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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Don't Misunderstand?
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Don't misunderstand?
A calm aura permeated the master's drawing room of the Rahel Tani Count Family.
But the one occupying that authoritative seat was not the head of the Rahel Tani family—it was his wife.
"Everything's being guarded without issue, right?"
Roselia's red eyes turned toward Sierra.
"Yes. We've dealt with everyone sending impure gazes her way."
Bella would never know just how many beasts lurked in this world, disguised in human skin.
Among them were the lowest scum who approached young girls not yet fully grown, harboring filthy sexual desires.
"We've handled them all, so no need to worry, ma'am."
The tip of the dagger hidden in Sierra's bosom bore the bloodstains of some unknown someone.
"Ha... Bella still has no idea how dangerously alluring she looks."
Roselia propped her chin on her hand, muttering softly in dissatisfaction.
Sea-like clear blue eyes. Softly revealed between them was creamy white skin.
A girl with delicately sculpted features and sky-blue hair cascading like silk over her shoulders.
Even in the empire, there were only a handful of girls her young age who bloomed with such beauty.
It might seem like a blessing at first glance.
But it also meant she was far more likely to catch the eyes of the worst sort of people—especially for a girl like her, working as a commoner merchant.
"I want to formally introduce Bella to high society."
"The young lady would never allow it."
"Yeah, you're right."
Originally, Roselia had planned to officially announce her new family member to society right after signing the adoption papers.
But Bella's fierce opposition had forced her to abandon the idea.
The image of Bella desperately pleading, breaking out in a cold sweat, was still vividly etched in Roselia's mind.
That earnest, desperate attitude had made it impossible to push forward.
She had said she didn't want to bring shame to the family with someone like her.
She wanted to become a true member of the Rahel Tani Count Family only after she grew up and could fulfill her role.
"From what I've observed, the young lady has an extreme aversion to accepting help."
Sierra continued.
"Beyond the normal level—to the point where it feels almost pathological."
Roselia nodded with sunken eyes.
When Bella had insisted on paying to borrow books from the family library, Roselia had been utterly dumbfounded.
But faced with Bella's expression—like she might burst into tears any moment—she had no choice but to accept the money.
In the end, she had instructed the servants to take only a tiny amount.
"...I need to get closer to her, even if just a day sooner."
Roselia's heavy voice filled the study. The fingers repeatedly tapping the desk revealed her deep contemplation.
"Madam, may I make a suggestion?"
Roselia lightly raised one eyebrow.
"Go ahead."
"On the way back, we stopped by a magic tool shop with the young lady."
"Why a magic tool shop?"
"She said there was something she wanted to buy."
"Hmm, and?"
"We happened to spot some Mana Herb there."
Mana Herb.
It was a fairly rare herb, but Roselia showed no particular interest.
"And?"
"The young lady seemed quite taken with it."
Roselia's fingers stopped drumming on the desk. At the same time, her red eyes widened.
"Bella... wanted the Mana Herb?"
"Yes. She couldn't tear her eyes away from it for a long time."
Suddenly, Roselia recalled Bella's dejected face after Camilla told her to give up on magic.
Come to think of it, she had shown interest in magic before too.
"Hmmm..."
A strange glint flashed in Roselia's eyes.
A seductive smile slowly bloomed on her lips.
"Mana Herb, huh..."
She slowly rose from her seat and draped her coat over her shoulders.
"If it can win my daughter's heart, a few thousand flowers like that are hardly a loss."
I blinked vacantly at the utterly incomprehensible sight.
Amused by my reaction, Roselia gazed at me with a beaming smile.
"Th-this... is..."
"Yep, that's right."
With trembling fingertips, I pointed at the small vial Roselia held.
Was it my imagination?
It looked exactly like the Mana Herb I'd seen at the magic tool shop yesterday.
No. Denying it wouldn't change anything.
The glowing green flower before my eyes was unmistakably Mana Herb.
But why was Roselia holding Mana Herb?
For someone like her or Camilla, born with innate magic power, it wouldn't be particularly valuable.
"Why... this...?"
"I wanted to see a little affection from my daughter."
Roselia extended the Mana Herb toward me with a playful smile.
Her words left me speechless.
Was she really planning to give it to me?
Had Roselia heard about me staring at the Mana Herb yesterday?
Even so, I never imagined she'd buy it herself and hand it over.
"...Did you spend money on this for me?"
A heavy weight settled in my chest. I couldn't lift my face and bowed my head.
Helplessness and guilt spread deep within me. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head vigorously.
"I'm sorry. I can't accept it."
Surprisingly, Roselia took my refusal calmly.
"I figured you'd say that, so I came with a deal."
"...Pardon?"
Roselia gave a gentle smile and pretended to pat my head.
By now, even that gesture felt familiar.
"I'm not a fool who'd give it away for free. I bought it expecting fair compensation, of course."
"But... I don't have anything worth the price of Mana Herb."
"Why do you think that? You have something far more precious."
Roselia grabbed the back of my neck and led me to the sofa.
After seating me, she sat across from me and carefully placed a brown pouch on the table.
"The process for making the potion. Can you show me right here?"
The pouch contained Silver Flower Herb and all the ingredients for my potion.
"In exchange, I'll give you the Mana Herb."
"...That doesn't add up."
Trading a single herb blending recipe for Mana Herb? No matter how you looked at it, Roselia was taking the loss.
Truth be told, just a few days ago, I'd been considering telling her anyway.
If my Divine Power could somehow prevent her from turning dark, that alone would make it worthwhile.
"True, it doesn't quite balance out."
Roselia nodded and met my eyes.
"How about ten Mana Herbs, then?"
"Wh-what?!"
"If that's still not enough, we could make it a contract for one per month?"
I was at a loss for words.
What on earth was she saying?
I couldn't understand why Roselia kept offering me even more.
"I meant you'd be the one losing out, Countess!"
"Me?"
But Roselia was the one looking puzzled.
"Daughter, it seems you still don't realize how amazing your herbs are."
She crossed her arms and continued with serious eyes.
"Even the top physicians and alchemists I hired for hundreds of thousands of runes couldn't put me to sleep."
"Hundreds of thousands of runes..."
"This potion did it in one go."
Roselia's gaze shifted to the Silver Flower Herb on the table.
"Learning its recipe for a few Mana Herbs? That's an incredible deal for me."
"..."
"Daughter, I can give you as much Mana Herb as you want. So please, accept this deal."
Her red eyes, filled with earnest plea, kept my words at bay for a moment.
I stared at the Mana Herb before me.
After much deliberation, I resolved myself and picked up the herbal ingredients from the table.
"...One Mana Herb is enough. It has no more value than that."
Roselia's face lit up brightly at my words.
"Thank you. I swear I won't let this leak anywhere."
"...Actually, that wasn't why I hesitated to tell you."
"Huh?"
Roselia tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"...I'll tell you."
I swallowed dryly and carefully took out the ingredients from the brown pouch one by one.
Roselia watched every tiny movement of my hands intently.
I used sleepweed to form a small circular ring. Gently layered blue moss over it, then added the aromatics in sequence.
Finally, I pulled out a single Silver Flower Herb with its silvery petals.
"Here, just tuck the petals from the Silver Flower Herb into these gaps, and it's done."
"...What?"
A look of bewilderment spread across Roselia's face.
She stared at me with eyes full of disbelief.
"That's... all?"
"There was actually one more thing, but..."
I fiddled carefully with the Silver Flower Herb in my hand.
A fresh grassy scent subtly brushed my nose.
"That last one—can you tell me?"
I squeezed my eyes shut and slowly nodded.
"Um... actually... I have Divine Power."
A short but profound silence filled the study.
Indescribable emotions swirled in Roselia's eyes.
"...Divine Power. Now it all makes sense."
Was it my imagination? Roselia's gaze on me seemed even deeper now.
Under her insistent look urging me to continue, my face grew hot.
"It's... Divine Power, but..."
"Related to the Silver Flower Herb?"
"W-well..."
My face burned like it might explode.
If I looked in a mirror now, I'd probably see myself redder than a tomato.
But having made up my mind, I couldn't back down.
"D-don't misunderstand...?"
I trailed off, brushing my fallen hair behind my ear.
Then, cautiously, I brought the Silver Flower Herb to my lips.
I gathered saliva in my mouth and slowly extended my tongue toward the petals.
Soon, a thin thread of saliva dripped from between my lips onto the bud.
The saliva pooled gently, coating the petals.
I closed my mouth, softly rubbed the bud with my fingers, and carefully plucked the petals one by one, inserting them delicately into the herb bundle.
"Th-there... now it's really done."
My mind went blank.
Self-loathing and embarrassment crashed over me at once.
I cautiously lifted my head to look at Roselia.
She blinked dazedly, staring at my parted lips.
Under her utterly baffled gaze,
I wanted nothing more than to die from shame right then and there.
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