NOVEL WEB Chapter 189
Chapter: 189
Traveling around the northern regions with Ivana went pretty much as expected.
After a couple of days touring the north, I found it quite similar to looking over the snowfields.
In many ways, the places were calm and serene.
As I gazed at the snowfield, I started to form some ideas about how to attract more visitors to the north. The more I explored, the clearer my plans became.
“I think it’s best to aim for a resort-like direction.”
“A resort?”
“Yep. It’s not about being super active or busy, but just a place where people come to relax.”
“…?”
That’s how I came to think that while traveling around.
The north wasn’t exactly a hub for various activities.
In fact, it seemed much more suited for enjoyable, laid-back time.
In that context, there wasn’t really a need to turn the north into some crazy tourist hotspot.
It wasn’t just the snowfields Ivana showed me; many places gave off a soothing vibe.
“Instead, it would be good to build more quality inns or hotels in the north, like the big one we stayed in when we went to the center.”
“Hmm…”
“Also, charging outsiders for activities that let them experience life in the north would be great. Hunting animals on the snowy mountains is one of those activities.”
Melnick, where Karen stays, saw a lot of shops and markets thriving near the seaside, but that wasn’t the feeling here.
There was still some kind of self-sufficiency, and hunting seemed to happen pretty often.
So, increasing the accommodations and using hunting as a type of sport seemed like a good idea.
“There was a river nearby, right?”
“That’s right.”
“It would be nice to bore holes in the ice and let people fish there. Also, letting them hunt with bows in the snowfields or camp in a suitable mountain without beasts would be great too. Of course, with fees.”
“Hmm… I wonder if many people will come for that.”
“There definitely will be. It’s a beautiful place.”
The activities I mentioned were things usually done in winter in other regions.
And even then, it was limited to places somewhat higher than the central region.
“I said I’m aiming for a resort. Ultimately, those activities I just mentioned are supplementary.”
“Then you’re saying we should increase the emphasis on accommodations?”
“Exactly. We can’t just let regular tourists like me stay at the castle. Plus, it doesn’t seem like there are very quality inns in the north.”
I had been regularly glancing at the buildings while roaming with Ivana.
I frequently saw regular homes, but confirmed that inns or similar accommodations were absent.
“If we’re going to bring people to the north, developing hospitality is a must.”
“Ah…”
“Even if we build roads and raise awareness, it’s a problem if there’s no place for them to stay when they get here.”
“That’s true…”
“Anyway, that’s what I was thinking.”
Well, in the end, it was just my opinion.
Ivana didn’t have to follow what I said; she wasn’t obligated to.
After all, I was just a helper in all this.
This was Ivana’s business, and she was simply preparing for her role as the head.
“Good suggestion, thanks!”
“Not at all. It was a promise between me and Ivana, right? It wasn’t that hard, and we haven’t really started the work yet.”
“Still, I have to thank you.”
“That’s fine with me, but please make something delicious for dinner. Mom loved the food we had on the first night.”
“Alright, I’ll make sure to do that.”
“Oh, by the way, I think it’d be good to have a few more restaurants serving northern cuisine. It was surprisingly delicious.”
It started with sausages, and there were various dishes.
From lamb to reindeer or rabbits, and fish like salmon and trout, most were tastier than I expected.
Of course, since each type of meat had its unique smell, the sauces that went with them were definitely to my liking.
“Most of the sauces are pretty strong, right? Compared to the food in the central region, the flavors were much bolder and really tasty.”
In conclusion, I just enjoyed the food.
I continued suggesting that it might be nice to have more specialized restaurants.
I kept an eye on Ivana’s reaction, and she seemed quite pleased.
At least, it didn’t seem like she disliked the vibe.
It looked like Ivana appreciated all the good suggestions I was throwing her way.
“The water is warm, but my head feels cold—it’s a strange feeling.”
“Would you like me to raise the water temperature a bit?”
“No, that’s not necessary. It’s warm enough as it is.”
“Understood.”
Anyway, after wrapping up those discussions, we were using the hot spring in our room together.
There was a reason Ivana recommended three people share a room.
It was also to allow family members to spend a comfortable and enjoyable time together.
“Taking a bath is a whole different experience than using a regular tub.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d soaked in a proper hot spring.
In the south, hot springs were virtually nonexistent, making it an intriguing experience for me.
The warm spring water and the hot spring itself had a unique scent…
In any case, the conclusion was that it was awesome.
“Rize, tomorrow I’ll be wandering around with Mother. Would you like to join?”
“Aren’t you going out with Lady Nordal tomorrow?”
“Yep.”
“Uh… you’re not going to be busy with business again tomorrow?”
“I’ve gathered enough opinions and advice after traveling around for two days since arriving in the north. I think I’ve covered the essentials.”
It was Ivana’s business too, and she’d have things to discuss with Duke Nordal.
So, I could finally take a day to relax.
Not out there on business but actually getting to rest comfortably.
“I haven’t asked Mother yet, but I think she’ll like it. What about you, Rize?”
Rosalyn generally enjoyed wandering around together with me.
She seemed to like spending time with her daughter.
Even without asking, I could tell.
Also, Rosalyn was comfortably resting in the room outside the hot spring, which is why I asked Rize first.
“What do you think?”
“As long as the Young Lady says to come, of course, I will.”
“Not that—are you saying you actually want to play with me?”
I wasn’t at all planning to drag anyone unwilling out with me.
We weren’t in the south, and the north was freezing.
If Rize declined, I wasn’t going to go out, but… it felt right to explore together.
“So, what do you want to do? Do you want to go out and play with me?”
“…Yes.”
“What kind of ‘yes’ is that?”
I understood, but I asked for fun.
Not because there was some reason but just to tease a little.
“…I want to spend time with the Young Lady.”
“Ha-ha…”
Rize was really sharp, as usual.
If I hesitated even a little more in my response, it was clear she’d expect me to continue teasing her.
After all, I’d spent enough time with Rize to have teased her a lot by now.
There was no way she wouldn’t have noticed that.
“Hehe… you really wanted to go out with me, huh, Rize?”
“…Yes.”
I moved closer to Rize, who sat a bit away, saying that.
Even though I was completely bare, nothing covering me but a towel, I leaned against her.
As I did that, Rize flinched.
But that wasn’t a sign I was going to back off.
“When I get close, you always flinch a bit, Rize.”
“I’m sorry…”
“That wasn’t the meaning behind my words.”
“Then…”
“I just meant it’s always cute how you react, that I find it amusing.”
“…….”
Despite being older than me, her reactions were cuter than I was.
It was an innocent, unique response.
Seeing her act nonchalantly like that was pretty much the essence of who Rize was.
“Just a slight touch makes you flinch. And if I touch other spots just a bit…”
I moved my hand from Rize’s hand to her thigh.
That smooth feeling must mean Rize has a nice body.
“Y-young Lady?”
“So cute, that’s what I’m saying.”
“Young Lady… you’re going too far with the teasing.”
“Hehe… didn’t you like it?”
“Not in that way.”
“Then was it good?”
“…….”
Rize could find no argument against my words.
She hadn’t exactly rejected my teasing in the past.
There might’ve been one time, but she was too embarrassed back then.
In contrast, it felt like Rize enjoyed the teasing I threw her way.
Her face would blush every time I touched her, and she’d hardly meet my gaze.
It was definitely too cute for her to say she disliked it.
“Pervert.”
“Ugh….”
“Thinking you like it whenever I tease you feels a bit pervy.”
I leaned in close to Rize’s ear and whispered that softly.
Every time I said something, she flinched.
But she still wouldn’t turn her head away, which was utterly adorable.
“Do you like my teasing, Rize? Or dislike it?”
“Y-young Lady….”
“If I’m still going, not refusing at all, and keeping my hands on your thighs instead of pulling away, what does that mean?”
“That’s just… I shouldn’t defy the Young Lady….”
“Really?”
“…….”
Rize just seemed… seductive.
Yeah, seductive.
Her nakedness aside, there was something tantalizing in her demeanor.
She had that quintessential maidenly response, which was really cute, but ultimately, it felt like Rize was enticing.
“Looking at it closely, you always act like you’ll refuse with words. But in the end, you accept it all.”
“…….”
I pulled my hand off Rize’s thigh and started moving it up her body slowly.
It went from her belly, up to her chest, neck, and finally to her lips.
“Ugh….”
“Even if I touch your lips…”
She didn’t resist at all.
The way she responded to every touch and didn’t dislike anything I did was like a cute puppy.
If I put a leash on her, it would be as if I’d adopted a puppy for sure.
“Rize.”
“N-no….”
“Why do you have a smile on your lips?”
“…What?”
“Were you enjoying it?”
“I wasn’t….”
“Is that so?”
Cutting off her response, I asked like that.
With a serious tone and gaze, completely devoid of laughter compared to before.
“…….”
“Hehe…”
Seriously… this was both alluring and adorable.
I wanted to tease her more, but the timing just wasn’t right yet.
And then…
“Camelia, did you get along well with Ivana outside today?”
“Things are progressing better than I thought, and since it’s been a while since I’ve worked on something like this, it’s going better than expected.”
“Good, that’s a relief.”
Just when Rosalyn came into the hot spring, I couldn’t follow up on my teasing with Rize anymore.
Well, we had plenty of time regardless.
“Mother, tomorrow Ivana has other work to do, so can we play together?”
“Really?”
“Yes. Rize said it was fine too, right? Rize?”
“…Yes.”
We’ve been busy for days prepping the business.
So, a few days of free time felt very much warranted.