Chapter 72

How should I describe that figure?

There was no longer the cute, fluffy appearance of an animal; Liliage had truly transformed into a monster. It was easily over five meters tall, and the once round horns were now sharp and pointing upwards. The horns scraped against the ceiling, and small fragments fell off.

Ferres wobbled and faced Liliage, but was attacked by Liliage's fire magic. He immediately put up a barrier to defend himself, thinking about what to do next, but was suddenly overwhelmed by a great force and fell over.

"…Guh…"

Ferres and Liliage were connected by the Starry Sky Ring.

With Liliage losing her sense of self, the connection through the ring had become unstable, and Liliage's power began to flow back into Ferres.

The pain was so intense that Ferres knelt down and huddled to endure it.

"!?!"

Aqua Steed immediately noticed Ferres's abnormality but could not move because Liliage's magic was being cast one after another.

The magic Liliage cast had no limits. Being compatible with fairies, she could easily control all kinds of magic.

Though she usually did not use aggressive magic due to her gentle nature, in terms of magical power, she could surpass Ferres.

Aqua Steed was also skilled in magic, but it was more specialized in attack.

Knowing that the monster was Liliage, he couldn't just kill her. If the defensive battle continued, it would be a very tough fight.

—If something isn't done, neither Prince Ferres nor Lady Liliage will survive.

Aqua Steed had to think of a way to help them. While thinking this, he desperately dodged Liliage's magic.

◇◇◇

"Keith, hurry up! I'm worried about Lady Aqua!"

"I know."

While Aqua Steed and the others were struggling with the monster Liliage had become, Tiara Roses and Keith were running towards the Chamber of the Sealed King.

They were supposed to return with the armlet for Ferres, but Tiara Roses, who had obtained the Ring of the Forest Fairy King, returned much earlier.

Initially, she waited for everyone to return, but after a while, she decided to go to Ferres with Keith.

They were originally supposed to revive the withered plants together with Aqua Steed upon their return, but that would have to wait a bit longer.

Keith led the way, with Tiara Roses following behind.

—Keith, you're so fast…!

Breathing heavily, Tiara Roses struggled to keep up. She usually didn't exercise, so this was a harsh reality check.

She had been urging him to hurry, but now their roles were reversed.

"Damn, what can I do?"

"Eh? Kyaa!"

Keith, who said to hurry, picked up Tiara Roses like a bale of hay. Tiara Roses almost shouted in protest, but she was already at her physical limit and found it difficult to continue running.

"…Ugh…"

"I'll carry you, so stay still. Or do you prefer a bridal carry?"

"This is fine!"

Tiara Roses shouted, not wanting to be carried in a bridal style by anyone other than Aqua Steed.

"Haha, you're quite obedient."

"If I struggle, Keith might find it amusing and carry me bridal style. I'd rather be carried like this, so I'm staying still!"

"Haha, I see."

Keith laughed and started running towards the Chamber of the Sealed King.

After running for a while, they reached their destination. Outside the door, Elliot, Olivia, and Levi were watching the situation inside.

Tiara Roses approached the three, wondering what they were doing.

"Princess Olivia!"

"Oh, Princess Tiara Roses!! I'm so relieved you're safe. You're here, so…?"

"Yes. I received the ring from Keith."

"It's beautiful…"

When Tiara Roses showed the Ring of the Forest Fairy King, Olivia's eyes sparkled as usual. But she quickly pointed to the inside of the room, saying, "This isn't the time for that!"

"…?"

"Huh?"

Tiara Roses and Keith looked inside and gasped. There was a black monster, and Aqua Steed was dodging its attacks. Ferres was standing there, looking dazed.

What's going on, Tiara Roses wondered, but then she realized it might be the sealed monster.

"Tch, I didn't expect Liliage to lose her sense of self."

"Eh, Lady Liliage!?"

It was indeed black, but the size and shape of the horns were completely different.

Tiara Roses was surprised by Keith's words, but his serious expression didn't seem like he was lying. It must be Liliage. They had to do something to help Aqua Steed and Ferres.

While Tiara Roses pondered, Olivia and Elliot explained what had happened.

To help Ferres regain his sanity, Liliage had accepted more power than she could handle.

As a result, Liliage had awakened as a true monster.

"Surely, something can be done to return Lady Liliage to normal."

"I don't know. This back-and-forth has been going on for over fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen minutes…?"

If this continued, Aqua Steed would run out of energy and lose.

"Keith, is there any way to help Lady Liliage? I want to do something to help."

But Keith shook his head, scratching his head in frustration.

"If there was a way, we would have done it long ago. Even with the power of the fairy kings, we can't help her. We tried to defeat her before she became like this, but…"

"…!"

"Of course, Ferres stopped us with all his might. But now, that's the only option."

"That's not an option!"

Abandoning Liliage was not an option for Tiara Roses.

Even though what was happening was real, this was the world of her favorite otome game, "Lapis Lazuli Ring."

There must be a path to a happy ending somewhere.

She reassured herself and began to think of a plan.

Liliage, who was casting magic and rampaging, seemed somewhat lonely. She had to get her usual smile back.

Then, Tiara Roses noticed Liliage's hands—her fingertips. The long, sharp claws were terrifying, but upon closer inspection, a ring was on her finger.

It was the Starry Sky Ring that Liliage usually wore as a necklace around her neck.

The moment Tiara Roses saw it, her own Starry Sky Ring glowed faintly.

—Maybe I can save Lady Liliage.

The Starry Sky Ring Tiara Roses held and the one Liliage wore were resonating. The ring had led her to Liliage when they first met.

Liliage had also been able to come to Tiara Roses because of the ring's resonance.

Surely, this ring could help save Liliage.

"Tiara, if this continues, Aqua Steed won't last—what are you thinking?"

"…Something only I can do."

Keith was about to tell her to attack Liliage, but his words were swallowed by Tiara Roses's serious gaze.

She passed by Keith and headed towards Liliage. Keith was hesitant to stop her, but Elliot reacted immediately.

"Princess Tiara Roses, it's dangerous! Please step back! If something happens to you, Lady Aqua Steed will be sad."

"It's no use. Tiara is stubborn, and she won't back down."

Elliot panicked, but Keith chuckled and said it was futile.

Olivia, who had no intention of stopping her, commented, "She looks like a heroine."

—I don't know if it will work.

But Tiara Roses was the only one who could save Liliage now. She stared at the Starry Sky Ring and gently kissed the gemstone in its center.

"Starry Sky Ring—connect the line to Lady Liliage's Starry Sky Ring and transfer the overflowing power to me!"

If the power was too much for Liliage to handle, they could share the burden. Tiara Roses prayed to the ring for help.

A faint light filled the space, creating a night sky-like atmosphere.

Aqua Steed immediately noticed the change and looked at the entrance—Tiara Roses. Seeing the immense magical power flowing into her, he panicked and shouted.

"Tiara, what are you doing…!"

Aqua Steed told her to stop because he didn't know what would happen, but Tiara Roses was determined. She shook her head and smiled, indicating she wouldn't stop.

"I am the fiancée of Prince Aqua Steed. I am ready to bear the weight of the kingdom with him."

If she couldn't handle the power and withered, so be it.

But as the villainess, Tiara Roses had a chance. Keith had said she had the capacity to handle a large amount of power.

She was willing to take the risk.

"Tiara, Tiara Roses…"

"Prince Aqua Steed and Lady Liliage, I will help you bear it."

The massive power flowed into Tiara Roses all at once.

At the same time, Liliage's movements stopped. As the power flowed into Tiara Roses, her body began to shrink, and her sharp horns gradually became rounder.

"…Hah, hah…"

"Tiara!"

Struggling with the unfamiliar magical heat, Tiara Roses almost fell, but Aqua Steed caught and supported her.

Sweating and struggling, Tiara Roses was determined to accept the power. Aqua Steed supported her, praying she wouldn't overexert herself.

The first change came to Ferres.

The reverse flow of power stopped, and his pained expression eased. Dragging his heavy body, Ferres approached Liliage.

He embraced the trembling Liliage and cried, repeatedly saying, "I'm sorry."

When the two smiled, Liliage returned to her original size, and the power flowing into Tiara Roses stopped.

Relieved that everyone was safe, Tiara Roses sighed in relief.

But Aqua Steed was even more relieved that Tiara Roses was safe.

"Tiara, don't do something reckless like that again. I thought my heart would stop."

"But thank you for believing in me and not stopping me. I'm glad I could save Lady Liliage."

"Ah…"

Aqua Steed agreed. Indeed, everyone present was relieved by the best possible outcome.

Tiara Roses had obtained the Ring of the Forest Fairy King, and Aqua Steed and the others had managed to restore Ferres. The stars that had disappeared returned to the sky, and Marine Forest would once again become a peaceful and prosperous kingdom.

While supporting the exhausted Tiara Roses, Aqua Steed thought about the tasks ahead, but seeing the happy couple, he just wanted to watch over them.

If Ferres and Liliage weren't happy, how could the kingdom be happy?

Aqua Steed believed that for the kingdom to be happy, everyone, including himself, had to be happy.

And for Aqua Steed to be happy, Tiara Roses was essential.

"Lord Aqua?"

"Thank you, Tiara. You are indispensable to me and to this kingdom."

"Hehe, Lord Aqua."

Interlocking their fingers, Aqua Steed held Tiara Roses's hand, but their gazes remained on the happy Ferres and Liliage.

Ferres, stroking the crying Liliage, said, "Don't cry," while crying himself.

The scene was heartwarming and touching. It was hard to believe they had been so violent just moments ago. This must be their true form, and Tiara Roses felt a warmth in her chest.

"…Ferres, I can finally see your face."

"Let me see your face better," Liliage pleaded. Ferres seemed to feel the same, as they gazed into each other's eyes.

"Hearing Liliage's voice is a rare treat."

"I'm sorry for leaving you alone for so long…"

"That's my line. By making Liliage my fiancée, I bound her to me. If I were stronger, I wouldn't have burdened Liliage so much—"

"That's not what we agreed on."

Liliage's fluffy, small hand touched Ferres's lips, saying, "No, that's not right."

"Even if I wither, I will be with Ferres."

"Y-Yes… Thank you, Liliage."

Tears streaming down his face, Ferres gently kissed Liliage.

"Thank you for being with me."

"Yes."

"And please, stay with me from now on."

"Of course."

Their tears mixed, and something seemed to bless them, shining faintly.