Critical Matters
Violet’s Side
The night before Siana was to invite Lux to the royal castle.
Violet sat with Siana in her private chambers, carefully reviewing the plan one last time.
“And that covers everything for tomorrow’s plan to invite Lux-kun to the royal castle… Do you see any issues or areas we could improve?”
Violet responded in a calm, composed voice.
“None at all. The most crucial part of the plan, as I see it, will be when Ojou-sama and Rodwell-sama enjoy tea and sweets together in the guest room, chat for a while, and then step out.”
“Yes, that moment is absolutely pivotal.”
Until now, Lux and Siana had grown closer through conversation, but this time, the plan aimed to take things further.
The goal was to deepen their bond beyond words, to take a decisive step forward in their relationship.
Siana added, her tone growing slightly more serious.
“But before that, there’s one more important task. You need to find out what kind of clothes Lux-kun likes.”
“Understood. I’ll handle it.”
“Good. Just to be safe, I’ll go and check in on Lux-kun myself.”
“Very well. I also believe it would be wise for me to gauge Rodwell-sama’s state of mind today, so I’ll be listening in on the conversation.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good idea.”
With that, Siana made her way to Lux’s room and began speaking with him.
Lux’s Side
While I was studying in my room, Siana said she wanted to talk with me for a bit, so I invited her in.
She stepped inside and started the conversation right away.
“Master, I’m sorry to disturb you while you’re studying.”
“No, don’t worry about it. So, what did you want to talk about, Siana?”
“Yes. Master, tomorrow you’ll be visiting the royal castle at Princess Felisiana-sama’s invitation, correct?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Um… Are you feeling alright about it?”
My feelings… Oh.
It seems Siana is worried about me.
“It’s true, going to the royal castle is nerve-wracking, but knowing I’ll be meeting Felisiana-sama, who’s so kind, helps ease some of that anxiety.”
“…! K-Kind, you say?”
“Yeah! Felisiana-sama is truly a gentle, caring person.”
“I-I see…”
For some reason, Siana’s cheeks flushed red… Right.
“Oh, by the way, I heard that Violet-san, um, I mean, Felisiana-sama’s maid will be there too. I’d really like to talk with her some more.”
“The maid, you say… Why do you want to speak with her?”
“Because she also said kind things to help me feel more comfortable around Felisiana-sama. She’s really kind, too. That’s why I’d like to talk with her again.”
“I see… If she’ll be there tomorrow, then I’m sure you’ll have the chance.”
“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it.”
After that, I spent the rest of the time chatting with Siana. Even though I’d been a little tense about visiting the royal castle tomorrow, talking with her somehow calmed me. Now, I wasn’t nervous at all, just genuinely excited for what tomorrow would bring.
Violet’s Side
The moment Lux and Siana slipped into light conversation, Violet quietly returned to Siana’s chambers.
Then, she recalled what Lux had said just a moment ago.
“She also said kind things to help me feel more comfortable around Felisiana-sama. She’s really kind, too. That’s why I’d like to talk with her again.”
Violet whispered those words back to herself, almost inaudibly.
“Rodwell-sama… I am not kind. I only acted that way because it was my duty.”
In her entire life, Violet had only ever been called “kind” by two people. Siana, and now Lux.
And when she thought about everything she had done until now, she couldn’t believe she was a kind person, nor did she think she had any right to believe it.
“I don’t want to talk to you, Rodwell-sama… If you were to see the real me, I’m certain you’d come to hate me. But it’s my mission, so I have no choice but to speak with you…”
Though she rarely let her feelings weigh her down, Violet found herself sinking into a quiet melancholy. But she reminded herself this was a mission, nothing more. And so, she resolved to face Lux tomorrow as the maid of the Third Princess Felisiana, Violet, the role she had been assigned.
And the next day, a day that would become a turning point in Violet’s life.