Chapter 68

"Stars from the Marine Forest...?"

Upon hearing the knight's words, everyone present held their breath. Such a thing had never happened before, nor had they ever heard of it.

Tiara Rose was troubled by what was happening with the Marine Forest. However, before she could draw a conclusion, Liliage shouted,

"Felis is becoming even more unstable...! If this continues, not only the stars but the earth will also be affected!!"

"!"

"We must hurry... We need to purify the bracelet we obtained and take it with us."

Liliage, in a panic, clung to Tiara Rose. From her demeanor, it was clear that the situation was dire.

"But, if the stars disappear... Lady Lili, what will happen to the Marine Forest?"

"I don't know either. This is the first time Felis has been in such a poor state... However, it might become a place where people can no longer live."

"People...?"

Liliage's words made everyone hold their breath.

The Marine Forest was a great nation, blessed with rich land and the protection of fairies. For it to become uninhabitable was a serious matter.

The disappearance of the stars might lead to the sun disappearing as well. The water might dry up, and the plants might no longer grow. The possibilities were endless.

Tiara Rose and Aquasteed nodded at each other, confirming that they needed to act quickly.

"Lady Aqua..."

"It's fine, Tiara. His Majesty is in the capital. Our treasury is not something that can be shaken by a minor disaster."

Tiara Rose thought that they should return to the capital immediately, given the gravity of the situation. Despite her trembling with anxiety, Aquasteed smiled and reassured her, "It's not a problem."

If it were just a natural anomaly, it would be manageable, but if it affected the lives of the people, chaos was inevitable.

Hearing Aquasteed's words, Tiara Rose nodded firmly.

With Akari and Olivia present, it wouldn't be wise for the royal family to show their anxiety. Suppressing her urge to consult immediately, Tiara Rose looked ahead.

"Lady Akari, Lady Olivia. We don't want to cause more confusion right now. Can you keep this matter to yourselves for now?"

"Of course."

"I understand."

Akari and Olivia nodded sincerely at Tiara Rose's request not to spread the news. Relieved by their response, Tiara Rose thought about what she needed to do. Supporting Aquasteed and Liliage in their efforts was also important.

—If anything happens, we need to seek help from Lapis Lazuli.

She decided to write a letter to her father, the prime minister, without revealing the details. Akari, who had heard the report, would likely help.

This was the support Tiara Rose, who had been given Lapis and married into the Marine Forest, could provide.

—We must leave the Marine Forest to His Majesty and do what we can.

However, more importantly...

"Lady Lili, wouldn't it be better to return to Prince Felis?"

"Tiara... No, even if I return, it won't improve the situation. Without a purified item, it's meaningless."

Therefore, Liliage clearly stated that she would stay until Akari's wedding ceremony was over.

While the Marine Forest was certainly a concern, Felis's condition was even more worrying. Tiara Rose was concerned about this, but she was taken aback by Liliage's strength.

—I must become strong as the Marine Forest's queen.

"Eliott, gather information on the Marine Forest. Adjust the schedule accordingly."

"Immediately."

The knight who brought the news was sent back first.

Tiara Rose and the others boarded the carriage and discussed the matter on the way back to the castle. Aquasteed, needing to discuss the return journey with Eliott, sat in the driver's seat for a moment.

Tiara Rose and the others, along with Akari, discussed what had happened in the carriage.

While everyone with game knowledge was present, such an event had never occurred in the game. Therefore, they had no idea what was happening.

Akari, though troubled, smiled positively, "It'll be fine."

"First, we need to purify the bracelet. Purifying an item to restore a hero sounds like something from a dating game, doesn't it?"

"Lady Akari... This is reality, not a game."

"Of course, but there must be a path to a happy ending!"

Tiara Rose smiled wryly at Akari's words but thought that in such times, Akari's brightness was a relief. As a royal, showing anxiety would affect the people.

"For now, let's start with what we can do. After my wedding, we need to prepare to return to the Marine Forest immediately."

"That's right... Thank you, Lady Akari. Lady Olivia is..."

"I will return with you. Levi, make sure we can leave right after the wedding."

"Understood."

Since the current situation was unclear, they decided to gather information in the Marine Forest individually. From different perspectives, Tiara Rose and Olivia might discover different things.

They agreed to prepare to leave immediately after Akari's wedding.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Considering the wedding is about to start, it feels a bit inappropriate... but I'm excited."

"Yes. We should celebrate Lady Akari now, even though there's the matter of the Marine Forest."

Before the ceremony, Tiara Rose and Olivia were having tea together. Akari was preparing, and once she was ready, they would move to the venue.

Liliage's matter was entrusted to Filine, so in this setting, Olivia's butler, Levi, was serving them.

Aquasteed was discussing the return journey with Eliott and was not present.

"Lady Akari won't be able to visit the Marine Forest as often after her marriage."

"Yes, that's true."

While sipping tea, Olivia said, "It's sad, isn't it?" Tiara Rose nodded in agreement.

As the fiancée of the crown prince, Aquasteed, Tiara Rose couldn't easily travel either.

"Thinking about it, marriage isn't all good... But if you find someone you truly want to be with, it will surely change."

"Is that how it works?"

Without the pilgrimage to holy sites, Olivia sometimes worried that she would remain single for life. As a duchess's daughter in the Marine Forest, she should have received marriage proposals, but she couldn't imagine it.

Olivia muttered, "Perhaps a second son from a baron's family..."

Seeing such an Olivia, Levi said, "It's not a problem."

"Levi?"

"I cannot support a marriage that would make Olivia suffer."

"Oh... Thank you. If I were to be forced to marry a first son or higher, please help me."

"Of course."

Indeed, the current situation with Levi was the happiest for Olivia, Tiara Rose thought as she looked at the two.

Levi was not only an excellent butler but also a reliable bodyguard, trained to protect her. He might even be a match for a group of knights serving the royal castle.

—But, is it right to give such an order here?

Both seemed serious, which was concerning.

While she wanted Olivia to have a happy marriage someday, with this butler, it would be difficult—Tiara Rose felt a bit worried.

◇ ◇ ◇

Akari and Hartnights' wedding took place in the same grand cathedral as in the game. Colorful stained glass and chandeliers that seemed to sparkle like stars.

The solemn sound of the pipe organ and the clear melody of the choir.

"Wow, it's beautiful..."

—Just as I saw in the game.

Akari, dressed in a pure white wedding gown with lace, and Hartnights, in a frock coat of white and sepia.

—I'm glad they can have a happy marriage.

Tiara Rose felt relieved but also reflected on the various events that had occurred between Akari and Hartnights. Originally, Hartnights was Tiara Rose's fiancé.

He eventually fell in love with Akari, and while it wasn't entirely faithful to the story, the ending was a happy one.

This was the wedding of the heroine, Akari, and the target character, Hartnights.

"Tiara"

"Lady Aqua?"

While thinking about the game, Aquasteed whispered to her. Tilting her head in curiosity, she saw a worried look in his eyes.

"...No, it's because it's Hartnights' wedding. I was a bit worried. You must have suffered a lot, right?"

"...I'm fine. I want them to be happy now."

"I see..."

—Tiara is strong.

From Aquasteed's perspective, Tiara Rose was a victim, suddenly having her engagement broken. He had proposed to her, but she must have had many thoughts.

If he were in such a situation, could he have been as composed as she was? He wondered.

Even if he could...

—He wouldn't be able to rejoice in their happiness.

To forgive someone who had hurt him so much was remarkable. Her broad heart and ability to quickly bless others' happiness must have earned her the blessing of the forest fairies, who had never loved anyone.

"Besides, I'm with Lady Aqua now. I think I'm the happiest person in the world."

So, in the end, it was for the best, Tiara Rose smiled.

"Truly, I can't match Tiara. I'm the one who's happy."

"...!"

Aquasteed agreed with Tiara Rose and smiled warmly.

His smile was so handsome that Tiara Rose blushed. Despite seeing him every day, she still felt a flutter in her heart.

"Don't make such a cute face here. I might not be able to hold back?"

"! Lady Aqua..."

It was Akari's wedding, so Tiara Rose pressed her red face with a handkerchief and looked ahead. It was the scene where the rings were exchanged and the vows were made.

"Do you promise to support and cherish each other, in sickness and in health, for the good of this country? Hartnights Lapislazuli Lactumot"

"I do."

"Do you promise to support and cherish each other, in sickness and in health, for the good of this country? Akari Titoiret"

"Yes, I do."

The priest's words were followed by Hartnights' vow of love to Akari, and Akari's similar vow.

Seeing the two look at each other lovingly, Tiara Rose couldn't help but catch her breath. She had seen this scene many times in the game, but the real-life version was deeply moving.

"I swear, with the power of holy prayer, to make this world a place overflowing with love and happiness. So, all of you who are here, send your love to this world!"

"Akari!?"

Hearing Akari's declaration, Hartnights was flustered, thinking it was different from the rehearsal. Despite this, Tiara Rose couldn't help but laugh, finding it very much like Akari.

Akari, a citizen of the Lapislazuli Kingdom, loved this world as much as the game itself.

Even if it was a country she hadn't played in the game, she wanted to protect it all.

Aquasteed, sitting next to her, also laughed, "Very much like Akari." Olivia, standing a bit away, had a bright look in her eyes, as if saying, "Go on, do more!"

Akari took the ring from Hartnights, looked at it lovingly, and gently kissed it.

She slowly closed her eyes and offered a prayer