My Stepmom is Too Pretty, and It’s Troubling Me – Chapter 69

“Rosalyn, it’s been quite a while.”

“How have you been? I’m really sorry for not coming by for so long.”

“Tsk… I’ve asked you to come for four years. Not once did you show up, and now you finally come?”

“Haha…”

Count Rose and his wife were extending a somewhat ambiguous welcome to Rosalyn.

But essentially, that’s how the situation was.

Rosalyn seemed happy to see family after such a long time, smiling and chatting with the two.

“Father, Mother, how have you been?”

“We’re doing well. Alexandra and Christina are taking great care of us.”

“That’s a relief.”

“And your brother must have even more to do than us.”

“He’s busy working in the capital, so it can’t be helped.”

“Right, that’s good to hear.”

…Hmm.

How should I put it… it felt a bit awkward.

Considering we hadn’t seen each other in four years, it was surprisingly distant, almost business-like.

There was much less dramatic flair than I’d expected.

“By the way, next to Rosalyn is…”

“My daughter.”

“…Ah, so she’s the daughter of Leonhardt.”

“Isn’t she pretty?”

“Um, Mother…?”

Suddenly, with me being the topic of conversation, Rosalyn simply walked behind me and hugged me as she said that.

…That she would hug me unexpectedly was something I had no idea about.

Especially in front of the Count and his wife.

Even knowing that the Rose family disliked me, I never thought this would happen… truly, I had no idea.

“This is Camelia.”

“…Hello.”

“I already mentioned that I would bring her along in my letter, didn’t I?”

“…Yes. That’s right.”

…Rosalyn introducing me in front of the family felt a bit awkward, but it wasn’t exactly strange.

More precisely, it was thanks to Rosalyn.

“Isn’t she incredibly beautiful? I’ve never seen such a pretty girl before!”

“Wait a second…”

“The blonde hair is stunning, and it sparkles, doesn’t it?”

“Mother…”

Rosalyn started piling on compliments about me from behind.

When I turned my head in surprise, Rosalyn was looking at me with a ridiculously amused expression.

…Meanwhile, the people from the Rose family across the table didn’t seem thrilled about the praise I was receiving.

Starting with my blonde hair, Rosalyn kept showering me with compliments one after another, making me feel… very ambiguous.

“Let’s leave those introductions for now and sit down, shall we? We called you over for a meal.”

“Oh, right.”

…Only after the Countess intervened could I escape Rosalyn’s compliment barrage.

It felt incredibly awkward and embarrassing.

Honestly, the expressions of the Rose family on the opposite side were even weirder than mine, so I felt a bit better, but it still wasn’t pleasant.

“So, this is your first time visiting the Rose estate, Camelia?”

“Yes, it’s my first time here.”

After Rosalyn’s praise ended, we settled down at the table together.

Maidservants were coming in one by one, placing dishes on the table, while Count Rose and the Countess were watching me.

“Since Leonhardt doesn’t have a territory yet, it must feel a bit strange.”

“Well, that’s true. After all, we’re not barons.”

“…That’s right.”

Alexandra sitting opposite me brought that up, and the Count nodded in agreement.

I couldn’t help but wonder why they felt the need to bring up such discussions.

It’s not like the territory was theirs alone, and honestly, it was smaller than Melnick’s.

Why were they trying to act superior, I wondered?

After all, even the baroness Niecista has her own territory.

“Although you don’t have a territory, you do have the money of the family, right?”

“Hoho, that’s true.”

…Alexandra kept rambling nonsense by herself, and the Count didn’t seem to discourage her either.

Of course, most of the nonsense came from Alexandra, but still.

Thank goodness I wasn’t the one rambling on like her.

Though to me, it seemed like it was all the same.

“By the way, when did Christina say she’d arrive?”

“My sister? It might take a few more days. She went to the capital because of my brother… She’ll come eventually.”

“Hoho… Rosalyn just came back after four years, and you’re not even at home.”

“That’s true.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll try to visit more frequently from now on.”

“Sure, it would be wonderful if you came more often! Your mother has been worried all this time.”

“Haha…”

For now, aside from talking about weird things occasionally, the conversation wasn’t too strange.

While dishes were being passed around the table, the people of the Rose family were chatting among themselves.

I just sat quietly.

“The food looks delicious, Camelia. Doesn’t it?”

“Yes, it looks tasty.”

But in between, Rosalyn would engage me in conversation, keeping an eye on me.

Indeed… she was different.

Actually, while reading the letter that the Rose family sent initially, I had some thoughts about whether Rosalyn felt the same way.

But seeing her now, it was clear that she was quite different.

Personally, I thought Rosalyn would hold the worst opinion of Leonhardt, but still…

“That one looks delicious. Should I move it to your plate?”

“Huh? Oh… I would appreciate that…?”

“Hehe, then I’ll do it. I thought it might be hard for you to reach since the table is wide.”

“…Thank you.”

Definitely, Rosalyn was different.

…To be honest, having someone care for me like this in a family conversation was quite heartwarming.

“…Rosalyn.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Never mind. Let’s just eat for now.”

The Count seemed to be about to say something, but in the end, he didn’t say anything and just started eating.

He clearly looked to our side and appeared to want to say something to Rosalyn, but whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t something nice to hear.

Of course, I stayed quiet because I was next to Rosalyn.

*

“How’s your stay in the Leonhardt Mansion, Rosalyn?”

“The mansion? It’s wonderful…?”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

“Yes, I don’t feel uncomfortable at all.”

While we ate, Rosalyn was answering questions directed at her nonchalantly.

Although I didn’t particularly like the topic, contrary to my thoughts, she was handling it quite well.

After all, it’s hard to deny that she seems quite mature.

“Camelia, isn’t the food delicious?”

“Yes, it’s really good. The chefs at the mansion must be really talented.”

I guess Rosalyn was very effective at handling the questions from the Roses.

I was just enjoying my meal comfortably.

If it had been the opposite, and Rosalyn was struggling with the questions and showing signs of discomfort… things might have been different.

Anyway, I just sat there enjoying the food Rosalyn passed to me, almost like a baby.

Of course, I was too big to really qualify as a baby anymore.

“…Rosalyn?”

“Yes, Mother?”

“How about we have a family tea time later?”

“That sounds great. It’s been ages since I had tea with you, Sister, and you, Mother and Father.”

“Alright…”

“Ah, Camelia. The chefs at the mansion make a fantastic stew. Would you like to try some?”

“Uh…”

I couldn’t help but feel that the conversation flow between the people of the Rose family and Rosalyn seemed rather off.

Something about it… felt really mismatched.

Of course, for me, the fact that things weren’t going as the people who disliked me intended was definitely a good thing, but still.

“Yes, I’d like to try it.”

“Alright. Be careful, it’s a bit hot, okay?”

“Yes.”

Was it because of Rosalyn fussing over me?

The Rose family members were talking less and less about Leonhardt.

Initially, they were going on about territory and money.

I truly disliked such nonsense, but now, thanks to Rosalyn, I found it somewhat okay.

Every time such topics arose, Rosalyn would cut off the nonsense.

“Hmm…”

Maybe that’s why?

The usually chatty Alexandra kept frowning while eating lunch.

What was she trying to accomplish by being unable to control her expressions like that?

Honestly, I felt like I could play her part better, and I truly would have.

Even back when I got caught by Rosalyn at the casino, I managed to talk my way out of it, and it happened frequently after that.

Besides, in running a business, I’ve practiced maintaining poker faces quite a lot.

“Why the long face?”

“It’s nothing. Just the food is so delicious.”

“Phew, then I’m glad. All the cooks in the mansion were chosen by my sister, you know.”

“Really?”

“Hehe, I wouldn’t lie about such a thing.”

As Rosalyn continued to treat me warmly, the expressions of the people around us became increasingly displeased.

Thus, I continued to smile and simply enjoyed my meal with Rosalyn.

“Tsk…”

“But Mother, I think you should eat too. You’re not eating properly because you’re watching me, right?”

“I’m happy just watching you eat, Camelia.”

“…Still, please eat while doing so.”

While it did feel like she was fussing over me a bit too much, I certainly didn’t dislike Rosalyn’s thoughtfulness.

In fact, I was also amused by the shifting expressions of those around us due to Rosalyn’s kindness.

“Ah, Mother.”

Maybe that’s why.

A bit of mischief took hold of me.

Even though the Count and Countess weren’t as vocal as Alexandra, they still didn’t seem overly pleased.

Honestly, I didn’t like how they were continuously throwing strange questions at Rosalyn either.

“I bought a bunch of furniture yesterday and put it in the building, didn’t I?”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“Actually, there were some things that didn’t arrive yesterday. Can you come with me to check it out later?”

“Of course, it’s your request. But what kind of furniture did you buy?”

“Oh… It’s just that the lamps in the servants’ room were WAY too shabby, so I got some new ones.”

After witnessing Alexandra’s reaction yesterday, I felt certain.

That run-down, pathetic guest building was clearly designed to stick it to us.

And I was quite pleased with solving that with my own money.

I couldn’t help but think that they wouldn’t be happy about it.

Well, separate from their displeasure, some of the furniture wasn’t fully delivered, after all.

“…Sigh.”

“……..”

Seeing the silence of everyone except Rosalyn and me, it felt clear they didn’t appreciate my remarks.

Considering I remodeled the building entirely with my own money, I didn’t see why they should frown.