Chapter 6: Lux’s Room

The moment I stood up from my seat after today’s lecture ended, Florence-san, sitting next to me, called out.

“Lux-sama, may I have a moment of your time?”

“Yes, what is it?”

To hear what Florence-san had to say, I sat back down.

“As the daughter of a ducal house, I understand it’s improper to discuss such matters with a gentleman, but…”

Blushing slightly, she continued in a somewhat hesitant tone.

“Would it be possible… to invite me to your mansion today, Lux-sama?”

“Eh? Invite you to my mansion… Florence-san?”

“Yes. I’d love to see the flowers you mentioned keeping in your room.”

Inviting Florence-san to my mansion… and even to my room.

…Normally, I’d have no reason to refuse, but today, Siana told me not to bring anyone I don’t fully trust or any women to the house.

As I hesitated, lost in thought, Florence-san spoke again.

“It was a sudden request, so please feel free to decline if it’s inconvenient.”

I’ve made her feel like she’s imposing…

…Now that I think about it, Florence-san, whom I’ve seen almost every day since school started, isn’t someone I don’t trust, right? Siana’s words were out of concern for me, but Florence-san should be fine. Siana will understand.

“Alright. Let’s spend some time at my mansion today.”

“Really? Thank you so much, Lux-sama!”

Saying that, Florence-san smiled happily. Then, she continued, asking in a slightly probing tone.

“At your mansion… will Siana-san be joining us as well?”

“Usually, she would, but she has some errands today, so I don’t think she’ll be there.”

“…! I see…!”

For the first time, Florence-san’s voice wavered slightly.

Could it be… she wanted to talk to Siana?

“If you’d prefer her to be there, we can do this another day!”

“No, today is perfectly fine. …Hehe, to think I’d get such an opportunity…”

She seemed to mutter something under her breath, too quiet for me to hear.

In any case, since today worked for her, we left the Noble Academy, boarded a carriage, and headed straight to my mansion.

◇

“…Lux-kun, your lectures at the Noble Academy should be over by now, and you’re probably back at the mansion.”

“That’s right.”

Felisiana, dressed in a white gown, was heading toward the throne room, and Violet, in a black maid outfit, spoke in hushed tones to avoid being overheard.

“I hope it’s just my imagination, but I can’t shake this uneasy feeling—”

“Oh? Felisiana!”

In contrast to Siana’s voice, clouded by a bad premonition, a bright voice, almost out of place in the solemn setting of the royal castle, echoed from a distance.

Then, the owner of that voice appeared before them.

A woman with bright pink hair tied in twin tails, wearing a dress with a sheer chest and a deep slit.

It was Felisiana’s older sister, the Second Princess, Elizarina.

“…Elizarina-neesama, it’s been a while.”

“Elizarina-sama, it’s been a while.”

The two stopped to greet her, and Elizarina nodded enthusiastically, beaming.

“Yup! It’s been forever, you two!”

Then, slowly, step by step, she closed the distance to Felisiana.

“About half a year ago, you were going on about wanting to get engaged to some earl’s son— so unlike you! But you’ve been quiet lately.”

“…”

“Did he dump you or something? Or did you change your mind?”

“That’s none of your concern, Elizarina-neesama.”

“Haha, fair enough!”

Approaching close, Elizarina whispered into Felisiana’s ear.

“But if that’s really what happened, I can’t forgive a guy who’d reject my precious little sister. So, how about telling me his name?”

In response to the whisper, Felisiana, radiating hostility and dropping all formalities, replied coldly.

“If you do anything to him, I won’t forgive you, not even you, Elizarina-neesama.”

“Whoa! Scary! But—”

Exaggerating her movements, Elizarina stepped back from Siana’s threat, tilting her head with hollow eyes as she spoke.

“Do you really think you could beat me in a serious fight?”

“…If any harm comes to him, I’ll stop at nothing. That’s all I’ll say.”

“…”

Elizarina, still watching her closely, said nothing in return.

Felisiana, accompanied by Violet, moved forward.

◇

Watching them leave in silence, Elizarina smirked and muttered.

“For Felisiana to get so worked up over such light provocation… I’m a bit shocked there’s a man out there who could make her fall so hard. Sounds like there’s quite the scoundrel in that earl’s family.”

Maybe I’ll look into this guy to pass the time.

For a moment, Elizarina entertained the thought.

“Well, if I seduce him, he’d fall for me in a heartbeat anyway, so whatever.”

No matter the man, she could make him hers with just a little charm.

Elizarina had absolute confidence in that.

“Ugh, isn’t there a prince-like guy out there, straight out of a story, who even I could fall for?”

◇

“Not just the exterior, but the interior decorations of this mansion are splendid as well.”

As I welcomed Florence-san into the mansion, she praised it warmly.

“Thank you. But considering your beautiful garden, I bet the inside of your mansion is just as lovely, isn’t it, Florence-san?”

“I’m flattered you think so. …If you’d like, would you care to visit the interior of my mansion next time?”

“Eh!? R-Really? Is that okay!?”

“Yes, by all means.”

Florence-san gave me a gentle smile. In that case…

“I’d love to visit next time!”

“Understood… Hehe, this gives me even more to look forward to.”

Our conversation carried us quickly to the door of my room.

“So, this is your room, Lux-sama.”

Looking around, Florence-san spoke with curiosity.

“Yes. Sorry, it’s a pretty plain room.”

“Not at all. The number of books on this shelf speaks volumes about how studious you are, Lux-sama.”

“N-No, it’s not like that… I’m just a student who can’t do much yet, so I’m doing what I can.”

“Even so, it’s truly wonderful… Do you remember when I told you on the first day of school that I was interested in you, Lux-sama?”

“Yes.”

It was when we chatted briefly at the gates of the Noble Academy and were surprised to find ourselves seated next to each other. Come to think of it, I never heard the rest of what she meant back then…

“Actually, before enrolling at the Noble Academy, I saw you several times studying diligently at the town library.”

“! Really!? …Wait, then, could it be that you knew my name from the start because…?”

“Yes. I overheard it once when I was standing behind you to borrow a book.”

So that’s how it was… A question I’d nearly forgotten, tucked away in the corner of my mind, was finally answered.

“You were studying with such earnestness, with such straightforward eyes, more than anyone else there… To think it all started with this bookshelf—it’s truly wonderful.”

“I-It’s not something worth praising so much… but thank you.”

Blushing, I replied, and Florence-san smiled. Then, her gaze fell on a potted plant next to the bookshelf.

“Are these the beautiful flowers you’ve been raising, Lux-sama?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…They’ve been nurtured so gently and carefully. Just looking at them warms my heart.”

Florence-san spoke, her eyes filled with warmth as she gazed at the flowers. It’s clear how much she truly loves flowers.

“The more I learn about you, Lux-sama, the more fascinating you become.”

“I-Is that so…?”

“Yes.”

Continuing to look around with interest, Florence-san’s eyes eventually settled on my bed.

“This bed looks very well-maintained as well.”

“! Oh, that’s because Siana takes care of it! It’s nice and clean, right?”

“…Siana-san, is it?”

Florence-san muttered, her tone carrying a hint of something deeper.

“Yes… Is something wrong?”

“No… It’s nothing.”

Her reply was as gentle and calm as always, but it left me slightly curious.

…Oh, right.

“Florence-san, shall we sit down and chat for a bit?”

“Yes, I’d love to. I’ll prepare some tea.”

“Eh!? You’re my guest, Florence-san, so I can’t let you do that!”

“I simply want you to try the tea I make, Lux-sama. I even brought my own tea leaves for this.”

She prepared that much… In that case, refusing might actually be rude.

“Alright… I’ll gladly have some, then!”

“Hehe, thank you.”

After that, we sat on the sofa, and Florence-san poured tea into our cups. I took a sip of the tea.

“! This tea is, as expected, absolutely delicious!”

“Thank you. Please let me know anytime you’d like to have my tea again.”

“Yes!”

From there, we enjoyed our time together, just the two of us, savouring our tea in a cosy atmosphere.

Before it got dark, we decided to part ways, and Florence-san left the mansion. At our farewell, she said reluctantly, “Let’s have a wonderful time at my mansion next, alright?” which made me really happy.

Talking with Florence-san is a lot of fun. Even after she left, I was still savoring the moment when there was a knock at my door.

“Master! I’m back!”

It was Siana’s voice. She must have finished her errands.

“Welcome back! Come on in!”

“Pardon my—! This scent…”

As Siana stepped into my room, she froze in place…

“Master… You didn’t bring a woman here while I was gone, did you?”

Her smile vanished, and she furrowed her brows as she asked.

“I’m not sure if ‘brought’ is the right word, but I did invite Florence-san to my room.”

“…!?”

When I answered honestly, Siana looked shocked.

“…Master. Have you forgotten what I advised you this morning?”

“I remember. Not to invite anyone I don’t fully trust or any women to the mansion… right?”

“If you remember, then why did you invite a woman to the mansion… and to your room, no less?”

…It seems Siana is a bit upset.

“I’m sorry for breaking your advice, even though you said it for my sake. I thought it’d be fine since Florence-san is trustworthy and someone you’ve met before.”

“That’s…”

Siana paused for a moment before speaking again.

“…How did it come to be that you invited Florence-sama to your room?”

“Florence-san said she wanted to visit my room, and since I didn’t have any reason to refuse, I agreed.”

“To so easily allow a woman into your room like that—”

Siana stopped mid-sentence, lowered her face, and bowed to me.

“I’m sorry… I overstepped.”

“No, you don’t need to apologize. You were just worried about me… If anything, I’m the one who should apologize.”

Saying that, I bowed to Siana and continued.

“I’m sorry for ignoring your advice and deciding on my own.”

“P-Please, Master, don’t lower your head like that! You don’t need to do that!”

“…”

Slowly raising my head, I looked into Siana’s eyes and said again, “I’m really sorry… for making you worry because of me.”

“That’s not true…! As I’ve always felt, I’m truly happy right now because of you, Master!”

As she spoke, Siana gently took my right hand in both of hers. Her touch conveyed how much she cherished me as her master.

“Thank you, Siana.”

For a while, we stayed like that, sharing the moment. But then, Siana suddenly gasped, her cheeks flushing as she let go of my hand.

“I-I’m sorry, Master!”

“No, it made me happy.”

“Master…! I truly… truly cherish you!”

“I feel the same, Siana… Thank you so much for coming to the Rodell Earl house.”

After that, as promised, Siana and I spent the evening talking together slowly.

◇

“Earlier, it was wonderful to hear such words from Rodell-sama, wasn’t it?”

When Siana returned to her room, Violet spoke to her.

“Yes… Though I’m the one who wants to express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart.”

“…”

“There’s no way Lux-kun could ever do anything wrong, yet I let my emotions get the better of me and directed my anger at him.”

Clutching her head, she continued, “How pathetic… And to think I made Lux-kun bow his head because of it…”

I couldn’t suppress my possessiveness and ended up getting angry at Lux.

“It’s truly shameful. The one I should be angry at is Florence…”

Siana’s thoughts shifted from remorse over Lux to anger toward Florence.

“That woman, barging into Lux-kun’s room… She probably schemed to use the chance of being alone with him to get closer to him.”

“From what I observed of Rodell-sama, it doesn’t seem their relationship has deepened significantly yet.”

“You’re right…”

The very fact that another woman was in Lux-kun’s room makes me sick, but now’s not the time to dwell on what’s already happened.

“You heard, didn’t you? Florence invited Lux-kun to her mansion again.”

“So soon… That’s the advantage of being a schoolmate.”

“Exactly. But since I’ve been allowed to accompany them, that’s not an issue.”

“Then the priority is… the upcoming royal gathering?”

“Yes. Let’s start planning now to deepen my bond with Lux-kun at the royal gathering.”

“Understood.”

From there, the two spent some time refining their plans for the royal gathering.

Felisiana and Florence.

The clash between these two was about to unfold at the royal gathering—