Chapter 347: Quick Thinking
Felisiana’s Side
“Lux…-kun?”
Having devised various strategies in preparation for this Fourth Royal Exchange Gathering.
Felisiana had anticipated different scenarios.
However, she had never imagined that Lux would suddenly intervene in the middle of her mock battle to settle things with Florence.
As she stood there, stunned into silence, Lux opened his mouth and spoke.
“I’m sorry for interfering with your mock battle… but when I watched the two of you crossing swords right in front of me, somehow…”
Lux wore an apologetic, pained expression.
I was so absorbed in crossing swords with Florence that I didn’t have the leeway to pay attention to Lux-kun, but…
It is true that earlier, they were clashing swords with a level of intensity that shouldn’t have been shown in front of Lux.
That was a mistake… Even if it was a match to settle things with Florence, I forgot to be mindful of Lux-kun.
Feeling not even a trace of anger at having the match interrupted, but instead apologetic toward Lux and reflecting on her own narrow focus.
Felisiana spoke, intending to ease the apology and distress Lux must be feeling.
“It’s true. Even though it was supposed to be a mock battle for the purpose of interaction, perhaps we got a bit too carried away.”
At those words, Florence immediately nodded.
“Indeed… when crossing swords, one can easily become absorbed, so from the perspective of someone as skilled with a blade as Lux-sama, it may have appeared far more intense than a mere mock battle.”
Florence likely felt the same.
Felisiana, too, acknowledged at least Florence’s feelings toward Lux and her ability to respond quickly.
“N-no! It’s just that I selfishly felt like something bad might happen if this kept going, so neither of you did anything wrong! I’m truly sorry for interrupting like that!”
“Lux-kun, you did nothing wrong either. If it was meant to be a mock battle for interaction, we could have used wooden swords, but since it was our first attempt, that was my misjudgment…”
As Felisiana and Florence continued to carefully reassure Lux.
The people gathered began to murmur.
Since the heated battle between Felisiana and Florence had suddenly been stopped, it was only natural.
If we don’t bring this under control, this new attempt might be tarnished and give Father something to criticize…
Thinking that, Felisiana turned her gaze toward Elizalina.
Elizalina stepped forward and addressed the crowd.
“The mock battle between Third Princess Felisiana and Florence of the ducal house has been incredibly exciting, but we’re out of time! And so, as a surprise performance, Rodwell-kun of the count’s house, who placed second in that swordsmanship tournament just after Florence, stepped in and stopped their blades! Everyone, please give a big round of applause to Felisiana, Florence, and Rodwell-kun!”
At those words.
“Ohh, so it was a performance…!”
“But to stop those two’s swords…”
“As expected of the second place in the swordsmanship tournament…”
Saying such things, the crowd sent a great round of applause toward the three of them.
Then, Elizalina winked at Felisiana.
“…”
Quick thinking and control of the crowd.
She didn’t want to admit it, but that was something Felisiana could not do.
Thinking that, after exchanging a few words with Lux.
When Lux regained his composure, he spoke with a bright expression.
“…I forgot to say earlier, but your swords just now were truly amazing, both in how captivating they were and how much there was to learn!”
“I am honored by your praise.”
When Florence said that calmly, Felisiana nodded.
“If Lux-kun thinks so, that makes me happy.”
“Ah! Yes! It really was amazing! Felisiana-sama, especially…”
For Felisiana, just having Lux praise her sword was more than enough to make her happy.
It made her happy, but…
“The way you used your fingertips and wrists was very beautiful. I couldn’t help but be drawn in.”
“!?”
As he said that, Lux suddenly reached out and touched Felisiana’s hand.
Faced with the unexpected situation, Felisiana’s heartbeat quickened.