trembling eyelashes, he held his breath.

"Tiara, Tiara Rose...!"

He tightly gripped her hand and called her name repeatedly.

Answer me soon.

Call me Aquasteed, just like you always do.

Then I'll call you Tiara in return.

"...Hmm"

"Tiara!!"

"......"

Beautiful blue eyes reflected in Aquasteed's eyes.

Relief washed over him, but Tiara Rose quickly closed her eyes again. She shifted slightly but continued to breathe steadily, showing no signs of waking up.

"Tiara...?"

Aquasteed touched Tiara Rose's cheek and called her name, but her eyes remained tightly closed.

"Even though I put the ring on, why...?"

"It hasn't settled yet."

"Huh? Oh, the ring needs a day to settle, right?"

In response to Aquasteed's question, Clair casually replied.

Aquasteed bit his lip, wishing Tiara Rose could wake up immediately, but he had to wait a whole day.

"If I were stronger, it would have been better."

"Aquasteed is strong enough. You should rest until Tiara Rose wakes up. You might not realize it, but your body is quite tired, and it's good to rest."

That way, the ring will settle in the body more quickly. With that, Aquasteed had no choice but to nod.

"...Alright."

Clair patted Aquasteed's back, urging him to rest. He nodded immediately, took Tiara Rose's hand, and fell asleep.

◇ ◇ ◇

From a peaceful sleep, like the gentle waves of the sea, Tiara Rose woke up.

Her body felt stiff from oversleeping and she couldn't move easily.

Blinking a few times, she saw the canopy of the bed. The beautiful decorations made her wonder if her bed was this luxurious.

――I have to get up.

Her throat was so dry that she wanted water.

Thinking about getting up, a sweet, gentle, and worried voice reached her ears.

"Oh, thank goodness... Tiara. Are you in pain anywhere, or do you feel uncomfortable?"

"...? Um, yes. Just a little thirsty..."

"I'll get you some water right away."

He told her to stay in bed.

Blinking, Tiara Rose saw the man preparing a water pitcher. She knew who he was.

Aquasteed Marinforest.

The main character to pursue in the sequel game and her favorite character. They might know each other because he came to study at the academy, but they had no connection.

――Why is Prince Aquasteed here?

Moreover, it seems like he's taking care of her.

"...Where are we?"

Looking around the room, she realized it was more magnificent than her own. The coral decorations suggested it belonged to someone related to Marinforest. It must be Aquasteed's room, right?

――No, that can't be.

"Tiara, here's the water. Can you drink it?"

"Um, yes... thank you."

"Take your time."

"...Thank you."

Aquasteed held Tiara Rose's back to help her sit up and offered her a glass of water. Afraid she might drop it, he supported her, and she smiled awkwardly.

――Tiara?

She drank the water, but Aquasteed noticed something was off. He thought it might be from lying in bed for so long, but it felt different.

――Did she lose hope because I couldn't protect her?

"Tiara..."

Feeling anxious that she might have come to dislike him, he called her name. His voice was hoarse and unstable, and he laughed at himself.

Tiara Rose's body trembled at the sound of his voice.

――This isn't the usual Tiara Rose.

"I couldn't protect you, and I put you in danger. I feel terribly sorry and regretful."

"...Ah"

"Sorry, Tiara. I don't deserve to love you because I couldn't protect you...?"

Tiara Rose's eyes widened in surprise.

Overwhelmed with love and affection, he pulled her into his arms, not caring that the glass fell and wet the sheets, burying his face in her neck.

Please, hug me back.

This was undoubtedly Aquasteed's desire.

"Um, well, I..."

Tiara Rose's trembling voice reached his ears.

But the words that followed were completely unexpected.

"Why is Prince Aquasteed here?"

"...Huh?"

"Of course, I know Prince Aquasteed. But I don't think we had any connection..."

Seeing Tiara Rose frown in confusion, Aquasteed's eyes widened. This was ridiculous...

"Tiara, do you know me?"

"Of course. We were in the same class at the academy..."

No one doesn't know Prince Aquasteed, Tiara Rose smiled. At the same time, she asked him to let her go, as she felt embarrassed.

"Ah, right..."

"I'm a bit confused. Why am I here?"

――Has she lost her memory?

Still, he was relieved that she remembered him.

"This is Marinforest, Tiara."

"Huh? Oh, right. I came to Marinforest—but why did I come here...?"

Tiara Rose tilted her head.

He thought she might have lost the past year's memory, but it seemed not.

Trying to calm the confused Tiara Rose, he stroked her back, but she trembled and he quickly removed his hand.

She had completely forgotten their engagement and marriage.

Tiara Rose blushed and apologized, "I'm sorry."

There was no reason for her to apologize.

She then asked if Filine, her maid, was around, looking anxious.

"Ah, right. I'll call her. You should rest a bit more."

"Thank you, Prince Aquasteed."

――What happened to me?

Watching Aquasteed leave, Tiara Rose got back into bed. She was still in her nightgown and planned to change and do some light stretching when Filine arrived.

Filine quickly opened the bedroom door and rushed in.

"Tiara Rose!!"

"Filine"

"It's good to see you safe...! Is there anything you need?"

Seeing Filine worried and crying, Tiara Rose realized her condition was more serious than she thought. Filine took her temperature and massaged her body carefully.

"Filine, I..."

"Don't worry, Tiara Rose. Just rest for now."

"......But, Prince Aquasteed was here. I can't just rest..."

As a prince, it would be disrespectful to leave Aquasteed waiting while she slept, Tiara Rose told Filine.

"It's not disrespectful. Prince Aquasteed is very worried about you and told me to make sure you rest and get better."

"Prince Aquasteed...? Why does he care so much about me?"

Did I cause him some trouble?

She was very concerned, but since Aquasteed said he was sleeping, it was best to follow his advice.

――I need to thank him properly later.

Filine smiled and told her to rest for the day.

Not wanting to argue, Tiara Rose reluctantly agreed. She asked if she could read a book, and the capable maid agreed.

"I'll also bring you some tea. As for snacks, let's wait until you're more relaxed. I'm preparing some gentle meals for you now."

"Thank you."

"Please consult me first if you need anything."

"Okay."

Filine insisted that she call her directly and not the other maids.

They discussed the current situation and what to do next, deciding to talk more in the coming days.

"The doctor will come before your meal. I'll bring you a book after that."

"Alright."

Filine left the bedroom, telling her to rest until then.

◇ ◇ ◇

As soon as Filine left the bedroom, Aquasteed asked about Tiara Rose's condition.

"Her health seems fine, but she doesn't remember the time she spent with Prince Aquasteed."

"...I see."

Clenching his fist, Aquasteed looked at Filine.

What would happen to his master, who didn't remember him, after this?

He loved her so much, she wouldn't be treated badly.

But.

What if Aquasteed didn't recognize the Tiara Rose without her memories as the one he loved?

What if he suggested she return to Lapis Lazuli to rest? She wanted Tiara Rose to stay here, even without her memories, as she had been so happy here.

"Prince Aquasteed, what about Tiara Rose...?"

Feeling anxious, Filine asked Aquasteed.

Sensing her worry, Aquasteed smiled gently and said, "It's okay."

"I will love Tiara again and again, and I have the confidence to be loved again and again."

So there's no need to worry, Aquasteed looked at the bedroom door.