Elation
Lux’s Side
…The morning of the sword tournament.
A carriage had arrived at the front of the Rodwell mansion to take me to the arena where the sword tournament would be held, and just as I was about to board it, Siana came to see me off.
“Siana, I’m off.”
“Yes, Master! I will also head there later, so that I may cheer for you as you fight!”
“Just knowing that Siana will be watching and cheering for me makes me feel like I can draw out much more strength than usual… See you later, Siana.”
“Please take care, Master!”
After seeing Siana bow her head as she said that, I boarded the carriage and finally set out for the arena where the sword tournament would take place.
For Florence-san, who helped me with my training, for Violet-san, and also… for Siana, who cheers for me, I will fight with all my strength today and show her a side worthy of being her master!
With that strong resolve in my heart, I waited for the carriage to arrive at the arena.
“Lux-kun, I truly am cheering for you…”
Elizalina’s Side
“Sword tournament, sword tournament.”
In the corridors of the arena where the sword tournament would be held, where only royals and guards were permitted for now, Elizalina walked along in high spirits.
Since she kept repeating the words “sword tournament,” one might think she liked swordsmanship, but that was not the case.
“To finally be able to see Lux directly with my own eyes, and on top of that see him fighting with a sword, this is just the best! Ah, lately I feel like I’ve been working hard only because I was looking forward to this day, so I’m really excited!”
Yes, for Elizalina it was not about swordsmanship, but simply about being able to see Lux in person. More than that, it was the chance to witness firsthand Lux wielding a sword, something that seemed cool to her just by imagining it, and that alone was what she had been eagerly anticipating.
When Elizalina entered one of the arena’s rooms, the royal room, Rezamiliana was there.
“Good morning, Onee-sama!”
“Ah, Elizalina, you are as energetic as always.”
When Elizalina greeted her, Rezamiliana looked at her and replied that way.
“Well, that’s because today is the day of the sword tournament! Of course I’d be full of energy!”
“It is surprising that you, who are skilled with the bow, would be so excited about the sword tournament… but no matter. More importantly, Felisiana has not yet arrived. Have you heard anything?”
“No idea~”
“Although there is still time before the swordsmen and spectators enter the arena, it is unusual for Felisiana to arrive later than you, Elizalina.”
“I’ve been working hard lately, so that remark is rather hurtful, you know!”
“Heh, that is true.”
Rezamiliana gave a small laugh, then raised the corner of her mouth slightly as she replied.
Well, Felisiana would not be late at such an important time, but it is a little odd for her to arrive later than me, who came at a leisurely pace. Could it be that, like me, she is so happy at the thought of seeing Lux again after such a long time that she lost track of time? Normally that would be unthinkable, but when it comes to Lux, maybe it could happen~.
As Elizalina was thinking such things, the door to the room opened… and there appeared Felisiana, dressed in a gown.
“My apologies, I am a little late.”
“You are still on time, so do not worry. Now that the three of us are here, all that remains is to wait for the swordsmen and spectators to enter, and then for the opening to begin.”
“Understood.”
Approaching Felisiana, who was speaking very politely with Rezamiliana, Elizalina whispered in a voice only Felisiana could hear.
“Hey, hey, the reason you were late today, is it because you were excited to finally see Lux again in person? Did you lose track of time because of that?”
“There is no way I would be late for such a reason. I was simply delayed because preparations took longer than expected.”
“Eh~? That sounds even less like you, Felisiana. The truth is you are happy to finally be able to see Lux again today, right?”
“It is true that I am happy to see Lux-kun, but that has nothing to do with the reason I was late.”
“…”
I thought for sure that Felisiana, just like me, had been looking forward to today, the day we could finally see Lux again. But she seems calmer than I expected. Considering that she is about to see Lux after such a long time, she does not seem particularly elated… why?
Faced with the question she had asked herself, Elizalina continued to ponder.
Could it be that she has been meeting Lux without me knowing? No, that should be difficult, since Lux is always busy training with the sword. But then why is Felisiana not as elated as I am? My heart is pounding so hard right now.
Her sharp mind was just about to reach that answer… when there was a knock on the door, and a person dressed in formal attire entered, knelt before the three princesses, and spoke.
“The swordsmen and spectators have begun to arrive, so may the three of you please make your way to the seating area.”
“Understood. Thank you for your report.”
“Yes, please excuse me.”
With those words in response to Rezamiliana, the person left the room.
Well, I can think about Felisiana later. More importantly… I want to see Lux shine right now! Actually, why not just make every match in the tournament Lux’s!? No, if I did that he would get too tired, so that would not work~!!
“Let’s go, Elizalina, Felisiana.”
“Yes.”
“Okaay!”
And so, the three princesses left the room together and made their way to the royal box of the arena.