Chapter 278
Chapter 278
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Graffiti Protests
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Is human psychology truly unchanging across east, west, ancient, and modern times?
On one hand, this is a class-based society, after all.
With the world clearly divided between commoners and nobles, I had briefly worried that any expression of opinion might be extremely minimal.
Contrary to my concerns, however, things were progressing far too smoothly.
"Wow, Lize. Look at the graffiti on that wall over there."
"That's...."
"Anyone can tell it was scribbled with a brush last night, right?"
"...Yes."
Among the buildings on the hill, the one where the Rose Family was staying.
A building much larger and far more ornate than the guest quarters.
Several graffiti marks in red had been drawn on it.
They were substantial enough in size and content that it was hard not to smile with satisfaction, even if one might dismiss them as mere scribbles.
I hadn't expected it to start this way.
[Stop the tax plundering—start managing the territory!]
[Who in their right mind raises taxes again just three months after the last increase?!]
[The gods commanded us to give to others—when did they ever say to plunder?!]
And so on....
"They've written quite a variety."
"And in a good number of different spots, too. Judging by how the servants are scurrying about."
"Yeah. What can I say... they look like ants carrying food. It's hilarious."
The servants constantly going back and forth around and inside the building.
It was amusing to see each of them grabbing rags or various tools to contribute to erasing the graffiti.
For something written by commoners, the handwriting wasn't bad at all.
Why not just leave it as some kind of graffiti art this time?
None of it was wrong, after all.
"Hmm.... Shall we head out again now?"
"Where to, my lady?"
"To negotiate again today. Though they'll refuse anyway. Just going to tease them."
"Oh."
It was about time to wrap up sightseeing the graffiti and the servants' labor site.
There wasn't much more to see anyway.
Watching them sneak in at night to throw things might be more fun.
I could even throw some myself while I'm at it.
"Lize, help me change clothes."
"Yes. What would you like to wear today?"
"Just a shirt again. I don't want to show too much skin to those people."
"Understood."
They mentioned 5,000 gold yesterday.
Today... maybe start at 4,000 gold?
Or just slash it to half price outright?
"Heh heh...."
Either option sounded good.
They'd refuse today too, of course... but each such action only amplified the regrets that would come later.
They should have grabbed that lifeline back then.
If only they'd taken even 3,000 gold, or 2,000... thoughts like that, pounding the floor in a cramped room, shedding tears of regret.
"Hmm."
She really is a nasty one.
Even I didn't think I was particularly good-hearted.
*
As expected, I was rejected today too.
Thanks to these idiots with zero learning ability, revenge on Rozalin was getting easier by the day.
If I kept gradually lowering the amount and eventually brought some knights to threaten them....
"Done."
"That was surprisingly quick."
"Hee hee, I've been braiding Camellia's hair since she was little, after all."
"True. Lize does it in the mornings, but since my hair is so long, Mother often does it separately."
"Hee hee."
Well, be that as it may.
This was cozy time with Rozalin.
With recent events going so well, she was smiling more often... I couldn't miss out on moments like this.
Dealing with the idiots from the Rose Family was important, but Rozalin came first, of course.
"So, how is it? Pretty, right?"
"It's pretty. I don't do this style often... but if Mother does it, it feels nice once in a while."
The mirror reflected a beautiful face.
The face of 'me,' now so familiar.
Ah, and of course, my equally beautiful mother, Rozalin, right behind.
Maybe it's time I seriously considered my self-image or something.
I'd been thinking about it ever since such thoughts started creeping in.
"Mother, my face is really pretty, isn't it?"
"Of course! How pretty is our daughter?"
"Not that kind of feeling—just a pure, objective assessment of my looks."
"Hm?"
No matter how I looked at it, I was pretty.
A bit of narcissism... okay, more than a bit.
But even I had to admit it was undeniably pretty.
"Uh... pretty, right? My skin is incredibly clear, and even without makeup, it's porcelain-white with a nice sheen....?"
"Again?"
"And the features... I can't even put it into words. Just... super pretty, right?"
"Wow...."
Rozalin, blushing a little and embarrassed as she started praising my looks, was just perfect.
Even I knew she wasn't wrong.
"I've seen red eyes before, but eyes this pretty... ruby-like eyes like these are rare."
"Heh heh...."
Ah, it felt so good to hear.
I'd wondered why noble ladies in high society lit up so much at compliments on their looks.
Was it this kind of feeling?
Well, I wouldn't get thrilled over praise from someone I wasn't close to or interested in.
But hearing it from someone I loved about my appearance was incredibly nice.
Especially since it wasn't vague flattery, but quite specific.
"But why? Did someone badmouth our Camellia's looks?"
"No? Mother just made my hair so pretty. I feel even prettier, that's all."
The hairstyle Rozalin had done wasn't my usual simple ponytail—it was more elaborate.
She'd braided parts, tied sections... fussed over it diligently.
The result was a really pretty style.
Rozalin often braided her own hair, so of course she was great at doing mine too.
"I'm so happy."
"Really? I don't think it's anything that special...."
"Because Mother did it. I'm thrilled. Lize usually handles my grooming, but I've always wanted to ask Mother to do my hair."
"That much? Hee hee, I'm happy to hear you say so, dear."
"Hee hee.... I wish I could style Mother's hair too, but sadly, I never learned how. Sorry."
"No, this is something a mother does for her daughter, right?"
Well, sure.
It was only natural to want to give back as much love as Rozalin gave me.
I'd never had much interest in makeup or styling since childhood, so I barely learned any.
Whenever Lize tried to doll me up for formal occasions, I only asked for basic makeup.
I didn't really need it anyway, and putting on cosmetics felt like a hassle.
Not just me—most people around me didn't do heavy makeup either.
"Maybe I should learn basic hairstyling from Lize next time."
This seemed like a good opportunity to pick it up.
I might not do it as intricately or prettily as Rozalin, but something simple like braiding... I could manage that.
My other lovers would be living together soon, after all.
Learning this would be a great way to score points with them?
"Hee hee...."
I'd love to do more than just hair, but honestly, I doubted I'd be good at it.
Better to stick to simple braiding and call it a day.
Lize was the expert at that stuff anyway?
"Yawn...."
"Oh, Teacher, you're awake? You slept for about three hours."
While enjoying a pleasant chat with Rozalin, Ashley woke up alone on the sofa.
Ever since arriving at the Rose estate, we'd all been sharing the same room.
From me and Rozalin to Lize and Ashley, all bunking together.
No particular reason.
We'd just been doing it a lot lately?
We started sharing rooms back at Leonhardt Mansion, and even at the inns on the way here.
"What time is it........"
"Four o'clock. Time to get up, I think."
"Yawn.... Okay...."
"Sleep well?"
"The sofa's uncomfortable, but I slept okay.... I want to go back to the mansion soon...."
"Hee hee, got it. I'll try to wrap things up as fast as possible."
"You don't have to push that hard......."
It started as an attempt to reduce awkwardness among my lovers.
Eventually, we'd be seeing each other naked anyway.
Seeing it during baths was different from seeing it at night during intimate moments.
That's why we did it.
"Ashley, should we buy a different sofa? That one's probably the one Camellia bought years ago. Over five years old for sure."
"It's fine for now, but if we're staying here long-term... we should replace it, Madam."
"Hmm.... The territory does seem short on funds. Right, Camellia?"
"Yeah."
But contrary to my slight worries, the three of them were getting along surprisingly well.
They'd already spent plenty of time together at Leonhardt Mansion, and Rozalin's personality was genuinely gentle.
They couldn't help but get close.
"Hee hee...."
By the way, as Rozalin mentioned, all the furniture here.
It was all stuff I'd bought back then.
Rozalin got the letter suddenly and we came right away... so we ended up with a completely unmanaged guest building.
I intentionally replaced all the furniture.
And it was all still here. I couldn't believe it.
That was ages ago....
"Sigh, let's hurry and finish this. We need to gut this place entirely."
Not just for me, but for my lovers too.