7. A Pleasant Moment

“That is all of what Keith told me.”

“I see.”

Immediately upon returning to the Royal Castle, TiaraRose reported the previous events to Aquasteed. They were in Aquasteed’s private room, and no attendants were present. Since she was conveying information from the Fairy King Keith, she first passed the word only to Aquasteed. Sitting side by side on the sofa, she felt a momentary sense of relief that the explanation was finished.

TiaraRose spoke of the wavering of the border barrier and that it was caused by the power of Stillca and Stillio. However, she noted that there was no need for an immediate generation change, and Keith had mentioned that Stillca and Stillio did not necessarily have to become Kings by force. TiaraRose was relieved that there was no need to rush matters in that regard.

“But… I see. Of course, I had considered eventually handing over the throne, but hearing it from someone else makes it feel real.”

“True. All three are still young, so it’s far too early for Aqua to hand over the throne and retire.”

As TiaraRose giggled, Aquasteed laughed as well, saying, “That’s also true.”

“But, you know…”

Aquasteed looked at TiaraRose as if he had just thought of something.

“Aqua?”

“It’s not for right away, but once the children can be entrusted with a certain amount of domestic administration, shall the two of us go on a trip?”

“Really!? I’m so happy.”

Until now, when they spoke of traveling, it usually meant going to TiaraRose’s homeland, the Lapis Lazuli Kingdom. Most of the time, it was combined with other business, so there wasn’t much of an atmosphere of the two of them traveling slowly and alone together. If they could entrust things to the children to some extent, they would be able to take more time to spend just with each other.

“I feel bad that it might be a burden on the children, but I’m happy to be able to travel alone with you, Aqua.”

“Having said that, it’s still a long way off.”

“Yes. But a trip for just the two of us… I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yeah.”

At TiaraRose’s honest words, Aquasteed’s face was nothing but smiles. Seeing Aquasteed like that, it was impossible for TiaraRose’s heart not to skip a beat.

—I know he’s looking forward to a trip with me, but…

“That sweet smile is a foul.”

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, TiaraRose softly leaned against Aquasteed’s shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

“It can’t be helped, can it? Truthfully, I want to monopolize Tiara even more. I almost feel that this status of mine is an obstacle.”

“Oh, Aqua…”

“Of course, I have no intention of abandoning it. Besides, without this status, I wouldn’t have been a match for Tiara.”

Aquasteed said that although his position as the former Crown Prince made him very busy, he was grateful for it. His hand reached toward TiaraRose’s cheek, stroking it gently. Aquasteed’s warm hand was comforting and very calming. When TiaraRose unconsciously leaned into his touch, Aquasteed’s face drew closer.

“Ah…, mm.”

TiaraRose yielded herself to the gentle kiss. When she was with Aquasteed, any anxiety she had would vanish in an instant.

“Aqua…”

“Hmm?”

When TiaraRose called his name as if coaxing him, Aquasteed gave a soft, amused smile.

—Uu, he’s being mean.

Aquasteed likely wanted TiaraRose to say “more.” Because he knew that his wife, who sought him out, was absolutely adorable.

—I’m embarrassed too, you know.

However, she loved kissing Aquasteed. Just as TiaraRose was hesitating but about to open her mouth—

“Lady TiaraRose, how did it go!?”

“Were you able to get confirmation from Lord Keith!?”

Sizulia and Percy appeared via teleportation.

“—!”

Because it was so sudden, TiaraRose and Aquasteed had been right on the verge of a kiss. Seeing this, Sizulia’s face turned bright red. “Ah…!”

“M-my apologies, I… arriving at such a lewd moment…”

“Watch your phrasing…”

Percy calmly interjected at Sizulia’s “lewd” comment. TiaraRose hurriedly stood up and tried to maintain her composure, saying, “It’s alright, don’t worry,” but her face was just as bright red as Sizulia’s.

Though it was awkward, she was able to convey to the two of them that there was no problem and the reason behind what had happened.

“Aah, it’s raining today.”

LuciaRose looked out the window of her room and let out a small sigh. She had intended to go out since morning and train with the knights. That plan was now ruined.

<Beneficial rain is a good thing too, you know?>

The one who spoke to LuciaRose while watching her was the magic book hanging at her waist—Grimoire.

<Princess, why don’t you at least read a book on a rainy day?>

Grimoire couldn’t help but say such a thing to its master, who did nothing but train. LuciaRose puffed out her cheeks.

“Eeh. I like moving my body more than reading books. Reading books is tiring and makes me sleepy right away.”

<I know… the teachers always have a hard time with you.>

There was no problem with her motivation regarding training, but the teachers who taught LuciaRose her studies seemed to be struggling quite a bit. Grimoire, who always watched the situation from nearby, let out a sigh even larger than the one LuciaRose had given earlier. Grimoire thought that its master needed at least a bit of independent study. However, forcing her to study would be meaningless.

—Ah, right. How about having her read a book related to knights?

Grimoire figured that if it were a book where a knight protagonist was active, LuciaRose might enjoy reading it.

—Come to think of it, I heard there’s a book trending lately.

Since Grimoire was always acting alongside LuciaRose, rumors from people within the Royal Castle also reached its ears.

<What was the title of that interesting book the maids were talking about? Ah, I remember. “The Adventures of August the Knight-King.” Princess, why don’t you try reading a book about a Knight-King? it might serve as a reference for the future.>

“A book about a knight? In that case, I might be able to read it!”

LuciaRose nodded deeply and agreed to read the book. Seeing her head immediately toward the Royal Castle’s library, Grimoire breathed a sigh of relief.

“Equipping a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left, August pushed forward even through the dragon’s breath of fire to save the captive princess. After a hot, strong, and intense battle, August was able to defeat the dragon. Afterward, the two were united, and later August became the King of the princess’s country—the Knight-King. And they lived happily ever after.”

After uttering the closing words, Stillca snapped the book shut.

“Waaah! Thank you, Luca-sama!”

“Luca, you’re really good at reading books!”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could make you happy, Elene.”

The one Stillca was reading to was Elene, the youngest child of Philine and Elliot. Philine had brought her to the Royal Castle today, and Stillca and Stillio had offered to be Elene’s playmates. Currently, Stillca was reading the book while Stillio and Elene listened.

Five-year-old Elene was curious about many things; she loved playing outside, and she also loved playing by reading books inside a room like this. The quiet Elene was like a cute younger sister to Stillca and Stillio, and they couldn’t help but dote on and spoil her. That said, Stillca and Stillio were still only eight years old. From the perspective of the adults watching over them, the sight of them playing together harmoniously was very heartwarming.

Stillca closed the book The Adventures of August the Knight-King and spoke to Stillio. “They say this is popular.”

“It was fun, but honestly, isn’t it impossible to block a dragon’s fire with a shield?”

“That’s true. But maybe it’s a magic shield.”

“That would be cool!”

There was no specific description of the shield in the work, but a magic shield that repels fire was something that tickled a boy’s heart. Stillio’s face lit up instantly. “I want one too!”

“If I had such an amazing shield, I could protect everyone!”

“In that case, I’ll make one for you someday.”

“Really? Yay!”

Stillio beamed at Stillca’s suggestion. The two were twins, but Stillca liked reading books, while Stillio preferred moving his body and practicing swordplay. They were almost complete opposites, but they had built a close relationship where they complemented what the other lacked. To put it another way, there was surely nothing the two of them together couldn’t do.

“Alright, Elene. What should we do next? Read a different book? Or draw pictures?”

When Stillca asked, Elene pondered for a moment before begging for a different book: “Read a storybook!”

“Sure, leave it to me.”

“Luca, I’ll read the next one.”

“Okay.”

Not wanting to let his brother have all the best moments, Stillio chose a book from the shelf. He couldn’t read things as difficult as Stillca could, but if it was something Elene could enjoy, it was plenty.

“Alright, let’s go with this!”

What Stillio chose was a candy fairy’s candy picture book. It was a popular series for children with riddle elements, asking “Do you know this sweet?”

“Waa, I like this one!”

Since Elene’s eyes sparkled, it seemed Stillio’s choice was correct.

“I’ll probably be hungry by the time we finish reading.”

“In that case, we have to prepare snacks!”

While the three of them talked about such things, the pleasant time passed by.

End of 217