Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Cabin Codename
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"Do we really have to come all the way out here?"
"Then where do you suggest we meet?"
"Hmm... I don't know that either? This isn't even my house."
Night had fallen, and I'd followed Alexandra to that cabin.
Honestly, trudging all the way here was a huge hassle... but since there wasn't anywhere else convenient to meet, it made sense.
"Don't make a fuss and just sit down already."
"Hmm... You put up blackout curtains especially so the light doesn't show outside, didn't you?"
"Sigh... I said sit still."
"And the lighting in here isn't candles—it's magic tools on purpose, right? Since a wooden cabin could catch fire."
"Ugh..."
The first time I'd come to this cabin, I'd been too focused on getting to the point to look around, but this time I was taking a proper tour of the place.
It was so small that I could see the whole thing without much walking, and I'd never stayed in a place like this before, so it was kind of fascinating.
While Alexandra prepared the tea, I wandered around the cabin on my own, checking things out.
Not that there was much to see—it was just a cabin, after all.
"The tea's ready... so sit down already."
"Got it. Why are you getting mad?"
"...Tch."
"So. What did you want to talk about today? Didn't we agree not to do anything for now?"
I'd come, but I didn't think we had anything urgent to discuss.
So why had she called me here?
Just like last time, I'd been quietly reading some business documents in my room after dinner when a little bird had summoned me again.
"You're not planning to cut off all contact and info-sharing until you come of age, are you?"
"Hmm... I haven't really thought about it."
"...?"
"Do we need to? You've still got six whole years until then."
I was twelve right now.
Thirteen next year when I entered the Academy, three years there... then two more to turn eighteen.
It was a long way off.
"And next year I'll be at the Academy anyway. Can't you just send letters there?"
"...No."
"Oh?"
"I'm serious about the offer I made you. Even if it's a long time away, I plan to prepare steadily and thoroughly."
"Hmm..."
She seemed even more sincere than I'd expected.
I didn't like Christina much myself, but I hadn't anticipated Alexandra being this dead set on it.
She was still real family, and it wasn't like she was causing her any real harm, right?
If it were Rozalin doing this... I might have seen it coming, but Alexandra? No way.
"Why do you hate Christina so much, anyway?"
"Because I hate her."
"...?"
"No reason. I just do."
"I see...?"
It was a pretty vague answer.
But at least it was crystal clear that Alexandra really, really hated Christina.
Her expression was just so venomous.
"Hmm... I don't have any personal contacts or anything separate."
For business or dealings with other families, I used the name Camellia Leonhardt, with the Leonhardt Mansion as the address.
Nothing else.
"Can't you just send letters to our house?"
"Given the content, you're saying to just mail it like that?"
"...Is there a problem?"
No... wouldn't it be fine to just send it?
I'd exchanged pretty much all my letters through regular post so far...?
"With the kind of content that'd be in those letters, what if someone sees them?"
"Hmm..."
"Even if it's a public service, it's best to prepare for the worst."
"You're not wrong."
She had a point.
I'd admit that much.
But then how were we supposed to send really important letters?
The only thing that came to mind was...
"The only thing I can think of is the Information Guild."
That was it.
Excluding the Information Guild, I didn't feel like there was anything safe enough for handling this kind of thing secretly.
At least not from what I knew.
"The Information Guild's fine. I use them a lot myself."
"...Then why not just say from the start to go through them?"
"I thought you had something better."
"...You're overestimating me."
Yeah.
A bit much, even.
Sure, I was pretty impressive, but the hype was still over the top.
Expecting that much from a twelve-year-old kid.
"You've used the Information Guild before, right?"
"Yeah... but not specifically for mail."
"Then we'll need to set up a separate account... tch..."
"It's not hard. We can just make one. I'm already a customer there anyway."
"...True, I guess."
It was sudden, but nothing that'd cause real issues.
A hassle, sure, but I could handle it next time I went to the Information Guild. And if it was for getting back at Christina, it was necessary.
Even with six years left.
"...Hey."
"Yes? What is it?"
As I sipped my tea and sat quietly, Alexandra called out to me again.
What now?
"Once we set up the new account at the Information Guild, send letters under the names Rose and Canary."
"Pardon?"
"...Send letters to Rose and Canary."
"...Are those names they use at the Information Guild?"
"Whatever."
"...No, just..."
It came out of nowhere.
Suddenly Rose and Canary...
"Pfft..."
"...Why are you laughing?"
"Oh, nothing. Um... just a different thought crossed my mind."
Rose and Canary...
Rose probably referred to the family, and Canary... maybe that little bird?
I wasn't big on birds or animals, but I had a hunch.
Her tastes seemed kind of cute.
"Why are you still laughing?"
"Sorry. So... create a new account at the Information Guild and send letters to Rose and Canary, right?"
"Yeah, since I can't send letters to accounts that don't exist yet."
"Hehe... Got it. I'll do that."
It was amusing that she thought those were just normal codenames, but I didn't explain why I was laughing.
Ignorance was half the fun, after all.
"Pfft..."
"...?"
Did she really have no idea why I was laughing?
I'd thought she was a bit dim at first... but this time it was in a pure, innocent way.
Her personality wasn't as nice as Rozalin's, but she was pretty in a normal way.
She frowned a lot, but her looks were somewhat similar to Rozalin's.
Of course, Rozalin was prettier and had a more youthful vibe.
"Oh, right. We'll be heading back to the Leonhardt Mansion soon."
After finishing the tea she'd served, I mentioned the plans I'd made with Rozalin.
Better for Christina not to know, but this one could handle it.
"Good call."
"Some crazy person hates our mother and me so much, we had no choice."
"That bitch."
"Pfft."
Anyway, I probably wouldn't see this one for a while now.
I wrapped up by telling her about the return trip and my Academy enrollment date.
We wouldn't meet face-to-face anymore, and it'd all be through Information Guild mail from here on.
*
"Mother, the servants say everything's ready."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, we didn't have much to pack for the trip back anyway."
Rozalin and I were having a light breakfast and chatting.
So different from meals with the Rose family... this felt comfortable.
"Then we can head back to the mansion now."
"I think so."
"...We've had a lot of tiring nonsense lately, haven't we?"
"I'm fine."
It hadn't really affected me directly anyway—most of it targeted Rozalin.
Which annoyed me more, honestly.
"That's a relief. I was worried since I brought you here, that you'd just have a bad time and go home."
"No way. Coming to play with you was so much fun."
"Really...?"
"Yes. The carriage ride was nice enough, and touring the Rose Territory with you was fun too."
"Then... I'm truly glad."
If not for the Rose family drama... it would've been even better.
Still, spending time with Rozalin had been great overall.
One thing was sure: if we traveled to another territory next time, anywhere but here.
The vast estate nestled in the fields was pretty and pleasant to look at, sure.
But the Rose family ruined it.
"Camellia. Before we go, want to tour the territory a bit more together?"
"Shall we?"
"I doubt your parents or sisters will call for me again anyway. I just want to spend time with you."
"If that's what you want, Mother, of course."
No plans for daytime anyway.
Nights had the occasional outing because of someone, but days were free.
And we wouldn't be back here for a while.
Might as well enjoy what was left with Rozalin before leaving.
"There are other great spots besides that dessert cafe we went to last time. You'd definitely like them."
"If you say so, Mother, I know I will."
"Hehe... You love sweet things so much, Camellia. I'm sure you'll love it."
"Sweets?"
"Yeah. Different vibe from last time, but definitely your thing."
Was it because she was Rozalin?
She nailed my tastes perfectly.
I'd always snacked on sweets at the mansion, so she couldn't not know.
She'd restricted them sometimes, like with that shaved ice decree...
Anyway, point was, I was looking forward to the next few days wandering around with her.
And the fact that I'd soon be rid of this wretched Rose family.