READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 7
Chapter: 7
I’ve finished saying what I wanted to say. After that, the tea party ended, and I suggested that we should hold another tea party sometime later, and that next time, we would extend the invitation.
Once I left the maids to handle the cleanup, I entered the bathroom again. Not for any special reason, I just wanted to wash up.
More specifically, I came in to soak comfortably in the tub.
“Ah… now I can finally breathe.”
Honestly, I hadn’t done much, but talking to the kids really drained my energy.
It wasn’t really because they were kids—I mean, I wasn’t one myself—and I guess it had to do with the business discussions we had.
Well, I had things to discuss with the Niesista family and also wrapped up discussions with other families smoothly.
They would probably talk to their parents about it themselves.
“Have I finished everything I needed to do… like welcoming Rosalyn, the tea party… Hmm… looks like I’ve done it all.”
I was the only one in the bathroom.
Even though the spaciousness made it feel a bit empty, I didn’t dislike it. Better alone than sharing it with someone else.
It was definitely nicer to be alone than when Rize used to wash my body. If I said that to Rize, it might sting a little.
“Ahh…”
I could hear splashes every time I moved. No matter how small my frame was, it wasn’t like I was some baby.
I glanced down at my body.
A body that still matched the description of a child. Quite literally.
Words like “pretty” didn’t fit… it was cute and made you want to take care of it.
If I called this small body pretty… that might be a bit of a dangerous taste. I didn’t know anyone like that yet, but it felt risky.
“How come a girl has smaller breasts than a guy?”
Of course, I was still a girl who hadn’t really hit puberty yet. This was completely normal.
But honestly, doesn’t that kind of exist? When a girl becomes a girl, there’s an expectation her breasts would be bigger, or something…
“Ahem…”
I coughed lightly without realizing it, caught up in my own strange imagination. After all, I was alone in the bathroom, not a soul around, just my thoughts.
“Hmm… maybe it’s better this way.”
Better than becoming popular just because I’ve got a nice figure might be the way to go.
Yeah, I really detested getting attention from guys. No matter what, even if I turned into a girl, I was still not a guy.
Honestly, I’d rather hang myself than deal with that.
“Ugh.”
A sigh escaped my lips.
Right now, I was just a little kid living a regular life, but someday I’d enter society, go to the Academy, become an adult, and deal with succession, and so on…
“…Maybe it’d be nice to just stay like this.”
Seriously.
I liked the idea of staying as a small girl rather than growing breasts or widening my hips. I mean, I was already cute by looks, so I wouldn’t feel self-loathing while looking in the mirror.
So I kept that thought. After all, it was a future thing, and my age was only eight, just a little kid.
Nothing would really change if I thought about things now. It was better to take my time and think about it.
With those thoughts, I lay back, looking at the ceiling, closing my eyes, and just relaxing.
Splash… Splash…
“….?”
Suddenly, I heard splashing footsteps from behind me.
Surely, everyone knew I was bathing, but who could it be?
Probably Rize. She’d be the one to say we should leave soon or my head would start spinning from staying too long.
“Camelia?”
“…Mother?”
But contrary to my thoughts, the voice that reached my ears was Rosalyn’s.
With a clear distinction from Rize’s youthful voice, there was no mistaking it.
“Have you been resting?”
“Ah, yes. I… was just resting for a bit.”
“I hope I didn’t interrupt. I was worried it might have been a bother…”
“N-no! I wasn’t doing anything in the first place!”
I was a bit startled when Rosalyn suddenly walked in.
I was completely relaxed, with the expectation that no one would enter, thinking that only Rize would, if anyone.
As soon as Rosalyn entered the bathroom, I sank deeper into the tub, leaving only my eyes and nose exposed.
Still, it was embarrassing. Especially in front of Rosalyn.
“………”
“So, how did the tea party go? I saw a lot of cute kids there.”
“It went well. They weren’t bad little heiresses; they all seemed like nice people.”
“Is that so? I was a bit surprised that a tea party was happening since I’ve only been at the mansion a little while. And it’s being hosted by you, Camelia?”
“Well, it was more the butler and maids who worked hard.”
“Still, you did well, huh?”
“…I guess.”
I felt incredibly shy.
Sure, it was a regular and simple compliment anyone, including William, could give.
In reality, it was a big deal for an eight-year-old to host, invite, and contact families without a title.
“Oh, by the way, I was surprised about something.”
“What is it?”
“I was told from this week onwards, as a family member, I’d have duties to fulfill, but there weren’t that many? I was worried, but thankfully it wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
“Ah……..”
I wasn’t exactly sure what the butler had said, but it turned out that there weren’t that many duties after all.
It seemed like William had married Rosalyn for business reasons again.
This wasn’t new; as the matriarch of the family, William’s wife, my mother, had very little to do.
“So, speaking of, can you spend some time with me on a day when you’re free?”
“Yes?”
“Since I’m still quite unfamiliar with this area and there are many places in the mansion I don’t know, I’d like to learn a lot together with you.”
While I listened to Rosalyn talk while washing herself outside of the tub, I continued responding.
She had her own time to spend, and wanted to get closer to me—her offer sounded perfect.
It wasn’t for any other reason… I just wanted Rosalyn to stay longer. Our family had many issues, and it might not feel like a real marriage, but I just wanted her to be around.
So, for that reason, I easily accepted. The tea party was over anyway, and neither of us had anything to do. It was a chance to get closer.
“Ah… it’s been a little while since I’ve been in the bathroom, but I think anytime is fine to come. Don’t you think?”
“Absolutely. Father really did pay a lot of attention to this place in the mansion… it’s comfortable.”
“Hehe, should I try to get in the tub too?”
“?!”
At her sudden words, I flinched without meaning to.
Well, it made sense she would want to get in after washing, but still, it felt a bit odd.
So, I turned around, intending to leave, but I couldn’t.
“………”
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“N-no… nothing is wrong……..”
I sank back into the tub. This time, I went all the way in… only leaving my eyes above the water.
I would likely need to expose my nose again, but it felt like my face was too hot, so I figured this was for the best.
“Looks like it’s the first time sharing a bath with you, Camelia. I’ve always used the bathroom alone, so it feels a bit more comfortable with two of us, doesn’t it?”
“Y-yeah……..”
I was looking straight ahead and down instead of at Rosalyn beside me.
Yet, the image still vivid in my mind was of Rosalyn just moments ago.
Thankfully, she had covered herself somewhat with a towel, but her chest was quite ample—not exactly like a head level, but definitely noticeable and smooth… on top of that, the flowing water and her body gave it a somewhat sensual feeling.
I shouldn’t be thinking such things while looking at Rosalyn. I knew it was wrong, yet those thoughts kept creeping in.
“Oh, right. Were there any heiresses among the guests today you’d want to get closer to?”
“Not that I recall…”
“Building connections with various people at a young age is great, but sometimes it’s nice to get deeper with someone too? Even if you make connections with a wide range of people, when you really need help, they might not be there for you at a crucial moment.”
“Yes…”
Rosalyn said something, but it didn’t really register in my mind.
What was on my mind were the impressions from earlier. Her skin. The heavy-looking hair drenched in water kept replaying in my head.
Besides that, even though it was hidden under the towel, the outline of her body still lingered.
“………”
Am I a pervert?
Even if I was technically a boy, thinking such things about the person who would become my mother was definitely wrong.
Yeah, this shouldn’t be happening… this is really not okay.
“Mother…? I think I’ll head out first. You can take your time and come out when you’re ready.”
“Okay, you’ve been in there a while, right? I’ll be out shortly too, so just relax a bit. We’ll have dinner together later.”
“…Yes.”
Unlike my strange thoughts, Rosalyn looked completely unbothered, giving me a genuinely innocent smile.
It was her bright, affectionate gaze towards me that made me feel even guiltier.
Really… even if I had seen an adult woman’s body, it shouldn’t be like this. Looking at the person who would be my mother with that kind of intent… that’s just plain wrong.
This might be the first time, so I could let it slide, but next time… I shouldn’t do that. Yeah, let’s not make that mistake again.
After all, I was a girl now, and I was just looking at another girl’s body. That’s all.
I was merely thinking her figure was really pretty. I just looked and recalled it. It really wasn’t for any other reason.