Chapter 90

"Then, if the exchange study program is established, fairies might also be able to come to Lapislazuli!?"

"There's a possibility, but we won't know for sure until we actually go."

Today, it's a banquet with the neighboring country, Lapislazuli.

Despite the coronation ceremony being only a night ago, Aquasteed's schedule is already packed.

From Marine Forest, Tiara Roses and Aquasteed are attending.

Akari, Hartnights, and Sirius are also present. Since they are all close friends, the atmosphere at the banquet is as peaceful as usual.

The topic is about the exchange study program.

Aquasteed has experience studying in Lapislazuli and hopes that students can learn and excel in other countries as well, not just their own.

The one who showed the most interest in this topic was Sirius, the first in line to the throne of Lapislazuli and Hartnights' younger brother.

"I saw the fairies for the first time at Aquasteed's coronation. They were so cute, and I could feel how much they love this country."

"Thank you."

In response to Sirius' enthusiastic voice, Aquasteed smiled and continued.

"Still, it won't be easy right away. Many fairies have started coming to the city with my ascension. Some of them are even becoming good friends with the citizens."

This means that these fairies might accompany the citizens who go abroad for exchange studies.

Of course, this applies to adults as well, but children tend to be more favored by fairies. Therefore, the most likely scenario for fairies to go to other countries is through exchange studies.

Tiara Roses also wants to show the fairies to her parents.

She hopes it will happen someday, but in fact, the quickest way would be for Tiara Roses to invite the fairies to go with her.

"Big Sister Tiara, you're liked by so many fairies. I want to come to Marine Forest for exchange studies and become friends with many fairies."

"Really, Prince Sirius? You're coming for exchange studies?"

"Of course! I got my brother's approval yesterday."

Smiling, Sirius looked at Hartnights, who seemed a bit tired.

"I gave my approval. ...It will also help deepen the friendship with Marine Forest."

"That's great. When Prince Sirius comes, we'll have a welcome party. And we'll invite the fairies too."

"Really? It's a promise, Big Sister Tiara."

Seeing Tiara Roses and Sirius talking happily, Akari joined in with a cheerful "That's great!"

"Akari, this is about Prince Sirius coming for exchange studies, right?"

"I know, but it sounds fun. Maybe I'll go for exchange studies too..."

"What are you talking about?"

While it's hard to tell if Akari is serious or joking, she is generally serious. If not stopped here, she might really come for exchange studies.

"You can't do that. Please stay in Lapislazuli. I'll come visit."

"Really? Then I'll look forward to it. Let's invite Olivia too."

Akari, who had a slightly pouting face, brightened up at Tiara Roses' words.

After this, Tiara Roses and Akari plan to have a tea party with Olivia. They are really good friends, Aquasteed thought as he looked at Tiara Roses.

The banquet between Marine Forest and Lapislazuli mainly discussed the exchange study program and concluded.

◇◇◇

Today's tea party is a 'Forest Tea Party' in Tiara Roses' garden.

It's very relaxed since it's just Tiara Roses, Akari, and Olivia. Filene and Levi serve them, and they know the preferences of Tiara Roses and the others, making it very comfortable.

Filene's tea is delicious, and recently, Olivia has been asking Filene to make tea, which has sparked Levi's competitive spirit.

"Olivia, I'll make the tea today. Filene, please prepare the sweets."

"...Understood."

Reluctantly, Filene nodded and prepared the sweets.

Levi, who seemed to be making tea for Olivia, prepared the teapot and set the tea leaves.

"To make the tea delicious for Olivia, I've done extensive research. I use the spring water from the mountain where the Fairy King lives, warm the teacups with slightly boiling water, and then pour hot water into the teapot to steep the tea leaves while enjoying their aroma..."

"..."

After preparing the sweets, Filene looked at Levi with a cold eye and left. It seemed she didn't want to be like him.

Levi successfully made the tea, bowed, and then left.

"Prince Levi is always so interesting, isn't he?"

"Levi is always competitive. He doesn't like losing."

Akari sipped the tea and smiled, saying, "It's delicious!"

"Really, this tea is delicious."

Tiara Roses also sipped the tea and smiled.

"In Japan, Levi would be very popular. He's handsome, devoted, skilled at his job, and tall."

Akari agreed, saying, "Absolutely."

Tiara Roses and Olivia also agreed. In this world, social status is important, so even if Levi's skills as a butler are high, there are many unattainable hopes and loves.

Love across social classes is rarely recognized in this world. If the man is of higher status, a commoner might be taken as a concubine, but the reverse is very difficult.

"Social status... I understand it's necessary for governing a country. But it would be wonderful if someday a country where everyone can be free is created."

"That's true."

Olivia nodded in agreement with Tiara Roses, and Akari also nodded.

"By the way, I wanted to ask Olivia about the guidebook."

"Oh, you read it when we went to the villa?"

"Guidebook!? What is that!?"

Akari was the most interested.

Tiara Roses explained that she found a handwritten guidebook written by Olivia when they went to Olivia's villa. Akari immediately exclaimed, "I want it!"

"It needs to be bound and treated as a family treasure!"

"That's impossible. It contains the castle's floor plan and all the secret passages."

"Olivia, your memory is incredible."

Akari thought it was a fun book with profiles of the targets, but upon hearing the content, she realized it was more serious and showed caution towards Olivia's memory.

However, it wasn't particularly dangerous. It was just a spur of the moment thing.

They were talking about games, so they were relaxed.

No one noticed the presence of a certain person.

"You're having a fun conversation."

A voice came from behind.

With a gentle smile, Aquasteed approached.

The three women communicated with their eyes about whether he had heard their conversation.

--Did Aquasteed hear our conversation?

--Probably, given the timing...

--I didn't sense Aquasteed's presence at all!

Their conclusion was that it was probably too late.

Aquasteed's actions also showed this, as he came to sit next to Tiara Roses and slowly spoke.

"Tiara, it's time to tell me what you've been hiding, isn't it?"

"What, that...?"

"What do you know, Tiara?"

Akari and Olivia instantly realized.

Oh, this is the moment of truth...

They looked at each other and nodded. Then they told the flustered Tiara Roses.

"Tiara, it's probably no use hiding it anymore. You should confess."

"I agree."

"Wh-What!? Are you both serious!?"

She was very surprised to be told to just confess.

Hearing their words, Aquasteed decided to take Tiara Roses away from the tea party.

"Sorry to interrupt your tea party. I'll borrow Tiara for a while."

"Sure, sure~"

Akari and Olivia immediately agreed.

In fact, it would probably take more than just a while, so they sent him off with a "Take your time" that could be misunderstood.

As they watched Aquasteed leave, they continued the tea party, saying, "It was obvious," while enjoying delicious cake.

◇◇◇

Aquasteed didn't know that Tiara Roses had memories from her past life, but he had always suspected she was hiding something.

He thought she would eventually tell him, but as time passed, a sense of unease built up in him.

At first, he thought only Akari knew, but it seemed Olivia and Levi also knew something.

Even the broad-minded Aquasteed had his limits.

--Why am I the only one who doesn't know about Tiara?

"Aquasteed!"

"Be quiet until we get to the room."

"..."

Aquasteed took Tiara Roses to his room.

He ordered the guards at the door not to let anyone in and locked the door.

They rarely spent time alone in Aquasteed's room, which was simple and monochromatic, emphasizing functionality, reflecting his meticulous personality.

Letting go of Tiara Roses' arm, Aquasteed sighed.

"I'm sorry for bringing you here forcefully."

"No, it's fine. It's my fault for keeping secrets from you... I'll tell you everything."

"Tiara..."

They sat on the sofa, and Tiara Roses began to speak slowly.

What she said far exceeded Aquasteed's imagination. He couldn't believe such a thing could happen, and his mind was in turmoil.

But Tiara Roses was serious and felt guilty for keeping it a secret, so he knew she wasn't lying.

--I never thought she had such a big secret.

And at the same time, he realized why she always did such reckless things.

After finishing her story, Tiara Roses bowed to Aquasteed.

"I'm sorry for keeping it a secret for so long. You might think I'm a terrible person..."

"..."

"Even so, I wanted to be with you. I thought I might be happy with you."

Her clear voice gradually became tinged with tears.

What if he hated her after hearing this? What if he abandoned her? What if he chose the heroine? These thoughts must have been in Tiara Roses' mind all along.

Aquasteed could guess as much.

"Tiara, look at me."

"...Yes."

"Your cute face is all wet with tears."

"Bu-but...!"

Aquasteed chuckled and traced the tears on Tiara Roses' cheeks with his lips, then licked them, saying, "They're sweet."

"They're not sweet. ...And aren't you angry?"

"Angry? Why?"

"I've been hiding things from you all this time..."

"But more than that, I could feel from your story that you love me."

"---!!"

Aquasteed didn't want to be hated by Tiara Roses.

He wanted to do what he could for Aquasteed.

What if he was taken by Aishira?

He was very happy that Aquasteed chose him.

While she did talk about being a reincarnated person, her story was filled with her deep love for Aquasteed.

How could he be angry at such a beloved person who said such sweet things?

--I'll only love her more.

Being worried is so cute.

"Maybe you were given these memories to help Marine Forest."

"Wh-what?"

"I, Prince Ferres, and Lady Liliage. This country has been saved by Tiara."

So, meeting Tiara Roses as the villainess was fate, he told her.

"Besides, you swore to live with me forever. If this isn't fate, what is?"

--But.

"Tiara, when you say fate, do you mean me and Aishira? If that's fate, I'll abandon it."

"Aquasteed..."

"I can't help but love you so much."

So, he told her not to be afraid to talk about anything.

Tiara Roses nodded desperately and said, "I promise," hugging him tightly. Her hair brushed against his cheek, tickling him a little.

Villainesses are so cute.

"Tiara, look up. I want to kiss you."

"---!!"

Hearing his honest words, Tiara Roses trembled in Aquasteed's arms. She was probably embarrassed because he usually didn't say such things.

He wanted to kiss her, but he was also embarrassed. She fidgeted, which was very cute.

"Tiara?"

"Be-cause! You never say such things...!"

"Really? But if you look up, I'll kiss you."

"---!!"

--I wonder how long it will take for Tiara to look up.

Until his beloved villainess becomes honest, it will take--1 minute.

This concludes Chapter 6.

I hope this clears things up for now...

The 6th volume, which includes this chapter (with additions and revisions) and a side story, will be released on June 15th, along with the first volume of the manga. Thank you for your support!

I hope it's easier to read than the web version...

If you enjoyed it, please rate it at the bottom. It would be a great encouragement!

I'm excited to see that we're close to the cumulative ranking...

I'll start serializing Chapter 7 at a weekly pace once the plot is ready. Thank you for your continued support.