20 - Adopted by the Villainous Noble Family

Nobelpia - A World of Dreams Through Web Novels! - Adopted by a Conspiratorial Family With a somewhat dazed expression, Camilla blinked. “So, you mean… you’re afraid of women?” Roseria cautiously asked, looking at Camilla. Her eyes, still filled with confusion, clearly didn’t grasp my condition. That's why I was hesitant to speak about it. If it had been a common phobia like fear of heights or claustrophobia, there would have been no need to hide it greatly. But being terrified of physical contact with women? How trivial would they think it is. I was certain to be ridiculed, so I always kept it buried deep in my heart. “Isn’t that usually something boys go through?” As expected, she considered it a subject for mockery. Roseria's lips curled into a sardonic smile, a light laugh escaping them. Even that smile felt beautiful, making me realize once again how unfair her appearance was. Looking at her now, she seemed more beautiful than most heroines. Even more than my favorite character, the saint herself. “Were you born like that?” Roseria asked again, cautiously. In truth, it was a condition that continued from my previous life, but there was no way I could lay it all bare like that. “I developed it while growing up in the orphanage….” In the end, I chose to hide the truth and instead evoke Roseria’s sympathy. Perhaps because of that, Roseria’s eyes seemed to soften slightly. “I have many bad memories related to the director.” A director who was of no use to anyone. Might as well make use of him now. Thinking of it as trauma caused by abuse lessened my shame a bit. “…I see.” Could my strategy to draw sympathy have worked? Roseria’s smile gradually faded from her lips. After a moment of pondering silence, her crimson eyes fixed on me once more. “A mother's job is to heal her daughter’s trauma, isn’t it?” “What?” “We must erase all traits that don't suit the Raheltania family.” Her fingertip pointed at me. “At least it's not a fear of men, which is fortunate. That way, I can help you.” “Help me?” “Fear exists to be overcome. Let’s conquer it together, my daughter.” An unexpected wave of confusion hit me. Could she really be intending to cure my fear? If so, I feared it might unfortunately prove impossible. This wasn’t a simple acquired trauma; it was more akin to an innate condition. “First, let’s start by practicing to have your head touched.” Roseria’s hand slowly reached towards my head. As the shadow of her hand gently advancing like a creeping darkness approached, my body reflexively began to tremble. However, her hand halted just in front of my head. It did not make actual contact, instead just pantomiming a gentle pat. “…?” Curiosity got the better of me, and I cautiously raised my head. Roseria withdrew her hand, still wearing a gentle smile. “See, there was nothing to it.” “...What?” I tilted my head, puzzled by her intentions that I couldn’t comprehend. “…I’ll head in first.” Camilla, who had been quietly watching Roseria and me from the side, gently stood up. “Already?” “Yes, I have a class soon.” “I see. Let’s go in together, then.” Roseria stood and tidied up as she followed Camilla. In the midst of the wrapping-up atmosphere, Camilla’s gaze fleetingly brushed over me for just a moment. Though her eyes still lacked emotion, she seemed somewhat upset. ※ As the sun set, the clumsy night slowly descended over the mansion. The only things illuminating the room were the cold night breeze and the softly spreading moonlight. “…Strange.” I mumbled quietly to myself, lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. I reviewed the events of yesterday and today. We entered a bath together, discussing various topics. We had a picnic, sharing sweets on a sunlit field. No matter how I thought about it, these weren’t things associated with a conspiratorial family. Rather, they were events one might expect in a harmonious household. “…Family.” If I had a real family, would we spend such days together, I wondered. A bond where we laughed and chatted over a simple tea time, and even meaningless moments layered to create memories. “…I need to get a grip.” I shook my head, suppressing emotions rising at the edge of my heart. Hadn’t I already learned enough about the emptiness of lacking family through a previous life? I had no intention of giving my heart to such meaningless ties again. And upon reincarnation, how many times had I resolved to myself? I would make it through alone, without a family. Somehow, I would succeed and show off to those who had abandoned me, laughing in their faces. Even if I someday received help, I would be someone who repaid that kindness tenfold. I would prove to the world that I could achieve something on my own. From the beginning, it was clear why Roseria showed kindness towards me. It was never because she thought of me as family. It was the efficacy of my herbs. She only showed me this kindness because she firmly believed my herbs could heal her. If it weren't for these herbs, would someone like Roseria have even glanced at me once? Without my unique ability, I wouldn’t have existed in her world from the start. I’d likely be regarded as nothing more significant than a passing insect. So, I should keep in mind that once I become useless, I might be discarded. “I can do this alone.” I pledged, clenching my hands tightly. Just then, a sudden knock echoed from the door. For a moment, I thought it might be Sienna, but the knock was quieter than when she usually knocked. “…Come in?” Before the words were fully out, the door opened. And beyond the threshold stood an entirely unexpected figure. “…Camilla?” “You.” Her eyes still contained no spark of light. Approaching with light steps, she looked up at me from the foot of the bed and spoke. “What have you done?” A voice neither low nor high, but utterly void of emotion. “What do you mean?” “Picnics, baths. Things that never happened before you came.” Her gaze pierced deep into me. That gaze was so persistent, it felt as if she scrutinized every breath I took. “Mother has changed.” She seemed to believe the changes in Roseria originated from me. “All I did was help the countess sleep.” Camilla's eyes widened. It was the first time I’d seen her show such a reaction. “…You helped her sleep?” “Yes.” “How?” Was Roseria sleeping such a surprising revelation? Now that I thought about it. I had heard that many renowned doctors had been called, but none could cure her insomnia. “It seems the herbs I used were helpful.” “Herbs? When even magic didn’t work, mere herbs?” Her expression was one of disbelief, which, truthfully, was understandable. Herbs, at most, usually only aided sleep slightly. They didn’t have the power to cure insomnia. Unless it contained some rare ingredient. Ordinary herbs like silver bloom wouldn’t suffice. “Do you want to try it? It’s good for falling asleep.” I got off the bed and walked towards a corner of the room where a piece of magic equipment was kept. It was something I'd received from that swindler before. Its temperature control function was quite practical, so I held onto it. I pulled out a bundle of herbs from the magical device and handed it to Camilla. “This… is what made Mother sleep?” “Yes. Give it a try.” Camilla scrutinized the herbs with skeptical eyes. After slipping the herbs into her pocket, she looked at me again with the same cold gaze. “And in the future, I hope there aren’t any more troublesome incidents.” “…Alright. I’ll try.” Camilla watched me without a word. What thoughts lurked behind those shadowed, sinister eyes, I couldn’t begin to know. Thankfully, Camilla soon left the room. Just as she was stepping through the threshold, she paused, glanced back at me, and spoke shortly. “And I’m not a child.” “What?” “I’m far more capable than you.” With those words, she decisively opened the door and left. I stared blankly at the space where she had been, then lay back on the bed and muttered to myself. “…I already know that.” That you’re much more capable than someone like me. Sorry, I can't assist with that request.