Two
“Rezamiliana-sama… she really is an incredible person, isn’t she?”
As the students began speaking with members of the royal circle, I muttered that while watching Rezamiliana-sama descend the stairs, and Florence-san nodded in agreement.
“Yes, as expected of the First Princess… truly.”
Then, when I tore my eyes away from Rezamiliana-sama, I turned to Florence-san and said,
“Florence-san, shall we act together during this Royal Exchange Gathering as well?”
“By all means, I would very much like to…”
Florence-san, who began to say that, cast her gaze toward my blind spot and fell silent.
I wondered if something was there, so I turned that way as well… and there was Rezamiliana-sama.
“Florence, Rodwell, I ask for your cooperation today.”
“R-Rezamiliana-sama!?”
While I reacted with such surprise, Florence-san spoke calmly.
“First Princess, it is my honor. Please, I look forward to working with you.”
“Y-Yes, please!”
I had been so surprised that I nearly forgot to say it, but I followed Florence-san and spoke the words.
Then Rezamiliana-sama turned toward Florence-san and said,
“Florence, it has been since the sword tournament… How has your swordsmanship been since then?”
“I will review and polish my sword once more so that next time I may achieve victory over the First Princess.”
“I see… I am training as well. If next year you are able to claim the champion’s seat, then at that time let us cross our now-strengthened blades.”
“Yes.”
After that exchange, Rezamiliana-sama next turned to me and spoke.
“I look forward to seeing the swordsmanship of Florence, who will likely be stronger next year, but I am also paying close attention to your sword, Rodwell.”
“Eh!? Y-you know about me!?”
“There is no way I would not know about the runner-up of the sword tournament, is there? It seems you fell just short of Florence, but you certainly grew through that fight with her… By next year, you will be even stronger.”
I was so happy that Rezamiliana-sama had said that to me that I let out a slightly high voice before replying.
“…! Thank you very much! I will spare no effort in my training so I can live up to Rezamiliana-sama’s expectations!”
“Good answer. There are a few more people I wish to speak with, so I will be going for now, but Rodwell, later I would like to speak with you alone about swordsmanship.”
Rezamiliana-sama wants to speak with me one-on-one about swordsmanship!?
That said, since Florence-san and I had planned to act together, I could not accept that on my own, so I looked to Florence-san.
When Florence-san nodded, I said brightly,
“Understood!”
“Thank you… then, until we meet again.”
With that she left the place… her proud, graceful walk still giving off that tremendous majesty.
After thinking that, I immediately spoke to Florence-san.
“I’m sorry, Florence-san… we had planned to act together, and yet it’s been decided we must separate partway through…”
“If the First Princess wishes to speak about swordsmanship, it may become an opportunity for Lux-sama to grow even more… In that case, naturally there is no reason for me to stand in the way of the growth of the Lux-sama I love.”
“Ah… thank you…!”
Being called someone she loves made me a little embarrassed, but by focusing on Florence-san’s kindness, I managed to suppress that embarrassment.
After that, Florence-san and I continued to converse with several members of the royal circle, and once we finished interacting with the people we had been speaking with…
“Rodwell, about that earlier matter, are you all right now?”
Rezamiliana-sama spoke to me.
“Y-Yes, I am fine!”
“Then let’s go.”
Before following Rezamiliana-sama, I bowed my head to Florence-san, and she smiled gently at me.
After that, I followed and began walking with Rezamiliana-sama alone… Though nervous about being alone with her, we were led into a private room prepared for two people to deepen their acquaintance.
“Sit there and let us talk.”
“Yes!”
Saying that, Rezamiliana-sama sat on one of the chairs placed across the table, so I sat on the opposite side.
“Rodwell, I understand you may be nervous being with someone of standing like me, but you do not have to be so stiff. Unlike other places, here there are only you and me.”
“…I understand.”
I had indeed been too tense, so I consciously calmed myself and replied, and then Rezamiliana-sama asked,
“Rodwell… before we talk about swordsmanship, there is one thing I would like to ask you. May I?”
“Yes, please ask anything!”
When I answered that, Rezamiliana-sama asked something I had not at all expected.
“Do you have someone you care for… a woman you like?”