An Apology in Advance
Violet’s Side
On the night the day Lux’s commerce practicum ended.
In Siana’s room, Violet was…
“Lux-kun is always wonderful, but today especially, I got to see so many fresh, cool sides of him and cute sides of him. It was really amazing. Ah, just remembering Lux-kun’s bright smile makes my heart feel warm.”
As usual, she was made to listen to Siana talk about the feelings she held for Lux.
“I see.”
“Yes, and he even chose a recommended flower that suited me perfectly. I placed that flower at the royal castle, but it should really be made a national treasure…”
After that, Siana continued speaking about her love for Lux, her cheeks flushed red.
On the surface, Violet responded calmly to it all, but…
Rodwell-sama, while running a business, certainly had a different kind of charm from usual. A manly charm.
That was what she felt in her heart, as she herself was being drawn to Lux.
In truth, she’d wanted to speak with Lux as a customer herself, but Violet’s mission that day had been to keep watch over Lux’s surroundings, so she hadn’t been able to do so.
“…Honestly, Lux-kun really is adorable.”
Eventually.
When Siana stopped voicing her feelings for Lux, Violet didn’t miss the opportunity and spoke.
“Ojou-sama, due to the foolish actions of the Lage faction making things rather noisy, I haven’t been able to report this yet, but may I report to you regarding the matter of Elizalina-sama?”
Hearing those words, Siana’s expression turned serious.
The matter of Elizalina referred to what Elizalina had said about that time.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“What Elizalina-sama is currently doing seems to be reaching out mainly to dukes and other nobles and planning to hold some sort of event.”
“…An event?”
“It appears that even the participating nobles don’t know the contents, and that only Elizalina-sama herself knows.”
“…That’s quite suspicious.”
An event whose purpose was unknown.
Normally, hardly any nobles would be expected to participate in such an event, but Elizalina is the Second Princess of this country.
On top of that, she has absolute trust from having mediated this country until now, which makes such a thing possible.
“And the date is… exactly one week from now, it seems.”
“I see. No matter what kind of scheme Elizalina-anesama is plotting, if we’ve narrowed down the date, the rest is easy. The day before one week from now, in other words, six days from now, I’ll make Elizalina-anesama spill everything and erase that scheme.”
That scheme was, without a doubt, one involving Lux.
Siana would never forgive such a scheme.
“Understood, ojou-sama.”
After that, once the two of them lightly put together a plan for six days later.
Siana suddenly switched to a cheerful tone and spoke.
“Tomorrow’s a day off, isn’t it? Lux-kun’s probably still tired from the unfamiliar commerce practicum, so maybe we’ll spend tomorrow relaxing together.”
“…”
…Tomorrow…
“Ojou-sama, please allow me to apologize in advance. I’m truly sorry.”
“Huh…? What do you mea—”
Leaving behind a confused Siana in her private room, Violet disappeared from before her eyes.
I’m already at my limit.
Siana’s Side
The next morning.
Siana was going to have tea with Lux in the garden, so she walked toward the entrance to leave the mansion.
As she walked, she thought to herself.
That said, what on earth was Violet’s apology yesterday about?
Since she said in advance, nothing had happened yet as of yesterday.
Then does that mean Violet’s going to do something she’ll need to apologize to me for?
If so, when would that be?
Violet apologized yesterday when I talked about tomorrow, didn’t she? Which means the thing Violet has to apologize for is something she’ll do today?
Having reached that conclusion, Siana arrived at the mansion’s entrance together with Lux.
“Huh…?”
There was a knock at the mansion’s door.
“We don’t know who it is, but the timing’s perfect.”
Saying that in his usual gentle tone, Lux opened the door.
“Huh!?”
The one who appeared there was…
“It’s been a while, Rodwell-sama.”
Violet, wearing a black maid outfit.