A Fundamental Difference
Siana’s Side
When Floria posed the question, Siana let out a sigh in her heart, exasperated, before speaking.
“My hands are stained with blood solely to protect Lux-kun. You may not be able to understand, but if you can’t even bring yourself to bloody your hands for Lux-kun’s sake, then perhaps this is beyond you.”
“Indeed, I cannot understand… because Lux-sama would never wish for such a thing. If it were Lux-sama, he would reject the taking of lives without cause, and he would surely want to handle matters according to the law.”
Siana believed that what Floria said was correct.
Certainly, if it were Lux, as Floria had said, he would seek to resolve things according to the law, or if the matter did not rise to that level, he would still hope for as peaceful a solution as possible. At the very least, he would never choose a path involving bloodshed, as Siana had.
Understanding that fully, Siana opened her mouth to speak.
“That’s because Lux-kun is kind. And precisely because he’s so kind, there will always be villains who try to take advantage of that kindness.”
“And so, you would stain your hands with blood to judge those villains yourself? Do you truly believe, Third Princess-sama, that Lux-sama would ever want that?”
As Floria asked this with a serious expression, Siana felt a deep sense of exasperation.
Siana acknowledged Floria’s abilities… in certain areas, she might even surpass Siana, and overall, there likely wasn’t a large gap between them. However, when it came to loving Lux, on that one crucial point, Floria understood nothing at all.
Thinking so, Siana began to speak again.
“In ordinary daily life, of course Lux-kun’s wishes take top priority… If Lux-kun says he wants something to eat, I’ll procure or cook it for him. If there’s something he desires, I’ll give it to him. But, when it comes to the matter of Lux-kun’s safety, I will choose whatever option most certainly ensures it. His wishes are irrelevant in that regard.”
“No, precisely because it concerns Lux-sama’s safety, you must respect Lux-sama’s will above all else, if you truly care for him.”
After a brief pause following Floria’s words, Siana responded.
“Lux-kun is such a gentle boy that, even when someone does something terrible to him, he blames himself, torments himself with guilt. Do you honestly believe someone like him could pass judgment on those people? If you do, then you understand nothing about Lux-kun.”
“No, it is you who understand nothing. If you truly knew that much about Lux-sama, then how could you not realize? Do you really believe Lux-sama would be happy to see you stain your hands with blood for his sake, when he is so gentle and pure?”
“As I said earlier, when it comes to Lux-kun’s safety, what he thinks doesn’t matter… If I can guarantee his safety and ensure that he can keep smiling like that, so happy and at peace, then I will stain my hands with as much blood as it takes.”
Realizing that the discussion would go in circles if it continued, Siana pressed on.
“Let me ask you this. What if, by trying to act in accordance with Lux-kun’s wishes in the name of protecting him, something happens and he gets hurt? What will you do then?”
“I will not allow such a thing to happen. If it ever comes to that, I will personally protect Lux-sama—”
“Every word you’re saying lacks certainty. If you wait until something happens before acting to protect Lux-kun, it will already be too late. If you truly care about Lux-kun’s safety, then you must extinguish the sparks before they become a blaze. That is non-negotiable. And if you cannot do that, then you have no right to say you love Lux-kun.”
Hearing that, Floria closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again and replied.
“It seems… there is a vast, unseen gulf between us.”
“Yes, a fundamental difference, one that makes understanding each other impossible.”
“In that case, there’s only one path forward. You must leave Lux-sama’s side. I will now tell Lux-sama the truth about who you really are.”
At those words, Siana replied in a firm tone.
“No, you won’t. Or rather, I should say you won’t do it now.”
“…And why are you so certain? Don’t you think there’s a very real possibility that I could tell Lux-sama the truth, that Siana-san is actually the Third Princess-sama?”
“It’s simple. Telling him that right now brings you no benefit. That information alone isn’t enough to separate me from Lux-kun.”
The fact that Floria had discovered Siana’s true identity as a princess due to her failure to keep her emotions in check was a mistake, but even with that knowledge, it wouldn’t be enough to drive her away from Lux. Even if her identity were exposed, she could simply return to Lux as Felisiana and continue their connection.
Lux might be emotionally shaken, but Floria would gain nothing from that. In fact, it would only serve to confuse Lux, making things worse for him. For Floria, there would be no advantage, only disadvantages.
Floria clearly understood this as well, which was why she fell silent after hearing Siana’s words.
And then—
“For someone with a mind as sharp as yours… I cannot fathom why you still fail to understand Lux-sama.”
Those words were proof that Siana had been right.
And Siana answered accordingly.
“Those are my words exactly. For someone so intelligent and calculating, how can you not understand what truly needs to be done for Lux-kun’s sake?”
“This conversation has made one thing perfectly clear. You possess tremendous talent as a royal, Third Princess-sama… but you are not worthy of Lux-sama.”
“There’s no point in saying anything more right now.”
“Indeed. But I hope that the next time we speak, your way of thinking will have changed, Third Princess-sama. And when the opportunity presents itself, I will not hesitate to separate you from Lux-sama. I suggest you remember that.”
With those final words, Floria entered the guest room where Lux was waiting.
Siana, her gaze cold, stared at Floria’s back, then silently followed her into the room.