Chapter 338: Exchange
“…!”
At the very moment the Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering began,
Felisiana-sama, having descended to the first floor of the dance hall, came over to where Florence-san and I were.
“It’s been a while, Lux-kun… I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”
She greeted me like that.
That alone made me happy,
Just like when we met before…
No, even more than before, Felisiana-sama carried an even greater sense of royal dignity, and I spoke honestly from the heart.
“It’s been a while, Felisiana-sama! I’m glad to see that you’re doing well too!!”
“Yes, I’m doing very well.”
Then, Felisiana-sama leaned closer and whispered near my ear.
“Though that’s only because the Lux-kun I love is here with me.”
“…!”
At her sweet tone and the closeness of her face,
I couldn’t help but feel my face heat up.
The same went for Florence-san and Elizalina-sama, but to think that someone so beautiful would feel this way about me…
“…”
Perhaps it was because of what she just said, or simply the flow of events, or because it had been a while since we last met,
I found myself unable to look away from Felisiana-sama, but she gently pulled back with a soft expression.
Then she turned to Florence-san and spoke.
“Florence, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, Third Princess.”
“…Do you remember what I said earlier about crossing swords with me?”
“Of course, I remember.”
“Then I’ll be brief. In order for the students of the noble academy, who will carry this country in the future, to understand my skill with the sword, I would like to have an exchange with you, who won the swordsmanship tournament. Would you be willing to oblige?”
“If I am sufficient, then I would be honored.”
“…!”
An exchange of swords between Florence-san and Felisiana-sama.
And not only that… it was Felisiana-sama who proposed it, and Florence-san accepted without hesitation.
“…”
Before coming to this dance hall, I had been a little worried about the relationship between Felisiana-sama and Florence-san, and even said, “Let’s have fun together!” but…
It seemed that worry wasn’t necessary after all.
As I felt relieved inwardly, Felisiana-sama turned to me once more.
“Lux-kun, if you’d like, would you watch my mock battle with Florence from up close?”
“! Of course! I would be honored to watch!”
“Thank you… in that case, I’ll see you later.”
Leaving those words behind,
Felisiana-sama turned her back to us and began to walk away.
The mock battle between Felisiana-sama and Florence-san.
Just imagining the two of them crossing swords, and that I would be able to witness Felisiana-sama’s sword firsthand…
Even though it wouldn’t be long now, I found myself unable to wait for that moment.
Florence’s Side
“An exchange through crossed swords.” How fitting.
Florence murmured inwardly as she watched Felisiana walk away.
Thanks to that, even if we cross swords in front of Lux-sama, there will be no need to cause him concern.
The only thing Felisiana and Florence truly shared was their feelings for Lux,
And even now, Felisiana intended to avoid placing unnecessary worry on him while pursuing her own objective…
Namely, to defeat Florence in front of Lux and, at the same time, deny her way of thinking.
The fact that you wish to avoid burdening Lux-sama unnecessarily does make you someone I can place a certain level of trust in… if you intend to settle this here today, then so be it.
However…
I have no intention of letting this be decided with my defeat.
And then, until Felisiana’s figure disappeared from sight,
Florence kept her sharp gaze fixed on her back.
“Lux~!”
Hearing that bright, lighthearted voice call out, Florence turned around, and there…
Stood Elizalina, the Second Princess, and Felisiana’s older sister, whom they had just been speaking with.