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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Shall We Build Some Mother-Daughter Bond?
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With each step I took, my feet grew a little heavier.
The girl in the black dress walked ahead of me. Just staring at her back as I followed sent a chill creeping through the air.
"Here. Your room."
While walking down the corridor, she pointed to one of the doors.
This was the first thing she'd said to me. She'd been reluctantly showing me around at Roselia's request, but this was informal speech. Was the polite tone from earlier just a mask she wore in front of Roselia?
"Ah, thank you."
I nodded carefully in response.
The girl, Camilla, slowly turned to look at me.
Her faintly glowing purple eyes held no emotion whatsoever.
Neither cold nor warm, her gaze made me swallow dryly as I forced a smile.
"You... you don't need to waste more time on me. I'll look around now."
"..."
She stared at me for a moment, then nodded and slowly approached, opening her mouth.
"I don't care what kind of disposable tool you are."
Her voice was as cold and indifferent as her empty gaze, brushing past my ears.
"Don't be a nuisance. Do that, and I'll treat you like you don't exist."
Her words, flung like ice from an expressionless face, felt more like a warning than a request.
With that, Camilla passed by me without a second glance.
It was completely different from how she'd acted in front of Roselia. This must be her real face.
I stared at the floor in silence.
Still, it was a relief.
Camilla not being interested in me meant I could avoid immediate threats, at least.
In this family right now, Camilla was more dangerous to me than Roselia.
According to the game lore, she'd been born with a villainous nature.
If conflict arose, I might just vanish from the world one day.
[I don't care what kind of disposable tool you are.]
Her cold words echoed in my mind. My hands clenched without me realizing.
"I'm not a disposable tool."
I wouldn't let that happen.
Not in this life.
Because I'd resolved to become someone meaningful to people.
The room Camilla showed me to was far more luxurious than I'd imagined.
The walls were covered in wallpaper with antique patterns, and the meticulous furnishings added even more elegance.
Next to the neatly laid rug on the floor stood a massive bed big enough for three adults to lie on comfortably.
"...So this is noble life."
To me, used to a moldy old bed, all of this felt like excessive luxury.
The first thing I did was flop onto the bed.
A feather-soft sensation enveloped my body, bringing a languid comfort. It was so peaceful that a yawn escaped me automatically.
Is this why everyone says money is great?
"...Maybe just a quick nap."
I'd been tense the whole time under Camilla's gaze, leaving my body and mind exhausted.
I'd already handed over today's herbs to Roselia anyway. A little rest should be fine, right?
"Bella."
But as if to say no such luck, the door opened and Roselia appeared.
"C-Countess..."
Roselia frowned slightly as she looked at me.
"Countess?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Shouldn't you call me Mother now?"
Mother. It was far too unfamiliar for someone I'd only met a few days ago.
"Can't I keep calling you Countess? It's... more comfortable for now..."
"..."
Roselia's furrowed brow didn't relax easily. But after peering into my eyes for a moment, she nodded reluctantly.
"Call me Mother when it feels natural. Mom would be even better."
"...I'll do that when it feels right."
Mom.
I wondered if that day would ever come.
Even if she said to just try it casually, it wouldn't come easily.
"...Did you need something?"
I'd already given her today's herbs. Was there more she needed?
"Ah, there's someone I want to introduce you to."
A unfamiliar woman appeared from behind Roselia's shoulder.
A woman about Roselia's height.
Her bobbed hair, falling neatly to her neckline, was snow-white, contrasting with her calm black eyes that gave off a serene aura.
Where had she even been? She had such a striking appearance, yet I hadn't noticed her presence next to Roselia at all.
"This is Sierra. She'll be attending to you from now on."
Her voice was a bit cool but pleasant to the ear.
"Pardon? Attending to me?"
Roselia answered my question.
"Yes, your personal maid. Ask her for anything you need, or come to me."
"Personal... maid?"
"If one's not enough, I can assign two more."
I waved my hands in surprise at her words.
"No! It's not that... I'm just not used to having a personal maid."
"Why so startled? You're part of the Rahel Tani family now. You need someone to wait on you, don't you?"
I was flustered. Just yesterday, I'd been the one doing that kind of work.
"Camilla has three personal maids. No need to be so timid."
Roselia's gaze was firm.
In the end, I quietly nodded and accepted.
"...Please take care of me, Sierra."
"The pleasure's mine. And please, just call me Sierra."
"Pardon? No, it's fine."
Growing up in Korea, formal manners were ingrained in me. Speaking informally to someone who looked much older wasn't easy yet.
"It would actually make me more comfortable."
"Ah, then... I'll try."
Sierra's first impression was a somewhat expressionless face, but unlike Camilla, she didn't seem scary.
Cool yet soft, maybe?
"Now that introductions are done, let's leave it there. Daughter, are you free right now?"
"Pardon?"
"If so, come with me."
Her unexpected question threw me off, but I couldn't think of a reason to refuse.
I nodded quietly and followed her.
Our destination was her study, which I'd visited briefly before.
On the desk were various neatly arranged items, but the one that stood out was the Silver Flower Herb with its snow-white petals.
"Make some herbs here."
I hesitated at her words.
"Right now, here?"
"Yes. There's something I'm curious about."
Roselia's expression was far more serious than usual.
"If there's something you're wondering about, just ask. I'll explain as much as I know."
Making herbs right here in front of her would be troublesome in many ways.
"Hmm..."
Roselia pondered for a moment before speaking again.
"Do you know your herbs are quite popular in the Empire?"
"Uh... really?"
"Naturally, some people followed your method and tried selling them too."
It was unexpected.
I'd figured there'd be some demand, but not that it was popular enough for copycats.
"But no one could replicate your effects exactly. Even with the same ingredients."
Roselia's gaze turned to the Silver Flower Herb on the desk.
Now I vaguely understood what she wanted to know.
The reason my herbs were different was solely my Divine Power.
And Roselia wanted to uncover that very source of difference.
"...It's a trade secret."
Unfortunately, I couldn't tell her.
Not because it was strictly a secret. It just wasn't something I could show others.
"If you're worried about me leaking it, I can sign a contract."
"Still... no."
"May I ask why?"
I closed my mouth for a moment.
Honestly, the method was just too embarrassing.
To activate my Divine Power, I needed my saliva. How could I spit on flowers in front of her?
In the end, I hid the Divine Power and chose words fitting my position.
"If they learn the recipe, I'll become useless. I don't want that."
Roselia's red eyes flickered faintly.
She seemed about to say something, then closed her mouth, let out a short breath, and shut her eyes.
"I'm not asking for that reason. I just..."
She trailed off, biting her lip briefly before cautiously revealing her true intent.
"I have an illness that's bad for my body. But... your herbs are the only ones effective against the symptoms. That's why I asked."
"...Ah."
"I wondered if there's a clue to curing it hidden in your herbs."
The illness she mentioned was probably the curse's erosion.
The game described her curse that way too.
"But hearing you, I realize I was clumsy."
Her eyes were a bit dimmer than before.
Her gaze subtly shook my heart.
Seeing even Roselia speak like this, she must be suffering badly from the erosion.
The game just called it a curse simply, but I'd never imagined the depth of that persistent pain.
'What should I do?'
Should I really tell her?
If my Divine Power could heal her curse... maybe I could prevent this family's tragedy.
"What I need first now is your trust."
A bewitching smile spread across Roselia's lips.
The sensual smile only she could wear, floating over her sharp features.
As I stared blankly at it, Roselia—as always—lightly grabbed the back of my neck and lifted me up with familiar ease.
"Shall we build some mother-daughter bond?"
"Pardon? Bond means..."
Roselia's red eyes curved softly in a smile.
"Let's take a bath together, Mom and daughter."
"...A bath."
A brief silence filled the room.
I blinked a few times, then finally understood and yelped in shock.
"What?!?!"
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