Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: A Surprise Nap and Lunch Outing
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After Rozalin entered the mansion, my daily life changed just a tiny bit. Definitely.
It wasn't like anything huge had shifted. It was just that there were more reasons to smile than before. Probably because I finally had a proper conversation partner.
"Lize?"
"Yes, Young Lady."
"Does Mother have any plans for lunch today?"
I'd already checked on my own and knew she didn't. But I still asked. After all, I hadn't formally invited her to join me for lunch.
Oh, by the way, Lize is my exclusive maid. She was originally the daughter of a viscount family, but like Rozalin... well, you know.
If she'd been a completely ordinary commoner, she couldn't have become my exclusive maid in the first place. It worked out well for everyone: I got a maid who listened well and was easy to talk to, and her family received a hefty sum of money.
"Madam Rozalin has an empty schedule this afternoon. She plans to start her official duties as the matriarch of the Leonhardt Family next week, after this weekend passes."
"I see... Then, could you let Mother know I'd like to have lunch together in a bit?"
"Of course."
Looking at Lize made me think of Rozalin for some reason. Maybe because they both had similar black hair.
Of course, they didn't look exactly alike. Their eye colors were different, and Lize had a slightly sharper impression.
"Lize."
"Yes."
"Does anyone in your family have ties to the Rose Family?"
"Not that I recall. There might be some connection through my grandparents or further back, but my parents definitely aren't from any Rose Family."
"I see."
Hmm... I ended up associating her with Rozalin without thinking. But if you really consider it, the odds of someone from a count family being connected to Lize's side are slim to begin with.
What can I say? Lately, I'd been spending so much time with Rozalin that these kinds of thoughts popped into my head unbidden.
Even at bedtime, I'd hug my pillow tight and wonder what Rozalin's embrace would feel like. While strolling in the garden, I'd ponder ways to get even closer to her. I'd think about gifts she might like. Lately, those thoughts had filled my mind constantly.
Honestly, it didn't seem like it benefited me much.
"Lize, what do you think of the mother who just joined us?"
"I think she's a good person. Our family doesn't have the best reputation, but she never let it show when she joined us."
"Hmm... Yeah, that's true."
We all knew it.
How short the Leonhardt Family's history was, and how the long-established families loved to badmouth us.
Starting from the family head, I knew it myself, and so did the butler, the maids, and the servants.
"Well, that reputation is gradually improving anyway."
"Yes."
William was putting in more effort than you'd expect to build that reputation. Not just for the sake of a good name, of course, but to move on to the next stage and make even more money.
Anyway, Lize's words were reasonable and true.
I didn't see Rozalin as a bad person either. She looked nothing like William—whom I still hadn't met, by the way—and that alone was a plus. But more than that, she treated me kindly from the start.
On top of that, she never uttered a harsh word, even though the Leonhardt Family—far from having a dignified name in the eyes of true nobles—was nicknamed something like "little foxes."
Sometimes William's antics irritated me, but I still felt a sense of belonging. After all, it was my family that raised and supported me.
"Well, at least she's better than the previous mother. That's for sure."
"I agree."
"Oh, by the way, Lize? What did you decide about the tea party? You talked to the butler, right?"
"For now, since it's premature to invite count or duke families, we've decided to invite ladies from viscount and baron families."
"Hmm... I see. Can I pick the guest list?"
"Naturally. I'll pass it along to the butler today."
"Yeah, thanks."
We chatted a bit more, then Lize went back to her duties.
At first, bossing around Lize—who was three years older than me—felt awkward. After all, in my previous life, I wasn't the type to give orders to people.
But now I was used to it. I'd been living in this world for eight years already.
It would be weirder if I hadn't adapted. With servants all around, and now a personal maid, staying awkward forever wasn't an option.
"More importantly, what should we prepare for lunch today..."
I like simple things, but Rozalin seems more aristocratic.
Unlike me, who was content with meat and sweet desserts, she appreciated finer cuisine. Something like that.
Of course, our family chefs could handle a decent level of cooking, so it wasn't a huge issue. It was just that on days like today—when I made plans and had to choose a lunch menu—I wasn't sure what she'd like best.
Anyway, I'd already finished the homework my tutor assigned this morning and wrapped up that Northern Region project I'd discussed with another tutor last time. Essentially, I now had free time to do whatever.
So, I was going to invite Rozalin to lunch.
"Hehe."
Maybe because I'd been an adult before, but having this kind of idle relaxation time felt amazing.
It sometimes made me feel like a NEET, but I was only eight.
If anything, wasn't it weird for William to quiz me on business matters? I actually ran a few small ventures myself. Nothing too ordinary, I thought.
"Huuu..."
Anyway, lounging like this—hugging a pillow and just resting—was the best.
Lately, spending time with Rozalin was even better, but when I couldn't, relaxing like this without a care in the world...
"Hehe..."
Felt great. Yeah.
The blankets were warm, the pillow soft and squishy—I wanted to hug it forever.
It made my eyes drift shut without me realizing. But I didn't mind the feeling, so I let them close. It felt so good.
And then...
"Huh...!"
I fell asleep.
Straight-up passed out. Sure, I was an eight-year-old kid, but still—I dozed off way too easily without meaning to.
I'd been supposed to have lunch with Rozalin... Time... I needed to check the time first. As I sat up in bed, the first thing I saw were green eyes.
"...Mother?"
"You're finally awake."
"Ah, um........."
I panicked.
I wasn't the type to get flustered easily, but I did.
Why was Rozalin here, of all places?
Okay, it wasn't a big deal if I thought about it, but waking up to the very person I'd made lunch plans with threw me off completely.
"You were sleeping so soundly that I didn't want to disturb you. I wondered if I'd made a mistake coming in."
"N-No... I... Sorry..."
It wasn't her fault anyway.
I'd just hugged my pillow, lain there, and conked out on my own. And I was the one who'd suggested lunch, not her.
"Lunch..."
"Of course we haven't eaten yet. We agreed to eat together, right?"
..........
Normally, the person who'd been stood up would be annoyed.
But Rozalin just smiled at me with a completely nonchalant expression. Meanwhile, I was the flustered one. I felt so guilty I didn't know what to do.
Part of it was from just waking up, and the situation itself was embarrassing.
"Aww, no need to feel that bad about it."
"...Okay."
"You're still young, Camellia. Kids your age nap whenever they want, nice and easy."
..........
Rozalin stroked my head as she said it.
It was so different from anything I'd heard before. More familial than anyone I'd encountered in eight years.
"Oh dear, is the room a bit warm? Your face is a little flushed..."
"N-No...! It's just... I... I want some water..."
Embarrassed, I pushed her hand away and got out of bed. If I stayed like that, I might lean into the unfamiliar coziness.
"You don't have to be so shy about it. Hehe."
"...Shall we go eat lunch?"
"Of course. That's why I was waiting here, right? Truth be told, I was planning to have lunch with my cute daughter today from the start."
As she spoke so cheerfully, I started changing clothes with Lize's help—she'd entered the room at some point.
It was the usual routine, nothing special, but having someone else in the room made it feel different. I found myself trying to cover up without thinking.
"That dress suits you perfectly."
"Does it...? It's just a plain one."
"They say clothes are your wings, you know? It's because our Camellia is so pretty."
..........
We had exchanges like that.
Anyway, once I was dressed, we left the room together.
Rozalin wore the black dress I'd prepared for her last time, while I put on my usual one. Normally, we'd eat something simple in the mansion, but today was different.
I'd meant to ask the chefs to prepare something, but after what happened...
To forget my embarrassment with even tastier food. And beyond that, to treat Rozalin to something better and show her around outside the mansion.
"Camellia?"
"Yes, Mother."
As our carriage headed toward a restaurant outside the mansion, Rozalin called to me.
"Who's the girl next to you? I don't know everyone who works in the mansion yet."
"Ah..."
Of course.
Lize was my exclusive maid, so she wouldn't cross paths with Rozalin often yet. She'd informed her about lunch today, but still.
Rozalin had only been in the mansion a few days anyway.
So, until we arrived at the restaurant outside—which wasn't far—we passed the time introducing Lize to her. It didn't take long.
Anyway... the restaurant. I hope she likes it.