Jealousy
Lux’s Side
After returning to the mansion, I was still hungry even though I had just eaten bread earlier, since I had only eaten one piece. So I decided to go invite Siana and Florence-san to go have a meal together. I knocked on Siana’s door… but when there was no response, I went to Florence-san’s room and called out. She opened the door for me.
“Lux-sama, is there something you need?”
And there stood Florence-san, smiling kindly as always, so I said,
“Yes, if you have time, I was hoping to invite you to lunch with Siana and me, the three of us together.”
“I do have time now, so I’d be delighted to join you… Lunch together sounds lovely.”
“I thought so too! But I can’t find Siana anywhere… Florence-san, do you happen to know where she is?”
When I asked that, Florence-san paused for a moment before speaking.
“Well, where could she be…”
“Master! I’m right here!”
“S-Siana!?”
Hearing Siana’s sudden voice from behind Florence-san startled me, and then Siana appeared from the back of Florence-san’s room.
“Siana, were you in Florence-san’s room?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
While I was away, Siana and Florence-san had become close enough to talk together in her room… Realizing that filled me with joy and brightened my mood completely.
Then, I asked Siana,
“Siana, are you free right now?”
“Of course!”
“In that case, let’s have lunch together. You, Florence-san, and I can all eat together.”
“Understood!”
And so, the three of us, Siana, Florence-san, and I, left the mansion where we were staying and went out to have lunch together… Along the way,
“Siana, Florence-san, is there anything in particular you’d like to eat?”
I asked, and Siana answered.
“If it’s something you want to eat, Master, then I’ll be happy with anything!”
“Let me see… I also don’t mind eating anything you’d like, Lux-sama, but since we’re visiting a foreign country, I’d like to try something unique to this land.”
“That’s definitely a good idea.”
But this country… the Katiswear Empire’s specialties… I tried thinking about it, but I really didn’t know much about foreign countries, so nothing came to mind.
While I was troubled over what to do, Siana said,
“This country is the economic center of the continent, so I don’t know if it counts as unique, but I’ve heard the pancakes here are excellent.”
In response to Siana’s words, Florence-san also nodded and added,
“Yes, the pancakes themselves are considered exquisite, and it’s said they incorporate the best elements of butter and maple syrup from various countries, making them very delicious.”
“I see! I haven’t really had pancakes much before, but they’re sweet and tasty, so I love them!”
“Lux-sama, you like sweets then… I only have a bit of experience, but I do have some skill in making sweets. Would you like me to make something for you next time?”
“R-Really!?”
“Yes.”
When Florence-san smiled at me like that, I said, “Thank you so much!” and she replied, “It would be my pleasure.”
Watching this exchange between me and Florence-san, Siana quickly spoke up with a hint of urgency.
“Master! I can also make sweets, just a little! So please, allow me to make some for you as well next time!”
“Thank you, Siana. You don’t need to be in such a rush. I’ll gladly eat the sweets you make too, so there’s no need to hurry.”
After saying that, I patted Siana’s head, and she smiled happily, lifting the corners of her mouth.
…Watching that scene, Florence-san seemed slightly flustered and spoke.
“…Lux-sama? What exactly are you doing?”
“Huh…? Ah… S-Sorry! I did it out of habit…!”
Realizing I was patting Siana’s head, I felt a bit embarrassed and quickly pulled my hand away.
Immediately after, Florence-san spoke again.
“You usually… do that kind of thing to Siana-san?”
“Usually might not be the right word, but I do it from time to time… I-It’s kind of embarrassing to say.”
“…”
When I said that, Florence-san looked at Siana once, then turned her gaze back to me and stared at me quietly.
“…Florence-san?”
“…”
I wonder if I’ve somehow made Florence-san, who’s usually never angry, upset…
…But these eyes don’t feel like she’s angry.
…It feels more like she’s hoping for something…?
“Um… is there anything I can do for you?”
When I asked, Florence-san spoke in a small voice.
“I would also… like you to pat my head, Lux-sama.”
“Eh…!? Y-You want me to pat your head, Florence-san!?”
When I reacted in surprise, Florence-san nodded.
S-Siana is my servant, so it’s okay to pat her head, but doing the same to Florence-san would be disrespectful.
But if Florence-san herself is asking for it, then to turn her down would be…
After thinking it over, I gently patted Florence-san’s head.