Chapter 314: Relationship
Lux’s Side
“Eh!?”
The words “that kind of relationship,” spoken by Ashwell-san after seeing the state Florence-san and I were in.
She probably meant something like lovers, but… how am I supposed to answer that!?
As things stand, we aren’t in that kind of relationship, so would it be better to deny it?
But if I deny it while she’s still waiting for my reply, I feel like that might give rise to some other misunderstanding too.
On the other hand, if I just tell the truth, that would mean telling Ashwell-san that Florence-san has proposed marriage to me.
Even if Ashwell-san is close to Florence-san.
I can’t go around revealing that without Florence-san’s permission.
While I fell silent for a moment, trying to decide what I should say…
“C-could it really be true!? Rodwell-kun and Florence!?”
Taking my silence as confirmation, Ashwell-san pressed me again.
“N-no, um…”
There was no way I could come up with an answer to such a difficult question on the spot.
Just as I began agonizing again over how to respond…
“Lux-sama, please allow me to answer in your place.”
“…! Y-yes! Please!”
With that, Florence-san released my face and hands.
She turned toward Ashwell-san and spoke.
“Ashwell-sama, regarding whether Lux-sama and I are in that sort of relationship, that is, a romantic one… at present, I am the one who has unilaterally presented Lux-sama with a proposal of engagement, so we are not in a romantic relationship.”
“…!”
I was stunned that Florence-san told Ashwell-san that without the slightest hesitation.
But even more shocked than I was,
Ashwell-san opened her mouth and said,
“An engagement proposal!? Eh!? Really!?”
“Yes.”
Ashwell-san looked back and forth between Florence-san, who answered as calmly as ever, and me.
Then, turning to me…
“S-sorry! Rodwell-kun! I have something I want to talk about with Florence alone for a bit, so may I take her with me?”
“O-of course! Don’t worry about me, please go ahead!”
“I’m really sorry! We’ll be right back!”
“Well then, Lux-sama… I shall see you later.”
“Yes!”
After that, Florence-san left the lecture hall with Ashwell-san leading her away.
What in the world are they going to talk about?
Floria Florence’s Side
Nora Ashwell brought Floria Florence to a secluded spot on the noble academy grounds.
She immediately pressed Floria Florence for answers.
“Florence! About what you said earlier… was it true that you spoke to Rodwell-kun about an engagement!?”
“Yes, it is true.”
“…!!”
Hearing it again, Nora Ashwell let out a startled cry.
Then, after a brief pause, she asked,
“…S-since when have you been talking about it?”
“Let me see… the very first time was several months ago.”
“That long ago!? B-but if you’re still not in that kind of relationship, that means he hasn’t given you an answer yet, right?”
“Yes. Lux-sama is a kind person.”
Normally, being kept waiting for an answer to a proposal would not be interpreted as kindness.
However, Floria Florence understands well that Lux is agonizing over it because of his kindness.
From the bottom of her heart, she truly sees it as his kindness.
Hearing Floria Florence’s words, Nora Ashwell paused again, then asked with a somewhat tense expression.
“If it’s been several months, does that mean something happened during that time…?”
“Something, you say…?”
“You know what I mean without me saying it! I mean…”
Blushing deeply, Nora Ashwell trailed off, then forced out the rest.
“I’m asking whether your relationship as a man and woman has… progressed, or anything like that!”