READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 29
Chapter: 29
I returned home from Melnick.
It had been almost… a month. I spent more time in Melnick than I expected, but home is still home.
Melnick was nice, but the Leonhardt Mansion felt the most comfortable.
“The Roseaki Family?”
“Yes. It just happened that way. There were too many people to form a connection with the eldest, Grace Roseaki, but somehow I ended up meeting her younger sister.”
“…Good for you. It’s definitely a good thing to establish ties with the Roseaki Count Family, not just any family.”
“They did say they would visit our mansion next time, but I don’t know exactly when that will be.”
Before leaving Melnick, I had a few more conversations with Karen.
During that time, I heard her say she would come over for a visit next time, and I even received thanks from the Roseaki Count.
In many ways, I had certainly gained a certain level of goodwill with the Roseaki Family.
I wasn’t sure if that goodwill extended to the Leonhardt family, though.
“That’s right, you brought back a decent result. Building closer ties with those you’ve already made connections with, like the Roseaki Family and Niesistar, is important too.”
“Overall, everything went well.”
As soon as I got back, William and I had this kind of conversation.
In a typical household, even nobles wouldn’t dive straight into such discussions.
Of course, I also felt more comfortable having such talks with William. In fact, conversations that weren’t like this felt awkward.
Now, starting a different conversation would feel odd and just plain weird.
“Well, I’m glad this was resolved well. And… your magic instructor will be arriving soon. They said they were coming down from the capital yesterday, so they should be here shortly.”
“Wow, that’s fast.”
I wanted to rest a little longer, but tasks piled up right as I came back.
…Well, this was just another ordinary day in the Leonhardt household.
From a young age, I’d suddenly hear business talks and things like that. I was kind of getting used to it.
“I heard that kind of talk.”
“So now you’ll be learning magic from the instructor?”
“I guess so. Though, I’ve never used magic…?”
Honestly, hearing about learning magic was exciting, even if it seemed like a hassle.
After all, it’s magic.
Just witnessing it was mystical, so the thought of getting to use it myself was naturally thrilling.
“By the way, does Mother know how to use magic?”
“Me? Of course I can! Just because I look like this doesn’t mean I’m not a graduate of the Solkemia Empire Academy; I can use appropriate magic.”
“Oh…”
“Hehe, isn’t that impressive?”
“Yes, it’s impressive.”
That’s what I replied to Rosalyn’s claim of knowing magic.
After all, I couldn’t use magic myself. While I had seen it, I’d never actually used it, so I thought it was probably amazing to be able to do so.
I didn’t make it obvious, but I felt a bit envious when Ella bragged about learning magic. Just a little bit.
“Want me to show you?”
“If you don’t mind, Mother…”
“Hehe…”
Rosalyn smiled and conjured a flame at her fingertip.
Without a word, she just moved her finger and fire appeared at the tip of her index finger.
…It really was amazing.
“Wow…”
“Actually… it’s kind of questionable to even call this magic… but I’m glad you liked it.”
“But still… it’s fascinating…”
“Is it that fascinating?”
“Yes.”
“The magic you learn from the instructor is likely going to be even more amazing than this, you know?”
“Still… magic is intriguing.”
It was really just a basic level of magic.
Creating a little flame was all, but it couldn’t help but fascinate me.
It wasn’t a sleight of hand; it was real magic after all.
“Hmm… Fire is dangerous, so let me extinguish it… Shall I show you another spell?”
“Is that possible…?”
“Of course! I told you, right? I’m a graduate of the Solkemia Empire Academy. That level of magic is a piece of cake.”
“Then…”
I definitely wanted to see it, so I replied that way.
And then the show of Rosalyn’s magic began. She didn’t show any more fire due to safety reasons, but she demonstrated various kinds of magic, and every single time I watched in awe.
She used wind magic to style my hair, created cold water or ice in a cup next to her…
Though Rosalyn was only showing the basic level of magic, it was still fascinating.
In fact, I almost regretted not asking Rosalyn to show me magic before.
I watched her magic with a sense of wonder.
“Magic lessons… will probably be fun. Even just showing basic magic and you’re this excited.”
“…But it’s really fascinating…”
“Exactly. If you’re this thrilled just from simple magic, it’s only natural you’d enjoy the magic lessons, right?”
“…That’s true.”
I couldn’t argue, especially after being so enthusiastic about the magic I’d just witnessed.
I decided to concede. I was actually looking forward to the magic lessons, too.
Anyway, I’d returned to the Leonhardt Mansion, but nothing drastically different had happened.
After some casual conversation with William and a fun chat with Camelia, I returned to my room.
“Rize…”
“Are you very tired…?”
“Yeah.”
I was tired.
Despite sleeping enough, even more than enough, I still felt exhausted.
It must have been all the traveling in the carriage. Plus, I had spent a lot of time in Melnick.
In many ways, I was just worn out.
“Ugh…”
Right now I was lying on my bed, unable to roll around, just lying still.
I didn’t even have the strength to move because I was too tired.
“Rize, how was Melnick for you?”
“Are you talking about me…?”
“Yeah. You went with us, right?”
Since I had spent a lot of time with other girls, including Rosalyn, in Melnick, I hadn’t had much chance to spend time with Rize in the Leonhardt Mansion.
Of course, being my personal maid, I saw her more than other servants, but still…
“…It was hot.”
“Oh.”
“Honestly, the sunlight was stronger than in the south, and the weather was clear all the time…”
“That’s true… It definitely was.”
“But overall, the city itself was nice. The scenery was beautiful, and you seemed to like it.”
At least it was good that she wasn’t completely dissatisfied.
Well, I figured it wouldn’t be completely unsatisfactory since the city was so pretty. There were just some things that could have been better.
Actually… I thought I had a great time. It felt awkward that she seemed disappointed.
“Yawn… Anyway, it was nice since it was different from the south. The market was lively, and it was just a good atmosphere.”
“That’s true.”
I lay there while Rize stood next to me, and our conversation continued.
Most of the discussion revolved around Melnick.
Having spent about two weeks there, we naturally had to talk about it. Rize even praised the fruits, aside from the weather.
“Rize, come up on the bed.”
“……..”
“The pillow is too small.”
That’s why I called for Rize while we talked.
After all, the reason we were in the same room was somewhat to that end, right?
Since we hadn’t had the chance to rest in the room during the day while in Melnick, now that we were back home, and there was nothing else to do today, it made sense.
“Come on, hurry up.”
I was thinking of cuddling Rize after a long time.
Indeed, Rize felt softer and warmer than the pillow; she was the best.
“Then… excuse me…”
“I told you to come up; there’s no need to be polite.”
Rize followed my instructions and climbed up.
It was amusing to see her still looking shy as she did so.
Was she really that embarrassed?
When I first napped in Rosalyn’s bed, I felt a bit shy, but after about three times, I was okay with it.
It was kind of surprising that she was still so shy, but I thought it was cute, so I said nothing.
“Rize, you’re the best.”
“Ugh…”
I said that while hugging Rize.
For sure, Rize was better than any pillow.
Unlike the pillow that was smaller than my upper body, Rize was taller and felt really nice to hug.
No matter how much I thought about it, Rize was way better.
“Rize, are you uncomfortable?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Even if you’re uncomfortable… there’s no helping it. I’m comfortable like this.”
You might think that was a bit selfish, but honestly, it couldn’t be helped.
It wasn’t my fault; it was all Rize’s fault for being such a soft pillow.
“Ahh… so comfortable…”
“Then that’s good…”
“But Rize, isn’t the maid outfit uncomfortable?”
“Excuse me…?”
“I just thought it would be uncomfortable lying on the bed with that long skirt and layered outfit.”
It was a style that had a long skirt and layered clothing, so it was only natural to think that way.
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“A little…”
“Then should I change clothes?”
“Y-yes?!”
Rize looked surprised.
It was definitely a shocking suggestion, but was it that surprising?
“But since I told you to lie down like this, it’s only natural for me to feel sorry if you’re uncomfortable, right?”
“But still…”
“Okay? Rize, I asked you to do this, but I still hope you’ll be as comfortable as possible. Is it really not possible?”
I looked up at Rize while holding her.
I wasn’t the sort of person who would force someone to feel uncomfortable while doing something I asked.
I just wanted Rize to change clothes at this point. Besides, there was no real reason for her to wear maid clothes constantly.
“Okay? Rize, is it impossible to change?”
“……….”
Was it because I kept asking, or was it because I was in a higher position?
Rize accepted my request and went to change her clothes before coming back to my room.
Rize in casual wear.
And at the same time, Rize looked even more shy than when she wore the maid outfit.
“Hehe.”
“…Then I’ll lie back down.”
“Yeah, come lie down here.”
“…Yes.”
I hugged Rize again, now dressed in casual clothes, allowing us both to rest comfortably.
After all, since she was my personal maid, she didn’t need to do anything unrelated to me, and there was no one else in my room besides Rize and me.
“So soft. Rize.”
“Ugh… Young Lady…”
While I enjoyed hugging her in her maid outfit, it felt like there was even more of Rize’s warmth touching me in casual clothes than in the maid outfit.
It was incredibly soft.
Just like when I had hugged Rosalyn in the bathtub before.
“Yawn…”
Maybe that’s why.
In a state of wanting just a bit of rest, I unknowingly closed my eyes… and fell asleep just like that.
This wasn’t due to my excessive sleepiness; it was because hugging Rize felt too good.
I thought it really wasn’t my fault but rather Rize’s, but I definitely wasn’t a bad person to even say that to her.
Of course, it was a mistake to have her climb onto the bed and use her as a pillow.
But I figured since we were both girls, it shouldn’t have been a problem, right?
Plus, Rize didn’t seem to mind that much; in fact, halfway through, I felt like she also lightly hugged me back.
It seemed alright. Yeah.