Chapter 70

When she heard that Aquasteed was going to give a speech, many citizens gathered despite the short notice. Tiara Rose felt proud, thinking it was due to Aquasteed's popularity.

The place for the speech was a square built right next to the castle.

It was a place where ordinary people were allowed to enter, usually serving as a park for rest and socializing. Now, it was filled with many citizens.

Before the speech began, Tiara Rose peeked at the square from the window.

"Wow, so many people..."

She thought that more than half of the citizens had come. People, people, people. Those who couldn't fit in the square overflowed onto the streets, eagerly awaiting Aquasteed.

Then, she shifted her gaze slightly to look at the plants in the square. Although she had heard Elliot's report, she hadn't yet seen the plants that had started to wither with her own eyes.

She had expected a desolate scene, but the flowers were still blooming, and the trees were still lush. She felt relieved, but upon closer inspection... the colors were somewhat dull. It was indeed as if they were just beginning to wither.

She wondered if the problem could be solved once Ferres' power stabilized. Reviving withered plants seemed as impossible as bringing the dead back to life.

"Tiara"

"! Lord Aquasteed..."

As she stared out the window, Aquasteed embraced Tiara Rose and said, "It's okay." He gently stroked her hair and touched her bangs with his fingers. Then, he kissed her forehead tenderly.

"I'm worried, but I believe it will be resolved. You're here, and most importantly, Lady Lilia is working hard for Prince Ferres."

"That's right. Moreover, I have Tiara, who is worth a hundred men."

Aquasteed's fingers, which had been stroking Tiara Rose's hair, touched her cheek. The warmth was comforting, and Tiara Rose, like a small animal, leaned into Aquasteed's hand.

Both of them felt as if they wanted to stay like this forever—such a sweet moment. Their lips met without a word, and they embraced each other, as if to confirm their body temperatures, replenishing the energy needed to overcome the challenges ahead.

"Mm, Lord Aquasteed... Aquasteed"

"Uh-huh. Just a little longer. To reach the people, I need your blessing, Tiara."

"...Mm"

I'll always give it to you, Tiara Rose smiled. After being kissed a few times, she realized it was time for the speech to begin.

When Aquasteed and Tiara Rose appeared on the balcony together, the crowd erupted in cheers. The air seemed to vibrate with the sound of so many voices, making Tiara Rose shiver.

"Prince Aquasteed, Princess Tiara Rose!"

"If you two are here, this country will be safe!"

"May the blessing of the Fairy King be upon Marin Forest!"

—This is more expectation than I anticipated.

The royal family faces such pressure from the citizens. She had known this, but seeing it firsthand made her legs tremble. Unconsciously, Tiara Rose gripped the hem of her dress.

Aquasteed, who bore the weight of it all, looked straight at the gathered people. She couldn't afford to tremble, standing next to Aquasteed. Tiara Rose also looked firmly at the citizens.

Tiara Rose had become a royal by marrying Aquasteed. She was no longer a leisurely noble lady who only ate sweets.

Aquasteed took a step forward to give the speech and turned to Tiara Rose before speaking.

"Tiara, next to me"

"Y-Yes...!"

Taking Aquasteed's outstretched hand, Tiara Rose stepped forward and stood next to him. The crowd erupted in cheers for "Princess Tiara Rose!"

"My consort is loved too much by the people."

"Lord Aquasteed..."

Aquasteed chuckled and raised his right hand. Seeing this, all the citizens fell silent, and the square was enveloped in stillness.

It was surprising to see such a quiet scene with so many people.

"I thank you all for gathering here on such short notice."

Aquasteed looked at all the citizens and began to speak. His voice was low but clear, spreading beyond the square into the city. The gathered citizens were surprised and opened their eyes wide at the volume of his voice.

Aquasteed was using the ring of the Sky Fairy King, which had the ability to amplify the owner's voice. It was a ring designed to allow the king to communicate with the citizens.

"You must be aware of the dire situation in this country. The stars have disappeared from the night sky, and the plants and crops are losing their strength and beginning to wither."

Aquasteed took a deep breath.

"However, this is a country loved by fairies and their king. I, blessed by the Fairy King, can confidently say that Marin Forest will not wither."

He spoke with strength and embraced Tiara Rose's waist, showing the citizens that not only he but also Tiara Rose, beloved by the Forest Fairy King, was there. Tiara Rose smiled and waved, as if to say, "It's okay to be reassured."

"I am already taking action to resolve this situation. However, I do not have the power to revive the plants here and now. Therefore, I ask for your patience until I resolve the issue."

"If there are concerns about food, we are preparing to open the national treasury. Please do not worry and trust in Prince Aquasteed."

Hearing the words of Aquasteed and Tiara Rose, the citizens quickly showed their agreement.

"Prince Aquasteed and Princess Tiara Rose usually work for Marin Forest. We may not be able to help, but we can trust and wait! Right? Everyone!!"

"Of course! We have enough food in reserve. We can endure without opening the treasury immediately."

"We can't hold back the prince who is working to solve the problem with our complaints!"

The citizens' voices, saying that the city would be fine and that they would endure, reached Tiara Rose's ears. She held back tears.

"What wonderful citizens, Lord Aquasteed."

"Yes. I will do my best not to betray this trust."

◇ ◇ ◇

The immediate problems were two-fold.

Delivering the bracelet to Ferres to stabilize and control his power.

Addressing the missing stars and the withering plants.

After preparing to head to the "Sealed King's Chamber" where Ferres was, Aquasteed looked at the members who would accompany him. This time, Clail and Keith would also go, so there shouldn't be any major issues.

However, Aquasteed noticed that Tiara Rose seemed deep in thought.

"Tiara? Is something bothering you?"

"Lord Aquasteed. Even if we go to His Majesty Ferres and put on the bracelet... will the withering plants come back to life?"

Indeed, Tiara Rose's concern was valid.

As Aquasteed struggled to respond, Keith spoke up.

"Reviving withered plants is impossible. Even if Ferres is stabilized, only the stars will return. The affected land will only lose its influence."

"In other words, the fact that they have withered will not be restored even if the influence disappears."

"That's right."

Keith's firm words made the atmosphere a bit heavy.

'Tiara... I'm sorry, if I had more power...'

"It's not Lady Lilia's fault. Please don't say such things."

Seeing Lilia hang her head, Tiara Rose told her it was wrong. At the same time, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes as if making a decision.

Seeing this, Olivia went to Tiara Rose with a worried look. "Is something wrong?" she asked, and Tiara Rose smiled and said, "I'm fine."

Then, Tiara Rose looked at Keith with determination.

"Tiara?"

"Me?"

Aquasteed called out to Tiara Rose, confused, but her eyes were fixed on Keith.

"Keith, I have a request."

"Hm?"

"I want you to entrust me with the ring of the Forest Fairy King."

At Tiara Rose's words, everyone except the Fairy King was startled.

The ring of the Forest Fairy King promised the abundance of plants. If she could obtain this ring, it might be possible to revive the withered plants.

Keith chuckled and said, "I see."

"Indeed, with my ring, it would be possible to revive the withered land. Tiara Rose, do you have the resolve to accept my ring?"

"I do!"

"Wow."

Keith was impressed by her immediate response and smiled.

The ring of the Forest Fairy King promised abundance.

However, there were conditions.

One was that its effects were limited to within the borders of Marin Forest.

The other was that if the owner, Tiara Rose, abandoned the country, the ring's effects would disappear and it would return to Keith. The abundance would be lost, and the growth of plants would decrease. If the citizens were to complain, would she be prepared to face it?

"I would never abandon Marin Forest. I decided to spend my life here from the moment I married... from the moment Lord Aquasteed reached out to me."

Seeing the determination in Tiara Rose's eyes, Keith smiled warmly.

"...I also ask you."

"Even Aquasteed? If you ask me like that, I can't refuse. Alright."

"!!"

Tiara Rose's face lit up at Keith's casual acceptance.

"Thank you! With this, we don't have to worry about the citizens going hungry."

"Indeed. ...However, we will have to split up."

"Indeed, it would be wise to head to His Majesty Ferres while obtaining the ring."

Despite Tiara Rose's gratitude, Keith explained that it wasn't that simple. Aquasteed nodded. They didn't have time to take things slowly.

Hearing this, Tiara Rose also nodded.

The location of the ring was the hidden stage of the Fairy King. Only those blessed by the Fairy King could enter. Therefore, only Tiara Rose could go to Keith's hidden stage.

"I'm worried about sending Tiara alone..."

"If you say that, I'm also worried about Lord Aquasteed. But this is a matter of national importance. I will fulfill my duty, so please take care of His Majesty Ferres and Lady Lilia."

"Understood."

It was decided that they would split up. Tiara Rose and Keith would go to the hidden stage where the ring of the Forest Fairy King was stored. Aquasteed would go to the Sealed King's Chamber with Clail, Lilia, Elliot, Olivia, and Levi.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tiara Rose and Keith headed to the forest behind the castle.

There was actually a small Tree Gate there, which was the hidden stage of the Forest Fairy King, Keith.

"I've passed by here several times..."

To think that an entrance was made in such an open place where she occasionally went for walks. The entrance was hidden by plants and flowers, making it unnoticeable at first glance.

"Even though it's in such a place, the entrance to the ring is made difficult. No one has ever realized this was a Tree Gate. Considering that, it's impressive that you obtained the Pearl ring on your own."

"That was... well, a woman's intuition."

She couldn't say it was because of the game knowledge Levi had, so Tiara Rose vaguely dodged the question.

As they entered the Tree Gate, the scent of greenery became even stronger.

A Tree Gate was a tunnel made of trees, a mysterious tunnel that connected to unknown places. Tiara Rose remembered that when she was brought by fairies before, it had connected to Keith's domain.

Inside the Tree Gate, there were many flowers. But they were not ordinary flowers.

"Are these... gems?"

"Yes. They are the bounty of the earth."

In the center of the flowers, instead of nectar, gems were embedded. This made the Tree Gate sparkle, and despite being surrounded by trees, it felt bright.

Keith picked one and handed it to Tiara Rose.

"Gems are created by the earth. This place has a good environment, so special flowers that are rich in nutrients bloom."

"Only in your domain, Keith."

"Indeed. You won't find them anywhere else."

—If they bloomed anywhere else, it would cause confusion.

After all, gems blooming as flowers. Plants can't run away, so they could be picked freely.

"Even Lady Pearl's domain was impressive... You truly are a Fairy King."

"What, are you impressed?"

"...I have always respected Keith."

It wasn't a matter of re-evaluating him, Tiara Rose retorted. Seeing this, Keith chuckled and said, "You're interesting."

"Only Tiara takes such an attitude with me, a Fairy King."

"...You told me to do so, didn't you?"

Since Keith had forbidden her from using honorifics, Tiara Rose muttered to herself. Keith found her amusing and laughed again.

"Enough! Lord Aquasteed and the others are also heading to His Majesty Ferres, so we need to hurry!"

There was no time to be leisurely, and Tiara Rose increased her walking speed. Keith laughed, noting that she usually walked slowly.

—We need to get the ring of the Forest Fairy King quickly and return to Lord Aquasteed!

Even if her power wasn't necessary, the fact that she had the ring of the Starry Sky meant she could be of some help.

After walking for a while, a silver door appeared.

It was framed by plants, grand and somewhat intimidating, making her stop in her tracks.

Seeing this, Keith wrapped his arm around her neck from behind and chuckled.

"What, are you scared?"

"No, I'm not..."

"There's nothing to be afraid of. This place welcomes you, Tiara Rose."

As if inviting her to his castle, Keith slowly opened the silver door.

Inside was a small room, unlike the Tree Gate, with no flowers or plants, just a white wall and a pedestal in the center, a quiet space.

"Here, come this way."

"...Okay."

Keith extended his hand to Tiara Rose, who was looking around the room. Taking it, she was escorted to the pedestal.

On the pedestal was a ring, a double-chain type for the ring and little finger. The chain was decorated with plant motifs, and the ring had a gem in the shape of a flower, a cute design.

—Beautiful.

That was her honest reaction.

Looking at Keith beside her, she only received a nod. His golden eyes seemed to urge her to take it quickly.

She gently picked up the ring and examined it. It was pink gold but appeared green in certain light. As she was about to put it on, Keith stopped her.

"Huh?"

"Tiara, are you going to put it on yourself with me, the king, here?"

Clearly not understanding, Keith took the ring from Tiara Rose's hand.

"Keith!"

"You wouldn't treat a gift from a Fairy King with such disrespect, would you?"

Keith chuckled, as if saying, "Gotcha." It was a command from the king that Tiara Rose couldn't deny.

She obediently extended her right hand, closed her eyes, and calmed herself.

Keith took her right hand, kissed the back of it, and gently put the ring on. A great power flowed into Tiara Rose.

"—!"

"This is my power. You should be able to handle it, Tiara."

Keith's power coursed through Tiara Rose's body. Its strength made her body wobble, but Keith held her firmly.

The ring of the Forest Fairy King needed about a day to acclimate to the body. If removed before acclimation, the backlash would be severe. When Tiara Rose had removed Pearl's ring before, she had fallen into a deep sleep and lost her memory.

—But this time, the power was much greater.

She took shallow breaths, waiting to calm down.

"...I'm fine now."

"Be careful until it acclimates—ah."

"Huh?"

As Tiara Rose stepped away from Keith and took a breath, a plant sprouted from the ground with a soft thud.