Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Christina Rose
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The Rose Family had long been known among central bureaucrats for holding high positions.
Thanks to that, there was a time when they were truly thriving as the emperor's closest aides.
They protected the capital through their territory adjacent to it, while serving as the emperor's retainers within the city itself—a truly remarkable house.
"...How did such a family end up like this?"
She gazed out from her room.
More precisely, at the building used by the Rose Family, lost in such thoughts.
"Even in the previous generation, the Family Head worked as a central bureaucrat... so how is it that the current one..."
He simply did nothing, lounging comfortably in the mansion.
Was it his own choice, or was he genuinely lacking in ability?
Either way, it wasn't an ordinary sight.
He wasn't some soldier, and he wasn't too old to serve as a bureaucrat.
Most emperors, in fact, kept elderly retainers for their wisdom, didn't they?
"...Must be a lack of talent."
It wasn't certain, but she could guess.
Anyway, yesterday had only involved a meal, but today she would do more with the Rose Family beyond just eating.
Not that she had high expectations.
- Knock knock.
As she idly watched outside while waiting, a knock came.
Probably Lize.
"Lize, come in."
"Young Lady."
"Time to go now?"
"Yes. Madam said it's time to leave."
"Got it. Hmm... You can't come along today anyway, so just rest, Lize. There's nothing for you to do, and the other servants are off too, right?"
Personally, she wanted to bring Lize along, but there was no helping it.
These people were already giving her enough grief.
If she brought her maid Lize, they'd surely subject Lize to even stranger nonsense.
So she had to leave Lize here and go with just Rozalin.
"Understood. Um... Young Lady?"
"Yeah, what is it?"
As she was about to leave the room, Lize suddenly called out to her.
What could it be?
"...If the Rose Family says anything strange to you, please don't overreact right away."
"Oh, that? I know enough not to fall for that."
"...But you do have a habit of stirring things up sometimes."
"Even so, I won't do it in front of Mother, so no need to worry."
She understood Lize's concern, but she wasn't a complete fool.
Of course, as Lize said... she did sometimes act on sudden impulses.
Like buying all that furniture recently, or other past incidents, but she'd been on her best behavior around Rozalin.
"Camellia, are you ready?"
"Yes, all set."
She arrived on the first floor where Rozalin waited.
Rozalin stood quietly by the entrance.
In a simply pretty black dress.
"Hmm... Shall we head out?"
"Yes, let's go."
"By the way, what do you think they want to do today that they're asking us to come along? It's not just lunch, and inviting us to tour the territory... I have no idea."
"Same here..."
It was a mystery to both Rozalin and her.
The Rose Family had suddenly suggested they all head to the territory together today.
But why bring it up, and why include her too?
Honestly, it made no sense.
"The others went ahead, right? Because of other business?"
"Yeah. They said they went down to the territory first for something."
"Hmm... What could it really be?"
"Who knows..."
Their unpredictability made it all the more baffling.
What strange thing were they planning this time? She wasn't sure whether to look forward to it or worry.
*
The carriage brought them to... a restaurant.
It looked fairly upscale, with a pretty exterior.
Even the name, Palace in the Woods, gave it a certain grandeur.
"...Did they call us for lunch after all?"
"I hope so. We haven't eaten yet."
They hadn't had lunch, and this was better than some weird reason for summoning them.
Given these odd people, she half-expected something bizarre... so this seemed preferable.
Anyway, she and Rozalin entered the restaurant together.
No line, and as soon as they opened the door, a counter staff member spotted them and led them to a table.
And then...
"Ah, Rozalin. You're here."
"...Christina Sis?"
"It's been so long—feels nostalgic. Have you been well?"
She spotted the Rose Family at the table.
The Family Head and his wife from yesterday were there, of course, along with the second daughter Alexandra as expected... but there was also a new face.
Christina Rose.
The eldest daughter of the Rose Family.
"Uh... Why call us here? We could've met at the mansion and come together..."
"It's been ages since we met, so I wanted to surprise you."
It was a bit abrupt, but Christina's first impression was... better than Alexandra's, at least.
She was pretty in her own right—not quite Rozalin's level, but still—and she didn't spout bizarre nonsense proudly like Alexandra.
"And we thought we'd have a little meal together. Sit down for now. You too, Miss Camellia next to her."
Plus, she seemed aware of who she was.
All in all, not as weird as Alexandra.
Anyway, they took their seats.
"Christina arrived this morning, but she insisted on this... Heh heh..."
"Hee hee, it's been four years since seeing my little sister. I just wanted to give her a little scare."
"Haha..."
"Been well?"
"Of course I have. You too, Sis?"
"Me? Hmm... Getting by decently? Probably better than you?"
"...Glad to hear it?"
...?
Something felt... off in the atmosphere?
She'd thought it seemed fairly normal compared to Alexandra, but the more they talked, the stranger it felt.
A chilling vibe, perhaps.
Even though Rozalin and Christina were just having a casual chat, the unease grew stronger.
"Let's order from the menu first. Father, Mother, what would you like?"
...There was an awkwardness lingering, but they moved on to the next topic.
They ordered various dishes, the sisters caught up on recent events, the Family Head and wife chimed in... just ordinarily...?
"You must've been sweltering down south all this time, Rozalin? They said this summer was especially hot at the Magic Tower."
"No, it was a bit warm, but wearing light clothes made it bearable."
"Hmm... If you say so. I've never lived in the south myself."
...Hmm.
"Ah, right."
Mid-conversation, Christina spoke up louder.
She glanced at her and Rozalin with an expression like she had something to say.
"How's Viscount Leonhardt doing?"
"...The viscount?"
"Yeah. Viscount Leonhardt."
...Suddenly bringing up William.
It was abrupt.
Truly so.
Of course, William was the Leonhardt Family Head, her father and Rozalin's husband... but still.
She hadn't expected it to come up like this.
They rarely even discussed him among themselves, and during their stay with the Rose Family so far, it hadn't arisen at all.
To bring it up so suddenly.
"He's doing well. As always."
"Is he now?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. We exchanged some letters before. Haven't since, and he is your husband, after all?"
"......"
"Hee hee... What is it?"
"Nothing, Sis."
....Exchanging letters with William.
What did that mean?
She could guess, but it was hard to believe Christina—the eldest daughter and Rozalin's sister—would do that.
Even if the family was declining.
Selling off the youngest daughter to a nouveau riche house... was odd, wasn't it?
Not just any nouveau riche, but to an ugly, fat merchant-turned-viscount like William... going out of her way to contact him?
"......"
But excluding that... why would Christina contact him at all?
She couldn't think of a reason for Christina to reach out to William first.
And thinking back on how Rozalin ended up in Leonhardt...
"...Ah."
"What's wrong, Camellia?"
"Oh... The food's just so delicious."
...A sudden realization hit.
It was from four years ago, something she'd forgotten and never needed to dwell on.
"...Mother, may I use the restroom?"
"Hm? Of course. Do you know where it is?"
"Yes, I saw it on the way in."
With permission, she excused herself.
In the restroom, she splashed cold water on her face.
It wasn't confirmed, just a hypothesis, but the idea was shocking.
"Even so, this is... too weird."
The original contract terms had one of the Rose daughters marrying William in exchange for a large sum of money.
William had wanted the eldest... but somehow it switched to the youngest, Rozalin.
And she'd never heard William mention corresponding with anyone but himself as Family Head.
Yet Christina had just admitted to past letters with William, leading to a disturbing hypothesis.
"She didn't want to be sold off herself. So she reached out to change the terms to Rozalin...?"
...Just a guess, but it sent chills down her spine.
To do that and then chat casually with Rozalin, probing about Leonhardt and William.
How could family treat each other like that?
"........"
Her initial impression had been that Christina seemed somewhat normal.
Now she was convinced Christina was crazier than even Alexandra.