Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Melnik's Beautiful Sea
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"WOW..."
We had arrived in the city of Melnik in the eastern region.
Unlike the western or southern areas, it bordered the sea, making it incredibly famous within the empire as a tourist and resort destination. And the Rosaki Family that governed Melnik was renowned as well.
Anyway, it hadn't quite taken a full week, but it sure felt like it.
Maybe because I'd been sitting still in the carriage the whole time. The moment we arrived in Melnik and I stepped out, I couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
"It's so pretty."
"Right? Melnik's sea is really famous for a reason."
"I can see... why. It's just too beautiful..."
"Hehe."
It wasn't right on the beach or anything.
We'd simply stopped along a suitable road, but because the sea was visible at a glance from there, it looked so incredibly beautiful.
I'd heard it was famous, but I hadn't really understood until now. This... yeah, it was bound to be famous.
I even thought that much.
"Young Lady, it might be best to unpack at the reserved lodging first. We can park the carriage there too. Then I recommend touring Melnik afterward."
"Oh, sure. Mother, should we get back in the carriage?"
"Yes, we can see the sea that Camellia likes so much a bit later. Let's come out and look then."
"...I don't like it *that* much."
Yeah, not *that* much. It was just... so pretty that I'd keep staring.
Of course, I did tend to love pretty things a lot. Anyway, it wasn't *that* much.
With that, we climbed back into the carriage and headed to the inn William had reserved. Along the way, I kept watching the city's scenery.
Unlike the southern region where the Leonhardt Mansion was, every part of this city was truly beautiful.
The houses all had pretty orange roofs and white exteriors that reflected the strong sunlight. It really was a beautiful city—I couldn't think otherwise.
"Prettier than you expected, right?"
"...It's incredibly pretty."
"Is this Camellia's first time in Melnik?"
"Yes, excluding the southern region where we live now, it's my first."
William and I weren't the traveling type. In fact, while William went out often for business, I'd just stayed at the mansion.
Maybe that's why the scenery of Melnik visible through the window looked so stunning now.
I definitely felt like coming here was the right choice.
"Um... Mother?"
While gazing out the window, I called out to Rozalin.
She'd been admiring the view from the seat next to me, too.
"What? Something you want to say?"
"Uh..."
She turned to me with a face full of mischief, making it a bit embarrassing to bring it up. It wasn't even a big deal.
"...Want to go sightseeing together?"
"You like it that much, huh?"
"......Yes."
I said it honestly.
Honestly... I did like it. And wandering alone felt a little off.
Plus, Rozalin was my stepmother, so I figured there wouldn't be any issues.
Walking the streets with your mom... that was totally fine.
"Would that be okay...?"
"You invited me first, Camellia. How could I say no? Once the knights and servants finish settling in, we'll head out right away."
"...Okay."
William had called it an inn, but it was basically a mansion. A grand one at that.
Honestly, compared to the Leonhardt Mansion, aside from size, I didn't think there'd be much difference. In fact, excluding the exterior and scale... the interior was on a similar level.
Considering William's personality, even with plenty of money, he wouldn't buy a place like this outright. He must have rented it temporarily.
That's why our entire family group could use the lodging. Knights and some servants included. Everyone was bustling about happily unpacking.
"Young Lady, we've finished unpacking everything."
"Got it? Hmm... Then Lize, take a short break. I'll go out with Mother and come back."
"...Yes."
It wrapped up faster than expected, so I ended up heading out with Rozalin.
I'd originally planned to bring Lize along, but she must be tired too. I wanted to let her rest for a bit. So for now, it was just the two of us.
It wasn't a sketchy area security-wise, so strolling around with Rozalin should be fine.
"Where to first?"
"I don't even know what's around..."
"Then how about we grab something to eat first? Come to think of it, we haven't had lunch."
"Oh... you're right."
Had I been too caught up in sightseeing? Just like Rozalin said, we hadn't eaten anything.
I wasn't a big eater anyway and didn't fuss much over food, but yeah, I was definitely hungry. Rozalin probably was too.
"Then let's get something to eat. Should we go into a shop? There seem to be plenty of restaurants."
"You don't look *that* hungry, Camellia. How about we just pick something up at the market?"
"Is that okay with you? Eating... at the market?"
I was fine with it, but I wasn't sure about Rozalin.
She was nobility, after all. I wondered if she'd be okay with the relatively lower-quality food from a market.
If it were just me, or me and Lize... I'd eat it no problem.
"What, even if it's not fancy, tasty is tasty—and markets are full of that. Plus, less fancy food is often more flavorful."
"Then..."
"Shall we?"
"...Yes."
And so, Rozalin and I began strolling slowly through the market.
Hand in hand.
It was a little embarrassing, but I'd grown more used to situations like this lately. Even if it wasn't Rozalin, girls holding hands... it was common. Yeah.
Of course, it still felt a bit awkward and strange.
"How about that? Chicken skewers?"
"I'm fine with anything. Whatever's convenient for you, Mother..."
"But I want to eat something that suits Camellia's tastes."
"Hmm... then..."
Anything would be fine, really.
I pretty much ate whatever, so it was all good. But Rozalin kept insisting on what *I* wanted, so I couldn't help it.
...Unable to decide, I wandered the market and eventually pointed at something suitable.
"Cotton candy?"
"W-would that be okay...?"
"Hm? Oh, no! I mean..."
"Just...?"
Even I thought it was a childish choice. No matter what, cotton candy when you're hungry... was really not it.
Of course, I liked sweets, so I'd picked it anyway, but with Rozalin here, this choice was... just awful. No matter how I thought about it.
"Because it's cute...?"
"...?"
"Pfft... Well, it *is* super cute, right? Picking sweet cotton candy out of everything?"
"You don't mind...?"
"Why would I? I was the one who said let's eat what you like first. You just chose accordingly? No reason to mind."
"But... cotton candy is too..."
"Too delicious, right?"
"........."
Rozalin smiled at me as she said that.
She had such a bright vibe that this reaction actually felt more awkward. I'd never met anyone as bright and kind as her in my life.
We'd only known each other for about a month—it was clear to both of us.
Yet Rozalin was so kind to me. In a way that didn't make sense. I'd thought that if a lofty lady from a count's family came to a place like ours, she'd naturally be displeased and dislike me.
Contrary to my thoughts, imaginations, delusions—whatever—Rozalin was incredibly kind, bright, and gentle.
She felt like the one shining light on all the dark corners of our family.
Maybe because she was so different from our family's austere, cold atmosphere that prioritized money.
"Thank you..."
That's why those words slipped out.
"No need to thank me so much. We're family, right?"
"Family..."
"I'm not the type to call a daughter wanting what she wants a bad thing... Or did it seem that way to you, Camellia?"
"N-no! Not at all... really..."
I truly didn't think of her that way. I'd known for a while that Rozalin was a good person.
It was just... I wasn't used to her yet.
"Then shall we go see the sea now?"
"...Yes!"
I took hold of Rozalin's hand again.
I followed her lead, walking together. It was my first time in the city, and it felt unfamiliar... but holding her hand made me feel at ease.
"How is it? Feels like seeing Melnik's most famous sight, right?"
"It's... incredibly, incredibly pretty..."
I gazed at the seaside, still holding Rozalin's hand.
My clothes would get wet if I got too close, so we were just walking the nearby promenade for now.
It was hot out, so holding hands like this would probably make us sweat... but I liked holding Rozalin's hand too much.
"If you think so, Camellia, I'm really glad. Truth be told, I haven't come to Melnik much either. So I was worried about how to make you like it more, or where to go to make you happy."
"...Thank you."
"You're saying thank you a lot today, Camellia."
"...But I really mean it."
"Hehe, you don't need to thank me this much just for sightseeing the sea together."
"Do you... like the sea, Mother?"
"The sea?"
"Yes."
I didn't know much about what Rozalin liked.
We were here on a trip-like thing with just the two of us... well, Lize was around, but anyway. I wanted to get closer.
We'd spent time alone at the mansion and talked a lot, but I still wanted to grow closer to her, to be real friends.
"I was just... curious. I want to know."
"I didn't expect you to take such an interest in me, Camellia. This makes me really happy."
"Really...?"
...By the way, Rozalin's smile was seriously so pretty. I ended up thinking that without realizing it. Honestly... totally my type.
Anyway, it was so pretty I could stare forever. Her smile and beauty were just that captivating.