Chapter 87

Aquasteed, having demonstrated his power, was recognized as the King of the Starry Sky.

When Tiara Roses placed the crown on Aquasteed, the succession of the King of the Starry Sky would be complete. However, Aquasteed once called a halt.

"There's something I need to talk to Tiara about first. It's an important matter I heard from Prince Ferres."

"…Yes."

Seeing Aquasteed's serious expression, Tiara Roses straightened her posture. Her heart began to beat louder, wondering what it could be.

—Because I forced an event to happen.

The anxiety of what might happen if there were any adverse effects.

However, Aquasteed's talk was unrelated to Tiara Roses' actions.

"When I become the King of the Starry Sky, Prince Ferres will no longer be the King of the Starry Sky. …Do you understand that?"

Tiara Roses nodded at Aquasteed's calm voice.

"That means there's a possibility that Prince Ferres and Lady Liliage will pass away. Of course, we don't know what will happen if I don't actually become the king. This is just a prediction."

"…They could…"

She gasped at the content.

Ferres and Liliage have lived for so long due to the influence of the power of the stars. Although they have transcended the concept of human beings, it's unclear what will happen if that power disappears.

"Don't worry about it. I've thought about it and decided to become the king."

"Lord Aqua… but, I…"

—I want everyone to be happy.

If only she could say that. By combining the three rings, the power of the King of the Starry Sky should stabilize.

However, she couldn't easily say it was okay in this situation. She didn't know what state the ring would be in, so she couldn't say anything rash.

Ferres smiled gently at the troubled Tiara Roses.

"It's okay, you don't need to worry. We've lived too long."

"Prince Ferres…"

"…Tiara Roses, what about that ring?"

Ferres was about to tell her to just crown Aquasteed, but he noticed the unfamiliar ring Tiara Roses was holding.

He also realized that she no longer had the individual rings of the fairy kings.

"I didn't think Tiara Roses had such power."

"Eh…?"

"It's a very beautiful ring. However, it seems there's still space for more magic in this ring."

"Can you tell that?"

Ferres, looking at the ring, realized that Tiara Roses had combined the fairy kings' rings. He also discerned the state of the ring.

He smiled, saying, "Very much like Tiara Roses."

"You made this ring, wishing to save me and Lili. …I'll try to respond to that wish, even if just a little."

"…!"

Ferres whispered something in Tiara Roses' ear.

She widened her eyes in surprise at the content. She hadn't thought it was possible.

She repeated the content in her mind to remember it and thanked Ferres.

"I'll do my best. I won't fail."

"Okay. I'm looking forward to it… Now, the coronation."

After their conversation, everyone's attention returned to Aquasteed.

As Tiara Roses held the crystal crown, Aquasteed knelt and closed his golden eyes calmly.

—I never thought I'd be doing such a big job as a villainous lady.

The role of crowning the new king was probably unsuitable for a villainous lady. She couldn't have prepared this ring without Akari.

She might be a villainous lady who can't do anything alone, but she has many supportive friends. This made her realize how warm and happy this world is.

The crystal room was enveloped in silence, creating a solemn atmosphere.

"Aquasteed Marinforest, the fairies of Marinforest will bless you as the King of the Starry Sky."

"I will strive to live up to this blessing."

Tiara Roses slowly placed the crystal crown on Aquasteed's head.

Suddenly, fairies appeared from nowhere, congratulating him. Ferres and the others also clapped, celebrating the birth of the new King of the Starry Sky.

"Congratulations, Lord Aqua. I will do my best to support you from now on."

"Your presence alone is enough, but with your support, I feel I can do anything."

"Lord Aqua…."

Hearing his strong words, they smiled at each other.

"Congratulations, Lord Aqua! You really are—no, the prince is amazing."

"Thank you. I appreciate you coming from Lapis Lazuli, Miss Akari."

"We are Lady Tiara's best friends."

Akari smiled, thinking that if the heroine's holy prayer was helpful, it was all worth it.

"Congratulations, King of the Starry Sky."

"Since I blessed you, I have to do at least this much."

Clair and Pearl, standing side by side, also sent their blessings to Aquasteed.

"Clair, Lady Pearl… Thank you. Lady Pearl, are you feeling well?"

"I received plenty of magic from Tiara Roses, so I'm fine."

Pearl opened her fan, hiding her mouth. In reality, she was blushing, but Clair, standing next to her, smiled gently at her.

Finally, Keith, who had been watching from behind, stepped forward. He crossed his arms and sighed.

"Damn, I thought I'd win the territory battle."

"Lord Keith—"

"Unnecessary."

"Eh?"

Keith, looking somewhat displeased, interrupted Aquasteed's words.

"Keith is fine."

"! That…"

"Are you going to make me say it twice?"

"…No. Thank you, Keith."

Keith, the forest fairy king who hadn't blessed anyone except Tiara Roses, recognized Aquasteed and allowed him to call his name.

Aquasteed accepted Keith's blessing, feeling its warmth.

Keith placed his arm on Aquasteed's shoulder and whispered.

"Listen, if you make Tiara cry, I won't forgive you."

"Of course not."

"Then, it's fine."

Hearing Aquasteed's answer, Keith smiled contentedly.

Tiara Roses, watching this, thought that the two, who had never been close, had made significant progress.

But.

—If these two team up, they might be unbeatable.

With Clair and Pearl providing support from the back and Aquasteed and Keith leading the charge, this team would be unstoppable.

As Tiara Roses thought this, she suddenly met Aquasteed's gaze and he smiled at her.

"Let's fulfill the first duty as the King of the Starry Sky."

"Duty, you say?"

"Remember, we saw it together before. The declaration to start the Fairy Star Festival."

Aquasteed explained that the King of the Starry Sky would make the stars fall during the festival.

He also mentioned that this festival was related to something he had learned from Ferres. Tiara Roses, who loved the Fairy Star Festival, nodded enthusiastically.

The festival's opening declaration is performed by the King of the Starry Sky and the four fairy kings only in the year a new king ascends. After that, the King of the Starry Sky performs the declaration alone.

If the King of the Starry Sky is absent, the fairies will call small stars on their own to hold the festival. Until now, the fairies had been working hard because Ferres couldn't make the declaration.

"Then, let's watch from over here."

"Okay."

Ferres decided to watch, and Akari followed.

Tiara Roses, having nothing to do, joined Ferres and Akari to watch Aquasteed and the others.

Aquasteed, Keith, Clair, and Pearl stood around the pedestal.

Each placed their hands on the pedestal, pouring their power to call the stars.

Tiara Roses felt nostalgic, remembering the time when she was still in the Lapis Lazuli Kingdom. One night, Aquasteed suddenly visited her room and performed the Fairy Star Festival for her.

"I declare the start of the Fairy Star Festival with the power of the King of the Starry Sky."

"From the Forest Fairy King, a blessing of clear air."

"From the Sky Fairy King, a prayer for the stars to shine high and far."

"From the Sea Fairy King, a surface and silence to make the stars shine even brighter."

The crystal pedestal glowed with the power of their strong voices.

The light formed beams, piercing the ceiling and rising high into the sky above Marinforest. It eventually reached the top of the sky and showered the ground with a cascade of stars.

The ceiling of the crystal room became more transparent, showing the night sky of Marinforest and the scene to Tiara Roses and the others.

The Fairy Star Festival, started by the new King of the Starry Sky, was more brilliant and powerful than usual.

"…It bloomed."

"Eh?"

Suddenly, Ferres' voice reached Tiara Roses, who was looking at the night sky on the ceiling.

Wondering what had bloomed, she followed Ferres' gaze. Looking at the crystal pedestal where the declaration was made, she saw a single flower blooming.

It looked like a crystal flower, very transparent.

Wondering what kind of flower it was, Ferres explained.

"That flower blooms only when a new King of the Starry Sky is born. And… it's the miracle flower that cured Lili's illness."

"…!"

"Is it such an amazing flower!?"

Tiara Roses gasped, and Akari got excited, calling it a rare item.

"So, Lord Aqua used that flower…"

"Yes. He intended to save that child. But, he was quite troubled because he and Lili might die."

This could help save the king, who was still ill.

Tiara Roses felt relieved, but she couldn't fully relax yet. She still needed to work hard to save Ferres and Liliage.

They picked the flower that bloomed to celebrate the birth of the king and returned to the ground.

◇ ◇ ◇

When they returned to the ground, the circular ring in the sky had disappeared, replaced by a shower of stars.

Even though it was almost morning, the stars shone as brightly as the sun. Or perhaps, they were dancing with the sun.

People had gathered around the central square, learning that the star festival had begun.

"Wow, look at all these stars! It's more than twice as many, no… even more, isn't it?"

"I've never seen such a spectacular star festival."

"Maybe something good will happen this year."

The voices were all joyful, and Aquasteed looked satisfied.

"Tiara."

"Lord Aqua… It's so beautiful. I'm very happy to see the star festival like this."

She leaned against Aquasteed, who had come to her side, and looked up at the sky.

"But, I feel a bit sad that the shining ring is gone. What was it?"

"Ah… that ring is here."

"Eh?"

Aquasteed pointed to the crown on his head.

"That was the ring?"

"Yes. The ring was the result of seeking a new king."

"It was a call for a new king."

Hearing this, she couldn't help but laugh.

The crystal crown on Aquasteed's head, reflecting the starlight, was very beautiful and noticeable. The people around them were also looking at Aquasteed.

"Of course, this is noticeable…"

"It's a crystal crown. Plus, Keith and the others are here, so we're very noticeable."

With the crown on their prince and the main characters of the sequel gathered, it was impossible not to stand out.

Aquasteed took off the crown and said, "Hold it for me."

"Eh, that's too much…"

"This can be stored like this."

When he placed it in Tiara Roses' hand, the crown disappeared.

"Eh!? It disappeared!? W-What did I…"

"No, no, you didn't do anything. The crown is here."

"!"

He pointed to the ring of the King of the Starry Sky that Aquasteed had given her. The silhouette of the crown had been added to the ring.

She was surprised that the ring could merge with the crown. At the same time, she was relieved to realize she hadn't done anything to the crown.

"Let's go back to the castle."

"Yes!"

Tiara Roses and Aquasteed held hands and returned to the castle with everyone.