Chapter 309
Chapter 309
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Back at the Mansion
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"The mansion does feel a bit smaller compared to the villa."
"Now that you mention it, it does seem that way, just like you said, Camellia."
"It feels like the reasons to move to Rose keep piling up. The territory itself is a bit rough around the edges, but that's getting fixed up nicely these days."
We had returned to the Leonhardt Mansion.
We'd spent about a month straight at the villa, leaving the place in the care of a few servants without much thought after that.
Coming home after so long, it definitely felt smaller in comparison.
It didn't seem that small at first glance, but once all seven of us started living together...
It was bound to feel cramped.
My lovers had never all come to the mansion at once before, after all.
"What does Mother think about moving to Rose?"
"I don't mind either way. It's where I lived since I was young, after all. I spent a lot of time at the Leonhardt Mansion too, but Rose was home for just as long."
"Then that settles it. What about you, Lize?"
"As long as I'm with you, Young Lady, that's more than enough for me."
"Hmm... Yeah, that's so very Lize."
It was exactly the kind of answer I'd expect from her, so it didn't surprise me at all.
Lize had never been one to fuss much about where she stayed, no matter what.
She was the same way whenever we went out as kids, or even on business trips—she never made a big deal of it.
There was no need to worry about her too much.
And even if Rose had fallen on hard times compared to before, it was still centrally located at its core.
Living there was far more convenient than in the south, and thanks to the businesses I'd been running lately, we were developing the place bit by bit.
"Teacher just needs a good place to sleep, right?"
"Yawn...?"
"Yes, I'll make sure your room gets plenty of sunlight."
Ashley was easy to please with that much.
There wasn't much else to prepare for her, just make sure the bed was comfortable.
"Sigh... Then I should send a letter to Aunt Alexandra too. Lots of things piling up."
"Your sister seemed to be doing well lately."
"Aunt Alexandra's more capable than she lets on. Plus, I've been helping with the business and funding. She's probably taking it easy."
"Business?"
"Oh, yeah. Rose Territory was just... so empty of things to do? The people there had no reason to spend money. So I started restaurants and got southern clothes sold there too?"
It was about kickstarting consumption among the territory's people to get capital flowing more freely in the earldom.
I spent the time slowly explaining all this to Rozalin.
In the end, it boiled down to Rose getting better than before.
Having just returned home after so long, we didn't have much else to do besides chat like this, so we lounged on the bed talking leisurely.
I actually had a bunch of work piled up since it had been a month, but...
One day off wouldn't hurt.
Probably?
*
"Lize, take this to the Information Guild a bit later."
"Should I send it with the one you gave me earlier?"
"Yeah, bundle it with the previous one. The recipient's already written on it, and you don't need to add anything else. Just drop it off."
It was a letter about additional business support for Alexandra and our plans to move to the Rose Earldom within a few months.
Truth be told, apart from leaving Rose Territory in her hands right now, she didn't even want to manage it.
She preferred taking it easy.
I'd specifically asked her to do it, which was why she was handling it at all.
"Managing a territory is such a hassle for me too."
Still, better for me to do it than dump it on Rozalin.
It was way better if I handled it.
"...Young Lady, if there's anything I can help with, I'd be glad to."
"Hm? Just having you by my side helps me more than you know, Lize. I always feel great when we're together."
That was the honest truth.
I got her feelings, but being with Lize really was enough for me.
I didn't want to burden her with the tedious, headache-inducing stuff.
"But I want to help you, Young Lady."
"Hehe, alright then. After the Information Guild, pick up some ice cream on the way back. Vanilla flavor."
"Understood."
Lize probably just wanted to help however she could.
She seemed eager to assist with my businesses or territory work, but asking something that specialized from my maid felt... off.
Not that I was downplaying her skills—it was just a different kind.
"Lize, I opened a few ice cream shops in Rose Territory this time."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, and I made sure they sell gelato too, like you mentioned before. When we move there next, let's go get some together?"
"...Yes, Young Lady."
Lize answered my words like that, took the letters I'd given her, and headed out.
She looked so happy as she left that it motivated me to work a little harder.
Even if it wasn't exactly fun.
Still, as the head of the household, I felt like I had to put in the effort.
"Consumption in the territory has gone up from before, but the people still don't have clear ways to earn money."
I was running businesses, but lately it felt less like business and more...
Like I was in charge of local development or something.
Policy manager vibes, I guess.
"...Is it right for one person to manage a count family territory like this?"
It seriously didn't feel right.
Normally, these big decisions get discussed with a bunch of people.
Even dictators don't handle everything solo like this.
How did it come to this...
"Ah. Rose is a total wreck of a family. That's why."
No other explanation needed.
Other families would have retainers yapping and nagging away, but Rose had no one like that.
Which left me agonizing over it all alone.
"Ughhh..."
I shoved aside the papers I'd been staring at and moved to the window.
After a month of cozy time with my girlfriends, jumping back into work felt annoyingly tedious.
I'd already sent what needed to go to Alexandra, but there was still so much left.
"...And that building needs fixing too."
Even more to think about.
Suddenly craving a break from it all, I headed straight for Rozalin's room.
It was about the time she'd be leisurely reading a book.
I went down to her first-floor room, opened the door.
"Camellia?"
"Mother."
"Yes, my daughter. What's up? Coming in and hugging me right away like this?"
"I missed you, so I came."
I slipped right into Rozalin's arms.
As always, so soft and warm—it was downright addictive.
Rozalin really was the best.
Just hugging her had me smiling without realizing it, like a drug.
"Hehe, is that so? What made our daughter come acting all spoiled like this?"
"I just wanted to hold you a little. We haven't had much skinship today."
"Work wearing you down?"
"It's not hard, exactly. Just a lot to do, so it's annoying."
I hadn't even said anything.
Yet she picked up on it right away. Amazing.
Was it because she was still a mother at heart?
Stepmom, lover, whatever—Rozalin was undeniably a mother in ways I couldn't deny.
"Want to tell me what's bothering you?"
"Rose Territory has just so many issues. It's a hassle."
"Hmm..."
"I've solved the immediate ones, but there's still a ton left."
"I see. It is way worse off than other earldoms... Yeah, it is."
"Yes."
Rozalin seemed to know all too well.
She'd spent far more time there than I had, after all.
No way she couldn't know what kind of place it was.
"But by the time we move, most problems should be fixed. It'll be way nicer than the south."
"Thanks to our daughter, right?"
"Yes, I'll make it that way. For you, Mother, Lize, Teacher Ashley. And all my other girlfriends too—somewhere comfortable and fun."
That was the plan.
That's how it'd be.
Even if there was still tons left to do?
Plenty of time for that.
"With help from Ivana or the Rosakis, it'll be easier. We could even team up with Ella's Niesista family for smoother fruit distribution."
"Yes, I believe you'll handle it perfectly."
"...Yes, I'll do my best."
Rozalin gently stroked my head with those short words of encouragement.
But even that little bit lifted my spirits. I guess I'm easier to please than I thought.
Not with anyone else, though.
Just Rozalin and my lovers, the people I care about... well.
"If it gets too tough, come rest like this. Moving to Rose is fine, but you're the most important thing. Got it?"
"Yes, I'll work hard for you, Mother."
"Hehe, but if it's too much, make sure to rest. I don't want you catching a cold like when you were little... or anything like that."
"Pfft, got it. I'll take care of myself."
That childhood cold was just from eating too much ice cream and dressing too lightly.
But her remembering it, worrying about me...
Every little thing meant the world.
That's why I knew I could work even harder—for Rozalin.