Chapter 88

Returning to the castle, before immediately requesting an audience with the king, a bolt of lightning struck Tiara Rose from Philine.

"Milady Tiara Rose!! If you were going out or had something to do, please let me know. I was very, very worried..."

"I'm sorry, Philine."

"...Is it that I am not suitable to be by your side, Milady Tiara Rose?"

At Philine, who seemed to be saying that if she was unnecessary, she should be fired, Tiara Rose shook her head in a panic. They had spent their days like sisters since childhood. She trusted Philine more than anyone else.

Gripping Philine's hand tightly, she apologized from the bottom of her heart.

"There were things I couldn't talk to anyone about. Of course, not even to Lady Aqua. I'm sorry for worrying you, Philine. But I love you, Philine, for scolding me like that."

"Milady Tiara Rose..."

After hugging tightly, Tiara Rose explained the situation to Philine. Seeing Philine flustered, she couldn't help but smile.

"Eh, such a thing!? I'll prepare for the audience immediately..."

"No, it's fine as it is."

"As you wish, Your Highness Aquasteed."

While Tiara Rose was talking with Philine, Elliot had arranged for the audience with the king.

There wasn't enough time to change into a dress, so she had already been given permission to keep her current attire. Akari was still in her riding outfit.

After the audience, Tiara Rose asked Philine to prepare the dresses for herself and Akari before heading to the king.

◇ ◇ ◇

The five people who went to see the king were Tiara Rose, Aquasteed, Ferres, Akari, and Liliage, who had just joined them.

Keith and the others had returned, saying they needed to adjust their newly acquired territories.

It was still early morning, so the only person in the room was the king. During the day, his wife, Ravina, would always be with him.

However, he thought it would be better if Ravina was there too, so he urgently sent for her through a nearby maid.

"Aquasteed, and..."

King Sotiris, who was told it was urgent in the morning, accepted his son's audience without a clear dress code. Seeing the gathered people, he wondered what was about to happen.

His son and stepdaughter were fine.

However, Akari, the wife of Prince Hartnights of Lapislazuli and a wielder of holy prayers, and the first king of this country were all present.

No one would think nothing was happening.

Moreover, Aquasteed had urgently sent for Ravina, making it even more serious.

Seeing Sotiris sit up in bed, Tiara Rose performed a lady's bow.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. I apologize for appearing before you in such a state."

"No, it's fine. Did something happen that brought you here? Lady Akari, you came all the way from Lapislazuli, and I apologize for your appearance."

Shaking his head, Sotiris told her it was no problem. Instead, he apologized to Akari for still being in bed.

Akari, however, didn't mind.

"It's fine, Your Majesty. I came here without any preparation because I was worried about Lady Tiara."

Akari said this with a smile, but it was probably 90% curiosity and 10% worry about Tiara Rose.

While they were talking, Ravina arrived in a hurry. Her hair was unbound, and she was wearing a simple dress. She must have rushed over as Aquasteed said.

Seeing the gathered people, she immediately dismissed the maid.

"What happened? To have so many people here in the morning..."

"Mother, with everyone's help, we obtained the medicine to cure Father's illness."

"Really!?"

Hearing Aquasteed's words, Ravina raised her voice. Then, realizing her behavior was inappropriate, she composed herself.

"I'm sorry for losing my composure. ...What is this medicine?"

"Here it is."

"Oh, it's beautiful..."

What Aquasteed took out was a single petal of a crystal flower. This alone could cure Sotiris's illness. The remaining flowers were to be carefully stored in the castle.

This flower blooms with blessings. Therefore, when magic power is channeled into it, the blessings gathered in the crystal turn into drops, which become a special healing medicine effective against all diseases.

Sotiris and Ravina wondered where they had obtained such a thing. However, with Aquasteed and Tiara Rose, who had received blessings from the Fairy King and possessed the power of holy prayers, any miracle was possible.

"Mother, please channel your magic power into this. It will turn into drops, which you can then give to Father."

"Understood."

Ravina was asked to do this because Tiara Rose and the others' magic power was different and much greater than that of ordinary people, and there was a possibility it could affect Sotiris. Ravina took the crystal petal and poured the drops into Sotiris, who then drank them. Warm light filled the room, and Sotiris's complexion quickly returned to normal, showing that he was recovering.

"Oh, oh... Sotiris. It's good, it's good..."

"Don't cry like that, Ravina."

Sotiris gently stroked Ravina, who had started crying out of joy at his recovery. The scene was very touching, but Tiara Rose and the others might have been intruding.

Since the illness was cured, there was no problem, so they left the room quietly without saying goodbye, leaving the two alone.

◇ ◇ ◇

"That's great, the king is feeling better!"

"Yes. Thank you for all your help, Lady Akari."

After changing into a dress and settling down, Philine prepared tea and snacks. This solved everything! Finally, they could relax—though it was a bit too early for that.

Akari was lounging on the sofa, but Tiara Rose still had one important thing to do.

"There's still the matter of Prince Ferres and Lord Liliage."

"That's right, Aquasteed said they might die because he became king."

Now, only Tiara Rose and Akari were present.

Aquasteed was urgently checking necessary documents, and Ferres had gone to see the Fairy Star Festival with Liliage.

They were still fine for now, but it was uncertain what would happen.

"I can't decide their happiness, but I want them to live."

"I agree, but is there a way?"

"...There is. Prince Ferres gave me a hint."

She remembered when he whispered it to her.

"I'm going to create a ring too."

"Eh, Lady Tiara!? That means it's the villainess' ring, right? It might be cool!"

"I'll put my power into this ring. Then, with my power, it will become a ring of the Fairy King."

Hearing Tiara Rose's words, Akari said, "It sounds invincible!" with enthusiasm.

But if that was the case, wouldn't they need a place to create the ring again? Akari tilted her head. If she needed any help, she would be ready, Akari said, tapping her chest.

"Thank you, Lady Akari. But this time, I can do it alone. I'll create it when it's night, so I'll take a short nap."

"Is that so? Then I shouldn't disturb you... I might play with Lady Olivia."

"Lady Olivia will be happy, I'm sure."

Although it felt wrong to take a nap while Aquasteed was working, she couldn't afford to collapse at a crucial moment.

Tiara Rose said goodbye to Akari and went to sleep.

◇ ◇ ◇

You can create the ring by borrowing the power of the stars falling from the sky.

Following Ferres's advice, Tiara Rose arrived at the castle's rooftop just before midnight. The Fairy Star Festival was still ongoing, and the falling stars made the night very bright.

The rooftop where Tiara Rose arrived was a place only the royal family or those with permission could enter. Therefore, no one else was there, and she could enjoy the luxury of having the starry sky to herself.

"The night breeze feels nice..."

She was tempted to lie down, but that would be improper.

"Alright, let's create the ring!"

The platinum ring made from the Fairy King's ring was still in Tiara Rose's possession.

Using this, she could control the power of the Star King, but that alone wasn't enough. Even if she could control it, it would be meaningless if Ferres and the others died.

She wanted everyone to be happy.

Initially, she had been excited about her favorite game characters, but now she loved them as real people.

"The wish I'll put into this ring is a happy life."

In other words, a happy ending.

"I'll catch the falling stars with this platinum ring..."

She placed the ring on her palm and raised it high. This would attract the stars' power to the ring, according to Ferres.

As she watched, the stars falling from the night sky suddenly changed direction and started descending towards Tiara Rose.

"---!!"

The overwhelming force made her close her eyes and turn away. The large stars were too close to look at directly.

Would they hit her!? Cold sweat trickled down her back from the anxiety, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

The stars changed shape and became smaller before reaching Tiara Rose, gently being absorbed into the platinum ring.

---I was so surprised.

"Ha..."

She almost collapsed and sat down on the spot.

However, the platinum ring in her hand was now even more radiant. It seemed she had successfully obtained the star power needed to transform the ring.

All that was left was to infuse it with her magic power to complete it.

She remembered the words of the oath to create the ring, just like when Aquasteed had created a ring for her.

"O star that watches over the land of Marin Forest, I, Tiara Rose Lapis Marin Forest, swear by my name. Even if the flowing stars and the land that supports the country perish, the ring will never lose its shine—"

The platinum ring changed to a honey-pink color, the same as Tiara Rose's hair, with a glossy and lustrous finish.

"Wow, amazing, I really made my ring."

She was overwhelmed with emotion.

As she gazed at the ring, the door connecting the rooftop to the inside opened with a sound. Aquasteed, slightly out of breath, had rushed over.

"Tiara...?"

"Lady Aquasteed?"

"Why are you so calm...?"

"?"

Seeing Aquasteed's slumped posture, Tiara Rose tilted her head in confusion.

"Is something wrong? And wasn't Lady Aquasteed taking a nap?"

"I rested for an hour, so it's fine. ...There's a commotion downstairs because stars were falling on the castle."

"Eh!"

Hearing Aquasteed's words, her shoulders jumped.

Indeed, it was a spectacular sight. From a distance, it would have looked like meteorites hitting the castle.

"I'm sorry, Lady Aquasteed. It's fine now."

"It seems so."

Relieved, Aquasteed sat down next to Tiara Rose and asked, "What are you doing here?"

His gaze fell on the honey-pink ring Tiara Rose held.

"I wanted to give this ring to Lady Aquasteed."

"To me?"

"Yes. This ring is infused with the wish for happiness."

She smiled shyly and began explaining.

Why she had taken out the ring of the Sky Fairy King that Aquasteed possessed, what the ring was made of, and what effects it had.

"This ring can control and stabilize the power of the stars. And by adding my power, it can create a connection with important people."

"Connection?"

"Yes."

The ring Tiara Rose created was one that created a connection between the wearer and their loved ones.

Therefore, through the villainess' ring, it would be possible to control the powers of Ferres and Liliage to some extent.

In other words, it would be possible to give the blessing of the Star King, Aquasteed, to Ferres and Liliage through the ring.

"I see, then it's true that Prince Ferres and Lord Liliage don't need to die due to the generational change."

"Yes. It would be in the sense of being Lady Aquasteed's vassals, I think."

"Thank you, Tiara. Can you put it on for me?"

Seeing Aquasteed extend his left hand, she nodded.

She had always felt lonely wearing a ring on her left ring finger alone. She had often wished they could wear rings like a married couple someday.

---It feels like a second wedding.

Stars were falling as if to bless them from above.

The situation was completely different from when they had seen the stars together before their official engagement, but both times, their hearts were pounding as if they were at their peak.

She slowly slipped the ring onto Aquasteed's ring finger and gently stroked his hand. It was a hand much larger than hers, always gentle and protective.

"Tiara"

"Lady Aquasteed, mm..."

He kissed her gently, and she closed her eyes to accept it.

He kissed her several times, then pulled her onto his lap and deepened the kiss, savoring her.

"...Ha, mm"

"Mm... Wearing rings on each other's fingers feels like we're monopolizing each other."

"Ah, Lady Aquasteed..."

But that was what Tiara Rose had also been thinking.

Aquasteed looked at the ring on his left ring finger with satisfaction.

"The ring you created for me, Tiara"

"Being reminded of it makes me feel very embarrassed..."

"Even a blushing Tiara is cute."

"Ah, mm..."

He kissed her again, gently, under the starry sky.