Chapter 389: Rejection
Florence’s Side
Seated on the sofa in the reception room, with Florence and the king facing each other,
The king opened his mouth and spoke.
“Miss Florence… it’s been quite some time since we last met like this, hasn’t it? Not since you were a child.”
It seemed the king intended to engage in some light conversation rather than immediately getting to the main topic.
For Florence as well, rather than relying on what she had heard from others,
She wanted to understand what kind of person the king was with her own eyes and ears.
So she calmly responded, going along with the conversation.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“It may have been a while since we last met, but I’ve heard the rumors. Even among the long line of outstanding individuals in the Duke Florence family, you’re said to be particularly exceptional. Not only at the academy, but despite your young age, you’re even handling matters normally reserved for adults, such as dealing with me, the king, here and now.”
“I’ve done nothing worthy of such praise from Your Majesty.”
“There’s no need to be modest. Remaining composed while facing me, the king, is commendable enough… you’re conducting yourself exactly as someone of the Duke Florence family, as a member of a ducal house, should.”
“…As a member of a ducal house?”
Florence murmured meaningfully, catching on those words.
However, the king paid it no mind and continued with a nod.
“Indeed. I’ve also heard that you claimed victory in the recent swordsmanship tournament… splendid, truly fitting of someone from a ducal house.”
“…It’s true that I was able to achieve victory, but I lost to the First Princess in the exhibition match, and even in the finals, it was far from a decisive win, so I still have much to improve.”
At that time, she had only managed to seize victory by taking advantage of the fact that Lux was not yet accustomed to her rapier.
But now, through their training, she had crossed blades with him many times.
Considering Lux’s efforts and the speed of his growth, she couldn’t predict what would happen the next time they faced each other in a tournament.
As she said this, the king spoke again.
“The finals… ah yes, I believe your opponent was someone from a count’s family.”
Speaking with clear disdain, the king leaned back into the sofa as he continued.
“Honestly… perhaps swordsmanship is the only thing he has going for him, but for someone of a mere count’s house to push his way into the finals, it’s nothing short of disgracefully overstepping his bounds.”
“…”
From the flow of the conversation, Florence had expected him, at the very least, to acknowledge the efforts of that count’s family member,
In other words, Lux.
She had never imagined he would instead belittle him, much less call him someone who didn’t know his place, and as her beloved was insulted indirectly, her heart gradually began to grow cold.
“However, you defeated such a foolish upstart and splendidly demonstrated the dignity befitting a member of a ducal house… as I said, there’s no need for modesty.”
From Elizalina and the others, she had already heard about the king’s ideology.
That he despised those of lower rank, even among the nobility, associating with those of higher rank, and that this very belief was a major cause of the current conflict.
But hearing his words directly deepened her understanding all the more.
“And as for Rezamiliana, whom you mentioned earlier, she is certainly capable and embodies what a member of the royal family, especially the First Princess, should be. However, perhaps because she is still young, even she seems to be straying from the path of royal glory that she ought to follow.”
Having spoken with the three princesses, Florence understood that this “straying from the path” referred to their desire to be with someone from a count’s family.
“Now, to the main point, to correct that mistake, and for the future of this country, I would like the Duke Florence family to lend its strength to me, the king.”
The king clearly had no doubt that his proposal would be accepted.
However, Florence had already decided her answer.
And after speaking with him directly, that resolve only grew stronger.
With a cold smile, she spoke.
“Yes, of course… I must decline.”