Master
Siana’s Side
“Welcome home, Master.”
“Ah, Siana… I’m back.”
Siana stood at the gates of the Rodwell estate, greeting Lux as he returned from the noble academy. The moment their eyes met, she sensed something was off.
“Master, did something happen?”
Hoping to uncover the reason behind his strange demeanor, Siana asked gently. Lux, however, gave her a soft smile and replied,
“Eh? N-No, really, it’s nothing.”
“…I see. Forgive me for asking something so thoughtless out of the blue.”
“No, it’s fine. I think it’s just the fatigue from our first swordsmanship class today… it probably showed on my face. Sorry for worrying you, and… thank you for caring.”
With that, Lux turned and quietly made his way into the mansion.
Siana followed close behind, but instead of heading elsewhere, she went straight to her own room and called out a name.
“Violet.”
At her voice, Violet, a figure in a black hood appeared beside her.
“Yes, Ojou-sama.”
“…Lux-kun seemed different today. Could it be… some fool’s tried to trouble him again?”
“As you suspected, that is the case.”
Violet’s calm reply drew a chill to Siana’s features. Her voice turned cold.
“Unbelievable… Two of the world’s most pathetic fools showing up so close together. What are the odds?”
“This time, unlike with Marquis Zald Zarden, it wasn’t just one. There were three.”
“…!”
Even a single person trying to harm Lux was unforgivable in Siana’s eyes, as her past actions with Zarden had made abundantly clear. But this time, three. Her gaze and voice turned mechanical as she spoke.
“…Tell me everything. Every detail.”
“Yes. Rodwell-sama secured second place in the academic rankings, which infuriated three boys from the marquis families. During swordsmanship class, they ganged up on Rodwell-sama three to one in a mock battle. Based on their remarks, it seems their frustration stems from scoring lower than someone from a count’s house.”
“The last fool was already among the most brainless I’ve seen, but now someone’s taken it a step further… physically attacking Lux-kun.”
“…In the end, Rodwell-sama turned the tables on all three, but given how enraged they were, it’s highly likely they’ll try again.”
After hearing the full report, Siana didn’t hesitate for even a moment.
“Violet, gather everything you can on those three. I want full dossiers, immediately.”
“Understood… However, if you plan to act tonight, I believe that would be unwise.”
At that, Siana’s voice sharpened with a flicker of anger.
“What are you saying? If we wait until tomorrow, who knows what might happen to Lux-kun in the meantime?”
“I will protect Rodwell-sama without fail. But if you take action tonight, you may end up crossing paths with Florence-sama.”
The moment she heard that name, Siana understood exactly what Violet was implying.
“…So, that woman is thinking the same thing I am.”
“Yes. Florence-sama saw the entire incident from closer than anyone. Given her temperament and how she seemed today, I believe she’ll make a move. And if she does, and you meet her there, your methods will likely clash. Which means you’ll have to confront her, too. While the two of us together would not lose, it would still be a complication.”
Siana longed to punish those boys with her own hands right this moment, but if Floria got involved due to differing methods, it would become much more troublesome.
Though she held no fondness for Floria, Siana respected her strength. Violet was right, acting on emotion now wouldn’t be wise.
“Fine… No matter what happens, you are to protect Lux-kun tomorrow.”
“Understood. I swear I will keep Rodwell-sama safe.”
Lux’s Side
As my mind swirled with anxiety over what tomorrow at school might bring, there came a knock at my door.
“Master, may I come in?”
It was Siana’s voice. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, and responded,
“Yeah, come in.”
The door opened, and Siana stepped inside. She walked over and sat down quietly beside me.
“Master, are you feeling any better?”
“Y-Yeah… I’m okay now.”
“…”
She looked at me with eyes full of concern. I really can’t keep anything from her, can I?
“The truth is… something happened today. It got me a little shaken up. I guess I started worrying about what comes next, and… well, I ended up feeling pretty low.”
“…I understand.”
“Siana… if it’s okay, could I… hold you for a little while?”
“If you’ll have me, please hold me as long as you like.”
“…Thank you.”
I took her at her word and gently wrapped my arms around her.
“…When I hold you like this, I feel like I can keep going. Like I need to live up to the name of being your master.”
“Master, you’ve already done more than enough.”
“No… If something as small as this can shake me so much that I have to lean on you, I’ve still got a long way to go.”
As I said that, Siana embraced me in return, her voice tender as she spoke.
“There’s nothing wrong with leaning on someone. Whenever you’re troubled, you can always count on me.”
“Siana… thank you. No matter what kind of life awaits me tomorrow, as your master, I’ll do my best.”
“Yes… and I will do everything in my power to support you, Master.”
We held each other for a while in quiet comfort. Then, after Siana left the room, I began to think more clearly about how to face whatever tomorrow might bring.
The following day.
When I arrived at the noble academy, what happened was something I never could have predicted.