Before Bed
Siana’s Side
After washing Lux’s body,
The three of them soaked in the bath together for a while until Lux was the first to decide to get out.
Because of that, Lux was now in the changing room getting dressed, which left only Siana and Floria in the bath.
In that quiet moment, Siana spoke.
“I wonder if Lux-kun is all right. He has been like that from the beginning, but toward the end he looked especially tense whenever he glanced at us.”
Whether it came from their appearance and the closeness of their bodies, or from the heat of the bath itself, or perhaps both.
Lux had seemed somewhat tense the entire time he was in the bath.
“I am not sure he can dress himself properly in that state, so I will go help him. Florence, wait here.”
“Please wait.”
As Siana turned toward the door and began to move, Floria stopped her with her voice and continued.
“I know you are trying to use this as a chance to be alone with Lux-sama, so I cannot allow it.”
“…”
Hearing those words, Siana stopped and faced Floria again.
“Why do I have to be in the bath alone with you instead of with Lux-kun?”
“I feel the same way, but the situation gives us no choice. By the way, Third Princess, it seems the Second Princess has been making some moves recently. Is that something decided by the royal family as a whole?”
“Elizalina-neesama…? This is the first I have heard of it.”
“I see. The Florence ducal house has not been contacted, so I do not know the details, but it appears the Second Princess has been approaching nobles, particularly those of ducal rank.”
Elizalina-neesama approaching nobles of ducal rank…? It is hard to imagine it is for mediation. If it were a dispute, she would never let it grow so large that even Florence, who was not contacted directly, would hear of it.
That meant it was unrelated to the kingdom and driven by Elizalina’s personal intentions.
She did not seem to be making any such moves when I met her at the castle before. I should look into this just in case. Florence alone is troublesome enough, so I would prefer if Elizalina-neesama would stay quiet for a while.
Siana wished for that in her heart, but that wish would be betrayed by Elizalina in the worst possible way.
Lux’s Side
Because of their stimulating appearance and the heat of the bath, my head had become hazy toward the end.
But while I was getting dressed, my thoughts cleared, and by the time Siana, Florence-san, and I reached the hallway where our rooms were, the haziness had almost completely faded.
“Lux-sama and Siana-san, please sleep in the room where you first placed your belongings when you arrived at the mansion. There will be guards posted in front of each room, so I believe you can rest without worry.”
“Thank you very much, Florence-san!”
“Think nothing of it. Then, I bid you both good night, Lux-sama, Siana-san.”
“Good night!”
“…Good night.”
After saying good night to each other, we entered our rooms.
The room had luxurious furniture and a large bed, making it hard to believe it was meant for guests.
“…”
When I checked the clock, it was still earlier than the time I usually went to sleep.
So I decided to read for a while before bed. I sat on the sofa and opened my book, when suddenly the door was knocked on.
“Who could it be at this hour…?”
Muttering that, I stood up from the sofa and slowly opened the door. Standing there was Florence-san.
“Lux-sama… may I come in?”