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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Lifting You Up Like This
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Roselia's figure, standing tall without so much as twitching, felt somehow alien.
It wouldn't have been so bad if it lasted just a moment, but staying frozen like that for a while—like someone struck by lightning—was enough to send chills down my spine.
"...Mommy?"
Hanging limply as I waited, I finally couldn't hold back and cautiously called out to her.
Only then did focus slowly gather in her eyes. Her reddish gaze fixed on me, exuding a fierce, menacing aura from somewhere deep within.
Roselia clamped her lips shut tight and abruptly released her grip from the nape of my neck. Instead, she slid her arms under my armpits and hoisted me up effortlessly once more.
"Eek..."
The instant her hands touched me, my body trembled instinctively. In the old days, I would have thrashed with all my might to break free. But since it was Roselia, I gritted my teeth and forced down the revulsion rising within me.
With my eyes and body quivering faintly, I stayed still, waiting for her next words.
"It's not that I mean it, but right now, I just want to pop your cheeks."
Roselia, who had kept silent for so long, finally spoke. Her voice was low and heavy, laced with pent-up emotions.
"No, actually... just lifting you up like this..."
But Roselia's words trailed off unfinished.
"Lady Roselia."
Sierra's calm voice from behind me slowly quelled Roselia's intense momentum.
"A letter has arrived from the Silveniar Ducal House."
"...From the ducal house?"
Roselia carefully set me down on the floor and took the envelope Sierra handed her. As her glowing red eyes scanned the letter, her expression twisted more and more.
"Lady Silveniar has invited you, Bella, to her estate."
Roselia shared the unexpected news with me, unable to hide her displeasure.
※
Adelin had invited me to her estate. The odd part was that I was the only one who'd received an invitation.
After discussing it with Roselia, we decided to keep it a secret from Camilla. She'd just get upset knowing she was the only one left out.
It might even be Adelin's intention to provoke Camilla.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to. But if you do decide to, take Sierra with you."
Roselia respected my judgment. Since it was the famously upright Silveniar Ducal House, she didn't seem particularly worried.
Even in the game, House Silveniar was known as an impeccably clean and righteous family, without a speck of dirt to their name. I didn't think they had any ulterior motives for inviting me, either.
If anything, they were overly obsessed with justice.
"I'll go."
There wasn't any special reason. Knowing Adelin as I did, even if I turned her down this time, she'd surely send another invitation soon enough.
Adelin had a personality as stubborn as she was confident. She might even show up at my door herself.
Besides, rumors of refusing a ducal invitation would only stir up unnecessary gossip. It was wiser to avoid pointless scandals like that.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"It's the Silveniar Ducal House. Where could be safer? Honestly, I'm a little curious too."
It was a prestigious house boasting military might rivaling the imperial palace itself. Roselia seemed convinced and fell silent, respecting my decision without further protest.
"I'll send a reply saying you'll visit in two days. Let me know anytime if you change your mind."
And so, two days later, I paid a visit to a place I never could have anticipated. House Silveniar, no less.
The ducal estate we reached after about two hours in the carriage was so overwhelmingly grand it stole my breath away in an instant.
A massive mansion that could easily pass for a castle loomed imposingly before us. Beyond the majestic front gates, a vibrant garden bursting with colorful blossoms captured my gaze.
I couldn't even begin to imagine how much it cost to maintain just that one garden.
"Pardon me, but are you the young lady of House Rahel Tani?"
The knight in silver armor guarding the gates bowed his head politely and asked.
"...Yes, that's right."
"I'll inform the house right away. Please wait just a moment."
The wait wasn't long. Mere minutes after the knight entered, a figure with snow-white hair fluttering in the wind approached from within the estate.
"It's wonderful to see you again, young lady! Thank you for accepting my invitation."
Her vivid blue eyes shone with unwavering confidence, just as always.
"My greetings to you, Lady Silveniar."
"Haha, skip the formalities! You've blossomed into even greater beauty since last time."
"...Thank you."
It was an unexpected compliment, but I figured it was just polite flattery.
Adelin's gaze shifted to Sierra. She stroked her chin thoughtfully, nodding slowly with evident interest.
"It seems House Rahel Tani even trains its maids in superior martial arts! Impressive as always."
With a cheerful smile, she gestured toward the interior.
"Come on in! Let's have some tea together."
I followed Adelin into the colossal ducal estate, which wouldn't feel out of place called a fortress.
With every step, servants everywhere bowed deeply, greeting Adelin.
I knew full well the courtesy was for her, but the unfamiliar weight of it all made me lower my head cautiously in return.
Soon, we arrived at a spot deep in the garden, where an elegant parasol shaded a table set with exquisite pastries and tea wafting a sweet aroma.
"Do you like sweets, young lady?"
Adelin settled leisurely into her chair and popped one of the treats into her mouth.
"...Yes, I do."
I sat carefully across from her. A attending servant poured tea into my cup and quietly withdrew.
"Excellent! Help yourself."
Adelin laughed heartily, lifting her teacup for a quick sip.
"May I ask why you invited me?"
"Hm..."
Not expecting me to cut straight to the chase, Adelin paused for a beat.
A brief silence settled over the table.
"I wanted to extend the invitation to join Azure Flame once more."
Adelin finally got to the point.
"If that's the case... shouldn't you have invited Lady Camilla too?"
"Heh, I'm quite good at reading people."
Her deep blue eyes sparkled with firm conviction. The smile on her lips held not a trace of hesitation.
"When I made the offer last time, Lady Camilla didn't spare me a glance. Her eyes were on you from start to finish."
"...And?"
"If you join, I'm sure Lady Camilla will come around."
Adelin spoke earnestly, without so much as blinking.
There wasn't the slightest hint of pretense in her words. That very straightforwardness was why I'd once admired her.
"We've filled all the other positions. But a young, magically gifted genius like her is hard to come by. No matter how I thought about it, I was convinced we had to recruit her."
And yet, for some reason, a faint ache stirred in my chest at Adelin's sincerity.
"Of course! That doesn't mean we'll neglect you."
I bowed my head silently. Taking my quiet as acceptance, Adelin pressed on without a moment's doubt.
"I heard you're interested in magic circuits. It just so happens our house has an exclusive contract with a highly reputable magic tool shop."
She handed me a card emblazoned with the intricate blue tiger emblem of House Silveniar.
"You can use that magic tool shop freely. You'll be able to craft scrolls with far more refined nodes."
Adelin's eyes were fixed on me, but they didn't truly see me. She was staring at something beyond my shoulder.
"If there's anything inconvenient, just let me know. I'll help."
She flashed a bright smile as she spoke, arms confidently crossed, as if my agreement were already a done deal.
It was a sweet temptation. Or more precisely, an offer with no real option to refuse.
The benefits were overflowing, and there was nothing to lose.
Joining Azure Flame alone would change my life entirely, and on top of that, they were promising unwavering support.
If this were the game world, it'd be as good as activating a cheat code.
"Join Azure Flame with your sister, young lady. Together with me, we'll purge the world's evils."
"...Lady Silveniar, are you sure it's okay if I join too?"
"Of course! You proudly claimed 8th place in the hunting subjugation tournament, didn't you? Overtaking people older than you—that's more than worthy of praise."
"But... I used scrolls."
In that moment, Adelin's gaze dimmed subtly.
"That's true. But sometimes, results matter more than the process."
Seeing her reaction, I finally understood.
Adelin held no expectations for me whatsoever.
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