Chapter 77

The second chapter of the comic has been released for free!

(Details are linked at the bottom of the novel)

Tiara Rose had been complaining of feeling unwell, but fortunately it turned out to be just the beginning of a cold. By the time they set off for their convalescence trip, she had fully recovered. In other words, it ended up being just a restful trip.

The villa that Olivia introduced is located about two days' carriage ride west of the capital of Marine Forest. They arrived at a village that mainly grows strawberries, a specialty of Marine Forest, after passing through the peaceful countryside with fields. The villa is built on a small hill at the edge of the village.

"This is a nice place, Aqua. My cold has completely cleared up, and I would like to see the village."

"Still, you shouldn't let your guard down, Tiara."

Tiara Rose poked her head out of the carriage and looked at the strawberry fields with energy, but Aquasteed, still worried, said she should rest at the villa. Tiara Rose couldn't help but giggle at how overprotective he was and looked up at Aquasteed with a pleading gaze, saying, "I want to go."

"…Alright. Rest today, and if you're fine tomorrow, we'll go see the strawberries."

"Okay!"

◇ ◇ ◇

In Marine Forest, many villages grow strawberries. The village Tiara Rose and the others are visiting is one of them. The village, with a population of about five hundred, is small but very lively, with many children and constant laughter.

After spending a night at the villa and confirming that she was feeling well, they went to the village to see the strawberries. In addition to Tiara Rose and Aquasteed, Elliot, Filene, and Tarmo were also there. When they arrived at the village by carriage, the village chief and several villagers warmly welcomed them. The village chief, a sturdy, white-haired middle-aged man, knelt down, and Aquasteed responded, with Tiara Rose continuing.

"Thank you for your hospitality despite our sudden visit."

"Thank you."

"Not at all. It is a great honor for us to have royalty visit."

Since royalty rarely visit, the village chief smiled happily. The village chief himself led them to the strawberry fields.

"Wow, amazing…"

Seeing the vast strawberry field, Tiara Rose exclaimed in amazement. Each strawberry shone like a gem, and it was clear how carefully they were grown. Just as she thought about using them in new desserts, a forest sprite peeked out from between the strawberry plants.

"Oh, it's Tiara!"

"Are you going to eat strawberries?"

"Thank you… But you can't just take them without permission."

The forest sprite giggled and offered Tiara Rose a delicious-looking strawberry. After telling the sprite not to take them without permission, the village chief quickly said, "Of course, please take as many as you like!" Seeing this, Tiara Rose took a bite, and the sweetness immediately spread, with a slight tartness enhancing the flavor.

"Oh, it's delicious…!"

"Then I'll give you more!"

"This one is recommended!"

"This one is the one I grew!"

Seeing Tiara Rose enjoy the strawberries, the forest sprites picked many more, bringing over thirty strawberries to her. Tiara Rose, worried she couldn't eat them all, saw Aquasteed smile amusedly.

"As always, the forest sprites like Tiara."

"The villagers worked so hard, and there are so many…"

Tiara Rose decided to pay for the strawberries the sprites picked later. She asked Filene to store the many strawberries so they could eat them back at the villa.

"But it's rare to see so many forest sprites. Is this a favorite place of theirs?"

"Seeing forest sprites is rare, but sightings have increased recently."

"Really?"

"Probably thanks to Tiara. The forest sprites have become more active."

Hearing Aquasteed's words, Tiara Rose nodded in agreement. Indeed, since the "Tiara Rose flower" became the national flower, forest sprites have been appearing in various places under the guise of taking care of it. Without Tiara Rose, this wouldn't have happened.

When she asked the village chief, she received an unexpected answer.

"No, the forest sprites have only been showing themselves in the past few days. …It seems they are fond of the guests who have come to the village."

"Forest sprites?"

Everyone thought that the forest sprites were currently blessing only Tiara Rose. Therefore, she was very surprised to think that someone else was being blessed. Of course, if the forest sprites start blessing more people in the future, that would be a good trend, but…

—But it feels a bit lonely.

Tiara Rose loves the forest sprites that blessed her when she moved to the Lapis Lazuli Kingdom. She had always thought that the blessing was only for her… and felt a little down.

"I would be happy if the forest sprites stopped focusing only on Tiara."

"Aqua, you…"

Tiara Rose smiled at his encouraging words. While Aquasteed was speaking the truth, Tiara Rose felt comforted. Aquasteed took Tiara Rose's hand and suggested they return to the village, worried that her cold might return.

"Here, Tiara Rose, please take this."

"Thank you, Filene."

Filene draped a large shawl over Tiara Rose's shoulders, and the sprites smiled, saying, "You look cute!"

"Thank you. We're going back to the village."

"Wait, you're not going to meet them?"

"Meet them?"

"Maybe the guests the village chief mentioned are nearby?"

Tilting her head, Tiara Rose listened to Aquasteed's guess. The sprites pointed to a large tree about thirty meters away.

"Huh? Is that…?"

Tiara Rose saw Ferres and Liliage napping comfortably under the large tree. Indeed, these two would be favored by the forest sprites, she thought with a wry smile.

Ferres Marine Forest and his wife, Liliage Marine Forest. The first king and queen of the country, who founded Marine Forest with their powerful abilities and the help of three fairy kings.

"Ah, those two make sense to be blessed."

"Right. They said they were traveling, but I didn't expect them to be here."

Elliot and Aquasteed chuckled, while the village chief, who didn't know the situation, tilted his head in confusion.

◇ ◇ ◇

"I didn't know Aquasteed and the others were in this village."

Ferres smiled and said happily, holding the fluffy and cute Liliage in his arms. Ferres, who looks similar to Aquasteed with his light-colored hair, and Liliage, who became a monster due to accepting the power of the King of Stars, are now traveling around Marine Forest as the power has stabilized.

When Tiara Rose and the others found the two in the strawberry field, they invited them to the villa.

In the spacious living room, Tiara Rose and Aquasteed sat on a sofa, with Ferres holding Liliage on the opposite side. The villa, which Olivia boasted about, had a very cozy wooden house design, filled with the scent of trees and a large window overlooking a wooden deck and majestic mountains, perfect for a tea time.

"Tiara Rose, the strawberries are ready."

"Thank you, Filene."

"Wow, they look delicious!"

The best strawberries, selected by the forest sprites and received from the village, were served with warm tea, raising the spirits of Tiara Rose and Liliage.

Then, Tiara Rose wondered if Ferres and Liliage could eat like them. Since Ferres is a ghost, the concept of eating might not apply. She cautiously asked.

"Um… Prince Ferres, can you eat?"

"Yes, I can. Thank you, Tiara Rose."

"They can eat without any problem. Even though they are ghosts, it's a bit mysterious. They died as humans, but… it might be better to think of them as something like fairies. Keith and the others can also eat, right?"

Relieved by Ferres' and Liliage's explanations, Tiara Rose and the others enjoyed the strawberries.

"Phew… I'm full."

"Are you okay, Lady Liliage?"

"Yes."

After finishing all the strawberries, Liliage started to doze off. Ferres was gently stroking her, which probably helped.

"Let's show Prince Ferres and Lady Liliage to their room."

Aquasteed immediately stood up, but Ferres slowly shook his head.

"Tiara, can you put Lili to bed? I feel like having a drink."

"Of course."

It seemed that tea alone wasn't enough, and Tiara Rose inwardly chuckled. This time, she would prepare wine and champagne as well. Aquasteed decided to stay with Ferres and sat back on the sofa.

"Tiara must be tired, so go rest first."

"Alright. Good night, Aqua, Prince Ferres."

"Good night. Take care of Lili."

"Okay."

Taking Liliage from Ferres, Tiara Rose held her firmly. She asked Filene for help, and Elliot prepared the drinks for Ferres and Aquasteed. With the roles assigned, Tiara Rose left the living room.

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