Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Ella's Visit
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William had returned to the mansion, and it had become... even quieter than before.
Naturally enough, since William—the undisputed head of the household—was back.
But aside from that, there was another reason it felt that way...
"...Mother's expression has been really sour."
"...Yes."
Even Lize could tell Rozalin wasn't in a good mood. It had started right after William arrived... and hadn't improved since.
She guessed it stemmed from whatever conversation they'd had.
Camellia hadn't asked directly, so all she could do was speculate. She didn't want to pry into unpleasant matters anyway... and when they shared a bed in Rozalin's room at night, her stepmother's face softened a bit.
In any case, her days went like this: lessons in the morning, lunch, then napping with Rozalin in her room. The bed still felt awkward, though.
"...Lize, do normal daughters often share a bed with their mothers?"
"Quite often. It's not uncommon for families to share beds."
"Right?"
Yes, it was perfectly normal.
Camellia thought so herself—it wasn't strange at all. Still, sleeping next to Rozalin felt awkward and embarrassing, regardless.
Rozalin, on the other hand, slept comfortably.
"Hoo..."
"Young Lady, Lady Ella Niesista will be visiting sometime tomorrow."
"Ella Niesista?"
"Yes."
"...?"
Out of nowhere?
Camellia dropped the pen she'd been twirling without thinking.
She was genuinely surprised. Why come visit so suddenly?
Aside from the time the Niesista Baron himself had stopped by after the tea party, there'd been no contact whatsoever.
No reason came to mind.
"...Well. Shouldn't be a problem."
It was just the lady of the house visiting. Better than the baron himself showing up, at least.
Honestly, Ella Niesista was... kind of an idiot. Not a real idiot, but her noble playacting was honestly entertaining.
She probably thought she was being genuinely aristocratic.
"Lize, give me a candy."
"Yes."
She popped the candy Lize handed her into her mouth, rolling it around while twirling her pen.
Truth be told, she wasn't just idly playing around.
Even for an eight-year-old with nothing major to do, there were tasks at hand.
Not grand ventures like business or investments, but important in their own way.
Though maybe she wasn't focusing enough...
"...What happened in Imperial Year 442..."
...I hate homework.
*
"Ha! Is this the best hospitality you can muster? I hear the Leonhardt Viscount Family is loaded, but this is underwhelming!"
"Is that so? You already look plenty full to me."
"Th-this! It's just that the food quality is a bit... lacking, that's all!?"
Even as she said it... sauce was smeared on her lips and cheeks.
What a girl—noble-obsessed in every way. Most little noble girls her age were like that, of course.
"A-anyway! I didn't come here to chat with you specifically...! But as a special favor, I'll give you some advice on this meal!"
"Hmm... really?"
"H-ha! Naturally!"
Camellia had a pretty good idea what this was about.
Yes. The way she'd wolfed down the chefs' meal alone, with slightly off etiquette, made it obvious. And her words confirmed it.
She had that quiet, composed look with her blue hair, but her actions were the total opposite.
"Indeed... it's a shame. We've finished the main course, but no finale."
"Then...?"
"Lize? Bring some ice cream."
"Yes."
"Ice cream...!"
Ella Niesista's eyes went wide the moment she heard the word.
What a kid.
Just the mention of ice cream lit her up like that. She'd been full-on noble cosplay—the real deal, technically—but deep down, just a little girl.
She couldn't resist something sweet and delicious.
"Ahem! Well... not a bad choice for you! Hurry up and bring it!"
"Got it, just wait a sec. And you just finished eating—stuff yourself too fast, and your stomach will hurt tomorrow."
"Th-that... can't happen. Ahem, yes, take... take your time."
"Yes, yes."
And so, Camellia played along with the little noble girl.
She had no idea why she'd shown up out of the blue, but for now.
"By the way, what brings you to our mansion? I already explained the business to your father last time."
Camellia asked as Ella devoured her ice cream, her mouth corners stretched in a massive grin. She'd wanted to know from the start, but now seemed like a good time.
"Ahem! Nothing major. Just thought I'd build some ties with you? That's all. Would the Niesista Family displease you that much?"
"No, not at all."
"From Leonhardt's perspective, mingling with a prestigious house like ours is an honor!"
"Haha..."
*Our* viscount family, though.
Of course, she'd long known they weren't treated like proper nobles, so it wasn't surprising. And she wasn't even an adult—just a young noble.
No malice there; just a straightforward comment. Camellia let it slide.
Anyway, that was Ella's point.
She wanted to get closer to Camellia. More precisely, the families bonding, but same difference.
Sudden, but probably thanks to the Niesista Baron?
Camellia had helped their family and made the first overture, so... yeah.
"How's the ice cream?"
"Super tasty—! Er... p-passable! Not quite up to my family's special homemade stuff, though!"
"Oh? I hadn't heard ice cream was a specialty of Niesista Territory."
"Not a full specialty... just a little business we're starting. But it'll be hugely popular, of course!"
"Looking forward to it."
She was honestly kinda cute.
She aped adult nobles' speech, but she was still a girl not even ten. Her voice was bright and clear, her energy high—it was hard not to find it endearing.
"You. Ever seen magic before?"
"Magic, out of nowhere?"
"Nothing big. I just hired a magic tutor, and it's more fun than I thought."
"Is that so...?"
Camellia knew about magic.
She'd seen it plenty, and the mansion had magical fixtures.
Magic wasn't commonplace, but it wasn't so rare you'd count sightings on one hand. William used it sometimes.
"Magic, huh... So, can you use it now?"
"Now... not yet... but I'm just starting out!"
"Ah."
Camellia had wondered.
The sudden topic had piqued her interest.
She'd seen magic before, but it'd still be fun to watch.
"And you... should learn some magic if you can."
"Why?"
"It's trending among young nobles in high society. 'My magic's this strong.' 'I'm at this circle level.' Everyone's talking about it. You didn't know?"
"Er... news to me."
Ella's smug look rubbed her the wrong way, but it was true—she was out of the loop.
She had no connections to high society.
The tea party had been her first real exposure. Her first chat with kids her age.
Their family had no popularity or pedigree—just mockery from others. Unavoidable, and it grated on her.
She always learned about noble trends late, and the hard way.
"Ha! You didn't even know that!"
"...Yes."
"Ahem... So, here's my proposal. You? Come to the gathering in the east next time."
"Pardon?"
"Not thrilled about Leonhardts showing up, honestly. But Father's orders."
"...?"
The baron?
It was all so sudden.
Sure, helping the Niesistas had been partly to engineer this, but an invite not even a month later?
"Really?"
She'd heard right, but had to ask. She hadn't expected help so soon.
She figured after more aid, maybe then an invite. But already?
"Hohoho! A rare chance for Leonhardt! Behave and come!"
"Er... I'll discuss with Father first. Th-thank you so much for the invitation."
"More ice cream instead?! It's not bad!"
"Got it. Lize?"
"Yes."
Camellia almost thought she'd just come for fun. What a great offer—made her feel guilty.
She didn't know the details of the Niesista-hosted event, but it was noble socializing. Not debuted yet, but nobles were nobles, young or not.
"Hee hee heh..."
"Tasty?"
"P-passable!"
Whatever this eastern gathering was, she hoped it'd be full of cute kids like Ella Niesista.
That said... what would Rozalin do while she was away? A bit worrying. Without Camellia, she still didn't talk to anyone else.