Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Ella's Visit and Sweet Indulgences
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"You're living in a much nicer place than I expected!"
"Long time no see. How have you been?"
"Of course I've been great! You didn't think I was in the same boat as you, did you?"
"That's a relief, then."
Ella had come to visit us at our inn. It still felt too grand to really call it an inn, though.
Anyway, after spending a few days living in Melnik, it had been a while since I'd talked to someone other than Rozalin or Lize. Of course, chatting with just the two of them was plenty satisfying.
"This gathering is being hosted by the Rosaki Family. Naturally, it'll be put on by someone around our age. You remember the date, right?"
"Isn't it in a week?"
"Hmph, good thing you remembered. Though it'd be a problem if you couldn't even keep track of something like this."
There was still a full week to go. We'd arrived earlier than necessary for the event itself, but we hadn't had much choice.
After all, I needed time to gather some information. It was better to collect intel separately from what William had given me about the families.
Plus, I needed to chat with Ella a bit. She was the one who'd made it possible for me to attend the Rosaki Family's social gathering, after all. It seemed like a good idea to meet up briefly as a thank-you.
"Have you prepared a dress?"
"I brought a few from the mansion."
"Hmm... If you packed well, then you're fine. Your family probably won't get a very warm reception anyway. Wearing something outdated or out of fashion would just make things harder for you in all sorts of ways."
"Don't worry about that. I bought them right before we left."
"R...really? Well! The Leonhardt Family has plenty of money for that sort of thing. Makes sense."
Ella was right.
The Leonhardt Family had money and not much else going for it. We couldn't afford any visible slip-ups.
We had to make sure no haughty nobles could look down on us.
No needless controversies or weird rumors could be allowed to spread.
To pull that off, everything from our clothes to our appearances—starting with the most obvious parts—had to be perfect. My looks were already more than sufficient; they were downright pretty.
I made a habit of buying the latest trendy outfits. Oh, and just to clarify, those weren't from my own pocket—they came from William's funds. Perks like that made life easy.
"Hmm... You should be okay, then. The dress you wore at the last tea party wasn't bad at all."
"Yes."
We talked about that sort of thing. Ella wasn't just there to hang out idly; after discussing preparations for the social gathering, she left earlier than I'd expected.
Truth be told, I had other things to take care of soon enough.
It felt like we'd become friends somehow with Ella, but I couldn't spend all day chatting with her. It was better to wrap up the necessary business cleanly. We could talk more after my other stuff was done.
"Mother, I'm finished."
"Good. Shall we head out, then?"
"...Yes."
I'd made plans with Rozalin yesterday to go out together this afternoon.
Yesterday, we'd only taken a quick look around the sea and the market. So today, we decided to explore more of Melnik.
The difference from yesterday? Lize had insisted on tagging along today. Not that bringing one maid was any issue.
"What did you talk about with the Niesista Lady?"
"Oh, just a quick catch-up. Then we chatted a bit about the social gathering."
"For her to come all the way here just for that, the Niesistas must think better of you than we assumed."
"Really? I figured it was just aligned interests."
"Hee hee, is that how it seemed? The Niesista Lady was smiling a lot during your conversation, though."
"Hmm..."
I wasn't sure.
She'd smiled when we first met, and she'd laughed like any normal kid during our earlier talk.
I didn't feel like we were super close or anything. If anything, I got along better with Rozalin than with Ella.
Anyway, since Rozalin said so, I just nodded and let it go. No need to argue every little point.
"Miss, the carriage is ready, but the area isn't that spread out, so..."
"Walking might be better, then? What do you think, Camellia?"
"Hmm... Yesterday's stroll didn't feel all that vast, that's true..."
There was no real need for a carriage. I'd always preferred walking over riding anyway—it was more convenient for getting around.
So we decided to skip the carriage and just wander Melnik on foot together.
"That big mansion you see over there is the Rosaki Family's place. The social gathering's supposed to be held there, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"The Rosaki mansion's garden has a lake made with magic. They say it's gorgeous. I haven't seen it myself, of course."
"A lake made with magic?"
"Yeah. It's not like they hauled in real water—it's dug out of the ground and filled with water using spells... a small lake."
As we passed the Rosaki Family mansion, Rozalin shared stories like that nonstop. Must be because she came from a count family. She knew even more than I did.
She told me about Rosaki Family traits beyond what William had shared, and even common knowledge about them.
Even without any papers or documents, she rattled it all off casually as we walked slowly.
"This is the biggest dessert cafe in Melnik. If I remember right, it's only about a hundred years old."
"That's still pretty old."
"Isn't it? I've always wanted to come here. Guess I ended up visiting with you, Camellia."
The place we arrived at with Rozalin was a massive dessert cafe. Three stories tall, no less.
Yesterday had been just the market, but today we were hitting spots that were pricier and more upscale—not the kind of places commoners frequented.
"Hee hee, it's huge, right?"
"...Yes. Really huge."
Once inside, I couldn't stop looking around.
It was just so big. I'd seen it was three stories from outside, but up close inside... it felt even more lavish and grand.
Not just a cozy, relaxed vibe—this was pure nobility.
The chandeliers were dazzling, and the chairs weren't plain wood but something shiny like... chrome? Whatever it was.
Everything sparkled: the interior, the display cases bursting with all sorts of desserts. I was hooked.
"Lize, you sit too."
"Pardon? Even so, I..."
"Mother, it's fine, right?"
"Of course. I was hoping you'd join us."
Lize usually stood the whole time, but I didn't want her standing here too.
She was around my age, for one... but even normally, I hated seeing her just stand silently behind me.
I'd always disliked eating alone with her looming behind me like that. Anyway, Lize took a seat.
The cafe's over-the-top glamour wasn't totally my style, but the sweet dessert scents were irresistible. I found myself drawn more to the treats than the decor.
".........."
Such a sweet aroma.
Different from the faint rose scent Rozalin sometimes had. My eyes, nose, even my face kept turning toward the source.
The ice cream back at the mansion was nice, but this was dangerously alluring.
"Camellia?"
"Ah, yes..."
"Hee hee, that eager for dessert already?"
"........."
I'd been caught staring without realizing it.
Every time this happened... it really drove home that I was only eight. No helping it.
I couldn't resist getting excited over something so sweet and sugary.
"Lize, Camellia? Shall we get up and check out the desserts first?"
"Yes..."
A bit embarrassing, but I wanted to see them up close.
I'd already been eyeing them from afar. Naturally, I stood right up with Rozalin and started browsing.
We'd order eventually, but there were so many varieties I lost myself gazing at them.
The colors were incredible too.
"Wow..."
"Which one do you want most?"
"That chocolate cake over there..."
"Then one of those, and let's pick a few more?"
"...Yes."
I didn't usually agonize this much over single desserts.
But these were all so pretty, I couldn't stop staring. Rozalin and Lize weren't reacting the same way, though.
I was the only one totally absorbed.
"........."
Yeah, a little embarrassing.
But... still... they looked so tasty and beautiful.
"Our Camellia likes desserts more than I thought."
"...Yes."
"You smiled so happily last time too. Today you look even more radiant."
"I... don't think it was that much..."
"You really think so? Lize, what do you say?"
"The young lady always smiles a lot with sweet foods. She doesn't smile much otherwise, so it's especially noticeable."
"........."
Back at the table, I got hit with that confirmation.
...It's all because my body's so young. If I were just a bit older, I wouldn't fall for mere sweets so easily.
...Probably?