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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Give Mom a Kiss Too
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Overnight, I had become a noble, but my daily routine remained exactly the same.
As always, I woke up in the morning, cleaned my room, washed the dishes from my meal myself, grabbed the potions I'd prepared in advance, and headed to the market. After selling them all, I returned to the mansion and continued my studies on magic circuits.
That was how my day went on, unchanged. The only difference was the attitudes of the people around me.
Whether on the merchant street or the path leading back to the mansion, people treated me with noticeably more courtesy.
Even the head of that trading company occasionally came down to the market on purpose, flashed a smile, and left.
Of course, what they really cared about wasn't me, but the Rahel Tani name attached to mine.
But to someone like me, with commoner blood running deep in my veins, their excessive politeness felt more burdensome than anything.
Still, if there was one upside, it was that troublemakers no longer showed up at my street stall.
"Just ignore it. You'll have to get used to it eventually anyway."
Deep into the night, Camilla spoke casually as we lay facing each other under the same blanket.
As a penalty for losing the magic duel, I had to share a bed with her twice a week.
"Hey, it's not like I can just decide to get over it."
"So what can you do about it, Big Sister?"
"…"
I couldn't think of a comeback. In the end, all I could do in this situation was adapt to noble life as quickly as Camilla suggested.
"Think positive. Now that you're a noble too, Big Sister, you have way more options open to you, right?"
"Forget it. Let's just sleep."
I turned my head away from Camilla and closed my eyes. Even if I'd become a noble, my way of life hadn't changed.
I would achieve my dreams relying solely on my own strength, not the prestige of the family. That goal had never wavered once.
I'd pass the academy entrance exam with the knowledge I'd built up myself and pay the tuition with the money I'd saved on my own.
"Big Sister, did you know?"
I turned back to face Camilla, who was unusually chatty tonight.
"What are you getting at?"
"There's a darkbeast hunting tournament next week."
My eyelids twitched faintly.
Darkbeast.
It referred to living creatures that had gained immense power from mana exposure. They usually had low intelligence and savage temperaments, making them prime targets for extermination.
A monster gliding through the skies on enormous wings. A green-headed brute several times larger than a human. Yeah, they weren't much different from the monsters we knew in typical fantasy worlds.
Individually, they might be classified as orcs, wyverns, or gargoyles, but in this world, such beings were collectively called darkbeasts.
"A d-darkbeast hunting tournament...?"
"Yeah. It's a petty contest where they cull the darkbeast population and nobles show off their strength. Wouldn't it be the perfect stage for the scrolls you've made, Big Sister?"
Monster hunting. As someone who'd played countless fantasy games, how could my heart not race?
Since reincarnating, I'd never once encountered a monster. Binhel Village was remote, sure, but it was classified as a safe zone.
Still, deep down, I'd always harbored a desire to see one with my own eyes someday.
And to take one down with magic I'd created myself? That romantic notion stirred excitement deep in my chest.
"You could go too, Big Sister."
As if reading my mind, Camilla continued matter-of-factly.
"M-me... too?"
"Yeah. The Rahel Tani family got an invitation."
Camilla scooted even closer. The rustle of the blankets brought her warmth into sharper focus.
"With your scrolls, Big Sister, you could definitely take down a darkbeast."
My heart pounded faster at her words.
I wanted to hunt one.
I wanted to subjugate a darkbeast—the kind I'd only fought in games—with a scroll I'd made myself.
"...But I don't want to rely on the family."
Opportunities like the hunting tournament Camilla mentioned—to face darkbeasts in a controlled environment—weren't common.
Even at the academy, you could only encounter them during a handful of experiential field trips each year. In other words, it was a precious experience not everyone could have.
That's what made me hesitate. I didn't like the idea of borrowing the Rahel Tani family's influence for it.
"Why would you be the one receiving help?"
But Camilla took the conversation in a different direction from my thoughts.
"Huh?"
"If you take down a bunch of darkbeasts, that racks up achievements for the Rahel Tani family. Doesn't the family ultimately benefit?"
"Uh...?"
"So actually, aren't you the one helping out the Rahel Tanis?"
Her unexpected logic left me speechless. I blankly mulled over her words for a moment.
"I-is that... how it is?"
Maybe she was right.
Darkbeasts that tore into lives without mercy were a threat to everyone. If I shone in the tournament and took them down, the Rahel Tani family's prestige would surely rise.
"Yeah. You're not receiving help—you're giving it."
Camilla continued with quiet, earnest eyes. Her sincere words seeped into my heart, slowly swaying my resolve.
"I-is that so...?"
"Yes."
Hmm...
If that's how it was...
Well...
Maybe I'd give it a shot?
※
"No."
Firm eyes and a low, subdued voice.
Roselia rejected my request to join the darkbeast subjugation without a moment's hesitation.
"Why not?"
"What do you mean, darkbeasts? You're not even ten yet. You think that's some playground?"
Roselia flatly refused, saying I was too young. Considering the ferocious nature of darkbeasts, she wasn't wrong.
"But Camilla's going."
"That child has the strength to protect herself. You're still too fragile. That's why no."
"I can protect myself now too! I have scrolls..."
"No. Give up on the subjugation. I'll grant you something else instead."
In the face of Roselia's unyielding resolve, I had no choice but to shut my mouth.
I wasn't upset or hurt. Her words were justified, and cases of kids my age subjugating darkbeasts were exceedingly rare.
But I couldn't help the faint cloud of disappointment settling in one corner of my heart. It seemed I'd been harboring a desire to try it without realizing.
Still, there was nothing for it.
I didn't want to throw a tantrum at Roselia over something like this. For someone like me, it might have been presumptuous to begin with.
"Sorry for pushing it, Countess. I'll take my leave."
I bowed my head politely in farewell.
My voice came out a bit subdued as it slipped through my lips. When I lifted my head to go, I met Roselia's gaze, which seemed somehow unsteady.
Her eyes were trembling faintly. I had no idea why, but figuring it was nothing, I turned to leave.
And just as I pivoted and took a step—
"W-wait."
A slightly urgent voice from Roselia stopped me.
"Yes?"
Roselia narrowed her eyes, her face falling into deep contemplation.
After a brief silence, she pressed her forehead and let out a long sigh.
"I'll allow it—on the condition that you never leave Sierra's side, not even for a single moment."
Her unexpected words made my eyes widen.
"Really?"
"Yes. Not even for one second."
My heart started racing again. Why did those words make me so thrilled? I nodded eagerly without thinking.
"Yes! I will."
Roselia stared at me silently.
I must have gotten too excited without realizing. Under her gaze, my face gradually heated up.
"And lastly, one more condition."
Roselia walked slowly toward me. I looked up at her in bewilderment.
She knelt on one knee to meet my eye level, then lightly tapped her cheek with a finger.
"Give Mom a kiss too."
"...Pardon?"
"You do it so easily for Camilla. It feels like you're avoiding only me. I'm a little jealous."
"N-no, it's not like that..."
I frantically waved my hands and took a step back.
"You know how I... have trouble with physical contact with women..."
"I know. But just once... won't you?"
Was it my imagination? There seemed to be a different emotion in Roselia's eyes than usual. Something warm and tender.
"I-I'm sorry..."
I didn't want to disappoint her either.
But my fear of women was an absolute barrier for me.
I might even pass out the moment my lips touched her cheek. In the end, I couldn't live up to her expectations.
"...All right, I understand."
A weary sigh mingled with her faint voice.
Did I hurt her feelings? A pang tightened in my chest.
"I'll allow the subjugation, so go rest now."
The sorrow in her tone pushed that pain to its peak. I squeezed my eyes shut and clenched my fists.
'It's for the darkbeast subjugation...!'
I couldn't muster the courage for a cheek kiss. But then I thought of an alternative.
I steeled myself and approached Roselia without hesitation.
I gently cupped her palm with both hands. The moment her white, delicate fingertips touched my palm, my whole body trembled.
Slowly, I drew her hand toward my face.
Closing my eyes tight, I carefully pressed my lips to her palm.
Mwah.
My lips met her soft palm with a sweet sound.
I squeezed my eyes even tighter and pressed my lips more firmly against it.
The soft texture at my lips brought on a wave of rejection. I pulled back immediately, my body shivering.
Roselia stared down at me blankly, saying nothing.
Her gaze made my face burn hotter. Avoiding her eyes, I mumbled softly.
"I-is this... okay...?"
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