Chapter 318
Chapter 318
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: A Relaxing Morning in Bosko
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Turning back to look at Bosko, one thing I was certain of was that this place was perfectly suited for healing—extremely so.
Compared to the southern cities or even Rose Territory, it was far quieter, the people were friendly without prying into outsiders' business, which made it quite comfortable.
Thanks to that, there was no issue wandering around outside the inn or strolling with Rozalin.
Well, in truth, both of us were just so beautiful.
I had wondered if there might be some unnecessary hassle, but the atmosphere turned out far more relaxing than I'd imagined, which was a relief.
"Does Mother think it's nice too?"
"Yes, it seems like a good choice. Quiet, comfortable, and enjoyable."
"I'm really pleased with it too. Mother picked such a great spot."
"Hee-hee, I put a lot of effort into choosing it for Camellia. If my daughter feels that way, then I'm truly glad."
We'd arrived in the afternoon yesterday, so we'd only taken a short walk before turning in early. That allowed us to wake up early today.
The moment I rose, the distinctive rose scent filled my senses, and Rozalin's soft skin felt wonderful.
Opening my eyes to meet hers, our bodies touching—it was so very, very pleasant that I couldn't help but smile.
Truthfully, ever since moving to Rose Territory, we hadn't had much time alone together, which left me a bit wistful. Rozalin had been quite accommodating to my other lovers too, making this time feel all the more precious.
My other lovers adored her immensely, of course, but Rozalin had been my first in that sense—irreplaceable.
"Good morning, Mother."
"Yes, good morning to you too, my daughter. Did you sleep well?"
"Of course. It's been ages since I relaxed like this in such a comfortable place without a care in the world."
"Hee-hee... I'm glad. Seeing you so happy makes me happy too."
After our restful sleep, we simply chatted intimately, pressed close from the morning on.
Once we'd passed the time that way, we slowly made our way to the bathroom.
We undressed casually and began our bath without a second thought.
"What do you think of a tub like this, Mother?"
"Hm?"
"The bathroom back at Leonhardt Mansion had one like a public bath—huge. But this one's a bit smaller. Probably fits five or six people max before it's full. Do you prefer this size?"
I brought it up after we'd both washed up.
The tub we were in wasn't large, but it was a reasonable size for a few people.
Smaller than the one at Leonhardt Mansion in every way, yet it felt just fine.
"Hmm... This one's nice, and the one at Leonhardt Mansion was nice too. That one was big enough to swim in."
"True. The water was a bit deeper than this."
"But I love both. The small one lets me press close to Camellia more comfortably. The big one lets me relax with Camellia and the other lovers together."
"So it doesn't matter either way?"
"Hee-hee, pretty much."
Well, I hadn't expected Rozalin to have some profound opinion on it anyway.
Given her personality, she'd naturally go with whatever was comfortable.
"What about you, my daughter? Which do you prefer?"
"I like both. That's why I brought it up with you."
"Hee-hee, thinking of remodeling Rose Mansion soon?"
"You noticed right away, even without me saying."
"Hee-hee... That's because I'm Camellia's mother."
Hiding anything from Rozalin was truly difficult.
She'd always had a knack for reading me subtly, and after over ten years as mother and daughter, it was inevitable.
Of course, if I really tried to hide something, I could do it perfectly enough that even she wouldn't notice.
"But even as lovers now, I still want to remain Camellia's mother."
"You're right, Mother. The line between treating you as a lover and as my mother has blurred so much."
"Hee-hee, has it?"
It was true.
If before there had been a clear boundary, now it had mostly crumbled away.
I couldn't view Rozalin in just one role anymore, and strictly separating her in my mind felt impossible, so those thoughts came naturally.
Not that it bothered either of us.
"Want to check out that mountain today? No real hiking since it'd be tiring—just view it from up close."
"That sounds fun. Shall we do as you say, Mother?"
"Hee-hee, then that's the plan. Shall we head out now? We need breakfast too."
As our talk wrapped up, Rozalin started to rise from the tub.
It was indeed time for breakfast, as she said... but this was the true first day of our trip alone together.
So.
"Mother, hold on a moment."
"What's wrong? Want to stay in the tub longer?"
"No, not that. I just want a hug."
"Hee-hee, of course I'd do that."
At my words, Rozalin casually embraced me while I remained seated in the tub.
Our bodies, warmed by the hot water, felt wonderful together.
From there, it naturally led to a kiss—we embraced effortlessly, our lips and tongues intertwining.
Starting from the morning.
*
After that morning, we ate the simple sandwiches Rozalin made before heading out.
We dressed in clothes suitable for activity.
You know, like a dress with a wide-brimmed skirt.
"Maybe because there are so many trees? Aside from the sunlight, it feels refreshingly cool. Nice, right?"
"The sunlight isn't too intense either, which helps."
"Hee-hee, true. But the weather's getting warmer these days, isn't it? Already July."
"Yeah. It's heating up, but definitely cooler here than Rose Territory. Not just around the edges—the village itself has tons of trees, so that must be why."
Rose Territory's trees ringed the village, but in Bosko, they weren't just peripheral—they practically claimed parts of the village itself.
Walking around here meant endless green trees and grass filling your view.
"Being here really calms the mind."
"Hee-hee, does it?"
I started chatting like that while strolling hand-in-hand with Rozalin.
Far fewer people than Rose Territory, and so quiet—it really appealed to me.
Personally, I enjoyed business and work, but arriving at a place this serene...
Made me appreciate it more than expected.
Like the time I'd spent in Ivana's Northern Region home, perhaps?
Especially reminiscent of those vast plains she'd shown me.
"How about it? We're not up for actual hiking stamina-wise... but viewing the mountain from here is fine, right?"
"Yes, it looks great. Having a mountain like this right by home would be so restful for the eyes every morning. Perfect for glancing away when paperwork tires you out."
"Hee-hee. Maybe we should put a little potted plant in your office next time."
"That sounds good."
The mountain wasn't enormously scaled, overall.
Not overwhelmingly grand, but solidly impressive. After wandering its base pleasantly with Rozalin, we ended up at a nearby small café.
Not a private room café—just a plain spot for casual chatter over time.
"Nice..."
"Pfft, yeah?"
"Yeah. Is it my age? Wandering around outside feels more tiring than when I was younger."
"Pffft..."
She wasn't even thirty yet.
Her fussing over age already was awfully cute.
Honestly, Rozalin looked incredibly young.
But her constant age worries were probably all because of me.
Starting a romance at her age with someone ten years younger... it was only natural.
Well, I didn't mind at all.
Even if she were 30, 31, or 35, her age wouldn't faze me much.
She already felt around my age at 29, after all.
Of course, Rozalin had that... mature? Ripe? Aura about her.
It made others see her more as an older sister than me.
Anyway, the point was: Rozalin fretted over her age, but I and everyone else never saw her as her actual years.
Her looks alone...
"Hm?"
"...You're beautiful, Mother."
"Wh-what...? So sudden? Without any warning, it's... a bit embarrassing."
"It's true. You're stunning. Honestly, Mother, you're so incredibly beautiful that... I kind of want to head back to the inn right now."
"Y-you should say things like that when we're alone...?"
Is that so?
Eh, I didn't care.
My voice was pitched just for Rozalin—no one else would hear.
And it was sincere.
No reason not to say it.