Royalty
Lux’s Side
At last, today is the long-awaited day of the Royal Exchange.
As the name suggests, the Royal Exchange is an opportunity for students of the noble academy to interact with members of the royal family.
Because the royals are often occupied with their duties, usually only one of them attends. However, that would limit the scope of interaction far too much—so nobles with especially close ties to the royal family are also invited to participate.
Having finished my usual morning preparations for the noble academy, I walked with Siana to where the carriage awaited us.
“Master, today is the Royal Exchange… isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“…Among the royal family, is there someone you’d especially like to see attend, Master?”
“Someone I’d like to see… It feels presumptuous of me to even have an opinion, but I guess I can think about it a little.”
I’ve only ever met one member of the royal family—Felisiana-sama. The others, I’ve only heard bits and pieces about through hearsay.
In this country, the formal hierarchy is: the King, the Queen, the First Princess, the Second Princess, and the Third Princess. There’s no one known as a prince, so it’s almost certain that one of these five will be attending today’s event.
There are two reasons why no one holds the title of prince.
First, the King and Queen have never had a son.
Second, our country has a system where the man a princess chooses as her fiancé is bestowed the title of prince—but none of the three princesses have chosen a fiancé yet.
So that means the royal guest attending the exchange today will be one of the King, the Queen, the First Princess, the Second Princess, or the Third Princess… but.
“It would be wonderful if the King or Queen came, but realistically, I don’t think either of them would attend a simple academy event. Let’s take them out of consideration.”
“Understood… so that leaves the First, Second, or Third Princess.”
“Yeah.”
Siana’s Side
For Siana, the question of which royal family member Lux wished would attend the exchange wasn’t a trivial one—it was deeply significant.
Through it, she could glean Lux’s impressions of the other royals… and perhaps, more importantly, of herself.
As soon as Lux began to speak, Siana listened closely, not missing a word.
“Well, honestly, my answer’s been clear from the start. I hope Her Highness the Third Princess, Felisiana-sama, is the one who comes.”
“…!”
Upon hearing those words, Siana smiled—a radiant, joyful smile—but even that expression couldn’t fully express the warmth blooming inside her chest.
If her inner voice had accidentally slipped out…
“He just said it—he wants me to come. He actually said it out loud! Lux-kun… I want to see you too… Even though we see each other every day! But as Felisiana, I want to be with you even more—to see you not just every day, but from the moment I open my eyes each morning!”
…then this moment might’ve turned into an emotional disaster for Siana.
She quickly composed herself and spoke.
“Is it because you and Felisiana-sama already have a connection, Master?”
When Siana asked this, Lux nodded gently.
“Yeah. I’d really like to talk with Felisiana-sama more, but she’s probably an incredibly busy person. That’s why I want to take advantage of a chance like this to get to know her better.”
His words filled Siana with such happiness that she nearly lost her balance—but she couldn’t let Lux see her like that. She steadied herself and pressed on with the conversation.
“I see… And what about the First Princess and Second Princess? How much do you know about them, Master?”
Having managed to hear his opinion of her, Siana smoothly shifted to her next objective: learning what kind of impression Lux had of the other two princesses.
It might have seemed like an unrelated topic, but if she were to become engaged to Lux, there was no doubt the First and Second Princesses would be involved—understanding his perception of them was crucial.
“From what I’ve heard, the First Princess is very composed and dignified. She’s highly educated, skilled with a sword, and even manages trade logistics and foreign diplomacy. She sounds like an incredible person.”
As Lux spoke, Siana nodded—though somewhat hesitantly, her expression clouded by conflicted feelings.
“Yes… that’s certainly how she seems.”
Hearing Lux praise another woman stirred an urge to object in Siana’s heart—but even she had to admit, the First Princess was undeniably exceptional.
That undeniable fact made her response hesitant and subdued—but she continued listening, waiting for Lux’s next words.
“But, if I had to choose who I’d want to come from among the royals… I know it’s presumptuous to say this, since I don’t really know the others well. Still, I’d honestly be happiest if Felisiana-sama came. Of course, I’d be glad to meet anyone—but she’d mean the most.”
Hearing that, Siana’s lips curled into a gentle smile, her heart swelling with warmth.
The First Princess was indeed amazing. But that didn’t mean Lux held special feelings for her. In terms of closeness, she, Siana, was ahead.
It was only natural, she told herself—the First Princess didn’t even know Lux existed. But even so, that small fact made Siana deeply, sincerely happy.
“Next is the Second Princess… I’ve heard she’s smart, but not very good with a sword. Still, she handles domestic disputes and oversees internal economics. Some say that if not for her, the country might’ve fallen into civil war. She must be a truly kind and capable person.”
“…!?”
Siana stiffened at Lux’s words—because the Second Princess he described was far from reality.
It was true she was intelligent and did have a hand in resolving disputes and negotiating economic issues… but she was neither virtuous nor kind-hearted.
The reason she was effective in those areas was because of her unshakable confidence in her own appearance—and the way she strategically used it to manipulate and control.
Siana had been reminded of this not long ago, during a conversation with the Second Princess in the royal castle’s hallway—her character left much to be desired.
“That may be one side of her, yes, but…”
Siana wanted to correct Lux’s impression—to tell him he was mistaken—but saying such a thing in her position would be unnatural. She couldn’t bring herself to voice it.
“Siana…?”
“…It’s nothing. Please don’t worry.”
As she said that, Lux noticed the carriage driver waving to him and spoke up, a hint of urgency in his voice.
“Looks like it’s time to get going. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes. Have a safe trip, Master.”
Siana bowed as she spoke, and Lux climbed into the carriage.
As the wheels began to turn and the carriage pulled away, Siana called out loudly.
“Master!”
“Siana…?”
Lux turned toward her voice, looking back through the carriage window.
Siana smiled at him and said softly—
“Until we meet again.”
“Yeah… see you soon.”
What she meant, of course, was see you soon as Felisiana at the Royal Exchange—but that meaning didn’t reach Lux.
And Siana knew that. She knew it… and yet—somewhere deep inside, she was beginning to long for the day she could reveal her true self to him.
She wanted to come clean—wanted to deepen her bond with Lux not as Siana, but as Felisiana.
Those parting words had been a faint reflection of that hope… and for now, it was fine if he didn’t understand.
“Lux-kun…”
As the carriage disappeared from view, Siana silently prayed—for the day her words, and her truth, would finally reach him.