Chapter 67

The next day, Liliage woke up early in the morning.

Passing by Tiara Rose and the others who were sleeping soundly, Liliage looked out the window at the scenery outside. The sun was rising, and the leaves wet with morning dew sparkled beautifully.

"This is the land where Ferres grew up, isn't it?"

Squinting at the brightness, Liliage looked into the distance. Thinking about the graves of Ferres's parents being somewhere ahead, her heart raced.

—I want to go, I want to go quickly.

She thought this, but Liliage couldn't do anything alone. Without the help of Tiara Rose and the others, she wouldn't even know where the graves were, and it would take days to get there without a carriage.

"Still... everyone is sleeping so soundly."

Being able to sleep soundly is good, but...

Tiara Rose, curled up slightly, Akaari, sleeping sprawled out, and Olivia, sleeping with her hands crossed over her chest. Though they all fell asleep after chatting, Liliage thought that their sleeping positions reflected their personalities.

Liliage should have slept a bit more, but she couldn't bring herself to do so.

◇ ◇ ◇

As soon as Tiara Rose and the others woke up, the schedule for the day was set. Elliot managed to squeeze in the necessary official duties in the morning, so they could act freely from noon.

"Princess Aqua, everything is ready."

"Ah, yes. Elliot has arranged the carriage, so let's go."

"Yes!!"

Liliage, held in Tiara Rose's arms, said excitedly, "Let's go quickly."

The group consisted of Tiara Rose, Aqua Steed, Liliage, Akaari, Olivia, and Elliot, as well as Olivia's butler, Levi.

Just as Liliage was about to sit in the carriage, a voice came from behind, "Are you going somewhere?"

When Tiara Rose turned around, Hartnights was approaching. It was Aqua Steed, not Tiara Rose, who responded.

"Tiara had a prior arrangement to go out with Akaari."

"Oh, I remember now. You two were frequently exchanging letters..."

Hartnights glanced at Akaari, who was clearly ready to go. He thought she must have been looking forward to it, considering they had a girls' night last night.

Despite the wedding being just around the corner, Akaari was as free-spirited as ever, and Hartnights chuckled.

"I'm sorry, but please take care of Akaari. ...I might not be able to say this to Prince Aqua Steed, but..."

"It's fine. I'm sure Tiara is happy to have a female friend."

Hartnights had hurt Tiara Rose, but he knew Hartnights was remorseful. Recently, Hartnights had been working hard on his political duties, and this news often reached Marin Forest.

While they were talking, a carefree voice reached their ears.

"Lord Hartnights, Princess Aqua!"

"Akaari, don't cause too much trouble."

"Of course not!"

Seeing Akaari's cheerful face, Hartnights sighed.

"Recently, you've been busy with wedding preparations... Enjoy your day."

"Thank you."

Hartnights gently patted Akaari's head. Watching this, Tiara Rose sighed in relief and got into the carriage.

—I was worried she might be a bit stiff, but it seems she's fine.

Seeing the two good friends, Tiara Rose felt relieved. Maybe next it's Liliage and Olivia's turn? Thinking this, her tense feelings eased a bit.

They arrived at a place about two hours by carriage from the castle.

It was a vast, open grassland with no buildings, and it didn't look like there were any graves. Tiara Rose tilted her head, wondering where they could be.

"This way! Come on, let's hurry!"

Akaari, eager to go quickly, ran across the grass happily.

"Akaari! Please be more ladylike..."

"It's fine! Come on, Tiara!"

"Oh, well..."

Akaari, who was playing around happily, seemed like she was on an adventure. ...No, it was indeed an adventure, but Tiara Rose wished she would consider her status a bit more.

"Let's go, Tiara."

"Yes, Lili..."

Akaari's enthusiasm seemed to have rubbed off on Liliage, who also ran out of Tiara Rose's arms and onto the grass. She was looking around, probably searching for the graves.

Watching Akaari and Liliage run ahead, Tiara Rose and the others followed.

"It's going to be tough when we reach the graves."

"Yes..."

"Tiara, don't wander off."

Aqua Steed warned her, emphasizing that she should not leave his side.

"Yes, of course, Prince Aqua."

Agreeing with Aqua Steed, who seemed exasperated, Tiara Rose and the others followed. Olivia was also smiling and said, "This is a key point to check," probably planning to come back for a pilgrimage later.

As they walked through the grass, Akaari suddenly disappeared.

"What!?"

"Levi!"

"Yes, Olivia."

Unlike Tiara Rose, who was surprised, Olivia called out to Levi to confirm. Elliot also stepped forward, on guard to see what had happened.

Aqua Steed took Tiara Rose's hand while being cautious.

"Tiara, stay behind me."

"Prince Aqua..."

"What happened?"

Thinking they should have done more preparation, they heard Akaari's relaxed voice, "Tiara-sama~"

"Akaari's voice?"

"I'm here~!"

"Oh, I can hear Lili-sama's voice too."

The remaining Tiara Rose and the others were suspicious, and Levi, who had investigated, returned to Olivia.

"It seems they just went down a staircase leading underground."

"Oh... I see. Thank you, Levi."

"For Olivia."

As if in response to Levi's report, Akaari and Liliage popped their heads out of the grass, smiling and saying, "This way."

Sighing, Tiara Rose thought they should have mentioned it earlier if the graves were underground.

As Tiara Rose and the others walked to where Akaari was, a small entrance surrounded by grass appeared. The entrance to the underground passage was hidden by the overgrown grass.

"Akaari, you noticed this well."

"Indeed. It's not something easily discovered. It's not even in the official records..."

Olivia was impressed, as if Akaari were a person who makes strategy guides.

Agreeing with Olivia, Tiara Rose peered into the passage. The stone steps were made of a special mineral, giving off a faint light.

The passage was just wide enough for one person, and while there was some light, it was not well-maintained.

"Be careful, Akaari. Don't act recklessly."

"It's fine, Prince Aqua! There's probably no danger."

Seeing Akaari go in first, everyone sighed. It wasn't proper for a noble lady to take the lead, and this made the future uncertain.

Elliot quickly followed Akaari, then Aqua Steed, and Tiara Rose and the others followed.

"Akaari is strong... She wants to do everything herself."

"I understand, but her behavior is too problematic. Tiara, please don't be like that..."

"Like Akaari? It seems difficult."

"That's fine."

Thinking Hartnights, who is always being dragged around, is somewhat pitiful, but now is not the time to worry about that. Aqua Steed tightened his focus, as just because Elliot and Akaari passed through the passage safely doesn't mean there are no traps. Being too cautious is better.

The worry about potential dangers turned out to be unfounded, and the underground passage was not deep, leading them to the back quickly.

"Here, Lili-sama!"

"..."

Akaari, with a proud look, asked, "Is this it?"

The place, hidden underground in the grassland, didn't seem like a royal tomb at all.

"Is this the grave..."

In Tiara Rose's view, the tombstone appeared.

Thinking about how the person had been sleeping in this silent space for a long time, she instinctively grabbed Aqua Steed's sleeve.

Aqua Steed immediately put his arm around Tiara Rose's waist and pulled her close, saying, "It's okay."

"Indeed, it is a bit eerie."

Olivia, who was behind, also looked a bit uneasy. Levi took Olivia's hand to prevent her from tripping in the dark.

The space was a bit wider than what could fit everyone, but it was still cramped. The air was stagnant, and the dust was thick.

The tombstone, made of good material, clearly hadn't been maintained for a long time. The inscriptions on the tombstone were faded and unreadable.

—Why is it here?

It seemed like a place that had been forgotten, hidden away. It didn't seem like a place where an item to help someone would be found.

Looking at Liliage, who was staring at the tombstone, large tears rolled down her big eyes.

"This is where Ferres's parents rest. ...I never met them, but wasn't Ferres lonely?"

"Royal princes are like that. They have duties and responsibilities that come before their parents."

"Aqua Steed... Yes, thinking about it, Ferres always worked hard and was admirable."

"Prince Ferres loves you, Lili. The happiness outweighs the loneliness."

"Thank you, both of you."

Hearing Tiara Rose and Aqua Steed's words, Liliage smiled in relief.

Liliage put her small hands together and prayed for Ferres's parents.

Tiara Rose and the others followed suit, closing their eyes and praying. They asked for the power to help Ferres.

After a moment of silence, Liliage spoke.

"Thank you, everyone. This is indeed the grave of Ferres's parents."

She went around to the back of the tombstone and explained that it was the royal crest, which existed before the Lapis Lazuli Kingdom was established. Only Liliage and Ferres knew about it.

"Then, we need the item!"

"Yes! It's probably somewhere on the tombstone..."

For Ferres, his parents would surely approve of this. Tiara Rose knelt before the tombstone and bowed deeply.

Liliage also went to Tiara Rose's side and did the same.

"Please grant us the power to save Prince Ferres."

"Though I never met them, Ferres lived happily. But now he is suffering. Please grant me the power to save Ferres."

Hearing their words, everyone prayed again.

"Let's search."

Aqua Steed touched the tombstone and examined it from the front. Elliot searched from the back, and Levi guarded the surroundings