Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Balcony Respite
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"Hmm."
I was back in the guest house alone.
I'd originally thought I'd stick by Rozalin's side the whole time.
But contrary to my expectations... here I was, by myself.
"Lize."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"Hmm... It seems the Rose Family's decline—not total ruin, but their fading momentum—had its reasons."
"...Young Lady."
Of course, that made sense, but their treatment of me was so poor that I couldn't help thinking this way.
Sending me away so they could talk family matters... I understood, but...
Couldn't there have been a kinder way?
We'd even had lunch together and dessert afterward—there was no need to send me off like this.
The Family Head had specifically said they needed to speak among Rose Family members, so Rozalin had no choice...
"Tch..."
It wasn't a great feeling.
"Do they hate Leonhardt that much? Honestly, I don't get it."
"Hmm..."
"I haven't even been a burden since coming here—I've only done good things, right?"
"That's true, but..."
"Treating me like this is just stupid, in my opinion."
Wasn't it weird?
Even if the gap between viscount and count was significant... they treated me like some mongrel dog.
And these were people who had less money than me and essentially lived off our family's support.
"If Mother weren't there, I would've really lost my temper."
"...Still, holding back is..."
"Lize."
"...I'm sorry."
I could guess why Lize was reacting this way.
This was the Rose Family mansion, after all.
Even in our private guest house space, saying things like this could cause problems.
But...
"I know, but how can I not get mad?"
"...That's true."
There was nothing for it.
Being left alone in the guest house like this naturally felt awful.
"Sigh..."
Anyway, I was just sitting quietly on the balcony with Lize, resting.
Rozalin was probably still talking with the Rose Family members.
Of course, I didn't particularly want to chat with them either, so I wasn't too bothered.
Was it because they deliberately excluded me? I could roughly guess the conversation topics.
Rozalin had tried steering away from unwanted subjects as much as possible, but the Rose Family kept bringing up Leonhardt-related matters.
Without me there, they'd surely talk even more freely.
"Lize, ask one of the idle cooks to make some shaved ice."
"Understood. Fruit toppings as usual?"
"Yeah."
When Rozalin had no choice but to excuse herself, I'd brushed it off with a smile, but thinking back still made me angry.
Chewing on some ice might help cool me down.
*
I passed the time alone, munching on shaved ice and reading up on other Rose Family info.
I'd returned after lunch, but Rozalin didn't come back until a full three hours later.
"Camellia, did you rest well?"
"Yes, I rested fine. Did you... have a good talk, Mother?"
"Of course I did. I just caught up a bit with family I hadn't seen in ages."
Rozalin spoke with the slightest...
barely noticeable ambiguous expression.
"Since it had been so long, there was more to talk about than I expected... Haha..."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it was mostly other topics rather than recent news... You might've found it boring if you'd heard, Camellia...? Yeah..."
"It must've been great catching up happily with your family after so long."
"Huh? Oh... yeah? It's been four years, haha..."
I responded completely normally.
Treating Rozalin with casual words and actions.
My eyes and mouth smiled as if genuinely congratulating her.
But unlike my reactions, Rozalin kept showing awkwardness toward me.
The conversation topics must've been uncomfortable for her in various ways.
I could tell just from her expression—no words needed.
"Oh, Mother."
"Yes?"
"While you were talking, we brought in another piece of furniture. Want to see it?"
"Oh, right..."
There were things I wanted to say, but I decided against it.
Rozalin looked tired, after all.
"It's in the third-floor lounge now—let's go up."
"Hehe, got it. Be careful not to trip; go slow."
Making Rozalin more tired would be worse than letting her relax.
I'd already seen it and used it while waiting for her... but she hadn't.
So, Rozalin and I slowly climbed to the third floor.
It was where our rooms were, but across from those rooms was the balcony.
"A sofa?"
"Yes, not a huge one since it's not for crowds, but I thought it'd be nice to use here like this."
"The view from here really is great. But isn't it more comfortable viewing from the room?"
"That might be, but here you don't see other Rose Mansion buildings—just the territory scenery."
Rozalin gazed out at the view as she spoke.
Unlike from my room, only the territory's landscapes were visible.
That was actually the intent in setting this spot up for easy outdoor viewing.
Even inside a Rose Family building, I hated how well the other mansion structures were visible from the windows.
"It's so clean and nice-looking, right?"
"...Definitely. It's really great."
Of course, I'd chosen it purely for the amazing view too.
The sunlight wasn't too harsh—perfectly moderate.
"Lize, could you bring some drinks? Not tea—something cool."
"Yes, understood."
After assigning Lize the task, I started heading inside the balcony.
I'd been outside looking out until just now.
And you can't really rest just standing there gazing, right?
"Mother, want to rest here a bit?"
"...Shall I?"
"Lize is bringing drinks anyway. Sit and relax comfortably."
I said that to Rozalin, and we both sat on the balcony's sofa.
Rozalin must've been exhausted in her own way.
Even with me there, she hadn't liked the Leonhardt topics much—without me, it must've been worse.
"...This is comfy."
"Right?"
"Yeah. Really... comfy. Just sitting here quietly overlooking the territory like this."
"That grass at the territory's edge is super pretty too."
"Hehe, isn't it? I've thought it was beautiful since I was little."
We just sat side by side on the sofa, taking in the view.
The mansion was on a hill, giving a picturesque panorama of the entire territory at a glance.
"Young Lady."
"Oh, Lize. Thanks."
"This is lemonade, next to it iced tea. I brought different flavors for now... but if you'd like others, I'll fetch them."
"No, thanks for bringing them. This fine for you, Mother?"
"Yeah, of course."
So, we sipped cool drinks.
Letting Rozalin—who was worn out from family—rest a little.
I didn't talk much, and unless she spoke first, I just stayed quiet.
...?
...Was she really that drained from talking?
Rozalin fell asleep.
Right there, lying on the balcony's sofa.
Uh... she fell asleep.
"...This wasn't in the plan."
I'd meant to let her rest, but not actually sleep.
Yet there she was, fast asleep contrary to my thoughts.
"...How exhausted did they make her?"
I'd never seen Rozalin fall asleep from fatigue like this before.
What could I even say?
They were her family, but showed no consideration for her, just spouting nonsense nonstop.
I couldn't understand why.
I got them targeting me with weird talk, but dragging Rozalin down with upsetting stuff? Unnecessary.
"For now... maybe get a blanket."
Pushing bad thoughts aside, I decided to get up.
The weather was warm, but sleeping in just clothes wasn't good.
Better cover Rozalin's stomach at least.
*
Resting quietly beside the sleeping Rozalin, one thing became certain.
Well, I'd thought it before, but watching her so closely confirmed it.
As her daughter, it was definitely wrong to think this... but I couldn't shake it.
......
Rozalin's figure lying next to me was truly beautiful.
Just purely a beautiful body.
"...Ha."
Really, thinking this... felt wrong.
But my eyes kept drifting there.
I'd always known Rozalin was pretty, with a great figure too.
But staring at her lying there so still... it felt really strange.