Chapter 9

On the night of the day Tiara Roses and Aquasteed went out on a date...

Tiara Roses waited for her father, the Duke Clamentier, to return, fidgeting and unable to settle down.

Of course, it was to receive his approval of her engagement to Aquasteed. There were many sources of anxiety, such as the heroine Akari and her former fiancé Hartnights.

To say she wasn’t anxious would be a lie. However, Tiara Roses decided to believe in Aquasteed’s words.

"Miss Tiara, was today’s date so enjoyable?"

"Philene! It was my first time going out like that with a man, you know."

Philene teased Tiara Roses, who blushed and covered her mouth with her hand.

There was no way she could tell Philene that she had been fed cookies by Aquasteed, so Tiara sent a mental plea for her father to come home quickly.

—Does this mean it’s okay to have a little hope, since he gave me that hair accessory?

The words whispered by Aquasteed at their parting lingered in her ears. His sweet, low voice made her aware of him, as if it had seeped into her core.

The hair accessory Tiara wore was a specialty of Aquasteed’s country. It was prepared by her maid, Philene, as a way of sending her encouragement, hoping they would soon be in love.

"So, how did it actually go?"

"Huh?"

"Come on, Miss Tiara! Did he at least kiss you...?"

"N-no, no, no! He didn’t do anything like that!!"

Then Philene asked about something that had been bothering her, but Tiara, blushing red, denied it. Just being fed cookies had made her heart race.

She shook her head, thinking it was impossible.

"Well, that’s a shame. But it seems that Prince Aquasteed treats you very well. I’m relieved."

"Philene... Yes, Aquasteed is very kind and cares for me a lot."

She was confident that he wouldn’t do anything she disliked. Aquasteed’s eyes always looked at her with warmth, not considering her status.

Seeing this, Philene nodded in understanding, feeling reassured.

"Philene?"

"You seem more fidgety than usual. I thought you were still in the afterglow of the date...—but it’s about the engagement, right?"

"…!!"

At the word "engagement," Tiara’s shoulders trembled.

Her body answered with a clear "yes." Having been Tiara’s maid for a long time, Philene could easily see through her.

Seeing Tiara nod shyly but affirmatively, Philene smiled happily. Despite being hurt by Hartnights, seeing her mistress potentially happy made Philene even happier.

"Then, I’ll wait anxiously for your father’s return."

"Oh, you noticed!"

"Yes. ...It seems your father has returned."

"!"

Peeking out the window, she saw a carriage. The carriage with the Duke Clamentier’s crest and lapis lazuli was undoubtedly his.

With a pounding heart, Tiara quickly went to the entrance to greet her father.

Elegantly but hurriedly, she rushed down the long corridor and gracefully descended the stairs.

Just as she reached the bottom, the front door opened, and Duke Clamentier’s face appeared. Tiara hurriedly called out, "Father!"

"Welcome home, Tiara. What’s the matter, so excited?"

"I’m not excited!"

Despite her hurried appearance, Tiara stood gracefully.

However, her father, Duke Clamentier, wasn’t fooled. Seeing her slightly flushed cheeks and fidgety behavior, he knew exactly what was going on.

...And as a doting father, he understood.

Moreover, knowing it was the day of her date with Aquasteed, he could guess what she wanted to say.

Though he felt a bit sad, he was genuinely happy.

"I know. It’s about Prince Aquasteed, right?"

"Father...!"

"I can tell about my daughter. ...Is it alright to accept it?"

"...Yes. Please, Father."

Blushing and looking down, but smiling happily, Tiara replied.

Though it was sad to see her daughter marry into another country, seeing her smile happily made him even more pleased. Duke Clamentier nodded.

◇ ◇ ◇

"I’ve done something that can’t be undone..."

Late at night, Hartnights lay awake in his bed, having heard his punishment from his father, King Alexander.

He truly wanted Tiara Roses to be happy.

But...

"...Tiara"

The name that slipped from Hartnights’ lips was not Akari’s, but Tiara Roses’.

He rolled over, trying to fall asleep, but all he saw in his closed eyes was Tiara Roses’ face. He shook his head, trying to clear it, but to no avail.

—Even though I love Akari, I can’t get Tiara’s face out of my head.

"…Tiara"

He called her name again.

Closing his eyes tightly, he pictured Tiara Roses. They had met before, but it was never as a fiancé.

At most, he had escorted her at a ball.

—I should have paid more attention to Tiara.

Though it was too late for Hartnights to regret now, the urge to cling to the past still rose within him.

Worried and troubled, he thought about Tiara Roses and Aquasteed, unable to get them out of his head.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Wondering who it could be at this hour, he answered.

A knight was waiting outside his room, so it must be urgent.

However, the person who appeared was his usual lady-in-waiting.

"Good morning, Prince Hartnights. I’m here to help you get ready for the day."

"Morning...!?"

Surprised by the usual greeting, Hartnights looked out the window. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the morning sun was blinding.

He hadn’t realized that he had been thinking all night.

"Is something wrong?"

"...No, please proceed."

Telling the lady-in-waiting that everything was fine, Hartnights began his morning preparations.

◇ ◇ ◇

On a leisurely morning, Tiara Roses, accompanied by her maid Philene, went to the castle.

The reason was to meet Aquasteed, who was staying there.

Her cheeks slightly flushed, she wore a light blue dress, chosen by Philene to match Aquasteed’s blue hair.

"But, is it alright to come so suddenly...?"

"It’s fine. Your father has informed him."

This was their first meeting since the engagement was approved.

Though it was sudden, she had informed Duke Clamentier that morning and came to the castle. If Aquasteed was busy, she planned to return without meeting him.

"If it’s not possible, a messenger will come. Since there’s no message, it’s fine."

"...That’s true. But I’m very nervous."

Tiara was led to a reception room reserved for Aquasteed. A lady-in-waiting was currently confirming with Aquasteed.

The uncertainty of whether she would see him made her heart race.

After about ten minutes, a young man, one of Aquasteed’s attendants, arrived.

Tiara returned a polite bow.

"Prince Aquasteed will be here soon. We have prepared a place for you. May I ask you to move there?"

"Yes."

Aquasteed had been informed of Tiara’s visit early in the morning and had prepared everything to entertain her.

A rose garden, delicious pastries, and tea were arranged, knowing Tiara’s preferences.

"I am Prince Aquasteed’s attendant. If you need anything, please let me know."

"Thank you. I’m sorry for the trouble today."

"No, please don’t apologize. Prince Aquasteed was very pleased."

Eliott, Aquasteed’s attendant, smiled.

As a foreign student, Aquasteed had only brought Eliott as his attendant. The other ladies-in-waiting were provided by King Alexander to ensure Aquasteed’s comfort.

If Tiara were to marry Aquasteed, she would interact with Eliott more often. Feeling reassured by his kindness, Tiara followed Eliott.

"Lapis Lazuli is a wonderful country. The decorations are very beautiful."

While walking down the corridor, Eliott spoke to Tiara, trying to ease her tension.

Tiara smiled and spoke about Marinfrost, Aquasteed’s homeland.

"Skilled craftsmen work hard here. In Marinfrost, there are many natural corals and pearls, which are coveted by women."

"Thank you. Prince Aquasteed will be pleased to hear that."

A pleasant atmosphere developed, and both Tiara and Eliott felt they were good people when a voice called out to Tiara from the corridor.

It was Hartnights, standing behind them.

"...Prince Hartnights!"

"Tiara, why are you here...?"

Though Hartnights looked as if he were in a dream, Philene was the first to react.

She stepped forward to protect her mistress. Though Tiara was confused by this, she remembered the engagement had been broken.

Eliott, Aquasteed’s attendant, bowed to Prince Hartnights and stepped back.

"...No. You came to see Prince Aquasteed?"

"Yes..."

Hartnights looked at Eliott, nodding to himself. He clenched his fists and grimaced.

Tiara and Philene quickly noticed his odd behavior.

Seeing Hartnights’ expression, Philene moved to stand beside Tiara, not leaving her side.

She was prepared for anything, even if it meant acting against Hartnights’ will, which would be disrespectful.

Hartnights said nothing, as if he understood.

"Tiara"

"Yes"

"I’m sorry for what happened at the graduation party...!"

"!!"

Hartnights bowed deeply, surprising Tiara, Philene, and even Eliott.

No one had expected such a reaction. Tiara, the first to move, spoke.

"Prince Hartnights, please raise your head! I’m not upset..."

"...Tiara"

"Royals shouldn’t bow so easily."

"...Tiara, you always gave me advice."

Hartnights looked at Tiara with a nostalgic smile. Seeing this, Tiara smiled in relief.

—Good. Prince Hartnights can think for himself. Well, I guess it’s because he was scolded by the king...

Tiara smiled inwardly, feeling happy that a character she liked in her previous life was doing well.

However, she let her guard down. She didn’t notice Hartnights’ hand reaching out to touch her head.

Hartnights, looking at her as if she were a beloved princess, gently tried to touch her. Philene noticed but didn’t react quickly enough, not expecting an attack.

"—Tiara"

"...!!"

Hartnights’ voice, slightly sweet, made Tiara shudder.

She shielded her head with her hands, not wanting to be touched.

She felt a strong aversion to the emotions directed at her, but didn’t know what to do, only managing to say, "Stop it." Closing her eyes in disgust—nothing touched her head.

"……?"

Thinking she would be touched, she cautiously opened her eyes to hear a low, cold voice.

"Hey, Prince Hartnights. —What were you trying to do to my precious fiancée?"

Aquasteed pushed Hartnights’ hand away and pulled Tiara into his chest, holding her.

His eyes said he wouldn’t let her go to Hartnights.

"...! Ah, Aquasteed!"

"Are you okay? I’m sorry for being late, Tiara."

He