Chapter 336: The Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering
Lux’s Side
The morning of the Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering.
“Florence-san! I’m really looking forward to what this Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering will be like!”
As we stepped out of the lecture hall and walked down the corridor toward the dance hall where the gathering would be held, I said that.
“Yes, indeed.”
Florence-san replied with a gentle smile.
I’d already mentioned this to Siana yesterday, but I truly am looking forward to it.
Considering that Rezamiliana-sama attended the previous Third Royal Exchange Gathering,
Then the one who comes to this Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering will most likely be either Felisiana-sama or Elizalina-sama.
“If Felisiana-sama were to come, it would be the first time since the entrance ceremony and the First Royal Exchange Gathering, so it would be quite…”
As I trailed off,
I suddenly recalled the time when Felisiana-sama and Florence-san, who was right in front of me now, met before…
“I, Floria Florence of the ducal Florence family, have conveyed my wish to become engaged to Lux Rodwell of the Count Rodwell family… so I look forward to your continued regard.”
“I, Felisiana, the Third Princess, have also conveyed my wish to become engaged to Lux Rodwell-kun of the Count Rodwell family… likewise, I look forward to your continued regard.”
At that time,
The way the two of them acted was slightly different from usual, so when I tried to get a better sense of the situation,
They both said it was nothing.
But it still lingered in my mind a little, so…
Thinking that if it really was nothing, then it would just be my misunderstanding and I’d feel bad, I spoke up.
“Florence-san.”
“Yes, is something the matter?”
“Um… if Felisiana-sama is there, then just like before, the three of us could look at flowers together! Well, there might not be flowers in the dance hall, but since it’s a Royal Exchange Gathering, let’s all have a good time together!”
After that, Florence-san paused briefly, in a way that could be taken as either natural or deliberate silence,
Then nodded and spoke with her usual calm expression.
“Of course.”
Hearing those words from Florence-san put me at ease,
And after that, I didn’t dwell on it any further,
And simply looked forward, from the bottom of my heart, to the Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering right in front of me.
Florence’s Side
To think that I would make Lux-sama go so far as to show me such consideration…
As she walked alongside Lux toward the dance hall,
Florence reflected on how her relationship with Felisiana had made Lux worry.
However… to have fun together, is it?
For herself to enjoy a conversation with Felisiana.
When she thought about it, she had never once considered such a thing until now,
So Florence tried to imagine that scene in her mind.
“…”
However, as expected,
The more she pictured it, the less real it felt,
And the more distant it seemed from ever becoming reality.
And when she thought of Felisiana, the next thing that naturally came to mind was this Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering.
Excluding Rezamiliana, who had attended previously, regardless of whether Felisiana or Elizalina would come,
Now that I’ve come to recognize the possibility that the Second Princess harbors feelings for Lux-sama, for me, both of them are troublesome in equal measure.
As she was thinking that,
The two arrived at the first floor of the dance hall, the venue of the Royal Exchange Gathering, and once the students had gathered, the headmaster began to speak.
“Up until now, across four gatherings, this Royal Exchange Gathering has provided all of you with valuable opportunities to directly interact with members of the royal family and their associates… however, this time, something unprecedented in the history of these gatherings will occur, as two members of the royal family will be attending.”
“!?”
At those unexpected words, the students, including Florence, were stunned.
“And so… we welcome the Second Princess Elizalina-sama, as well as the Third Princess Felisiana-sama, along with their accompanying royal associates.”
Immediately after the headmaster said that,
Felisiana, dressed in a white gown, and Elizalina, dressed in a red gown, appeared at the center of the second floor of the dance hall, overlooking the students below,
And upon seeing that sight, Florence’s thoughts came to a complete halt for a moment.