Mad Rosetta - Chapter 115

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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 115
Lingering Echoes (4)
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“It is an honor to meet you thus, Duchess.”
“….”
“Haha, it feels almost as though I’m greeting you for the first time.”
The bewildered gazes of those uncertain whether they had heard correctly amused me.
Moreover, having offered a premature greeting before my superior could speak, the flustered courtiers quickly sought cues from their mistress.
The hidden sovereign of the current Arcanis Empire’s Imperial Court, as she was called….
Carina Perijia.
Her expression, specifically.
‘Hmm, she’s displeased, as expected.’
Sing paused before the reception room door with a sardonic smile.
Who would welcome one who mocked them while wearing her own son’s face?
It was only natural that Carina’s expression hardened in that instant.
Meanwhile, Sing remained standing askew in the doorway, smiling weakly as before.
To feign gentleness toward one who already harbored hostility toward me would only invite an opportunity to be torn apart.
Thus, the memory of someone’s darling saying that if one wished to suppress an opponent’s momentum, one must strike first came to mind.
“…Your wit has grown sharper of late, Youngsik. Do sit down, won’t you.”
Her expression, which had been coldly rigid, softened into warmth as though it had never been otherwise.
“If you wish to converse in this state, I shall do so.”
At her words—which carried the implication of why she hadn’t dismissed the others—the hand of someone pouring tea in silence trembled momentarily.
Was she mad? That is surely what they thought.
The courtiers’ faces filled only with shock as Sing spoke to Carina in a manner unbefitting her station, despite their obvious presence.
“…All of you, leave now.”
The expression of one whose authority had been violated was nothing short of fierce.
Nameless figures fled the reception room with haste, as though escaping.
Their faces were drained of color by fear.
Had Carina not anticipated that Sing would act in such a manner?
Her delayed reactions only grew more pronounced as she ceased to conceal her displeasure.
“Indeed, behaving like a reckless thunderbolt—such wickedness truly torments the living.”
“Having departed this world before reaching maturity, what else would one expect?”
“No matter how deep one’s resentment, to abandon all the dignity of the Imperial Court learned in life is inexcusable.”
“…Who exactly are you attempting to instruct?”
For a mere walk to the sofa, the exchange had been remarkably vicious.
It was only natural that I grew angry at her audacity in attempting to lecture me.
When Sing’s eyes narrowed menacingly, whether due to bearing Cessia’s appearance or not, Carina’s gaze faltered for a moment.
“Since you extended the invitation yourself, I believed the Princess conveyed my intentions clearly…. Yet it seems that was not the case.”
“…Was the recent incident in Benatra also your doing?”
I’m not her.
Yet there was no need to correct him, so Sing simply smiled in agreement.
Whether due to interference in Cessia’s precious soul, her brow furrowed and refused to relax.
“She is remarkably clever. I merely offered my personal assistance because she would have been wasted as Fordicus’s partner.”
“…How many must suffer from your cunning schemes? Have you truly become a malevolent spirit?”
“It seems you’ve already reached that conclusion.”
“What….”
“Then why did you ignore my command to expel everyone and dare to hide a lowborn creature?”
At Sing’s toneless voice, she froze entirely.
Eyes gleaming with an eerie brilliance….
‘Where have I seen those eyes before?’
The thought arose from something that seemed both familiar and unfamiliar.
The blue eyes of her late husband, the Emperor, had been inherited by Jeremiah.
Thus, whenever Carina encountered Sing’s pale-colored eyes, she found them unbearable.
– “In any case, did the Empress not become the Princess of Count Shashau?”
That woman who endlessly insulted her with petty rivalry.
A woman ignorant of humility, arrogant, and who treated the nation’s sovereign like a man, as though she had discarded all dignity.
Even as she lay dying in the birthing chamber, she brought forth black hair identical to mine into the world….
Vitali Terme.
How could those eyes—which reminded her of that abominable woman—exude such overwhelming pressure?
– “Foreign envoys could not cease their praise for the achievements accomplished by the First Imperial Consort.”
Still young, with an awkward manner of speech. An upright bearing that seemed incongruous with it. And eyes both grave and warm.
Sing had spoken thus when they met while visiting Jeremiah.
Despite accumulating vast wealth for the Imperial Court through an enormous pottery enterprise, everyone had been cautious before the Empire’s master.
Thus, even then, few dared to openly praise her.
– “I too must endeavor to follow the First Imperial Consort’s wisdom through diligent effort.”
Yet regarding achievements that no one wished to acknowledge, the young Sing had praised her with pure sincerity.
– “…I am grateful that Your Majesty speaks so.”
Was she bewildered? Before that warmth she could not define, she found herself offering genuine thanks without realizing it.
Little did she know that not only would she be banished to her family home in the West that year, but that she would also hear the news of Sing becoming Crown Prince.
Ah, it was all meaningless.
So Carina believed.
A husband she had despised her entire life. A son who reminded her of him.
That a child born from such vulgar people possessed the proper bearing of true nobility was itself an insult to Carina.
And the fact that he possessed far superior abilities compared to her own son.
Even that he was noble beyond measure, when there should have been countless grounds for fault….
With her feet bound to the West, she had felt wronged, yet she quickly accepted it, and soon resigned herself.
– “…If you remain so shadowed, could you not overlook it as befits a man?”
– “….”
– “Grant the First Imperial Consort an opportunity to offer you a meal.”
It was merely a matter of conjecture.
For the first time in her life, Carina made a choice that set aside rank and dignity.
Her husband, whose appeal lay only in his appearance, seemed to lack substance, so discovering that she and he shared similar values had stirred her heart.
Then, when a child was born who might one day strip her of everything, she found herself overwhelmed with an inexplicable joy.
– “It is a son, Your Majesty. He bears a striking resemblance to you.”
Hair the same reddish-brown as her own.
Eyes so bright they reminded her of her own youth, when she had been called golden.
That such beauty had emerged from the man she had chosen filled her with wonder.
That ‘fact’ was unutterably precious to her.
– “He is my son….”
Turning away from the midwife’s cries as she was dragged out to be silenced, Carina wept for the first time in ages.
Because Marquis Montague had to take the child away immediately after birth, she had held him fewer than five times.
Each moment was both longed for and treasured.
After that, facing Jeremiah became somewhat easier for her.
Knowing her true child existed elsewhere, the torment of her inner conflict vanished.
– “Face death alongside Calastaan, Your Highness.”
– “…What?”
– “I trust you will not disappoint this mother.”
When she recalled Jeremiah’s trembling eyes, he seemed so utterly worthless that not even irritation arose in her.
Legitimacy, the virtue of a sovereign, even a progressive spirit—all of it paled before Vitali’s blood.
The blood of his father, the Emperor, ran deep. With that understanding, she could plan the future with ease.
And so when Calastaan finally met his death, everything seemed to fall into place.
– “But the Montague Estate is being held hostage!”
– “…!”
– “…By the Former Emperor, Your Majesty!”
Yet that creature had consumed her son, they said.
That rotting corpse, already dead and decomposed, held Cessia’s life in its grasp.
How dare anyone impersonate her child and use him as a hostage?
Facing the vengeful spirit before her, she steeled her resolve once more.
“…Like cunning begets cunning. Your instincts are sharp indeed.”
“….”
“Enough. Come out at once.”
At Carina’s command, the massive tapestry hanging behind her rippled once.
A worn, faded brown robe. A stooped back, deliberately revealing age.
This must be the Medium that Sergio had mentioned.
“From your reaction, it seems you already know who this is.”
“…Does adding another player change anything? Carina, this is unlike you—such pointless theatrics.”
“….”
“Were you afraid of me?”
At Sing’s sneering smile, she shot him a warning glance to temper his insolence, then gestured to the old man.
‘…Just in case, maybe I should say a prayer or two.’
Sing watched the Medium emerge slowly, deciding to lean on his own meager faith.
To be honest, he was a bit frightened.

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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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