Felisiana-sama
Only three days remained until the entrance ceremony at the noble academy.
My preparatory studies were nearing their end, the final threads weaving into place—but lately, a particular thought had begun to quietly trouble me.
I stepped out of my room and made my way to Siana’s door. Once there, I knocked, hoping to confirm the shape of the unease that had taken root in me.
“Siana, do you have a moment?”
“M-Master!? Y-Yes! What is it!?”
Just as I heard her voice—rushed and startled—the door swung open almost immediately, and there she was.
“It’s nothing urgent, really. I just… you’ve seemed preoccupied lately, and I couldn’t help but worry.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I assure you, I’m not troubled by anything!”
“Is that so? It just seemed like, starting around two days ago, you’ve been deep in thought—jotting things down in your notebook at odd moments. It made me wonder if something was bothering you.”
“T-There’s no such thing, truly!”
“…”
No doubt about it—Siana was hiding something. And yet, this time, I found myself hesitating.
The question wasn’t just whether something was wrong, but whether this was a matter I had the right to step into as her master—or if I should respect her silence and keep my distance.
I didn’t want to force my way into her heart if it would cause her pain. But if there was even the slightest chance I could be of help, then I wanted to be.
Perhaps it would be reasonable to think: If she hasn’t asked for help, then I should stay out of it. But Siana hates troubling others. Even if it were something I could resolve, she’d never ask—unless she summoned the strength to push past that aversion.
While I was still caught in that tangle of indecision, Siana suddenly shifted the topic.
“Oh, that reminds me—I overheard something recently. It seems a member of the royal family will be attending your noble academy’s entrance ceremony.”
…She had changed the subject, or so it seemed. But her demeanor hadn’t shifted at all from the moment we began speaking.
Which meant—even if she hadn’t touched the heart of it—the new topic was still somehow tied to what had been weighing on her… or so I suspected. In any case—
“A royal? Even for a noble academy, having someone from the royal family attend in person… that’s incredible.”
I was genuinely surprised.
Sure, I’d heard of them sending written greetings from time to time—but to appear in person… that was extraordinary.
“I wonder what kind of person they are… I’m already starting to feel nervous.”
“…The one attending will be Her Highness, the Third Princess, Felisiana-sama.”
When it comes to royalty, there are all kinds—some with only a trace of noble blood, others who bear the title merely in name. But Felisiana-sama, the Third Princess, is of the true royal line… ranked just beneath the King, the First Princess, and the Second Princess in stature.
“That Her Highness, Felisiana-sama herself is coming in person… I doubt I’ll be anything more than a passing blur in her peripheral vision. Still, now I really am nervous. Felisiana-sama’s known for her brilliance—not just her academic talent and swordsmanship, but even decisions about national policy and the governance of certain territories. She’s… astonishing.”
As I said that, for some reason, Siana looked ever so slightly bashful.
“I wonder what she’s really like… Felisiana-sama, I mean. She handles things so complex I can’t even begin to imagine. I picture her as someone serious and composed.”
The moment I said it, Siana frantically shook her head and jumped in.
“N-No, not at all! I think she’s much more relaxed than that! Always smiling, bright, kind… I really don’t think she’s the kind of person who’d come across as stiff or hard to approach!”
“I-I didn’t mean to say being serious made someone hard to approach or anything… But yeah, if she’s like that, that would be nice. Not that I think I’ll ever actually talk to Felisiana-sama or anything.”
When I said that, Siana lowered her gaze and murmured, a faint shadow crossing her expression.
“…Would it be troublesome for you, Master, to become involved with royalty?”
I didn’t understand why her face had darkened—but I simply spoke from the heart.
“No, not at all… Felisiana-sama is incredible as the Third Princess, but what truly amazes me isn’t her title. It’s how she’s pushed herself to excel—in academics, in swordplay, in shaping the kingdom’s direction, in managing territories… all of it. That kind of strength, that kind of determination—that’s what I admire. So it’s not that the Third Princess is amazing because of who she is—it’s that Felisiana-sama herself is extraordinary. I know I’m not saying it very well, but… I guess what I mean is, I don’t really place that much importance on someone’s status. So no, I wouldn’t ever think of dealing with royalty as a burden. Ah—but that’s not to say I look down on them, either——”
“I understand. That’s just like you, Master.”
As she said that, Siana looked at me and smiled gently.
…That’s just like you, Master?
“I mean, I’m just me, right? Huh? What do you mean by that…?”
“That’s exactly what I meant.”
With those words, Siana smiled—warm and radiant.
…I still didn’t quite understand. But seeing her so cheerful—it made me feel at ease, too. Almost without realizing it, I smiled back.