NOVEL WEB Chapter 16
Chapter: 16
“Then you won’t be at the mansion for a while.”
“I think so. Since I have to go to the East… There’s no helping it.”
The social gathering was being held on the East side.
“That’s right…”
It wasn’t immediate that we would depart.
This had been discussed a few days ago, and William had only granted permission yesterday. Of course, I told Rosalyn today.
“I see…”
“Why do you ask?”
“Huh? It’s nothing. I just thought it was good that Camelia could get close with other nobles.”
“Ah…”
“Were you talking about the lady who came to the tea party last time?”
“Yes, she’s Lady Ella from the Baron Nieshista family in the South.”
“Aha, I’ve heard of the Nieshista family to some extent.”
Indeed, the Nieshista family held a better position than the Leonhardt family. If Rosalyn, coming from a Count family, had heard of them, it was already a big deal.
Of course, I knew that the Rose Family didn’t sell goods to the Nieshista family.
Anyhow, the proposal from Nieshista was something that we couldn’t help but benefit from.
William had no connections in the social circles, so it made sense.
“If there had been a gathering in the South, it would have been closer and easier to attend. It’s a bit disappointing, isn’t it?”
“Right. Honestly, it’s a hassle to go all the way to the East.”
“But there’s nothing we can do. Still, it’s a good opportunity to build connections with nobles of your age, so you should make the most of it.”
Saying that, Rosalyn patted my head.
In fact, we were currently in… Rosalyn’s Room. More precisely, on her bed.
I had become somewhat accustomed to napping by now. Today, I lay down on the bed while chatting casually with Rosalyn before we fell asleep.
Rosalyn was lying next to me.
“Hmm…”
“Why do you ask?”
It seemed like Rosalyn was suddenly lost in thought.
What was it? Did I get something stuck in my hair?
“Camelia is… 8 years old now, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Umm…”
“…?”
What was it?
“Why do you ask?”
“Umm… I was just thinking that at 8 years old, it might be reasonable to start learning magic. You haven’t learned any magic yet, right?”
“That’s right…”
Is it really becoming a trend for kids to learn magic? Ella was bragging about learning magic and sharing information about it.
Given Rosalyn’s words, it seemed like it truly was trending.
Of course, I wasn’t entirely sure how popular it really was, but it probably wasn’t complete nonsense.
“Hmm… Magic. Do you want to learn it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
I spoke honestly.
Honestly, I was living quite comfortably even without magic. I had plenty of money, and since there were servants around, I didn’t have to exert myself.
Moreover, there were already people who could use magic, so even if I didn’t learn it myself, magic would be available.
“But… it would probably be good to learn. At least it wouldn’t be completely useless, right?”
“I guess so.”
“Then… if I can learn it, I will.”
I didn’t necessarily have a strong desire to learn magic, but it felt beneficial if I did.
It actually seemed like it would be beneficial.
Besides, Rosalyn seemed to want me to learn magic. That fact greatly influenced my response. I wasn’t particularly drawn to magic, but since Rosalyn thought it was good…
I ended up giving a positive answer.
“Then I’ll look for a magic tutor. Since when you go to the Academy, you will be learning magic anyway. Nowadays, it’s almost taken for granted to learn magic from a young age.”
Well, that works for me.
It seemed better to learn than to not learn at all, so I nodded in acceptance of Rosalyn’s suggestion.
Rosalyn seemed pleased with my reaction…?
*
I prepared what I needed before going to the East.
Actually, I wouldn’t be doing anything, but since I was in charge of the orders, it was kind of the same, right?
I made sure to pack enough clothes, including dresses, and also packed the maid outfit Rize would wear. Since she was my personal maid, it was only natural to pack her things too.
Naturally, I also received pocket money from William and gathered information about the noble families and their children we would be visiting.
It was truly a typical preparation from William.
“I’ve arranged for a high-class accommodation near where the party will be held. You can use that, and if there’s any problem or important matter arises, use your magic tools.”
“Since it’s a party for children, there probably won’t be anything too serious.”
“Even so, children are still nobles. Each one holds some power in their regions.”
“I understand.”
Well, that was the preparation.
Since we weren’t just going for fun, this kind of talk had to happen, and particularly since I was going alone.
“And after we return from the East, I’m planning to assign a magic tutor. What do you think?”
“Already?”
I was slightly surprised by William’s words.
After all, it was just a conversation I had with Rosalyn a little while ago, and I hadn’t expected it to come this quickly. I thought he would at least inform me after we returned.
“Yes, your stepmother suggested it to me first. I heard magic is trending among young nobles and ladies lately.”
“I’ve heard that too. I don’t have the exact details yet.”
“Well, anyway, I was planning to start teaching you magic when you turn 10. Plus, when you enter the Academy, you’ll end up learning magic anyway. You can just think of this as a little early.”
“I think it’ll be fun. Thank you.”
It was a good thing after all.
Anyway, the discussion wrapped up well. Both about attending the social event in the East and what would happen afterward.
At first, the idea of learning magic didn’t sound particularly surprising, nor did it feel that good, but now that they were talking about it seriously, I felt a bit happy.
Maybe it was because I had been living a life without magic until now. It felt a bit strange.
“Did the discussion go well?”
“Yes, it wasn’t really anything special. Just the names and information about the families participating in the gathering. Well… that was about it.”
“Still, it’s better to know than to go in blind. It’s not bad to enjoy the social gathering, but… with so many people attending, it’s better to be cautious.”
“It should be fine.”
Probably?
I didn’t think I would intentionally draw attention or cause trouble. My main objective was just to build some connections and bonds.
I figured I would just quietly come back. That was my thought.
William and Rosalyn seemed overly concerned about a party with kids in their early teens, but… I didn’t really mind Rosalyn’s worries.
“By the way, Camelia, who’s going with you to the East? It might be a long carriage ride, and it would be helpful to have someone with you.”
“Just a coachman, Rize, and… some knights… umm… that’s about it.”
I couldn’t think of any other people on the spot. To be precise, I wasn’t very interested in or curious about anyone other than Rize.
After all, the knights were hired mercenaries for the job.
Though… they did have an unusually high degree of loyalty for hired mercenaries due to the money.
“…So aside from your personal maid and a few knights, you’ll be going alone?”
“That’s right. There really wouldn’t be anyone else willing to accompany me to merely participate in a gathering of children.”
“………”
“Why do you ask?”
Rosalyn had stopped cutting the steak served for dinner and began to look at me with slight concern.
“Oh, if you’re worried about safety, the route is completely safe anyway, and the knights we have are quite capable. There’s no need for concern.”
I tried to reassure Rosalyn. Honestly, there really was no need for worry.
We weren’t grand like some noble families claiming to have lion knights, but the knights we had were definitely skilled.
Plus, the roads to the East were well-maintained, so there wasn’t much chance of bandits suddenly attacking.
“…Ha.”
But even so, Rosalyn sighed and looked at me with eyes full of concern… no, even more so.
It really wasn’t that big of a deal…
“Your house’s head won’t be available due to work, and the butler can’t either…”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone to help you travel to the East. How can you send an 8-year-old lady on her own?”
“What? I have Rize and the knights with me, so it shouldn’t be a problem…”
I wasn’t going alone…
I thought to tell Rosalyn that, but instead, she began to press me even more.
What if something happens when we get there, what if it can’t be resolved with just a message, what if I get into a disagreement with an adult, what good is Rize at just 10 years old, and so on… she bombarded me with those questions.
Umm… frankly, it was hard to argue against them.
“Then should we hire a trusted adventurer from the guild to help you out?”
“…That won’t do.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll have to tell the head of the house that I’ll accompany you. That’s the right thing to do.”
“What? Your mother? You really don’t have to do that…”
“No, this is the right thing. Or is it that you dislike the idea of me coming along…?”
“N-No! Absolutely not!”
I accidentally raised my voice at the table.
But it really wasn’t that I disliked Rosalyn coming along. It was just that Rosalyn was worrying too much, and that was why I reacted that way.
And… Rosalyn’s question was too forced. It felt unfair to ask me a question that I couldn’t possibly agree to that wasn’t even a minor question.
It was just that Rosalyn suddenly decided to come along, and I was already deep in thought about that situation, so when she posed that question, it felt even more heightened.