Chapter 65

The carriage journey proceeded smoothly, and Tiara Roses and her companions arrived safely at the Lapis Lazuli Kingdom.

First, they headed to the royal castle to pay their respects.

"Wow... It feels so nostalgic."

Escorted by Aquasteed, Tiara Roses stepped down from the carriage.

Feeling the sun shining warmly as if welcoming them, Tiara Roses looked up at the beautiful Lapis Lazuli castle.

The building, painted in a light blue, had a staircase leading inside. On both sides, knights lined up, and Akari ran down the stairs between them, looking delighted.

"Lady Tiara! Welcome!"

"Lady Akari..."

"You're still as energetic as ever..."

While worrying that Akari might fall, Tiara Roses waved at her, saying, "It's been a while," and smiled.

With her beautiful black hair and eyes, and a lovely face, she wore a fashionable dress with ribbons. She was the heroine of the maiden game "The Ring of Lapis Lazuli," capable of performing sacred prayers.

"Lady Akari, it's good to see you looking well. Congratulations on your marriage to Prince Hartnights."

"Congratulations, Lady Akari. I'm very happy to be able to attend the ceremony."

"Lady Aquasteed, Lady Tiara, thank you. I'm also looking forward to the ceremony. Please make yourselves at home."

After a brief greeting, Akari led them to their guest room, saying, "This way."

"I've prepared lots of delicious sweets! Lady Tiara, Lady Olivia has already arrived, so let's have a girls' night when it gets dark!"

"Huh?"

A girls' night was news to Tiara Roses. She wondered what to do, but since Olivia was there, it would be convenient to introduce Liliage, who was pretending to be a stuffed animal.

Aquasteed, with a slightly resigned look, said, "Just do what you like, Tiara."

"Still, Tiara must be tired from the long carriage ride, so don't push her too hard."

"I understand! If anything happens, I can heal her with sacred prayers."

"That's not what I meant."

Aquasteed sighed deeply at the proud Akari.

Beside her, Tiara Roses smiled wryly, thinking that if she could have some sweets, a little extra effort wouldn't hurt... but she couldn't bring herself to say that to Aquasteed.

After chatting for a while, they arrived at the guest room.

Since they were a couple, Tiara Roses and Aquasteed shared one room. Filine and Elliot were given separate rooms, and they had free time until the dinner with the Lapis Lazuli royal family.

The guest room was equipped with a living room, a main room, a bedroom, and a bathroom.

The room, decorated in white and sepia, was calm and cozy, making it a comfortable place to stay during their time in Lapis Lazuli.

From the balcony, they could see the garden filled with blooming roses. While admiring its beauty, Tiara Roses felt a bit lonely without the fairies.

—It's normal not to have fairies around.

Thinking about how she had become accustomed to the Marin Forest, Tiara Roses felt very happy.

"Are you tired?"

"Lady Aquasteed... I'm fine. We have a lot to do from now on, so I need to be ready."

"That's true. We also have to deal with Lady Liliage, so we don't have much time."

Looking back into the room from the balcony, Tiara Roses saw Liliage lying on the sofa, looking exhausted. She had suffered from motion sickness during the carriage ride and was showing signs of fatigue.

Filine was tidying up the room to make it more comfortable.

Elliot, who had been with them until a moment ago, had already left to find the tombstones of Ferres' parents, as indicated by Liliage.

Talmo and a few knights were taking turns guarding the room.

"I wish I could do something..."

As the queen, Tiara Roses couldn't go out to investigate, so she had to stay in the room. Besides, someone needed to take care of Liliage and handle her duties as a royal.

"Let's leave it to Elliot for now. Tiara, you have to prepare for the dinner party, right? I'll go to the library to look up some documents, so stay here and rest."

As the first queen, it was better for Tiara Roses to be present, Aquasteed decided. He smiled, adding, "Especially since it's just women."

"...Yes. Thank you, Lady Aquasteed."

After seeing Aquasteed off to the library, Tiara Roses prepared honey-infused hot milk and meringue cookies for Liliage.

"It's warm and sweet."

"I drink it when I'm tired too."

"Really? It does seem like it would help with fatigue."

While stroking Liliage's back, Tiara Roses thought about whether it would be better to have Akari heal her with sacred prayers. Liliage sipped the hot milk and sighed, looking more relaxed than before, which made Tiara Roses feel a bit relieved.

After eating the meringue cookie, Liliage's face lit up.

"Lady Tiara's sweets are always delicious and make me feel happy."

"I'm glad you like them."

Liliage, who had been listless a moment ago, was now eating the sweets with energy.

◇ ◇ ◇

In the evening, Tiara Roses changed into a dress for the dinner party.

The empire-line dress was adorned with ribbons and lace, and a flower decoration made of the same material was added to her neckline. Her soft honey-pink hair complemented the blue of the dress.

Escorted by Aquasteed, who was dressed in formal attire, they entered the dining hall.

The Lapis Lazuli royal family was already gathered.

First, Alexander Lapis Lazuli Lactumoot, the king of Lapis Lazuli and Hartnights' father, greeted them. He was the one who had stripped Hartnights of his throne.

"Welcome. It's been a while since we last met. I'm relieved to see you both looking well. The journey must have been tiring, so we've prepared a meal for you to enjoy."

"Thank you. It's good to see you looking well, Your Majesty."

Aquasteed and Alexander shook hands, and Tiara Roses did the same.

"You've become even more beautiful, Lady Tiara Roses. Schnauz would cry with emotion if he saw you."

"Please, Your Majesty..."

Tiara Roses smiled wryly, knowing that Schnauz would indeed cry with emotion.

Then, the queen greeted them, and Akari stepped forward assertively.

She wore a slightly darker pink dress with white stripes and ribbons, smiling and saying, "Did you get enough rest? The night is long, you know!"

"Akari, don't trouble the guests."

"Prince Hartnights!"

Hartnights Lapis Lazuli Lactumoot, Tiara Roses' former fiancé and Akari's groom, had beautiful golden hair and blue eyes, making him the main character to pursue in the game.

"It's been a while, Prince Aquasteed. And, Tiara... Lady Tiara Roses."

"Yes, it has been a while."

"It's been a while, Prince Hartnights."

The atmosphere became tense, and the conversation stopped after the greetings. As Tiara Roses wondered if she should say something to break the ice, a bright voice caught her attention.

"Lady Tiara, it's been a while!"

"Kyaa! Prince Sirius!"

"Has it been three years since we last met? I've been looking forward to this day!"

Emerging from behind Hartnights was his younger brother, the first in line to the throne, Prince Sirius Lapis Lazuli Lactumoot.

He hugged Tiara Roses tightly, clearly delighted to see her again.

Despite being only ten years old, he had a beautiful face that could easily be mistaken for a girl's. His innocent smile revealed slightly lighter golden hair and clear sky-blue eyes.

"It's been a while, Your Highness. You've grown so much, I'm surprised."

"But I still haven't caught up to Lady Tiara's height..."

"You'll surpass me in no time."

Reassuring him, Tiara Roses patted Sirius on the head.

Alexander smiled wryly at the scene.

"Sirius has been looking forward to meeting Lady Tiara Roses. As the next king, I wish he would be more composed."

"No, it's fine. I don't have a younger brother, so I'm very happy."

Besides, this was a more intimate setting, and Tiara Roses knew that Sirius was usually more mature. She smiled, saying it wasn't a problem.

"Lady Tiara and Prince Sirius seem to have a good relationship. I didn't know that."

"I was surprised too."

Akari covered her mouth and feigned surprise, and Aquasteed agreed.

Nodding, Tiara Roses said, "Yes, that's right."

"During tea parties with the queen, I had many opportunities to talk with Prince Sirius."

"Ah, I see."

The young prince had attended his mother's tea parties. He called Tiara Roses his sister because she was Hartnights' fiancée.

—But, I'm not his sister anymore.

She had broken her engagement with Hartnights and married Aquasteed. She wondered if it was appropriate to be called his sister, but Sirius brought it up himself.

"But, you're not my sister anymore, are you?"

"It's sad," Sirius said.

Seeing the adorable gesture, Tiara Roses almost wanted to say it was fine to call her sister but held back.

"..."

At the same time, Hartnights stiffened. If he hadn't broken the engagement, Tiara Roses would have been Sirius' legitimate sister.

Confused about what to say, Hartnights was interrupted by Alexander.

"Sirius, you should greet Prince Aquasteed first."

"You're right."

Excited to see Tiara Roses, I got carried away, Sirius apologized.

He also bowed to Akari, saying, "I was insensitive."

"It's okay, I don't mind. Lady Tiara is like a sister to me, so you can think of her as your sister too."

"Lady Akari..."

Akari, stop saying things without permission, Tiara Roses smiled wryly.

"Isn't it fun and happy to be sisters? I'd welcome a cute little brother like Prince Sirius any time! Right, Lady Tiara?"

"Yes..."

"Right? I even have a special gift for the girls' night... Oh, this is a surprise for later!"

"..."

Akari, who couldn't stop talking, made Tiara Roses and even Alexander smile wryly. The queen, smiling, might be more like Akari than anyone else.

"Lady Akari, if you keep this up, Prince Sirius won't be able to greet Prince Aquasteed."

"Oh, right."

Covering her mouth, Akari laughed in a deliberately exaggerated manner.

—But, the atmosphere has brightened.

Seeing Sirius looking happy, Tiara Roses felt relieved.

"I'm sorry for the delay, Prince Aquasteed. I'm Sirius Lapis Lazuli Lactumoot, the second prince."

"I'm Aquasteed Marinforest. Our stay won't be long, but I look forward to it."

"Yes!"

Shaking hands with Aquasteed, Sirius smiled happily.

The dinner party proceeded smoothly, and Tiara Roses gazed at the desserts in front of her.

Compared to the previous Lapis Lazuli, the quality of the desserts had improved significantly. This was likely due to Akari's stay at the castle, where she provided feedback and suggestions on the cuisine.

The star of the desserts was chocolate.

On a single plate, it was presented like a story.

Inside a half-spherical chocolate ball, bite-sized chiffon cakes were placed.

The edges of the plate were adorned with honey, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate sauce, and a striped chocolate ribbon. Next to it were two-colored truffle chocolates dusted with cocoa and sugar powder.

Both Marinforest and Lapis Lazuli put extra effort into the appearance of their desserts.

"How is it, Lady Tiara? I suggested and had this chocolate plate made."

"It's delicious, Lady Akari."

"Right?"

Taking a bite, the chocolate melted quickly in her mouth.

There were various types of chocolate: milk, white, and bitter. The combinations were different for each person, tailored to their preferences.

Aquasteed's plate featured mainly white and bitter chocolate.

—Lady Akari is doing a lot for her country.

Creating trends in accessories like earrings and developing new desserts, she had come a long way from being confined to the White Tower for her insolence. Tiara Roses was impressed.

—I really admire her determination.

Akari was honest with herself and never said yes to things she didn't like.

Therefore, she never lied and always followed through on her promises. This made her words highly trustworthy.

Her open personality also helped her gradually regain trust.

"Lady Tiara, s... I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Prince Sirius. What is it?"

"Actually, I have a request... I want a flower named after Lady Tiara Roses, if that's okay."

"Is that alright?" Sirius looked at Tiara Roses.

The flower named after Tiara Roses, which had become the national flower of Marinforest, was very beautiful. She had brought it in a pot as a souvenir.

"Of course, Prince Sirius."

"Thank you!"

Sirius smiled like a flower when Tiara Roses agreed.

"Really, you wanting a flower is surprising."

"Brother... That's why Lady Tiara gets tired of you!"

Staring at Hartnights, who found it unusual, Sirius said,

"Brother, why don't you give flowers to the women you like?"

"Ugh..."

—Come to think of it, Hartnights never did that, Tiara Roses smiled wryly.

He never took her on a date either. On birthdays, he might have given her jewelry or other accessories.

—Prince Hartnights, saying such things...

Feeling that this was a fresh side of him, it seemed Akari felt the same way.

Akari was staring at Hartnights and Sirius, and it almost seemed like she was thinking, "This is a scene that wasn't in the game!!"

"Stop arguing like that. Lady Tiara Roses is right here..."

"I'm sorry, Lady Tiara..."

"I'm sorry..."

Following Alexander's reprimand, they both apologized.

Seeing Hartnights bow his head, Akari giggled. Tiara Roses reassured them that she didn't mind and smiled.

"Then, Prince Hartnights, please give me flowers."

"Ah, yes! Of course."

Nodding at Akari's follow-up, Hartnights also asked Tiara Roses and Aquasteed for flowers.

"Of course, it's fine. Right, Prince Aquasteed?"

"Yes."

Hearing their responses, Hartnights seemed relieved.

The awkward atmosphere disappeared, and the conversation became brighter.

Akari explained the desserts to Hartnights, who was sitting next to her, and smiled, saying, "They're delicious, right?" Although Hartnights said they were too sweet, he ate them, so he must not dislike them.

Seeing them looking happy, Tiara Roses felt relieved.

Before she knew it, a year had passed since the first volume was released!

I'll keep working hard, so please look forward to it!

I hope you enjoy it.