Life
Siana’s Side
“If my life is taken, then at that very moment, take Felisiana and Violet’s lives as well.”
Siana was slightly shaken by the words that had just come from Elizalina, someone who stood before her with the power to take her life at any time, saying something she never could have imagined.
“Elizalina-nee-sama, for you to say something so unlike yourself just because you’re afraid of losing your life… isn’t that just pathetic? Do you really think such empty lies will change my mind?”
Because she had known her sister for so many years, had watched her up close, Siana could tell that Elizalina’s words were neither lies nor a desperate plea.
Still, she asked that question to probe Elizalina’s thoughts.
“If that’s what you believe, then why not order Violet to take my life? Of course, in that case, you and Violet would lose yours too.”
“…”
Dozens of soldiers, fully armed and rigorously trained under Elizalina’s command.
Facing them with only Violet at her side, Siana knew the odds weren’t in her favor.
“Elizalina-nee-sama, are you really fine with this? That statement would make everything you’ve mediated so far completely meaningless.”
As the second and third princesses, each held a vital role in the kingdom. Even losing one of them would be a devastating blow.
All the more so if both disappeared.
But Elizalina spoke with vacant eyes and a mysterious smile.
“I don’t care about all the mediating I’ve done. I met someone so important to me that nothing else matters anymore. If I regret anything, it’s that I didn’t get to talk to him one last time.”
Hearing those words, Siana recalled something Elizalina had once said.
“Because I met a boy I want to spend my whole life making happy~!”
To think that Elizalina-nee-sama found someone so special she still wanted to speak to him at the brink of death… it’s hard to imagine.
Still, that thought raised a question in Siana’s mind, and she decided to ask it.
“If you’ve met someone that precious, Elizalina-nee-sama, why did you break your promise not to interfere in my romance?”
“Ah, so that’s what this is about… If I may clarify one thing, Felisiana is misunderstanding.”
“…Misunderstanding?”
“Yes. But before that, let me ask you something. The man Felisiana wants to marry is the son of the Count, Lux Rodwell, right?”
Hearing Lux’s name nearly stirred her emotions, but Siana had already known that Elizalina and Lux had met at the Royal Exchange. She quickly calmed herself.
“That’s right. And since you knew that, Elizalina-nee-sama, you got involved with Lux-kun just to sabotage us, didn’t you?”
“No, not at all. I truly had no intention of interfering in Felisiana’s love life. It’s just… everything was out of sync. We really had the worst timing.”
“Timing…? What do you mean?”
Just as she was about to say more, Siana stopped. Something had clicked.
Elizalina-nee-sama. A charming man. Important. Royal Exchange. Involvement. Connection. Romance. Fate. Lux-kun?
Shocked by what she had just realized, Siana asked for confirmation.
“Elizalina-nee-sama… are you in love with Lux-kun too?”
Elizalina gave no verbal reply. She simply nodded.
“…!”
Siana was left speechless.
In this world, or even just in this country, there were countless men.
And yet the man Elizalina, who had never once shown interest in marriage, had fallen for was the same one Siana loved: Lux. She stood frozen.
This entire conflict had started because she believed Elizalina broke her promise not to interfere. That’s why she had acted. But in truth, it was all a misunderstanding. They had simply fallen for the same man.
“…Ojou-sama, what shall we do?”
Violet’s words brought Siana back to herself.
“…”
If Elizalina hadn’t intentionally broken her word, then there might be no reason to continue this. But Siana stood firm.
“As planned, I will take Elizalina-nee-sama’s life here. I’m sorry, but the moment you fell in love with my Lux-kun, your fate was sealed.”
“Heh. That doesn’t change my mind. If you kill me, Felisiana and Violet die too.”
At those words, Siana closed her eyes and imagined Lux. Then she spoke again.
“I have to go to Lux-kun, no matter what. That’s why I can’t die here.”
“If you back off, I won’t harm you or Violet. I don’t know what kind of relationship you have with Lux, but if you care about him, you should treasure your life.”
“No… it’s precisely because I care for Lux-kun that I have to make him happy. And to do that, I must take your life here, Elizalina-nee-sama.”
With that, Siana turned to Violet.
“Violet, Elizalina-nee-sama’s—”
Just as she was about to give the order, a voice rang out from the entrance of the royal castle.
“Elizalina, Felisiana. What are you doing here?”
“…!?”
“…”
Siana’s eyes went wide at the voice. Elizalina, too, looked startled.
The soldiers at the entrance stepped aside, allowing the speaker to approach.
She had long, flowing wine-red hair, sharp red eyes, a chiseled nose, and graceful lips. Her dignified features and firm, elegant figure gave off an aura of unwavering strength.
Upon seeing her, Siana murmured her name.
“Rezamiliana-nee-sama…”