Encounter
Lux’s Side
…Leaving the arena, Florence-san and I faced each other.
“Florence-san, let’s meet again at school!”
“Yes, Lux-sama… thank you so much for today as well.”
Smiling as she said that, Florence-san turned her back to me and walked toward the carriage… she’s always amazing, but today Florence-san was truly incredible too.
Watching Florence-san’s back with that thought in mind, I then looked around the area… at the same time.
“Master!”
“Siana!”
Hearing a familiar voice, I turned toward it, and there was Siana walking toward me. When she came right up to me, she spoke with a smile.
“Master! Congratulations on being runner-up in the swordsmanship tournament!!”
“Thank you, Siana.”
Honestly, I did want to win first place in a cool way, but for the sake of those who didn’t make it to the finals, I’ll take pride in this result and use it as a step to grow further from here.
After that, Siana and I boarded the carriage headed for the Rodwell residence, and once the carriage began to move… right then, Siana hugged me.
“Siana…?”
“I am terribly sorry. As your servant, I thought it improper to embrace you in a place where others could see, so I restrained myself. But once I was alone with you, Master, who worked so hard and achieved runner-up, I couldn’t resist wanting to hug you.”
“You don’t need to apologize. Truly, thank you, Siana.”
Having Siana by my side, someone who cares so deeply for me and embraces me warmly, filled me with gratitude as we returned straight to the home… then, as we stood before the mansion’s door, Siana spoke loudly.
“Master! Since the swordsmanship tournament has ended today, all the servants have prepared an especially luxurious feast to honor you and celebrate your runner-up finish, so please look forward to it!”
“Really!? I can’t wait, thank you.”
I’ve enjoyed parties at the noble academy and on luxury cruise ships, but within the Rodwell estate itself, such events rarely happen. So if my participation in the tournament, and moreover my runner-up finish, allows us all to spend a bright and joyful time together, then I’m truly glad I gave my all in this tournament.
As I reflected deeply on this tournament, I suddenly remembered something, so I opened my mouth to tell Siana.
“It was only decided today, so I couldn’t tell you beforehand, but after the tournament, someone said they wanted to spend time with me, and that person will be coming to the Rodwell residence today.”
“Someone who said they wanted to be with you, Master…? Who in the world could that be…”
Just as Siana was about to say that, a carriage stopped in front of the mansion… I became certain it was the very person I had just mentioned… Elina-san had arrived.
“Looks like she just got here, so let’s go to that carriage. I think this will be your first meeting with her, Siana, so I’ll give you a proper introduction then.”
“Understood!”
So, Siana and I walked toward the carriage… and from it stepped down Elina-san, wearing a red hood, who as always spoke in a bright voice.
“Oh, Lux? You actually came out to greet me!?”
“We had just gotten back ourselves.”
“I see, I see~”
Hearing that exchange between me and her, Siana seemed to have some sort of thought on her mind. But when Elina-san removed her hood and revealed her beautiful, radiant face, I spoke to Siana at the same time.
“This is Elina-san, the one visiting the Rodwell residence today… she’s cheerful and kind, and it’s a lot of fun talking with her, so I’m sure you’ll get along well with her, Siana.”
“Eh? What, what? You’re introducing me like that? Then I guess I should properly introduce my…self… huh?”
When Elina-san looked at Siana, her eyes widened in shock, and her expression and movements froze.
Then, after a brief pause, she shouted loudly.
“…Wha, whaa!? Fe, F-Felisia…”
Just as Elina-san was about to blurt something out… suddenly, Siana covered her mouth.
“S-Siana!? What are you doing!?”
“Forgive me, Master. There was something on Elina-sama’s mouth… so I thought I should take her over there and wipe it off.”
Saying that, Siana led Elina-san toward the edge of the garden… and the whole time, Elina-san kept raising her voice while mumbling.
…I don’t really understand, but maybe there’s something I don’t know. I’ll just wait here a bit for Siana and the others.
Siana’s Side
Having led Elina, or rather Elizalina, to the far edge of the garden where Lux couldn’t see, Siana spoke with eyes sharper than anything imaginable from how she had just been talking with Lux.
“Elizalina-nee-sama, would you kindly return to the royal castle at once?”