Victory Celebration
Lux’s Side
“Good morning, Lux-sama.”
“Good morning, Florence-san.”
When I arrived at the noble academy as usual today, Florence-san greeted me as always, so I returned the greeting and took my seat.
Then, Florence-san asked,
“Do you have time after school today?”
“Yes, I’m free.”
“I’m glad to hear that… In that case, though some time has passed since the tournament, how about you and I hold a small victory celebration after school today for winning first and second place in the swordsmanship tournament?”
“A victory celebration! That sounds great! I’d love to!”
“Thank you… Then, after school today, shall the two of us go to my home?”
“Yes!”
Just as Florence-san said, it had been a little while since the swordsmanship tournament, but I didn’t think the timing mattered when it came to celebrating, so we decided to celebrate our first and second place together after school today.
And then, at last, the long-awaited after school.
Florence-san and I rode together in a carriage to Duke Florence’s residence, and when the carriage arrived, I was invited into the mansion and entered the guest room together with Florence-san.
“Please, Lux-sama…”
“Thank you very much!”
Sitting on the sofa across from Florence-san, she poured me tea, and I took a sip.
“This tea… it tastes sweeter than the tea you usually make for me, Florence-san!”
“Yes, since it is a special celebration, I thought I would change things up and make it sweet. Does it suit your taste?”
“Yes! It’s really delicious!”
“That is what matters most.”
After that, Florence-san and I enjoyed the unusually sweet tea, which felt refreshing and new, as we talked about the practice period and the tournament itself.
“During the tournament, it was the first time I fought against you using a rapier, Florence-san, and it was amazing. I’d love to fight you with a rapier again, even in a mock battle!”
“Of course, that would be fine, but many rapiers are unique in weight and shape, so it is difficult to substitute them with wooden swords. Since real blades are forbidden at school, it would likely be difficult there. Shall we do it when we train in swordsmanship outside of school?”
“Thank you very much!”
When I thanked her, Florence-san took a sip of tea, then after a brief pause looked at me and said,
“By the way, Lux-sama, there is something I would like to ask you, if I may.”
“Yes, what is it?”
When I asked, Florence-san spoke shocking words.
“I heard that Lux-sama bathed together with Siana-san. Is that true?”
“Eh, wha!? H-how does Florence-san know about that!?”
“So, that means it is true. I heard it directly from Siana-san.”
Siana…!
You should not have told Florence-san something so embarrassing…!
As I scolded Siana in my heart, Florence-san continued,
“I have no intention of reproaching you for that, but after spending so much time together, after sharpening our swords alongside each other during the tournament, and above all, because I love you, Lux-sama, I too wish to bathe with you.”
“Eh!? Uh, um…”
Florence-san had even accepted the talk of an engagement with me, and though I still had not been able to give her an answer, she was telling me she loved me. There was no way I could reject an invitation like that.
“Alright! Let’s… bathe together!”
“Thank you very much for accepting.”
Hearing my reply, Florence-san blushed deeply and smiled happily, then I followed her as we walked down the hall toward the bath of Duke Florence’s mansion.
To bathe together with Florence-san, who had told me she loved me so much she accepted engagement talks, made me feel a very different kind of nervousness compared to when I bathed with Siana, Violet-san, or Elina-san.