Warning
“You’re telling me that Lux-kun had a meal, just the two of them, with an unidentified person whom you presume is likely a woman?”
When Felisiana stopped walking and asked Violet that question, Violet matched her pace, stopping as well before answering.
“Yes, that is correct… I did not sense any hostility or murderous intent toward Rodwell-sama from that individual, so I judged that revealing I was tailing Rodwell-sama might hinder us more in the long run. That’s why I allowed their meal together to continue.”
The sudden report from Violet stunned Siana, and she nearly let anger get the better of her, but she cooled her head and responded calmly.
“…Where did the two of them have this meal?”
If she could learn about the restaurant, then based on the clientele she might be able to narrow down the identity of the person in the red hood.
Thinking this, Siana posed the question to Violet, who responded with admiration.
“As expected of you, Ojou-sama. That’s an excellent angle to pursue.”
Then Violet proceeded to tell Siana the name of the establishment.
After a short pause, Siana spoke.
“That person in the red hood is without a doubt a noble. A duke, or at the very least a marquis. No one of lower rank could frequent such an expensive place on a regular basis.”
Since it was hard to imagine Lux-kun being the one to suggest such a luxurious restaurant, Siana was able to deduce the social standing of the person in the red hood by process of elimination.
Violet nodded and added more information.
“Yes… it’s a place that even royalty sometimes use. There’s no doubt that the person in the red hood is a noble, and of considerable rank at that.”
“Right… which makes me wonder why she would bother wearing a hood at all.”
The typical reason for wearing a hood, like Violet often did, was to avoid drawing attention in public.
However, this person in the red hood had walked openly through the city and had dined with Lux in broad daylight.
To that inconsistency in Siana’s reasoning, Violet offered a response.
“Perhaps she’s someone so famous that merely walking through the city would cause a commotion.”
“If that’s the case, then she’d have to be a regional lord or a member of the royal family. But I can’t imagine either of them going out of her way to wear a hood while walking in her own territory. There should be no reason for her to hide her identity.”
“That’s true… Why the red hood, exactly? What’s her precise status? What motives or intentions does she have for involving herself with Rodwell-sama? The more I think about it, the more questions I have.”
“At the very least, we can agree she’s troublesome… But before we get ahead of ourselves, wasn’t that restaurant equipped with private rooms?”
When Siana asked this for confirmation, Violet nodded.
“Yes. Typically, they’re used for contract negotiations, confidential meetings… or by couples involved romantically.”
At the moment she heard that final phrase from Violet, a surge of unease rose within Siana.
“I was so focused on the mystery that I overlooked it. Lux-kun alone in a private room with an unidentified woman? When you think about it, that’s an incredibly dangerous situation! It’s entirely possible she may have done something to him!”
“No, judging by Rodwell-sama’s demeanor upon his return, I don’t believe anything of the sort happened.”
“Regardless, I need to go ask Lux-kun directly! We’re heading back to the Rodwell estate immediately!”
“…Understood.”
Realizing that reasoning with Siana now would serve no purpose, Violet gave a small bow as she responded.
Then, as the two of them proceeded down the royal castle’s corridor and neared the entrance…
“Ah, Felisiana and Violet!”
“…Elizalina-neesama.”
They ran into the Second Princess, Elizalina.
As much as Felisiana wanted to hurry back to the Rodwell estate and question Lux-kun about what had happened, she couldn’t simply ignore the person in front of her. She came to a halt.
At the same time, Violet stopped and addressed Elizalina.
“Second Princess-sama, I’m glad to see you looking so well.”
“Yup! I’m doing great! Honestly, I’ve never been happier in my entire life!”
That statement caught Siana’s attention, and she asked Elizalina a question.
“…Did something good happen?”
“It’s not just something good! I’ve met a boy I want to devote my entire life to making happy!”
“I see.”
Siana couldn’t have cared less about Elizalina’s love life.
But what came next forced her to listen closely.
“Oh, and remember how I kind of hinted I might mess with that boy you care about, Felisiana? I’m over that now. Really. You don’t need to worry, I’m not going to get involved in that kind of thing anymore.”
Siana believed that Elizalina’s mischievous nature would not change easily, so she had taken precautions to protect herself in case Elizalina did something to her, but Elizalina had come here and said that she would not interfere with Siana’s love life.
After a moment’s pause, Siana replied.
“Forgive me if I don’t believe you. You’re capricious, Elizalina-neesama.”
“It’s true, I promise. I really don’t care about other people’s relationships anymore… Lately, all I can think about is how to make that boy happy, and how to get him to love me. It’s funny, I never used to worry about that kind of thing. People would just fall for me naturally. But this time it’s different, and honestly, it’s kind of fun.”
“…”
Watching Elizalina speak so joyfully, Siana became certain that Elizalina truly had changed.
It was something only Siana, who had observed her closely as a sister, could understand. But if that change meant Elizalina would stop mediating national disputes as she had until now, then Siana and Lux-kun’s future might face some complications.
I’d better look into the situation around Elizalina-neesama, just in case.
Just as she was about to glance at Violet to convey that instruction with a look, Elizalina met Siana’s eyes with a hollow gaze and said.
“But… if anyone tries to come between me and that boy or does something that displeases me, or worse, tries to hurt him… then I’ll have no choice but to deal with them using every ounce of power I have. Even if that person happens to be my own little sister.”