Foreign Travel
Lux’s Side
It was the morning of the third day since the night I had felt relieved that Siana returned sooner than expected.
Two days earlier, Florence-san had suddenly invited me to travel with her to another country. I was a little surprised, but since it was a holiday and I didn’t have any particular plans, I agreed to go on the trip with her.
Right now, we’re waiting for Florence-san to come pick us up by carriage.
“Siana, I think Florence-san will be here soon. Are you ready?”
When I asked her that, Siana smiled and replied,
“Yes! I’m ready!”
“Alright, then all that’s left is to wait for Florence-san.”
Originally, it was supposed to be just Florence-san and me going on this trip, but last night, Siana told me she wanted to come along too.
Of course, I didn’t have any objection, but since she told me so suddenly, I hadn’t had a chance to confirm with Florence-san whether it was alright to bring Siana along. That’s the only thing that’s been worrying me a bit.
As I was thinking that over, Florence-san seemed to have arrived, so Siana and I headed out to meet her in front of the Rodwell estate.
“Good morning, Florence-san!”
When I greeted her, Florence-san gave me a gentle smile and replied,
“Yes, good morning, Lux-sama.”
Then she turned her gaze to Siana, who was standing behind me, and said,
“…Lux-sama, may I ask why Siana-san is here?”
I hurriedly began explaining to Florence-san, who had asked that question.
“I-I’m sorry, Florence-san! Last night, Siana said she wanted to come along on today’s trip with you and me… I really wanted to grant her wish if I could, so I was hoping to bring her with us… I thought I should check with you in advance, but I figured it might be a nuisance to drop by at night, so I didn’t say anything… But if it’s inconvenient, I’ll have Siana wait here at the estate, so please don’t hesitate to say so!”
After I explained the situation, Florence-san paused for a moment, then gave me a kind smile and said,
“No, adding one more person won’t be a problem. Siana-san is welcome to join us.”
“…! Thank you so much!”
I bowed my head to Florence-san in gratitude.
When I lifted my head, Siana spoke to Florence-san.
“Thank you for allowing me to accompany you, Florence-sama.”
“As I mentioned earlier, it’s not a significant issue, so please don’t worry about it.”
With that, the two of them exchanged smiles.
…When we visited Florence-san’s mansion before, they had some time to talk alone. I guess that really did help bring them much closer.
Feeling genuinely happy about that, I boarded the carriage with them, setting off for another country.
Floria’s Side
“Lux-sama, have you ever traveled to another country before?”
“No, I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but today’s my first time. I’m really looking forward to it… By the way, Siana, have you ever been abroad?”
“Yes, just a little.”
“Really? What kind of country did you go to?”
“Well…”
While Lux and Felisiana chatted casually, Floria was silently deep in thought.
To think the Third Princess would go so far just to erase the memory of Lux-sama and me being the only ones to enter a foreign country together.
Since Felisiana, as the Third Princess, was expected to handle diplomatic relations, it was only a matter of time before she and Lux would travel abroad together.
Even so, to make sure Floria wasn’t the only one who shared the memory of entering a foreign land with Lux for the first time, Felisiana had likely adjusted her schedule just to be here now, and had that intention from the moment she first mentioned the trip to Floria.
When she asked earlier if she could come along, Floria could have simply replied, “I’m sorry, but this trip was planned for just the two of us,” and declined her request.
However…
“So there are countries like that too! Maybe I should start traveling abroad regularly after this trip… Florence-san! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity!”
To Lux, who expressed his gratitude with such a joyful smile, Floria gently returned the smile and said,
“I only invited you because I wanted to travel abroad with you, Lux-sama, so there’s no need to thank me… In fact, I should be the one thanking you for accepting.”
“I’m really glad that my first trip abroad is with both Siana and you, Florence-san.”
“…!”
Seeing Lux’s radiant smile, Floria felt a sudden ache in her chest.
The request to bring Siana along was something she could have refused. But the thought that saying no might have caused Lux even the slightest sadness or disappointment made it completely impossible for Floria to turn her down.
Because Lux was always her top priority, Floria had given up the chance to fulfill her ideal of entering a foreign country alone with him… but she had no regrets.
“Just thinking about traveling abroad with you, Lux-sama, is enough to make my heart race.”
When Floria said that with a smile, Lux responded with one just as bright.
Just seeing Lux-sama smiling in front of me like this… that alone fills me with such happiness.
After that, while the three of them continued chatting for a while,
They arrived at the gateway to the world’s economic hub, the Katiswear Empire.