Interlude: Lux’s Worries

Lunch break. As I reached for my meal, Florence-san, seated beside me, extended a delicate cup filled with vibrant orange tea.

“Lux Rodell-sama, please, have some of this tea.”

“Huh…? Is that okay…?”

Her gentle smile eased my hesitation. “Yes, I brewed it especially for you, Lux Rodell-sama.”

She continued, her voice soft yet deliberate. “This tea is crafted from naturally grown leaves from the Florence ducal family’s private estate. I’m not certain it will suit your taste, but I’d be grateful if you’d try it for future reference.”

“Thank you! I’ll gladly have some!”

I lifted the cup, letting the sweet, fruity aroma envelop me. The scent alone sparked a flicker of excitement. After savoring it for a moment, I took a careful sip.

“…! It’s so refreshing, like a burst of exhilaration! The fruity flavor is incredible—truly delicious!”

Florence-san’s expression softened, her eyes warm with delight. “Hehe, I’m pleased it suits your taste, Lux Rodell-sama. From now on, during lunch breaks, I’ll prepare this tea for you periodically.”

“Thank you so mu—” Huh…?

F-From now on!?

“W-Wait, please!” I stammered, my voice tinged with panic.

“Is something wrong?”

“I’m no tea expert, but even I can tell this is incredibly high-quality. I can’t possibly accept it regularly…”

“Please don’t worry,” Florence-san reassured, her tone calm and unwavering. “These leaves come from my family’s estate, so there’s no need for concern.”

“R-Really…? T-That’s amazing…”

Not just ingredients, but even luxury items like tea… The Florence family’s wealth was staggering. As I stood there, awestruck, Florence-san’s gaze flicked to the cup.

“What’s the matter?”

“…I’d like to better understand the flavors that suit your palate, Lux Rodell-sama. May I have a sip?”

“Yes! Of course!”

I eagerly handed her the cup, hoping she’d rediscover its delightful taste. Florence-san took it with care, her fingers delicately grasping the handle. She glanced briefly at the rim before bringing the tea to her lips. A faint flush colored her cheeks as she murmured, “This… is quite nice.”

“Right? I love it too!”

“Yes…” She paused, her blush deepening. “Well then, I’ll return the cup to you.”

“Thank you.”

With her cheeks still tinged red, Florence-san handed the cup back. We settled into our lunch together—until a voice interrupted.

“Florence, may I have a moment?”

A brown-haired young man, unfamiliar to me, approached her.

“…And who might you be?” Florence-san asked, her tone cool.

The young man’s expression soured. “Tch, to think you don’t know who I am…” He cleared his throat loudly. “I’m a second-year student at this Noble Academy, from the Davis ducal house.”

A second-year, a year above us.

“And what business does someone from the Davis house have with me today?”

“A good question,” he replied, his voice dripping with arrogance. “I’ve come to personally invite you to lunch. For someone of your noble lineage to be dining with some nobody—”

“I’m sorry, but I must decline,” Florence-san cut in, her voice firm yet composed. “I don’t care for those who judge others by their lineage.”

Davis-san’s face twisted with indignation. “What!? A-Are you trying to humiliate me!?”

“You’re free to interpret it as humiliation, but that’s not my intention.”

Her calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to his rising anger. After glaring for a moment, Davis-san’s impatience seemed to boil over. He reached toward me—

“You, quietly give up your seat to—”

Before his hand could touch my shoulder, Florence-san swiftly tapped his arm with the hilt of the rapier at her waist.

“That action cannot be overlooked, even if you are an upperclassman,” she said, her voice steady but laced with warning. “Are you prepared for the consequences, Davis-sama?”

“Tch! Florence…!! That’s my line!! You’ll regret this—mark my words!!”

Spitting his words with venom, Davis-san stormed off.

I turned to Florence-san, my voice trembling with concern. “I hope he doesn’t try anything strange… Florence-san! If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know!”

Her expression remained unruffled. “Thank you for your concern. But there’s no need to worry about this matter.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

If Florence-san was so certain, perhaps it would be fine. Yet, the memory of Davis-san’s intense demeanor lingered, stirring unease in my chest.

—However, when the next day arrived, nothing happened to either Florence-san or me. In fact, Davis-san never appeared before us again.

“Now, Lux Rodell-sama, shall we have lunch together today as well?”

“Y-Yes!”

After that, Davis-san never approached us again.

On another day, during a break from studying, Siana approached me.

“Master, please have this.”

“Thanks.”

She handed me a cup of Darjeeling tea, its familiar warmth a quiet comfort amidst the day’s studies.

“…This is delicious. You made it perfectly the first time, but now you’ve refined it even more to my tastes, haven’t you?”

“To think you’d notice such a thing…!” Siana’s voice brimmed with delight. “Serving you makes me truly happy, Master!”

“You’re exaggerating,” Lux said with a soft chuckle.

But in her heart, Siana thought, It’s not an exaggeration at all.

Most nobles took their maids’ efforts for granted, no matter how much care went into their work. Even if they noticed, it was rare—most never realized the thought behind it. For Lux-kun, born into an earl’s family, to feel that way is truly remarkable.

As Siana reflected quietly, Lux spoke again. “By the way, it’s been a little while since I enrolled… but lately, I’ve been a bit troubled by something.”

“!? Troubled, you say…!?” Siana’s voice rose with urgency, her eyes wide with concern. “If something’s troubling you, please tell me! No matter what it is, I’ll make sure to help you!”

Anything troubling Lux-kun, I’ll eliminate it—whether it takes money, power, people, or even a nation! Her heart burned with fierce determination, though she kept it hidden behind her composed expression.

Lux’s gentle smile softened the tension. “Thanks, I really appreciate your enthusiasm, Siana. But it’s not that serious, so you can relax and just listen.”

Relaxing was impossible. To Siana, Lux’s troubles—big or small—were of utmost importance. Still, she couldn’t ignore his request.

“…Understood.”

For Lux-kun’s sake, I should focus on staying calm for now, she resolved, steadying herself.

But then Lux continued, “Actually, what’s troubling me is about my fiancée.”

“!? F-Fiancée!?” The word struck like lightning, shattering her calm. Siana’s voice trembled as she pressed on. “C-Could it be… you’ve found someone for the ‘find a fiancée during your time at the Noble Academy’ order your father gave you…!?”

If that were true, it would be the worst possible outcome.

But Lux shook his head, his expression reassuring. “No, it’s more like I’m struggling because I don’t know how to find one.”

“! O-Oh…!” Relief flooded through her. “My apologies, I jumped to conclusions!”

“No, I should’ve explained it more clearly.”

Siana’s heart eased, though a small pang of guilt lingered. I feel bad for Lux-kun, but not knowing how to find a fiancée is actually convenient for me…

Still, she couldn’t ignore his struggles. “I’m not saying you should defy your father’s words, but isn’t there an option to find someone outside the Noble Academy’s students?”

“Someone outside the academy…?”

“Yes. For example… the Third Princess, Felisiana-sama.”

“W-Why would the name of Felisiana-sama come up in a conversation about my fiancée!?” Lux’s voice rose in disbelief.

A fiancée for an earl’s house—a royal name like Felisiana’s would almost never be considered. From that perspective, his reaction was natural.

But to Siana, such common sense was irrelevant. “Master, you spoke with Felisiana-sama on the day of the entrance ceremony, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but…”

“Then! Felisiana-sama must surely want to speak with you again!”

“I-I don’t think so,” Lux said, his tone uncertain. “She’s a busy person, and while I wouldn’t say she’s forgotten talking to me, I doubt she thinks much of it.”

Far from not thinking much of it, Lux-kun is the only thing on her mind! Siana declared fiercely in her heart, though she kept her expression serene.

For now, planting Felisiana’s name in the conversation was enough. Satisfaction settled within her as she let the moment pass.