Chapter 73

Feris and Liliage had regained their stability, and Tiara Rose and the others returned to the castle from the room where the sealed king was kept. When they looked outside, the sun had already set, and it was dark.

"…Lady Aqua, the stars are back."

Tiara Rose ran to the window and gazed at the sky. She smiled at Aquasteed and the others, saying it was the most beautiful sky she had ever seen. Soon, Aquasteed and Olivia came over and looked up at the sky as well.

"That's good. But there's one more task for Tiara Rose to do."

Aquasteed, who seemed to be concerned about her condition, received a nod from Tiara Rose, indicating that she was fine.

"Yes, I'll prepare immediately."

"I'm sorry, but I have to ask you."

"I'll help too, Lady Tiara Rose."

"Thank you, Lady Olivia."

As Tiara Rose was about to return to her room to change into formal attire, Olivia offered to help. Feeling genuinely grateful, Tiara Rose hurried to her room with Olivia. The butler, Levi, tried to follow but was told to stay behind by Olivia, as they were changing clothes.

"I'll go and prepare too. Lady Aquasteed, please change quickly."

"Yes, I understand. I'll leave the preparations to you."

They were about to perform a prayer for abundance, with Tiara Rose as the main figure. Although it was as sudden as the speech earlier in the day, there was no reason to delay it. They would inform the citizens, but not many might gather.

As Aquasteed was about to change, he noticed Feris looking around curiously.

"…Hm?"

Levi, who had been told to stay, was staring intently at Feris, even though he shouldn't be able to see him.

"What are you looking at, Levi?"

"At Prince Feris. The first king is more free-spirited than I imagined."

"Can you see him?"

"Yes, clearly."

Aquasteed, who thought that only he or the fairy king could see Feris, was puzzled. However, there were no portraits of the first king, so no one would suspect anything. The only issue might be that Feris looked exactly like Aquasteed.

"Oh, you can see me. My power is stable, and Liliage is here, so I'm in top form."

"……"

Feris, who laughed, was originally a bright and cheerful person. He hugged the fluffy Liliage and said, "You've changed a lot~."

*We've been gone for a long time. Especially the food, especially the sweets, are really delicious! I want Feris to try them too.*

"Food? That sounds good, I'm looking forward to it."

Watching the two of them, Aquasteed wondered if ghosts could eat.

◇ ◇ ◇

With Filine's help, Tiara Rose and Olivia finished bathing and changed into formal attire.

Unlike her usual cute dresses, she wore a regal, low-waist silhouette dress. The high-quality white fabric was embroidered with fine gold thread, and the simple lace accentuated Tiara Rose's presence.

The location was the same place where Aquasteed had given his speech earlier in the day. They had thought they might keep the citizens waiting longer, but they were relieved to finish quickly.

"Tiara"

"Lady Aqua!"

Aquasteed, also in formal attire, greeted her and immediately took her hand to escort her. The only other person present was the king, as Feris and Liliage were in Aquasteed's room.

"You both did well. I never thought my son would grow up to be so impressive. I'm so proud, I could fly."

"Father…"

"Come, the citizens are waiting. Show yourselves to them quickly."

Sotiris, who had been waiting, pushed them gently from behind.

"Thank you."

Sotiris, who expressed his gratitude, smiled contentedly and watched his children, who were greeted with cheers from the citizens.

When they stepped onto the balcony, the citizens' voices filled the air. Despite the late hour, more people had gathered in the square than during the day. Everyone had believed in Tiara Rose and Aquasteed and had come to support them, thinking they might have to wait for days or even months. Their anxiety was instantly dispelled, and they were surprised to see the two of them so soon.

When Tiara Rose and Aquasteed waved, the cheers grew louder, shaking the air.

"Thank you for gathering at such a late hour."

Using the ring of the sky fairy king, Aquasteed spoke. Everyone listened intently, eager to hear what he had to say. They knew the stars had returned to the night sky and assumed that was the news.

However, the reality was even more miraculous.

"Rather than me telling you, it's better to see it for yourselves. …Tiara Rose."

"Yes, Prince Aquasteed."

Tiara Rose, dressed in pure white, looked like a goddess. The citizens held their breath, wondering what was about to happen. If it was just to announce the return of the stars, Aquasteed, as the crown prince, would have done it. But it was Tiara Rose, the queen, who stepped forward.

The only woman in the country blessed by the forest fairy king and its ruler. The gathered people had high expectations, but Tiara Rose was about to do something far beyond their imagination.

Without saying a word, Tiara Rose clasped her hands in prayer and closed her eyes. A faint light began to envelop her, emanating from the ring of the forest fairy king on her finger.

"What's happening…?"

"Is Lady Tiara Rose a goddess!?"

Whispers spread among the citizens.

The light grew larger, forming a pillar, creating a very ethereal scene. The light stretched endlessly, and after a while, a miracle occurred. The light that emanated from Tiara Rose descended from the high sky to the ground, as if giving birth to life.

Who was the first to speak?

"Sprouts are growing where the light touched!"

"Beautiful light, amazing…!"

"It's a miracle. The forest fairy king must have blessed her to do this."

Simultaneously, withered plants regained their strength and sprouted new buds. The power of regeneration captivated everyone, including Aquasteed.

"The ring of the forest fairy king has this much power?"

Aquasteed, who had seen the power of the sky and sea fairy kings, was amazed. Watching the square come to life, his love for the country and Tiara Rose grew even more.

"Thank you, Tiara."

"Lady Aqua. …No, I just did what was expected. Perhaps I wanted to repay you and this country for giving me a place to belong."

"Repay? I proposed to you because I love you, so there's nothing to repay."

Aquasteed's fingertips gently touched Tiara Rose's hand, and he kissed the back of it.

"A, Lady Aqua… everyone is watching."

But Tiara Rose's plea was not accepted.

"Please, Tiara, bless me too."

"…!"

Aquasteed kissed Tiara Rose. There was no such thing as Tiara Rose's blessing, but his lips were gentle and warm. Before she knew it, Tiara Rose had accepted the kiss.

"Wow, that's hot~"

*Feris, you shouldn't tease them like that.*

"Well, I have Liliage."

*…Fine.*

A large tree where the balcony was visible. On its thick branches, Feris, Liliage, Keith, and Clayre were sitting, watching the two.

"Looks like this is a good start."

"Yeah, Liliage is stable, so it should last for a while."

*Tiara has taken on a lot of the power, so it should last for a long time.*

Clayre's words were agreed upon by Keith and Liliage. It was expected to last for centuries.

Still, Clayre looked at Feris and Liliage.

"What do you plan to do now that you're out of the underground? I don't want to take care of you two."

"True, I was surprised when Liliage was freed, but I don't plan to rely on you."

Feris, who had no place in the castle and didn't want to get involved in trouble, chuckled.

"I don't plan to rely on you two. Liliage and I will travel within the Marin Forest. I want to see how our country has changed."

"Alright. I won't stop you, but if anything unusual happens, contact us immediately."

"Of course."

Feris, who had died without seeing much of the country, was very curious about the Marin Forest. Financially, he was set. There was a hidden treasure room only he knew about, and if necessary, he could work, which might be fun.

Keith and Clayre sighed but smiled at Feris's enthusiasm.

"Hey, the ring's effect is ending, and something is about to start."

"Yeah, that thing."

"Why does Clayre know?"

"My weapon is information, so this is easy for me."

Keith, who didn't know what was happening, glared at Tiara Rose. Feris and Liliage also didn't know and were fidgeting, watching the scene.

Then, Aquasteed's voice echoed around.

"Today, we will celebrate the regeneration of the Marin Forest. We plan to hold a national festival every year."

The citizens cheered.

"Tiara Rose and I will host a confectionery competition. Of course, this year too. There are no entry restrictions, and teams of up to three people can participate, so please join us."

The details would be posted around the city, and the event would take place in one month.

*Confectionery is really delicious. I love it ever since Tiara Rose let me try it. I'm looking forward to it.*

Liliage clapped and cheered, and Feris smiled.

"Alright, let's join the confectionery competition too!"

"Huh!? Why…?"

It's a team of three, Feris said with a bright smile.