19 - Adopted by the Villainous Noble Family

Novelpia - A World of Dreams Through Web Novels! - Adopted by a Shadowy Family The languid afternoon was wrapped in a gentle sunlight. The scent of early summer grass rode the breeze, brushing past my skin. "The weather is quite nice." A gentle smile spread across Roseria's lips. Her platinum blonde hair fluttered in the gentle wind, while her crimson eyes glimmered softly through the strands. She was so beautiful, just sitting still turned her into a picturesque scene. In the game, she was always consumed by madness, so I never realized how truly beautiful she was. "Are you alright, my daughter?" She looked at me and smiled softly. "...Yes, the weather is really nice." Here I was, peacefully picnicking with individuals who would one day throw the empire into chaos. I heard this place was one of the most renowned spots for outings in the empire. I was told that the Count of Laheltani had rented out the entire area for this afternoon. On the surface, it might have seemed like a harmonious family picnic. But really, I was nothing but confused. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd go on a picnic with Roseria. Roseria seemed more inclined to be drenched in the blood of a massacre than to enjoy an outing under the sunlight of a field. How did things come to this? Roseria must have arranged this gathering to try and improve her relationship with me, but for me, it was nothing but discomfort. And the main source of this discomfort was the girl sitting next to me. "Your expression doesn’t seem too bright, Camilla." As Roseria's gaze narrowed, Camilla forced a smile, awkwardly lifting the corners of her mouth. "No, mother. I like the... picnic." Her voice was strained, but Roseria didn’t seem to notice. "You two still seem a bit awkward. Have you talked at all?" With those words, Camilla’s lavender eyes turned toward me quietly. The moment her cold gaze met mine, I instinctively shrank back. "Now that you're family, you should have a bit of sisterly love." It wasn't a welcome suggestion at all. I was uneasy even sitting across from Camilla, so why did Roseria keep insisting on having her near me? Was Roseria always this meddlesome? Or perhaps she was unaware of Camilla's true nature? Anyone could tell from that vacant gaze that she lacked sociability. Did she genuinely expect sisterly affection to blossom here? But this family was merely a theatrical relationship from the start. Could genuine affection even sprout in such circumstances? "I'm close with my sister." Camilla sidled up to me, her eyes smiling. "Right, sister?" Her gaze seemed to say, 'Agree, or else.' Even someone like the inherently malicious Camilla had no choice but to tiptoe around Roseria. "Yes, we're close." I echoed her words with an awkward smile. Close? More like treated like dust, honestly. "Is that so?" Roseria looked on, seemingly pleased with our reaction, before opening a basket she had brought along. Inside were an array of delicacies, intricately designed, neatly laid out. Luxurious treats that were unimaginable in the village of Binhel, where the diet mainly consisted of simple greens and roots. '...They look delicious.' Being in a youthful body, I couldn't help but swallow my saliva at the sight of the tempting treats. "Here, open wide, my daughter." Roseria carefully picked up one of the confections and held it out in front of my mouth. Camilla and I both looked at her in startled bewilderment. "Countess...?" "It was stated in the contract, wasn't it? To fulfill the role of a parent. And didn't I also say I wanted to get closer to my daughter?" "Because you want to know the formula for the potion?" "Yes, I'm desperate to escape this curse." She was candid about her intentions. At least she wasn't someone who would lay traps with hidden agendas, like the director. "My arm is getting tired." At Roseria's dejected words, my body moved reflexively. Hastily reaching out, I took the cookie she held and bit into it. The moment the confection hit my tongue, my eyes widened in surprise. A sweet and nutty flavor I was tasting for the first time since my reincarnation. ‘...It’s delicious.’ Overwhelmed by the delightful taste, I quietly savored the cookie, chewing it thoroughly. "How cute." Roseria picked up another cookie and extended her hand towards Camilla this time. Camilla gave her a look of disbelief, but Roseria showed no signs of backing down. "...This isn’t like you, mother." Camilla muttered under her breath, dodging Roseria's gaze. "I’m aware. This isn’t how things have always been between us." Roseria replied calmly, as if she had expected Camilla's words. "Still, you're my daughter, aren't you?" "...By contract." "So, just play along with your mother a bit." Roseria's eyes narrowed, mingling affection with a subtle hint of coercion, causing Camilla to flinch ever so slightly. Camilla hesitated for a moment, then carefully parted her tightly closed lips. A piece of cookie slipped into her mouth, and she lowered her head, embarrassment coloring her cheeks as they puffed out. It was unexpectedly charming. Even someone who would one day become a villain threatening the world seemed no different from any other young girl just in this moment. Come to think of it, she was younger than me. Perhaps I had been seeing her through the jaded lens of the game's setting, fearing her more than necessary. "Here, Camilla." Roseria picked up a cookie and placed it in Camilla's hand. "As a younger sister, why not feed one to your older sister?" "...What?" Camilla's violet eyes widened in surprise. "You two still seem a bit awkward." Roseria glanced at me with a gentle smile. Camilla's furrowed brows mirrored my own bewilderment at this situation. "Do you not want to?" "Oh, no... it's not that..." If there's one new realization I had today, it's that Camilla can't go against Roseria's wishes. Seeing her reluctantly hand over the cookie to me, despite her scowling expression, was proof enough. "...Here, sister." Her voice was low and emotionless. Her face betraying nothing but the hope that this would be over soon. I accepted the cookie she offered without much thought, opening my mouth to take it. A sweet sugariness melted on my tongue, and for a brief moment, Camilla's fingertips grazed my mouth. "Thank you." Camilla nodded silently, her expression unchanged at my thanks. It was then that something caught my eye as I observed Camilla. Near her lips, some cookie crumbs that hadn't been wiped away lingered. Unable to just walk away from something out of place, I reached out instinctively. "You've got something here." I gently brushed the crumbs from her mouth with my fingertips. Only when Camilla looked at me with bewildered eyes did I realize my oversight. "Oh... I'm sorry if that was uncomfortable." "No, it's okay." The habit of looking after children in the orphanage had crept in unconsciously. Even though we eventually grew apart, at one time I was the one to take care of them. Come to think of it, things went awry with those children only after the director started to interfere. "That's odd." Roseria’s voice cut through my thoughts. She'd been watching me with a curious gaze for some time before she tentatively reached out a hand toward my face. "Ah." Instinctively, I recoiled as her hand approached, shivering and stepping back. Roseria narrowed her eyes slightly at my reaction. "You seem to fear people's touch, but you didn't mind touching Camilla?" "...Oh." "Is it perhaps me you dislike?" "No, no, it’s not like that... You... scare me..." "Yet with Camilla, you're fine?" "That... well..." Roseria’s sharp gaze pierced through me, making me drop my own. "I think I might feel a little hurt if you don't tell me." Her voice was laced with a hint of vulnerability. For some reason, seeing Roseria react as though she was hurt made me look up inadvertently. "It's not that! It... it's just..." "Just?" "Well... you see..." There are exactly three things, that from my past life to this one, I have an instinctive fear of. First are zombies. Second, hypodermic needles. And the third... "I’m... scared of touching women." "Eh?" Roseria blinked at me in surprise. There was one thing I really didn't want to admit out loud. It was the fact that I feared physical contact with women. More specifically, skinship. It was embarrassingly true. To the point that I didn't just lack immunity to it; I had a negative reaction. This is no exaggeration—in severe cases even the slightest accidental brush of fingertips would leave me quivering. And this instinct persisted, even after I had reincarnated into a woman's body. "But Camilla is a girl too, isn't she?" Roseria tilted her head, puzzled. "Camilla is..." Camilla was an exception. This sensation only applied to those like Isabel or the director, a bit older. "Camilla is just a child, so it's alright." For a brief moment, I sensed a subtle ripple of movement behind me. Turning slowly, I found Camilla staring at me, her expression somewhere between vacant and bewildered. Was it just my imagination, or was there something else behind that gaze? Did she just make a particular expression? Well... It's probably just my imagination. --- Author's Note I've received so much support from so many people... I decided to do a back-to-back release to show a bit of my gratitude!!!! I'm exhausted, but if you readers enjoyed it, that's more than enough for me. Read the next chapter