A Close Existence
Floria’s Side
Having closed the distance with Violet, Floria kept up a relentless barrage of swift slashing attacks with her rapier.
…But.
“…”
Every strike was either blocked by a dagger or neatly avoided, and not a single blow reached Violet.
Creating distance once more, Floria spoke.
“…I expected you to possess strength that couldn’t be underestimated, but I never imagined it’d be to this extent. I’m surprised.”
“I’m once again impressed by Florence-sama’s outstanding rapier technique.”
“I appreciate that, but Violet-sama, aren’t you still holding back? In truth, all you’ve done is block or evade my attacks. You haven’t counterattacked even once.”
Having had that pointed out, Violet answered her question.
“My objective is, strictly speaking, to keep you here. In that regard, I’m carrying out my duty with full effort.”
“Because your objective is to stall me, you haven’t counterattacked… is that what you mean?”
“Yes. If I were to counterattack, the opening created by that action would’ve made it impossible for me to block Florence-sama’s attacks as thoroughly as I have.”
Violet said that, but how true it was remained unclear.
Even after crossing blades like this several times, Violet’s limits were still nowhere in sight.
That was Floria’s honest impression of her.
“However, Violet-sama… it seems I’ve no choice but to let you pass through here.”
“…For Rodwell-sama’s sake?”
“Yes, for Lux-sama’s sake… I…”
As she said that, Floria was about to take up her rapier stance. At that moment.
“That’s enough.”
“…!”
From deep within the alley behind Violet, a voice called out to halt Floria’s movement, and then.
“The Third Princess…!”
Felisiana appeared from behind Violet.
“Violet, good work holding her in place.”
“You’re too kind.”
Violet gave a small bow, and Felisiana stepped forward past her to face Floria.
“The fact that you’ve returned means…”
In response to the words that slipped from Floria’s mouth, Felisiana said,
“Yes, of course. That man is dead.”
“…!”
“That’s why I said that’s enough. Now that that man is dead, there’s no longer any reason for you two to fight, is there?”
Indeed, now that the one Floria was meant to protect and Felisiana was meant to eliminate was gone, there was no longer any reason for Floria and Violet to continue fighting.
…However.
“Do you understand what you’ve done…! With this, you’ve become someone even further removed from Lux-sama…!”
“Is that so? If you ask me, it’s rather you who shouldn’t be by Lux-kun’s side. If you want to be a close existence to someone as endlessly bright as Lux-kun, then you have to stain your hands with endlessly dark things.”
Floria thought the opposite.
Precisely because Lux was an endlessly bright existence, anyone who wished to stand by his side had to be bright as well.
And taking the life of someone whose life didn’t need to be taken could never be called something bright.
But Floria knew from everything so far that even if she explained that to Felisiana, it wouldn’t reach her.
On top of that, she needed to return to Lux soon, so instead of voicing those thoughts, she said,
“…It seems that before I’m united with Lux-sama, I’ll have to settle things with you.”
“It does seem that way.”
After that, Felisiana left the cleanup of the man’s corpse to Violet.
Then Floria and Felisiana, though walking side by side, quietly headed toward Lux together.
Each of them carried thoughts of the reckoning that would come someday, and the unwavering resolve that they’d never yield Lux to the other.