The Second Royal Exchange
Violet’s Side
…The day of the second Royal Exchange.
Violet, her heart dancing with anticipation, waited alone in the shadow of the Rodwell estate, savoring the arrival of the long-awaited day.
“Rodwell-sama… At last, the day I get to spend time alone with you has arrived.”
She knew that letting her excitement create emotional openings or moments of carelessness was unwise, but even so, Violet couldn’t stop herself.
From a third-party perspective, she had always been watching Lux spending time with Siana, Florence, and the red-hooded woman. All the while, she had longed to someday experience that same kind of time alone with Lux.
And now, that wish was finally coming true today. Of course, she didn’t plan for this to be the end of it, but that didn’t make it any less exciting.
She could feel that Lux’s presence, and the feeling of romantic love, were slowly bringing light to her once-dark heart.
Imagining the time she would spend with Lux, Violet couldn’t help but smile slightly as she murmured to herself.
“Rodwell-sama… I truly can’t wait any longer.”
Floria’s Side
“The Royal Exchange…”
That morning, as Floria Florence got ready for the day, she found herself lost in thought. It wasn’t a grim or somber kind of reflection. She was simply thinking about how she would spend the gathering with Lux.
“Lux-sama will likely enjoy himself regardless of whether it’s the First Princess or the Second Princess who attends. But for me, as long as the royal guest isn’t the Third Princess, I honestly don’t mind which one it is.”
If the Third Princess, who had shown an excessive and, in Floria’s view, unacceptable obsession with Lux, were to attend again, Floria would have needed to prepare countermeasures based on what happened last time and think seriously about how to keep Felisiana away from him. But considering the purpose of the Royal Exchange, Floria was certain that Felisiana would not be coming this time.
If it were either of the other two princesses, since neither had any particular attachment to Lux, there would be nothing for her to worry about. That allowed Floria to focus solely on how she would spend the gathering with Lux and how to develop their relationship further.
“Sharing a meal with Lux-sama, enjoying some music together, and perhaps having a slightly deeper conversation might be nice.”
The thought of spending the Royal Exchange with Lux made Floria smile serenely.
“…Lux-sama… I will absolutely be the one who…”
Lux’s Side
…On the morning of the second Royal Exchange, while I was getting ready in my room to head to the noble academy, Siana, who had been cleaning my room, spoke to me.
“Master, today is the Royal Exchange, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. Felisiana-sama has already visited the noble academy twice, so I think someone else from the royal family might come this time. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“…Master, if the one attending today is the Third Princess Felisiana-sama, or if it turns out to be someone else, which would you prefer?”
Siana asked me that in a somewhat anxious tone, and I answered immediately.
“Of course, I’d prefer Felisiana-sama. While I’d like to meet other members of the royal family too, I have more of a connection with Felisiana-sama, and above all, I want to spend more enjoyable time with her and grow closer.”
“…!”
When I said that, Siana pressed her lips tightly together. Realizing this, I reflected on my own words and quickly tried to correct them.
“Saying I want to grow closer with Felisiana-sama… that was maybe going a bit too far.”
Thinking Siana’s reaction had been because of what I said, I hurried to amend it. But Siana gently shook her head with a soft expression and replied,
“That’s not it at all! If Master wants to become closer with Felisiana-sama, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying so!”
Hearing those words from Siana, I looked straight into her eyes and said,
“Thank you, Siana… You really are kind.”
“N-No…! I only said what I truly thought, that’s all…!”
Siana replied, blushing and clearly embarrassed.
Watching her like that filled me with warmth, and I left for the noble academy in the carriage, feeling cheerful from the morning and sent off by Siana in high spirits.
And thus, the curtain rose on the second Royal Exchange.