NOVEL WEB Chapter 1
Chapter: 1
I was born as a girl.
Literally, just a girl. It just had the phrase “in this life” tagged onto it.
Oh, and just so you know, I wasn’t particularly unhappy about it or anything.
When I regained my senses, sure, I was a baby, but at least I was cute enough to be considered pretty. Even at a time when I couldn’t really talk or walk on two legs, I couldn’t help but think I would grow up to be super beautiful.
A girl with blonde hair and red eyes.
That was the exact description of me. I didn’t mind looking like that. And while I didn’t realize it as a baby, there were also parts of this world that were different from what I knew, which made me a bit excited.
Fantasy. Yeah, that was the simplest way to describe it.
A world with magic. Instead of names like Korea, America, or Japan, there was the Solkemia Empire and Daesurim. It was a world where countries with names that could come straight out of a novel existed.
“Camelia, your stepmother is about to come in.”
“Okay.”
I had just been born into this world, and there were many things. Most of them I found more good than bad, but the person in front of me was different.
Camelia Leonhardt’s father.
William Leonhardt.
Sure, biologically, he was my real dad since I was reborn as Camelia… but honestly, he was a piece of garbage.
“They say the new wife is the youngest lady of the Rose Family. Originally, the eldest daughter was supposed to come, but… well, I just hope she doesn’t run away this time.”
“I’ll have to let the maids know.”
“Right, you’re sharp just like me.”
What a load of nonsense.
“Well, when I get back, I guess I should give you some allowance.”
“I already have more than enough.”
And that was true. The Leonhardt family… they had plenty of money.
Sure, they weren’t some legendary noble lineage, nor were they nobles of great renown in the empire.
They were just… newly rich. A baron title was made for a family that amassed a huge pile of money through business over 20 years.
Of course, there wasn’t anything illegal about it or anything.
William… I mean, my father, was just obsessed with women and money. He saw the wives he brought in as mere tools to acquire more wealth, never really sharing a bed with them.
“Haha, well, that’s good to hear. You’re smart, so it’s a relief. I’m almost sorry to compare you to those idiots.”
“Everything you’ve done has contributed to that, hasn’t it?”
“True. Speaking of which, how about you welcome your new mother when she arrives?”
Oh. This guy definitely has a date with a woman in mind already.
William often went on business trips. Frankly, I preferred it that way… but this was a bit annoying.
Welcome my third mom all by myself?
I’m just 8 years old, you know?
“…If you say so, Father, then I suppose I have to.”
But William was already planning to make me do it. So I decided to obediently go along with it.
Well… anyway, it was obvious that this third mother was going to run away too.
The Rose Family was a count family.
Their influence had dwindled, they were running low on funds, and they were gradually losing power in their territory… I figured if they continued like this, maybe in about four generations, they would end up living just slightly better than commoners.
“So, I’m thinking of preparing to welcome my new mother…”
“Spend the money as you like, as usual. It won’t take much to prepare for a new stepmother.”
“Yes. I’ll make sure it’s ready.”
This time… at least it should last for 5 years or so?
Some time passed. Just about a week or so.
I got the scoop on my new mom from William, made preparations, and waved him off on his business trip.
“Phew… he’s finally gone.”
With William out of the mansion, that meant I could now enjoy all the power at home without worrying about him.
Honestly, William had put on some weight, wasn’t exactly handsome, and all he had was money, which didn’t impress me much.
As for being my biological father, his personality wasn’t that great either…
“Getting a lot of allowance is nice.”
But even that felt more like a reward for my contributions to his business than genuine fatherly love.
“Steward.”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
“How’s the preparation for the new stepmother from the Rose Family coming along?”
“As for the rose decorations from the front gate to the mansion entrance, that’s all done. The chefs will prepare desserts and meals on the day itself.”
“Hmm… Oh, and the necklace for my mother is ready, right?”
“Of course. I requested it from a renowned artisan in the capital, Kaines, and it arrived this morning.”
Not bad.
That had been my plan. After all, William had told me to take care of it.
Of course, I did spend a bit from my own pocket for the necklace.
I couldn’t just let the new mom run away after just a week of staying with William.
The first… my biological mother died a few years after giving birth to me.
I didn’t have many great memories, but I still missed her a little.
She was the first person I met when I was born as Camelia, and while my memories were a bit hazy…
The second, or rather, the first stepmother, ran away. Now that I think back, it was understandable, but literally ran away.
She fled not even four years after marrying William.
She complained that living like this was unbearable.
Well, I mean… if I were married and my husband never came home, had no first-night for four years, and was out cheating with other women, I can see how one would think about running away.
Easier to understand.
Of course, I didn’t have any longing to see her again like I might for my biological mother.
After all, she had never played with me, spent time with me, or thought of me as her real daughter.
“So… this next mother must stay for at least 5 years.”
I needed to leave a good first impression.
Something like, “Our family is super kind and great~!”
Even if the reality was nothing like that… but hey, having a lot of money isn’t so bad.
Putting aside having memories from my past life, I wished I had a mom.
Since my biological mom died shortly after I was reborn and I spent the most time with her, I often found myself wanting for that nurturing presence.
That warm embrace I felt as a baby, my mother’s gentle voice…
“…Sigh.”
I often found myself thinking like this, maybe because I was still a child.
Usually, I just… went along with my day.
“The Rose Family…”
When it came to name value, the new stepmother was the highest.
After all, she was a countess.
Even with tales of their declining influence and financial struggles, they were still counts.
Not the most critical nobility in the empire, but unlike many others, they were genuine nobles with proper legitimacy.
“I wonder if she’ll like roses.”
I stepped outside to check the rose path leading from the mansion to the front gate. Both sides were decorated with actual roses all along.
“Hmm…”
Now that’s a dilemma.
“What if she dislikes all these roses?”
I really didn’t need to roll out such an extravagant welcome… but then again, it had been two years since I last had a mom.
“…Maybe I should prepare a bit more thoroughly.”
And so, I began to work harder on my preparations. I decorated the room where the Rose family mother would stay and tidied up the inside of the mansion a bit.
I even moved out that unnecessary lion head that William liked to show off.
“Young Lady, the Rose Young Lady has arrived.”
“Open the front door and let her in.”
As I said that, I stopped brushing my hair.
Rosalyn Rose.
A person whose name contained “rose” not once, but twice.
William hadn’t given me a lot of info, but I had a general idea of who she was.
She was essentially… sold off. Yeah. It’s an extreme way to put it, but it was accurate.
A virgin who had come to the eligible and wealthy William Leonhardt during a time when the Rose family was losing its standing, trading in brides and dowries.
William, on the other hand, didn’t care about Rosalyn at all and would see her merely as a tool for increasing his wealth and prestige.
“Phew…”
With just a hint of nervousness, I stepped out of the room. I went down the stairs and stood in front of the main entrance on the first floor.
With no portraits or photos around, and only the mention of Rosalyn from the Rose family, I was a bit worried.
Because information is crucial for everything.
Without knowledge, it’s hard to gain any significant advantage. That was my current situation in a nutshell.
“Ah.”
Suddenly, it became lively outside.
It was probably the maids squealing over seeing Rosalyn.
“…This is Rosalyn Rose from the Rose Family. Is it alright if I let her in?”
At the gentle voice from outside, I nodded.
And after the steward’s gesture, the door opened. And I was… quite impressed, though I tried to hide it.
She wasn’t really tall, but she had a good figure, long limbs, and a face that was both gentle and a bit glamorous.
Even anger would somehow seem beautiful on her.
My eyes couldn’t help but drift to her face.
But what shocked me even more was… that she looked young. Sure, she wasn’t as young as a 7 or 8-year-old like I was, but she didn’t seem like a fully grown adult either.
It genuinely felt like she was a girl sold off due to family troubles.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Rosalyn from the Rose Family. From now on, I will also carry the Leonhardt surname…?”
“Huh?”
Rosalyn trailed off in her speech.
What was that about?
“…Is William Leonhardt the Baron…?”
“He’s away on a business trip.”
“Yes…? Then who are you?”
Well… how lazy was William about handling his wife-related matters?
I was a bit surprised that William hadn’t given Rosalyn any information, but I didn’t show it.
“I’m Camelia Leonhardt, the eldest daughter of William Leonhardt. I apologize for not being able to properly greet you since my father is currently away, but I sincerely welcome you.”
“Ah…….”
That was when she finally seemed to recognize who I was.
Well, it made sense. William has brown hair, while I have blonde hair?
That was a tough riddle to solve.
“Is there a problem?”
“N-no! Nothing at all. Um… Miss Camelia?”
“Just call me Camelia. You can be casual with me.”
I said with a smile.
With this new mom… I silently wished she would stay longer.
Rosalyn Rose was even more beautiful than I thought, and certainly to my taste, so that was also a factor.
After all, it’s human nature to be drawn to beautiful and charming things.