Mad Rosetta - Chapter 104

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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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Rosette Gone Mad
Chapter 104
Loyalty and Collapse (5)
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Father’s face upon returning from visiting Lawrence was haggard—so devastated that I could not bring myself to ask what they had discussed.
I understood better than anyone the sting of betrayal by one who had stood at my side for so long.
Thus, all I could do was frequent Father’s Study, powerless to offer anything more.
“…A reinvestigation, you say?”
“Yes. I thought there might be valuable information to be gained, which is why I’ve come to seek your statement.”
The owner of that measured, weighty voice placed a notepad and fountain pen upon his knee, signaling his readiness to listen.
An investigator from the Security Bureau had requested a visit with the Knights, and I had just granted permission.
Questions had arisen regarding the death of Epsilon Baron, who had passed away years prior, and they had come to take my statement.
“The materials provided by the Noble Lady were far more detailed than expected. Most notably, the records listed Epsilon Baron as the caretaker, and yet….”
“…You suspected that Lianna had been tending the plants all this time.”
“Precisely. I believe the late Epsilon Baron may have been deliberately poisoned with toxins. Thus, I determined a reinvestigation was warranted.”
…This investigator was proving quite helpful, whether knowingly or not.
Despite my inner thoughts, I arranged my expression into one of unease.
Based on the materials Sergio had provided earlier, the Security Bureau had conducted considerable investigation of their own.
When Epsilon Baron had died, he had fallen ill for roughly three days before expiring. The symptoms of plant poisoning were unmistakable, and since the registered caretaker was himself, no autopsy had been performed.
But here was the matter.
Toxic plants capable of producing symptoms identical to the Baron’s poisoning had been discovered at the Epsilon Estate to this very day.
‘Since Lianna has been managing that estate all this time….’
Even without conclusive proof of guilt, the Security Bureau could justify continued detention based on circumstantial evidence.
‘If they wished to implicate her, negligence in managing hazardous substances as a caretaker would suffice.’
Though perhaps not to the extent I had envisioned, keeping Lianna confined would be a welcome outcome I would embrace wholeheartedly.
‘…I never imagined I would need to use this, and at such a time.’
I feigned hesitation, my face betraying both fear and melancholy.
The investigator then assured me with a concerned voice that he would ensure my protection, urging me not to worry and to speak freely.
With that, I steeled myself and opened my mouth.
“W-well, the truth is…. It was around early spring last year when I realized I had been poisoned by plant toxins and sought treatment.”
“…Plant toxins, you say?”
“Shameful as it is, for years I was neither physically nor mentally sound. People thought me mad. I could not control my own body, causing those around me great suffering.”
“….”
“Now, reflecting on the timeline…. The symptoms seemed to begin gradually after my younger sister joined the household. When I investigated my surroundings to understand the cause, the only thing that had changed was the flowers my sister had gifted me.”
“…Flowers, you say.”
“Panilnia flowers.”
I explained that for nearly two years, I had received bouquets made of Panilnia blooms repeatedly.
The moment I finished speaking, the investigator’s expression visibly hardened.
He seemed to recall something from Sergio’s materials.
“So I took the liberty of commissioning a renowned scholar in herbal studies to research Panilnia. Unfortunately, he died suddenly in what was ruled an accident, so I obtained an antidote from someone else instead.”
“An accident? You mean she died suddenly? What do you…?”
“There was a major fire at the Academy in early spring last year. You must remember that.”
“…Inspector. I’m referring to Dr. Drabe Beaumont, who ended his life through an extreme choice.”
The man beside the inspector spoke in hushed tones, bowing deeply.
At that, the inspector’s expression grew grave, as if a chill had run down his spine, and he fixed me with an intense stare.
‘Yes, yes. That’s right. Your thinking is correct. That’s exactly it.’
Two fires sparked by broken lanterns.
The connection between the Epsilon Mother and Daughter and Lawrence.
And the suspiciously cultivated plants in the greenhouse at the Epsilon Estate…
I could not help but think how perfectly all these pieces fit together with today’s events.
As his thoughts deepened and his head began to throb, the inspector pressed his temples and asked.
“If you created an antidote… then you must have been aware since last year that you had been poisoned. But why didn’t you report or inform anyone about your younger sister?”
“I didn’t think Bonita would have done it intentionally. After all, we live in a world where people still die from starvation, eating grass in desperation. So I simply decided to stop bringing Panilnia into the household and left it at that.”
“…The materials you provided to us clearly included information that Panilnia Flower was being cultivated at the Epsilon Estate. Yet you claim you felt no suspicion upon seeing this?”
“Pardon? The materials I provided?”
“…”
“Ah, I-I apologize. Truth be told, I was focused intensely only on information about the Butler…”
Sometimes, feigning ignorance proves useful in avoiding difficult situations.
As I mumbled nervously, my spirit seemingly crushed like a shrimp, the inspector swept his gaze over me with a troubled expression.
“…No, that’s quite understandable. Might your younger sister still be in the household at present?”
“I’m not sure. She’s likely away at the moment. She’s been volunteering at the Monastery recently.”
“Hmm, I’ll make note of that. Then, regarding the attendants who served the Duchess—might we meet them shortly?”
“Of course. Sara? Please show these gentlemen the way.”
“Yes, Lady.”
The inspector bowed his head and left the Reception Room with the others, while I saw them off with a gracious smile.
‘They seem to be working hard. It’s rather unfortunate.’
Even with the reinvestigation underway, Lianna will ultimately be released.
There will be no new evidence, and she will certainly never confess to having killed me.
With only circumstantial evidence and suspicion to go on, the investigation will reach its limits—extending her detention period will be all they can manage.
After Lawrence and Lianna were taken into custody, I had their rooms torn apart, but the search yielded nothing.
Not a single old letter exchanged with Lawrence, nor even a piece of jewelry from her days as the Epsilon Baroness came to light.
‘Such thoroughness…’
I have never been so frightened by someone’s meticulousness.
Because all traces that could have been incriminating had no substance, the achievement of using the Memoraph seemed almost unbelievable.
…In the end, there’s no choice but to do as I did with Becky during the Spring Stage.
Make her destroy herself.
* * *
“…Sigh.”
I had stepped out of my room, bundled up in my coat for a bit of fresh air.
But I stopped in my tracks upon encountering Odette and Sing descending from the Benitra carriage.
‘I can’t let this slide without making a point.’
Though I had no intention of acting like someone whose judgment had been twisted.
Sing’s arrogant expression, displayed so brazenly, was acting of such exceptional caliber that I found myself wanting to learn from it….
But fundamentally, Odette bore the greater responsibility.
It was her genuine reaction—the way she refused to even exchange words with me, hiding behind him instead—that had provoked this outburst.
“…Now that I see it, I think you two make quite the fitting pair.”
“….”
“Unaware of your own vulgarity…. Walking about with such shameless audacity.”
“…If you intend to mock, then go on your way, sir.”
“You’re hardly in a position to command me, nor do you have the standing for it.”
“…Why must you speak so cruelly before Bonita, who is already suffering?”
Sing meticulously shielded her behind his back, as though terrified I might harm Odette.
I actually scoffed at his behavior.
‘It seems I came looking for a quarrel, but now I’m genuinely angry.’
When I had promised to visit Odette, he had expressed such distaste.
It was difficult to recall his discomfort from that time, so thoroughly had Sing and Odette already begun acting like affectionate lovers.
He had even taken her to the Estate Convent where Odette performed social service, and they had visited Lianna together.
Letters arrived at his quarters daily, going back and forth—there was no way to remain ignorant of it.
Seeing how closely they clung to each other, there was no doubt he had skillfully manipulated the frail-hearted Odette.
“It was an appropriate measure—what reason could there be for suffering? Answer me directly from your own lips, Bonita. If you have any objection to my turning your mother over to the Security Bureau, speak now.”
“…My mother, you say, Sister? She remains our mother still, and the mistress of the Duke’s Estate. What discourtesy is this?”
“…How amusing your words are—’remains still’…. Does your very answer not imply that Lianna is unfit for the Duke’s Estate?”
“…You misunderstand my meaning-”
“It sounds as though being cast out is only natural.”
As I cut her off and laughed mockingly, Odette’s face contorted in an instant, her composure crumbling.

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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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