Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Four Years Later
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What can I say... Magic lessons with Ashley were more fun than I expected. I don't know what typical magic classes are like, but these were just fun.
"Basically, to cast magic, you need to concentrate your mana..."
Honestly, it might just be because the teacher has such a pretty face.
The lessons themselves were proceeding smoothly without any hitches. In fact, they were going so well it felt a bit awkward.
No, according to Rozalin, it was because I had talent.
Maybe I'm more amazing than I thought, leading to this situation. Magic seems to rely heavily on talent, after all.
Of course, I couldn't feel it yet, but every lesson with Ashley advanced to the next step. So, doesn't that mean I have talent?
"...To manifest basic magic this quickly. Impressive."
"Teacher."
"Yeah?"
"But aren't all basic spells just... like showing off a bit of fire or water?"
Everything I'd learned lately was like that.
Just manifesting mana into other substances, like Rozalin had shown me?
It was easier than expected, which felt a bit off, but I was more thrilled by the success of the spells.
Even small magic was honestly fun.
The flames flickering from my fingertips were pretty, too?
"Not exactly... That's where we'll stop for today."
"You're falling asleep again?"
"Yeah..."
...Sheesh.
She was consistent in her own way.
Rozalin was consistently kind, Karen consistently shy... and Ashley was consistently sleepy.
"Lize."
Lessons with Ashley always felt like this.
She taught impeccably during class, but right before it ended, she'd suddenly get drowsy and fall asleep.
From day one to now, her pattern never changed. There wasn't a single day she didn't nap, and outside of lessons, I hardly saw her.
Well... she taught well and was pretty, so I let it slide.
"Did you have a good lesson today?"
"Today was a bit tough. I had two lessons with other tutors in the morning, and magic was last..."
"Hee hee..."
My schedule wrapped up, and as soon as I headed to the garden for tea time with Rozalin, I practically collapsed into the chair.
I was that exhausted.
The magic lesson had been fun, sure, but two classes before it.
Lunch hadn't been enough to shake off the fatigue. So, inevitably, I ended up sprawled rudely in the chair like this.
"Ugh..."
"Camellia, have some snacks here. You must be worn out."
"Yeees..."
I popped the snack Rozalin offered into my mouth.
The sweetness melting on my tongue eased the exhaustion just a tiny bit. Probably the sugar.
It didn't fully go away, though.
"Camellia, how about a nap for old times' sake?"
"Shall we..."
I was that tired.
Normally, I'd hesitate at such a suggestion, but today I accepted without thinking.
I was exhausted, and I just wanted a break.
So, we ended up in Rozalin's room right away. A place I'd grown used to.
It would've embarrassed me before, but now it felt normal.
I'd slept here often.
"The weather's gotten warmer lately. We might need to switch the blankets soon."
"I like warm ones, too."
"Oh? Then we can change them later. Hmm... This pillow should do, right?"
I took the pillow Rozalin handed me and propped it behind my head.
Honestly, I just wanted to sleep fast.
"You seem busier lately than before, Camellia. You barely have time for me anymore."
"Can't be helped..."
It wasn't just me with more to do.
Rozalin had taken on more responsibilities around the mansion, too.
After consulting with William, she now oversaw the servants and most of the household management.
Naturally, she had more work than before, and this felt like the proper state of things.
Even as the viscountess, she'd had too little to do until now, wasting so much time.
Maybe that's why—lately, Rozalin's usual expression was brighter.
"Camellia."
"Yes..."
Still exhausted, I answered Rozalin.
Lying on my side facing her, fighting heavy eyelids.
"You seem a bit taller lately."
"...Really?"
"Yeah, definitely more than before."
"...That's good."
I was tired, but... it was sincere.
Truly a relief.
I'd been worried about being too short, so growing taller was obviously great.
...I'd even thought surpassing 140 cm would be a blessing.
"You'll grow up even prettier, Camellia."
"...If so, that'd be wonderful."
"You're the prettiest child I've ever seen."
"........"
I knew I was pretty, but Rozalin's compliments always made my cheeks heat up.
Maybe because her looks were closest to my ideal type. I often felt embarrassed without knowing why.
Of course, as mother and daughter, it was just casual praise.
"You're really pretty, too, Mother."
"Hee hee... Am I?"
"Yes. So pretty."
I gazed at Rozalin's face as I said it.
Her beauty topped everyone I'd seen.
Ella, Grace, Karen, Ashley—even including Lize, Rozalin was prettiest.
I could say it confidently.
It baffled me how William still wandered outside with such a beautiful wife.
From my perspective, it was a relief that he and the kind, gorgeous Rozalin weren't that close?
"...Mother."
"Yes?"
"Um... could I have a hug?"
The words slipped out unbidden.
Like when I asked Lize.
I just wanted to. The urge to hold Rozalin was overwhelming.
"No reason you couldn't...? But why?"
"Just... I usually hug a pillow when I sleep..."
"Ah... That does help. Sure."
Thankfully, Rozalin accepted easily.
Whether it was kindness or naivety... I wasn't sure.
"Come here, then... Hug away?"
"...Okay."
Impulsive as it was, I nestled right into Rozalin's arms.
Side by side like this, it was effortless—comfortable, even.
Warmer and softer than hugging Lize.
It strongly recalled that time we'd bathed together.
Rozalin casually stroked my hair, but I lay in her embrace, lost in strange thoughts.
Her bountiful maternal warmth...
...Savoring that. It was right there, after all.
"........"
"Hee hee, comfortable?"
"Y-Yeah..."
Her maternal presence straight ahead was too prominent to ignore with closed eyes.
Shut them, and the softness pressed more vividly; open them, and it was impossible to miss...
"Camellia."
"What...?"
"When you wake up, show me the magic you learned?"
"Sure... Of course. It's not hard..."
I murmured quietly from her arms.
Moving felt weirder than staying still.
I couldn't move.
Already touching, but more would be even stranger, so I stayed put.
Rozalin, unfazed, stroked my hair with a gentle voice.
"I'm so happy to be this close with you, Camellia."
"Yeah...?"
"Yeah. You know what the Family Head is like."
"...Yes."
My drooping eyes snapped open in her arms.
I hadn't expected her to bring up William like this.
"At first, I didn't like staying in the mansion much. It was a marriage, sure... but I felt like a puppet, just sitting around."
"...Yes."
"But you were always fine spending time with me. That meant a lot."
"........"
Her words came suddenly, but they felt like gratitude, so I stayed quiet.
I hadn't done much, though—it felt awkward.
"As an outsider, I didn't think you'd accept me easily."
"......."
"You took to me better than I hoped. Thank you."
"That's because you're a good person, Mother..."
"Hee hee, such a kind child."
"Mmph..."
She cut me off mid-sentence, hugging my head tighter.
My face buried in her chest.
All thoughts reset instantly.
No room for anything but this cozy warmth—oddly wonderful.
I couldn't speak. Even as she whispered, I just nodded.
Her heartbeat was so clear, too.
*
Several years passed like that.
Four years—longer than I'd imagined.
I'd turned twelve from eight. It was inevitably a long time.
"Camellia~!"
"What is it, Mother?"
"The academy sent papers for next year's enrollment!"
"...Really?"
"Yes!"
Over four years, I'd grown even closer to Rozalin, and to others beyond her.
Lize and Ashley, living in the same mansion, were given. Even Ella and Karen from other families.
Outsiders though they were, they visited more often than expected.
A bit annoying at times.
"I'm so relieved. I worried the Leonhardt name might block it."
"Well... No special notice means just the standard exam."
"Still, the academy acknowledging you means something."
"True."
The Leonhardt reputation had improved since childhood.
William's still lingered, but overall, it was decent now.
Probably from hanging out with well-known local ladies like the Niesista and Rosaki heirs.
Plus, my business ventures had earned a fortune, swelling our already ample wealth.
Now, even established nobles couldn't dismiss us—I could buy a castle or two without issue.
"The academy, huh..."
"Why?"
"Oh? Just... realizing how much older I'm getting."
"You're only twenty now."
Like me, Rozalin had aged... maturing in many ways.
"Hee hee, there's a big difference between teens and twenties."
"...If you say so, Mother."
"You used to be such a cute, clingy daughter. Lately, you're so distant—it makes me sad."
"...That was when I was little."
She was right.
My attitude toward Rozalin had shifted slightly.
Not because I disliked her—far from it. Just... treating her like before felt wrong now.
"...It's not because I dislike you, Mother."
"Still. I preferred the old cute, affectionate Camellia...?"
I wanted to, but I couldn't help it. Treating the more mature, even prettier Rozalin like a child was impossible.
Honestly, it was more her fault than mine—I thought.