NOVEL WEB Chapter 22
Chapter: 22
Karen being from the Roseaki Family was inevitably a situation that would benefit me.
Because, you know, she’s from the Roseaki Family.
Whether it’s about being the second daughter or the first daughter, it hardly mattered at this point.
“Sis Karen, I heard the garden here is really pretty. Is it true?”
“Y-yeah…? The lake is pretty too…”
“Then can you take me there a little later? I heard from Mother, and I’m really curious.”
“Should I…?”
It’s worth noting that it wasn’t just anyone; a woman from the Roseaki Family spoke to me first, and surprisingly, she was more friendly than I expected.
Honestly, why she spoke to me first, I have no idea. But I couldn’t deny that it was a good situation. No matter Karen’s standing in her family… she was still from the Roseaki Family.
The most undeniably powerful family in the East, comparable to the Rose Family of Rosalyn, a Count family, but still strong as opposed to the slightly weakened Rose.
“Young Leonhardt…”
“Can’t you just call me by my name?”
“H-huh?”
“I’m calling you Sis Karen. Isn’t it a bit stiff on your part? Maybe I was being too meddlesome…?”
“N-no! Um… Camelia…?”
“Yes, sis.”
“Uh, uhm…”
Karen blushed slightly, perhaps out of embarrassment.
It was clear.
I might not know Karen’s position in her family, but I could definitely see how to leverage her personality and this situation.
“Then shall we go to the garden together in a bit…?”
“If I can see a beautiful garden and a lake, then of course that sounds great.”
“Then… let’s do that…”
After all, Karen was older than me, and starting with her height and looks, anyone could see she was like an older sister. However, it was evident that Karen’s personality was passive, and she could be easily swayed by others.
This was a gathering aimed at socializing with other nobles, and I had come with that objective in mind even more strongly.
Although it would mean I’d be slightly using Karen, I couldn’t help it. Isn’t that just how nobility works?
“Oh, Miss Niecistia, do you want to join us?”
“Wha! You didn’t say anything to me until just now, did you?”
“Yes. Still, I was curious. I heard the lake in the garden is really pretty. How about going together?”
Honestly, going just with Karen would have been the best. But I still invited Ella. It wouldn’t hurt for Ella to bond with the Roseaki side.
Leonhardt was precisely the noble family with whom I had first built a proper connection. I wanted to help out a bit.
Besides, she was kind of a peer, right?
“Uh… eh?”
“Ah, if you don’t want to, it’s fine if you don’t come. We’re just going to look around anyway.”
“Uh… then, um… should we go…?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Anyway, the three of us ended up going to see the lake in the garden.
It felt like I was gaining more than I expected from this social gathering. In reality, it felt like it was worth only one thing. But still, it was beneficial, I thought.
With a family like the Roseaki… it was definitely a gain.
Surely more advantageous than the smaller nobles like barons or viscounts. Plus, I could get closer to Ella Niecistia too. It was a win-win situation.
By the way, was I walking a bit too close to Karen?
I realized that Karen was prettier than I initially thought. Although she had a somewhat plain and soft impression… she had a decent figure, and her eyes, peeking through her long hair, were kind of cute. I found myself looking into her eyes and talking.
Of course, Karen tried to subtly avoid my gaze, right?
“If we go a bit further… we’ll reach the lake.”
Once outside, the slightly warm sun greeted us, and we could see the clear day and sky.
Maybe because it was daytime, but the grass and flowers looked even prettier under the sunlight. Overall, I thought this was a nice garden.
Even though I wasn’t particularly interested in gardens.
“This is a beautiful garden! It’s way prettier than the Leonhardt garden I went to last time!”
“I-is that so…?”
“The grass in the garden looks like it’s been really well maintained! I bet they tidy it up diligently every single day!”
Maybe it was her bright personality, but Ella was chatting with Karen perfectly fine.
Of course, to be precise, it seemed that the older Karen was getting pretty swayed by us, but…
Well… Isn’t that good, at least?
“Sis Karen. What’s that over there?”
“Y-yes!?”
While walking slowly through the garden, I pointed in one direction and asked Karen.
I was just curious about the big statue that caught my attention. It was a statue of a woman, but I wasn’t exactly sure what it represented.
“Ah… that’s just an ordinary statue… a goddess… or a spirit…? Something that has been worshiped since ancient times by Melnick and the surrounding regions.”
“Ah… I see… I was curious since it was my first time seeing that statue.”
“Well, it’s not very famous anymore in the East… so I guess it wouldn’t be known in the South…!”
“But it seems very beautifully crafted. Don’t you think so, Miss Niecistia?”
“Definitely beautiful! Even though it’s a bit far away, it’s still a really pretty statue.”
We continued chatting like that while walking through the garden, gradually moving towards the lake.
I imagined that in the main hall of the mansion, other young nobles were having conversations. Of course, there were also some other good families, but… this was so much better.
Putting aside that Karen was from the Roseaki Family, the atmosphere was just more comfortable.
Of course, I had my intentions behind staying close to Karen like this.
“Wow…”
“W-what do you think? It’s been a while since I brought someone to the garden… or the lake…”
“This is… definitely beautiful.”
We reached almost the end of the garden.
We were surrounded by walls made of grass, and there was a small lake inside it. And I couldn’t help but think it was truly beautiful. The scenery of the garden we walked through before couldn’t compare at all.
Even Rosalyn, who had never seen something so beautiful, could only say that because it was so lovely.
The small lake surrounded by grass was really pretty.
Even Ella next to me was gasping in awe.
“Shall we go over there? The sun feels stronger than usual…”
“Ah, let’s do that! It’s a bit disappointing to just stand here and look.”
We began walking again as per Karen’s suggestion.
Not just anywhere, but there was a decent spot where we could sit and admire the lake. Plus, there was shade to block the sun.
“Thank you, Sis Karen.”
“W-huh?”
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful garden and lake. I’m really grateful for you bringing me here.”
“Right! I thought it was really pretty the moment I saw it!”
Once we entered the shaded area, we expressed our immense gratitude to Karen.
Inside were chairs and tables set up, so we could rest comfortably. In fact, walking to the end of the garden was a bit tiring.
I felt really relieved that I could sit down. I was also more thankful because it felt like Karen had brought us to a place like this.
“N-no, it’s not like it was difficult to come out during today’s gathering…?”
“But being thankful is still being thankful. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to come see the lake.”
“That much…”
“I’m really thankful. You don’t need to be so modest.”
“Is that so…?”
“Yes. It’s clear it’s thanks to you.”
I couldn’t help but say that, feeling it might be a bit too introspective.
At least, Karen didn’t seem to dislike hearing something like that. I could see her expression brightening a bit every time I expressed my gratitude or complimented her, which was a good sign.
Sitting here comfortably looking at Karen’s face… she definitely felt like someone from the Roseaki Family.
Apart from her red hair, her features were quite similar.
Although Karen’s eyes were less sharp, and her expression had a somewhat… dark and gloomy vibe compared to Grace, and her bangs were longer…
“By the way, is this your first time at a social gathering…? Is it okay for you to be here with us…?”
Honestly, it didn’t matter, but I wanted to give a little advice when I saw that Karen seemed a tad pitiful.
To be honest, it was definitely a win-win situation for us.
“Y-yes? A-ah… I’m fine. After all, I rank lower in the line of succession than Grace. I prefer reading books over mingling with people…”
“…….”
“Actually, I didn’t want to come out this time. But Father told me to come out just for a bit and quietly talk to people…”
Uh… hmm…
It seems Karen was… what you would commonly label a shut-in.
That too, being from a well-off family meant she didn’t have to worry, and she could comfortably live her shut-in life… truly a kind of shut-in that could get away with it.
Of course… this situation would be a guaranteed advantage for me, but…?
Especially since it seemed like her father, Count Roseaki, wanted Karen to be active outside and social.
It was certainly a solid outcome that I ended up in the garden after meeting Karen for the first time.
So…
“Do you like books, sis?”
“Huh? Um… yes, I do… but Father doesn’t really like me reading so much…”
“I see…”
Well, most parents tend to prefer outgoing children over introverted ones.
Moreover, Karen had an introverted hobby and an introverted personality, which must have caused the Count quite a bit of worry.
“So, do you want to play with me?”
This time with a smile.
Just like when I asked if it was okay to call her sis, I asked with the brightest smile.
Of course, the way we play would be standard, right?
“Reading books is nice, but isn’t it unpleasant to keep getting scolded by the Count?”
“That’s true…”
“I can help you. If you play outside with me, I’m sure the Count would ease up a bit, don’t you think?”
She was just slightly older than eight years.
After all, Karen was still young, and being introverted, she probably hadn’t been heavily impacted by the political maneuverings among nobles, not yet.
Therefore, it was definite that Karen wouldn’t refuse my pure-hearted suggestion.
“What… then… shall we…? But what do we do to play…?”
“I’ll tell you when we actually play together next time.”
I said that while chuckling softly to Karen.
By the way, I couldn’t help but wonder what Rosalyn and Rize were doing back at the inn. They hadn’t been at the Roseaki Mansion for very long after all.
I found myself wanting to see them.
…Should I go back and have some ice cream with Rosalyn and Rize?