Mad Rosetta - Chapter 106

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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 106
Loyalty and Conquest (7)
The timing could not have been better.
I could think of it in no other way.
How could I not have wanted the attendants of Lili Hall to move under my authority as well?
Yet at that time, the mistress’s authority still existed in full force, so I could not touch it.
‘It’s fortunate that Lianna was arrested before Odette’s house confinement ended….’
But Lianna was dragged away by the Security Bureau.
With the mistress absent, the authority over household personnel fell to me upon coming of age this year.
Thus I reassigned the children who had originally been Odette’s maids to the Main Manor, or sent them away to other households with letters of recommendation in hand.
Whether they thought themselves separated from Odette or for some other reason, not a single one voiced complaint.
Rather, their attitude felt somewhat frightening to me.
– “Now that your confinement has been lifted, I shall send you back to Lili Hall, but until you complete your service hours at the Estate Convent, I will restrict your conduct befitting a noblewoman.”
– “….”
– “Your allocated funds will naturally decrease, and restrictions will be placed on acquiring adornments. Of course, the matter of hiring new maids will also-”
– “Why don’t you just tell me to live like a mouse in a tomb?”
– “…If there is any attendant among those originally in service whom you wish for, I shall assign one to you.”
Was it because this came right after Lianna and Lawrence were dragged away in disgrace?
Odette remained deflated even at the mention of restricting her rights.
– “…It doesn’t matter where they’re assigned, does it?”
Having heard that the attendants who had cared for me quickly sought other positions, she requested that Kayla be assigned to her—and that was the whole story of today.
“Yes, Kayla…. How is Bonita doing these days?”
“There is nothing particularly noteworthy. Two days ago, she spent time at the Montague Estate, and tomorrow she plans to visit the Monastery before calling on the Duchess.”
“She visits quite frequently. Does Kayla accompany her into the reception room as well?”
“That is…. In the beginning, she did take me with her, but recently she has been entering alone and leaving. It does not take long.”
“Have you noticed anything suspicious?”
“…I apologize. She is the sort who does not reveal her inner thoughts.”
Perhaps it was because I had pressed her with an insistent tone without realizing it.
Kayla bowed her head apologetically.
‘Sing also said he has visited Lianna directly only a handful of times….’
I grew worried that the Epsilon Mother and Daughter were plotting together once more.
‘…No, no. I already know Odette’s plan.’
Groundless anxiety was creeping in, and I was steadying my mind.
As if reading my unease, Kayla carefully opened her mouth.
“Also…. Whenever the Montague Estate visits, not only am I forbidden from entering the room, but all other attendants as well.”
“…Ah.”
“I thought I should inform you, my Lady.”
“…Aha! Hahaha!”
At this unexpected personal news, I could not help but burst into laughter.
Kayla glanced back and forth between me and the children behind me, visibly flustered.
Her sudden laughter made even those standing nearby flinch.
“Ah, haha… Yes, now that I imagine it, that does sound like quite an unpleasant scene. It’s good to know these things. Thank you for telling me, Kayla.”
She would certainly be aware of the broken engagement between the two households.
Yet she seemed to think I would be curious about the relationship between Odette and a man who was still technically her betrothed.
I couldn’t fathom how far the servants’ imaginations were running, but it was almost amusing that the subject in question was Sing, who was merely pretending to love Odette.
On the other hand, I found it rather commendable that Kayla was relaying such trivial gossip with such earnestness.
“It puts my mind at ease that you bring me even the smallest details. If you notice anything else unusual or suspicious, you must come running to me at once.”
“Of course, Lady.”
“And Kayla, this is actually the main reason I called you here.”
“Yes?”
“You manage Bonita’s correspondence, don’t you?”
“Ah, yes. I handle most of it.”
“Then it works out perfectly. There’s something only you can do for me.”
As I smiled, Kayla swallowed nervously.
Though it was terribly important to me, it would be no difficult task for her.
“Soon, if Bonita orders you to send a letter to the Montague Estate… you must not obey.”
“…Yes?”
“And all you need do is bring that letter to me without Bonita knowing. Quite simple, isn’t it?”
“May I… ask the reason?”
“That day will be when you’re assigned to the Main Manor.”
I felt I had explained myself sufficiently.
Understanding my intent immediately, Kayla nodded with solemn determination.
“I… I will remember this well.”
“Good. I called you here to tell you this, so you may go now.”
Speaking kindly, Kayla bowed respectfully.
But as she rose to leave, she suddenly paused, as if remembering something.
“Ah, this is really nothing important, but… for some reason, she’s been visiting the courtyard frequently of late.”
“The courtyard? Bonita has been visiting the Main Manor’s courtyard?”
“Yes, she stops by the stables to look at the horses. Sometimes she goes alone.”
Unlike Kayla’s casual tone, I felt an inexplicable unease.
The courtyard was one thing, but the stables—even with a caretaker—reeked of manure and filth.
I couldn’t imagine Odette setting foot in such a place.
‘Is there some hidden scheme? But neither I nor Father particularly enjoy horseback riding…’
Besides, with mountains of urgent matters demanding my attention, leisure activities were a luxury I couldn’t afford.
“…Could she be planning to flee?”
“Yes?”
“No, never mind. She might be looking for you, so go now.”
Could it be that she changed her walking route to avoid running into me?
The thought crossed my mind briefly, but since I had already conveyed what was important, I decided not to dwell on it.
* * *
⟪Duke Benatra’s Mansion Fire Revealed as Murder Case… Perpetrator’s Execution Confirmed⟫
⟪Truth Behind Princess’s Death Emerges… Imperial Court Reviewing Diplomatic Response⟫
“…So it’s come to this after all, Lady.”
Standing behind me as she read the article, Penny spoke in a bitter tone.
Lawrence’s execution date had been set.
“It was inevitable. There’s no point making a fuss over it.”
“But…. Won’t your maternal family find it difficult to accept? If war were to break out….”
“…Now that you mention it, have we received a reply to the letter we sent to Terkikan last time?”
“We haven’t received anything yet.”
“…The response is slower than expected.”
I had sent a letter to Terkikan the moment Lawrence and Lianna were imprisoned.
Yet the fact that no reply had arrived troubled me.
I would have welcomed their anger—anything, really, if only they would say something.
Given that this incident had the potential to escalate into a diplomatic crisis, they appeared to be communicating with the Imperial Court first.
‘Tch, I should have asked Father to inquire about it.’
Father had departed for the Imperial Capital early this morning to obtain His Majesty’s permission for the divorce.
Since this was not a matter to be resolved in a single visit, he would need to make several more trips through mountains of paperwork.
Because Lianna had caused such public scandal, the procedures were moving relatively quickly.
The reinvestigation had yielded no progress, and within days Lianna would be released, making this a critical period.
Well…. Given that she would be released on grounds of insufficient evidence rather than exoneration, I should be grateful if there were no alimony to pay, let alone a consensual divorce.
‘…Wait? Don’t be ridiculous. What do you mean there’s nothing to pay?’
Since arriving at Benatra, Lianna’s personal wealth had grown astronomically.
With the fortune she had accumulated through various small business ventures, if even that were seized, she would end up destitute on the streets.
‘If only I could tie this to Odette’s scheme and send them both away at once….’
It would be a stretch to press the point that I had visited Lianna regularly, so it remained merely my wish.
Therefore, the Empress Dowager’s assistance was absolutely necessary.
– “While I’m there, I intend to firmly communicate that we will be ending the marriage arrangement with House Montague.”
– “…What?”
– “Shameless. I keep hearing that you’ve been inseparable from Bonita all this time, so really….”
– “…Yes, understood.”
– “You’ve already visited Terkikan, so there’s no need to delay further, is there?”
Recalling Father’s unwavering resolve, my head began to throb immediately.
I, who had promised the Empress Dowager to postpone the betrothal termination, could only fidget helplessly.
‘I can’t do it the way I did when I killed Fordicus….’
I had not failed to consider staining my own hands with blood as a means of disposing of the Epsilon Mother and Daughter.
Yet even now, I often found myself haunted by the image of Cessia dying.
The blood that felt scalding hot as it spilled forth, the sharp clarity in his eyes as they fixed upon me.
His chest, which had finally ceased its rise and fall as his breath left him, remained vivid even now.
I regretted it to the point of regretting ever having begun—let alone doing it twice.
Sing still felt guilty about it, but… nothing changed regardless.
So instead of violently removing the Epsilon Mother and Daughter from this world, we resolved to make them fall into our own trap by any means necessary.
That’s why I accepted the Empress Dowager’s assistance so readily…
“…Ah, my head aches.”
“It aches?”
…It did ache, truthfully.
I was bewildered by Penny’s frantic questioning, her eyes blazing as though some disaster had befallen me.
Two knocks.
The moment I granted permission, Kayla appeared behind Reina as she entered—the first time I’d seen her in days.
“…Ha.”
Upon seeing the letter held delicately in Kayla’s hands…
I felt my migraine vanish entirely.

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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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