Mad Rosetta - Chapter 120

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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 120
Child of Confession (3)
“Wow…”
“…Oh. I’ve never seen an indoor hot spring before.”
Sing had appeared behind me at some point and was examining it with evident fascination.
Before us lay a small hot spring enclosed entirely by wooden walls on all sides.
Though modest in size, the steam billowing into the room and the intense heat were unmistakably the real thing.
I realized now that it was a separate outdoor structure designed to let us enjoy the hot spring while shielded from the cold.
“Sing. You’ve sweated quite a bit, so you should wash first.”
“Sure, I will.”
“I’ll be in the room, so call me when you’re done.”
“Well, there’s always the option of going in together— ow!”
I gave that impudent mouth a sharp tap, and he yelped in protest.
After telling him to relax and soak, I retreated alone to the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed.
The gentle sounds of nature drifted through the window.
‘Is this… really the first time Sing and I have done something like an actual trip together?’
It felt subtly different from when I’d traveled to Primpasar with Cessia, or when I’d gone to Terkikan to persuade my Maternal Grandfather.
Though even this journey had been meticulously planned to bring the Emperor to our side.
The quiet atmosphere was so comforting that my eyelids grew heavy.
Sleep had come calling once more.
* * *
“Darling, darling!”
“Huh?!”
I bolted upright at the urgent voice calling my name.
I’d fallen asleep without even removing my coat, so my body felt heavy. Meanwhile, Sing had changed into indoor clothes.
The world outside had grown quite dark—it was already evening.
“Sorry, did I startle you?”
“Why— what? What is it? How long was I asleep?”
I asked groggily, and his voice carried an urgent, flustered tone.
“The Innkeeper came looking for you outside.”
“Then just open the door.”
“Wouldn’t a guard wearing a robe inside the household look rather suspicious?”
“…Oh.”
Instead of rushing out, he simply smiled at my carelessness.
Damn it, forgive my thoughtlessness.
There was no benefit to Cessia being exposed, so I threw off my coat and dashed out of the bedroom, yanking the door open.
“M-madam!”
“Oh my, you were here. I was just about to leave since there was no sign of you.”
“That is, I— *cough*! Ah, I’m sorry, I apologize. I had just fallen asleep— *cough*!”
As I coughed repeatedly, the Innkeeper Woman pushed me inside, saying the outside air was too cold.
‘No, I just choked on something…’
It was only natural that I felt apologetic at her startled reaction.
“I brought dinner tonight to check if there’s anything you need. Are you here alone, Lady?”
Please spare me that look, Innkeeper Woman—the one that suggests Knight is gallivanting around somewhere while his master is ill.
Thinking of that fellow quietly holed up in the Bedroom, I mustered the kindest smile I could manage.
“He went out to scout for dangerous beasts in the area. He should be back soon.”
“My, mountain travel at this late hour must be dangerous.”
“He’s quite skilled in martial arts and an excellent hunter, so there’s no need to worry too much.”
“Well, that’s a relief, but…”
“A-anyway, you brought dinner, you said? What is it? Now that I’m awake, I’m quite hungry.”
I deliberately changed the subject away from the worry thick in the Innkeeper’s voice.
She brightened and set the tray I’d brought onto the table.
“It’s smoked salmon and potato potage. And this is honey tea—it’s excellent for throat care. I brought it because you were coughing.”
“…Thank you, Innkeeper Woman.”
She’d brought food suited to the climate, and thinking of how she’d climbed this steep slope with cloth wrapped around it to keep it warm, I felt quite apologetic.
The Innkeeper explained that staff would collect the empty plates in the morning, then her voice brightened.
“By the way, does the Knight who came with you have plans to go hunting?”
“Pardon? Well… perhaps?”
I knew Jeremiah had brought hunting clothes to stage a chance encounter.
As I nodded uncertainly, the Innkeeper clapped her hands a couple of times as if pleased.
“You can rent horses right at the path beside the Inn, and if you bring me any beasts you catch, I’ll prepare them and make meals for you.”
“My, truly? I’ll pass the word to the escort when he returns.”
Hunting—I’d never tried it before.
The thought suddenly occurred to me that I’d like to attempt it if the opportunity arose.
The Innkeeper left after mentioning that beasts rarely came this far, but to be careful about locking the doors just in case.
Having met such a considerate Innkeeper, I called for Sing in high spirits and finished dinner while it was still warm.
“…I feel dizzy.”
Ironically, less than five minutes after immersing myself in the water, I understood why Father had never gone near the Hot Spring.
My stomach churned, and my body went limp—if this continued any longer, I’d collapse naked.
The Physician had said my constitution was similar to Father’s.
There must have been a reason he never recommended bathing in hot water.
In the end, I hastily washed myself, quickly changed clothes, and flung open the door leading inside.
Sing’s eyes widened in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected me to emerge so quickly.
“What? You just went in a moment ago. What’s wrong?”
“My body just went limp… But what are you doing?”
“I thought I’d tidy up the bedding before you came out. I’m startled you came out so suddenly.”
“Then why are you spreading the bedding there?”
“?”
“There’s a sofa in the Room too, isn’t there? Weren’t we supposed to sleep together in the Bedroom?”
“?”
“?”
He froze mid-motion, gripping the blanket tightly in his hands.
At Sing’s reaction, I felt an inexplicable embarrassment wash over me.
I had spent years as a ghost confined to a single room, and it wasn’t as though others were watching—yet something about him insisting on separate quarters struck me as odd.
Still, I couldn’t use the excuse that the living room was cold and invite him inside. The fireplace had made it excessively warm.
“It’s not as though we’re strangers now… Bring your things and come back in.”
“…Are you saying nonsense because you’re dizzy?”
“For heaven’s sake! Then just sprawl out there and sleep.”
“No, I simply didn’t realize you possessed such boldness. Had I known, I would have regretted not crawling into your bed a few more times back then.”
“Foolish talk…”
I shook out my wet hair as though I wouldn’t listen to another word, and moved forward.
He scrambled after me, dragging the blanket behind him in a flustered rush, as though he’d been caught in some embarrassing act.
This retreat truly felt like a proper vacation.
* * *
‘…What time is it.’
The chirping of mountain birds echoed incessantly.
I opened my eyes with a start and turned my head; the world beyond the window remained dark. A glance at the wall clock confirmed it was dawn.
It seemed I’d woken early, having collapsed into sleep almost immediately upon entering the cabin yesterday, and slept for quite some time.
‘I must have been exhausted… Sleep well.’
Looking to the side, I saw him wedged onto the sofa with his large frame, and let out a low chuckle.
It was rare to see him sleeping so peacefully.
He’d mentioned that Taran appeared in his dreams and tormented him.
Ever since I’d been inhabiting Cessia’s body, I’d never seen the exhaustion fade from Sing’s face—as though the moment he fell asleep, he encountered God.
‘I shouldn’t make noise and wake him. Let me just go.’
I walked with deliberate care and gently closed the doorway behind me.
Seeing that the firewood had nearly burned away, I added more to it, then grabbed my coat with the thought of taking a walk and headed outside.
The desolation of the Winter Mountain was frightening enough to raise the hair on the back of my neck.
“…It’s bitterly cold.”
Even indulging one’s sentimentality should be done while maintaining one’s health.
After scuffing my feet through the snow a few times, I turned back toward the cabin.
I then spent time browsing the books on the shelves with interest, and jotted down the titles of a few promising volumes on scraps of paper, which I stuffed into my pocket.
It was because Marmint had come to mind.
How long had I spent idling away the time alone like this.
I cracked open the bedroom door.
It seemed about time for the staff to arrive with breakfast.
“…When did you wake…”
He asked while frowning, his face still heavy with sleep.
I reasoned it was likely the sudden light from the living room that had stirred him.
His face was slightly puffy, and his disheveled hair was rather amusing.
“At dawn. Did you sleep well?”
“…Marriage is quite wonderful, isn’t it.”
Had he been dreaming?
I dismissed his nonsensical mutterings as mere sleep-talk and clamped my lips shut, but the fool continued to squirm on the sofa, mumbling incoherently.
“Sing, wake up already. What did you say?”
“…That it would be nice.”
“Hmm?”
“I said it would be wonderful to maintain the honeymoon phase for a long time, darling….”
“….”
“The morning greeting I hear the moment I wake is quite satisfying… Ah!”
I strode forward, snatched up the blanket that had half-fallen to the floor, and hurled it squarely at Sing’s face.
The fool stared up at me with a vacant expression.
“I can almost forgive how cunningly you’ve orchestrated this entire courtship, but there’s one thing I cannot overlook.”
“…Huh?”
“If you’re going to propose, perhaps you should start by changing that ridiculous face of yours.”
“….”
“And do wake up properly.”
After clicking my tongue at him once more, I left the bewildered fool alone and shut the doorway firmly behind me.
I had met only two men in my entire life.
How was it that neither of them knew how to propose properly….
His presumptuous attitude—as though he would naturally remain at my side someday—rankled me deeply.
“Goodness, it’s hot.”
Judging by the heat rising through my body, it seemed I had stoked the fireplace far too generously.

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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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