Mad Rosetta - Chapter 118

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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 118
The Child of Confession (1)
* * *
“This is excessive.”
“What if you catch a cold? I’m still worried even with all this.”
“I’m telling you, it’s too much.”
Grumble all you like—we’ll see to it regardless.
Under the ministrations of Penny and the Children, who seemed to communicate precisely that sentiment, I felt my body growing heavier by the moment.
‘Now they’ve taken to ignoring everything I say.’
First came a delicate silk dress. Then one of velvet.
Over that, a thick quilted jacket. And finally, an outer coat.
Yet even that wasn’t the end—when Reina emerged with a leather cloak in hand, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Today was the day we departed for the Northern Region of Balmora.
– “We’ve pinned down a date when the Emperor travels to his retreat. But we can’t be certain which one is real, so… we absolutely must arrive first.”
Sergio’s earnest words echoed in my mind.
Fortunately, it seemed the Emperor hadn’t cancelled his retreat schedule.
Well, given that the young Imperial Princess developed dermatitis every winter, the Emperor—a father who cherished his child—had little choice in the matter.
The difficulty lay in the fact that Sergio had uncovered multiple possible dates.
So we decided to depart early and hastily prepared for the journey.
“Ah, wait. Sara, absolutely not.”
“…But surely it’s necessary?”
“Are you joking with me? I can barely breathe as it is. I already have a scarf on.”
“A hat is worn to keep the head warm, Lady.”
“How old am I… I stopped wearing such things before I turned ten. A fur hat, of all things?”
When Sara went one step further and produced a thick fur hat, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Damn it—I hadn’t attempted such a bundled-up ensemble since childhood.
I doubted I could even walk alone dressed like this.
Unable to restrain myself any longer, I irritably unwound the scarf, prompting Penny to gasp and raise her eyebrows sharply.
What do they expect? I’m an adult.
“Scarf or hat. Choose.”
“B-but Lady, your constitution is delicate!”
“A beast’s fangs couldn’t pierce this thickness. Make your choice already.”
“…Since the cloak has a hood attached, I prefer the scarf.”
The Children pouted their lips and carefully rewound the scarf around my neck.
In all seriousness, with so many layers of clothing, if I fell, I’d likely land headfirst and that would be the end of it.
“If only Lady weren’t traveling alone, we wouldn’t be half so worried.”
“That’s right. No matter how you hide your identity, what if something dangerous happens?”
“Everyone who’s ever endangered me is either locked in a cell or hanged.”
“…Every time you say such things, Lady, I find myself at a loss for words.”
“I was merely ensuring you’d have nothing to say, so you might as well hold your tongue, Penny.”
As I let out a scoff, she suddenly flushed, her cheeks puffing out in indignation.
Every time she does that, I find her absolutely adorable.
“But—! You’re truly going alone? Even now, I could—”
“Did I not say I needed time to compose myself?”
“….”
When I replied calmly, Penny found herself unable to press further.
Initially, it had been a convenient excuse—a pretense of departing alone for the plan with Sing—but it had become something more genuine.
– “Yes, you do need such time, I suppose.”
– “Thank you for understanding, Father.”
– “Since you’re going anyway, return with a steadier heart.”
– “Father?”
– “You must begin preparing to inherit the title, after all.”
That was why Father had broached the subject of the future.
Looking back now, it seemed inevitable, yet I had accepted it without question.
That I would one day inherit Benatra itself.
How was it in the past? When merely maintaining sanity consumed all my strength, I couldn’t even be fully recognized as the prospective Duchess.
Thus, the moment my marriage was confirmed, Father apparently entrusted succession training to a collateral branch child deemed sufficiently clever.
Yet when I consider Father’s heart at the time, when he never publicly confirmed the succession….
Was it lingering attachment? Or was he waiting for me to become whole again?
Either way, the feeling left me unsettled.
– “Since I remain this vigorous still, time favors you, Coco. Bear the burden, but return with composure.”
– “…I shall.”
– “In hindsight, it worked out well, did it not? That Montague fool’s vessel was far too small to contain you.”
– “Haha, indeed.”
Father let out a satisfied scoff, clearly pleased with himself.
The fact that my only direct heir would become the mistress of another household must have weighed heavily on his mind regarding succession all this time.
– “I shall carefully select another—one sound of body and excellent in character, worthy of supporting you. As for you, Coco….”
– “?”
– “…your eye for men has proven utterly abysmal, so refrain from offering any counsel whatsoever.”
…Oh, my credibility is completely destroyed.
Father seemed to need a son-in-law he could manipulate with mutual respect as the foundation.
Come to think of it, recalling that scoundrel the Father-in-law had jested about, I wondered if he might one day visit Father to pay his respects.
‘…Can one truly handle a Former Emperor who has stepped down from the throne?’
Well, that was a matter for later, so I decided not to worry about it for now.
The hot springs and mountain air would surely aid me in composing my heart and organizing my thoughts.
“Have the luggage loaded shortly. I shall bid Father farewell before departing.”
“Yes, Lady.”
I left the room, leaving the children to their bows.
Upon arrival, I embraced Father as he urged me to write letters, and I grew anxious at Stilling’s warnings about wild beasts in the mountains.
‘A hot spring… I could give it a try, couldn’t I?’
Cloaked beneath the pretense of recuperation, I harbored a far more consequential scheme.
Thus, I settled into the carriage bound for the Northern Region.
* * *
The Balmora Mountain Range lay in proximity to the West, a place where hot spring waters perpetually surged forth.
Moreover, in winter, the snow-blanketed peaks were renowned for their breathtaking beauty, drawing nobility in droves to indulge in hunting and thermal bathing.
Many had constructed villas in the surrounding areas, while others had ventured into commercial enterprises altogether.
“…What has Father been doing all this time?”
“Hmm? Darling, what did you say?”
“Nothing. Merely a petulant complaint.”
“My apologies, guest. All accommodations for your desired duration are fully booked… I suspect every Inn in this vicinity faces the same predicament.”
The proprietor bowed with practiced deference, his courtesy impeccable.
Having dismissed the coachman and guards at the predetermined lodging, I had scarcely welcomed Sing upon his arrival before our prospects crumbled.
Rejected thrice already, my patience had begun to fray at its edges.
I found myself momentarily resenting Father for not acquiring a villa in this region beforehand.
‘This is absurd! And he calls himself Emperor? During peak tourist season, no less. What if someone monopolizes every available room?’
The proprietor’s courteous suggestion that other establishments faced similar circumstances was transparent in its intent.
Some unnamed, exceedingly distinguished personage had apparently purchased every lodging in the vicinity.
Certainly, given my station, such precautions were warranted…
Yet the problem remained: I could not lodge far from Jeremiah.
My entire scheme depended upon engineering a chance encounter between Jeremiah and Sing.
“…Even a storage room would suffice. Surely something can be arranged, madam?”
“My sincerest apologies, guest. The circumstances are simply untenable.”
Even Sing’s earnest entreaties met with the proprietor’s unwavering resolve.
What choice remained? To seek a fourth establishment and grovel anew.
As I reached to tug Sing’s robe, he suddenly gripped my shoulder firmly.
“Oh! I am terribly sorry, Lady. It is my fault for bringing you so far out of the way…!”
“…Eh?”
“You coughed repeatedly during our journey—it was quite concerning. I have no face to show the Household head who entrusted you to my care…! I merely thought that if you convalesced in a warm place with clean air, perhaps this winter would pass with less suffering!”
“…”
“Sigh… I apologize for the inconvenience, madam. Might you, instead, direct me to a physician nearby who specializes in respiratory ailments?”
What was this guilt-stricken tone about?
He seemed intent on transforming me into a sickly lady to elicit sympathy.
‘Even so, claiming there are no rooms should be foolproof…’
Embarrassed, I glanced toward the proprietress’s face.
Her pupils wavered with uncertainty, her lips parting slightly.
The proprietress stood with hands clasped, her gaze upon me hesitant and conflicted.
“…Cough! Cough, cough…!”
“…”
“Cough, cough…”
Good day to you.
I am a frail Lady who has traveled far for the sake of my health, and I offer my greetings.

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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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