A Place to Belong
Lux’s Side
Three days after the day I spent with Elina-san, in the early evening.
Today, it seemed Siana had business far away and wouldn’t be back until late at night.
Just as I was thinking about her, there was a knock at my door.
“Master, may I have a moment of your time?”
I heard Siana’s voice from the other side of the door.
“Yeah, come in.”
When I replied, Siana opened the door, stepped into my room, and came right up to me.
“Master, I have an errand today and won’t be able to return until late.”
“Yeah, you mentioned it before, so of course I remember… I am worried about you being out so late, but you have an escort with you, right?”
“Yes! I have someone with me, so there is no need to worry about my safety!”
“I see. That’s good.”
Her words reassured me, but I could still see a layer of tension on Siana’s face.
“…Siana?”
“I-I’m sorry… This errand is a little difficult, and even though I know I shouldn’t make you worry, Master…”
Siana said this in an uncharacteristically anxious voice.
I didn’t know what kind of business was keeping her out so late today.
It might have been something related to the Rodwell family, or maybe it was a personal matter… Either way, if Siana chose not to tell me, then it probably wasn’t something I needed to ask about.
Still, there was one thing I could say with certainty.
“Siana, don’t forget that you have a place here in the Rodwell family, and that there is someone who treasures you more than anyone.”
As I said that, I hugged her, wrapping up all her tension and anxiety.
“…!”
“I care about you very much, Siana… So if anything ever becomes hard, or painful, please come back to me anytime… There will always be a place here for you.”
“Master…”
Then, Siana hugged me back. She always seemed capable of anything, but in truth, she was still just a fifteen-year-old girl.
Precisely because of that, I had to keep building a place where she could always feel safe. That is why I really do have to become a good lord.
As I once again reaffirmed my goal and how precious Siana was to me, we slowly let go of each other.
“Are you alright now?”
When I asked, Siana replied with renewed energy.
“Yes! I’m okay now!”
Then she walked over to the door, bowed her head to me, and said,
“I’ll be off, Master.”
“Yeah. Be careful.”
When I said that, Siana left the room with a smile.
Siana’s Side
After leaving Lux’s room, Siana changed into the formal dress of the Third Princess, Felisiana, and boarded a carriage headed for the royal castle with Violet.
“The fear that I might not see Lux-kun again made me nervous about this plan, and I ended up worrying him… I’m ashamed of how I was acting just a moment ago.”
As Siana reflected on herself, Violet, dressed as usual in a black hooded coat but not yet wearing the hood, replied,
“Being nervous about the plan just shows how much you care about Rodwell-sama… In fact, I believe it’s a good thing.”
Her tone was as calm as ever, but there was a hint of kindness in Violet’s words.
Then she added,
“And now that you’ve expressed your feelings in front of Rodwell-sama, I believe you’re emotionally ready, aren’t you?”
When Violet asked that, Siana responded with a composed voice.
“Yes… For the sake of my future with Lux-kun, I will definitely return to his side. That is why.”
Then, with her eyes growing empty, Siana spoke in a flat, emotionless voice.
“I will eliminate Elizalina-nee-sama, who is trying to interfere with my love for Lux-kun.”
Once Violet confirmed that all fear and anxiety had vanished from Siana’s face, she pulled up her hood and responded,
“Everything will be as you command, Ojou-sama.”
By the time their carriage arrived at the royal castle, night had already fallen, and the two of them headed toward the castle entrance, just as they had arranged with Elizalina.