Attention
Lux’s Side
…Today was the day I would be spending time alone with Felisiana-sama.
Feeling very nervous, I arrived at the fountain in town, our meeting place, a little earlier than the appointed time.
And there… was Felisiana-sama, dressed in a very fine and beautiful outfit, radiating presence just by standing in front of the fountain.
“Ah! I am keeping Felisiana-sama waiting… I need to hurry!”
Thinking I could not let Felisiana-sama wait even a second longer, I quickly went over to her and called out.
“Felisiana-sama! I am so sorry to have kept you waiting!”
When I said that, Felisiana-sama looked at me and spoke in a gentle tone.
“I only came a little early, so do not worry… more importantly, Lux-kun.”
“Yes.”
Felisiana-sama took my right hand, looked into my eyes, and said,
“Congratulations on your runner-up finish in the Swordsmanship Tournament. I was also watching from the royal box, and your swordsmanship was truly splendid.”
“What! Really!?”
“Yes. Florence may have won the tournament, but I like your honest and straightforward sword the most, Lux-kun.”
“T-to have you say that, Felisiana-sama, makes me truly happy!”
When I said that from the bottom of my heart, Felisiana-sama smiled at me, then looked around and said,
“…If we talk too long here, we will draw too much attention. I have already reserved a shop, so if it is fine with you, Lux-kun, shall we head there now?”
“Ah! O-of course, that is fine!”
“Good, then let us go.”
“Yes!”
And so, with Felisiana-sama beside me, we walked side by side toward the shop.
“…”
Felisiana-sama… even though I still have not given the answer I should, she is treating me with such kindness… she truly is kind and a wonderful person.
As I thought that while walking next to Felisiana-sama, I suddenly noticed the gazes coming from around us.
“…A lot of people are looking at us.”
“Yes, they are.”
“…Does Felisiana-sama often come into town?”
“Not very often… when I do, it is for official duties, so I almost never come privately these days. And if I add more to that, this is the very first time the Third Princess Felisiana has walked through town side by side with a boy, whether for duty or in private.”
“What!?”
Not just in private, but even including official duties, this is the first time…!?
“So naturally, it is true that people are watching because I am the Third Princess Felisiana. But more than that, they are probably focused on the fact that I am walking alongside a boy.”
“Attention…”
The old me would probably have shrunk away just from hearing those words.
In fact, even now, I feel myself nearly slipping into that state.
But… after being spoken to about engagement by Felisiana-sama and Florence-san, after receiving encouragement from so many people, after crossing swords with many opponents and finishing as runner-up in the Swordsmanship Tournament… someone like me cannot shrink back here for such a weak reason!
Thinking that, I steadied the heart that almost faltered, and as the one walking beside Felisiana-sama, I resolved to carry myself with as much dignity as I could.
“Lux-kun… you look so gallant.”
Felisiana-sama looked at me then and said something. I could not make out the exact words, but I could tell from her tone that they carried warm feelings.
…Even now, as I try to walk with dignity beside Felisiana-sama, I am still awkward, not possessing the natural presence that she has.
Even so… someday, for the sake of those who care for me, and for the people of the nation, I will become someone truly worthy…!
Adding this fresh resolve on top of the determination I already had, I told myself that firmly in my heart as I walked together with Felisiana-sama toward the shop.