Chapter 258
Chapter 258
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Morning Tea and Subtle Jealousy
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I've known Karen since we were young.
So, I had a pretty good idea of how she felt about me during all that time.
It wasn't exactly romantic love, but she followed me more than I expected.
Since I was her first friend, that was probably why she felt that way especially.
"Good morning, Older Sister Karen."
"Did you sleep well too, Camellia...?"
"Yes, I did. I was sleeping in my own mansion, after all. But since this isn't your usual home, Older Sister Karen, I asked just in case."
Anyway, I ran into Karen, who had woken up early in the morning, in the hallway.
I had just finished washing up and was heading back to my room.
Honestly, after the tiring journey all the way south, I thought she would sleep in late.
But she woke up much earlier than expected, which surprised me.
She usually woke up early, but if I had been riding in a carriage that long, I definitely would have slept in.
"Is Miss Grace still sleeping?"
"Ah, Grace said she wanted to sleep a bit more...! So I came out alone like this..."
"Ah, got it."
Grace had always been someone who slept a lot.
Even back at the academy, she was definitely the type who needed a lot of sleep.
Whenever we traveled somewhere from the academy, Grace was always the one who woke up late.
She was pretty weak in the mornings too.
So...
"Shall we have some light tea together? We can go out to the garden or stay in my room, either works."
"Ah, shall we...? If it's fine with Camellia, I'd love to...!"
"Hee hee, then let's do that."
With that, I led Karen to the garden.
Spring was approaching, with flowers starting to bloom, but the weather was still quite chilly.
I threw on a suitable cloak before heading outside.
"It's been forever since we had tea just the two of us like this, Older Sister."
"You've been so busy, Camellia..."
"Hee hee, true. Even I think I've been way too busy these past few years."
"Yes..."
"I wanted to spend even a little time playing with you, Older Sister. But there just wasn't enough time for fun."
"You're right... It couldn't be helped. You've been incredibly busy, Camellia."
Karen openly showed her regret.
She's always loved spending time with me.
Of course, because of her shy personality, she never expressed it directly...
But that side of her was cute.
"Still, things are mostly sorted out now. We can meet up often like we used to, right? You've gotten a bit freer lately too, Older Sister Karen."
"That's true...! I was a little busy for a few months, but my family lessons are finally done... Hee hee..."
I've noticed this before, but Karen seemed to prefer situations like this over when Grace was around.
When it was just the two of us.
She really enjoyed these quiet chats together.
Karen would never be the one to bring up topics or ramble on about it first.
But since I've always been good at picking up on that?
I just knew.
"This tea is amazing. It's sweet with a subtle flavor... I really like it."
"You know the Rose Family? The count family."
"Yes, I know of them."
"It's their famous Rose Tea, one of their specialties. My mother is from there, so we drink it often."
"Ahh..."
"I'm glad you like it, Older Sister."
And so, we spent the morning sipping Rose Tea.
If Grace had been awake in this situation, it definitely would have been noisy in all sorts of ways.
But right now, it was for spending time a bit more... quietly and calmly.
"Older Sister, shall we go out this afternoon and wander around a bit? We could look for books you like. Miss Grace... isn't huge on books, but she loves tagging along with you."
"I'm fine with anything...! Whatever Camellia wants...?"
"Hmm..."
Her response was as predictable as ever.
As always, she could be a bit more assertive personally.
But Karen was Karen.
I was used to her not stating her preferences strongly when I asked things like this.
It couldn't be helped, but I wished she would improve even a little in that regard.
"Older Sister."
"Yes?"
"How has Miss Grace been lately? I heard she's taking family lessons like you, but I haven't heard any other stories."
With those thoughts, I deliberately brought up Grace.
She had never liked talking like this before.
When it was just us two, she hated bringing up other people, especially Grace.
It definitely wasn't because she simply disliked Grace.
But... in this situation, I couldn't avoid mentioning Grace's name.
A way to slowly turn mild jealousy into something stickier and more intense?
Something like that.
"...My little sister is doing well, of course."
"Miss Grace does seem like a good person."
"...Yes. She's a... good little sister."
Just mentioning Grace dropped her energy right away.
As expected, she didn't like it.
Just as I thought.
Part of me felt sorry seeing that, but at the same time, I couldn't help some... naughty thoughts.
I'm a pretty bad person, after all.
"Miss Grace kept improving more and more even during academy days, so I'm sure she's doing great with her lessons too."
"...Yes."
"Of course, you've done amazingly too, Older Sister. Back at the academy, I never had to tutor you even once."
"That's true. Grace... got a lot of help from you, Camellia. She was always studying with you during club activities..."
"Hee hee, yeah, there were times like that. Looking back now, not just Miss Grace—everyone kept up really well."
I slowly brought up old stories, mentioning Grace along the way.
Her mood visibly sank transparently.
Personally, seeing that made me think about how I could have Karen—and Grace.
Just making Karen's heart flutter, confessing, and adding her to the harem would be nice...
But I preferred something more than that...
"Grace really has been adored by adults since she was little. Unlike me, she's such a... good kid."
"You're an amazing person too, Older Sister Karen. I'm saying this as someone who's known you much longer than Miss Grace. There aren't many people as good as you."
"...Really?"
"Hee hee, of course? Why would I dislike you, Older Sister?"
I loved how it was getting stickier and more stimulating, just like this.
People can't live on just bland flavors forever.
Sometimes... you need spicy ones that make you fill up on water?
Whatever.
*
The Rosaki sisters had always been, well...
Not very active types.
They preferred quiet contemplation in serene places over running around outside or doing energetic activities.
That's why we...
"Miss Grace, what book are you reading?"
"Kyaa?!"
"...Hee hee."
"W-Why'd you scare me like that...!"
"Just curious since you were reading so intently by yourself?"
We were just spending time in the study.
The study in my mansion was better for us to spend time together than the library.
If we did something like casual skinship in the library and got noisy like now... it would be annoying in all sorts of ways.
"So, what book were you reading?"
"...Just a book...?"
"So, what kind of book?"
That's why I deliberately brought them to the study inside the mansion.
They both liked books, and it was perfect for spending intimate time indoors.
"Just... a romance novel...?"
"That's your taste?"
"Not really.... I just... saw it here in the study and picked it up...?"
"Hee hee hee, is that so?"
"It's true!"
"It's fine. Romance novels can be pretty fun. I've read them sometimes too."
And while Karen was quietly picking out books, I went over to Grace.
Slowly...
"I prepared books of various genres in the study. I'm glad there's something to your taste, Miss Grace."
"Y-Yeah...?"
"I didn't want just business-related books in here. That's why I stocked a wide variety of genres."
I could get very close to Grace, who was sitting and reading.
Our innocent little Grace blushed just from me approaching so close.
She had that cute personality back when we were kids, and still did.
"I-I see..."
"I visited the Rosaki mansion once before. Their study had such a wide variety of books. Partly because you read a lot, Older Sister Karen, but you loved reading too, Miss Grace, right?"
"Yeah. The books are mostly for my sister. She's loved books since she was little, you know? So Mom and Dad got tons for her... Hee hee."
She was bright too.
A really good personality in all ways.
Objectively speaking... easier to get close to than Karen?
Of course, I liked both equally.
"My sister has always read a lot since she was young, and she's smart..."
"Hee hee hee..."
Karen and Grace shared similarities.
But... their personalities differed clearly in these ways.
With Karen, she preferred one-on-one talks over mentioning Grace.
But Grace actually liked talking about Karen even when it was just us.
"You really seem like such a kind person, Miss Grace."
"W-Why are you suddenly praising me like crazy...?"
"Just felt like it, that's all."
"Even if you praise me... I'm not particularly happy...?"
"Hee hee..."
"It's just... um..."
While praising Grace, I subtly placed my hand on her thigh.
She blushed but accepted my touch quietly without refusing.
Back at the academy, she definitely would have made a fuss.
"Ah, Older Sister. Did you pick a book?"
"......"
That's when Karen returned, holding books in her arms, while I quietly kept my hand on Grace's thigh.
Karen's expression... was definitely not good.
Of course, she was trying not to show it.