Disgust
Lux’s Side
A day off.
Today I had the opportunity to spend time with Florence-san inside the ducal Florence mansion, so Siana and I came together to the Duke Florence family’s residence.
As for Siana, when I told Florence-san that Siana wished to come along with me, Florence-san welcomed the idea without hesitation, so Siana accompanied me.
And now, inside the carriage heading toward the Florence estate.
“…Master, today we are simply going to enjoy some tea together, correct?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m expecting.”
“Understood.”
I found myself wondering if that was really something she needed to confirm… but Siana has always been someone who considers my needs even more carefully than I consider my own, serving me with devotion, so it’s probably not something I could ever fully grasp.
After a while, as Siana and I chatted idly, the carriage arrived at the Florence estate, and we stepped down from it.
Florence-san greeted us and said,
“Welcome, Lux-sama… and Siana-san, this would be your second visit, correct?”
“Yes, thank you very much for allowing both me and Siana to come today!”
“No, the pleasure is truly mine… Now then, please allow me to guide you into the house.”
With those words, Florence-san turned and led us inside the ducal Florence mansion.
We entered through the front door and began walking down the hallway.
If I recall correctly, the reason I was first invited into Florence-san’s residence was that she had complimented the decorations in my home and suggested I see hers too…
“As expected, it’s amazing… Compared to my house, the decorations along the hallway walls and ceilings are so beautifully crafted. I can really see the excellence of the Florence family’s architectural taste.”
“Thank you… although, this hallway was designed by my father, so it isn’t really something I can take personal pride in.”
“I see… are there any places in the estate that you designed yourself, Florence-san?”
“Yes, I designed the garden where we had tea before, my own room, and part of the living room.”
“Ah, so that garden was designed by you, Florence-san!?”
“Yes.”
With that, Florence-san gave a gentle and serene smile.
…Being able to design such a beautiful space wrapped in flowers, that’s so like Florence-san.
“However, when it comes to what can be placed in a garden, there are naturally limitations. While I could choose the placement, the range of items I could use was rather narrow… But my room, on the other hand, was entirely designed by me. If it pleases you, would you care to see it later?”
A room designed by Florence-san… I’m very interested!?
Just as I had that thought, I suddenly sensed a killing intent from behind me and instinctively turned around.
“Is something the matter, Master?”
But all I saw was Siana, smiling sweetly. There was nothing about her that could be described as giving off killing intent.
“N-No, sorry for turning around so suddenly.”
Was it just my imagination…?
I decided to conclude it as such for now, then turned to Florence-san, who had been quietly watching the exchange between me and Siana.
“I’m sorry for saying something strange.”
“Not at all, please don’t worry about it… May I ask for your response to my earlier invitation?”
“Of course, I’d love to visit your room, Florence-san! Please let me see it later!”
“Yes, thank you very much, Lux-sama.”
Smiling happily at my reply, Florence-san led us into a guest room. After I sat on the sofa, she poured tea into a single cup and handed it to me, then said,
“Lux-sama, I have something I would like to discuss with Siana-san in the hallway. Would you mind waiting here on the sofa and enjoying your tea in the meantime?”
I wonder what Florence-san wants to talk about with Siana… Perhaps something about tea?
Or maybe, like Siana, Florence-san also takes care of the garden, and it’s something about that?
Either way, I’d be happy if the two of them could get along and have a pleasant conversation, so I nodded and said,
“Understood. Please don’t worry about me, take your time.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Siana, make sure you’re polite, okay?”
When I said that, Siana replied cheerfully with, “Yes!”
Then, both of them bowed their heads to me once and left the guest room.
I had no idea what the two of them would talk about, but as Florence-san had asked, I decided to quietly wait and sip the tea she had prepared for me.
Siana’s Side
Siana, who had followed Floria out into the hallway, turned to her and asked,
“Florence-sama… What is it that you wished to speak with me about?”
For now, Siana posed the question to try and gauge Floria’s intentions… but in response, Floria said,
“…You are a source of unrelenting disgust to me. That you would go so far as to deceive Lux-sama with that appearance just to get close to him…”
“…I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re referring to.”
“From the beginning, there was always something about you that filled me with revulsion… Unlike Lux-sama, you’re a person who hides her true self. Until now, whenever I tried to grasp that feeling, it was like trying to catch mist… but earlier I finally understood.”
As she spoke, Floria met Siana’s eyes directly and declared,
“That is why you can no longer remain by Lux-sama’s side, Siana-san, or rather, Third Princess Felisiana-sama.”