2. Busy Days

“—The abdication of the Fairy Kings!?”

TiaraRose accidentally raised her voice. She hurriedly covered her mouth, but Keith was beside her, chuckling.

It was no wonder TiaraRose was so surprised by such unexpected content, as she had headed there in fear and trepidation, wondering what kind of topic would be raised. Pearl, while appearing bashful, explained to the startled TiaraRose.

“Well… Grail and I have decided to take it easy. We shall leave the role of Fairy King to the next generation.”

“Once we hand it over to our successors, I’m thinking of going on a honeymoon with Pearl.”

“Grail! Do not say such embarrassing things!”

“Even just being embarrassed like that makes you cute, Pearl.”

“Uguu…”

Watching the exchange between the two, TiaraRose simply blinked in amazement.

—In other words, because they are getting married, they are retiring as Fairy Kings… right?

The abdication was a shock, but TiaraRose’s expression softened, realizing it was very happy news.

“Good grief, you call a sudden tea party and I wonder what happened… Have the new Fairy Kings been decided yet?”

It seemed Keith hadn’t known either. As he let out a weary sigh, Grail shook his head.

“No, not yet. We intend to entrust it to exceptional individuals from the Sky Fairies and Sea Fairies respectively.”

“We are currently in the process of selection.”

It appeared the abdication of the Fairy Kings was not something that would happen immediately. Certainly, choosing a new Fairy King is not something that can be decided easily. It was only natural that it would take time.

TiaraRose was genuinely happy that Grail and Pearl were getting married. However, she also felt it would be lonely if they stepped down from their thrones right away.

At the same time, she felt a flicker of anxiety.

The two who had supported this country as Fairy Kings until now were stepping down at the same time. Even if they chose excellent successors, it didn’t change the fact that two “rookie” Fairy Kings would be born.

—I also struggled quite a bit when I first became the Candy Fairy King.

Surely the new Sky and Sea Fairy Kings would face many difficulties. TiaraRose thought she would be there to help them when the time came. As she was thinking this, Keith spoke up. “What’s wrong? You’ve got a complicated look on your face.”

“Since I will be a ‘senior’ Fairy King, I was thinking I’d like to be of help to those who become the new Kings.”

“You’ve only been a Fairy King for a few years and you’re already a senior? …But you’re right. Their relationship certainly progressed rapidly over these last ten years.”

When TiaraRose first came to Marineforest, Grail and Pearl were constantly at odds. From an outsider’s perspective, it was obvious they loved each other, but the two involved hadn’t realized it. Back then, TiaraRose had wanted to tell them “The two of you actually love each other!” so many times.

“…This might be another one of your influences.”

“Eh…?”

TiaraRose’s heart jumped at Keith’s words.

She had been reincarnated into this world as a villainess, was supposed to have her engagement broken, and meet a bad end—. That’s how it should have been, but she was proposed to by Aquasteed and came to the Marineforest Kingdom. This path was different from the original game and was not something TiaraRose had intentionally set in motion. However, for TiaraRose, it was a very happy ending.

“If my existence led to Lady Pearl and Lord Grail being united, then I am very happy.”

When TiaraRose offered her heartfelt congratulations, a blushing Pearl turned away with a huff. She seemed terribly embarrassed. Grail gazed at Pearl affectionately, which only added to her embarrassment as she cried out, “Do not look at me!”

As for Keith, he let out a long sigh and shrugged his shoulders at the spectacle.

And later, the respective Fairy Kings were selected.

Around the time Elliot had finally managed to finish processing the marriage proposal documents, something happened while TiaraRose was relaxing alone in her room.

“TiaraRose-sama, I’ve come to play~! Look, Haruka. Say hello.”

“…………”

The one who arrived unannounced with her son was Akari, and behind her was her son, Haruka. She constantly arrived without notice, causing trouble for TiaraRose and Hartknights alike.

—But perhaps it’s better this time since she at least came by carriage.

TiaraRose thought this as she faced the suddenly appearing Akari. Akari was the type of person who would gallop over on horseback just because she wanted to see someone sooner. Though now that she had her son Haruka with her, she likely wouldn’t do anything that reckless.

Akari Lapis Lazuli Lactemoot

The heroine of the otome game “The Ring of Lapis Lazuli.” She has beautiful waist-length black hair and bright black eyes. A girl who one day suddenly transported from Japan to this world and became the heroine—. She is now married to the main capture target, Hartknights, has been blessed with a son named Haruka, and lives in the Royal Castle of the Lapis Lazuli Kingdom.

Haruka Lapis Lazuli Lactemoot

Hiding behind her was her son. He has black hair inherited from Akari with a gentle wave, and bright blue eyes inherited from Hartknights. He seems somewhat shy; the way he fidgets while hiding behind Akari is adorable. He is quite a contrast to his mother.

“Akari-sama, have I not told you many times to contact me before you come?”

TiaraRose spoke while feeling like letting out a weary sigh, but Akari remained carefree.

“Now, now, isn’t it fine? Come, Haruka. Your greeting?”

At Akari’s urging, Haruka timidly took a step forward from behind her and gave a polite little bow.

“I am Haruka Lapis Lazuli Lactemoot. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“That was a very good greeting. I am TiaraRose Lapis Marineforest. Nice to meet you, Haruka-kun.”

“…Yes!”

When TiaraRose replied with a smile, Haruka also showed a happy smile.

“…For now, I suppose I must prepare a room for Akari-sama and the others.”

She took the bell on the table and rang it, and Philine arrived immediately.

“Did you call, TiaraRose-sama—Akari-sama!?”

“…She arrived suddenly again.”

TiaraRose could only give a wry smile to the shocked Philine. In the first place, she wondered how Akari managed to get all the way to TiaraRose’s private room without any guidance. Likely the castle staff knew Akari so well that they didn’t say anything. After all, Akari was TiaraRose’s best friend.

Philine Coralsia

TiaraRose’s maid. She is married to Aquasteed’s aide, Elliot, and is now a mother of three. She has been TiaraRose’s maid for a long time, and it is no exaggeration to say she is the woman TiaraRose trusts most.

“Philine, could you prepare a guest room?”

“Of course, my Lady.”

Philine bowed and immediately went to make preparations.

“By the way, Akari-sama, did you properly tell Prince Hartknights that you were coming here?”

When TiaraRose asked about this worrying factor, Akari laughed. “Of course I did!”

If that “of course” could be trusted, there wouldn’t be any trouble. TiaraRose let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Still, arriving so suddenly this time as well… did something happen?”

When TiaraRose asked for the reason for the visit, Akari laughed cheerfully and said something suggestive: “I just thought it was about time~!”

—About time?

A grinning Akari looked as though she was so happy about what she was thinking that she couldn’t contain it. What on earth was she planning? From that smile, TiaraRose didn’t have a very good feeling.

She had been given a riddle-like answer. That said, there were no important matters between the two countries right now, nor were there any anniversaries. TiaraRose racked her brain but couldn’t think of anything.

Then, unable to wait any longer, Akari blurted out the answer.

“I thought it was about time Haruka and Lucia-chan got engaged, so I brought Haruka with me!”

“……!”

At Akari’s completely unexpected words, TiaraRose was both shocked and slumped her shoulders in exasperation. No one would ever imagine someone showing up suddenly with the boy in person to propose an engagement. Normally, one would start with a formal written proposal, but it seemed such common sense didn’t apply to Akari.

Rather…

“Akari-sama. You mentioned engaging them before, but did I not turn you down then? Lucia is ten years old now, but I still think it’s too early to give her a fiancé, and I want to cherish her feelings. Surely it’s the same for Haruka-kun, isn’t it?”

When TiaraRose replied strictly, Akari made a face as if she’d been hit where it hurts.

“Furthermore, does Prince Hartknights know the reason for this visit?”

At this, Akari looked even more like she’d been hit in a sore spot. It seemed she had told him she was going to Marineforest, but hadn’t mentioned she was going to discuss an engagement between LuciaRose and Haruka.

“No matter how close we are, Akari-sama, I don’t think it’s good to proceed with an engagement without Prince Hartknights’ permission, you know?”

As TiaraRose rebuked her, Akari’s eyebrows slumped down.

“Uu—, but I think it’s a great idea! I mean, think about it—the children of the heroine and the villainess getting engaged, and then married! There’s nothing more dreamy than that, right? Is there anything else!?”

“The child’s will comes first. If the two became close, fell in love, and wanted to be together, even I wouldn’t object… but it’s not that time yet, is it?”

“Well, that’s true. But, but! For them to be in the ‘childhood friend’ position, the distance is just a little too far.”

Marineforest and Lapis Lazuli are several days apart by carriage. Therefore, it wasn’t easy for Akari or Haruka to visit casually.

“Lucia is participating in the knight order’s training, so why don’t you start by going to see how she’s doing?”

“That’s a great idea! All right, Haruka, let’s go see Lucia-chan~!”

And with that, Akari took Haruka and vanished in the blink of an eye—.