Chapter 279: The Announcement
Siana’s Side
…Several hours earlier.
Around the time Lux arrived at the venue for the event Elizalina was hosting.
Siana and Violet were also hiding in a spot from which they could overlook the venue.
“I knew she was gathering people, but I didn’t think she’d gather this many… I understood it in theory, but seeing it with my own eyes is overwhelming.”
“Indeed… We’d already looked into this, but at a glance, it seems most of those present here are dukes and marquesses.”
There were a few nobles who weren’t dukes or marquesses, but compared to their numbers, they were only a tiny minority.
“…Seriously, what on earth does Elizalina-anesama plan to do by gathering this many nobles?”
Even after seeing the venue right before the event, Siana still had no idea what its purpose was.
As she was thinking that…
“…!”
Lux, who’d moved to stand in front of a table, began talking with a blonde girl who happened to be there, Ashwell.
“That girl… If I remember correctly, she’s the one who crossed swords with Florence in the first match of the swordsmanship tournament semifinals. She placed in the quarterfinals, and she’s the daughter of the Duke Ashwell family, Nora Ashwell.”
“Yes.”
“Smiling like that and chatting so happily with Lux-kun…”
Siana felt her possessiveness threaten to overflow at any moment, but…
Since she hadn’t been given an invitation, she had no idea what might happen if she rushed into the venue now. If a maid of the Count Rodwell house did something like that, it would only cause trouble for Lux as well, so she somehow managed to restrain herself.
Watching Lux and Ashwell talking together, and feeling frustrated that she could do nothing but look on, Siana spoke.
“…Didn’t you say before that Ashwell doesn’t have romantic feelings for Lux-kun and that it’s fine to see her as a purely supportive admirer?”
“Yes. That was my assessment at the time, and even now, I believe Ashwell-sama doesn’t harbor romantic feelings toward Rodwell-sama, but rather sees him as a supporter and a fellow student.”
“From where I’m standing, it looks pretty suspicious.”
“That’s because, at present, Ojou-sama can’t speak with Rodwell-sama even though you want to, and you’re feeling jealous toward Ashwell-sama…”
“That’s enough! More importantly, focus on Elizalina-anesama! If you have time to think about such trivial things, then pay attention to what’s happening here, even a little!”
“Understood.”
Siana spoke as if to hide the fact that Violet had hit the mark.
Violet, accustomed to this sort of exchange from their many years together, showed no particular agitation and did as she was told, turning her attention back to the venue.
A little while after that.
The venue, which had been noisy just moments before, suddenly fell silent, and then…
“Ojou-sama.”
“…Yes.”
The large mansion standing directly in front of the venue.
From its second-floor terrace, Elizalina appeared.
After looking over the entire venue, Elizalina opened her mouth and spoke in a bright voice.
“Everyone! Thank you very much for attending the event hosted by me, Second Princess Elizalina, today! Without further ado, I’d like to begin the event now, so I appreciate your cooperation!”
When Elizalina bowed her head, the entire venue was filled with applause.
That was the signal marking the start of the event.
Elizalina-anesama, I’ll be watching to see what you plan to do now.
Just as Siana was thinking that…
Elizalina raised her head and spoke loudly.
“Up until today, I’ve kept what we’d be doing at this event a secret, but in fact! Today, I’d like to make one major announcement to all of you!”
“…An announcement?”
Siana couldn’t help but let out a questioning voice.
“There’s no point in dragging it out, so I’ll go ahead and make that announcement right away!”
“Just what are you going to…!”
No way…!
Just as Siana had a hunch about what Elizalina was about to announce,
Elizalina continued, raising her voice and declaring it grandly.
“I, Second Princess Elizalina, hereby announce that a man I wish to become engaged to has appeared!!”
Hearing those words, Siana fixed her gaze on Elizalina and shouted in a voice filled with anger.
“You’ve really done it now, Elizalina-anesama…!”