Reason
Rezamiliana’s Side
“M-Marriage…? Florence, I have never heard that you had a fiancé. Is that person Rodwell?”
If the daughter of the Florence family, Floria Florence, had a fiancé, it should have become a topic of gossip throughout the kingdom. Yet Rezamiliana had never once heard such information.
And since she had checked documents and confirmed that Lux had no fiancée, Rezamiliana was surprised at the discrepancy between the information she possessed and Floria’s words, and asked. In response, Floria said,
“At this stage, it is only something I myself have spoken of, so it is not that a formal engagement has been arranged.”
“…I see.”
Though unusually startled, Rezamiliana quickly regulated her breathing and worked to maintain her composure.
If Rodwell already had a fiancée, it might have become considerably difficult for me to seize a future with him. But if it is only a one-sided matter, then there is still a possibility.
“…You seemed quite surprised. Is there some reason for that?”
“If a story of engagement were to come from the lips of the famous young lady of the Florence family, it would be more difficult not to be surprised.”
“That… may be so, but… is that really all?”
“Of course. What other reason could there be?”
When Rezamiliana replied in her usual tone, Floria paused briefly before nodding and speaking.
“That is true. I am sorry for saying something that sounded suspicious… Then, please excuse me, I shall return over there.”
“Ah, well done.”
At the end, Floria bowed her head to Rezamiliana and returned to her original place.
“…So that was the daughter of the Florence family, Floria Florence.”
She has a different atmosphere from my younger sisters, but she undoubtedly possesses abilities equal to theirs.
Rezamiliana had already heard of the talents of the Florence family’s daughter, but speaking with her directly made her realize that excellence all the more.
However, whether by the sword or by fate, I have no intention of losing to you. If you win the sword tournament, then at that time let us have a true battle in an exhibition match.
Rezamiliana quietly declared this challenge to Floria within her heart.
Afterward, she continued serving as a sparring partner for the students participating in the sword tournament, giving each of them precise advice. When the time came for her to return to the royal castle, she ended the training and went back to the castle.
“The young lady of the Florence family and Rodwell… Being able to meet with both of them, today was truly a good day.”
Just after Rezamiliana murmured this upon entering her room in the royal castle, the door was knocked on and then opened, and Elizalina peeked her face inside.
“Rezamiliana-onee-sama, good work~! Today you went to the noble academy to give sword instruction, right?”
As the first and second princesses, Rezamiliana, who valued discipline, ideally believed that even when it was just the two of them, Elizalina should conduct herself with royal decorum and use honorific speech toward her. However, no matter how many times she told her, Elizalina never used honorifics, so only when they were alone did Rezamiliana allow it without saying anything.
“Yes, I wanted to see the faces of those who will carry the future of this kingdom.”
The real reasons, however, were that she wanted to see Lux, to witness Lux’s sword, and to see the daughter of the Florence family with her own eyes.
Yet she could never say she acted out of such personal feelings, so she gave words that, while questionable as the true reason, were not a lie.
Elizalina could likely see through such a falsehood, but whether she was not in the mindset to pick it apart or whether she noticed and chose to ignore it, she entered Rezamiliana’s room and said cheerfully,
“That sounds just like you, Onee-sama~! So, so, was there anyone who seemed promising~?”
“Yes… if we are speaking solely about the sword, the daughter of the Florence family and the son of Count Rodwell stood out. Between them, if I must decide superiority, at least at the present stage, the daughter of the Florence family appears to be ahead.”
This was not favoritism but a fair judgment. When Rezamiliana said this, Elizalina, looking pleased, approached her sister who was seated.
“The son of Count Rodwell, that’s Lux Rodwell, right? Hey, hey, was Lux doing well?”
Hearing Elizalina show interest not in Florence but in Lux in the flow of the conversation, Rezamiliana felt a slight sense of discomfort and asked,
“It sounded as if you have some connection with Rodwell. Elizalina, do you have some involvement with him?”