Chapter 333: A Small Shadow
Lux’s Side
After watching until the royal-exclusive white carriage carrying Rezamiliana-sama disappeared from sight,
I returned to the garden of Count Rodwell’s residence and, based on what Rezamiliana-sama had just taught me, resumed my sword training.
As I continued training like that, breathing heavily,
After a short while…
“! Master! I have returned!”
Hearing a bright voice, I turned toward it,
And there stood Siana, who seemed to have just come back from shopping.
“Siana! Welcome back!”
“Yes! …Master, you were practicing swordsmanship! To be doing so from midday on a day off is truly admirable… however…”
Saying that, Siana ran over to me,
And as she looked closely at my face, she said,
“You appear quite fatigued, so wouldn’t it be best to rest for a bit?”
“It’s true that it’s about time I should take a break, but I was able to learn a lot today, so I want to train just a little more… so that I can become strong enough to protect the people of the territory and you, no matter what happens.”
“!!”
Hearing my words, Siana’s eyes widened,
And with her cheeks turning red, she spoke, clearly flustered.
“When you put it that way, Master, I simply cannot press my opinion… in that case, until the proper time comes when I may attend to your body again, I will observe your training from a short distance.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
That she worried about me,
And that, despite that worry, she still allowed me to continue my sword training… I expressed my gratitude,
And Siana turned her back to me and walked toward the garden wall.
“…Alright!”
Watching Siana’s back, I felt my energy renew,
And, facing the straw dummy in front of me, I resumed my training once more.
Siana’s Side
Leaning against the garden wall as she watched Lux practicing swordsmanship,
The words Lux had said earlier repeated over and over in Siana’s mind.
“…so that I can become strong enough to protect Siana.”
Siana had never once wished for Lux to protect her, and had no intention of being protected by him in the future either.
Because she herself wanted to be the one to protect Lux.
But…
“Haah, Lux-kun… when you say something like that with such a serious face, and in such a cool way…”
Siana gazed at Lux reflected in her eyes, her cheeks flushed, her expression soft and entranced, almost melting.
And to such a Siana…
“As always, it seems your sensitivities become particularly keen when it comes to Rodwell-sama.”
Violet, standing beyond the wall, spoke to her.
“It can’t be helped, Lux-kun is just that cool… he’s usually gentle and has a cute side, but the way he’s swinging his sword right now, all by himself, is so serious, and truly cool…”
“…I can understand how you feel.”
After a brief pause, Violet continued in a calm tone.
“By the way, have you noticed? Rodwell-sama’s movements have improved even more than before.”
“Hm? Ah, I was too busy recalling what he said earlier and getting captivated by the look on his face just now to notice, but now that I focus on it, you’re right… he did say Florence praised him, so it’s probably because of that, isn’t it?”
“I also observe Rodwell-sama at the noble academy, but even compared to yesterday, his movements… no, I do not have definitive grounds, so please disregard that.”
A faint sense of unease, like a small shadow, stirred by the subtle change in Lux’s movements.
What Violet just said is a bit concerning, but…
“! Haah, haah…!!”
Lux-kun, training so earnestly while out of breath, looks so cool that I can’t spare any thought for that at all!
And so, even after that, Siana continued to watch Lux practicing swordsmanship with an enraptured expression,
And when she judged that Lux was truly getting tired, she did not miss that moment and firmly urged him to take a break,
And since Lux accepted, the two of them then spent their day off leisurely inside the residence, having tea together.
…Throughout it all, Siana wore a happy expression,
And watching such Siana, Violet too slightly raised the corners of her lips, as if finding it endearing, and quietly watched over the two of them.