Chapter 9: Dream

The day of the full moon, as promised with Felisiana-sama.

I rode a carriage and arrived at the royal castle.

Beyond the large, arched gate stood a stone building painted in white, with countless windows adorning it and several spires rising from its structure. It was clearly distinct from any other building.

“F-from now on, I’ll be here…”

I couldn’t help but feel intimidated. But, as Siana’s master… and… “To live up to the expectations of Felisiana-sama and Florence-san, who said I could become a ‘wonderful lord’…!”

Encouraging myself, I straightened my posture and headed toward the gate.

“Lux-kun, I’m glad you came.”

Upon arriving at the gate, Felisiana-sama welcomed me.

“Felisiana-sama! Thank you for welcoming me! I look forward to today!”

As I began to bow my head…

“Today isn’t official business, so you don’t need to bow.”

“G-got it!”

Responding to her, Felisiana-sama gave me a gentle smile. Then, Violet-san, standing behind her, spoke up.

“Hello, Rodell-sama! I’ve been really looking forward to today!”

“Me too, Violet-san! I’m looking forward to today!”

“Likewise, I look forward to it!”

“…Well then, Lux-kun, let me show you to the guest room.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

After exchanging greetings with the two, I was guided by them to the castle’s guest room.

The room was so luxurious it hardly seemed like a guest room, and I couldn’t help but be captivated. All the furniture was unified in white and patterned gold, with an expensive-looking painting hanging above the unlit fireplace.

“Lux-kun, would you sit on that sofa?”

“Y-yes!”

Snapping back to reality at Felisiana-sama’s words, I sat on the sofa as instructed.

Felisiana-sama sat across from me, while Violet-san stood behind her.

“Violet, prepare the tea.”

“Understood, Ojou-sama!”

With a cheerful reply, she picked up the teapot in front of her and began brewing tea. Her movements were so steady, clearly practiced.

Watching her for a moment, I felt a sense of familiarity in her tea-brewing technique. It’s a bit like how Siana does it—

“Rodell-sama! Here you are!”

“Oh! Thank you!”

Violet-san, having finished brewing, offered me a cup of tea.

Pausing my thoughts, I spoke up to ask.

“May I try it?”

“Of course! Please let me know what you think!”

Right after Violet-san said that, Felisiana-sama nodded in approval.

With their permission, I took a sip of the tea.

“…! It’s sweet but still has a rich depth—it’s incredibly delicious!”

“I’m honored to hear that from you, Rodell-sama!”

It’s really delicious. Tea often leans toward being either sweet or strong, but this tea strikes a perfect balance between the two.

As Felisiana-sama took a sip after me, she said with satisfaction, “It’s delicious. Well done, Violet.”

“Thank you, Ojou-sama!”

Since neither of them seemed particularly surprised, Violet-san’s tea must always be this delicious. Always… that’s right.

“Felisiana-sama, do you ever brew tea yourself?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Really? I’d love to try tea brewed by you someday, Felisiana-sama!”

“…!”

Hearing my words, Felisiana-sama widened her eyes in surprise and fell silent.

Oh no! Asking a royal to brew tea for me—what a rude thing to say…!

“I-I’m sorry! It was incredibly presumptuous of me to ask you to brew tea for someone like me! Please forget I said that!”

I hurriedly apologized, but Felisiana-sama shook her head and said, “I don’t think that at all. It’s just…”

Then, with a smile that seemed to hold some kind of anticipation, she continued, “When that wish comes true… our relationship will surely be something very deep, won’t it?”

“…”

I couldn’t grasp the meaning behind her words. But… I could strongly feel the deep emotion they carried.

“Lux-kun, are you enjoying your school life at the Noble Academy?”

The conversation shifted, and we were now talking about my life at the academy.

“The classes are filled with things I want to study, and during breaks, I can talk with Florence-san, so it’s really fun!”

“I… See. Talking with Florence is fun, isn’t it?”

“Yes! And right now, talking with you, Felisiana-sama, is also really fun!”

Expressing my feelings honestly, Felisiana-sama blushed slightly and said, “I’m happy to hear you say that… I also enjoy talking with you, Lux-kun.”

“R-really!?”

“Yes, really.”

Overjoyed by her words, I leaned forward slightly and said.

“Thank you, Felisiana-sama!”

“Y-you don’t need to thank me. I’m just saying what I feel.”

Her words filled me with even greater joy, and I turned to Violet-san next. “I’m also having a lot of fun spending time with you, Violet-san!”

“R-really?”

“Yes! Let’s talk more!”

“…If you say so, Rodell-sama, then absolutely!”

The three of us continued to enjoy our time together, sipping tea. After we finished our tea and took a brief pause, Felisiana-sama spoke again.

“Lux-kun, there’s something I’d like to do now… would you come with me?”

“Something you want to do with me? Of course, I’ll come!”

“Thank you.”

With Felisiana-sama leading the way, we left the guest room and began walking down a carpeted hallway. The castle was vast, its long corridor stretching endlessly, but we eventually arrived at a certain place.

“This is…”

“The castle’s dance hall.”

“Dance hall…”

Large windows draped with red curtains lined the room, and chandeliers hung at regular intervals from the high ceiling. The walls, like the guest room, gleamed in white and gold, adorned with traditional, luxurious ornaments and grand paintings.

Led by Felisiana-sama, I stopped in the center of the dance hall. Violet-san, who had been right behind us, paused at the entrance, lingering by the doorway.

“Finally… It’s here,” Felisiana-sama murmured, her gaze sweeping the room with deep emotion.

“…Felisiana-sama?”

Puzzled by her demeanor, I called out to her. She slowly turned to face me, then extended her hand.

“Lux-kun, would you dance with me here?” she asked, a joyful smile lighting her face.

“…Huh?”

Me, dancing with Felisiana-sama…!? Dancing with someone of the opposite sex carries profound meaning on its own. For a royal, that significance must be even greater. Felisiana-sama surely understands this. And yet, she’s asking to dance with me…!

If that’s the case, what matters now is whether I want to dance with Felisiana-sama.

“…”

She’s kind.

She’s cool.

And sometimes, surprisingly, she gets embarrassed—Felisiana-sama. With someone like her—

Taking her outstretched hand, I said firmly, “Yes, let’s dance!”

“…! Lux-kun…!”

Her voice brimmed with delight as she gently squeezed my hand. Then we began to step, extending our arms and spinning together at the start of a dance.

“Hehe… I’m dancing with Lux-kun right now, aren’t I?”

“Yes, Felisiana-sama! I’m having so much fun!”

“Me too… In my entire life, this moment is, without a doubt, the most fun and happiest.”

Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled, her bright expression carrying not just the joy of this moment but the weight of emotions built up over time. I didn’t know why I could sense it, but—

“Me too! Let’s dance even more together!”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Right now, I just wanted to savor this happy time—this joyful moment with Felisiana-sama.

◇

Felisiana moved with an elegance befitting her title as the Third Princess, her dance a vision of grace. She briefly closed her eyes, recalling the moment she first met Lux-kun—the unfulfilled wish from a party long ago, a dance with Lux she had always dreamed of.

Back then, I couldn’t do it… but now—

Opening her eyes, she saw Lux dancing with a radiant smile. I’m able to dance with Lux-kun like this. She was fulfilling a dream she’d held since childhood, just as the legend her father once shared had foretold—a dance with Lux in the castle’s grand hall.

It’s genuinely so fun and overwhelmingly happy… but

As the dance neared its end, Felisiana spun gracefully. As expected, I can’t be satisfied with just this.

As if responding to her heart, Lux drew her closer. And then—

Lux-kun… from now on, let’s live even happier times together.

At the end of the dream that was this dance, Felisiana found a new dream.

◇

“Thank you both so much for today!”

After leaving the dance hall, the three of us had reached the castle gate.

“I’m the one who had a wonderful time,” Felisiana-sama said with a gentle smile.

“I also had so much fun talking with you, Rodell-sama!” Violet-san added brightly.

“Felisiana-sama, Violet-san…”

Their words warmed my heart, and Felisiana-sama’s soft gaze met mine as she spoke again. “Lux-kun, let’s meet again.”

“…! Yes, let’s meet again!”

With those final words exchanged, I boarded the carriage, carrying the memories of today in my heart as I headed back to the mansion.

◇

A few dozen minutes later.

“Hey, didn’t Felisiana bring someone here today?” Elizarina asked the gate guard, having finished her official duties and returned to the castle.

“No, nothing like that happened.”

“…Really? I thought if Felisiana were to bring someone, it’d be today when we’re all out.”

Stepping closer to the guard, she pressed on. “Are you saying my guess was wrong?”

“N-no, that’s not…” The guard looked flustered but said nothing more.

Judging that continuing the conversation would be fruitless, Elizarina lowered her voice slightly, a hint of intimidation in her tone. “She’s the Third Princess, and I’m the Second. You don’t need me to tell you which side is wiser to take, right? Don’t worry about any gag orders—just tell me. If you speak now, I’ll let it slide.”

“Eek…!”

The guard’s face paled under Elizarina’s pressure, and he slowly opened his heavy mouth. “The Third Princess… she, um… brought a man into the castle.”

“Who?”

“I-I don’t know! I swear! Please forgive me…!”

He’s not lying, Elizarina thought. With her experience skillfully mediating domestic disputes, she was confident in her ability to read people, thanks to her striking appearance and eloquence.

“Fine then. Keep up the good work~”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Leaving those words behind, Elizarina headed toward the castle with light steps. “Still, that villain from the earl’s family… to make Felisiana this smitten, huh.”

…This sounds interesting, so maybe I’ll go all out and try to steal him~

In the corridor leading to the castle, Elizarina wore a mischievous smile.