Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Born as a Girl
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I was born a girl.
Literally born a girl. It was just that the phrase "in this life" had been tacked on.
Oh, and for the record, I didn't particularly hate it or anything.
When I came to my senses, I was a baby, but the face staring back from the mirror was pretty enough even as an infant. Even though I couldn't speak properly or walk on two legs yet, it was a face that made you think she'd grow up stunningly beautiful.
A girl with golden blonde hair and red eyes.
That was exactly how to describe me. I didn't dislike anything about that appearance. And while I hadn't realized it fully during my time in the cradle, this world had differences from the one I knew, which excited me too.
Fantasy. Yeah, that was the simplest way to put it.
It was a world with magic. Not countries like Korea, America, or Japan that I knew, but places like the Solchemia Empire and the Great Forest. A world with names straight out of a novel.
"Camellia, your stepmother will be here soon."
"Yes."
A lot had happened since I was born into this world. Most of it felt more good than bad.
But the man standing in front of me now was different.
Camellia Leonhardt's father.
William Leonhardt.
He was my biological father now that I'd been reborn as Camellia... but honestly, he was total trash.
"The wife coming this time is the youngest lady of the Rose Family, apparently. Originally, it was supposed to be the eldest daughter... well, I hope she doesn't run off like the others."
"I'll make sure to instruct the maids properly."
"Yes, you're clever just like me."
Bullshit.
"Alright, next time I return, I should give you some pocket money."
"I already have plenty of pocket money."
That much was true. The Leonhardt family... had plenty of money, at least.
Truth be told, they weren't some storied noble house passed down through generations, nor were they big names in the empire.
They were just... nouveau riche. A family created by buying a viscountcy title after amassing a fortune through business in just twenty years.
Of course, there was nothing illegal about it.
William—my father—just obsessed over women and money. He saw the wives he brought home purely as a means to get more money and didn't even share their beds.
"Haha, that's a relief then. You're so clever, it makes me feel bad comparing you to the idiots."
"It's all thanks to Father's support."
"Yes. Speaking of which, how about you handle the welcome for the new mother coming in?"
Ah. This bastard clearly already had plans with some woman that day.
Money-crazed and woman-obsessed William went on business trips often. I much preferred it that way... but this was annoying.
Greet the third mom all by myself?
I'm only eight years old?
"...If Father says so, then I must."
But William had already decided to make me do it. So I figured I'd just play along obediently.
Whatever. The third mom would probably run off anyway.
The Rose Family was a count family.
One whose lineage was fading, money running low, losing power in their territory... If things continued unchanged, in about four generations, they'd barely live better than commoners.
"Shall we prepare to welcome the new mother then...?"
"Use the money as you see fit, like always. It won't cost much just to greet a stepmother."
"Yes. I'll prepare well."
This time... at least make it five years?
A week passed like that. Just a week.
I'd gotten info on the stepmother from William, made preparations, and casually seen him off on his trip.
"Whew... he's finally gone."
The mansion without William.
That meant I could wield all the household power, no need to watch my step.
Let's be real—William was fat, not even that handsome, and all he had going for him was money. Nothing special.
Separate from him being my biological father, his personality wasn't great either...
"The pocket money is nice, though."
Even that wasn't because he truly loved me as his daughter—it was mostly because I'd contributed to the business myself.
"Butler."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"How are the preparations for the new stepmother from the Rose Family?"
"We've finished decorating the path from the main gate to the mansion entrance with roses. The desserts and meals will be prepared by the chefs on the day."
"Hmm... Ah, and the necklace for Mother?"
"Of course. We commissioned the renowned artisan Keynes from the capital, and it arrived this morning."
Not bad.
It was all according to my plan. William had left it to me, after all.
The necklace did dip a bit into my personal funds, though.
I couldn't just let the stepmother run off after a week with William.
The first one—my biological mother—died a few years after I was born.
I didn't have tons of great memories, but I did miss her a little.
She was the first person I met after being reborn as Camellia, and though my memories of her were faint...
The second one, the first stepmother, bolted. Looking back now, it was the natural response, but she really just up and left.
Less than four years after marrying William, she was gone.
Sick of living like that, she said.
Well... married, but the husband never came home, no wedding night for four years, and he was out screwing around with other women.
Her life had nothing but the money going for it. Honestly, even I might've considered running.
I got it.
Of course, that didn't mean I missed her or wanted to see her again like I did my biological mother.
She'd never played with me, spent time with me, or treated me like a real daughter.
"So... this mother needs to last at least five years. At least five."
First, I had to make a killer first impression.
Like, our house is super nice and kind~ or something.
Reality was nothing like that... but, ah, the money was good.
Separate from my past-life memories, I wanted a mom.
Maybe because my biological mother—who I'd spent the most time with after being reborn—had died. Her absence made me crave it even more.
That warm embrace from when I was a baby. Mother's gentle voice...
"...Sigh."
Maybe because my body was young, but these thoughts came often.
Normally, I just... went with the flow.
"Rose Family, huh..."
If you went by name value alone, this stepmother had the highest prestige yet.
A count family, after all.
Even with talk of their lineage fading and such, they were still counts.
Not some key imperial noble house, but real nobles with solid legitimacy and roots, unlike the others.
"Roses. Hope she likes them."
I stepped out of the mansion and surveyed the rose-lined path to the main gate. I'd had it decked out with roses on both sides, literally.
"Hmm..."
Tough call.
"What if she hates all these roses?"
Normally, we didn't need such a grand welcome... but it had been two years since the last mom.
"...Gotta prepare even more thoroughly."
So I threw myself into more preparations. I decorated the room for the Rose Family mother, spruced up the mansion interior a bit.
Even cleared out that lion head William loved for some dumb reason.
"Young Lady, the Rose lady has arrived."
"Open the main gate and let her in."
With that, I stopped brushing my hair.
Rozalin Rose.
Her name had "rose" in it twice, no less.
William hadn't told me much, but I had a rough idea what kind of person she was.
Straight up... sold off. Yeah. A bit harsh, but accurate.
With the Rose Family's status declining, she'd been shipped off to William Leonhardt—who could provide a huge bride price and dowry—for marriage.
William wouldn't care about his wife Rozalin at all, seeing her just as a tool for business and prestige.
"Whew..."
With just a hint of tension, I left my room. I descended the stairs and stood before the mansion's front door on the first floor.
No portraits or photos, just that she was Rozalin from the Rose Family. I was a bit worried.
Information is everything, after all.
Without knowledge, big gains were hard. That was my current situation.
"Hoo."
The outside grew noisier.
Probably the maids squealing over Rozalin.
"...I'm Rozalin Rose from the Rose Family. May I come in?"
I nodded at the lovely voice from beyond the door.
Then, at the butler's signal, the doors opened. And... I was impressed, though I didn't show it.
Not super tall, but great proportions, long limbs. Her face had a gentle quality, yet something glamorous too.
The kind of beauty where even if she got mad, you'd call it beautiful.
My eyes involuntarily went to her face.
But what surprised me most... was how young she was. Not a girl my age, seven or eight, but not quite an adult either.
Felt like the family was really struggling to marry her off.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm... Rozalin from the Rose Family. From now on, I'll share the Leonhardt name...?"
"?"
Rozalin trailed off mid-sentence.
What?
"...Is Viscount Leonhardt perhaps...?"
"He's away on business."
"Yes...? Then who might you be?"
Ugh... William. How much did he hate dealing with wife stuff?
I was a little shocked he hadn't given her side any info either, but I didn't show it.
"I'm Camellia Leonhardt, the eldest daughter of William Leonhardt. Father couldn't greet you since he's away, but I welcome you sincerely."
"Ah......."
She finally realized who I was.
Well... understandable. William had brown hair, I had blonde?
Not an easy quiz to solve.
"Ah, is there some problem?"
"N-No! No problem. Um... Miss Camellia?"
"Just Camellia. Feel free to call me that."
I smiled as I said it.
Hoping this mom... would stick around longer.
Rozalin Rose being prettier and more my type than expected played into that thought a bit.
People naturally like pretty, attractive things, after all.