Mad Rosetta - Chapter 129

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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 129
It Is Good to Clap One’s Hands Louder Than Others (2)
The fact that Marmint had worked as a research assistant to the late Dr. Drabe Beaumont had been revealed long ago.
The moment word spread that he had entrusted her with developing an antidote, it became inevitable to speculate that Marmint, his adopted granddaughter, might be the one who completed it.
However, since Marmint was still young and currently enrolled at the Academy, there were limits to how much we could shield her from public scrutiny.
‘Damn it, there’s no doubt Father or Stilling spread this around.’
Thus, even when the Security Bureau’s investigation stalled, I saw no reason to exert myself—but our Household’s position was apparently quite different.
My past was undoubtedly an obstacle to establishing my prestige as someone who would one day inherit a title.
So it was certain that the Household had deliberately leaked the information of its own accord.
How could I not feel wronged?
Yet even if most of those who had tormented me deserved it, I could not deny that I had dragged others by the hair in my time.
So rather than insist it was a false accusation, I resolved to focus my efforts on my future conduct—
It was good that I had cleared away my grievance, but being tossed about like this left a decidedly unpleasant taste.
“I wonder what she’ll present? Perhaps some connections, or maybe a thesis?”
“But isn’t the year-end presentation more of a festival than a showcase of achievements?”
As I listened to the children’s chatter, I found myself growing a little curious about what I would submit myself.
“Come to think of it, if Marmint participates in the presentation, she’ll be attending the Feast as well, won’t she?”
“Oh my, that’s right! I wonder if she’s received partnership proposals. Is that what the letter says, Lady?”
“How lovely. It’s so refreshingly innocent.”
Among the children giggling away, I could only stand there looking utterly bewildered.
‘Who… received what? What is she doing?’
Penny, the first to notice my reaction, showed a look of genuine surprise, as if wondering how I could not know.
“W-well, on the evening after the presentation concludes, there will likely be a social Feast held for current students and professors. I heard it’s held to mark the end of the year.”
“That’s right, Lady. The Feast itself is practically an extension of the presentation.”
“I suppose so. There’s no better occasion for building rapport with the professors.”
…I didn’t know.
No, wait. I had a faint recollection of hearing something similar from a certain Princess who had graduated from the Academy.
I seemed to recall her saying that the person she would soon marry was someone she had met during her time at the Academy…
I had heard that Marmint would be attending the Feast, but I could not imagine what she would look like there.
Above all, one question occurred to me.
“…But wouldn’t a Feast require a dress? Would the students simply wear their uniforms?”
“My goodness, Lady! It’s an opportunity to take off the uniform you wear every day! They’ll all dress up beautifully.”
Reina’s voice hummed in my ears as she spoke of youth, twisting my hair up into a knot.
‘…Our girl doesn’t have anything like that?’
That thought struck me with sudden intensity.
“…Someone bring me paper and a pen at once. I need to write a reply immediately.”
Sara promptly obeyed the command and began taking down my words.
⌜I expect you to visit the Capital City Townhouse during the week.
P.S. If you don’t come, I will find you.⌟
Not a single particle out of place—the message was brief yet remarkably stern.
* * *
“…What’s with that look in your eyes?”
I was the one wearing an impudent expression, yet Marmint asked as if troubled by something unclear.
Whether she had received my hastily sent reply, Marmint had come to the Townhouse.
Since there was little need for lengthy explanations, I posed my question without withdrawing my displeased gaze.
“You said you were attending the presentation.”
“Yes? Yes.”
“I heard from the children that the presentation extends into a social feast. Are you going alone?”
“Yes.”
“…What about a dress?”
“I was planning to wear what I normally do.”
“Normally?”
“My uniform, you know.”
The moment I heard Marmint’s response, the teacup I set down made a particularly loud clatter.
I could sense the children pressing their lips shut with a soft sound, their eyes fixed intently on the table to check whether the cup had broken.
“The other students are all preparing elaborate attire to attend this feast, yet you couldn’t even ask me for what you needed?”
“…But I don’t need anything?”
“Ah, I see. So you needed nothing at all.”
“…Why are you—”
“Then I shall become the object of ridicule.”
At my sarcastic final remark, Marmint’s expression hardened as she asked what I meant.
When she raised her eyebrows sharply, I too narrowed my gaze.
“The beneficiary receiving support is the very picture of frugality, yet the patron appears resplendent and adorned—won’t everyone point fingers?”
“…What? Yes?”
“Perhaps Benatra’s disposition is merely stingy, and they’ve merely packaged it to look good in public opinion, when in reality they haven’t even provided token support. No, surely they’ll do worse than that.”
“Ah, no, it’s not like that—”
“It’s nothing but a matter of saving face. Is that how you saw it?”
As I pressed forward menacingly with blazing eyes, Marmint hesitated, seeming flustered.
With the aftermath of the Panilnia incident, attention was already concentrated on us.
For Marmint to appear in her uniform at an event no different from a festival under these circumstances?
Merely thinking of the repercussions made my heart sink with dread.
‘Not only would there be whispers that Marmint has become a cast-off, but our Household’s finances might become a laughingstock for being in such dire straits.’
If one carries oneself with confidence without hesitation, that should suffice. Why wouldn’t it?
Yet unfortunately, society is not inhabited solely by people like oneself, and one must also bear the concern that even the smallest gossip could cause a life to come crashing down.
As I exhaled a deep sigh, Marmint’s voice rose slightly, as if heated.
“But, among commoners facing difficult circumstances, some students wear uniforms too!”
“…What? What do you expect me to do? Then ask them to send theirs as well!”
“Eh, yes? No, but still. How could I possibly….”
“…I’m asking just to be sure. You don’t think I’m causing all this commotion just to help you alone, do you?”
“What the—! Then what is it?!”
Marmint finally lost her composure and let out a sharp cry.
The children watching turned to stare at her in alarm.
“Ugh…! Me! I’m the problem, you hear me?!”
But it was fine.
I had simply shouted louder than she did.
“My reputation! Our Household’s honor at stake! The issue is whether I might become a heartless patron, not that you’re the problem. Do you understand?!”
“H-heartless…?”
“So please… help me save face, will you? If you go about looking destitute, our entire Household bears the shame, I tell you…!”
“…”
“Use me like a purse. Exploit me! Go on, I’m begging you!”
I whimpered almost tearfully, as if trying to live up to my name.
Thanks to that, Marmint—as always—mumbled reluctantly in a half-hearted voice.
“I’ve… I’ve never even worn a dress before…”
“Do you think I emerged from the womb wearing one? I was swaddled from birth. Time is pressing, so let’s get up now.”
“W-where are we going?”
“To order your dress, of course. Children, have you sent word to Etienne?”
“Yes, Lady. You may depart immediately.”
“You heard? Come along.”
At Penny’s mention of the carriage waiting, we rose from the sofa at once.
‘Perhaps I should ask for everything from here to there.’
I could already picture Marmint’s horrified expression vividly.
Entertaining such wicked thoughts, I left the room.
It had been ages since I last indulged in such extravagance in the Capital City, and I felt a thrill the entire way there.
* * *
“…Y-you mean here?”
“Yes. Go in.”
“This seems… far too expensive…”
“Ha, unless you’d like to be dragged in by the scruff of your neck like a fussy child, you’d best lead the way.”
I practically shoved the hesitant Marmint forward in front of the massive three-story stone building.
Through the arched display windows installed across the facade, this season’s dresses from Etienne’s Atelier were displayed in brilliant splendor, commanding attention.
‘Is it Etienne House now?’
Unlike the past when it had barely managed to secure a spot on the outskirts of the Capital City, it now confidently occupied a prime location in the heart of the district.
It was Etienne’s shop, newly expanded and relocated into a freshly constructed building.

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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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