Speculation
Floria’s Side
After Lux was taken away by Rezamiliana, Floria was interacting with one royal affiliate after another who came to speak with her, when someone with a hat pulled low over their face spoke to her from behind.
“Florence-sama.”
“Yes.”
For a moment, she could not identify who it was just by the voice alone, but when the person faced her and briefly revealed their eyes, she realized who it was.
“Violet-sama, why are you here?”
“I am also, after all, a member of the royal family.”
What Floria had wanted to ask was what purpose she had for being here, but thinking that Violet, while understanding that, had chosen to give an evasive answer, Floria reasoned out the answer that lay behind it and said,
“I see… So again, the Third Princess has asked you to keep Lux-sama and me apart?”
“I cannot answer that with my own lips.”
Though that was Violet’s answer, by then it was already as good as an answer.
Hearing that, Floria paused for a moment before speaking.
“In that case, as you can see, Lux-sama is not here at the moment.”
“Yes, I am aware.”
“…Then, why show yourself to me?”
“Because I once promised that we would build a friendship, and so I thought to use this Royal Exchange Gathering to deepen that bond.”
Most likely, there is also the intention of keeping me away from Lux-sama just as the Third Princess commanded. But Violet-sama does not seem to be lying… If that is the case…
“Very well. I had no intention of doing anything with Lux-sama here today in the first place, so let us spend time together and deepen our friendship.”
“Thank you.”
After that, the two spent some time together, enjoying tea and conversation.
Elizalina’s Side
…Around evening.
“Ah! Rezamiliana-oneesama!”
As Elizalina, having finished her duties as a mediator, walked along the castle corridor, she spotted Rezamiliana, a woman with wine-red hair and a dignified posture. Calling out her name, she approached, and Rezamiliana said,
“Elizalina, have you already finished today’s duties?”
“Of course! More importantly, Onee-sama, you’re done with the Royal Exchange Gathering, right? How was it?”
“Yes, it was a very good time… I had not participated in such events until now, but every once in a while they are not so bad.”
Hearing those words, Elizalina still felt the strange sense of unease that lingered in her mind, and decided to take this chance to probe once again into its cause.
“You joined the academy’s Royal Exchange Gathering this time because there were some promising swordsmen in the tournament, right?”
“That is correct. I also spoke with them, and they will surely grow into fine swordsmen in the future.”
“Hmm…”
Now that I think about it, during that royal council meeting, I was so shocked by Onee-sama’s statement that she would attend the Royal Exchange Gathering that I completely forgot. But recently, there was another time when she surprised me.
Back then, she had simply accepted the words at face value, but now that she recalled them, she decided to bring the matter up.
“Come to think of it, remember how you once came to me with talk about romance? If I recall, you asked what I would do if someone already had a fiancé when they were the person I loved… At the time, I jokingly answered, ‘I would eliminate that rival and make sure I ended up with the one I loved,’ but I never heard Onee-sama’s answer… Could you tell me now?”
When asked that, Rezamiliana looked into Elizalina’s eyes and said,
“I cannot say whether I would eliminate them or not… But I am certain I would not want to yield that person to another.”
“…Right! I feel the same way too! Sorry for asking something weird. I know you must be tired today, so I shouldn’t keep you any longer. Please get some good rest!”
“I still have sword training to do now, but once that is finished, I will.”
“Even after work, you never change, huh?”
After that exchange, Rezamiliana walked past Elizalina and continued down the corridor.
Elizalina watched her sister’s back as she left.
“…No way.”
A certain suspicion arose in Elizalina’s mind, but when it came to Rezamiliana, there was simply no way.
“Well, even if it turned out to be true, then it would be what it would be.”
Thinking lightly of it, Elizalina, having already finished her duties for the day, returned to her room to relax while thinking about Lux.
At that time, Elizalina suspected that perhaps Rezamiliana had found someone she liked, but she never once considered that the person could be Lux, the very one she had set her own heart on.