Little Pink Starfish

“Haha… No, my apologies. But… to think that the two of you, who always maintain such composed expressions, would argue so openly in front of me… haha.”
“Your Majesty!”
“……”

Queen Angela glared at King Augustin with indignation, while Geoffrey looked somewhat irritated as he cast his eyes downward.

“…Well, isn’t it fine? The only ones present here are knights who have sworn loyalty to the royal family of Dias. Rather, it seems most of them are now desperately trying to erase their presence, as if they heard nothing at all.”

Indeed, as Asher glanced around, he saw that nearly all the knights, even Ward, seemed to be doing their best to fade into the background, as if declaring, I am not here. I heard nothing.
The only exception was Theodore, who remained completely unfazed, making him stand out all the more.

“…Geoffrey is right. If we do not communicate, we will only create misunderstandings, as we have seen today, Angela.”
“……”
“I have realized something important. If we do not speak openly, we will never truly understand what the other is thinking or desiring.”

Saying this, King Augustin slowly turned his gaze to Asher.
His expression was gentle, just as it had been before.

“I have told him already, but I will say it again—Asher will never become king. He does not wish for it, and forcing him into it against his will is meaningless. Do you truly wish to make him king that much?”
“I…”
“…It is time to stop being bound by and manipulated by the past.”

At those words, Queen Angela’s eyes widened slightly.

“The royal family’s dinner table was originally meant as a time for the royal family to converse—to discuss how to guide the nation toward prosperity. And yet, what has it become? We quarrel, remain silent, and refuse to communicate… I, too, am guilty of this.”
“Your Majesty…”
“We need to talk, Angela. Even if it is just little by little.”

King Augustin’s voice was calm.
Queen Angela, as well as everyone else, looked at him in surprise.

“I am not telling you to love one another. But at the very least, try to understand each other, even if just a little. I will also make the effort.”

Silence fell over the room.

The truth was, none of them truly knew each other’s thoughts or desires.
It was precisely because they did not know that misunderstandings arose.
And those misunderstandings, when left unresolved, would turn into doubt… and eventually into hatred.
They had already seen firsthand what such a cycle could lead to.

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Queen Angela’s soft murmur broke the silence.
She nodded, gazing intently at King Augustin.
Her eyes still held traces of uncertainty, but there was also a quiet acceptance.

Father said that Mother loved Lord Fred… but…

No matter what had happened in the past, Asher realized that there must be something between his parents—something that only the two of them understood.
Perhaps it was not love. But even if it was something different, there was still a connection between them.

Otherwise, Queen Angela—who had refused to see anyone—would not have accepted King Augustin’s visits.
And King Augustin would not have continued to visit her day after day.

It had been King Augustin himself who had helped Queen Angela emerge from her isolation.

Asher lowered his gaze slightly and smiled.
Noticing this, Noah looked up at him with shining eyes.
Seeing Asher’s gentle smile up close, Noah’s own face lit up, and he clung to him even tighter.

“N-Noah… um…”
“Noah, return to your seat!”

Geoffrey called out, but Noah stubbornly shook his head, refusing to let go of Asher.

Then, without warning, Samuel forcefully pried Noah away with a smile.

“Eh?”
“Wah! A-Asher-niisama! Samuel-niisama, let go!”

Noah flailed his arms and pouted, tears welling up in his eyes. But Samuel, still smiling, simply said:

“That’s enough, Noah.”
“But I want to sit on Asher-niisama’s lap… uu…”
“Strange… You’ve been crying a lot lately, always clinging to Asher.”
“Samuel-niiue, it’s not like that. Noah’s just being affectionate…”
“…niisama.”
“Huh?”
“You agreed to call me ‘niisama’ earlier, did you not?”
“Ah… y-yes, Samuel-niisama…”

Samuel’s smile was terrifying.

“Hugo, keep him seated properly beside you.”

Holding Noah firmly, Samuel carried him to the opposite side of the table. Noah squirmed in protest, but despite his struggle, he surprisingly didn’t shed any tears.

“Let go! Samuel-niisama! I want to sit on Asher-niisama’s lap!”
“Stop being so selfish.”
“…Noah, you’re being a pain. Just sit properly. Want to sit on my lap instead?”
“No! Hugo-niisama’s lap is too hard! I want Asher-niisama’s soft, fluffy lap!”
“What?! Who are you calling hard!? Stop whining!”
“Noah, I permit you to sit on Hugo’s hard lap as much as you like.”
“Sam! What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”
“All three of you, calm down!”

The children’s bickering filled the room, while King Augustin chuckled once more.

“A royal family dinner this lively… is truly unheard of. But perhaps… this is for the better.”

His quiet words were drowned out by the commotion.
However, sitting beside him, Queen Angela and Geoffrey both heard him clearly.

---

Once things had settled, everyone resumed their meal.
Yet, even as he ate, Asher remained tense.

He could feel Samuel’s gaze on him.
Even though Samuel was not directly looking at him, Asher could sense it, making his skin crawl.

After everything that just happened… I can’t even turn my head. What if our eyes meet…? I’m scared…

Asher focused on finishing his meal as quickly as possible, hoping to avoid any further trouble.

But then, King Augustin suddenly spoke.

“By the way, Samuel, have you informed Asher?”

Hearing his name mentioned alongside the person he was most wary of, Asher stiffened.

“I attempted to, but Asher left before we could get to the main topic…”
“Huh?”
“I summoned you earlier, remember?”

Samuel chuckled and patted Asher’s head.
Hugo watched him suspiciously, while Noah glared at him in open displeasure.

“I see. Then I shall explain. Angela, this is something you were not informed of either. Asher, many marriage proposals have been flooding in for you.”
“Eh?!”

Clatter.

The sound of utensils dropping echoed through the hall.

“W-Why…?”
“…It’s only natural.”
“M-Mother?!”

Unlike Asher, who was utterly shocked, Queen Angela let out a sigh, as if it was expected.

“But… I lost my right to the throne!”

Hugo smirked and said,

“Well, your face has always been famous. Most of the proposals are from men, I’d guess. A prince known for his beauty, no longer tied to the throne—of course people would jump at the chance to marry you.”
“There are some proposals from women as well, but as Hugo said, many are from foreign princes and nobles.”
“…Marriage…”

Asher felt the blood drain from his face.

He had feared this might happen, but to hear it confirmed was overwhelming.

“I… I don’t want to be engaged to anyone.”
“That may be so, but eventually, you will have to marry. Or… do you already have someone in mind?”

At that, Asher froze.

What would happen if he admitted that he loved Theodore?

“Theo—”

“Asher will not marry anyone, Father.”

Samuel’s sudden declaration made everyone in the room turn to him in shock.

Even King Augustin narrowed his eyes and asked,

“…Why, Samuel?”

Samuel grabbed Asher’s shoulders and pulled him close.

“Asher will go to the temple. He should be treated as the divine being he is.”

“WHAT?!”

Queen Angela shot to her feet, slamming her hands on the table as she shouted.

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”
“Why are you angry? It is only natural. Asher cannot become king. That much is obvious. A being so close to the divine should not be involved in mortal politics.”
“This is absurd! What kind of foolishness—”
“Then would you rather send Asher to marry into another kingdom? You, more than anyone, should know what happens to those who are forced into unwanted marriages.”
“Samuel!!”

King Augustin’s voice rang through the hall, laced with anger.

“Sending Asher to another kingdom in marriage is out of the question. I have already sent word to High Priest Reachalf of the Fanaara temple.”

At those words, Hugo choked on his drink, coughing violently as he pounded his chest.
Queen Angela trembled with rage.

“How dare you make such decisions on your own?!”
“Why do you not understand? To wed off such a sacred existence to another kingdom would be blasphemy.”
“You’ve lost your mind, Samuel! Unhand my son at once!”

Samuel’s grip on Asher tightened as he pulled him to his feet, wrapping an arm firmly around his waist.

“Losing my mind? Hardly. I am perfectly sane. There is no one in this world greater than Asher. I love him.”
“Wh—ah…!”

Samuel’s grip was strong, forcing Asher up from his seat.

“He is a being loved by the divine. That is what Asher is.”

The room fell deathly silent.
Even King Augustin seemed stunned, as if he had never expected Samuel to make such a declaration.

With a look of pure adoration, Samuel gently touched Asher’s face.

“Look at him. Every feature is perfect… A kind heart that even embraces beastmen… A divine angel descended to this world. And yet, mere humans think they can claim him through marriage? Such a thing should never be allowed.”
“A-ano… Samuel-niiue…”
“Niisama.”
“…S-Samuel-niisama, please… st—ah!”

Before Asher could finish, he was yanked backward into a familiar embrace.

The scent of safety surrounded him.

“…What do you think you’re doing, Theodore?”

The one who had pulled Asher away was none other than Theodore.

The surrounding knights stiffened in shock.
For a knight to act without permission in such a setting—especially to defy the Crown Prince—was unheard of.

“…Forgive me, but His Highness Asher seemed troubled.”
“…What did you say?”

Samuel’s smile remained, but his eyes were devoid of warmth.

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Then, King Augustin let out a long sigh.

“Enough. Both of you, stop this at once. Do not disgrace the royal family’s dining hall any further.”

At his command, Theodore slowly released Asher and bowed to the king.
However, Samuel continued to glare at Theodore, his expression dark.

“…Samuel, enough with your foolish jokes. The decision rests with Asher.”
“Eh…?”

Hearing his name, Asher stiffened.
He could feel the weight of everyone’s gazes pressing down on him.

“As a member of the royal family, marriage is inevitable. If you wed a noble from this kingdom, you would not need to leave for another nation. Think it over, Asher.”

King Augustin’s tone was calm but firm.

“Or… is there already someone you desire? If so, name them now. A noble lady? A noble son?”

Asher’s breath hitched.
His body tensed as he looked up at King Augustin.

—Someone I desire… That person is…

His vision blurred slightly.

What would happen if he spoke Theodore’s name here?
Theodore was neither a noble nor royalty—he was merely a knight, born a commoner.

If Asher admitted his feelings now… what if they were torn apart forever?

“…N-no…”

His voice trembled, barely audible.

But in the silent hall, everyone heard it clearly.

And surely… Theodore had heard it too.

Biting his lip, Asher kept his eyes down, unable to look up.

He couldn’t bear to see the expression on Theodore’s face.