Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Garden Stroll with Karen
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Karen being from the Rosaki Family was, in the end, a situation that could only benefit me.
It was the Rosaki Family, after all.
Whether she was the second daughter or the eldest didn't matter in the slightest.
"Karen sis, I heard the garden here is super pretty. Is it really?"
"G-Garden? Yeah, it is...? The lake's pretty too..."
"So, could you take me there later? I heard about it from Mother, and I'm dying to see it."
"Shall we...?"
It wasn't just anyone—it was a girl from the Rosaki Family approaching me first, and more favorably than I'd imagined.
I had no idea why she'd singled me out, but it was impossible to deny that this was a good turn of events. I didn't know her standing in the family... but it was the Rosaki Family.
The undisputed strongest house in the east—a count family like Rozalin's Rose Family, but unlike the Roses, whose power had waned a bit, the Rosakis remained as strong as ever.
"Leonhardt La—"
"Could you call me by name too?"
"H-Huh?"
"I'm calling you Karen sis. Doesn't it feel too stiff if you don't? Was that too nosy of me?"
"N-No! Um... Camellia...?"
"Yes, sis."
"U-Uh..."
Karen blushed ever so slightly, clearly embarrassed.
That confirmed it.
I didn't know her position in the family, but I could definitely read her personality—and figure out how to make use of this situation.
"So, shall we go check out the garden together in a bit...?"
"I'd love to see a pretty garden and lake, of course."
"Then... let's do that..."
Karen was older than me, and from her height and looks, anyone could see she was the big-sister type. But her personality was passive, and she was clearly the sort who got easily swayed by others.
This was a gathering to befriend other nobles, and I'd come here with that goal burning stronger than most.
I could picture myself using her a little, but there was no helping it. Wasn't that just how nobility worked?
"Oh, Niesista Lady, want to come too?"
"Huh? You weren't saying a word to me until just now!"
"Yeah. But I'm curious too. I heard the lake in the garden is amazing. What do you say?"
Truth be told, going just the two of us would've been ideal.
Still, I invited Ella as well. Not for any special reason—just that it'd be good for her to build ties with the Rosakis too.
The Leonhardts—more precisely, me—had been the first noble family she'd properly connected with. Might as well lend her a hand now.
Plus, she was a peer we were kinda close with?
"Uh... huh?"
"If you don't want to, no worries. We're just sightseeing anyway."
"W-Well then... uh... shall I...?"
"Yeah, let's."
And so, the three of us ended up heading to the garden lake.
I felt like I was getting way more out of this social gathering than expected. Sure, it was just one gain so far. But a gain was a gain.
The Rosaki Family? That was a definite win.
Better than cozying up to minor viscounts or barons by a mile. And it even let me get closer to Ella Niesista. Total win.
Maybe because I was walking so close to Karen,
I realized she was prettier than I'd thought. She had a plain, quiet vibe... but she had a chest, and the eyes peeking through her long hair were kinda cute. I found myself chatting while meeting her gaze.
Of course, Karen kept shyly averting her eyes?
"Come a bit further this way... and the lake comes into view."
Stepping outside, the sun still shone warmly down on us, under a clear blue sky.
Maybe because it was daytime, but the grass and flowers gleamed even prettier in the light. All in all, a great garden.
Even though I wasn't one to obsess over gardens.
"What a pretty garden! Prettier than the one at Leonhardt last time!"
"I-Is it...?"
"The lawn looks so perfectly manicured! They must tend it every single day!"
Ella's bright personality probably helped—she was chatting normally with Karen.
Though to be precise, it looked like Karen, the oldest of us, was just getting dragged along.
Well... wasn't that a good thing?
"Karen sis, what's that over there?"
"Y-Yes!?"
As we strolled slowly through the garden, I pointed in one direction and asked Karen.
Nothing special—just a big statue I didn't recognize. It was of a woman... but I had no clue what it represented.
"Oh... that's just a plain old statue... It's a goddess...? Spirit...? Something like that, worshipped in Melnik and the surrounding areas since ancient times."
"Oh... I see... I was curious since it's my first time seeing it."
"Well, it's not that famous in the east anymore... So folks from the south wouldn't know it!"
"But it's sculpted so beautifully. Right, Niesista Lady?"
"Totally pretty! It's a ways off, but yeah, super pretty statue."
We kept up the chatter as we strolled through the garden, gradually heading toward the lake.
The other young nobles were probably still mingling in the mansion's main hall. Sure, there might've been other good families there... but this was better.
Atmosphere aside from Karen being Rosaki—it just felt relaxed.
Even if I did have ulterior motives for hanging with her.
"Wow..."
"H-How is it? The garden... the lake... It's been ages since I brought anyone here..."
"It's... definitely pretty."
We'd reached the far end of the garden.
It was enclosed by a wall of hedges, with a small lake inside.
Beautiful didn't even begin to cover it. Nothing else in the garden we'd passed could compare.
Even Rozalin, who'd never seen it, would've called it pretty without hesitation.
The little lake, surrounded by greenery, was truly stunning.
Ella, beside me, gaped in awe too.
"Shall we... head over there first? The sun feels stronger than usual today..."
"Yeah, good idea! Standing here feels a bit exposed anyway."
Following Karen's lead, we started walking again.
Not far off was a spot perfect for sitting and viewing the lake—with a sunshade to boot.
"Thanks, Karen sis."
"H-Huh?"
"First time seeing a garden and lake this pretty. Thanks so much for bringing us."
"Yeah! I thought 'wow, so pretty' the second I saw it!"
Once under the shade, we showered Karen with thanks.
There were chairs and a table inside, so we could relax comfortably. We'd gotten a bit tired trekking to the garden's edge.
Sitting felt like a godsend. And Karen had led us straight here—made me even more grateful.
"N-No big deal... It's not like showing you around was a hassle during the gathering...?"
"Still grateful is grateful. We couldn't have seen this lake without you."
"It's really nothing..."
"I'm saying it because I mean it. You don't have to downplay it so much."
"I see...?"
"Yeah. It's definitely thanks to you."
She seemed so shy... I couldn't help saying it.
At least she didn't hate hearing it. Every time I thanked or complimented her, that slightly gloomy expression brightened up.
Sitting here casually, watching her face... she really did look like a Rosaki.
Impressions aside from the red hair.
Though her eyes weren't as sharp, her vibe was a bit... dark and brooding. Unlike Grace, she had long bangs too...?
"But sis, is it okay you're here with us at your first social thing...?"
I didn't really care, but Karen's pitiful vibe made me want to give her advice.
It was a win-win for us anyway.
"H-Huh? Oh... yeah... It's fine. I'm lower in the succession than Grace anyway. I like reading books more than hanging out with people..."
"..."
"Truth is, I didn't wanna come this time... But Father said I could just stay quiet if I went out for a bit and chatted with people..."
Uh... hmm...
Looks like Karen was... what you'd call a total hikikomori.
The kind from a well-off family who didn't need to worry about a thing—just comfy shut-in life, no escape needed.
Of course... this was an absolute win for me...?
Especially since her father, Count Rosaki, seemed to want her out at gatherings and such.
Coming to the garden with her was already solid progress, separate from our first meeting.
So...
"Do you like books, sis?"
"Hm? Yeah... kinda... But Father doesn't like me reading so much..."
"I see..."
Most parents preferred outgoing over introverted kids anyway.
And with Karen's introverted hobby and shy personality, the count must've had his hands full.
"How about... playing with me sometime?"
I smiled again.
Just like when I'd asked if calling her sis was okay—a bright, innocent smile as I asked.
The play itself would be pretty normal, of course?
"Reading's fine, but you don't wanna keep getting scolded by the count, right?"
"Well, yeah..."
"I'll help you. If you go out and hang with me, I'm sure he'll ease up."
She was only a bit older than eight.
Karen was still young, shy to boot, and clearly not yet jaded by noble politics.
So she'd never turn down my... faux-pure offer.
"R-Really...? What would we do for fun...?"
"I'll tell you next time we hang out."
I said it with a smile to Karen.
Wonder what Rozalin and Lize are up to back at the villa. We haven't been at the Rosaki mansion that long.
I suddenly missed them.
...Maybe head back and have ice cream with Rozalin and Lize?