Chapter 100

Amazingly, it's the 100th episode!

I wonder how far we can continue... It's all thanks to everyone who has supported us. Thank you so much!!

"I'm sorry for involving Lady Tiara Roses in my personal trip home..."

"It's fine, Philine. Don't worry about it?"

"Thank you, Lady Tiara Roses..."

Philine, who had slumped, was met with a smile from Tiara Roses.

Now, they are in a carriage heading to Lapis Lazuli.

Tiara Roses is in the center, with Philine on her left and Akari on her right. On the opposite seat are Aquasteed and Elliot.

"It feels like we're on a trip together! It's so much fun!"

Akari is bouncing around with the energy to make flowers fly, excitedly talking about the delicious sweets shops in Lapis Lazuli.

It's no wonder Tiara Roses got caught up in her enthusiasm.

"I understand it's fun, but if you get too excited from the start, you'll get tired."

When Tiara Roses said this with a wry smile, Akari laughed.

"Oh, Lady Tiara, you're not that old yet!"

"That's true..."

Tiara Roses is nineteen years old, but it's easy to forget that when considering her past life. With the long memory of a previous life, she sometimes thinks like an old person.

At the same time, Tiara Roses envies Akari's constant energy.

***

The journey by carriage went smoothly, and they arrived in Lapis Lazuri without any issues.

Akari returned to the castle, while Tiara Roses and the others headed to the Clamentier family's residence.

As they approached the house, Tiara Roses' father, Schnaus, rushed to the entrance hall before the butler could greet them.

"Tiara, I've missed you so much!!"

"Father, it's been a while. I'm glad to see you well."

"Yes, I'm well, and so is Mother. I'm glad to see that Emperor Aquasteed is also well."

After hugging Tiara Roses, Schnaus greeted Aquasteed.

It might seem odd that he greeted his daughter first, but Schnaus is a devoted father, and Aquasteed finds this endearing.

"Yes, I'm glad to see that the Duke Clamentier is well."

"I'm still in my prime. I can't just rest when the country needs me."

"Lapis Lazuri is safe as long as you're here."

As they exchanged casual conversation, Tiara Roses' mother, Iltiana, appeared from the back. She resembles Tiara Roses and has a gentle, calm demeanor.

"Welcome back, Tiara. Emperor Aquasteed, thank you for making the journey. Please, make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you, Mother."

"It's been a while. I'll be in your care for a short time."

It had been about two years since they last met.

Seeing them both well, Tiara Roses felt relieved.

After the initial greetings, Philine and Elliot entered. They had been arranging the luggage and other preparations.

Schnaus and Iltiana greeted Philine with delight. Having been Tiara Roses' maid since childhood, Philine is as dear to them as a daughter.

"I'm glad to see you well, Philine."

"Welcome back, Philine."

"Master, Mistress, it's been a while. I've been looking forward to seeing you."

Philine smiled and exchanged greetings.

Iltiana approached Philine, looking a bit worried. She knew about the reason for this trip.

"Thank you for your concern, Mistress. Lady Tiara Roses has also been worried... I feel so blessed."

"Both Tiara Roses and I, and of course Schnaus, are on your side. If you have any troubles, please come to us."

"Yes."

Hearing Iltiana's words, Philine's eyes welled up with tears. She felt incredibly grateful to be so cherished.

Next, Elliot greeted them as Aquasteed's aide. Schnaus had met him a few times, but Iltiana had not.

"He's a very serious young man. Emperor Aquasteed has a fine subordinate, and I'm quite envious."

"I'm Iltiana, Tiara Roses' mother. Please, make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you. I'm Elliot, Emperor Aquasteed's aide."

All the greetings were completed in the entrance hall, and Tiara Roses laughed.

Normally, they would be done in the parlor, but this time it couldn't be helped. Schnaus had been so eager to see Tiara Roses that he couldn't wait in the parlor.

The last time Tiara Roses visited Lapis Lazuri, she had planned to come home but couldn't, making Schnaus even more impatient.

Iltiana, finding Schnaus' excitement endearing, gently guided Tiara Roses and the others to their rooms to rest.

"Let's save the fun stories for dinner. You must have some unpacking and preparations to do, so let's show you to your rooms."

"Yes, that sounds good. Can I use my old room?"

"Of course. Your room is always ready for you. Make yourself at home."

The luggage was left for the maids to carry, and Tiara Roses led Aquasteed to her room. Philine and Elliot were given guest rooms to rest in.

Entering her old room after a long time, Tiara Roses looked around.

"What's wrong, Tiara?"

"It feels so nostalgic. Oh, the doll is still there...!"

Seeing the rabbit plushie on the chest, Tiara Roses smiled. It was a birthday gift from her father when she was young, with a red checked ribbon. It was cute, and a bit embarrassing to still have it displayed.

"It's cute. Maybe I should get you a doll when we return?"

"Oh, I'm not a child anymore..."

"Really? If I put it on the bed, you might hug it and sleep, which would be cute."

Tiara Roses blushed at Aquasteed's chuckling comment.

However, Aquasteed quickly added, "But then I wouldn't be able to hug you and sleep."

"Aquasteed! That's...!"

Thinking he was being serious, Tiara Roses was flustered. She fanned her heated cheeks and opened the window. Aquasteed looked at her with a nostalgic expression.

The window Tiara Roses opened led to a balcony.

Before they were engaged, Aquasteed had used this window to meet Tiara Roses. He had shown her the Fairy Star Festival and they had had tea on the balcony. Thinking back, it felt very nostalgic.

"Aquasteed, why don't we have tea together? On the balcony, of course."

"That sounds nice."

Tiara Roses prepared a teapot and went out to the balcony. There was a small table and sofa in a corner, hidden from view from the outside. It was her favorite spot for reading and enjoying snacks.

As they tried to sit on the sofa, a cold breeze blew.

It was winter, and although it wasn't snowing, it was quite cold outside. Tiara Roses looked at Aquasteed, wondering if it was a good idea to have tea outside.

"It's colder than I thought."

Still, they decided to sit on the sofa.

Aquasteed sat next to Tiara Roses, concerned that she might catch a cold from the cold. Her winter dress was somewhat warm, but a coat would be necessary outside. Her breath was visible in the cold air.

Aquasteed took Tiara Roses' hand, frowning at its coldness.

"Your hands are so cold, even though we just came out..."

"Your hands are warm, Aquasteed."

"Maybe it's because I have a high body temperature. My hands and feet don't usually get cold."

Hearing this, Tiara Roses felt a bit envious.

Her feet, especially, were prone to getting cold. She always had to cover them with warm drinks in winter.

So, she often used this as an excuse to touch Aquasteed's warm hands in winter.

"Your hands are so warm, I want to keep touching them."

Tiara Roses smiled, and Aquasteed chuckled, intertwining their fingers and gently playing with her hand.

"Will you stop touching me when your hands warm up?"

"Wh-what...?"

"I don't care about that. I want to touch you all the time."

"~~~!!"

Tiara Roses blushed at Aquasteed's sweet, relentless words.

Of course, she also wanted to touch Aquasteed whenever she wanted and be touched by him.

"I do too! Here I go!!"

"!"

Tiara Roses affirmed Aquasteed's words and dove into his arms, hugging him tightly and feeling his warmth.

--Aquasteed, you're so warm.

She thought she might never want to let go once she experienced this.

--Oh, right. We don't usually hug outside.

They usually stayed in warm rooms, so they rarely did this outside. If they did, it was just holding hands.

"...Aquasteed, you're so warm, I don't want to let go."

"Tiara... I see."

Hearing Tiara Roses' words, Aquasteed almost laughed but held it back. He embraced her, pulling her closer.

He thought, This is warm and nice.

Aquasteed lifted Tiara Roses and placed her on his lap.

"Kyaa! Aquasteed, don't just pick me up like that--"

"..."

Before Tiara Roses could protest, Aquasteed silenced her with a gentle kiss. He kissed her repeatedly, and her shoulders trembled with the small sounds of their lips. They pulled apart slightly, and their eyes met.

Aquasteed's golden eyes looked at Tiara Roses with joy.

When Tiara Roses closed her eyes in embarrassment, their lips met again. Despite the cold air, their breaths were hot.

After a while, Tiara Roses gasped for air.

"Ha... ha... Aquasteed, we're... outside."

"Tiara, you were the one who said you wanted more..."

"That's...!!"

Tiara Roses wanted to say that kissing outside was not appropriate, but her words lacked conviction, and Aquasteed smiled.