Chapter 335: The Depths of Feelings
Siana’s Side
“Master, you seem to be in quite a cheerful mood.”
On the way back from the noble academy.
After Lux sat down in a chair in his room, Siana said that while pouring tea into a teacup, and Lux showed a slightly bashful expression.
“I might’ve mentioned this before, but the Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering is tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to it…”
“I see… if you are looking forward to the Royal Exchange Gathering, is it because you’re eager to meet members of the royal family?”
“Yeah.”
Nodding lightly, Lux brought the tea Siana had prepared to his lips.
Naturally, Siana was also looking forward to the Royal Exchange Gathering.
If anything, it could be said she was looking forward to it even more than Lux, but.
Just knowing that Lux was looking forward to it because he wanted to meet the royal family was not enough for her to feel satisfied.
Because simply hearing “the royal family” did not tell her who it was that Lux actually wanted to see.
As always, that point continued to weigh on Siana’s mind.
Just as Lux set down his teacup, she was about to ask him… but.
Before Siana could speak, Lux opened his mouth with a somewhat distant expression and said,
“Come to think of it, I haven’t been able to see Felisiana-sama lately, so I’d like to see her too…”
“!!”
Before she could ask, Lux had spoken the exact words Siana had been hoping to hear.
And the fact that he wore such a distant expression as he said it struck her all the more deeply, like an unexpected blow.
It sent a strong jolt through her feelings of love, but.
Me too, Lux-kun! I’ll come see you!!
After saying that in her heart, she immediately spoke aloud.
“I’m sure Felisiana-sama feels the same way, so I believe you will be able to see her at the next Royal Exchange Gathering!”
“…Somehow, when you say that, Siana, it really feels like it might come true.”
As he said that, Lux gave a gentle smile.
While Siana found herself captivated by that expression,
Lux spoke again after a brief pause.
“By the way, there’s something I’ve been thinking about Felisiana-sama for a while now… somehow, I feel like she resembles you, Siana.”
“…!”
Startled by the sudden change in topic, Siana’s eyes widened, but she quickly composed herself and asked in her usual manner,
“For me to resemble Felisiana-sama… in what way do you feel we are similar?”
When Siana had bathed together with Lux,
She had altered her hairstyle and behavior from when she was Felisiana, and although there had been steam,
Compared to her usual appearance as Siana, she had undoubtedly been closer to her original self as Felisiana.
In fact, even the first time Lux bathed with Siana, he had voiced a sense of unease, saying that her face resembled someone.
In that case, does he still feel that way because of my face or physique?
As that thought crossed her mind, Lux looked into Siana’s eyes and said,
“Well, of course, both of you are beautiful… but, how should I put it, it’s not something visible, so I can’t really explain it well, but what I feel from deep within the feelings you have toward me… I think those are similar.”
“…!”
At that unexpected answer, Siana felt both surprise and happiness.
Even though I’ve changed my appearance and the way I act so much, Lux-kun can still sense me in those invisible places…
As that thought formed—
“!?”
Almost instinctively, Siana found herself embracing Lux.
“S-Siana? What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry… I suddenly felt the urge to hold you, Master.”
“…”
For a moment, Lux seemed flustered, but.
Hearing that, he gently patted Siana’s head and said in a soft voice,
“If that’s the case, you can hug me as much as you like.”
“…Thank you very much.”
Right now, the only reason I can have Lux-kun say that to me is because I’m his maid… but as Felisiana, the Third Princess, I’ll make sure he says those words to me as well, by conveying my feelings to him even more from now on.
For that purpose as well,
Siana let her thoughts drift to tomorrow’s Royal Exchange Gathering,
And tightened her embrace around Lux… and then, at last.
The day of the Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering arrived.