Femininity
“Eh…? Wh-what!?”
My confused voice quickly shifted into shock… A w-woman I like!?
“Wh-why would you ask me something like that…?”
“It is nothing, just a bit of curiosity… You may know this, but although I will turn twenty next year, I still do not have a fiancé. I rarely have the chance to talk about such things with a man, so I thought I would take this opportunity.”
True, from that perspective, this might be one of those things that can only happen at a Royal Exchange Gathering.
“Me… a woman I like…”
Since I had never really been involved with romance before, I almost blurted that out by reflex, but I stopped myself before continuing.
How do I truly feel about Florence-san and Felisiana-sama, who both spoke to me about marriage?
They are both kind, beautiful, and without a doubt far greater people than someone like me… But when I think of them as women, I…
“I know it is a difficult question to answer. If it is too hard, you do not have to force yourself.”
“Ah! I-I’m sorry! For not being able to give you an answer right away…”
“Do not worry. I asked you one question, so now it is your turn to ask me something you would like to know.”
“Eh? Even though I couldn’t answer, that’s still fine…?”
“It is fine.”
I still felt a little guilty, but since Rezamiliana-sama said so, I decided to take her up on it… Something I want to ask Rezamiliana-sama.
I looked steadily at Rezamiliana-sama.
“…”
I thought about asking her something related to the sword, but since she had said she would talk about that later, perhaps I should ask something else instead.
As I kept staring at Rezamiliana-sama while thinking…
“…Rodwell.”
“Yes, what is it?”
Rezamiliana-sama suddenly called my name, so I answered back.
Then, she said,
“You have been staring at my face all this time. Is there something on it?”
“No, it’s just that while I was thinking about what I should ask, I ended up staring… Ah! Could it have bothered you!? If so, I’m so sorry!!”
When I hurriedly apologized, Rezamiliana-sama replied,
“D-don’t misunderstand, it’s not that I felt bothered… It’s just, when you look at me so intently… Forgive me, I interrupted your thoughts. Please, continue without minding me.”
Though she said that, I had certainly been staring at her face too much, so I shifted my gaze slightly and looked at her clothing instead.
Royal attire… I own noble attire myself, and I often see nobles wearing it around town, but chances to see royal attire are truly rare. Seeing it up close like this, I felt a bit moved… That’s it.
“When Felisiana-sama and Elizalina-sama attended the Royal Exchange Gatherings at this academy, they wore dresses. Is there a reason why Rezamiliana-sama is wearing royal attire instead of a dress?”
Asking about what had made me curious while looking at her clothes, Rezamiliana-sama answered.
“Ah… that is simply because it does not suit me.”
“It doesn’t suit you…?”
Wondering what she meant, I listened as Rezamiliana-sama spoke.
“If you saw my younger sisters Elizalina and Felisiana at the Royal Exchange Gatherings, then you must understand. The two of them are overflowing with femininity… Elizalina has girlish charm, and Felisiana has the refinement of a lady.”
That was indeed the impression they gave.
“But I am different, having lived for the sword and my duties. Unlike Elizalina, I have no girlish charm, and while I may have the dignity of royalty, if asked whether I possess the refinement of a lady, the answer is no.”
“What…!?”
“All I know is how to devote myself to the sword and to duty… Dressing someone like me in a gown would only be laughable.”
“That’s not true at all!!”
“What…? Rodwell…?”
Cutting her words short with a strong denial, I looked straight into Rezamiliana-sama’s eyes and said,
“Rezamiliana-sama, you are beautiful, dignified, and incredibly attractive as a woman! So of course a dress would suit you perfectly!!”
“…!”
When I said that, Rezamiliana-sama’s eyes widened in clear surprise.