Chapter 317: Way of Being
As Felisiana and Violet were walking down a corridor inside the royal castle…
“Hm? Felisiana, and Violet is with you as well.”
They encountered Rezamilliana, who was likewise walking along one of the castle corridors.
“Rezamilliana-anesama, it’s been since our meal the other day.”
The meal the other day referred to the time Felisiana was shocked after hearing that Elizalina had proposed to Lux, and afterward was warned by Elizalina that she had been looking at everything except the one thing she most needed to see.
In other words, the occasion when the three princesses, Felisiana, Elizalina, and Rezamilliana, had gathered around the table together.
As Felisiana lightly recalled that time, Rezamilliana nodded and said,
“Yes… and for Violet, it has been quite a long while.”
“Yes, it has been some time, Rezamilliana-sama.”
With that, Violet politely lowered her head.
Shifting her gaze from Violet to Felisiana, Rezamilliana spoke.
“The fact that it has been so long since I last saw Violet makes it feel rather rare lately to see the two of you here in the castle during the day. Did you come today on official business?”
“No, I was summoned by Father, and I have just come from the throne room.”
“I see. That must have been tiring.”
“…”
Because of what the King had said earlier, the idea of Felisiana becoming engaged to a man other than Lux, even as a mere possibility, was deeply unpleasant to her.
However, there was one aspect of it that concerned her.
So she decided to ask Rezamilliana about it.
“I heard from Father that Rezamilliana-anesama will be finding a fiancé at an event called an Inter-Royal Exchange Gathering… is that true?”
If it was true, Felisiana wanted to stop her.
She believed that any man chosen by the King, who valued lineage and excellence above all else, would hardly be a decent man, and she couldn’t bear the thought of her respected and cherished Rezamilliana-anesama becoming engaged to someone so unworthy.
With that intention behind her question, Rezamilliana answered after a brief pause.
“Until now, as the elder sister to you and Elizalina, I have tried to show you what it means to be a princess.”
But then she continued.
“This time, I will be doing something on a grand scale that a member of the royal family ought not to do… It is not something I could encourage you to imitate, but I sincerely believe this choice will ultimately benefit both myself and the future of this country.”
A dignified expression filled with unwavering resolve.
That expression made Felisiana feel once again that this was the sister she admired.
Feeling a sense of relief, she spoke with a somewhat brighter expression.
“If that is Rezamilliana-anesama’s decision, then I will support you as your younger sister.”
“Thank you, Felisiana… and I’m sorry for causing you unnecessary worry.”
“Not at all.”
When Felisiana shook her head as she spoke, Rezamilliana continued, “Oh, right.”
“When you have time, let us have a mock battle again, like in the old days.”
“Understood, Rezamilliana-anesama… I’m looking forward to it.”
“So am I… and…”
After hearing Felisiana’s reply, Rezamilliana turned toward Violet.
“Of course, you as well, Violet.”
“Understood.”
After finishing their exchange, Rezamilliana said, “Well then, until next time,” and departed.
Watching Rezamilliana’s dignified figure as she walked away,
Felisiana murmured quietly.
“Still, I truly cannot imagine… just what kind of person the one Rezamilliana-anesama loves must be, to have led her to make such a decision…”