Little Pink Starfish

The announcement from the royal family of Dias sent shockwaves through the kingdom—and even neighbouring countries.

Beastmen would be officially granted the title of knight. Furthermore, inspections would be conducted on all establishments employing beastmen, and any cases of unjust wages or forced labour would result in penalties for the employers.

The royal family declared that both humans and beastmen were equally deserving of protection, with no superiority between them, and that both were beloved citizens of this country.

Of course, there were those who criticised the announcement. However, despite being an unprecedented declaration, what truly captured the public’s attention was something else entirely.

Among the people, rumours had long circulated—sometimes romantic, sometimes tragic—about what would become of the mixed-blood black knight and the third prince after that fateful moment in the arena. For a whole month, speculation had swirled.

Now, that speculation had finally been laid to rest.

The official engagement between Black Knight Theodore Lewis and Prince Asher Dias of the Dias Kingdom was announced.

The public erupted into thunderous cheers.

Surprisingly, it was the beastmen who expressed the greatest joy—even more than at the announcement of improved treatment. Some wept with relief, while others ran through the streets, overcome with elation.

After the announcement, the royal capital broke into festive uproar. Even now, the celebration and toasts in honour of the couple continued.

“…—So, according to this article, what are the thoughts of the couple at the centre of it all regarding the public’s reaction?”

Under a chandelier adorned with sparkling ornaments, a feast of luxurious dishes lined the dining table, surrounded by formally dressed black knights. Among the royals granted seats at the centre of the hall was a man with a dazzling smile who asked the question with amusement.

“More importantly—why the hell are you here?!”

Shoulders trembling with fury, Hugo shouted at the man seated beside him as if it were his rightful place—High Priest of the Fana’ara Temple, Reachalf.

“Oh dear, how heartless. As someone who will soon marry a prince of this country, I have every right to be seated here.”

With a proud puff of his chest, Reachalf beamed smugly. Hugo scowled in return.

“Which prince exactly are you talking about? Don’t tell me you mean me?”

“Hugo, that’s too harsh. Lord Reachalf helped us in so many ways.”

“Think nothing of it. My husband is simply being modest. Lord Geoffrey—ah, Mother-in-law.”

“Don’t call me that with blushing cheeks, damn you…”

“Hugo-nii-sama, are you and Lord Reachalf getting married? Does that mean Lord Reachalf will be my sister-in-law?!”

“Oh, what an adorable little brother.”

“That’s great, Noah. But this isn’t a woman, so you can’t call him ‘sister-in-law’… Then again, you can’t call him ‘brother-in-law’ either.”

“Ooh, what a cheeky elder brother.”

Despairing, Hugo gazed off into the distance, clearly having given up hope.

This lively, cheerful royal dining table felt absurdly surreal—but perhaps, Asher thought, one day he would get used to it.

“So, Prince Asher, how about it?”

“Eh?”

Reachalf, who had just moments ago been glaring daggers at Samuel, suddenly turned to Asher with a bright smile. Fork halted halfway to his mouth, Asher glanced around and then answered.

“Um… I’m simply happy. Especially… to receive the blessings of the beastmen.”

The public’s reaction to their engagement was stronger than he had imagined—especially in a positive way.

Hearing this, Reachalf smiled and turned his gaze behind Asher.

“Black Knight Theodore, why don’t you take a seat as well?”

“Though I’ve been granted permission to be engaged to His Highness, I do not have the status to sit at the table.”

Although King Augustin had given permission for him to sit, Theodore adamantly refused.

“That’s right, they’re not married yet. Just engaged.”

With a snort, Samuel glanced coldly at Theodore, who simply returned his gaze without reaction, before turning back to Asher.

“Now, just let me say this. Understood?”

Clink. Samuel placed his knife down on his plate, and his golden eyes gleamed sharply as he glared at Theodore. Ever since the engagement was official, it had become a daily routine for Samuel to make passive-aggressive remarks toward him. He used to praise Theodore as the ideal knight, but now he hardly acknowledged him.

At first, Asher had tried to intervene, but it was never-ending. So now, he just quietly endured it. He took a sip of water from his glass, and just as he was about to swallow—

“Premarital relations are absolutely forbidden!!”

Gofuh! Asher spat out the water in a dramatic spray, coughing violently. Theodore rushed to his side and gently patted his back.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“Asher, what’s wrong?”

“I-it’s nothing… excuse me…”

What do you mean “what’s wrong”?! It’s your comment that made me choke! But Samuel seemed completely unaware. Asher lowered his head, pressing his mouth with a napkin. Talking about things like this with family was unbearable. Being directly involved made it even worse.

“And I’m not the only one. Father shares my opinion as well.”

At that, all eyes turned to King Augustin.

“……”

He looked silently at Asher.

Then Lord Geoffrey muttered under his breath.

“…Wow, that’s rich coming from you.”

Though smiling, her eyes were terrifyingly cold.

Wait… the mood just got really dangerous…

Usually, when Lord Geoffrey spoke out, Queen Angela would take offence, saying it was improper, and the two would argue. But when Asher glanced over at Queen Angela, he was shocked—she was glaring at the King with the same cold eyes.

King Augustin, receiving both stares, continued eating without a change in expression. He neither confirmed nor denied the statement.

Seeing this, Asher couldn’t help but think, He ran away from the conversation!!

“You listening, Theodore?”

On the other hand, the matter wasn’t over. Samuel’s annoyed voice called out again. Theodore turned to him and replied calmly.

“I will take it to heart.”

That usual unchanging expression of his prompted Asher to scream internally.

Liar!! You’re not taking anything to heart! And besides, we’ve already done it… several times!! How can you lie so smoothly without even blinking?!

No one else could read Theodore’s expressions—but Asher could.

He shot a sidelong glare, only for Theodore to meet his gaze and give a faint smile.

“…~!”

Asher quickly looked away, face flushed red, lowering his head to hide it.

So unfair…!

Hit by that unexpected smile, he had no chance of winning. He wanted to hide his reaction, but no matter how much he tried to play it off, Theodore would see right through him.

Meanwhile, Samuel continued grumbling, unaware of any of this.

“Someone who’s usually so sharp—being clueless in this area is just pathetic. So dull,” Reachalf sighed in exasperation.

“Well then, thank you for the lovely dinner. Ah, I do wish I could stay longer.”

The next morning, the temple members from Fana’ara, who had been staying long-term, would be returning. Originally, they hadn’t planned to stay so long, but Reachalf had received a letter from the High Priest telling him to remain until matters were settled.

Reachalf sounded regretful, but beside him, Hugo looked absolutely delighted.

“Next time we meet, please have our rings ready.”

With tears in his eyes, Reachalf gently placed his hand over Hugo’s. Hugo, clearly distressed, tried to shake him off, but Reachalf’s hand didn’t budge.

“By the way, I’ve always wondered… Hugo-nii-sama and Lord Reachalf… when did you two first meet?”

“You idiot, Asher! Don’t ask unnecessary questions!!”

“Oh, you mean how my darling redhead and I met? Let’s see… it was when I was seven. At a certain orphanage, we met by chance, and he fell in love at first sight with the adorable, beautiful boy that I was…”

“Don’t believe him, Asher!! This perverted priest is telling disgusting lies!!”

“Hugo, that’s enough! Show some respect!”

“Even if I’m being rude, he is clearly guilty of slander!!”

As Hugo flailed about, Noah giggled in delight. Then, a quiet chuckle echoed nearby. Asher turned toward the sound—only to freeze in shock.

Queen Angela, covering her mouth with her napkin, was suppressing laughter.

Asher slowly looked around the room.

King Augustin, expressionless, continued eating without attempting to calm the lively table. Queen Angela, now chuckling openly. Lord Geoffrey, laughing alongside her.

Samuel, ranting as usual. Reachalf, clinging to Hugo, who yelled in protest. Noah, laughing joyfully.

One by one, Asher gazed at their faces.

He remembered the day he first shared a meal with them after waking from his fall. He hadn’t understood what was going on, confused and lost.

Back then, all he’d received were cold glares, hostility, and contempt. He’d been too overwhelmed and ran away.

The scene before him now was something his past self couldn’t even imagine.

“…Is something wrong?”

Perhaps concerned by Asher suddenly going still, Theodore gently spoke to him.

Turning, Asher looked up at him and shook his head.

“No… it’s just… I’m happy.”

The moment he said it, for some reason, tears threatened to well up, and he hurriedly looked back down at his food.

“I see…”

Yeah… that’s right.

I’m happy. Really happy.

So then…

Why—

Why do I want to cry?

His vision blurred, and the tears nearly spilled.

Not wanting anyone to notice, Asher looked down and blinked repeatedly.

No one noticed—

Except Theodore.

A faint, distant memory.

Something his younger self had longed for with all his heart.

Now, it was here—right before his eyes.