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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: What a Harmonious Relationship
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By the time the sun had reached its zenith, the field where the plains met the forest buzzed with activity as people gathered from all around.
Tents dotted the landscape, their flags fluttering in the wind and proudly displaying each house's crest.
Knight in silver armor scurried about, inspecting horses and tack, while a few mages meticulously checked the contents of their backpacks.
"Wow..."
I stared in awe at the grand spectacle unfolding before me, a gasp of admiration escaping my lips.
Nine years since my reincarnation, and this was the first time I truly felt like I'd stepped into another world.
"Seeing a sight like this for the first time?"
Roselia placed a hand on my head. Her fingers gently combed through my hair in a tender stroke.
"Yes. Are all these people nobles?"
"Pretty much. Though plenty are knights and mages in service to their houses."
Her words made me shrink back instinctively. The eight years I'd spent as a commoner had ingrained themselves deeper than the single year at the Rahel Tani estate.
"My daughter."
"...I know."
She was probably telling me not to feel intimidated. After all, I bore the Rahel Tani name now too.
"I'll hold my head high."
"That's my girl."
Roselia stroked my head once more. Her soft smile and gentle laugh warmed a corner of my heart.
The way her eerily crimson eyes now felt affectionate to me... maybe I'd been influenced by Roselia more than I realized.
"You promise you'll stick close to Sierra today, like we agreed?"
Roselia asked again. She must not have trusted my resolve entirely.
"Yes, I will."
In response, she knelt on one knee to meet my gaze at eye level, then suddenly extended a hand toward my face.
I blinked dumbly at her hand. Was she asking for a high-five, maybe?
"I washed my hands before we came, so no need to worry."
Only then did I catch on. Her pristine white palm was an invitation for a kiss.
"M-Marchioness! That's...!"
"Won't you?"
Her eyes drooped slightly, and my resolve wavered. If I'd known she'd pull this again, I would've picked something other than a kiss.
"After a whole year, if all I can do is pat your head, maybe I'm a terrible parent after all..."
"N-No...!"
Roselia lowered her voice to tug at my sympathy. Obvious as the ploy was, it worked all the same.
I glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then cupped her palm with both hands and squeezed my eyes shut.
Leaning in, I pressed my lips to her palm. A soft smack sounded as her warm skin brushed against me.
"...There?"
"Yes. Now I can face the day with strength."
Embarrassment flooded me at my own action, my face burning. Roselia gazed contentedly at her palm, a pleased smile on her lips.
"...Mother?"
Then a familiar yet chilling voice brushed my ear.
Camilla stood behind us, staring blankly. Her violet eyes seemed darker than usual.
"There you are, my daughter."
Roselia greeted her calmly, as if nothing had happened. Camilla approached slowly, her gaze still fixed on me.
"You two have gotten quite close."
Her brows furrowed slightly, a petulant expression crossing her face.
She was probably jealous of how close Roselia and I had become. Camilla was utterly devoted to her, after all.
No matter how friendly we'd gotten, it couldn't compare to Camilla's feelings for Roselia.
Not wanting to provoke her ire, I forced a smile and spoke up quickly.
"C-Camilla. Want me to do it for you too?"
"...Do what?"
"Kiss the Marchioness! She'd love it."
Camilla's and Roselia's eyes widened in unison.
Roselia soon smiled oddly at Camilla and patted one cheek invitingly.
"Sounds good. Can you do it, my daughter?"
"...Yes."
Camilla hesitated a moment, then gently closed her eyes. She leaned in carefully and planted a small kiss on Roselia's left cheek.
A tender smack wrapped the moment in warmth.
"Hee hee, thank you, my daughter."
"You're welcome."
The chill that had clung to Camilla moments ago seemed to soften. The warm air between the mother and daughter eased my mind as well.
As I sighed in relief from the sidelines, Camilla suddenly stepped forward.
"Big Sis, do your best in the subjugation today."
Smack.
A soft sensation touched my lips.
It was Camilla's. While I reeled in shock from the sudden kiss, she leaned in again.
Smack.
This time quicker. Two light kisses in a row, then she pulled back.
I blinked dazedly. The unfamiliar feeling left my head spinning.
Camilla, who'd only ever kissed as makeup after fights, had just kissed me on the lips with affection.
Flustered, I took a stumbling step back.
"W-Why are you being so mushy?"
My words tumbled out awkwardly from the surprise. But Camilla ignored me, turning to Roselia instead.
"The subjugation tournament's about to start, Mother."
"Is it? You two seem to have grown quite close."
"Yes. We're sisters, after all."
Camilla took my hand firmly.
Roselia eyed our joined hands with a hint of envy.
"Oh, what a truly harmonious relationship."
An unfamiliar voice chimed in. Turning, I saw a middle-aged woman with neatly combed brown hair.
She approached with graceful steps and bowed politely to Roselia, a refined smile on her face.
"I'm Wenri Barsha. Sorry for the late greeting."
Barsha. The name rang a bell.
It was the family name of that noble lady we'd clashed with while shopping a few days back. So this must be her mother.
Roselia seemed to realize it too, her eyes narrowing slightly as she regarded the woman.
"My daughter caused a bit of a scene before."
Wenri turned to me with a dignified smile.
"Let me apologize on her behalf, young lady. I do hope you'll put it behind you."
Her tone was polite and polished. I shook my head vigorously, waving my hands.
"N-No! Not at all. No hard feelings."
"Hee hee, I figured as much. To think he'd lay a hand on his daughter over something so trivial..."
The Marchioness's gaze shifted from me to Roselia without a trace of regret.
Was it my imagination? Beneath her warm smile lurked an inexplicable chill.
"The Rahel Tani family participating in the subjugation tournament for the first time, isn't it?"
She asked Roselia with the same soft smile, her interest fully diverted from the prior incident.
"My daughter wanted to join the hunt."
At Roselia's reply, the Marchioness's eyes naturally turned to Camilla and me.
Her gaze met mine, carrying a familiar, disdainful look.
It was just like the orphanage director's stare. The kind that said, "You? Really?"—condescending and mocking.
Why was she looking at me like that?
"The Rahel Tani family is something else. My daughters are far too busy with their lessons."
The Marchioness tittered behind her fan. Then her eyes slid to me, and she reached out to pat my head.
"Still, don't get too wrapped up in this sort of thing, dear. Hunting's a man's domain. A lady must first cultivate grace in body and mind."
My body flinched at her approaching hand. As queasiness rose and I hesitated whether to dodge—
A sudden gust whipped up, sending the Marchioness tumbling backward onto her rear.
"Eek!"
Utterly flustered, she scrambled up, brushing grass from her clothes, and cried out.
"W-What was that...? Did you just cast magic on me, Marchioness?!"
She glared sharply at Roselia. But it wasn't Roselia who answered.
"I did it."
A flat, emotionless voice. Camilla's vacant eyes, devoid of their usual spark, fixed on the Marchioness.
"H-How dare you...!"
The poise on the Marchioness's face twisted. Her flushing cheeks betrayed her shock.
"Marchioness! Aren't you going to say something?!"
Now her glare turned to Roselia.
"Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment."
Roselia's crimson eyes slowly settled on the Marchioness.
"Let me apologize on her behalf."
Roselia extended her hand toward the woman.
Her voice, slipping between her lips, was as devoid of inflection as Camilla's.
"For such an unfortunate incident to mar a pleasant hunting tournament... right, Madam?"
Her crimson lips curved into a smile on her pale face. It was breathtakingly beautiful, alluringly seductive.
But having seen Roselia's smiles countless times, I knew.
That wasn't a happy one.
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