Chapter 266: The Art of Conversation
“E-Elina-san!?”
It seemed Lux hadn’t expected the person standing beyond the door to be Elizalina, or rather Elina, as she was known to Lux. He let out a startled cry, then continued.
“It’s been since the commerce practicum, hasn’t it? But what brings you here today, and so suddenly, at this hour…?”
Good question, Lux-kun!
If Siana herself had asked Elizalina that question, Elizalina would’ve definitely been on guard. But since it came from the pure-hearted Lux, Siana judged that this was the perfect chance to draw out Elina’s objective without raising any suspicion. With that thought, she listened as Elina answered.
“It’s not really anything that big. I just had a little errand nearby, and I thought I’d like to see you and talk for a bit, Lux~”
That’s definitely a lie. There’s no way Elizalina-anesama would schedule something like that on the day before such an important day for her. And even if she really did have an errand, it’s far too convenient for it to be near Count Rodwell’s residence.
“I did say before that I’d come again sometime soon, so I thought it’d be okay. But was it a bother since it was so sudden?”
Of course, Lux, who neither knew nor even considered that Elina’s words were a lie, shook his head.
“Not at all! There’s no way it’d be a bother! If anything, during the commerce practicum the other day, you helped me so much with customer service and dealing with people who caused trouble. I was really grateful!”
“You don’t need to thank me for something like that. I just did what anyone would as Lux’s friend.”
“Elina-san…! Thank you so much!”
Just imagining that there was a desire to be united with Lux hidden behind Elina’s words was enough to make Siana feel sick, but she somehow managed not to let it show.
As she held that inner turmoil in her chest, Elina spoke to her with a slight smile.
“It’s been since the last time I came to this mansion, hasn’t it, Siana-chan~? Have you been properly supporting Lux as his attendant?”
Elina emphasized that Siana was not a woman, but merely an attendant.
Not backing down, Siana replied.
“Yes. As the one who stays closest to my master and supports him more than anyone else, I devote myself every day.”
“…”
“…”
As the two of them quietly exchanged looks, Lux spoke in a gentle tone.
“It might not be the best place to stand around talking. If you’d like, would you like to come inside the mansion?”
The moment Elina heard Lux’s voice, her eyes sparkled so brightly it was hard to believe they belonged to the same person who’d just been staring down Siana.
“Really!?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks~!”
And so, Lux invited Elina into the mansion, but then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he turned to Siana.
“Ah… I was thinking we could spend some time together like before, the three of us, but Siana, you were going shopping, weren’t you?”
“Oh, is that so~!”
Elina reacted cheerfully to Lux’s words.
Siana saying she was going shopping today had been a lie. In reality, she’d been planning to head to Elina, who should’ve been at the royal castle.
But since Elina had unexpectedly come here herself, there was no longer any need to maintain that lie.
“That was the plan, but it’s not something urgent, so I believe prioritizing Elina-sama would…”
“Ehh~! It’s fine, it’s fine! I’d hate for Siana-chan to be inconvenienced because of me, so go on and do your shopping!”
Elina spoke cheerfully, her words seemingly kind at a glance. Of course, that wasn’t how Siana took them.
…Elizalina-anesama. You just want to be alone with Lux-kun, and yet you can say something like that so easily.
Keeping that thought hidden, Siana replied as Siana.
“No. Since we have a guest, I can’t possibly neglect to attend to them.”
“You don’t need to worry about me at all! I’d feel worse if Siana-chan’s plans got messed up because of me showing up so suddenly. After you’re done shopping, why don’t we all chat together happily? That’s fine with you too, right, Lux?”
“If that’s what Elina-san says, then of course it’s fine! Siana, I might be unreliable, but I’ll make sure to keep Elina-san company properly, so go and finish your shopping.”
“M-my master isn’t unreliable at all! I just…”
“Siana-chan really is kind~! But precisely because you’re so kind, I don’t want you worrying about me. So really, go on without worrying about me at all!”
…Would it really be okay if I cut her down right here and now? It would be, wouldn’t it?
Siana nearly slipped into such dangerous thoughts, but she reminded herself that she couldn’t do something so violent in front of Lux and somehow managed to calm her heart.
Insisting on staying in the mansion to deal with Elina in this situation would not only be declaring that Lux was unreliable, but also rejecting the kindness Elina was outwardly showing.
If that happened, her impression in Lux’s eyes might worsen.
Bitterly regretting how completely Elina’s conversational tactics had taken control of the situation, Siana finally spoke.
“…Understood. If that’s how it is, then I’ll take you up on your words and head out to do my shopping.”
“Thank you, Siana.”
“Do your best, Siana-chan~!”
“…”
Casting murderous eyes at the smiling Elina as she waved until the very end, Siana turned her back on the two of them and walked toward the outside of the mansion.
…Violet is inside the mansion, so the worst-case scenario can probably be avoided. But as long as I don’t understand Elizalina-anesama’s aim, I can’t be completely at ease.
After getting into the carriage, Siana decided to actually head into town to shop, so as not to create any inconsistencies.
And while riding in the carriage, Siana pondered what Elina was trying to do by so forcefully arranging to be alone with Lux.
She let her thoughts circle endlessly around that question.