Chapter 104: The Fiancé
Siana’s Side
Siana, Violet, and Rezamiliana were riding in the white carriage reserved for royalty, heading toward the royal castle of the Katiswear Empire, and gazing out at the cityscape through the carriage window.
“As expected of what is called the economic center, this country’s commerce is highly developed.”
In response to Siana’s comment, Rezamiliana nodded and spoke.
“Yes, being strong in commerce means being correspondingly strong in other aspects as well… though this country has its own set of problems that ours does not.”
“What kind of problems?”
“To put it simply, internal strife within the country. Disputes between nobles, and even among commoners, conflicts over business. There are countless issues if you start listing them… Of course, things like that tend to happen in any country, but precisely because this is an economic hub, such conflicts are especially intense here.”
“Our country is also quite developed economically, but the reason such things rarely occur is thanks to Elizalina-nee-sama, isn’t it?”
“Exactly… I do recognize her abilities, but I do wish she were a little more agreeable.”
Rezamiliana voiced this sincere desire as an older sister, directed toward Elizalina, who was not present.
Then, turning toward Siana, she continued speaking.
“Speaking of being agreeable, I heard that some time ago, Felisiana went to our father over a hundred times, telling him that she wanted to get engaged to a man from a count’s family.”
“Yes.”
“Even after being rejected a hundred times, is he still a man you want to spend your life with?”
“Yes. Father hasn’t approved yet, but I will absolutely become engaged to him someday.”
Seeing Siana declare this so firmly, Rezamiliana paused for a moment before speaking.
“I’m a little surprised that a man has appeared who could make you say something like that. Still, I suppose it’s a very good thing that you’ve found such a person.”
“…Rezamiliana-nee-sama, have you still not chosen a fiancé?”
Rezamiliana was nineteen years old, two years older than Elizalina, and would soon be turning twenty.
While there was no specific rule about when a fiancé had to be chosen, it was generally considered more reassuring for royalty to have one by now.
“At the very least, for the foreseeable future, I have no time to spare for finding a fiancé due to work… I’ve received proposals from domestic nobles and foreign royalty, but I seem to be rather ignorant about such matters… When I think about spending a lifetime with someone, I have no idea what kind of man I should choose.”
In response to Rezamiliana’s words, Siana spoke honestly, expressing the thought that had come to her mind.
“If there’s someone you want to love and support, I think that person is the one you should spend your life with.”
“To love and support, huh… When I think of those words, what comes to mind are you younger sisters, our mother, of course Violet who always supports Felisiana, and the others who support our royal family, and all the citizens of our country… But I suppose the way I think of loving and supporting is probably very different from what Felisiana meant.”
After a brief silence, Rezamiliana looked back out the carriage window and spoke again.
“We’re about to arrive at the royal castle. I know I don’t need to tell you two this explicitly, but stay sharp.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
After that, the carriage carrying the three of them entered the royal castle of the Katiswear Empire. The three disembarked and began walking into the castle.
Floria’s Side
Floria Florence ran with her posture low, moving very quickly through the busy main street. Without Lux, the one she was meant to protect, at her side, her running speed surpassed even that of when she had chased down the man who stole Lux’s wallet.
She was heading in the direction the five men had gone.
Normally, spotting a specific group of five people or even catching up to them in such a crowded street would be difficult.
However, given Floria’s speed, and the likelihood that the five men were walking together as a group, and the fact that the main street had no turns except for alleyways and a bend at a certain distance, catching up to them and locating them was not particularly difficult for Floria.
As expected, after running for a short while, Floria succeeded in spotting the backs of the five men.
The five men had stopped and were talking.
“Alright! Then with the money we got from Rodwell-san, we’re going to start our business today and repay him for what he did for us!”
The man who had stolen Lux’s wallet, who was likely the leader of the group of five, raised his voice with those words. In response, three of the others let out a loud “Yeah!!” One of them, however, did not cheer and stayed silent.
Finding that odd, the man who seemed to be the leader turned to speak to the one who hadn’t shouted.
“Hey, what’s up?”
When asked that, the silent man replied.
“…Hey, are you guys seriously getting all hyped up because of what that kid said?”
“Huh?”
“Sure, we got money, but like that kid said, it’s not even that much… It’s not a small amount, but for starting a business, it’s just barely enough.”
“What are you saying about the chance Rodwell-san gave us out of kindness, after all the horrible stuff we did when our last business failed?”
“Calling him ‘-san’? He’s just some kid nobody even knows about, right? Judging by his clothes, he’s probably a noble, but he was just born into it and probably grew up pampered without working for anything.”
“You…”
The man who seemed about to strike him was restrained by the other three.
A moment later, the three men let go of the would-be leader, and he calmly said,
“Fine… In that case, I’ll give you one-fifth of the money Rodwell-san gave us. That’s your share. From now on, we’re done.”
“What? Are you serious…?”
“Just go already!”
The man who seemed to be the leader forcibly handed the money to the one he had been arguing with and shouted in a loud voice.
The man who received the money left the scene with an unconvinced expression and entered an alley.
“Well then… I suppose I should go have a little chat with that man.”
Murmuring to herself, Floria followed the man who had taken the money and entered the alley after him.