Chapter 324: Double-Edged Sword
“Please calm yourself.”
Violet stopped Siana, who was about to go cut down Floria Florence, with those words.
“…I know, it was a joke.”
Whether her desire to cut down Floria Florence was truly a joke or not aside, even though Siana is the Third Princess, the ducal House of Florence holds especially great power within this country.
She cannot cut down Floria Florence, the daughter of that house, without careful preparation.
“You remember what we talked about after I returned to the mansion the day Father summoned me, right?”
That was the day the two of them spoke with Rezamiliana for the first time in a while.
At the same time, it was also the day they discussed a plan for her to be united with Lux, surpassing even Elizalina, who is expected to become more active from now on.
“Yes, I remember.”
Of course, there was no way Violet would forget such an important day.
As she nodded, she continued.
“From now on, which of you, Ojou-sama, Florence-sama, or Elizalina-sama, will be able to draw closer to an engagement with Lux-sama will depend greatly on the upcoming Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering… that was the discussion.”
“Exactly.”
Siana nodded at Violet’s reply.
“And in order to participate in that Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering, at the Royal Council to be held soon, I must persuade Elizalina-anesama, who is surely thinking the same thing as I am, and have Rezamiliana-anesama approve my participation.”
“Persuading Elizalina-sama… normally, that would be extremely difficult, but…”
“This time is different… because I built the plan around something Elizalina-anesama cannot do.”
In addition, this plan has a very high chance of bringing Rezamiliana to her side as an ally.
Therefore, Siana was convinced she could surpass Elizalina in this matter.
However, the remaining problem was…
“The remaining problem is Florence… that woman, taking advantage of the fact that I cannot make a move, boldly closing the distance with Lux-kun in a public hallway.”
Just imagining that scene made anger well up inside Siana even now.
As she sharpened her gaze and firmly suppressed her anger, Violet spoke.
“We also devised a plan to restrain Florence-sama at this Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering, but… whether it will succeed is fifty-fifty.”
Depending on the situation, she continued.
“It is also possible that not Florence-sama, but you, Ojou-sama, may end up being restrained instead.”
“I am fully aware it is a double-edged sword… but after building the plan around something Elizalina-anesama cannot do, if we are to restrain that woman as well, this is the best method. If it works, that woman will never again be able to say in front of me that she will protect Lux-kun.”
While imagining the face of Florence, who speaks of her love for Lux despite being unable to stain her hands with blood for his sake, Siana spoke with cold eyes and an icy voice.
…But immediately after.
“Siana! Do you have a moment?”
Just as Lux’s cheerful voice called out to her from outside the room.
“Yes! Master!”
Siana replied brightly, as if she were a completely different person from before.
At the same time Violet erased her presence, she invited Lux into the room.
Lux entered with a happy expression.
“Listen, Siana! Actually, today Florence-san praised the sword I’ve been training with all this time!”
“F-Florence, did… she?”
Hearing Floria Florence’s name, Siana felt conflicted, but…
“Yeah! It’s all thanks to you, Siana. Thank you so much!”
“!?”
Together with those words of gratitude, Lux hugged her.
Though startled, her cheeks immediately flushed red with happiness, and her lips softened into a smile.
Violet watched this scene, something that would have been impossible to witness if Siana had never met Lux, while remaining unseen.
She murmured to herself in a voice gentler than usual.
“You yourself once said it… I am truly glad you were able to meet Rodwell-sama, Ojou-sama…”