Chapter 7: The Royal Exchange

The day of the Royal Exchange.

This event offered us, the sons and daughters of nobles destined to play central roles in the nation’s future, a chance to build rapport with royalty.

Naturally, since it involved taking up the time of royals already engaged in national governance, typically only one royal attended, accompanied by individuals closely connected to the royal family.

Having finished my usual preparations for school, I made my way to the carriage.

Siana, who had come to see me off, spoke up.

“Master, today is the Royal Exchange… isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“…Who would Master like to see attend?”

“Who, huh… It feels a bit presumptuous for someone like me to have such thoughts, but I’ll give it some consideration.”

I’d never spoken with any royalty other than Felisiana-sama, and I wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about them either…

To begin with, the royal family in this kingdom was ranked in order of prominence: His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, the First Princess, the Second Princess, and the Third Princess.

Since no male heir had been born to the King and Queen, it was inevitable that the next ruler would be someone chosen by one of the three princesses…

None of the princesses had yet selected a fiancé.

That was why rumours circulated that they might find a fiancé at events like this exchange with nobles… Well, I thought that was a matter far removed from someone like me.

“It’s hard to imagine His Majesty the King or Her Majesty the Queen going out of their way to attend an event at the Noble Academy, so I’ll rule them out as candidates.”

“Yes. In that case, the candidates would be the First Princess, the Second Princess, or the Third Princess… correct?”

…I was curious about the First Princess and Second Princess as well, but if I had to choose just one person to meet from those three…

“I suppose I’d like the Third Princess, Felisiana-sama, to come.”

“…!”

Hearing those words, Siana’s face lit up with joy.

“Is that so! Is it because you have a connection with Felisiana-sama?”

“Yeah. She’s a busy person, so I think it’d be nice to have a chance to talk with her at an event like this.”

◇

Lux chose her. Siana savored that joyful fact in her heart.

If she let her guard down, she might just leap for joy.

Even so, she couldn’t let herself show such unbecoming behavior in front of Lux, so she continued to maintain her composure.

“I think it’s about time to board the carriage, so I’ll be off.”

“Yes! Safe travels, Master!”

As Siana bowed her head, Lux gave her a gentle smile before stepping into the carriage.

As the carriage began to move, Siana called out in a loud voice.

“Master!”

Perhaps hearing her, Lux peered out at Siana through the window.

Smiling, Siana conveyed what she wanted to say in that moment.

“Let’s meet again.”

The carriage carrying Lux gradually moved out of Siana’s sight.

Her words carried the intention of meeting him at the Royal Exchange as Felisiana.

Of course, Siana knew that intention wouldn’t reach Lux.

She knew, but…

Unconsciously, Siana longed to reveal her true identity to Lux soon.

She wanted to reveal who she was and grow closer to Lux as Felisiana.

Those words were a small expression of that desire.

For now, it was fine if they didn’t reach Lux.

“Lux-kun…”

Watching the carriage disappear, she hoped that one day, Siana quietly wished for the day when the meaning of her words would reach Lux.

◇

Evening. Normally, I’d already be back at the estate by now.

But today, with the Royal Exchange taking place, I found myself at the dance hall of the Noble Academy, the venue for the event.

Looking around, the place was adorned with an abundance of food.

There were musicians playing instruments.

People lined up in rows to dance, creating a truly lavish scene.

As expected of the Royal Exchange at the Noble Academy.

“Now, let us welcome the Third Princess, Felisiana-sama. Please greet her with enthusiastic applause!”

In response to those words, individuals who appeared to be royal associates descended from the second floor of the venue.

At their center was Felisiana-sama.

The hall erupted in another wave of resounding applause, and I, overjoyed that Felisiana-sama had come, clapped as hard as I could.

“…”

For a moment, it seemed like Felisiana-sama glanced at Florence-san, who was standing beside me… but maybe it was my imagination.

As she quickly looked away, Felisiana-sama began to speak.

“It’s been about a month since the entrance ceremony… Today is not only an opportunity for me to address all of you but also a precious chance to interact with you, which I’ve been looking forward to. I’m pleased to be here.”

Her clear voice resonated throughout the hall, and as Felisiana-sama bowed her head, the venue was filled with applause so overwhelming it seemed it might overflow. It’s hard to believe she’s the same age as us, with such an air of dignity…

And so, the Royal Exchange began.

Naturally, I wanted to talk with Felisiana-sama.

But since everyone else probably felt the same, approaching her might be a bother.

As I wrestled with that thought, Felisiana-sama met my gaze and smiled at me.

Does that mean it’s okay for me to approach her…!

“Lux-sama, are you planning to go to the Third Princess?”

Perhaps sensing the shift in my mood, Florence-san, standing beside me, spoke up.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…In that case, may I accompany you?”

“Of course!”

Waiting for a break in her conversations with others, I approached Felisiana-sama to greet her.

“Felisiana-sama! It’s wonderful to see you again!”

“I feel the same, Lux-kun.” She turned to Florence-san, who lingered slightly behind me, and added, “It’s been a while since the entrance celebration party, hasn’t it? You’re Lux-kun’s friend, if I recall?” Her voice carried a subtle emphasis on the word “friend.”

Florence-san responded with a measured smile. “Yes. In the month since the entrance ceremony, my bond with Lux-sama has grown very close.” Her tone sharpened ever so slightly on the word “very.”

For a fleeting moment, the air between them seemed to still, as if time itself had paused.

◇

Beneath her composed exterior, Felisiana’s heart simmered with indignation. What does she mean, ‘grown very close in a month’! Is she mocking me, who rarely gets to see Lux-kun?

“…”

Florence, her gaze gentle yet unyielding, studied Felisiana with unwavering scrutiny. This woman… she’s not just another bright, cheerful soul like Lux-kun. She wouldn’t spill blood herself, but her eyes betrayed a familiarity with the world’s darker corners. No one in this world loves Lux-kun as fiercely as I do, and no one else deserves to stand by his side. Felisiana’s resolve hardened. She would let no one disrupt the future she envisioned with Lux-kun.

◇

Florence, observing Felisiana closely, grew certain of one thing: the Third Princess held Lux in special regard. To provoke or intimidate me by calling me Lux-sama’s friend…

“…”

Peering into the depths of Felisiana’s unflinching gaze, Florence’s thoughts sharpened. This woman… she carries the aura of someone concealing her true self. To Florence, that was not just unsettling—it was repugnant. She refused to allow someone so guarded near Lux’s pure heart.

Felisiana, in her role overseeing national security, dealt with criminals and purged threats without hesitation. Such duties might make her an exemplary royal, but… You may wield that power as a princess, but you’re unfit to stand beside someone as pure as Lux-sama. Florence vowed to shield Lux’s untainted heart.

◇

The two stood locked in a silent standoff, as if the world had frozen around them.

Florence-san broke the silence first. “Third Princess-sama, I wasn’t able to introduce myself properly before, so allow me to do so now.” Placing a hand on her chest, she continued, “I am Floria Florence, of the ducal Florence family.”

“I’m aware,” Felisiana replied evenly. “Your family primarily deals in agriculture, architecture, and clothing, correct?”

“I’m honored that someone as esteemed as the Third Princess-sama would know of someone as insignificant as myself. But… is there a particular reason for that?”

“What are you implying?”

Florence-san glanced briefly at me before falling silent. Then, turning back to Felisiana-sama, she murmured, “…No, I spoke out of turn.”

“I see.”

Another tense silence settled between them.

Florence-san turned to me, her voice gentle but firm. “Lux-sama, don’t you think it’s about time we moved elsewhere?”

“Huh…?”

“The Third Princess-sama is the guest of honor today. We can’t monopolize her time.”

“…!”

She was right. I hadn’t had the chance to talk much, and I longed to say more…

“You’re right… I understand.”

◇

The second floor of the dance hall.

Violet stood quietly in a spot where she could observe the attendees’ movements. Her mission this time was to keep watch over Lux and Felisiana, with one additional task.

“It’s hard to tell from this distance, but I’ll probably have to listen to Florence-sama’s endless complaints about this later…” she murmured.

Though she said that, Felisiana rarely showed emotion over anything other than Lux, so compared to her master before meeting him, Violet found this side of her somewhat endearing.

“…It’s about time.”

As expected, Felisiana sent her a fleeting glance. Florence was undoubtedly a formidable opponent, but…

“Today, I’ll let Ojou-sama have her way.”

As planned, Violet signaled the conductor in the venue. The slow, gentle music that had been playing shifted abruptly to an upbeat tempo.

And then—

The royal associates who had been dancing began moving in a wide circle. The ripple effect was swift, and it didn’t take long for Florence, who had been standing behind Lux, to be swept up in the crowd.

“It may not be fair, but… this is a rare opportunity for Ojou-sama.”

◇

Just as Florence persuaded Lux and they were about to leave Felisiana’s side together, Felisiana cast a brief glance elsewhere, not at Lux or Florence.

“…!”

Immediately after, the music in the venue changed, and Florence was swept away by the crowd.

“Lux-sama…!”

Lux’s back grew further and further away. Watching his retreating figure, Florence felt a sense of urgency for the first time in her life.

“This emotion…”

Until now, she had harbored affection for Lux—an affection that felt too deep for mere friendship, yet too calm to be called love. Until this very moment.

Lux, who had been by her side ever since enrollment, was now moving away from her. The hollow void it left in her heart made her realize her feelings for Lux were no longer just affection. They weren’t merely about his purity.

“…Lux-sama. It seems I’ve fallen in love with you.”

◇

Florence-san was right. It was unfair for us to keep talking with Felisiana-sama all to ourselves.

But…

“Florence-san, maybe just a little longer… huh?”

When I turned around, Florence-san was nowhere to be seen.

“She might have been caught up in that crowd earlier,” Felisiana-sama offered.

“Is that what happened…?”

I hadn’t noticed at all.

“You might want to look for your friend, but finding her among this many people would be quite difficult.”

“…”

Looking around the venue as she suggested, it did seem nearly impossible to find her. As I hesitated, wondering what to do, Felisiana-sama met my eyes with a gentle smile.

“Lux-kun, if you’d like, would you talk with me a bit more? Unlike Florence, I can’t see you every day, so I don’t want to miss this chance to talk with you.”

“…!”

That’s right. I can see Florence-san every day at the Noble Academy, but opportunities to meet Felisiana-sama are rare.

And above all…

“I’d love to talk with you more, Felisiana-sama!”

“Thank you, Lux-kun. It’s a bit crowded here, so shall we head to the terrace on the second floor?”

“Yes!”

We climbed the stairs and made our way to the second-floor terrace. Unlike the lively first floor, there was no one else up here.

“You must be getting used to school life by now. Have you found a fiancée, Lux-kun?” Against the backdrop of the starry night sky visible from the terrace, she asked me this suddenly.

“N-no! I haven’t…!”

“I see… Then, is there anyone you’d like to get engaged to?”

“Someone I’d like to get engaged to… I don’t have anyone like that right now.”

“…We talked about this before, but you said you wouldn’t mind getting engaged to me, right?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, don’t you ever think about wanting to get engaged to me?”

“…!?”

Me, engaged to Felisiana-sama…!? It’s something I can’t even imagine, but still…

“I can’t imagine wanting to get engaged to you, Felisiana-sama.”

“…Why not?”

“Because you’re so much more amazing and charming than someone like me.”

Answering without hesitation, I saw Felisiana-sama respond with a kind expression.

“You’re very charming too, Lux-kun. So don’t say things that put yourself down.”

“I don’t have any charm—”

Cutting off my words, Felisiana-sama placed her hands on my shoulders. “Lux-kun, you work harder than anyone.”

“…!”

…I’ve barely spent any time with Felisiana-sama.

“You strive harder than anyone and worry more than anyone.”

There’s no way Felisiana-sama could know about my daily life.

“That’s why you’ll become an incredible lord… I’ll guarantee it.”

Why is it? Felisiana-sama’s words carried a weight, as if she’d been watching me all along.

“Felisiana-sama…! Thank you so much…!”

Moved to tears by her warm words, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude. Seeing me like this, Felisiana-sama smiled gently.

◇

“Lux-kun, how about coming to the royal castle on the next full moon?”

“Huh…!? M-me, to the royal castle…?”

“Yes. Just like when you invited me to your estate the other day.”

As my emotions, still shaken to the point of tears, began to settle, Felisiana-sama’s sudden suggestion caught me off guard.

“But inviting you to my estate and you inviting me to the castle feel like they carry different implications…”

“You don’t need to worry about that, Lux-kun.”

“But for someone like me—”

I nearly let slip another self-deprecating remark, but Felisiana-sama’s words about my potential to become a wonderful lord echoed in my mind, stopping me short. I should be honest about my desire to spend time with her.

“…Understood. If that’s the case, I’ll visit on the full moon!”

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m sure Violet will be delighted too.”

◇

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m sure Violet will be delighted too.”

…!

Violet, who had been eavesdropping on Lux and Felisiana’s conversation from a discreet spot, froze when her name was mentioned. Ojou-sama, bringing up my name so suddenly will only trouble Rodell-sama…

“Really!? I’d love to talk more with Violet-san too!”

…!?

“I’ll let her know. …I’d love to keep talking, but let’s save that for next time.”

“Understood! Thank you so much for today!”

“No, thank you, Lux-kun.”

The two ended their conversation and headed back to the first floor. Watching them—especially Lux’s retreating back—Violet murmured, “To want to talk with me… I knew Rodell-sama was an eccentric, given he’s Ojou-sama’s beloved.”

Talking with her would lead to nothing. Her murmur carried a hint of self-mockery, but Violet reconsidered. “…No, it’s not the current me that Rodell-sama wants to talk to.”

What he desired was the cheerful Violet, the attendant of the Third Princess Felisiana. If he knew the real me—cold, taking lives, living in the shadows…

Felisiana’s happiness was the only happiness Violet was allowed to experience. Loving someone or being desired by someone was not permitted for her.

“Rodell-sama… please, be happy with Ojou-sama. I’ll support your happiness from the shadows.”

◇

The Royal Exchange concluded, and Felisiana made her way to the waiting carriage. Standing before it was a familiar blue-haired girl.

“This is the white carriage reserved exclusively for royalty… isn’t it, Third Princess-sama?”

“…Florence.”

Called by her name, Florence gave a slight smile, the corners of her mouth lifting without the warmth she reserved for Lux.

“Thank you very much for the truly splendid hospitality today.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Are you playing innocent?”

Looking directly into Felisiana’s eyes, she continued, “You went to such elaborate lengths to keep me away from Lux-sama, didn’t you?”

“You tried to keep me away from Lux-kun too, didn’t you?”

Florence paused briefly before nodding. “That’s true.”

“With all due respect, Third Princess-sama, you are not suited for Lux-sama.”

“You can think what you like, but are you saying you’re suited for him?”

At those words, Florence averted her gaze to the ground. “Unfortunately, I could hardly claim to be suited for someone with such a pure heart.”

“If you understand that, then stay away from Lux-kun.”

“If Lux-sama were to be with someone truly suited for him, I’d have accepted that… until today.”

“…Until today?”

Florence lifted her gaze and began to walk. As they passed each other, she stopped. “Today, thanks to you, I realized that my feelings for Lux-sama are love.”

“…!”

“So, I won’t be stepping away from Lux-sama.”

“…”

“That’s all I wanted to say, so I’ll take my leave.”

As Florence began to walk away, Felisiana grabbed her arm. Her eyes were devoid of emotion, utterly hollow.

“If you ever lay a hand on Lux-kun… I’ll never forgive you.”

“…I acknowledge Third Princess-sama’s exceptional talents as a royal. But that’s precisely why I can’t let you near Lux-sama.”

Glancing at Felisiana’s hand gripping her arm, Florence continued, “If anyone were to see this, it could cause quite a scandal, you know?”

“To remain completely unfazed against Ojou-sama… she’s more formidable than expected,” Violet murmured, appearing right after Florence left.

“That woman said I’m not suited for Lux-kun, but what did you think?”

“Since your definitions of ‘suited’ seem to differ, I can’t say.”

“That’s true… But no matter what anyone says, I’m the one who’ll be with Lux-kun.”

Violet nodded at Felisiana’s firm declaration. “Yes. I’ll continue to assist you, however humbly.”