Apology
“…Damn it, getting jerked around by some brat like that.”
Saying that, the man stepped into the alley. When seen up close, his eyes had a slightly sharp and hostile look. He kicked a wooden box that had been lying there in the alley.
His way of speaking, his sense of refinement, his attitude, and the intent behind his words do not align with mine in the slightest. Just the fact that he treats Lux-sama like that is already enough to make my anger rise. Even so, I will hold back a little longer and continue observing for now.
“Just because we got some money from a brat born into nobility by pure luck, they all turned on me… They’re just gonna fail in business again anyway.”
Muttering things like that to himself, the man with sharp eyes walked deeper into the alleyway. Then, as if something had occurred to him, he suddenly stopped and spoke.
“That’s it, maybe I’ll ask that brat for more money… Rather than trying to run a business, it’d be way easier to fake-cry and beg that kid for cash. He said he was on a trip, but maybe once it’s over I can plead for more then.”
Saying that, the man with sharp eyes let out a loud laugh that echoed through the back alley.
“He had a fine woman with him too… Looked to be about the same age as that brat, but she had a good face, spoke maturely, and had a nice body… She’s what you’d call a real noble, not just one in name like that kid… I’ll seduce her, take not just money but also the girl from that—”
“If you have business with me, I will hear it right here and now.”
“Ah!?”
When Floria called out from behind, the man with sharp eyes turned around and was so shocked he collapsed on the spot.
“Y-You! That brat’s girl!”
“Lux-sama’s woman, is it… To be called that is a blessing in itself, but… before anything else, you must deeply reflect on several matters.”
“H-Huh…?”
To the man with sharp eyes who could not grasp the meaning of her words, Floria spoke.
“You just now spoke of trying to exploit Lux-sama’s kindness to swindle money from him, did you not?”
As Floria said this, the man with sharp eyes stood up and replied.
“Ah, so you heard… Yeah, I said it. So what?”
“In response to that, I have something to say.”
“I knew anyone hanging around a moron would be a moron too! At this distance, you won’t have time to draw a sword, and no one comes to alleys like this! A woman like you will regret being alone with me here!”
Saying that, the man with sharp eyes reached out to grab Floria by the shoulders. But she spun her body backward, kicked both his arms, landed gracefully, drew her rapier, and in a blur too fast for the eye to follow, held the blade to the man’s neck.
“A sword…? Wh-When did you—”
“My apologies. I was about to be touched by such filthy hands, so I reflexively kicked you. However, I believe this qualifies as legitimate self-defense.”
“You—”
“If you have the courage to charge at me, I won’t stop you. However, I recommend that you assess the situation carefully before making that decision.”
As Floria said that, the man with sharp eyes turned pale as he looked at the blade at his neck. Then, seeing no chance of success, he gave up trying to move.
“A very wise decision.”
Immediately after saying that, Floria smiled coldly and spoke to the man.
“Now then, let’s get started. I will have you apologize to Lux-sama. Every single insult you uttered against him, you will now apologize for.”
“A-Alright… I’ll apologize for calling the brat—no, R-Rodwell-san a brat. I’m sorry. Is that enough?”
“Well done. Is there nothing else?”
“…For trying to swindle money… and for trying to take the woman… you, I mean… I’m sorry for everything! Please forgive me!!”
Shouting that loudly, the man with sharp eyes pressed his forehead to the ground and prostrated himself before Floria.
Seeing this, Floria spoke.
“Very well, I shall forgive you.”
Just after Floria said that, the man with sharp eyes lifted his head after a brief pause and opened his mouth.
“Th-Thank y—”
“That is what Lux-sama would likely say. However, unfortunately, I have absolutely no interest in such cheap theatrics. What I desire is a sincere apology from your heart for attempting to take advantage of the kind-hearted Lux-sama.”
“…!”
As if to show he had been hit right on the mark, the man with sharp eyes twisted his expression.
“Therefore, from now on, you will continuously repeat your apology to Lux-sama without pause.”
“W-Without pause…!?”
“Yes. That said, if I judge that you are sincerely remorseful toward Lux-sama, then you may stop. However, if you do not bear true remorse toward Lux-sama, this will continue forever. As I have just demonstrated, I can easily read your thoughts at least to that extent, so you should consider that deception will not work on me.”
After a brief pause, the man with sharp eyes realized that he could escape this situation by offering a heartfelt apology to Lux. With a completely different energy than before, he bowed his head to the ground once more and spoke.
“I’m sorry for even thinking of taking advantage of Rodwell-san’s kindness. I’m sorry for trying to take money from Rodwell-san. I’m sorry for trying to deceive Rodwell-san…”
By that point, his repeated apologies with his head to the ground had become true apologies from the heart toward Lux. That was because his original intent to escape the situation and his growing remorse had mingled, and what began as a means to an end had turned into genuine belief. It was exactly as Floria had intended.
Then, for five minutes, the man with sharp eyes continued to speak words of apology to Lux. Five minutes might be but a fleeting instant in the span of ordinary life, which contains countless hours, but to the man with sharp eyes, it felt like an eternity.
“I’m sorry for insulting Rodwell-san…”
Once Floria confirmed that the man with sharp eyes had become wholly immersed in sincere remorse toward Lux, she smiled and spoke.
“That’s enough now. Thank you very much.”
“…!”
Hearing that, the man with sharp eyes quickly raised his head, looked Floria in the face, and asked,
“A-Am I really done…?”
“Of course. Oh, that’s right. One more correction: Lux-sama is someone who works very hard, so please correct any misunderstandings you had about that as well.”
“Understood! I’m sorry for mistakenly thinking Rodwell-san was someone who didn’t put in any effort!”
“That is sufficient. Truthfully, I would like to thoroughly teach you about Lux-sama’s hard work as well, but I must be going. Therefore, please sign this document.”
Saying that, Floria handed a sheet of paper to the man with sharp eyes.
“This is…”
“As written there, it is a written pledge that you will never again do anything bad. A moment ago, when it was mentioned that the person who seemed to be the leader among your group should not be blamed, and that you should make amends by earning honestly through business and repay Lux-sama, you voiced your agreement. This document simply puts that into form. Repaying Lux-sama is not something we will force, so it is not written there. However, the commitment to never engage in wrongdoing again is the one thing I require you to uphold without fail.”
“No! Because I had such awful thoughts about Rodwell-san, I want to apologize to him directly, and to do that, I will repay him properly!”
Watching the man with sharp eyes say this and sign the pledge, Floria smiled.
Then, receiving the pledge, Floria spoke.
“Well then, I truly look forward to seeing how you will do from here on.”
“Yes! I’ll apologize to my companions, and work with all I’ve got to repay Rodwell-san!!”
With that exchange as the end, Floria left the back alley and decided to return to Lux’s side.
Third Princess, if one has something as beautiful as Lux-sama’s kindness, there is no need to stain one’s hands with blood. As I thought, I will have to settle things with you someday.
A confrontation with Siaa that must come someday… When that will be, she still does not know. Even so, Floria, while sensing that premonition, was already thinking of something else.
Even so, Lux-sama truly is a kind person. Today, I was able to feel that kindness more deeply than ever. Lux-sama, please allow me to continue supporting you by your side forever.
Thinking of Lux, Floria made her way back to his side.