Mad Rosetta - Chapter 112

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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 112
Lingering Echoes (1)
Sergio, departing from his usual custom, guided us not to the Interview Room but to a specially prepared Private Room instead.
I felt grateful, as it seemed to speak to the considerable trust that had accumulated between us over time.
“Time is of the essence, so I’d prefer we cut straight to the matter at hand. You mentioned that the timing for my brother to reclaim his original body is critical, yes?”
“…Selina. I understand that familiar names cling to one’s tongue and won’t come loose easily. But couldn’t you at least make some effort to correct yourself?”
Yet you yourself have been calling me by a different gender all this while.
I dismissed Sing’s admonishment, delivered in a melancholic tone, but unlike me, Sergio brushed past it without concern and continued speaking.
“The Empress Dowager’s recent movements have been rather suspicious. She’s been bringing spiritualists of unknown origin into the Imperial Palace.”
“…Spiritualists, you say?”
“Those capable of conversing with or making contact with the spirits of the dead.”
“….”
“Because of this, there’s been talk lately that the Empress Dowager has fallen into superstition. But I’m concerned it might become a problem for my brother.”
At Sergio’s worried tone, I too felt my anxiety mounting.
I had thought that no matter how much she struggled, she would find no other way forward.
But this suggested she was methodically preparing something in her own way to contend with Sing, who had been a ghost.
Spiritualists—or sorcerers as they were sometimes called—were rare in existence, yet they could be found if one searched diligently enough.
While some pointed fingers at merely the mention of communing with the dead, there were equally many who became deeply absorbed and clung to such practitioners.
An unstable reality. A suffering heart. Such things might serve as a means of escape from those burdens, but….
Having heard tales of unknown deities like Taran actually existing, we could not help but feel uneasy.
‘Did I speak carelessly? What if he suddenly vanishes?’
To anyone listening, it was obvious the Empress Dowager intended to eliminate Sing’s spirit.
I was growing restless, but Sing opened his mouth with surprising composure.
“These spiritualists or whatever they are—how many are there? Can you find out who they are?”
“I’m already looking into it.”
“If possible, I’d like you to verify whether they actually possess any real ability. It’s not a major concern, but… there’s no harm in being prepared.”
“…Why are you being so calm about this?”
“…Darling. Have you forgotten who defied the natural order and bound me to this place?”
“…Ah. No, but still—”
“If I’m to vanish at the hands of some spiritualist… well, wouldn’t that be grounds for stripping away any divine authority?”
The implication was clear: what use could a mere spiritualist capable of communing with spirits possibly have against a god bound to my back?
It seemed like a rather irreverent statement from the perspective of any deity listening.
Yet seeing his composed demeanor, I found myself growing somewhat reassured.
“Still, I’m concerned whether we can align the timing for reclaiming my body. It means the corpse must be present at the moment when your resentment and mine are resolved, for resurrection to occur.”
“Without even attempting to use the sacred object, there’s a risk of vanishing….”
“Then securing my brother’s remains becomes the priority first.”
Sing’s tomb would surely be enshrined in the Imperial Mausoleum, where successive emperors were buried.
However, even in negotiating with the Empress Dowager, we had to be cautious about broaching the subject of the tomb.
If we gave her any opening to suspect we harbored ulterior motives, it would spell disaster.
I wonder if it’s even possible to suspect someone of trying to resurrect the dead from the start.
I’d informed them that Sing occupied Cessia’s body and had even persuaded them, so taking every precaution was wise.
“…Brother. What exactly did you say the promise with Taran was?”
“The problem is it’s somewhat vague. The condition was that Rosette and I would complete our revenge.”
“…That’s not very clear.”
“Right. It shouldn’t happen, but…if I were to forgive that target, it could be interpreted as fulfilling that condition as well.”
“That’s a completely unnecessary assumption. I’ve already thrown them in prison.”
“I like that you’re so ruthless.”
Unlike him, who laughed it off smoothly, I stood with my arms crossed, lost in thought.
To the point where the word “perfect” wouldn’t be an exaggeration, everything had to fall into place precisely to resurrect Sing.
I needed to secure Sing’s body from the Imperial Mausoleum where access was restricted, but this had to happen before my revenge succeeded.
‘…Then I just need to force it to fit, right?’
There was nothing more to consider.
“I need to restore your body before executing Lianna and Odette’s brother.”
“…What?”
“It’s the best option. Your opponent isn’t just anyone—they’re of Imperial blood.”
“…It’s true that it’s uncertain how Carina will react. But you’re sure about this?”
“As long as the result is the same, it doesn’t matter. Besides, I’ll be meeting the Emperor soon anyway. I’ll try to delay the execution as much as possible then. Though I’ll need to speak to Father separately…”
“…Why do you need to meet Jeremiah?”
At the news that a meeting with Jeremiah was already scheduled, Sing’s eyes sharpened at once.
“I was going to tell you today. Father mentioned my broken engagement a while ago.”
“…Ah, I see. So that’s what the urgency was about.”
“…What?”
Sing responded as if he understood, then rummaged through his coat’s inner pocket and produced a familiar letter envelope.
“It’s from the Empress Dowager.”
It was the invitation from Carina I’d been eagerly awaiting.
“…It came to you?”
“Yeah, I just received it four days ago. I thought it was sudden, but it seems she sent it in a hurry because she was worried her son might lose his betrothed.”
“What, what did it say?”
“Just formalities. She wouldn’t have bared her true feelings.”
Ah, right.
It would indeed be strange for her to send a letter so solemnly saying she had something to discuss with me.
“So there’s no need for you to ask Jeremiah for anything in particular. If you suddenly beg for leniency, he’ll definitely find it suspicious…It would be better if I coerced Carina instead—”
“What are you talking about? I already asked for a public execution.”
“…What? What?”
“Public executions take a long time to prepare. It’s perfect for buying time.”
I responded with exasperation and a hint of irritation.
Sing remained silent, his lips pressed together.
“…You’re quite straightforward, Princess.”
Even Sergio chimed in, saying he liked the clarity. I thought all these men saw me as nothing but water.
Public executions were carried out when the Culprit had caused significant social upheaval, or when their death needed to serve as a warning to instill caution in the people.
Because such events drew massive crowds, the procedures were complicated by safety concerns.
Thus, even the Imperial Court rarely resorted to this method unless the crime was truly grave.
In that place where angry mobs hurled stones and chaos reigned like madness itself, they would have their heads severed.
That was the ending Father and I desired.
“Fine, let’s say we’ve bought time as the Princess suggests. But how do we secure my brother’s body?”
No one could answer Sergio’s question.
No matter how hard I racked my brain, I couldn’t conceive of a viable method to extract Sing’s body.
Even if we were fortunate enough to gain permission to enter the Imperial Mausoleum, how could we possibly move an entombed corpse without enlisting anyone else’s hands?
‘No, even if we somehow succeeded in stealing it… where on earth could we possibly store something so conspicuous?’
If we suddenly brought the Former Emperor’s coffin to our Household, it would be obvious that we’d lost our minds.
That meant we needed timely access to the Imperial Mausoleum, and only the Emperor possessed such authority.
As my thoughts reached this point, I opened my mouth with a sudden realization.
“…What if we use Jeremiah?”
Sergio beat me to it.
Rather than looking at him in response to his sharp remark, I studied Sing’s face.
His expression was quiet and cold, utterly unreadable.
“You mentioned before that Jeremiah likely harbors mixed feelings toward the Empress Dowager.”
“…”
“If we draw him to our side, recovering your body becomes easier, and dealing with Carina becomes more manageable.”
Sergio articulated exactly what I had been thinking.
Yes, it was a gamble, but if it worked, there was no better method.
We could pin all charges of treason on the Empress Dowager, and the matter of accessing the Imperial Mausoleum would be resolved.
As for Jeremiah’s fate, once Sing reclaimed his body, the repercussions would be significant but easily handled.
He stabbed us in the back—we simply return the favor with equal force.
“…We’ll consider it as a priority.”
But why did he wear that expression again?
Watching his eyes waver with hesitation, I felt a flicker of displeasure.

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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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