Chapter 306: Offense and Defense
Siana’s Side
After tasting the tea Lux had brewed, Elizalina lifted her voice in delight.
“This tea you made is delicious, Lux! I never imagined I’d get to drink tea brewed by you today, but I guess this is what they call a happy surprise! Honestly, it’s amazing that you can make tea this well on top of your swordsmanship and studies!”
Lux shook his head at her praise.
“N-no, I still have a long way to go with both the sword and my studies, but as for the tea, Violet-san helped me brew it, so it turned out well thanks to her.”
“!?”
“Violet…?”
Casting a glance at the bewildered Elizalina-sama, Siana immediately raised the cup to her lips.
Violet’s tea…!
There was no way Siana could mistake that flavor. She had drunk Violet’s tea hundreds, perhaps even thousands of times.
As that certainty settled in, Elizalina continued questioning Lux.
“By Violet, you mean Felisiana’s maid, Violet?”
Lux nodded.
“Yes. She said she only stopped by briefly, so she has already left, but according to what Violet-san told me, Siana was the one who allowed her to enter.”
“…The maid allowed her in?”
Unaware of the feelings Violet harbored for Lux, Elizalina looked puzzled.
Siana, however, immediately grasped the situation and spoke up.
“Y-yes! I was the one who let her in!”
“Mm, thank you, Siana.”
Lux said this with a gentle smile.
Violet…! You took advantage of the fact that it absolutely must not be discovered that I keep you stationed here in Count Rodwell’s residence at all times, since Lux-kun would find it suspicious if he learned the truth, just to secure time alone with him…!
While Siana simmered with silent anger, Elizalina quietly watched her.
But she soon spoke again.
“I don’t really understand what’s going on, but putting that aside! Lux, you’re not lacking in swordsmanship or studies at all. You’re already incredible!”
“…! N-no, that’s not true… In fact, Elizalina-sama is more ama—”
“That might be true when it comes to studying, but I can’t handle a sword at all, so I really do think it’s impressive! Oh, I know! Next time, teach me swordsmanship when we’re alone together!”
“!?”
Siana stiffened in shock at that suggestion, while Lux nodded.
“Huh? I-if someone like me is acceptable, then of course I’d be happy to tea—”
“I have heard that Elizalina-sama possesses extraordinary talent with the bow, so I do not believe there is any need for you to learn swordsmanship at this stage!”
Realizing this was no time to be angry at Violet, Siana immediately cut off Lux before he could accept, speaking forcefully to block Elizalina’s scheme.
Elizalina, however, replied at once.
“That may be true, but there’s no harm in learning the sword too, right? Or actually, how about this. I could teach Lux archery instead.”
“Huh!? A-archery!?”
“Of course. Learning archery wouldn’t hurt either, and if it’s me, I could teach you perfectly. So next time, just the two of us—”
“Absolutely not!!”
After that, Elizalina, determined by any means to be alone with Lux, and Siana, equally determined to prevent it, continued their verbal clash like a battle of offense and defense.
Rezamiliana’s Side
At that same time.
Rezamiliana had been summoned to the throne room by her father, the king.
After entering and kneeling on one knee before the throne where he sat, the king spoke.
“You are aware of Elizalina’s recent undertaking, are you not?”
“Yes, I am aware.”
“Good. Then this will be quick. We cannot allow her to continue acting unchecked… Therefore, I have a request. Rezamiliana, I want you to stop Elizalina before she goes too far.”