Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: A Day Out in Rose Territory
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After finishing our meal at the restaurant, we boarded the carriage and headed to the next spot.
The suspicions about Christina swirling in my head were still just that—suspicions.
For now, I was acting like nothing was wrong, putting on a performance.
I'd always been good at acting.
"This is a place we used to come to a lot when I was little."
"Yeah, whenever I got bored as a kid, I'd come down here and wander the markets."
...Anyway, the place we ended up was the market inside the territory.
They were chatting about things only they knew, to the point where I wondered if I even needed to tag along.
"Both Christina and Alexandra spent more time at home than Rozalin did."
"You're right. Like Father said, Rozalin's the only one who wandered around outside a lot."
"But she's the youngest. Youngest kids are always the most innocent, right?"
"Hehe, maybe Mother's onto something. Out of all of us, Rozalin was the one who threw herself into academy life the most."
Of course, the occasional stories about Rozalin that came up were fine by me.
Most of them were things I didn't know about her.
Fortunately, unlike at the restaurant, they didn't bring up William or anything about the Leonhardts much.
Honestly, I didn't like hearing that stuff come out of other people's mouths.
"Camellia, is walking okay? Not uncomfortable?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"If your legs start hurting or anything while we're walking, you have to tell me, okay?"
"I'm not that frail..."
Rozalin fussed over me strangely like that while we walked through the market, but it wasn't a problem.
We weren't walking much to begin with.
We'd taken the carriage from the restaurant to the market, and now we were just strolling slowly.
Compared to the market in Melnik, this one honestly seemed smaller.
Of course, it still felt developed in its own way... The fruits that caught my eye as we passed looked fresh.
"But why the market all of a sudden?"
"Hm? Just 'cause it's been a while since I saw my little sister. Thought we'd take a family stroll."
"Hmm... How about we hit a dessert cafe a bit later, then?"
"The usual spot?"
"If it's still open."
...I had no idea what they were talking about, but they were deep in conversation among themselves.
Rozalin had suddenly suggested the dessert cafe, and the response seemed positive enough.
Honestly, for me, going into a dessert cafe beat wandering an unfamiliar market.
I liked desserts to begin with.
"Hmm... Alexandra? That dessert cafe in front of the Adventurer's Guild—is it still open?"
"Of course it is. Still super popular these days."
"What do you think, Father, Mother?"
"We're just happy to be out as a family after so long. Anywhere's fine."
With Alexandra leading the chatter, they eventually decided on the dessert cafe.
I wasn't all that amazed by the market since it was my first time, anyway.
I just wanted to get inside somewhere, anywhere, quickly.
...Laziness, basically.
*
"Camellia, their chocolate cake is amazing. You have to try it."
"I can eat by myself, so you should talk with the family..."
"Hehe, can't help wanting to take care of you."
"...Thank you."
We'd arrived at the dessert cafe.
Rozalin kept fussing over me.
People from the Rose Family glanced her way, but she ignored them.
"Rozalin."
"Yes, big sister."
Alexandra called out to Rozalin, who was still doting on me.
"How long are you staying in the territory? It's been forever since we saw you. You're not heading back right away, right?"
"Hmm... Haven't thought about it, so not sure. No plans to leave yet."
"Hmm... It's been four years, after all. You should stay longer. Right?"
"Hehe, yeah, like you said—four whole years."
Was it because of my suspicions about Christina?
Alexandra's words to Rozalin didn't worry me at all.
She hadn't mentioned anything about the Leonhardts from start to finish.
Sure, treating us like guests in a separate building felt off, but it wasn't as creepy as Christina.
Of course, Christina was still technically just a hunch in my mind—but to me, it was basically fact.
"And your daughter too... First time in Rose Territory, right? Gotta make sure she enjoys it properly."
"You're right, big sister. It's Camellia's first time here with me in my hometown. We should see everything and have fun before we go."
"Yeah, our territory's got way better scenery than the south, and it's close to the capital, right? You can't get desserts this good easily down south."
"Hehe, true."
Well... the atmosphere here wasn't outright cold, at least.
Compared to Christina and Rozalin's conversation at the restaurant earlier... this was much better.
"Alexandra? Eat your cake while we talk."
"Oh, right."
"Rozalin? You should eat cake with your daughter next to you."
"She's already devouring it on her own?"
"Hmm..."
...Rozalin wasn't usually the type for backtalk like that.
All in all, she didn't seem to like Christina much either.
"Tasty?"
"Yes, delicious."
I hadn't felt this good since arriving in Rose Territory.
But this time... it was satisfying enough.
Like Alexandra said, good desserts were hard to come by in the south.
Desserts were best in the capital, while the south focused more on meats and such.
That's why we'd even hired a specialist patissier among our family chefs.
"...The inside is super soft, and the toppings are perfect."
"Hehe, right? We've been coming here since I was little. Probably been around even before I was born."
"Really?"
"Yep. Right, Father?"
"Yeah, it was there before you were born."
"Oh......."
I was genuinely impressed.
I'd never even imagined something like that.
I'd never heard it was a shop operating before Rozalin was born.
"So amazing..."
Was it because I came from a family without deep roots?
Every now and then, I'd see something rooted like that and feel awed.
Though honestly, the desserts just tasting great probably had more to do with it.
"And it's delicious."
"Hehe, glad you like it. Here, wanna try the muffin too, not just the chocolate cake?"
"Sure."
...Was it because my body was female and young?
Unlike my past life, sweet foods always lifted my mood, making me crave more.
Not that it happened often—only if they were above average.
That's why we went out of our way to hire a specialist patissier.
"Hehe..."
...I didn't like the Rose Family, but this dessert cafe? Loved it.
If I could, I'd hire their patissier and take them back to our mansion.
"Camellia, you have foam on your mouth."
"Oh... do I?"
Rozalin suddenly pointed out foam while I was eating cake.
...Had I gotten too excited from the delicious dessert after so long?
"I'll wipe it for you. Hold still."
"You don't have to..."
"It's fine, just hold still?"
"...Okay."
...Being treated like this in front of everyone was embarrassing in so many ways.
Truly, in every way.
It wasn't anything weird, but even if my body was young, I saw myself as an adult.
So getting babied like a kid in public... of course it was embarrassing.
*
"How was touring the territory all day?"
"I... liked it. More than I expected."
"Really? That's a relief."
After spending the day around the territory, we returned to the mansion.
The Rose Family went into the main building, and naturally, we headed to the guest one.
"Truth is... there were a lot of my family around, you know? Not just Mother and Father, but both big sisters too?"
"Right."
"So I was worried you might feel uncomfortable. Surrounded by strangers and all?"
Rozalin and I were chatting like that on the first-floor terrace.
We'd just sat down to rest, but she asked how my day was, and it led to this.
"I'm just glad you were okay. Really glad."
"They're your family, Mother. No reason to feel uncomfortable."
"...Right?"
"Yeah, I don't get uneasy around people without cause...?"
"Hehe, true. Our Camellia's such a good girl."
It felt like overpraise, but I didn't get uncomfortable around people for no reason.
Though if there was a reason, sure...?
"Anyway, if you were fine, Camellia, that's great."
...Rozalin looked truly relieved as she said it.
Was there really that much to worry about?
"Hmm..."
Honestly, Rozalin seemed more worried than usual today.
Or rather, it felt just like when she first read that letter...?
"...Mother."
I had no intention of asking about the Rose Family or probing with detailed questions.
But today... was different.
We'd just had a normal day touring the territory, but Rozalin was so worried.
If I didn't bring up what was on my mind now, I felt like I wouldn't sleep tonight.
No helping it.