Mad Rosetta - Chapter 12

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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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Rosetta Gone Mad

Episode 12

Even Discarded Trash Deserves a Second Look (2)

As I finished my passionate declaration and opened the door, I found myself face to face with Father, whose eyes reflected bewilderment.

Stilling, Father’s advisor, stood beside him, though I acknowledged him with nothing more than a glance.

“Well, what a resounding greeting. I do appreciate it.”

His initial surprise faded quickly. Father ordered the Attendant to bring tea and welcomed me warmly.

Under normal circumstances, I would have exchanged pleasantries before broaching the main subject, but time was of the essence.

“Father, there will be a feast coming this Spring, will there not?”

“Hmm? Ah, you mean the Spring Stage. That’s why Bonita has been so busy lately, I imagine.”

“I wish to participate as well. Please request that my name be added to the guest list.”

Stilling, who was setting the tea on the table in place of the Attendant, wore an expression of shock.

Apparently anticipating that I would cause trouble at the feast, Stilling desperately shot Father a look urging him not to permit it.

Father, too absorbed in admiring my lovely face, dismissed the look entirely.

“A feast, you say… Hmm, Coco. Of course, since you did not have a Debut Tante, it would be fitting for you to participate in this Spring Stage. But won’t it be burdensome for you to prepare from now?”

Father’s concern was justified.

The renowned seamstresses would already be stretched thin with their reserved commitments.

Beyond that, there was the matter of memorizing the various dignitaries attending the feast, and countless other procedures to complete—time was genuinely scarce.

With less than two months remaining before the feast, Father’s concern as a parent was whether I could manage all of this.

‘But I have nowhere left to retreat to.’

It was evident that if I surrendered one thing after another under the guise of difficulty, my position would gradually be consumed by Odette. Thus, I maintained an unwavering resolve.

“If you would grant me permission, I shall prepare diligently so as not to bring shame upon Father’s name.”

“Goodness. When have you ever brought shame upon it?”

Father took my side without hesitation, remarking that no one would fault me for a little caprice.

He seemed oblivious to the look of disdain in Stilling’s eyes as he regarded him.

It was the gaze of one questioning how a master renowned for his icy composure could become such a fool whenever his own daughter was involved.

‘What does he expect me to do if he disapproves?’

Setting aside my past conduct, his manner of treating even Father as a simpleton left me thoroughly displeased.

Listen well, Advisor. Just you wait and see.

Once the Feast concludes, I shall make certain that praise flows forth unbidden: “My, what a discerning and distinguished lady Rosetta is!”

“Stilling. Send word to the Imperial Palace at once requesting a revision to the guest list. And find a tutor suitable for instructing Rosetta—have them arrive by day’s end.”

“…Very well, sir.”

“Is there a particular seamstress you prefer? I hear from Lianna that Bonita has most of her gowns made at Ceitela House. If you wish it, Coco, I shall request they take on your commission as well, even if it means offering them a premium.”

Ceitela House.

The atelier currently leading fashion in the Capital City—indeed, the finest of its kind.

Setting aside the matter of cost, they accepted only a limited number of commissions, and it was not uncommon to wait over a year even after booking.

I myself had pre-ordered a Debut Tante gown from Ceitela House the moment I turned fourteen.

Though I had cancelled the reservation when my confinement prevented me from attending the Spring Stage at fifteen.

‘On the surface, one might say the sisters had their gowns made at the same place…’

If matters proceeded as they were, I risked hearing bitter reproaches that I, jealous of Odette, had abused my authority to seize another’s reservation and increase the seamstress’s burden.

“Regardless, I was the one who prepared late. I cannot burden others with my negligence. I shall find a suitable seamstress myself, so Father need not concern himself with this matter.”

“Hmm, but this is your first official appearance, is it not? Even the finest would seem insufficient.”

“Aha! Father, what could you possibly be worried about?”

I pressed my collarbone lightly with my hand and laughed with absolute confidence.

“With this original masterpiece—a perfect replica of Mother and Father—what rags could possibly conceal what lies beneath?”

Despite such arrogance, Father responded by clapping his hands resoundingly.

Leaving Father to laugh heartily about where else in the Empire one could find such a rose, I rose from my seat.

Had my consideration for the atelier’s circumstances been misunderstood?

Stilling’s expression was ambiguous, but I had no energy to dwell on it.

Four days remained until Cessia’s visit.

There was a mountain of work to be done.

* * *

“Sigh… What is the next appointment?”

“A meeting with Dr. Drabe Beaumont is scheduled. He is currently waiting in the Reception Room.”

“And after that?”

“A meeting with the seamstress from Etienne’s Atelier.”

A sigh escaped me.

With Cessia’s visit now looming just tomorrow, there were countless matters demanding swift resolution.

After visiting Father, I immediately instructed Penny to have the Butler summon a herbalist doctor from the Academy.

Subsequently, I ordered the full-time seamstress from the newly established Etienne’s Atelier to be brought in.

Beyond that, I met with the tutors Father had appointed, memorized the guest list for the Feast, learned etiquette and dancing, and so forth.

‘Ugh, my stomach feels queasy.’

Most importantly, I doubled my meals to gain weight, and between appointments, I consumed refreshments without restraint.

Of course, from overeating, I retched twice. But nothing could stop me.

“I’ll head straight to the Study. Reina? You escort the Doctor to the Study, and have Sara and Vicky prepare the refreshments.”

“Yes, Lady.”

I made my way to the Study with only Penny at my side.

I had even considered secretly summoning the Doctor, given that the dedicated Servants might be Odette’s confidants.

But I abandoned the idea—it bordered on the impossible.

The Duke’s Estate screened all visitors with meticulous scrutiny, after all.

‘If I employ attendants for appearances yet entrust only Penny with matters of true importance, it might actually draw suspicion instead.’

Even if word of summoning the herbalist Doctor reached Odette, I resolved not to concern myself.

If I could witness her anxiety about her misdeeds being exposed, that would be its own reward.

“Lady, I have brought Dr. Beaumont.”

“Yes, come in.”

I admitted only the Doctor, then sent every Attendant, including Penny, outside.

Only Sing remained, lounging in his chair and spouting nonsense about why all Doctors seemed to grow beards.

I wished he would be quiet so I could concentrate.

“I trust your journey posed no difficulties? I have long admired your reputation and wished to meet you in person, so I took the liberty of inviting you here.”

“Ah, yes… The Carriage you sent made the journey quite comfortable. I am grateful for Benitra’s consideration.”

Dr. Dravu Beaumont.

A specialist in herbalism at Arcanis Academy, he had been leading the charge in developing various medicines to date.

Despite his rigid appearance, his research was consistently praised for looking one step ahead of the times.

‘If he continues on this path, he will surely be able to develop an antidote for Panilnia Flower.’

But had he also heard the rumors about me being Benitra’s wretched eldest daughter?

As unnecessary pleasantries continued back and forth for the sake of propriety, the Doctor’s previously guarded demeanor began to shift noticeably.

Finding this quite pleasing, I spoke with a smile.

“The reason I’ve invited you here is that I have a matter I wish to entrust to you personally.”

“Ah, well, if it is a matter that one of such noble standing wishes to entrust….”

“Do you happen to know anything about Panilnia Flower?”

I swallowed hard, my tension mounting.

The headaches that struck unexpectedly, along with the pounding of my heart and the fever that rose within me, sharpened my senses each time.

The headaches were particularly the concern.

A sensation of my brain tightening, or a persistent throbbing pain from the nape of my neck to the back of my head.

‘I manage to keep my wits about me as much as possible… but there are moments I wish to smash my head against a wall.’

No matter how much I searched, there were no research results on the toxicity of Panilnia Flower.

So someone had to be made to begin from now on.

“Panilnia… I do recall seeing it in texts. But might I ask what brings this inquiry?”

“The thing is, my younger sister Bonita is quite fond of the flower, and I often receive it as a gift. It is not a particularly renowned flower, is it? Yet whenever I keep it nearby, my head aches and my body becomes sensitive… I wondered if it might be an allergy caused by its components, and I wished to request research into this matter.”

“My, so you were concerned about allergies. Heh, you seem quite close with your younger sister. To go so far as to commission research, no less.”

…Look at this old man, he’s crossing the line.

It was rude to casually mention someone’s private affairs upon first meeting.

Moreover, I was deeply displeased by his subtle probing tone regarding Odette and myself.

Had it not been for the antidote, I would have given him a piece of my mind, but instead I tilted my head as if confused about what the problem might be.

“Well, she’s my only younger sister, so it’s only natural. She’s always concerned about me while I’m ill and brings me a bouquet of flowers…. I felt too guilty to refuse, so I’m asking the Doctor for this favor.”

If the research progressed and toxic compounds were detected, he would make an excellent witness in the future.

I concluded my arrangement with the Doctor by drawing up documents promising to cover all research costs and compensation fees.

‘…Have I grown too attached to money?’

As I watched the Doctor bow and depart, I found myself thinking as much.

The contract had required more expenditure than I had initially anticipated.

‘I must endure…. This is an investment for the future.’

Should Odette sense danger and attempt to sway the Doctor, the contractual terms explicitly outlined alongside the investment would bind him securely.

So this would suffice.

“Now then, next! The seamstress from Etienne’s Atelier has arrived, hasn’t she!”

Having invested in my health, it was time to attend to my appearance.

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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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