Unpleasantness
On the way to the clothing store, there was something that had been on my mind, so I decided to ask Remina-san about it.
“Remina-san, you said that you don’t have much knowledge about clothing, but the outfit you’re wearing right now looks really good on you, so maybe you’re not as bad at choosing clothes as you think?”
What Remina-san was wearing now was a coat. Its sleeves and collar were a bit distinctive and had a sense of luxury. Because she wore it so well, I thought maybe she only believed she lacked knowledge about clothing, but in reality, she might actually be capable of choosing clothes herself.
With that thought in mind, I asked her, but Remina-san shook her head and said,
“This is clothing that was prepared at home. Because of my position and duties, I can’t exactly go around in just anything. It seems this overcoat was custom-made under certain conditions, using fabric with a sense of luxury and a design for the sleeves and collar unlike any other.”
“I see.”
So that’s why she’s wearing such luxurious clothing… Even so, if it’s because of her position and duties, then maybe Remina-san really is a noble.
Not just her clothes, but even the atmosphere when she speaks gives off that impression… but there’s something about her that feels different from the usual nobles.
I wasn’t sure what the difference was between the atmosphere I got from normal nobles and the one I felt from Remina-san, and while I was wondering about that, Remina-san said,
“It’s truly troublesome. Because I don’t have any knowledge about clothes, when choosing them, I always need to ask someone to accompany me. Normally, that would be my younger sister.”
“You have a younger sister?”
“Ah, I have two. The third daughter is serious, composed in her behavior, and while she occasionally struggles to restrain her emotions appropriately for her age, I’m confident that she will, without a doubt, become someone capable of demonstrating her strength to the world.”
If Remina-san says that much, then that person must really be amazing… I wonder what kind of person she is.
“The problem is the second daughter. She accompanies me when choosing clothes, and I’ll admit she’s a valuable and capable individual in terms of abilities, but her personality is far too problematic… Honestly, I doubt there’s anyone in this world who can manage her.”
Just hearing the story made it clear that, being Remina-san’s sisters, they both sounded like very distinctive individuals.
“Your sisters sound like amazing people too.”
“Indeed… If there’s ever a chance, I’ll bring both of my sisters to meet you. When that time comes, I’d like you to take one of them. I believe my sisters would also be happy to have someone as kind-hearted as you.”
“E-Eh…!?”
While I was startled by her sudden statement, Remina-san slightly lifted the corners of her mouth and said,
“Fufu, I’m joking.”
Because Remina-san always speaks in such a calm tone, it’s completely impossible to tell whether she’s joking or not.
While I was thinking that…
“Here we are.”
Remina-san stopped in front of one shop and said that, so I entered the clothing store with her.
Siana’s Side
…At the same time.
Siana and Florence were facing each other in Floria’s room within the mansion where they were staying.
“So, what is this thing you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Rather than explaining with words, it would be faster to show you. It’s about this matter.”
Saying that, Floria showed a note that Lux had left for her yesterday, saying he was going out with Siana to the town.
After looking at it, Siana asked,
“And what about it?”
“Well… Due to a certain incident yesterday, I was able to become even more certain that the Third Princess is mistaken… And for someone like that to go out into town alone with Lux-sama, it’s something I find quite displeasing.”
Siana was well aware that Floria found the idea of her and Lux going out together displeasing, and that’s exactly why she had prompted Lux to leave a note… However.
“I don’t care how you feel… But it’s quite a coincidence. I also became more confident in my own beliefs after yesterday.”
“…In that case, would you be willing to engage in a simple test of strength using swords?”
“…And what exactly do you mean by that?”
When Siana asked that, Floria drew her rapier and said,
“Even though I say ‘use swords,’ unlike the Third Princess, I have no intention of doing anything that might take a life… However, I feel discomfort knowing that someone like the Third Princess went out alone with Lux-sama without my knowledge, and even more so that someone like her is living together with someone as beautiful as Lux-sama under false pretenses… So I thought that, by crossing swords, I might be able to reconcile with at least some of these feelings.”
After hearing Floria say that, Siana also drew her sword and said,
“If that’s the case, then I find you just as intolerable. If I can vent even a little of those feelings here, then that’s a fine opportunity.”
When Siana said that, Floria gave a much darker smile than the one she usually gave to Lux and said,
“It’s an honor to have your agreement… Then, let us begin.”
“Yes.”
And so… The two of them began crossing swords in a space meant for only the two of them.