10. The Next King and a Small Love

Upon going to the tea room, Philine and Elene were preparing the tea.

“Welcome home, Lady TiaraRose. How was your trip?”

“Welcome home.”

TiaraRose replied “We’re home” to Philine and Elene as the family took their seats.

“It was very pleasant. I bought souvenirs for both of you as well, so please receive them later.”

“Thank you very much.”

In addition to the children and Philine, she had bought gifts for Olivia, Levy, Darrell, and other close friends. Shopping while freely browsing through stores had been a very enjoyable experience.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had Philine’s tea.”

“I was unable to accompany you on your trip, after all. You must still be tired, so please, relax.”

“Thank you.”

Having finished preparing the tea, Philine and Elene withdrew to allow the family some private time together.

“Oh, that’s right—we bought so many souvenirs.”

“Thank you!”

For LuciaRose, a lovely floral hair ornament. For Stillca and Stillio, fountain pens and cloak clasps, among other things. There were also sweets and folk crafts. The amount was easily ten boxes, and LuciaRose and the others giggled, saying, “You bought too much.”

“But I’m glad you like them. Many new confectioneries have opened, so it was a very fun trip.”

“That sounds lovely!”

As TiaraRose was thinking of sharing more travel stories, a bombshell statement flew out from LuciaRose with only a light preamble.

“Mother, we have decided among ourselves who the next King will be!”

“Eh!?”

TiaraRose was left speechless by the suddenness of the remark. Aquasteed, however, remained calm.

“Did the three of you decide together?”

“Yes.”

At Aquasteed’s question, LuciaRose, Stillca, and Stillio all nodded.

—I wonder which of the three they chose?

Since LuciaRose was the one announcing it, was it her? Or was it either Stillca or Stillio?

—No matter which one becomes King, it wouldn’t be strange as a possibility.

While TiaraRose was pondering, Aquasteed looked at each of the three in turn.

“Did you reach this conclusion through discussion?”

Stillio was the one who answered that question.

“We did discuss it. …However, it wasn’t about who was most ‘worthy’ to be the next King or anything like that. I believe it is the result of each of us considering what our own role should be.”

“That’s right. People have things they are suited for and things they aren’t. We understood that well while looking after things by ourselves this time. Right, Luca, Rio?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s true.”

Stillca and Stillio nodded at LuciaRose’s words.

“I see. It sounds like you had a good discussion.”

“Yes!”

LuciaRose nodded proudly at Aquasteed’s words. Her energetic reply made it clear that all the siblings were in agreement. Then, LuciaRose shared her feelings with TiaraRose and the others.

“Truthfully, I wanted to be a Knight-King like the ones in the stories. However, I was unsuited for it. I realized this poignantly while doing the work while Mother and Father were away on the trip!”

“…I see. Realizing that was also an important step for you, Lucia.”

“Yes.”

She could do the work, but there are things one is suited for and things one is not. It was easy to imagine how she had thought about it seriously and told Stillca and Stillio in her own words what kind of person she wanted to be.

If it wasn’t LuciaRose, then the next King would be either Stillca or Stillio.

—I wonder which one was decided as the King. TiaraRose watched Stillca and Stillio with a thumping heart. Then, Stillca and Stillio both stood up and knelt on the spot.

“His Majesty Aquasteed, would you please entrust the next kingship to me and Rio?”

“We thought that the two of us, Luca and I, would like to support this country together.”

To become Kings together—the eyes of Stillca and Stillio as they clearly stated this held a strong will unlike anything seen before. It was clear they had made their decision.

Until now, there had been no instance in history of there being two Kings. Normally, a King is one person. With two at the top, it is difficult to reach a conclusion when opinions are split, and if factions were to form, there might be movements to decide who the “true” King is. It is important to avoid such things.

However, the clever Stillca surely understood that already. He likely reached the conclusion to become Kings as a pair even after taking that into account.

—Come to think of it, Keith also said it would be good to make them both Kings.

TiaraRose, suddenly remembering Keith’s words, realized he had seen through everything since then. Perhaps it really was the fate of those with golden eyes to become King.

Aquasteed looked at Stillca and Stillio slowly and closed his eyes as if deep in thought. TiaraRose stood beside him, watching the scene.

…TiaraRose herself had no objection to Stillca and Stillio becoming Kings. She would simply follow the conclusion Aquasteed reached.

Surely now, Aquasteed was considering and imagining the merits, demerits, and the thorny path that having two Kings would entail. Because it was important, thinking was necessary. However… TiaraRose thought. Knowing Aquasteed, this future must have been one of the scenarios he had anticipated. He was always considering the future, concerned for his children’s paths.

Having reached a conclusion, Aquasteed opened his eyes.

“There is no precedent for having two Kings. You may be told many things by the nobles of Marineforest, but even so, you have decided that you can and will do it. If that is the case, I will not stop you. Because I believe that the two of you together can overcome any difficulty.”

“—Father!”

Hearing Aquasteed’s words, the tense expressions on Stillca and Stillio’s faces broke into looks of relief. Perhaps they had feared they might be rejected.

TiaraRose showed a smile to reassure the two.

“Congratulations, both of you. You shall be the next Kings of this country.”

“I won’t be handing it over immediately, but I’m already looking forward to seeing the Marineforest the two of you create.”

Saying this, TiaraRose and Aquasteed hugged Stillca and Stillio tightly. Seeing this, LuciaRose cried, “I’ll support the two of you, too!” and hugged them even tighter.

The Marineforest of Stillca and Stillio that would one day begin would surely be a fine country with LuciaRose’s cooperation. TiaraRose smiled, already looking forward to that day.

“Now then, I have one more thing to discuss.”

Aquasteed spoke after taking a breath and a sip of tea. His gaze was fixed on LuciaRose.

“Me?”

LuciaRose, who had apparently not expected this at all, blinked her large eyes in surprise. It seemed she hadn’t thought there would be anything to discuss with her. Seeing her begin to get nervous, Aquasteed laughed, “You don’t need to be so stiff.”

“However, this is something that greatly concerns your future, Lucia. I want you to think carefully and decide.”

“…Yes.”

At Aquasteed’s words, LuciaRose’s tension rose even higher. As she watched him nervously, he took out a sealed letter and placed it on the table.

“This is…?”

As LuciaRose picked it up, Aquasteed explained.

“It is a marriage proposal for Lucia from His Highness Haruka of the Lapis Lazuli Kingdom.”

“Eh!? An engagement for me!? From Haruka!?”

<The Princess is finally getting married, eh…>

“Grimo!!”

In an instant, LuciaRose’s cheeks turned bright red. Seeing that, TiaraRose felt a heartwarming sense that their feelings had been mutual. The flustered LuciaRose was very cute. Watching her, Aquasteed’s expression also softened.

“Lucia, you have been corresponding with Prince Haruka for a long time, haven’t you? You are both at an age where it is fine to marry, and you can take a few years for an engagement period. If it is what you decide, I will not object.”

“E-Eh, well…”

Though she felt happy, it was so sudden that LuciaRose didn’t seem to know how to respond. Her eyes darted around, and she wore a somewhat troubled expression.

TiaraRose stepped in to follow up.

“Lucia, you don’t have to give an answer right this moment, you know? You’ll need time to think it over slowly by yourself.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

LuciaRose thanked her with a bashful face, but then immediately spoke up.

“It’s not as if I dislike Haruka. It’s just, it’s just…”

“Is there some concern? If it’s something we can resolve, we will of course consult with you.”

TiaraRose and Aquasteed were on LuciaRose’s side. No matter what choice their daughter made, they intended to be her strength. Then, LuciaRose fidgeted with her fingers as she confessed her feelings.

“I love Marineforest dearly. We were just talking about the next Kings, too. I wanted to contribute to this country as a knight and help Luca and Rio. So, while I like Haruka… I can’t really imagine marrying into another country.”

At LuciaRose’s adorable thought, Aquasteed made a proposal.

“How about having Prince Haruka come here as your husband (muko)?”

“Aqua!?”

Not expecting such a suggestion, TiaraRose and LuciaRose both cried out in surprise. Stillca and Stillio, listening in, stifled their laughter at Aquasteed’s “doting parent” side.

However, the person who jumped onto Aquasteed’s proposal first was the one concerned: LuciaRose.

“Father, that’s a brilliant idea! If Haruka comes here as my husband, I won’t have to leave Marineforest, and I can spend my time here as a knight. I wonder if he would come as my husband… could we send that as my reply?”

“Lucia, are you really sure about that!?”

TiaraRose hurriedly called for a halt.

“Prince Haruka might turn you down, you know. Wouldn’t it be better to send a letter of consultation first?”

She thought it would be a disaster if the two, who clearly liked each other, reached a stalemate over the point of who would move where. She felt it would be better to confirm each other’s feelings and coordinate first… that way, they could find common ground. If it didn’t go well, it would be a pity for LuciaRose, but also for Haruka, who had proposed the engagement. They are royalty, and the future of their respective countries is at stake. It is difficult to marry on feelings alone, so such behind-the-scenes preparations are necessary.

However, LuciaRose shook her head slowly.

“I have decided to support Luca and Rio. I’m sure Haruka will understand that.”

“Lucia…”

It appeared LuciaRose’s will was firm.

“Very well. Then, Aqua and I will inquire with Lady Akari and the others while giving our reply. That much should be fine, right, Aqua?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you, Mother, Father.”

Regarding the engagement of LuciaRose and Haruka, it was decided to reply by sounding out Akari and the others to see if he could come to Marineforest as a husband.

End of 220