Chapter 242
Chapter 242
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Rozalin, Somewhat Calmed
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After releasing Rozalin from the basement, somehow... somehow?
I had managed to calm her down, at least.
Of course, even I didn't know if it was temporary or how long it would last.
But at least, it felt much better than when I visited the basement after a long time.
"Camellia...?"
"...Mother."
And Rozalin would take every opportunity.
Just like now... to come into my room.
We used to visit each other's rooms often before, but not to the point of barging in because she couldn't wait even a little.
I had clearly told her to rest comfortably in her room.
Yet here she was again.
"Is something wrong?"
"I just... was I too much of a bother...?"
"No, that's not it. I told you to rest in your room, and yet you came here?"
"Ah.... Sorry...."
What could I say.
It felt just like looking at Karen.
The problem was, it wasn't quite at Karen's level—it had a hint of... decadence added in...?
It was Rozalin, in a state hard to put into words.
Several hours had passed since she came out of the basement, but she still didn't seem in great shape.
"I just... wanted to come in, so I did."
"Is that so? Then have a seat on the sofa over there. I have a little work to do."
"...Okay."
She obediently found her seat at my words.
In every way, she looked so precarious... it was truly worrying.
"........"
On top of that, after I took her out of the basement, she suddenly sniffed my scent and asked this weird question about whether I'd brought someone else.
Of course, I was pretty flustered at the time and just brushed it off.
In all sorts of ways... it was really giving me a lot to think about.
Worries that were on a completely different track from the ones I'd had about Rozalin before.
Scratch, scratch. I was writing sentences on paper with my pen, but my attention was entirely on Rozalin behind me.
"Are you very busy?"
"No. These should be done in about five minutes."
"I see...."
How should I handle the current Rozalin?
If I only thought about my desire to have her, it was honestly more gain than loss.
But... I wasn't sure if this was what I wanted.
Of course, I couldn't say there was a huge difference between what I'd been doing to her and turning her into this state....
Still, it wasn't supposed to be to this extent.
"All done."
Anyway, I finished up my tasks and headed toward Rozalin, who was sitting obediently on the sofa.
She wasn't doing anything in particular—just staring at me quietly.
I had no idea what she was thinking.
"I see...?"
"Yeah, they weren't difficult anyway."
"I see...."
The way she was gauging my mood... it was so different from before.
The Rozalin I knew was bolder than this, more... different from now.
"........"
Silence.
We just sat there without saying a word to each other.
I didn't bring up any topic, and Rozalin was just watching my expression.
What should I say?
I had no idea.
This kind of situation wasn't all that familiar to me either.
What kind of words would be appropriate?
No matter what I said, the current Rozalin would surely interpret it strangely.
"Camellia?"
Then Rozalin spoke to me first.
I was a bit flustered... but I thought it was better than me starting.
"You really didn't... meet anyone...?"
"...Why do you ask?"
"Oh, uh, just...."
"........"
Was she doing this because of the things I said before leaving the basement?
To prevent our relationship from becoming just mother and daughter?
I had no idea.
"Just... sorry...."
"Don't say that. Tell me properly why you're asking."
"It's just, I smelled something different from usual...? It was very different from the last time I smelled it."
"So. You're wondering if I met another woman in the meantime?"
"That's not it."
"It is."
Without thinking, I said it in a way that sounded a bit intimidating.
It felt like a continuation of our last conversation, but I really didn't mean it that way.
I truly had no intention of getting angry at Rozalin or scaring her on purpose.
"There's no reason for you to be so curious about who I meet."
"...Sorry."
"Be honest. Stop dodging."
"Okay."
If I didn't say it like this, we'd just end up repeating the same conversation and situation as before.
If after this, Rozalin dodged or evaded again... then I could threaten her once more.
Honestly, I felt bad, but there was no choice.
"Sigh.... I'll tell you. Yesterday, I met Ella. I called her over, we wandered around the city together, came home in the evening, drank, and had some fun."
"I-I see...."
"So what's the problem with that?"
"...I was just curious."
"No. Mother, you need to be honest, right?"
I asked again as she looked down at the floor, gauging my mood.
I had said something earlier... but it was the expected reaction.
Still, the more this happened, the more she'd learn she couldn't lie or evade answers.
If she didn't get it... if I really left her alone again, she'd surely understand.
Of course, I wouldn't actually do that.
"What's the problem?"
"...Meeting someone else...?"
"Why is that a problem? You just think of me as your daughter, don't you, Mother?"
"That's true, but...."
Anyone could see it was different from before.
But I was still treating Rozalin much like before.
Like the Rozalin who, right before I left the basement that day, was trying to keep treating me as her daughter.
"Is there a problem with me calling Ella over, spending time with her, drinking, and doing other things?"
If you really think of me as your daughter, there shouldn't be, right?
Sure, there might be some negative view on same-sex stuff?
"Do you plan to control me even seeing my friends, Mother?"
"N-No, that's not what I...!"
"If not that, then because I like women? You want to control that?"
"That's not it.... Really, really...."
I just said those words while looking at Rozalin.
But unlike before, she hesitated, unable to answer easily.
She looked so precarious.
If I pushed just a little here, she'd collapse.
The word "precarious" fit her perfectly.
"I just... care about you, Camellia...."
"Hmm...."
"It's not in a bad way, really...."
She was cute.
Even in this precarious state that naturally made me worry... I honestly found it cute.
Her looks were just that beautiful.
I felt a decadent charm in her current appearance, and a slight thrill from her trembling form.
Of course, that was just because I was... a bad person.
"I might invite other friends to the mansion or the southern villa in the future. They all have schedules, but they'll probably accept."
"......."
"And...."
I wondered what reaction she'd have if I said something stupid here like it was time to let her go.
I had almost no intention of doing that.
But given her current state, which seemed like it would break if I said something like that, I couldn't help but be curious.
"......."
What answer should I give to Rozalin, who was looking at me with trembling eyes?
I wasn't sure myself.
But....
I really hated the idea of abandoning Rozalin or giving up on her.
I didn't want to see her broken, mumbling strange things.
"Mother, come over here."
"Ah, okay...."
For now, I called over Rozalin, who was sitting a bit away.
After all, no matter what words I said, they couldn't compare to the effect of actions.
Nothing stuck in the memory or conveyed emotions as easily as actions.
"Hmm... You really suit the dress much better."
"You prefer this?"
"Well, I'd like whatever you wear, Mother, but this is the outfit I'm most used to. I can't not like it."
"I see...."
It was an honest answer.
A shirt or other clothes would suit her too, but the signature black tight dress she often wore.
This was the Rozalin I was most familiar with.
"Sigh.... Your scent... it's the same unchanging rose fragrance. We're using the same one, yet it's fascinating."
"Hnng...."
With Rozalin sitting very close now, I brought my face near her collarbone and neck, inhaling her scent as I said that.
"Honestly, your natural scent has fascinated me since I was little. It's sweet and pretty."
"Pretty...."
"It's a subtle, sweet scent you can't replicate with just perfume—one you want to keep smelling forever."
"Could you stop smelling me now...?"
"No."
"Hn...."
I buried my nose completely and savored the scent.
Her lack of resistance and shy reaction were quite cute, and Rozalin's scent, after so long, was incredibly sweet.
During the days I hadn't seen Rozalin, I'd met others.
Lize, Ashley, Ella.
But....
"After all... you're the best, Mother."
Rozalin was the best.
This scent I was smelling now.
Her gentle smile, the expression where she watched my mood, trying not to upset me.
Her hair in braids or completely down to her waist.
Everything made my heart pound even harder.
To the point where I couldn't give her up.