Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Out to See the Northern Band
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"Camellia."
"Yes, Mother. What is it?"
I was lying in my room when Rozalin suddenly came in.
We had just had lunch together and even spent some tea time before parting ways.
What could have brought her to my room so suddenly?
"Want to go out together right now?"
"...Pardon?"
A little.
No.
Actually, a lot.
I was so caught off guard that I ended up talking back without thinking.
Rozalin wasn't the type to suggest something like this out of the blue, and she rarely ever invited me to go out anywhere.
Of course, my own inactive personality played a part in that...
But still, it was definitely unexpected for Rozalin to suggest going out first.
"...Why?"
That was why I couldn't help but sound like some teenage girl in the throes of puberty.
I had no idea what had prompted her to suggest going out...
"There's this super famous band from the Northern Region in town."
"The Northern Region?"
"Yeah. I'm not super familiar with them either, but I heard they're performing in the city today."
"Oh..."
That really was unexpected.
It made sense why Rozalin had suddenly asked me to go out.
It wasn't something that happened every day, after all.
And it wasn't just any band—this was one from the Northern Region... which felt like a first.
At least, as far as I knew, it really was.
"Let's go."
"Shall we?"
"Yes. People from the Northern Region don't come here often... and a band from there? We have to see it."
"Right? That's what I thought."
I had been lying around in my room, passing the time, and even teasing Lize was starting to feel boring.
I hadn't anticipated that wrapping up my business so quickly and successfully would leave me with absolutely nothing to do...
But now, something fun had come along after a long time.
It had been ages since Rozalin and I had gone out together.
This was a perfect chance to enjoy some quality time together.
"Lize. Pick out something comfortable for me to wear. Nothing inconvenient."
"Aren't all the clothes you bought comfortable ones, Young Lady?"
"That's true, but... I don't want anything with a hem that's too long and gets in the way when I walk."
"Ah, got it."
As Lize said, most of the clothes I bought were designed for comfort.
I didn't gain weight easily, and I was short, but... I never went for anything like a corset that cinched the waist tightly.
No need for that—I could look pretty without squeezing into something like that.
"That one's good. It's nicely vibrant but not over the top."
"Young Lady, what about shoes?"
"Just something comfortable. We'll be walking around, so no need for high heels that'll tire me out."
"Yes."
I changed into the outfit and headed out of the mansion with Rozalin.
Of course, Lize came along too.
"Mother, what makes a Northern Region band different?"
"Hm?"
"It's intriguing that they're from the Northern Region, but... bands usually have their own unique style of music or something, right?"
"Oh, that kind of thing?"
"Yes."
I asked while we rode in the carriage together.
The Northern Region origin piqued my interest, but... honestly, I had no idea what kind of band it was.
All I really knew about the Northern Region was that it was cold.
"When bands from other regions came before, they just did standard classical music, you know? I'm curious what the Northern Region style is like."
"I heard when I was little that they focus on louder, more lively songs up there. Never heard them myself, though."
"Hmm..."
I had no clue what it was exactly, but it didn't sound boring.
I'd studied art and music a bit as a kid, but it wasn't really my thing...
Still, from what Rozalin said, it sounded more entertaining than I expected.
Classical music was nice and all, but not exactly fun.
"Young Lady."
"Yes? What is it, Lize?"
I was peering out the window, building up some anticipation for the band, when Lize suddenly spoke up.
"Your necklace is tangled."
"Probably from the wind."
"Come here for a moment..."
Ah.
She meant she'd fix it for me.
It must be the back that's messed up, not the front.
"Like this?"
"...Yes."
I gathered my long hair and pulled it forward as I asked Lize.
My hair would definitely get in the way while she adjusted the necklace, and it was easier for me to hold it than for her to manage with one hand.
"How's that?"
"Ah, um... Looks good now."
"Really? Thanks. I didn't even notice—good thing you pointed it out, Lize."
I thanked her as I spoke.
Lize's face flushed just a little.
Only someone sitting as close as I was would notice.
I had no idea why she was blushing.
*
-Creeeak...
"Young Lady, Madam. We're here. Can't take the carriage any further in."
"Quite the crowd. Lize, can you get the door?"
"Yes, Madam."
We'd arrived at the street where the band was performing.
Even regular bands drew crowds, but this one from the Northern Region had pulled in way more people than usual.
Lize was right—we couldn't drive the carriage any farther.
We got out.
I told the servant driving the carriage to park nearby and take it easy.
"Hmm... Shall we head in?"
"We should. It's crowded, but not too bad."
"Hee hee, good."
I wasn't a huge fan of massive crowds...
But since this was a rare outing with Rozalin, I decided to tough it out.
"Camellia, want to hold hands?"
"...Pardon?"
We were slowly pushing through the crowd when Rozalin suddenly said that.
It wasn't a weird suggestion or anything... but it still surprised me a bit.
She probably just wanted to make sure we didn't get separated in the throng, but Rozalin and I didn't usually hold hands or have that kind of physical contact.
Calling it "physical contact" with one's mother felt a little off to begin with.
Anyway...
"...Sure."
"Yeah. Wouldn't want to lose you in this crowd."
"...Okay, then."
It felt a tad embarrassing... but she had a point—we could easily get separated.
Yeah.
It was purely practical—no weird thoughts involved.
"........"
So soft, warm, and nice.
It felt ridiculous to think that while holding hands, but that's just how it was.
I couldn't help it.
"...Ah."
I was a bit dazed from holding Rozalin's hand when I noticed Lize right beside us.
".......?"
I kept glancing at Lize, and she looked back at me like she was wondering what was up.
Given Lize's personality, I didn't worry about her getting lost or left behind.
But still...
"Lize, want to hold hands too?"
"Pardon?"
"Just in case we get separated. So... shall we?"
The urge hit me out of nowhere.
Yeah.
I just wanted to.
One hand was already occupied with Rozalin, but I really wanted to walk around holding Lize's hand too.
"What do you say?"
"If that's what you want, Young Lady..."
"Then let's."
"...Yes."
She didn't refuse.
She even said she was fine with it.
So I took her hand.
Compared to Rozalin's, it was still a bit small... but bigger than mine.
Slender and delicate.
It felt smoother than Rozalin's in a different way. Nice.
No, good.
Rating the feel of someone's hand while holding it felt a little pervy...
But that's really how it was.
"Mother. Looks like it's over there."
"Seems so. Everyone's gathered around sitting down."
After walking another five minutes or so, we spotted a square packed with people.
Even the seats around the stage were all taken—every chair snatched up.
Definitely way more people than usual.
Not just us—everyone else seemed excited for the Northern Region band too.
"Hmm... seats..."
Rozalin, the tallest among us, craned her neck to look around...
"No luck..."
Couldn't spot any.
The performance hadn't even started yet, but people had probably been lining up since before we left in the carriage.
No way it would be easy to find seats.
"Haha... What now..."
Rozalin gave us an awkward smile.
She was probably blaming herself somehow.
Rozalin often took responsibility for things that weren't her fault.
Of course, this wasn't her problem at all—it wasn't our fault or anyone's.
The show hadn't even begun.
"Uh... Maybe we can watch from the second floor of a nearby café?"
She was still smiling awkwardly, looking a bit apologetic as she suggested it to us.
I could practically read her mind:
Lize and Camellia are just kids, and I'm the adult here, so I'm sorry it's turned out like this.
Her expression screamed it.
"Mother."
"Yes?"
"We don't need the café second floor. Over there..."
I pointed to one side with my finger.
It was a square, after all.
The city often had bands or theater troupes performing here, so there was a basic stage and seating setup.
The seats were all full now, but that wasn't a problem for me.
"Shall we go up there?"
Good thing I brought my wallet tucked in my dress.
Never imagined I'd use it here.