Reunion
“Felisiana-sama…? Is something the matter…?”
I asked Felisiana-sama that, worried by how her expression had suddenly darkened—for reasons I couldn’t grasp. Still wearing that somber look, she answered.
“To say there’s absolutely no chance of an engagement… isn’t that a bit cruel? No—more than that… it’s not that you don’t want to be engaged to me. It’s that you can’t, isn’t it?”
“There’s no way I’d ever presume to speak so arrogantly as to say I wouldn’t want to be engaged to you, Felisiana-sama. I’ve never once thought anything of the sort, so of course that’s not it.”
“I see… then I’m glad.”
After taking a measured breath, Felisiana-sama’s expression softened, the shadow lifting into something more composed.
…Seeing her up close, she was even more stunning than she had appeared from across the hall.
From her delicate features to her poised demeanor, every detail of her seemed impossibly perfect.
“Lux-kun…?”
Just as I found myself staring, mesmerized, Felisiana-sama called out to me.
I answered her immediately.
“Yes! What is it?”
“You seemed to be looking at my face… Is there something on it?”
“N-No, not at all! It’s just… you were so beautiful, I couldn’t help myself.”
“…!”
At my words, Felisiana-sama quickly turned her face away, as if trying to hide it from view. …Had I upset her somehow?
“I’m so sorry for saying something strange!”
As I apologized, she turned back toward me.
…Her expression remained composed, but her voice betrayed a hint of nervous energy.
“Y-You don’t have to worry about it… I-It’s just… the corners of my mouth…”
“Corners…?”
“It’s nothing.”
After a short pause, Felisiana-sama looked at me and spoke.
“Also, it’s hard to keep talking with you kneeling like that. Would you mind standing up?”
“…Understood!”
I felt deeply unworthy to speak to her while standing, but more than that, I didn’t want to ignore her request. So I rose to my feet, just as she asked.
…Even though she was a woman, Felisiana-sama stood as tall as I did.
I’m a bit taller than average for a man, which meant Felisiana-sama was exceptionally tall for a woman.
As I once again took in how completely flawless she was, something suddenly struck me—and I decided to ask.
“Felisiana-sama, I hope this isn’t rude, but… may I ask you something?”
“Of course. Not just one thing—if there’s anything at all you want to know, I’ll tell you.”
…Felisiana-sama really is such a kind person.
“Thank you. Then… how did you know my name, Felisiana-sama?”
Felisiana-sama had known my name even before I introduced myself.
Because she already knew who I was, I’d unconsciously skipped the usual formality of introducing myself—but I couldn’t help wondering how someone like her could possibly know someone like me.
When I asked, she smiled gently and replied.
“You might not remember, Lux-kun… but we met once, at a party, a long time ago. You introduced yourself then, and I remembered. You’re Lux Rodwell of the Count’s house, right?”
“Of course I remember the party! Just as you said, I’m Lux Rodwell, son of a Count! But I’m honestly shocked you remembered me, especially since we met when you were so little!”
“Yes… You’ve stayed in my memory ever since.”
Felisiana-sama spoke with a look full of gentle nostalgia, like someone recalling something precious.
…I’d always known she was someone extraordinary—but now that we were actually speaking, I could truly feel how remarkable she was.
Her intellect, her swordsmanship, her mastery of all the difficult disciplines—and beyond that, her character. This was the Third Princess, Felisiana-sama.
Even now—what felt like the hundredth time today—I found myself struck by Felisiana-sama’s presence, when she suddenly spoke.
“…More importantly, Lux-kun, are you sure you’re supposed to be here?”
“Huh? Oh… you mean the entrance celebration party. To be honest, I’ve been a little unsure about whether to attend.”
“Why not?”
I felt hesitant to burden Felisiana-sama with my personal issues—but she had asked with such kindness, I didn’t want to brush that kindness aside. So I explained.
“Thinking ahead, I know I should attend the entrance celebration party. But… I’m a little worried about a servant back at the estate.”
“…So that’s what kept you here, debating alone in front of the auditorium—whether to stay for the party or go back early, out of concern for that servant?”
“Yes… She’s a maid, and honestly, she’s an incredibly good person. She’s smart, and even when things are tough for her, she still supports me. She’s kind, in a way that—well, it’s not the same at all, but in some ways, she reminds me of you, Felisiana-sama. S-Sorry! I didn’t mean to suggest someone like you would ever be a servant! That would never happen. I just meant… she’s really important to me right now. And not knowing how she’s feeling while I’m gone—it worries me.”
“…”
After I’d gone on for a while about my personal concerns, Felisiana-sama fell silent… Maybe I’d said too much. Maybe I’d even brought her mood down.
“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to go on so long.”
But contrary to my fears, Felisiana-sama looked at me with a warm, gentle expression as she responded.
“Not at all. I was simply moved… by how deeply you care for your servant. But if you truly want what’s best for her, then I think, Lux-kun—you should care for yourself, too. I’m sure that’s what she would want.”
“Ah…! You’re right… Thank you! I’ll think about myself properly, do what needs to be done, and then—then I’ll go back to Siana—ah, I mean, my servant—with my head held high!”
“Yes. You should.”
With those words, Felisiana-sama gave me a soft, reassuring smile.
“Then… if you’ll excuse me! Thank you so much for talking with someone like me for so long!”
“No, thank you. Let’s talk again sometime.”
After giving Felisiana-sama a deep bow, I turned and headed toward the ballroom on the first floor of the noble academy building—where the entrance celebration was already underway.