Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Awkward Mornings and Subtle Provocations
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After hearing that story yesterday, I kept glancing at Rozalin.
It couldn't be helped, since I'd heard it.
It was just so... unexpected. I had no idea how to handle it.
-Clink...
-Clink...
Maybe because of that.
Breakfast this morning was unusually quiet.
Normally, Rozalin would talk to me, and I'd talk to her, making for a relaxed meal.
But today, neither of us could bring ourselves to speak first.
Even in the silence, the atmosphere was so awkward that swallowing felt like it wasn't really going down.
The stories about Rozalin's background that I'd heard yesterday, and everything tied to them.
Most of those were too heavy to just brush off.
-Clink...
...I was chewing the meatball in my mouth, but it didn't feel like I was chewing.
Really... I'd never felt this strained sharing a meal with Rozalin before.
How did I end up hearing something like that...
"...Camellia, I'm heading out first."
"...Okay."
In the middle of the meal, Rozalin stood up first.
Her plate still had food left on it... but she probably wasn't comfortable either.
Her expression hadn't been great even when she brought it up yesterday.
For Rozalin, who had sobered up and now remembered everything from last night, it must have been even harder.
"Sigh..."
With that, Rozalin ended her meal and returned to her room.
I... stayed seated at the table.
"...Lize."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"...Bring me something cool to drink."
...Only after Rozalin left could I finally say it.
It felt like my throat was closing up the whole time I was trying to eat.
Without something cool to drink, it would only get more suffocating—I couldn't help it.
"Sigh..."
I'd been fine hearing the story yesterday, but somehow, things felt worse now that we were both awake.
"What should I do."
My mind was racing in all directions.
*
"Camellia."
Separate from having heard that story from Rozalin.
We were at the Rose Family estate.
"Alexandra sister said we should have tea a bit later. Want to come along...?"
"......"
Normally, she would have said it with a smile, but today's Rozalin was clearly different.
A bit cautious.
Like she was gauging my reaction.
It made me feel kind of sorry for her.
I'd been the one to start asking questions yesterday, and it felt like this awkwardness stemmed from that—I really did feel bad.
"Sure, let's go together."
So I... just accepted.
It wasn't Rozalin's fault to begin with, yesterday or otherwise.
I might not be able to act completely normal, but the best thing was to make sure she didn't feel uncomfortable.
After all, none of it had been our fault from the start.
"Then, want to change and come down? I'll wait on the first floor."
"Yes, I'll change quickly. Um... could you call Lize for me?"
"Sure..."
...We were still a bit awkward with each other, but we managed to continue the conversation while being considerate.
At least compared to breakfast this morning... it was much better.
"...Lize."
Rozalin left, and Lize entered my room.
I needed to change into a dress anyway, and there were other preparations.
"What's the matter, Young Lady."
"Among my accessories. What's the most expensive one?"
"...Pardon?"
Normally, I collected a lot of accessories, but I didn't wear them often.
They just got in the way, you know?
Regardless of how pretty they were, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings didn't feel all that comfortable.
I usually didn't bother with them.
But... today, I was thinking differently.
"No, never mind. Nothing too flashy—just something expensive but understated relative to its price."
"...I'll look into it."
"Yeah, thanks."
They were people with nothing but their bloodline.
No, considering they were a count's family yet the head fooled around with a commoner woman and got her pregnant, they didn't even have that.
The pig in our family played around outside too, but at least he hadn't gotten anyone pregnant yet.
It was shocking in many ways, but William truly had no other children besides me.
For the Leonhardt family to avoid something like that, was the count's family still as prestigious and pedigreed as they claimed?
Enough to torment Rozalin at their whim?
Ever since hearing the story from her last night, I'd been in a foul mood about it.
"...It'll be fine."
"...?"
Lize, who was helping me dress, looked at me, but she was my person anyway.
Even if she knew what I was thinking, it was no problem.
Of course, I wasn't planning to tell her right now.
"Young Lady, um... what style would you like?"
"Hmm..."
Lize brought my jewelry box and showed me some of the accessories inside.
Sapphire ring, ruby earrings, emerald earrings... a variety of pieces.
I'd received gems instead of cash sometimes during business deals, or through other transactions.
There were even more in the imperial bank vault.
"What do you think would look best on me, Lize?"
"...Everything would suit you, Young Lady."
"No canned answers—be honest."
"...I mean it."
"Lize."
She was my exclusive maid, sure, but wasn't this just forced flattery?
How could everything suit someone perfectly?
Rozalin and Lize were stunning, but they'd look off in weird outfits, obviously.
"Pick something quick. They all seem about the same price anyway."
"........"
I glanced over them, but nothing in this box stood out as exceptionally pricey.
The really valuable stuff was probably the ones I'd stored in the bank before.
Well... these jewels alone could have bought the guest building before I remodeled it.
I figured this would do.
"Then... how about these earrings."
"Yeah?"
"Yes, the rubies are more vibrant than other stones, and they should go well with the dress you're wearing instead of a necklace..."
"Then we'll go with these. Help me put them on?"
"Of course."
Lize was better at styling me than I was.
It was smarter to just follow her advice.
"Hmm..."
I turned my head slightly in the mirror, and there I was—dressed a bit more glamorously than usual.
Not overly revealing or anything, but definitely sparkly all around.
"Pretty."
It was my face, but the original owner was beautiful, after all.
Pretty much anything suited her.
...Maybe Lize was telling the truth earlier?
Once I finished changing and doing my makeup, I slowly headed downstairs.
It felt a tad overdone for just tea time, but I didn't worry much.
Whether it was too much was just my personal opinion anyway.
The Rose Family people were dressed similarly.
"Mother."
"Oh... Camellia?"
"Yes, I'm ready. Shall we go?"
"Shall we...? But... you look even prettier than usual today...?"
"Really? I just threw on a dress from the closet and added one earring from the jewelry box. I'm happy if you think so, Mother."
It was objectively pretty, but that probably wasn't what Rozalin meant.
She was likely saying I was more dressed up than my usual low-key style.
I wore shirts or casual dresses at home more often.
"...Shall we head out?"
"Yes."
After dressing up more than usual, Rozalin and I walked toward the rose garden for tea time.
She complimented my earrings and dress on the way... but that wasn't the point.
Though I was pleased, of course?
"Rozalin, there you are."
"Yes, Sister. Have you been waiting long?"
"Of course I have. It's been ages since I told you to come. And now you show up?"
"Hehe, sorry. I had a few things to do."
"Geez... sit down already. And... Miss Camellia too..."
She only now noticed me behind Rozalin.
Alexandra looked a little flustered as she glanced my way.
"...Sit."
"Yes, Aunt."
"...Fine."
Alexandra still didn't seem thrilled about me calling her Aunt.
But what could be done now? I couldn't stop.
Anyway, Rozalin, I, and Alexandra all sat at the table.
There were other maids around, but they just poured tea and handled minor tasks—nothing more.
"Camellia, care for some refreshments?"
"Sure."
She poured tea into our cups, and Rozalin and I chatted a bit.
Alexandra was just sitting quietly, after all.
"Rozalin, by the way, new earrings?"
"Oh, these?"
"Yeah. A gift from the Leonhardts?"
Alexandra suddenly turned to Rozalin and brought it up.
The earrings she was looking at were the emerald ones I'd gifted her before.
They were pretty, for sure.
Since I'd bought them myself, I knew without looking at Rozalin.
"Hmm... If you say from the Leonhardts, you could put it that way."
"What do you mean?"
"It's not from someone else—Camellia gave them to me. These."
"...Really?"
"Yes. Aren't they pretty?"
The way she looked at the earrings I'd bought.
It wasn't about bragging how expensive they were; she was just admiring the necklace I'd gifted her purely.
"...Camellia gave you those?"
"Yes. Earlier this year, I think?"
"Yes. The necklace was from before, and the earrings were a new gift this year."
As I recalled... I'd bought them along with Lize's gift that time.
It was a while ago, so memory was fuzzy, but probably right.
"Wait a second..."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Alexandra suddenly turned to me and spoke.
What was this about?
I wondered, seeing her stare.
"Miss Camellia...?"
"Yes. What is it?"
"The earrings you're wearing now... is the maker...?"
"These?"
The topic turned to my earrings suddenly.
I tilted my head to the other side so Alexandra could see them better.
"Hmm... I got them from someone in the capital a while back. Not sure exactly?"
My tone was gentler than usual.
I knew who made them, but I deliberately didn't mention it.
The Rose Family didn't know exactly what I did day-to-day, after all?
William's businesses were known, but my other ventures weren't widely publicized.
No need to say it was something I'd acquired through business.
"...I'm sure I've seen them in Marquis Ayose's family's jewelry line..."
"Marquis Ayose's family?"
"...Never mind, you don't know. Forget it."
"Whatever it is, seeing Aunt react like this, they don't seem like great earrings, do they?"
I knew the earrings' value better than anyone, but I played dumb on purpose.
Not for any special reason—just that it might irk Alexandra more this way?
"There are plenty like these, but I'm still clueless about accessories. Compared to what other nobles wear... are mine lacking?"
"...Whatever."
I hadn't said anything directly to Rozalin, but from now on, I decided to properly execute the idea I'd had when first arriving at the Rose Family.
To show them the current state of the Roses—and who between the Rose and Leonhardt families held real power now.
And as a bonus, grate on their nerves a little?