Chapter 315
Chapter 315
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Territory Management and a Hint of Jealousy
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"Fashion business pulled in, food service business pulled in... and these days, way more buildings going up than last time..."
I slowly reviewed the documents one by one, thinking about everything I had to do moving forward.
I'd been developing hard for a few months, and sure, we had more money than before, but there were still so many things that felt lacking.
Not everything was resolved yet, but at least there was one silver lining: my girlfriends could visit easily.
Thanks to that, they'd been coming to Rose Territory pretty often lately.
Unlike the south, it only took a few days to get here.
It was only natural they'd come visit.
"Young Lady, here. The ice cream you requested."
"Yes, thank you."
"Is there anything else you need?"
"Lize, take a break beside me too. I've been bored just working nonstop anyway."
"Yes."
With my workload increasing, Lize had gotten pretty busy too.
She went out less than before, but there was still tons of paperwork-related stuff to handle.
Naturally, that meant my maid Lize had more on her plate too.
"Lize, aren't you busy these days?"
"No, not really that busy... On the contrary, aren't you the one busier, Young Lady?"
"I'm used to it. But you're helping with my work on top of maid duties. That's why I'm worried."
"Helping you is my job."
"Pfft..."
True enough.
Lize didn't seem to mind this situation at all.
She'd never complained about being busy or tired, not once since way back, so I didn't worry too much.
Asking her like this probably wouldn't get a real "I'm exhausted" out of her anyway.
"Lize, ahh."
"Ah."
I scooped a bit of ice cream with the spoon and offered it, and she obediently opened her mouth.
I fed it to her.
Just plain old tasty vanilla.
But even with something that simple, Lize showed a genuinely pleased smile.
It was nothing special, but she'd always liked stuff like this, and I knew her tastes perfectly.
For someone who stayed so prim and quiet as a maid normally.
She had this subtle girly side mixed in.
"Young Lady, Alexandra asked if you have time this afternoon."
"Afternoon? Yeah, should be fine."
"I'll let her know then. Do you need anything else a bit later?"
"Hmm... Oh, this pen here. It's been used so long the ink's running low. Bring a new one."
"Yes, understood."
We kept chatting like that.
I ate some ice cream and spent time holding Lize close.
Truth be told, I still had a ton of work left, but I wanted to relax a little longer now that Lize was here.
Busy or not, of course I wanted more time with my girlfriend.
After that cozy time with Lize, I buckled down on work again.
There was just so much left to do.
"Maybe I should just take a vacation once this is all done."
Lately, things had been so hectic I caught myself thinking that without realizing.
The end was starting to come into view, but...
There was still a long way to go.
"Sigh."
No helping it—I had to keep working today too.
*
"How's the farming we started going?"
"Oh, the weather's been great lately, so it's growing really well! And thanks to what you supplied, Camellia, the crops are thriving!"
"That's a relief. Can we look forward to a good harvest this fall?"
"Of course!"
"Good. Keep up the good work today."
The farm prep after clearing those buildings was progressing better than expected.
The wheat fields looked surprisingly decent.
Not as good as Ella's massive Niesista farm, but it hadn't been long since we converted the land.
"Not bad. Aunt, you doing church stuff today too?"
"No big crowds, but there'll be the usual folks inside."
"Hmm... Then let's head straight there."
After finishing paperwork, I inspected the territory.
Fewer things now, but it was crucial to check progress in person.
I got reports, sure, but they didn't show the real situation.
That's why I had to go around so much.
"To the church."
"Yes."
"By the way, the church is pretty far out on the edge of the territory. Everyone still goes a lot? Honestly, it seems like a hassle to me."
The church was complete now and popular with the territory folk.
More than I'd thought.
I'd told them to work hard during the week and come to church for sermons, handing out money.
Then I found out way more people were showing up than expected.
A lot more than I'd predicted.
The chapel courtyard was packed, and word was people even gathered outside.
"That's how tough things must've been in the territory."
"Is that it? I get it on one hand, but it's kinda hard to understand too."
I'd never been religious, not in this life or my past one, so yeah.
Honestly... I'd rather work than pray.
I didn't totally get relying on it, but time spent that way felt like a waste.
Especially for me, with all the business stuff piling up.
"We're here."
"No interest in religion, but this church is pretty, huh. You know the grand cathedral in the capital?"
"That thing's huge. Hurt my legs just walking around it back then."
"Actually, building one here was partly inspired by that."
Seeing the grand cathedral at the academy had impressed me in all sorts of ways.
It was so majestic it inspired awe, right up there with the imperial palace.
Though the palace's flashiness suited my taste more.
"Well, I wanted to make this one bigger, but we didn't have the funds. Shame."
"You're expanding the mansion too. If you'd saved that money and put it here..."
"It's not for me to use, so no need to make the church huge."
"...Fair enough."
"Anyway, end result is a building I'm really happy with. I won't come often, but it's ornate yet gives off that strong religious vibe?"
"Just get inside already."
"Yep."
With that, Alexandra and I headed into the church.
There were five full-time staff total.
The rest were local day laborers.
"Oh, Sister. It's been a while."
"Yes, Cassandra. How's life at the church?"
One of them was Cassandra, standing in front of me now.
She was the youngest nun at the Rose Church, just barely an adult.
Four other nuns too, but... whatever, I didn't pay them much mind.
"It's amazing! The head nun said you've been incredibly generous with donations... We're doing great thanks to you. The brothers and sisters in the territory have helped a ton too!"
"Oh, glad to hear it."
Cassandra's looks were pretty appealing, to be honest.
Not stunning enough to make me want her as a girlfriend—and I wasn't looking to add more anyway.
But shorter than me, with such a petite, cute face it was hard to tell she was fully grown, she had this doll-like charm.
Nice to look at.
"So, what brings you here today? No service scheduled... Here to talk to another nun maybe?"
"Just sightseeing."
Being looked up at like this was nice, since I was shorter than my girlfriends.
Not much else though.
*
I worked hard during the day, finished dinner, then took the evening off.
Spent fun time with my girlfriends, including Rozalin.
Most of it in my bedroom.
"Mother, try this. Strawberries I brought. Super tasty?"
"Yes, thanks."
"And Lize, don't just keep cutting fruit. Eat some too?"
"I'll finish this and then eat."
"Okay."
So today was the usual: relaxing together.
Just lounging on the sofa in comfy clothes, chatting.
That alone melted away the day's fatigue bit by bit. Felt great.
"By the way, Camellia?"
"Yes, Mother? What?"
"Heard something from your big sister lately. Mind if I ask about it?"
"...What?"
Rozalin brought it up out of nowhere, so I tilted my head.
What could it be.
Nothing came to mind.
I racked my brain, locking eyes with her, but nope.
"Camellia, you said you weren't making any more girlfriends, right?"
"...Yeah? Why?"
Girlfriends?
Why bring that up suddenly?
Super weird topic.
"But why... are there rumors you're chatting up that nun at the church lately?"
"......"
"My daughter, you want a scolding?"
It was a total mystery.
Felt pretty wronged too.
On the flip side, it made me... reflect a bit on my behavior.
But at the same time, Rozalin being jealous was so cute my lips started curling up.
If we rebuild the mansion later... definitely gotta sneak in a basement.
No matter what for, she'd love it.