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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Mother-Daughter Picnic
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Lazy afternoon sunlight wrapped everything in a gentle embrace.
The fragrance of early summer grass rode the breeze, brushing against the skin.
"The weather's pretty nice."
A soft smile spread across Roselia's lips.
Her platinum blonde hair fluttered in the gentle wind, and her red eyes peeked through now and then, shimmering faintly.
Just sitting there quietly, she was a picture-perfect beauty, like a landscape painting come to life.
In the game, she was always consumed by madness, so I never knew she could be this beautiful.
"Are you okay, my daughter?"
She looked at me with a tender smile.
"...Yes, the weather really is great."
Right now, I was out on a peaceful picnic with the very people who would one day plunge the empire into chaos.
I'd heard this was one of the empire's top spots for outings. The Rahel Tani Count Family had rented out the entire area for the afternoon.
To an outsider, it might look like a wholesome family picnic.
But I was just confused.
I never imagined I'd end up picnicking with Roselia of all people.
Sure, if it were a blood-soaked massacre, that'd fit her, but lounging in a sunny field? Not her style at all.
How did things end up like this?
She must have arranged this to slowly mend our relationship, but to me, it just felt awkward.
And the main source of that discomfort? The girl sitting right next to me.
"Your expression isn't very bright, Camilla."
As Roselia's gaze narrowed, Camilla forced her lips into a smile.
"No, Mother. I... like picnics."
Anyone could tell it was forced, but Roselia didn't seem to notice.
"Come to think of it, you two still look awkward around each other. Have you talked much?"
At those words, Camilla's violet eyes turned toward me calmly.
The moment that cold gaze met mine, I couldn't help but shrink back.
"You're family now. Sisters should get along."
It was the last thing I wanted to hear.
Even sitting across from Camilla felt uncomfortable, so why keep pushing her next to me?
Was Roselia always this meddlesome?
Or did she not know what kind of personality Camilla had?
Anyone could see from those hollow eyes that she lacked social graces.
Did she really expect sisterly affection?
But this family was a sham from the start—a mere act. Could real bonds even form here?
"I'm close with Big Sister."
Camilla scooted closer to me, a smile in her eyes.
"Right, Big Sister?"
Her look screamed, Play along if you don't want to die.
Even someone born with malice like Camilla had to tread carefully around Roselia.
"Yeah. We're close."
I gave an awkward smile and went along with it.
Close? Hardly. She treated me like dirt.
"Really?"
Roselia watched us with evident pleasure, then opened the basket beside her.
Inside were neatly arranged delicacies with intricate designs—luxuries unimaginable back in Binhel Village, where we chewed on grass and roots.
...They look delicious.
Maybe because my body was still young, my mouth watered at the sight.
"Here, say ahh, daughter."
Roselia delicately picked up a pastry and held it to my lips.
Camilla and I both stared at her in bewilderment.
"It was in the contract. You'd faithfully play the parent role. And you wanted to get closer to your daughter, right?"
"...Because you want the potion recipe?"
"Yes. I'm desperate. I want to escape this curse."
She was straightforward.
Unlike the director, she didn't seem the type to hide schemes and set traps.
"My arm's getting tired."
Her voice grew subdued, and my body reacted on instinct.
I hurriedly reached out with both hands, took the cookie from her, and popped it into my mouth.
The instant it touched my tongue, my eyes widened.
The first sweet, nutty flavor I'd tasted since reincarnating.
...It's good.
It was so blissful that I silently chewed with my mouth closed tight.
"How cute."
Roselia picked up another cookie and reached toward Camilla this time.
Camilla looked baffled, but Roselia showed no signs of backing down.
"...That's not like you, Mother."
Camilla muttered lowly, averting her eyes.
"I know. Things weren't always like this between us."
Roselia replied calmly, as if she'd anticipated it.
"Still, you're my daughter."
"...On paper."
"So, humor your mother a bit."
Roselia's eyes curved slightly. The smile mixed affection with subtle threat, making Camilla flinch.
Camilla hesitated for a moment, then cautiously parted her pursed lips.
The cookie slipped in, and she chewed with puffed cheeks, head bowed in embarrassment.
It was a little surprising.
Even a future world-threatening villain looked just like any other girl her age right now.
Come to think of it, she was younger than me.
Maybe I'd been viewing her through the lens of the game's lore, fearing her more than necessary.
"Here, Camilla."
Roselia placed a cookie in Camilla's hand.
"Feed your big sister as her little sister."
"...Pardon?"
Camilla's violet eyes widened in shock.
"You two still seem awkward."
Roselia smiled gently at me.
I was just as flustered as Camilla's furrowed brows suggested.
"Don't want to?"
"N-No..."
One thing I'd realized today: Camilla couldn't defy Roselia.
Even with that sour face, she was handing me the cookie as told.
"...Here, Big Sister."
Her voice was flat, emotionless. Her face just screamed she wanted this over with.
I opened my mouth and took the cookie without a second thought.
As the sweetness melted on my tongue, Camilla's fingertip briefly brushed it.
"Thanks."
She just nodded blankly in response.
That's when it happened.
As I looked at her, something caught my eye.
Crumb specks lingered near her lips, uncleaned.
Unable to ignore the mess, I reached out without thinking.
"You've got something here."
I gently wiped the corner of her mouth with my finger.
Seeing her dazed stare, I realized my mistake too late.
"Ah... sorry if that bothered you."
"It's fine."
It was a habit from caring for kids at the orphanage. Even though we'd grown apart, I'd once looked after them first.
Thinking back, that's when things soured with them—after the director got involved.
"That's odd."
Roselia's voice cut into my thoughts.
She'd been eyeing me curiously for a while, then tentatively reached toward my lips.
"Eek."
Her approaching hand made me tremble and instinctively pull back.
Roselia furrowed her brow slightly at my reaction.
"I thought you feared human touch in general, but you seem fine with Camilla?"
"...Ah."
"Do you dislike me?"
"N-No, it's not that... I am scared..."
"But not of Camilla?"
"Well... um..."
Roselia's sharp gaze pinned me. I couldn't meet her eyes and looked down.
"If you don't tell me, I'll feel a bit hurt."
Her voice sounded deflated.
For some reason, her wounded tone made me look up.
"It's not that! It's just..."
"Just?"
"Well... you see..."
There were three things.
From my past life to now, the things I instinctively feared.
First: zombies.
Second: needles.
And third...
"I... I'm scared of touching women..."
"Huh?"
Roselia blinked blankly.
The last one I could barely voice.
Physical contact with women.
Skinship, to be precise.
It was mortifying, but true.
My immunity to it wasn't just zero—it was negative.
No exaggeration: even a fingertip brush could make my whole body shake.
And this instinct lingered even after reincarnating as a girl.
"But Camilla's a girl too."
Roselia tilted her head.
"Camilla's..."
Camilla was the exception.
This applied only to older women like Isabel or the director.
"Camilla's a kid, so it's okay."
For a split second, I felt a faint twitch from behind.
Sensing an odd vibe at my back, I slowly turned.
Camilla was there, blinking with a somewhat spaced-out expression.
Was it my imagination?
I swear she made some face just now.
Eh...
Probably nothing.
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