My Stepmom is Too Pretty, and It’s Troubling Me – Chapter 75

Ever since I heard that story yesterday, I kept glancing at Rosalyn.

Of course, it made sense since I had heard such things yesterday.

Really… it was unexpected, and I didn’t know how to handle it.

-Clatter…

-Clatter…

Maybe that’s why.

Breakfast this morning was incredibly quiet.

Usually, Rosalyn would engage me in conversation, and I’d do the same, making for a cozy meal.

But today, we both hesitated to speak.

Yet, the silence was so awkward that it felt harder to swallow than the food itself.

Yesterday’s revelations about Rosalyn’s birth and the entangled tales were things difficult to gloss over.

-Clatter…

…I was chewing on a meatball, but it didn’t feel like I was really chewing.

Honestly… I don’t think I had ever struggled so much while dining with Rosalyn before.

Ugh… how did I end up hearing such stories…

“…Camelia, I’m heading out first.”

“…Okay.”

While we were eating, Rosalyn stood up from the table first.

There was still food left on her plate… but I guessed she wasn’t feeling comfortable either.

Her expression had been far from cheerful when she brought it up yesterday.

Clearly, it must have been tougher for Rosalyn to wake up and remember everything that happened the day before.

“Ha…”

With that, Rosalyn stopped eating and went back to her room.

I remained seated at the table.

“…Rize.”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

“…Can you bring me a cold drink?”

It was only after Rosalyn left that I felt I could say such a thing.

I had been feeling like something was stuck in my throat while eating.

If I didn’t drink something cool, I feared I’d feel even more suffocated.

“Ha…”

Even though I had been fine while hearing the story yesterday, the awkwardness seemed to escalate after we both woke up.

“What should I do?”

I found myself lost in thought.

*

“Camelia.”

Regardless of hearing such stories from Rosalyn.

We were still living in the Rose Family.

“A little later, Older Sister Alexandra invited us for tea. Want to join…?”

“……”

Normally, I would have just smiled and responded, but today, it was evident that Rosalyn was different.

Her tone was cautious, as if she was gauging my reaction.

I felt a bit guilty.

I felt genuinely sorry, thinking that I started this conversation with my questions yesterday, leading to this awkwardness.

“Yes, I’ll join.”

So, I decided to accept.

After all, yesterday’s incident wasn’t Rosalyn’s fault to begin with.

Although we might not be able to act perfectly normal, it was best to make sure Rosalyn felt at ease.

In essence, it wasn’t our fault at all.

“Then, will you change your clothes? I’ll wait for you on the first floor.”

“Yes, I’ll change quickly. Um… can you call Rize for me?”

“Sure…”

We felt a bit awkward with each other, but we continued the conversation, trying our best to be considerate.

At least, it was a much better mood compared to breakfast that morning.

“…Rize.”

After Rosalyn left, Rize entered my room.

I needed to change into a dress and prepare a few things.

“What can I do for you?”

“What’s the most expensive piece of jewelry I own?”

“…Huh?”

While I collected a lot of jewelry, I didn’t wear it often.

After all… it was a bit inconvenient, right?

Pretty things aside, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings weren’t exactly the comfiest accessories.

I usually didn’t bother wearing them.

But… today was a little different.

“Actually, no. Nothing too flashy, but rather something simple yet expensive.”

“…I’ll look for it right away.”

“Okay, got it.”

They were people with absolutely no background.

I mean, the fact that a Count fathered a child with a commoner was just ridiculous.

Even our family’s pig plays outside, but at least it hasn’t gotten anyone pregnant yet.

It’s surprising in many ways, but William, aside from me, has no other children.

But would a Count, who engaged in that sort of behavior, still be considered… a remarkable and prestigious family like before?

Did they torment Rosalyn just as they pleased?

Ever since I heard the story from Rosalyn last night, my mood had been sour regarding this whole matter.

“…Well, it should be fine.”

“…?”

Rize, who was dressing me, glanced at me, but Rize was my person.

Even if she knew my thoughts, it wouldn’t matter.

Of course, I wasn’t planning to voice any of this right now.

“Young Lady, um… which kind would you prefer?”

“Hmm…”

Rize brought my jewelry box and showed me some accessories inside.

Sapphire rings, ruby earrings, emerald earrings… there were many varieties.

I occasionally received jewelry instead of cash during business dealings or through various other means, so I had a decent collection.

Some were still secured at the Empire Bank, not just in that jewelry box.

“Which do you think looks best?”

“…I believe everything would suit you.”

“Not that typical answer, tell me honestly.”

“…I really think so.”

“Rize.”

Even though she was my maid, wasn’t that overly forced flattery?

How could everything look good on someone?

Rosalyn and Rize were both exceptionally beautiful, but they wouldn’t look right in just any outfit.

“Hurry and choose. From what I can tell, the prices seem generally similar.”

“……..”

I glanced over the jewelry box, but none of the pieces really stood out as particularly expensive.

The truly pricey items were probably the ones I had previously deposited at the bank.

Well… honestly, the jewelry in here was enough to buy the guest house before I remodeled it.

I thought it would be fine to choose something from this collection.

“In that case… I think these earrings will suffice.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, since they’re rubies, their color is more striking compared to other gemstones, and I think they’ll match the dress you’re currently wearing…”

“In that case, let’s go with these. Can you help me put them on?”

“Yes.”

Rize was better at styling me than I was.

I figured it would be best to follow her advice as much as possible.

“Hmm…”

As I slightly turned my head to look in the mirror, I saw a somewhat more glamorous version of myself than usual.

Of course, it wasn’t overly revealing or anything, but I had a sparkling look.

“Pretty.”

It was my appearance, but indeed, the original was beautiful.

Generally, everything suited me well.

…Could Rize’s earlier comment have any truth to it?

After changing into the full outfit and preparing a little, I slowly headed downstairs.

I wondered if I had overdone it for merely tea time, but I didn’t stress it too much.

After all, my personal interpretation of being overly dressed was just that, personal opinion.

In reality, the people of the Rose Family were dressed quite similarly to me.

“Mother.”

“Ah… Camelia?”

“Yes, I’m all set. Shall we go?”

“Shall we…? But… you seem particularly pretty today…?”

“Is that so? I just threw on a dress from my wardrobe and slipped on a pair of earrings from the jewelry box. If you’re saying that, then I’m happy.”

Objectively speaking, I was pretty, but I guessed that wasn’t what Rosalyn implied.

Unlike my usual self, today I had dressed up considerably.

After all, I often wore shirts or simple dresses at home.

“…Shall we head out then?”

“Yes.”

Having put in a bit more effort than usual, I walked towards the rose garden with Rosalyn for our tea time.

During the walk, Rosalyn complimented my earrings or dress, but… that wasn’t the goal of this outing.

Of course, it was nice to hear?

“Rosalyn, is that you?”

“Yes, Sister. Have you been waiting long?”

“Well, would I not have been waiting? When did I ask you to come? Now you’re here?”

“Hehe, I’m sorry. I had a few things to do.”

“Ugh… hurry and sit. And… young Camelia…”

Did she finally notice me, who had been behind Rosalyn the whole time?

Alexandra stared at me, a little flustered.

“…Sit down.”

“Yes, Aunt.”

“…Alright.”

Even now, it seemed like Alexandra wasn’t so fond of me calling her “Aunt.”

But I couldn’t just stop calling her that now, could I?

In any case, thus, Rosalyn, Alexandra, and I all sat down at the table together.

There were other maids around, but they simply filled our cups and didn’t seem to have much else to contribute.

“Camelia, would you like to try some snacks?”

“Sure.”

As I poured tea into my cup, I was chatting with Rosalyn while Alexandra remained quiet.

“By the way, Rosalyn, I’ve never seen those earrings before?”

“Oh, these?”

“Yeah. Did you receive them from Leonhardt?”

Out of nowhere, Alexandra directed her question to Rosalyn.

The earrings she was looking at were the emerald ones I gifted Rosalyn previously.

They were definitely pretty.

Since I had given them to her, I didn’t need to shift my gaze towards Rosalyn.

“Well… if you say they’re from Leonhardt, I suppose that’s one way to put it.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not from someone else, it’s an earring that Camelia gifted me.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Lovely, isn’t it?”

The way she looked at the earrings I gifted her.

I wasn’t trying to flaunt their price; I was merely appreciating the gift I had given.

“…You mean Camelia bought that for you?”

“Yes. I believe it was this year?”

“Yes. I previously gifted you the necklace, and the earrings were a new gift this year.”

If I recalled correctly… I bought them together when purchasing Rize’s gift.

It was a bit of a long time ago, so I could see how I might get it mixed up, but I was pretty sure I was right.

“Wait a moment…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Out of nowhere, Alexandra stared at me, as if she had something to say.

What’s with her all of a sudden?

“Young Camelia…?”

“Yes. What is it?”

“Those earrings you’re wearing… did the maker…?”

“This one?”

Suddenly, the topic of the earrings came up.

I slightly tilted my head in the opposite direction, allowing Alexandra to see the earrings more clearly.

“Hmm… I received them from someone in the central region, so I’m not exactly sure?”

My voice was softer than usual.

Even though I knew very well who made them, I chose not to mention it.

Because after all, the Rose Family probably didn’t know the business I regularly handled.

William’s business wasn’t common knowledge, and the various others I was involved in weren’t well-known either.

There was no need for me to announce that I had received them through my business activities.

“…I have a recollection of them being from the Aios Family’s jewelry business…”

“Aios Family?”

“…Never mind. You seem unaware, so forget about it.”

“I’m not sure what it is, but considering how you’re speaking, Aunt, it doesn’t seem like those earrings are very special?”

In fact, I was the one who understood their true worth best, but I chose to play dumb.

There was no particular reason for it; I thought this would make Alexandra feel more comfortable.

“There are many such earrings, but since I’m still unfamiliar with pieces like these, perhaps they might be lacking compared to those worn by other nobles?”

“…What.”

Though I hadn’t specifically mentioned anything to Rosalyn, I decided it was time to start considering what I had thought since arriving at the Rose Family.

To understand the current condition of the Rose Family, and where the real power lay between the Rose Family and my own… I intended to show it.

And maybe intentionally rub some salt in the wound?