Chapter 15: The Villainess’s Happy Life

211. An Invitation to a Tea Party

“Eeh? Another marriage proposal came in?”

TiaraRose and Aquasteed could only manage wry smiles at the words of LuciaRose, who was puffing out her cheeks in annoyance.

Pouting so cutely was LuciaRose Marineforest.

She is the ten-year-old eldest daughter of TiaraRose and Aquasteed, and her favorite phrase is “I’m going to be a knight!” While she receives a lady’s education, she is frequently found training alongside the knights.

She wears her long, deep honey-pink hair in twin-tail buns. Her wide eyes are a golden-tinted honey-pink; if she were to behave elegantly, she would be the perfect model of a young noble lady. The book at her waist is a grimoire—a talking magic book and LuciaRose’s partner.

Two years have passed since the previous events. TiaraRose is now 31, and LuciaRose has reached age 10. Consequently, a flood of marriage proposals for LuciaRose has been arriving from both home and abroad.

However, LuciaRose seems to have very little interest in engagement, looking sourly at the stack of applications.

“I want to be a knight, not someone’s bride!”

<The Princess is still young, after all.>

“You think so too, Grimo? …So, I want you to turn them all down, please. Is that okay? Father, Mother.”

As LuciaRose looked up at them pleadingly, Aquasteed nodded happily while wearing a wry smile.

“Of course. There is no need to force an engagement, and we can think about it when Lucia finds someone she truly likes.”

TiaraRose nodded in agreement with those words.

“It is best to be with someone you have fallen in love with yourself. Even if you were to wed someone you dislike, you would not be happy. Lucia, there is also the path of marrying into the royalty of another country. Let us take our time and think about marriage slowly, without rushing.”

“Yes! Father, Mother, thank you very much!”

Relieved to know that no engagement would be finalized for the time being, LuciaRose breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing her expression, TiaraRose and Aquasteed giggled.

TiaraRose Lapis Marineforest

She knows better than anyone how painful a loveless engagement can be. She has fluffy honey-pink hair and light blue eyes. While supporting the country as Queen, she also oversees the forest’s candy fairies as the Candy Fairy Queen. Recently, her children have become quite active, often leaving her in a state of suspense, but she watches over them, seeing it all as part of their precious growth.

Aquasteed Marineforest

The man who was able to claim the first love he thought was unattainable. He has neatly trimmed dark blue hair and the golden eyes that are the mark of a King. As the King of the Marineforest Kingdom, he rules the land, while also watching over it as the King of the Starry Sky. Since his love for TiaraRose remains unchanged, they occasionally go on dates together, hidden from the children.

LuciaRose gave a beaming smile and offered a salute.

“Then, I shall go to my training! Today, the Knight Commander is going to give me personal instruction!”

“Is that so? Do your best, Lucia. Grimoire, please look after her.”

“Yes!”

<Leave it to me.>

Giving an energetic reply, LuciaRose left the room happily with Grimoire.

Looking at the mountain of marriage proposals, Aquasteed moved them to the edge of the desk, saying, “I’ll leave the processing of these to Elliot.” Beside them was a smaller stack of documents—marriage proposals for their eight-year-old twin sons, Stillca and Stillio.

Since they are still so young, he has no intention of proceeding with those either. TiaraRose laughed, saying they were quite popular, but as she reached for them, her eyes blinked in surprise at an application from an unexpected person.

“There is an application here from Lady Olivia.”

“Aren’t those for twins who were just born…?”

As TiaraRose chuckled, Aquasteed shrugged. “That’s a rejection without even needing a thought.”

“Shall we have tea soon?”

“…True. Let’s take a breath before getting back to work.”

To Aquasteed, who looked as if he were saying he was mentally exhausted, TiaraRose brewed some tea. Since the room was equipped with a kitchen, TiaraRose often prepared things herself when they were alone.

While they were relaxing, a sudden knock was heard at the window. Looking over, they saw a Sky Fairy holding an envelope. It had come to deliver a letter.

—A Sky Fairy? Is it a letter from Lord Grail?

Grail, the Fairy King, usually visits on a whim, so he almost never sends word in advance. TiaraRose was surprised by the prior notification.

“I’ve brought a letter for Tiara from Lord Grail and Lady Pearl!”

“For me? A joint letter from both of them… Thank you, Sky Fairy.”

“You’re welcome~!”

The letter was written on shimmering white paper and sealed with blue wax. Realizing immediately that it was important, TiaraRose swallowed hard. Checking the contents, she saw the words: “Holding a Fairy King’s Tea Party.” The location specified was Grail’s temple above the clouds.

Aquasteed, peering over from behind, was also surprised by the contents.

“A tea party at Lord Grail’s temple…?”

“I’ve never heard of the Fairy Kings holding a tea party like this before…”

Apparently, it was not an event known to the public.

“Hey, Sky Fairy. Do you know what kind of tea party it is?”

When TiaraRose asked, the Sky Fairy explained, “It’s a tea party that only those invited by the Fairy King can attend,” and gave a brief explanation.

“It’s held when something significant has happened.”

“Eh…?”

TiaraRose’s heart skipped a beat at the words “something significant.” Nothing particular had happened around her, and Marineforest was the picture of peace. She checked the letter again in a hurry, but only the date was listed; there was nothing written regarding the contents of the party.

“Aqua, this is…”

“At this moment, nothing special has been reported to me. We’ll simply have to ask at the tea party.”

Since Grail and Pearl hadn’t come in person, it likely wasn’t a true emergency. TiaraRose nodded at Aquasteed’s words.

“I’m sure it’s fine, but it’s a bit nerve-wracking until we actually go…”

As TiaraRose looked anxious, Aquasteed gently stroked her head. “It’ll be okay.”

“I understand how you feel, but with Grail and the others there, it won’t turn into anything too bad. If there truly were something wrong, Grail would have spoken to me first. So, there’s no need to worry that much.”

“…You’re right. Certainly, if something happened, he would tell you first.”

TiaraRose smiled and gave the Sky Fairy some sweets as a thank-you for bringing the letter. She always kept a stock of sweets in her room. Taking the cutely wrapped bag containing three flower cookies, the Sky Fairy’s face lit up.

“Wa! Thank you very much!”

“Thank you as well. Give my regards to Lord Grail.”

“Yes!”

Cradling the cookies carefully, the Sky Fairy departed. Watching it go, TiaraRose glanced toward the kitchen.

“Since it’s a special occasion, I think I’ll prepare some sweets to bring to the party. …Even if the topic is heavy, I think it might distract us a little.”

Seeing TiaraRose get motivated, Aquasteed’s cheeks softened into a smile.

“Your sweets are delicious, after all. I’m sure everyone will be pleased.”

“Yes, thank you.”

While imagining various sweets to make, TiaraRose began baking in her private kitchen.

Grail’s temple above the clouds was a truly mystical place.

The clear air was colder than on the ground, but because the Sky Fairy King’s barrier was up, it wasn’t freezing. Looking down, the town of Marineforest and the Royal Castle could be seen through gaps in the clouds. No matter how many times she saw it, the beautiful sight took her breath away.

A round table for four had been prepared, and by the time TiaraRose arrived, everyone was already gathered. Sky Fairies were serving, preparing tea for each person, and sweets were placed in the center of the table for everyone to help themselves.

—Wow, Sky sweets!?

As the Candy Fairy Queen, TiaraRose felt restless and excited seeing the sweets Grail had presumably prepared. However, looking closer, she felt a slight pang of disappointment upon realizing they were handmade by the candy fairies.

“Welcome, TiaraRose.”

“You have come, indeed.”

“Thank you for the invitation today, Lord Grail, Lady Pearl.”

When TiaraRose handed over the tart she had prepared, Pearl smiled, saying, “This looks delicious.” She immediately instructed a Sky Fairy to place it on the table.

—For now, I’m glad the atmosphere is peaceful.

Her heart had been thumping, wondering what she would do if the air was thick with tension.

“Oh, Tiara’s cake? Looks tasty.”

“Keith!”

Seeing Keith acting as blunt and casual as always, TiaraRose breathed a sigh of relief, feeling more certain that the topic wouldn’t be a bad one.

Sky Fairy King Grail

He has a bob-cut that reaches his shoulders, with a gradient from light blue to white. He has the golden eyes of a Fairy King and possesses a calm and gentle personality. Wrapped in loose-fitting garments, he uses the power of the sky to gather information from across the entire country.

Sea Fairy King Pearl

She has beautiful silver-white hair that reaches her waist and the golden eyes of a Fairy King. She looks beautiful dressed in a glamorous, Japanese-style dress. Though she once had a personality that made it hard for her to be honest, she and Grail are now a couple in love.

Forest Fairy King Keith

His deep green hair is grown out to his waist and tied back. His golden eyes hide great power. He has a prideful and spirited personality. He always carries a folding fan at his waist, which he masters for use in combat. He is particularly fond of TiaraRose and has granted her his blessing.

Once the tea was ready, the Fairy King’s tea party began.

The first to speak was the host, Grail. He smiled with such genuine happiness as he uttered something truly extraordinary.

“Pearl and I are thinking of abdicating and passing on our titles to the next generation.”