Siana and Elina
“Huh? Why would I ever throw away the precious time I finally get to spend with Lux just to go back to the royal castle? I mean, come on! Today’s swordsmanship tournament was my first chance in ages to see Lux again, and the only reason I wasn’t as excited as I should have been was because, unlike me, you actually get to see him every day, living under the same roof with Lux as his maid, didn’t you!?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
In response to the impassioned Elizalina, Siana calmly gave that answer.
Hearing that reply, Elizalina’s emotions flared up even more as she spoke.
“So while I’ve been agonizing every day because I couldn’t see Lux, Felisiana wasn’t suffering at all!? That’s totally unfair!!”
“It’s not unfair. I was the one who liked Lux-kun long before you ever did.”
“But I love Lux more than you do!!”
Although Siana had felt a certain sense of superiority from being able to spend more time with Lux than anyone else, Elizalina’s words stirred her emotions.
“What a funny joke. Of course I love Lux-kun more than you do.”
Hearing Siana say that, Elizalina replied in a mocking tone.
“Love? If I remember right, Felisiana, you only came to live in the Rodwell residence not even half a year ago, around four or five months back when you stopped appearing at the royal castle as often, right? Sure, there was a feeling of trust between you and Lux, but it didn’t look anything like a romantic relationship. If it were me, someone who truly loves Lux, then just a single month under the same roof would be more than enough. I’d definitely make a move and be further along in my relationship with Lux than you are now.”
Elizalina insisted that if she were in Siana’s place, she would not need several months, because within just a single month she would already have deepened her relationship with Lux.
“You make it sound like the only reason I haven’t made a move is because I don’t like Lux-kun that much, but what you are talking about is the typical situation of a man and woman living under the same roof, isn’t it? For someone of royal blood like me to live under the same roof with a count’s son like Lux-kun, it has to be under special circumstances. In my case, that role is as a maid. Do you really think Lux-kun would make a move on a maid within just a single month? Or rather, do you even think he would ever lay a hand on a maid to begin with?”
Siana firmly refuted Elizalina’s claim while also summarizing her words.
“Whether he makes a move or not isn’t the point. What I’m saying is that I love Lux more than you do!”
“No, I love him more.”
“Then tell me, what kind of things do you want to do with Lux?”
When Elizalina said that, Siana quickly thought about what she actually wanted to do with Lux… and as she imagined it in her mind, her cheeks flushed slightly red as she spoke.
“That’s not something I would ever say out loud, now is it?”
“Oh, so you don’t want to do enough with him that you can even say it? But I want to do so much with him that I can clearly say it, so I’ll tell you… what I want to do with Lux is—”
“Huh? Something you want to do with me?”
Perhaps because he had come to check on the two after they had been gone for so long, Lux arrived at the edge of the garden where they were, and having overheard part of Elizalina’s words, he asked that question back.
And then…
“L-L-Lux!?”
Elizalina’s cheeks turned red as she let out a very surprised voice.
Elizalina-nee-sama, who is usually so nonchalant, being this shocked… this might be the first time I’ve ever seen her like this.
While Siana was thinking that, Lux approached Elizalina and asked.
“Elina-san, are you saying you want to do something with me?”
“Eh? Um… yes!”
Though a little shaken by Lux himself suddenly appearing in the middle of such a conversation, Elizalina nodded.
Then Lux, with a delighted expression, said,
“Then please tell me! If it’s something you want to do with me, Elina-san, I’ll do anything!”
“Anything!? Fine… but once I say it, don’t back out and say you actually won’t do it, okay?”
“Yes! I promise!”
“Then…”
Though she had been silently observing, Siana realized that with Lux’s innocence combined with Elizalina’s skillful words, this situation could very well head in a dangerous direction, so she cut in to stop Elizalina.
“Master! I believe the food should be ready by now, and if we make them wait too long the meal might get cold!”
“Ah…! Th-That’s right! I’m sorry, Elina-san, but could it wait until after we’ve eaten?”
“Y-Yes! That’s fine!”
After that, with Lux in the lead, Siana and Elizalina followed behind him.
Then, Elizalina whispered quietly to Siana.
“You really pulled one on me, Felisiana.”
“I was only worried the food might get cold, that’s all.”
“…If that’s how you want to play, then I suppose I’ll have to get a little more serious too.”
“Try it if you think you can.”
Hearing that from Siana, Elizalina raised the corners of her mouth.
…And afterwards, Siana would come to realize who in this kingdom truly excelled the most at reading people, at guiding their hearts, and at the art of conversation… and above all, that Elizalina, who until now had never shown any interest in men, was genuinely in love with Lux.