Self-Reproach
Siana’s Side
Lux-kun was punched? Even though I was right beside him? And… it was because of me?
Siana was deeply shocked by the reality unfolding before her eyes.
Lux was punched while shielding her, and for Siana, that was something that simply should never have happened.
This overweight man, who seemed to be a noble, was someone Siana could have easily knocked unconscious in an instant.
In terms of strength, Lux could have done the same, but because Lux had a strong aversion to violence, he simply could not act on it.
That’s why I should have done it instead… but still.
As long as she was Siana the maid, she could not wield her strength freely in front of Lux.
If she were acting as a princess, she could take full responsibility for her actions, but in the position of Lux’s attendant, any act of violence done without his permission might bring him a bad reputation.
While considering all this in an instant, Siana quickly spoke so as not to worry Lux, who had come to check on her.
“I’m all right… but, Master…”
“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt at all.”
“Hah!? Who do you think I am, you little—!!”
The overweight man, irritated by Lux’s words, tried to punch him again, but Siana wrapped her arms around Lux, who was embracing her protectively, turned to face the man directly, and glared at him with eyes filled with killing intent.
“Wh-What, you damn maid, got a problem with me…?”
Siana gave a signal with her eyes toward Violet, who was up above the accessory shop wearing a black hood. Violet moved at a speed ordinary humans could never follow, entered the shop in an instant, grabbed the overweight man’s neck, prevented him from making a sound, and immediately dragged him outside.
Not only Lux, who had his back to the man, but even the person presumed to be the shop owner at the back of the store likely couldn’t see Violet’s movements.
Once Siana confirmed that Violet had taken the man outside, she looked Lux in the eyes while still holding him close and spoke.
“Master, it seems he’s already been taken outside.”
“Huh…? I see. That’s good…”
Lux and Siana released their embrace once, and then Siana gently stroked Lux’s back as she spoke.
“Master, I’m truly sorry for making you shield me earlier… Are you really not in pain?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that guy wasn’t trained at all, so I barely feel anything… Besides, you didn’t do anything wrong, Siana, so don’t apologize. Protecting you is only natural for me as your master, and more importantly, I did it because I wanted to.”
“Master…”
Siana’s heart ached even more as she saw Lux’s kind expression and heard his gentle voice.
To think I hurt someone as kind as Lux-kun because of my own failure…
Once again, Siana was filled with self-reproach. She believed that, even in that situation, there must have been many ways to handle it.
While she was blaming herself internally, Lux muttered “Oh, right,” and then walked over to the accessory shop’s owner and bowed.
“I’m sorry for causing such a commotion!”
“N-No, not at all! From what I could see, the other party was clearly in the wrong, so please, raise your head.”
“No, even though none of the merchandise was damaged, I still caused you trouble… I’m truly sorry!”
“I-It’s really fine, but are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m totally fine! Thank you very much for your concern!”
“That person has caused trouble like that many times before…”
Lux and the shop owner continued their exchange for a short while.
To think he was even worrying about the merchandise in that moment… That must be why Lux-kun didn’t try to block the man’s hand or grab his arm.
Once again, Siana felt Lux’s kindness and wanted to embrace him right then and there… but.
Before that, there was something Siana had to take care of.
“…”
As the conversation between Lux and the shop owner seemed likely to continue, Siana quietly…
“…I’ll go wrap this up quickly, Lux-kun.”
She whispered softly enough that no one could hear, then disappeared from the shop and headed toward Violet.
Since they had decided beforehand that any trouble would be handled in the alleyway, Siana was quickly able to find Violet in her black hood.
As Siana approached Violet, Violet bowed her head and apologized.
“I am terribly sorry, Ojou-sama… I had no intention of rendering him unconscious, but I lost control of my emotions and used too much force.”
“If you saw what happened, then it’s no wonder. If I were you, I probably would have done the same… No, I might not have been able to hold back and could’ve taken something beyond his consciousness. You actually restrained yourself quite well. How long until he wakes up?”
“I released his neck right after he lost consciousness, so I believe he should be waking up any moment now.”
“I see.”
Immediately after Siana responded, just as Violet had said, the overweight man regained consciousness.
“Huh…? Where… where am I…?”
“Looks like you’re awake.”
“Wha…!?”
As Siana spoke, the man raised his face and looked directly at hers.
“Y-You… You’re that maid from before…”
Just as he tried to speak again, Siana pressed her sword to his throat and spoke with hollow eyes.
“If you open your mouth without my permission again, I will take your life in that very instant.”
Seeing her lifeless eyes and hearing her flat, emotionless voice, the man realized the blade at his throat was no bluff. His face turned pale with fear.