Chapter 308
Chapter 308
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Villa Farewell
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"Camellia...? I think it's about time we headed back."
"You're right. It's already been about a month."
We ended up staying at the villa for around a month.
Ivana arrived late, so it wasn't quite that long for her, but for those who got here early, it was a full month.
That was definitely longer than we'd originally planned.
"When will we see each other next? I want to meet up with you again soon."
"I want to see you soon too, Camellia, but... it might take a little time...? I'm fine, but Grace... she's going to be pretty busy once she gets back home to her family."
"It'll take at least a few months, right?"
"Yeah...."
Everyone had their own responsibilities, after all.
It was inevitable that we'd need some time before we could meet again.
I was well aware of that, which was why I was working through Alexandra to normalize the Rose Earldom.
Coming all the way down to the south took a considerable amount of time, after all.
The best approach was to secure a location where we could meet as quickly as possible.
"Can't be helped. I'll do my best. For you and Grace, Older Sister—and to make it much easier for Miss Ivana to come too."
"We'll do our best as well."
"Pfft, no need. I can really handle it on my own."
Managing the Rose Territory was my responsibility anyway, and once that was sorted out properly... things would get incredibly convenient.
It would be easier for Ivana from the north and the Rosaki Sisters from the east to visit.
As for Ella....
"Hmm."
"What's wrong?"
"For you, Older Sister, it'd be more convenient to meet in the central region than the south, right?"
"Uh.... Yeah? It takes a few days to come all the way down south, but to the center... about three days?"
I did feel bad for Ella, really.
But honestly, there was no helping it.
The south was convenient for me too, but when it came to meeting up with the others, heading back to the Rose Territory in the central region was clearly the better choice.
Even going from the south to the center only took a few days.
It was far easier than traveling from the east to the center.
I'd just have to ask for a little understanding from Ella.
Everyone would probably head back to their own homes within a few days, but no one had to leave right this instant.
That meant we had plenty of time to talk things over.
.
.
.
"What do you think about coming to the central region, Ella?"
"The center? I don't really have any strong feelings about it. I hardly ever go there normally anyway, so it'd just feel like a trip."
"Hmm.... Really?"
The conversation started over tea with Ella.
Right from the start, I got a pretty good response.
It was a relief that she didn't seem to have any huge aversion to heading to the central region.
"But why the center? Are we meeting here again next time?"
"No.... Not exactly. I'm planning to go from the Leonhardt Mansion to the Rose Earldom soon."
"...Pardon?"
"Just what I said. I'm thinking of going to my mother's side, her family home in the Rose Earldom."
"...Suddenly? Haven't you never really met the Rose Count's family before now?"
"I've met them occasionally. Once before entering the academy, and again last month."
"...Pardon?"
I'd planned to lay it all out straightforwardly for Ella.
I had to talk about the Rose Earldom anyway, since that's where I was headed, and that meant touching on the Rose family too.
But since I'd never mentioned anything about the Roses to her before....
"I-is that okay? Your mother—I mean... Older Sister was terribly...."
"Ella, don't worry too much. Calm down first. Everything's been sorted out cleanly. There's absolutely nothing for you to fret over."
"Uh.... R-really...?"
"Yes, really. Basically, I just took over the Rose family."
"...Pardon?"
Ah, maybe I condensed it too much.
I wasn't sure where to even start explaining properly.
She must have heard the rough story about Rozalin already....
"Out of a sense of vengeance for my mother, I seized the Rose family. I drove out the old count and kicked the would-be heirs out of the family too."
"......Pardon?"
It was a very simple story.
I didn't say I'd killed the people from the Rose family, but I gave her a straightforward explanation.
"The things they did to torment my mother were so pathetically low. I got angry, planned my revenge a while back, and took care of it this spring."
"...Is that true?"
"Yes. Completely true. If you went to the Rose family now, the old count wouldn't be there anymore."
"Uh.... I-I see.... Um.... Yeah...."
Maybe the topic was just too heavy for her to accept easily?
But it was such a clear-cut story that it was hard to phrase it any other way.
Could I even express it more definitively?
I got mad over what those bastards did to Rozalin, planned revenge, and wiped them out this spring.
That was it.
"So... what happens now...?"
"No idea. I might end up taking over as head of the Rose Count family. Even if my mother's known as a bastard child of the Roses, she still carries their blood, and she's registered as a member of the family."
"...So you'd become Camellia Rose?"
"I haven't decided on anything for sure yet. Becoming head of the Roses is still just an idea. I might hand the position over to my mother instead."
"Ooh...."
"Anyway... I think it'll be within a few months that I move to the Roses."
That was the conclusion.
I was heading to the Rose Earldom.
"Coming to the south is too inconvenient for the Rosaki Sisters—especially Miss Ivana. It seems best for everyone to go somewhere much more accessible."
"I see."
"I'm... honestly sorry to Ella, but I think this is the right move."
"You're right. It takes nearly two weeks from the north to the south. From the center, it'd only be about a week."
Ella gave that answer without looking particularly upset.
She seemed unfazed even after hearing my plans.
I'd expected her to be a bit disappointed or reluctant.
It was surprising how nonchalantly she took it.
"So you're just abandoning the Leonhardt Mansion?"
"I'm not sure. I could sell it, but it's where I've lived for nearly twenty years, so I'd like to keep it too."
"Then when you leave, should I manage it for you?"
"You, Ella?"
And then another unexpected comment.
I'd never imagined her offering that first.
"Yeah, it's not that big, just two stories. Having someone clean it periodically wouldn't be hard."
"Really?"
"And it's your mansion. I want to help out."
"Oh my."
"What? Just now realizing how much I care about you?"
"Yes. Thank you."
I answered honestly.
It was about me leaving her behind, yet here she was offering that.
Even though it should've been disappointing from her perspective... she responded so positively and casually.
"...Really?"
"Yes, thank you so much. For offering to help like this, and for so readily accepting me going to the center."
"I couldn't stop you anyway, even if I tried."
"You could still ask me not to go."
"I'd just worry you."
"You'd want me closer too."
"But you're going anyway. There are other people besides me."
"......."
She didn't miss a beat.
Her responses left me so speechless that I struggled to say anything more.
"Hmm.... Ella, is there anything you want separately? As an apology, I'd like to do something for you."
"Nope. Just come down to Niesista Territory whenever you're bored. Even if I don't come to see you, you come visit me."
"I'll do that."
"And bring some wine we don't make in our territory. And come alone—no Lize or Older Sister Rozalin. Just you."
"I'll try."
That much I could manage.
Honestly, it was only a short carriage ride away, not even a full day—going somewhere that took days.
How could I refuse a simple request to come visit?
The south wasn't even that far, truthfully.
Of course I could do that much for Ella.
"Ella."
"Yes? What are you going to say this time?"
"I love you so much—please know that. Thank you truly. I love you."
"...Saying you love me feels like a cheat."
"You think so?"
"Yes. Just those words, and my jealousy is melting away."
Just like Ella said, my words alone made her expression completely crumble.
She'd been composed a moment ago, but now her lips curved up into a smile.
"...Thank you so much, Ella. I'll make sure to visit you often. Really."
"A promise?"
"Yes, a real promise. I definitely will."
"That'll do. And whenever you call other girls, contact me too—no exceptions."
"Always?"
"If it's not you calling them... if Miss Ivana or someone else comes first, that's fine. But if you're the one inviting, then yes—contact me too."
"Jealous, huh?"
"...It doesn't mean I like sitting out while the person I love plays with others."
"Pffft, got it. I'll do that. No idea when, but definitely."
If I followed Ella's words, calling her would mean calling the sisters and Ivana too.
Of course, that wasn't a big deal right now.
I wasn't heading to the Roses immediately anyway.
I'd spend the next few days enjoying time with my lovers... then head back to the Leonhardt Mansion and sort things out slowly.
"...Hey, wanna kiss?"
"...Pfft."
For now, it was time to savor the moment.
We wouldn't be staying in the same building with our lovers much longer.
I decided to make the most of it.