Chapter 363: Decision
“I wonder if Father really thought he could take Violet away from Felisiana. Well, I suppose he must have, since he went to the trouble of summoning her!”
“It’s truly absurd… more than that, when I recall him saying things like, ‘You can find happiness by being joined with a man of good lineage, one I have chosen as a capable king, and by serving this country,’ implying I should be with someone other than Lux-kun, I can feel my anger rising even now.”
“Well, in the end, he went silent, so isn’t that fine? Ah, I really wish I could’ve seen that in person!”
Facing Elizalina, who seemed endlessly amused,
Felisiana spoke after a brief pause.
“He may have gone silent, but from the way he tried to stop me at the end, it seems his pride as king still remains. It’s best to assume he’ll try something else.”
“…His pride as king, huh.”
Elizalina murmured thoughtfully,
And though she had been enjoying herself until now, she continued in a calm tone, signaling that this was where the real discussion began.
“Like I said earlier, I came here today to meet you and Violet, Felisiana… and the reason is exactly what you just mentioned. There’s a chance Father will make another move, so we either prepare countermeasures or bring him down.”
Countermeasures, if the king makes a move, would mean devising plans in response, in other words, a passive approach.
On the other hand, bringing him down meant taking the initiative and making the first move themselves.
“How does you coming to meet Violet and me today connect to that?”
“It doesn’t directly, not today, but think of it as preparation… simply put, I want to gather myself, Rezamiliana-oneesama, you, Violet, and also Florence to discuss this, so I came to confirm that with you two.”
“!? I understand why you, Rezamiliana-anesama, and I would gather… but Florence too?”
Hearing an unexpected name, Felisiana raised her voice in surprise, and Elizalina nodded.
“Yeah, the idea of joining forces with Florence has already been discussed with her… when Lux is at the academy, Florence can support him more closely than anyone, and the ducal house she belongs to also holds significant power.”
“But…”
“I know Florence’s values are quite different from yours and mine, so you probably have reservations, Felisiana. But this is for Lux… for his sake, we join hands with Florence without choosing our means. If we refuse to work with her, even when it would more reliably protect him, wouldn’t that contradict our belief in doing whatever it takes to protect him?”
“…!”
Joining hands, even partially, with Florence, whom they had opposed until now.
And in terms of protecting Lux, Felisiana and Florence were fundamentally at odds.
So of course, it was complicated, but…
Just as Elizalina-anesama said, this is for Lux-kun… in that case.
After a moment of silence, Felisiana nodded.
“…I understand.”
“Yeah, as expected of you, Felisiana, being able to separate emotion from purpose here. Violet, do you have any objections?”
“No, I have none.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Elizalina said that with a small smile.
And with that discussion,
It was decided that the five of them, Felisiana, Violet, Elizalina, Rezamiliana, and Florence, would convene and join forces going forward.