READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 3
Chapter: 3
“Recently, I’ve heard that fox hunting is trending in the northern Empire. Don’t you think this could be turned into a decent business idea? It seems like most nobles are getting involved.”
“Fox hunting, huh? What kind of items are you specifically thinking about?”
William had recently begun his lessons with a tutor, and they were in full swing. The first tutor taught him cultured subjects like grammar, etiquette, and history, while the current one focused on that sort of economic education like business and investment.
Anyway, that’s what the lesson was about.
“Most nobles who travel north for fox hunting are those who lived in the south or central regions. Naturally, what they’re after is the fur of the white foxes found only up north, right?”
At my words, the tutor nodded. That was definitely true. If fox hunting was just a trend, there wouldn’t be a need to go all the way up north.
So it was only natural that they were targeting white foxes. The pure white fur and unique cuteness were enough to make even the royal family smile when receiving such gifts.
I believed this idea could be quite lucrative. Sure, there might be businesses that could take money from commoners, but that wouldn’t be enough for making a substantial amount in a short time.
“Anyway, the mode of transportation would probably be sleds. Since it’s a snowy area, they’d likely use hunting dogs unless they’re heading into the forest… No need to fuss over transportation. But I think the rest area is a bit tricky.”
“In what way?”
“Basically, most nobles currently use the starting point or specially prepared campsites as resting places during hunts.”
As we talked about this, my mind was slowly waking up, which had previously been wandering during history lessons. The information I had gathered through newspapers, letters, and rumors circulating in the market was mixing in my head. I was starting to feel somewhat accustomed to it.
I wondered if I was influenced by William’s obsession with women and money; I didn’t find it particularly important, though.
“But if we can create a small tent using magical stones, wouldn’t that be useful?”
“Magical stones? That would be too costly…”
“Well, it’s the nobles who’d be using them. Nobles from the south or central regions tend to spend a lot of money getting up north, so would magical stones really be an issue?”
“Hmm…?”
“They’d likely appreciate not having to make the troublesome journey back after a hunt. Of course, it might not be true.”
I shrugged my shoulders. After all, it was just an idea that came from an 8-year-old girl’s lesson. The actual success or failure would depend on so many factors.
If it were as easy to predict, wouldn’t that make me literally a deity?
“At least, it doesn’t seem like a terrible idea. You really are a young lady.”
“Of course, to make that work, we’d need at least three different types of magical stones. One for creating barriers like tents, one for keeping the inside warm, and additional types for various uses that high-ranking nobles might appreciate.”
The tutor jotted something down with a pen as he listened to my words. Even though I thought it was a solid idea, I felt a bit disappointed.
If only I knew exactly how fox hunting was conducted up north, there might have been more varied approaches.
What if we could embed simple magic in the magical stones to bind the foxes?
“Ugh…”
And just like that, today’s lesson came to an end.
The class itself was somewhat enjoyable, but it often left me feeling tired.
Maybe it was just the mental exertion?
When I learned etiquette, it felt like just my body was suffering.
“Camelia, have you finished your lessons?”
“Oh, Mother.”
But just seeing Rosalyn made that tiredness disappear instantly.
After the tutor left the room, I was alone and saw Rosalyn peeking her head in… It definitely lifted my spirits. It seemed that anything pretty, handsome, or good in some way was bound to have that effect.
This was the first time I’d felt this lifted upon seeing someone. Naturally, that invite to think such things couldn’t be avoided.
“What’s going on?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to have tea together now that your lesson is over. I hope that’s not a bad time?”
“Not at all. If Mother invites me, then I have to of course.”
I had time to spare, and I didn’t have anything to do for now, so there was no reason to turn down Rosalyn’s invitation. I quickly tidied up my books and left the room.
“What subject did you have? I saw you talking enthusiastically!”
“Business and investment. It seems like Father is into that sort of thing, so I think my lessons started with that in mind.”
As we walked toward the garden for tea time, I had already dropped a hint to the maids, so I figured they’d be preparing everything.
During our walk, we chatted about what I had just learned in class. I guessed Rosalyn’s lessons likely revolved around subjects like etiquette and history, just like my first tutor.
“Camelia, you’re more impressive than I expected!”
“Is that so…? I don’t think I deserve that much praise…”
Rosalyn gently stroked my head as she praised me, which made me feel slightly embarrassed.
Even though I was 8 now, I was a college graduate, and it was the first time someone treated me properly like a child while praising me.
If it had been William, it would have just ended with a simple compliment of “You did well.”
But Rosalyn’s bright and sincere smile, genuinely saying she was proud of me, was definitely different. It felt… oddly out of place.
Despite Rosalyn looking completely nonchalant, I couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered hearing her praise. Not that I disliked it, of course.
“The garden of the mansion is surprisingly beautiful. Our family’s garden is nice too, but it doesn’t have the variety of flowers like this one.”
“Is that so? I’ve never been to the Rose Family estate, so I wouldn’t know. Care to tell me more?”
“Hehe, of course! In our family’s castle, roses are engraved here and there, and in the garden, it’s all roses. Our family name is Rose, but I’m pretty used to it by now!”
“Oh… so the rose welcome you had when you came yesterday was a bit too cliché…?”
I had put a lot of effort into preparing that. How unfortunate to hear that it was too familiar.
“Huh? Too cliché? The only place you’d find such a beautifully decorated rose display is in our family’s garden!”
“Really…?”
“Yeah, honestly, I was surprised as soon as I crossed the gate. I thought they’d just give me a beautiful bouquet of roses and that would be it, but instead, there was an incredibly beautiful garden, right? Temporary, but still.”
“I see…”
I found myself relieved without even realizing it.
In the past, there were times when William was disappointed in me, but back then, I didn’t feel that sad or think I could do better at all.
…Of course, William wasn’t as pretty, his voice wasn’t as cute, and he wasn’t as kind as Rosalyn.
I might have unconsciously placed a higher value on appearances than I realized.
If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have been thinking of such things about Rosalyn, whom I had just met a short while ago. I could have just brushed it off instead.
Well, excluding that, it might be that I was a bit kinder to her since she had become somewhat of a role model for me.
“See? You really are pretty.”
“Since there aren’t many roses, should we increase their numbers? I still have some roses left from the welcome I gave to Mother.”
“Hehe, that sounds nice, but these flowers are lovely too, you know?”
Hmm… I wasn’t quite sure.
Maybe it was because I didn’t have many conversations with girls, I couldn’t tell if Rosalyn meant the garden was fine as it was or if she really wanted the roses.
“Still, since I have roses left, and I like them too, I’ll ask the maids to plant roses in the empty spots.”
“Even if it’s already beautiful, it’s going to look even better!”
“…Yeah, I suppose so.”
That felt like the right answer.
Well, after all, I had already bought a lot of roses, and even if I sold them elsewhere after the welcome, I would still have some left.
Not to mention, seeing Rosalyn’s smiling face made me feel that this was definitely a better approach.
“Camelia? Do you usually drink tea?”
“Tea… as long as it’s not too bitter, I’m okay with it.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll have to add more sugar than usual.”
Rosalyn started pouring tea on her own, seemingly excited, with a teacup and teapot in hand. She added sugar too.
Honestly, I already liked sweet over bitter, but in this life, that preference seemed to have intensified. Maybe it was because my body had changed.
I didn’t worry too much about it; after all, getting something sweet was easy enough. Money made that simple.
“It’s still hot, so drink it slowly.”
“Ah, thanks! You could drink first if you want…”
“Hehe, it’s the first time we’re having tea together, right? And you went through the trouble of giving me such a pretty necklace and a warm welcome. I wanted to do something nice too.”
“Then…”
Rosalyn smiled so brightly that I instinctively lowered my head while I replied.
Of course, I didn’t finish my thought.
Not finishing my thought, I took the teacup filled with the tea Rosalyn had poured and blew on it to cool it down.
“Ha… ha…”
“Is it hot?”
“Yeah, not yet…”
I guess it was just because I was young, but I didn’t like hot things… Rather than scalding my tongue, it was better to blow on the tea, even in front of Rosalyn.
“That’s cute.”
“………”
Yeah, I understood. An 8-year-old little girl holding a teacup like an adult while blowing on it furiously before drinking might indeed look cute.
I could see how that might come off as adorable.
But since I was the one doing it, and Rosalyn, without hesitation, chuckled as she commented, I couldn’t help but feel a bit shy. Yet… I really despised hot things…