The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom (悪役令嬢は隣国の王太子に溺愛される)

So you are Tiararose?

It is an honor to meet you, Forest Fairy King.

You may call me Keith.

The forest fairies seem to have taken quite a liking to you.

I am grateful and delighted to have their favor.

Lift your head.

Interesting.

Tiara, your soul is most unusual.

The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom

Tiara in the Sleeping Forest

It's a very unstable soul, but also beautiful.

And it smells very nice.

King Keith...

Perhaps this is what you smell.

No "King" needed. Simply call me Keith.

But...

Do it.

A-All right...

What an egotistical fairy king!

I see. Cookies, eh?

Oh? These contain your magic, I see.

Oh, yes. It's not strong magic,

but I'm able to put it into the sweets I make.

Either way, they're quite good.

King Kei—

Keith.

I'm glad you like them, Keith.

Good.

Unlike humans, fairies are free, you know.

We go by whatever name we like.

So it seems.

I wish I could live like a fairy, as well.

What's this? Is something troubling you?

No.

Humans have many things that tie them down.

I was just thinking about how difficult that is.

Relax.

If anything ever happens, I'll be your strength.

Thank you.

Thank you for making time to meet with me today.

I should be thanking you. You're always the one helping me out.

Oh, not at all.

Come to think of it, it's unusual for you to turn to Lady Icilla

for matters unrelated to work.

I'm referring to the hair accessory.

I want to give Tiara the best there is, after all.

You were even up all night coming up with a design yourself.

You knew about that?

I am your attendant.

I envy Lady Tiararose.

The man she loves is so genuinely fond of her.

Your Highness, it's Tarmo.

Enter.

Pardon me.

What is it? Where's Tiara?

So you are a future queen, then?

That isn't set in stone yet.

I'm only the prince's fiancée.

Humans are always so difficult.

He's the future king, isn't he? What's he like?

Yes. Prince Aquasteed is very kind

and has the unwavering support of his people.

He's a far more wonderful man than I deserve.

Wait, what time is it?!

I-I need to go back!

Where is the exit?

I'll take you there.

Huh?

My... room?

Leave it to a fairy king.

He used that difficult teleportation spell so easily.

Tiara!

Who are you?!

Get away from Tiara!

You must be Aquasteed.

I'd be a better match for you than this guy.

Please stop that, Fairy King!

A fairy king?!

I had no idea you were a fairy king.

I apologize for lifting my blade against you.

Very well. I forgive you.

I'm in a good mood right now.

But Tiararose is my fiancée.

Getting so close to her

seems an undignified thing for a fairy king to do.

Well, look at that. He sure loves you a lot, Tiara.

It's what you did that caused his misunderstanding, Keith!

No matter.

I'll take my leave for today.

If life gets too hard for you, call me anytime.

I'll help you as thanks for the cookies.

Keith...

U-Um...

Um, I...

Tarmo told me.

The forest fairies took you away, right?

Y-Yes! I'm so sorry for making you worry!

I wouldn't get angry with you over that.

No, he's definitely angry.

Do you think I'm angry, Tiara?

Honestly... I'm so jealous.

P-Prince Aqua...

That's why I'm angry, you know.

The name.

Name? Prince Aqua...

I called the fairy king "Keith" without any title.

Is Prince Aqua saying he wants me to do the same with him?

But is that even allowed?

Maybe when it's just the two of us...

A-Aqua.

Right answer.

You did very well.

Thank you, ma'am.

Well, that will be all for today.

Oh! Prince Aquasteed!

It looks like you're done.

Yes. Lady Tiararose is such a brilliant student

that she completed six months' worth of work in one month.

All that remains is one week of lectures on fairies, and we're finished.

I see. You're so brilliant, Tiara.

Thank you! I'll study my hardest!

By the way, do you have some time after this?

What? Me?

Yes. I want you to see my work up close and understand it.

But I'm only your fiancée.

I have little knowledge of your kingdom's affairs.

Not a problem.

Even as queen, you aren't likely to have much involvement in my work,

but knowing about it isn't a bad thing.

Understood.

I'll do my best to be useful to you, Prince Aqua.

You've been working too hard every evening.

May I suggest you stop for tonight and rest?

There's nothing I can do to be useful to Prince Aqua yet.

But you've been working more than hard enough.

Still, I had no idea

that Lady Icilla was so frequently in his office, even if only for work.

Lady Icilla is only fourteen,

yet she already does such diligent work.

How can I be useful to him?

Oh, it smells lovely!

I'm sure your magic sweets will relieve the prince's exhaustion.

Thank you. I'll try my best.

Morning, Tiara!

You're making sweets?

You can have these!

Oh, nuts and flowers?

Philine, open your mouth.

These flowers from the forest fairies are edible.

It's delicious! It has its own natural sweetness and isn't bitter at all!

Right?

Wow, you baked this for us, Tiara?

Yes.

Since you two are working so hard, I wanted you to have it.

I'm happy you thought of us.

Let's take a short break.

All right.

You always make such delicious sweets, Tiara.

It tastes wonderful!