Chapter 350: A Sense of Déjà Vu
Florence’s Side
“Talk, about what?”
“It concerns two matters I would like to ask the Second Princess about.”
“…”
After that, Elizalina paused briefly before speaking.
“Alright, then let’s move a bit away from here.”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
Having her proposal accepted, Florence left the dance hall, which was serving as the venue for this royal exchange gathering, together with Elizalina.
They then moved to a nearby private room prepared for those who had deepened their connections at the royal exchange gathering to deepen them further.
This private room was soundproof and could not be eavesdropped on, making it an ideal place when there was something one wished to discuss alone.
“Even so, I didn’t expect to end up entering this private room with you, Florence.”
After the two entered the room and the door was closed, Elizalina muttered that.
Facing Elizalina, Florence opened her mouth and spoke.
“Would you have preferred to enter with Lux-sama rather than with me?”
“…What do you mean by that?”
In response to Elizalina, who asked back, Florence spoke clearly.
“As I cannot take up too much of the time of the Second Princess, who is one of the central figures of this occasion, I will ask directly… Second Princess… do you have feelings for Lux-sama?”
“Eh!? L-Lux is just a close friend, it’s not like I like him or… well, if you’re asking that, you probably already have a certain level of confidence, so there’s no point in lying like that, is there?”
“…In that case.”
At this point, those words alone had already essentially conveyed Elizalina’s feelings toward Lux.
As Florence murmured that, Elizalina nodded.
“Yeah, I like Lux.”
“As I thought… then, the man you wished to become engaged to was also…”
“Of course it’s Lux, there’s no way I would ever wish to be engaged to any man other than Lux, not now or ever!”
Ever since hearing from Ashwell about Elizalina’s words and actions during her event, this possibility had occurred to her.
And as time passed, that possibility had turned into certainty.
However, now that this certainty had become reality like this.
“I am surprised… I had anticipated it, but to think that not only the Third Princess, but even the Second Princess holds feelings for Lux-sama…”
It is rare for two princesses of a single country to both desire engagement to the same person.
And even more so when it is not for benefit, but for pure love.
“I was surprised too when I first found out that the person Felisiana likes is the same Lux as me! And because of that, even though we didn’t get along to begin with, now we’re seriously in opposition!”
…Conflict between the Second Princess and the Third Princess…
“That cannot be said to be a favorable situation when viewed from the perspective of the country… even so, do you have no intention of giving up on Lux-sama?”
“No, I don’t. This country is important, but for me now, a big part of that is making sure Lux can live happily… giving up on Lux, whom I love that much, for the sake of the country would, in one word, be putting the cart before the horse, wouldn’t it? Or… Florence, could you give up your feelings for Lux for the sake of your family?”
That her feelings toward Lux had been noticed by Elizalina.
She was momentarily surprised and almost reacted, but she managed to keep her composure, thinking that for Elizalina, with her information-gathering ability and insight, it would not be strange to know such things.
And then, she properly put her answer into words.
“No… I believe that would be difficult.”
“Right? It’s the same thing!”
“…”
There were many things she wanted to discuss with Elizalina regarding this matter.
But before that.
Florence, seeking an answer to the growing sense of déjà vu she felt the more they spoke, opened her mouth and said.
“Second Princess… as I mentioned earlier, there is one more thing I would like to ask… have you and I, within these past few months, ever met like this, face to face?”