Mad Rosetta - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Rosetta Gone Mad

Episode 10

The Obedient Child Knows No Punishment (6)

No matter how frequently Odette came and went from Rose Manor, there were definite limits to her ability to monitor me.

To seize control of the Household more smoothly, she would have needed to be informed that I was being kept in a state where I could never recover.

It was easy to deduce that there existed an Attendant placed by her hand.

“My movements have changed, so she must be anxious. If a position opened up where she could monitor me from my side, wouldn’t Odette command them to apply for it immediately?”

【In exchange, your daily life would have to be laid bare to her as well.】

“If there’s something to lose, there’s something to gain. I’ll give away just enough, and at precisely the right moment, I’ll sever all of Odette’s strings. It would take far too long to investigate each one individually, and they’d be difficult to find anyway.”

【Give flesh and take bone, as they say. I rather like this operation, darling.】

Leaving Sing to his unpleasant laughter behind me, I headed toward the Bathroom.

This was a trap set for Odette.

Everything was unfolding as I intended. By making her believe through her subordinates, I would stamp out every spark of her ambition.

I dozed and woke repeatedly during my bath, imagining Odette when she had lost all her hands and feet.

Though it was a misunderstanding, one might have expected her to be upset, yet Penny tended to my body with meticulous care, just as she had every morning.

“Starting tomorrow, thanks to the others, you won’t have to work so hard alone anymore, Penny.”

“…Yes, thank you. Lady.”

That girl—her tightly pressed lips were so refreshingly adorable.

I heard she had taken a position as a Servant in our Household after her own Noble House had sold off its titles.

She seemed to believe she would truly be reassigned to cleaning duties starting tomorrow.

I chuckled to myself, thinking I ought to tease him a bit, and finished my bath before heading to bed.

【Darling, I’ve been waiting for you.】

“….”

He was sprawled across my bed in a rather seductive pose, his head propped up on one arm.

‘When did I ever take a mistress?’

Too exhausted to bother arguing, I simply kicked him aside and buried my face in the bedding.

As Transa’s soft sheets enveloped me, the gentle scent of soap washed over my senses.

Even his jesting remarks about how I couldn’t possibly push him away so coldly sounded like a lullaby to my drowsy mind.

Overwhelmed by exhaustion, I surrendered to my heavy eyelids.

【How amusing… you sleep just like a child.】

“….”

【If your mother were still alive, she would surely have beaten me to death for this…】

I seemed to hear him murmuring something in my half-sleep.

It was nothing more than the bitter mutterings of a resentful Faceless Ghost who had endured this exhaustingly long day alongside me.

With that thought, I surrendered myself to slumber.

【Sleep well, darling.】

I was so utterly drained that I didn’t even dream that night.

* * *

“Did you cough, Lady?”

“…I was coughed upon.”

I stretched my sluggish body and responded with irritation.

Though I had incinerated every last flower, the toxins of Panilnia that had accumulated in my body over time left me feeling far from refreshed.

So I had intended to sleep in late today, but Penny was making such a fuss, insisting I needed to get up early this morning and come downstairs.

Thanks to her, I was forced awake.

While I was washing my face, she asked if I wanted to freshen up, and when she suggested braiding my hair today, I agreed. Only then did Penny begin chattering about the real reason.

“Actually, the items the Duke sent have arrived in the Hall. What should we do with them?”

“So there was a reason for waking me so urgently.”

Today was the day the new Servants would arrive to take up their duties.

Was she eager to quickly fill the shabby Wardrobe?

Seeing Penny’s somewhat conflicted expression, I instructed her to have the gifts sent up to my Room.

‘Father certainly works fast….’

It was only yesterday morning that I had mentioned having no suitable dresses to wear.

The fact that he had prepared and sent them so quickly warmed my heart.

“…I believe he mentioned sending several pieces.”

“He said the items commissioned for custom creation will take a few more days, so he sent only what was already prepared for now.”

“My goodness?”

I stared blankly at the boxes that filled the Living Room floor.

One, two, three….

Once the number of boxes exceeded twenty, I stopped counting and immediately told Penny to bring out only what I could wear right away.

When the new people arrive, I’ll have to start by organizing the Wardrobe.

I watched Penny eagerly tearing open the wrapping with a satisfied smile, when I suddenly realized Sing’s absence.

‘Where on earth has he wandered off to?’

Though it had only been a day since I’d met him, if I was being honest.

The moment I opened my eyes, he was asking if I’d woken up, or I’d caught him sleeping soundly.

That creature who seemed to know nothing but how to stretch people’s patience was nowhere to be found, no matter how much I looked around.

With the talkative one gone, I felt oddly empty.

Even as I continued to regain my human appearance thanks to Penny’s excellent dexterity, I heard Marahan’s voice from beyond the door.

“Lady, it’s Marahan. I’ve completed the task you entrusted to me and have come to report.”

Did none of them sleep? Why were they all so quick?

I’d assigned the task last evening and expected the Attendants to arrive around afternoon. It seemed the assignment had been completed faster than anticipated.

As three Servants filed in after Marahan and stood behind me, I caught their eyes in the mirror while continuing to receive my makeup.

Two of them were the ones who had cleaned my room yesterday.

“Well done, Marahan. You may go now.”

Marahan bowed respectfully and left once her task was complete.

I examined carefully the three who introduced themselves in turn as Sara, Reina, and Vicky.

They all appeared to be around Penny’s age or perhaps a year or two older.

Since I had never paid much attention to those around me, it was difficult to immediately identify which of the three had any connection to Odette.

“Very well. From now on, you three will be my hands and feet.”

“We shall serve you with utmost sincerity, Lady.”

Goodness, it’s difficult to answer so lifelessly like that.

Yet despite everything, the way she conducted herself with proper etiquette made me realize that Marahan had instilled such discipline quite thoroughly.

Only after Penny finished my grooming with a final touch of perfume did I rise from the mirror and approach them.

“Penny. Now that they’ve arrived, you no longer need to remain in that position.”

“…Yes, Lady.”

They watched Penny as she obediently acknowledged my words.

Some gazed at Penny with pity as she was dismissed, while others regarded her dismissal with disdain, yet I considered all such reactions perfectly natural.

I had heard that Penny’s actual duties were cleaning work—specifically, scrubbing the Second Floor corridor and stairs.

Since no one had volunteered to assist with my bathing, they had temporarily assigned Penny, who had been diligently mopping, to help me. It was only right that she return to her proper position.

“Therefore, Penny, from today onward you shall become my exclusive Maid and must guide them exceptionally well.”

Creating such a position was entirely within my authority.

The air grew heavy, as though I had spoken something inappropriate.

They all stared with wide eyes in stunned silence, which made me somewhat uncomfortable. I addressed them once more.

“Therefore, you must all henceforth follow Penny’s lead and dedicate yourselves to your assigned duties. I shall carefully consider the task assignments and inform you of them shortly. For now, begin by moving and organizing those items.”

As I traced my fingertip across the room, the floor beneath the neatly stacked gift boxes came into view.

I had expected them to hesitate upon being assigned such duties so suddenly, yet they boldly set about unwrapping the packages.

“Um, Lady….”

“Penny, I suggest you refine your manner of speech. It is rather endearing, but as my Maid, you lack sufficient dignity.”

“That is… might you reconsider? I cannot accept the position of exclusive Maid.”

What was she saying?

Finding it utterly absurd, I naturally furrowed my brow.

Promotion from Servant to Maid was granted only when all three conditions were met.

Namely: Household lineage! Refinement! And lastly, fortune!

When a prestigious Household selected a Maid, it meant they scrutinized not only the applicant’s family background but also their knowledge of etiquette and their ability to perform duties with meticulous care.

Since a Maid must constantly stand beside and support her mistress, it was a position of considerable responsibility.

What was I to do with this rabbit-like creature who would refuse even if chosen without regard to her background?

“…I never expected you to question my judgment. You’ll need to provide a reasonable explanation, Penny.”

“W-well, first of all, I’m too young to serve a Lady properly….”

“There are no age restrictions.”

“A-and! I never received proper education from my Household, so being by your side might actually cause you harm instead.”

“My standing has already fallen as far as it can. There’s nowhere lower for it to go. Don’t concern yourself.”

“B-but still…!”

“Tsk! There.”

At the click of my tongue, Penny’s mouth snapped shut with a soft sound.

Sensing that my mood had soured considerably, Penny’s shoulders drooped as she seemed to regret her words.

I exhaled deeply to calm myself before speaking.

“Listen, Penny. You possess an exceptional ability to read your mistress’s mood, and you can provide what’s needed at precisely the right moment. I chose you because I value your talents… If you call yourself uneducated and worthless, then aren’t you essentially accusing me of having no discernment?”

“That was absolutely not my intention, Lady!”

“No matter how pure your intentions may be, it’s others who interpret and accept your words. Therefore, you must always make clear that you are my representative, and you must weigh every word you speak.”

“Y-yes, Lady…. I will remember this.”

Completely dejected, Penny’s already-slumped shoulders now resembled a triangle.

I wavered for a moment, but then realized that if I let this slide carelessly, the day would surely come when I’d be disappointed in her. So I resolved to establish firm boundaries from the start.

It was only natural that my Maid should never be found wanting, no matter where she went.

I harbored a fervent wish that she would strike down, in one decisive blow, all those who sought to mock her with their refined eloquence.

“I already know you’re modest, so that’s enough. Excessive humility only makes one appear servile. Surely you don’t want your own mistress to be looked down upon?”

“Y-yes! I shall serve the Lady with confidence!”

“Good, do as you please.”

With the admonishment concluded, I left my Room with only Penny at my side.

I intended to see Father and ask him to allow me to attend the Feast to be held in Spring.

The problem revealed itself the moment I stepped into the Corridor.

It was the sight of that Faceless Ghost drifting—or perhaps strolling, I couldn’t quite tell—down the Corridor, cheerfully waving its hand at me.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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