Little Pink Starfish

“Tonight?”

As soon as Asher returned to his room, Ellie was already waiting for him, flustered.

“Yes! It’s been a few days, but His Majesty has finally arranged a welcoming banquet for High Priest Reachalf… But to tell us on such short notice—how are we supposed to prepare in time?! Prince Asher, what will you wear?”
“Anything is fine.”

Asher answered with a chuckle, but Ellie was in complete distress. She laid out various accessories on the table before rushing out to fetch suitable attire.

“The guest is the High Priest of Fana’ara Temple. If anything, the banquet should have been held sooner.”
“Well, it was all so sudden… I heard Father’s advisors were the ones pushing for it.”

Asher recalled how exasperated King Augustin had looked, listening to his advisors. The sudden, unannounced arrival of Reachalf and his request to stay had thrown the entire court into chaos. The temple knights who accompanied him were another problem—though some were strikingly handsome, many wore massive great helms that obscured their faces, making them mysterious and unsettling. They barely spoke, only adding to the tension among the castle staff.

And now, Asher had to face Reachalf again.

“…I’m really not looking forward to this.”

With a sigh, he reached out and touched one of the accessories laid on the table. Dressing up, forcing a smile, and acting formal in a room full of nobles—it wasn’t something he enjoyed.

I had only just gotten used to the royal dining table… now I’ll be too nervous to eat again.

Just then, Ellie burst back into the room, both arms full of clothing.

“Prince Asher, we must hurry!”
“Wh—wait, any of them will do!”
“What nonsense! Ever since High Priest Reachalf arrived, some foolish nobles have been acting all giddy. We must make it clear who is the most beautiful of them all!”
“…What are you even talking about, Ellie?”

Ellie had served Asher since the days when people shunned him. But back then, she wasn’t like this. These days, she treated him like a beloved grandchild, fussing over him endlessly.

“Come, Prince Asher! We also have new outfits—Lady Angela personally chose some that follow the latest trends for noble gentlemen!”

As she dashed around the room, Asher watched helplessly.

“Theodore-sama, would you step outside? The prince needs to try on several outfits.”
“Understood. Your Highness.”
“Eh? W-wait—!”

Asher called out, but Theodore walked out without hesitation.

And so, Asher was forced to endure endless outfit changes until, just moments before the banquet, he was left completely exhausted.

──────・・・・・・

The atmosphere in the grand hall was tense.

The nobles of Dias subtly, but clearly, regarded the temple knights with hostility. Meanwhile, the temple knights, clad in their heavy armor, stood rigid and expressionless.

“Hmph, those Fana’ara knights look down on us.”
“Look at that one—he refuses to remove his helmet. Isn’t that disrespectful, even at a banquet?”

Though they whispered their complaints, their expressions remained pleasant.

Meanwhile, the knights of Dias displayed mixed reactions—some were stiff with unease, while others, like Ward, were casually chatting with the more attractive temple knights.

“…Ward hasn’t changed at all.”

Holding a wine glass, Asher sat quietly at the royal family’s table on the second floor, where the royal members and Reachalf were seated. Their personal guards stood nearby.

“Hmph, Hugo’s missing again… Where on earth did he go?”

Queen Geoffrey sighed, eyeing the empty seat.

“Hugo said he’d visit the stables while he still had time—he’s probably out riding—mgh!”
“Noah, hush.”

Queen Geoffrey, still smiling, quickly covered Noah’s mouth.

Reachalf, who had been sitting nearby, spoke up.

“…It’s been a while, Lord Geoffrey.”
“High Priest Reachalf…”
“We haven’t had many opportunities to meet since I became High Priest. I was worried about your well-being. And Noah—he’s grown so much.”
“Thank you.”

So Lord Geoffrey knows him too…

Glancing at Reachalf, Asher saw him wearing his usual elegant smile.

It’s still hard to believe how differently he spoke that day…

Had he managed to meet with Samuel after that?

Turning to look at Samuel, Asher was surprised to find his older brother already gazing at him. Their eyes met.

Samuel smiled warmly.

Asher was about to return the gesture when—

“What do you mean by that?!”
“Do not touch me! You’ll taint me!”

A commotion broke out below.

A black knight and a temple knight were glaring at each other, both reaching for their swords.

What…? What’s going on?!

Several knights held them back, but tension crackled between them.

At that moment, one of the temple knights stepped forward—a large man with short, greenish hair.

It was Zachary, the deputy commander of the Fana’ara Temple Knights.

Asher had been introduced to him after Reachalf’s audience with the king.

With sharp, deliberate steps, Zachary descended the stairs and placed himself between the two knights.

“What is the meaning of this? You were told not to cause trouble at this banquet.”
“M-my apologies, Deputy Commander! But this man—”

The temple knight shot a furious glare at the black knight, who returned the look with equal defiance.

But Zachary’s stare was even colder.

“I don’t want to hear excuses.”

The temple knight immediately fell silent, his head lowering.

“My subordinate was out of line. I ask for your forgiveness.”
“Deputy Commander! But wait! This man insulted our knights!”
“I only said that since the temple is peaceful, your men likely don’t get much real combat experience… It wasn’t meant as an insult.”
“Don’t lie! You were belittling the strength of the Temple Knights!”
“That’s ridiculous!”

As the argument reignited, Zachary grabbed both men’s shoulders and pulled them apart with brute force.

Just then, Reachalf stood up and bowed his head toward King Augustin.

“…My deepest apologies, Your Majesty, for the rudeness of my knight.”
“No, our knight shares the blame. There is no need for apologies.”

The two knights, now pale-faced, suddenly realized that the entire royal family had been watching them.

“F-forgive us!!”

Shaking, they knelt immediately.

King Augustin raised his hand.

“It is fine. But this is a banquet—do not start quarrels here.”

Both knights pressed their heads lower.

At that moment, Samuel abruptly stood.

“Father, what do you think of holding a friendly sparring event between our knights and the Temple Knights?”
“A sparring event?”
“Participation would be voluntary, of course. Since the Temple Knights have traveled all this way, wouldn’t it be a good opportunity? And besides… I believe our knights are growing overly confident. This would also be a chance for the Temple Knights to test their skills.

Most importantly, the citizens deserve some form of entertainment. After the recent kidnappings and public trials, they need something to lift their spirits.”
“…Hmm.”

King Augustin stroked his beard in thought.

Reachalf smiled.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea. Our knights rarely get the chance to spar with others.”
“It would also be a good training opportunity for the knights of Dias,” Zachary added. “And I myself could use some practice.”

“You intend to participate, Samuel?”
“Yes, absolutely.”

King Augustin glanced around the hall.

The knights below were already grinning, filled with anticipation.

Seeing their excitement, he smiled.

“Very well… I had been considering organizing a festival for the people anyway.”

Cheers erupted from the knights.

Samuel turned to Theodore.

“You’ll participate too, won’t you, Theodore?”

Theodore met his gaze.

“…Yes.”

Asher blinked in surprise.

“You will?”

“I will.”

“…I expected no less.”

Samuel smiled, but his golden eyes gleamed sharply.

A small shiver ran through Asher.

It was only for a second.

Maybe I imagined it…

But later, Asher would regret ignoring that tiny moment of unease.

A week later, the grand sparring tournament was officially announced.