"So the three clans sent envoys together just to wait until after the autumn harvest to trade for goods they don't have locally?"
In the council chamber, Shiomi, summoned by the Queen, learned the general situation of the past few days alongside Aesc.
"That's correct. In the past, the Land of Rain was far too barren, and the local fairies had no interest in what we produced." The Queen nodded lightly. "But with the blessing of the Sage, we may have a plentiful harvest this year. That has drawn the attention of the native fairies."
"I see." Aesc glanced at Shiomi, her expression filled with pride she shared with him.
Even though it was entirely Shiomi's doing, Aesc felt a unique sense of pride that belonged to her alone.
"But if that's the case, the meeting has gone on for quite a while," Shiomi remarked. "Unlike Aesc, I've been outside during this time. I often see fairies from the three clans moving around the city."
On several occasions, those envoys even clashed with members of the Rain Clan. One time, it nearly turned into a full fight until Shiomi intervened, and the matter ended on an unpleasant note.
The instigator had been a fairy from the Fang Clan. Though he lost in strength to Shiomi and was forced to back down, he still looked at him with disdain simply because he was human.
"I've heard of that incident as well." The Queen nodded. "The Fang Clan is the most belligerent of the six clans. Their strength is also the greatest, so such incidents are unavoidable."
Though her tone was resigned, it carried the acceptance of something that could not be changed.
The Fang Clan's power gave them free rein to bully other clans, even when serving as envoys abroad.
"For fairies, strength is the only law." Seeing the subtle look in Shiomi's eyes, Aesc offered an explanation.
"I know." Shiomi raised his eyes and shook his head at her.
Aesc understood this well, yet she did not believe it was a truth that had to remain unchallenged. The ideal nation she sought to build would inevitably have to abolish such things.
"Still, I sincerely apologize for the Fang Clan's offense against you," the Queen said earnestly. "They acted that way only because they failed to recognize your supreme power. Once you accompany Aesc on her journey, the fairies of Britannia will surely come to understand."
"Uh..." Shiomi was momentarily at a loss for words.
Supreme power.
He wasn't a god. How could he possibly have supreme power? And gods themselves weren't absolute beings.
"Since the Queen puts it that way, I won't press the matter further," Shiomi said at last, conceding.
He already knew that, as a fairy, the Queen had an exceptionally kind nature. It was clear that it was precisely because of this that she had raised Aesc into the person she was now.
Still, whether it was due to her fairy nature or a genuine lack of calculation, the Queen seemed to lack any real sense of crisis. That same quality had spread throughout the Rain Clan as a whole.
Shiomi believed it was most likely the long-term scarcity of material resources that had shaped this outcome.
"If there's nothing else, Aesc, you should accompany the Sage back first," the Queen said. "Vivian told me that under the Sage's guidance, you've been improving rapidly in combat. Now that the envoys have departed, you may resume your usual training outside."
"I won't neglect my training, Mother. Please rest assured." Aesc nodded firmly, then stepped forward, her voice slightly tense. "But before I leave, I… I wish to ask for your permission regarding one matter!"
"What is it, Aesc? Speak freely." The Queen, who had always granted Aesc's requests without hesitation, didn't think much of it.
Aesc glanced at Shiomi, then at her mother. Shiomi noticed her unease and was about to speak on her behalf, but Aesc tugged at his hand to stop him.
"A-actually… I want to ask for Mother's permission to marry Tenkei!" she blurted out in one breath.
"To become husband and wife? Marriage?" The Queen looked surprised, but her interpretation missed the mark. "Sage, are you intending to become human for Aesc?"
A marriage between a fairy and a human was unheard of—not just for the Queen, but for the entire Rain Clan. Thus, she instinctively assumed that this Sage of unfathomable origins meant to condescend and become Aesc's exclusive human.
In that case, her consent wasn't even necessary.
"That's not it, Mother!" Aesc denied quickly, her face flushed red.
"Oh, I see." The Queen recovered from her surprise, murmuring with relief, "Marriage… with the Sage. If it's Aesc, then having the Sage as her partner is surely the most fitting."
"It all went surprisingly smoothly," Shiomi whispered to Aesc.
Hidden beneath her sleeves, Aesc's hand brushed against the ring on her left ring finger. She nodded firmly.
"It's just a bit of a misunderstanding…"
She had simply wanted to tell her mother of the decision, but her mother had read much deeper into it.
"That's just how parents are," Shiomi thought with empathy.
As they spoke, the Queen stepped down from her throne and came to stand before Shiomi and Aesc.
"Since the decision has been made, this will be… perhaps not only the Rain Clan's, but all of Britannia's first marriage between a fairy and a human." Her brows softened as she gazed quietly at them. "It ought to be more solemn, more grand."
"What does Your Highness mean?" Shiomi asked.
"The Sage has brought our clan the promise of a plentiful harvest," the Queen said. "When autumn comes, our traditional Harvest Festival will be held. This year will surely be livelier and richer than ever before. Let the wedding ceremony take place then."
Aesc's face lit up at once, bright enough to illuminate the entire chamber. Even the endless rain outside no longer felt heavy.
"If Aesc has no objections, then I have none either," Shiomi answered first.
"Of course. And this way, we'll still have four or five months until the Harvest Festival in autumn," Aesc said eagerly. "That gives us plenty of time to prepare."
"Not only that," the Queen added, her gaze resting on them as she spoke her blessing, "but the entire clan will witness this extraordinary wedding. May your union open a new era for the fairies of Britannia."
Shiomi couldn't help but smile. "Isn't it a bit early for blessings, Your Highness?"
"Exactly," Aesc chimed in, tugging at her mother's hand with playful affection. "According to Tenkei, you and Father should bless us together at the wedding itself."
The council chamber grew lighter, its air filled with a relaxed warmth. Everyone's thoughts drifted to the months ahead, already wishing for autumn's arrival.
[History]
In the summer of the 4000th year of the Fairy Calendar, news spread throughout the Rain Clan that a Sage from a distant land would wed the Queen's daughter, Aesc. The entire clan believed, as one, that this would mark the beginning of a new era. Under the guidance of the human Sage and the fairy princess, they would step into an age of prosperity that was truly their own.