Chapter 205
Chapter 205
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Father's Final Words
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Family Head succession matters were being handled by Rozalin, and business and Rose Family affairs were proceeding smoothly under my watch.
It was a busy time all around, but winter had arrived before I knew it.
Even if it was just the mild southern winter that wasn't all that cold.
"...Camellia."
"Yes, it's me."
I had simply entered the room where William was resting.
William now knew full well that the end was near.
Honestly, my feelings were quite mixed.
I never expected to have these thoughts about William, but blood is thicker than water, isn't it?
Regardless of his lacking humanity, he had never done me any harm.
Seeing him like this didn't sit well with me in many ways.
"...Yes."
"How's your body?"
"Same as always."
"I see."
"Yes."
We had never been the type to talk much, not since way back.
Our conversations were just like that.
No overwhelming sorrow, no deep pain—just that kind of talk.
"It seems the tasks I handed off are all going well."
"I worked hard on them."
"Yes.... A lot on your plate.... But handled cleanly."
"I learned from the best, so it wasn't too hard."
"......."
If there was anything connecting William and me, it was business and money.
From childhood, he'd raised me more as an heir to the family business than a daughter, and I'd treated it that way too.
Real family moments had been more with my stepmother Rozalin.
Even those felt ambiguous since I never truly saw her as my real mother.
"That's enough."
"Is it?"
We talked quietly as he lay on the large bed, breathing laboriously.
No nursing from me, no tender father-daughter scene—just conversation.
"You should've lived a bit more irresponsibly."
I tossed it out as a joke.
I knew he'd dismiss it as nonsense anyway.
"Better to die like this than live like that."
"I figured."
"In the end, what I've built remains. That's enough."
"Probably."
"You... have talent. I think you'll manage fine on your own. Even without inheriting my business, you could've built something that size yourself."
"You're too kind."
"A girl who started at eight—what's too kind about that?"
...Fair point.
Even I thought that if William hadn't been like this, I would've started my own business anyway.
I'd known the thrill of making money through business since I was eight.
"You'll carry on what I've built without a hitch."
"Of course."
"Yes.... That's enough."
"Hmm...."
What should I say?
I wanted to bring up his remaining time.
He seemed aware, and there was much I wanted to say about it....
"...Hmm."
"What?"
It wouldn't come out easily.
I hadn't expected this from myself.
"I just have something to say, if that's okay."
"I'm dying anyway. Spit it out clean. A life without regrets beats one full of them."
"Ah."
Experience counts for something, separate from his personality.
I had to respect that much.
"Just in case—any last words before you go?"
"........"
"Hmm.... Too direct?"
"...No. Better this way. I prefer it."
"Haha...."
Too blunt, apparently.
But honestly, this was more comfortable.
No matter how I dressed it up, this was what I needed to ask.
I just said it straight.
"Don't slip away at night or dawn when I can't be here.... That'd suck, right?"
"...Do what you want."
"I'm already doing that plenty."
"Good. That's my girl."
"Yep."
We both lived wildly outside—had to admit that.
I knew it was even more so than in my past life, and exactly why.
So I just nodded.
"And after I'm gone, once things settle, check the safe in there."
"Password?"
"Leonhardt blood opens it."
"Neat."
"It's just money and land anyway. Use as you like."
...I'd thought I'd already inherited all his business and money.
The fact more remained was quite a shock.
"How much are we talking?"
"Without worthless nobles in the way, enough to buy a count's castle easily."
"Oh...."
"But don't buy a castle. It's just flashy waste for showing off wealth. Better a modest mansion, made luxurious and valuable inside."
"Sound advice."
"No more to say. You've got work. Get going."
That ended our talk with William.
Somehow... I'd never had a conversation like this with him, so it felt awkward and absurd.
Eighteen years, and we'd never talked this closely as father and daughter.
"...We're both a bit messed up."
Neither I nor William were normal.
One obsessed with business till it wrecked him.
The other fixated on his stepmother with weird thoughts.
"Hmm."
At this point, Rozalin—sold into our family—felt pitiful again.
I'd felt sorry from the start.
"...Maybe visit Rozalin."
I just felt like it, so I headed straight to her room.
Even in the south, winter brought a chill.
Should tell the servants to raise the mansion's heating.
*Knock knock.*
"Can I come in?"
"Of course. What's up?"
"Just wanted to see you."
"Hee hee, I never tire of hearing that."
Her reaction upon entering Rozalin's room was always the same.
I'd never seen anything different when visiting.
Seeing her in her usual black dress, I just thought she looked pretty.
She'd worn similar outfits since I was little.
"What were you doing?"
I went to her side as she sat and said that.
Even with other seats available.
But she didn't startle or anything.
I'd been doing this for ages, so she saw no oddity.
Just me acting normal.
"Hmm.... Just going over papers like usual."
"You've been at it since morning."
"Hee hee, all for Camellia. Have to."
"Thanks."
I meant it.
Too much for me alone.
"........"
"Tired?"
I stood behind her casually seated, hugging her.
No surprise—just a casual smile as she stroked my head.
Business kept me busy these years, but I'd spent what time we had together.
Though absolutely short on time, so not as much as I'd like.
"Yeah."
"Hee hee, my girl's been swamped. Natural."
"This busy spell should ease up soon."
"Hope so."
I held her from behind, chatting like that.
She just gently stroked my head.
"......."
Standing still like this, her distinct rose scent hit clearly.
Always wondered—how does someone smell this good naturally?
Not perfume—her real scent, even more intriguing.
"Hee hee, Camellia sure acts spoiled sometimes."
"This spoiled?"
"Hugging Mom like this, showing fatigue big time. What else is it?"
"...Fair."
Less spoiled, more stress relief via Rozalin.
But to her, it was spoiled.
"Love when you act spoiled like this."
"Yeah?"
"Of course. You're so mature usually. Rare sight, and nice."
"Good then."
She didn't seem to mind.
Sniffing her scent while hugging was fine?
Not that it mattered if not.