Mad Rosetta - Chapter 130

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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 130
It Is Best to Clap One’s Hands Louder Than Others (3)
‘I heard it was recently completed and they moved in, but… it truly is magnificent.’
For some reason, I felt a sense of pride and entered with a pleasant mood.
I could see Etienne hurrying out from the lobby with a welcoming expression.
The dark circles beneath her eyes remained as striking as ever.
“Welcome. I received word and have been waiting for you.”
“You still bear the look of overwork, my dear.”
“Ha, well, what can I say. But this person is…”
Etienne, who had been responding awkwardly, soon lowered her gaze.
She had noticed Marmint, who was clinging to my waist and half-hidden, whether from nervousness or habit.
“Ah, hello…”
At Marmint’s attitude—fidgeting yet not forgetting to bow—I let out a silent chuckle.
She seemed to be reading the room, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar space, and I accepted it as natural.
“Ah, this must be the young lady you mentioned accompanying you. Is this your first visit today?”
“Yes, she’s called Marmint. There’s a feast coming up at the Academy soon, and the child needs a dress to wear.”
“Ah! Of course. Recently, many have been bringing young charges, so we’ve had quite the demand.”
“Making something new would be too time-consuming, so I’d like you to select some suitable pieces and have them tailored to fit the child.”
At my words not to worry about cost and to proceed, Etienne asked several details—whether there was a particular style I was seeking, or if there were any unnecessary elements to avoid.
I glanced down at Marmint to see if she had any preferences, but as expected, she merely blinked, as if asking what I was asking.
“…Just don’t make her look too much like a grown lady.”
“Ah, I understand. Marmint, was it? I’ll need to take your measurements first, so let’s move to the back.”
“Um, yes…”
“She is first-rate, so if you have any wishes, speak them freely. I must browse the accessories separately, so I’ll see you in a moment.”
Marmint’s arm flailed in the air as if asking why I wasn’t coming along, but I waved her off firmly.
In the meantime, Etienne’s eyes widened as she looked at me.
She seemed concerned that the accessories might clash with the dress, so I approached her and whispered.
“I’ll gather various pieces, so don’t worry too much.”
“…I see.”
Etienne smiled as if understanding.
Running a business must have improved her social skills. Now she even smiled with her eyes.
Marmint looked back several times, as if she were a shy child reluctantly letting go of her mother’s hand to follow a stranger.
Endure it, little one.
Your mother has mountains of work to do.
“Sara, come with me. Penny, stay here and keep Marmint company when she returns.”
“Yes, Lady.”
With that, I left the Etienne House.
Having come all the way to Jedo, it would be quite a waste not to meet someone.
* * *
The jewelry shop I had designated in advance was one of the largest stores in this area.
After instructing Sara to wait on the first floor, I paused at the shop entrance and surveyed my surroundings before entering.
“Is something the matter, Lady?”
“…No. If you happen to see anyone suspicious, come find me and let me know.”
“…?”
Sara tilted her head at my cryptic remark, but soon agreed to do as I asked.
Only then did I step into the shop.
“If you don’t mind, may I accompany you, Princess?”
The moment I had just reached the second floor after climbing the stairs.
I turned around at the sudden sound of a voice.
It was a voice far too familiar for me to rebuke whoever dared to pull such a stunt.
I let out a low chuckle and regarded the man draped in a robe.
“Your appearance is suspicious beyond measure. It’s impressive the shop attendants let you in.”
“It took some effort.”
It was Sing, whom I had arranged to meet here.
Being seen together in the heart of the Capital City could spark all manner of rumors, so he had carefully concealed his identity beneath layers of wrapping.
“Since you’re here, it seems you interpreted the letter correctly. We can continue communicating this way.”
“You have no idea how much time I wasted combining a single sentence, darling. My eyes nearly fell out of my head.”
Sing pressed his eyes repeatedly, lamenting the considerable toll of marking letters in books.
After much deliberation on how to compose letters to him and Sergio without anyone knowing,
we had decided to use books.
The method involved finding letters in a text, marking them, and sending the marked pages as is.
If we agreed on the order of letter-finding beforehand, it was quite easy to decipher, but combining them required considerable time and effort.
I tapped his forearm lightly, telling him to endure for now.
“You said you were buying a gift for Marmint, right? I’ve seen quite a few decent items while looking around.”
“It’s not grand enough to call it a gift exactly. I’ll just take several things that might suit her….”
I was speaking half-heartedly when I suddenly had to stop.
‘…That face looks familiar.’
Orange hair so vibrant and fresh it seemed out of place even in winter.
Standing at a height barely a pea compared to Sing, the child’s crimson eyes gleamed with particular vitality as they seemed to request something from the shop attendant.
It was the young master of Sterum, whom I had encountered before at the Academy.
The moment I realized this, I quickly turned my body away and hid, while Sing’s bewildered voice echoed in my ears.
“What? Darling, why so suddenly? Huh? Is someone there?”
“…Take off the robe.”
“Huh?”
“Over there! That child—the one who supposedly confessed to Marmint!”
“…I really do love this.”
Sing grinned mischievously as if anticipating something amusing, and draped the robe over me.
After that, I crept slowly toward the young master of Sterum, and I could barely make out his conversation with the attendant.
Yet from what I could see, it was clear that Youngsik was deliberating between two products.
‘A hair pin? A gift for a romantic interest… But Marmint said she was going alone without a partner.’
Then perhaps a different companion?
In that instant, a petty displeasure—so trivial it was almost embarrassing—surged through me.
Was it because I’d learned that Youngsik had helped create the confession potion?
I’d heard he’d rejected the confession, but I’d secretly thought him decent enough that I felt a twinge of regret and disappointment.
This was exactly what it felt like to become a parent meddling in their child’s love life.
‘…What am I doing at my age? Let it go.’
Just as my enthusiasm had completely deflated and I was about to call Sing to accomplish the purpose of visiting the shop, I noticed something.
‘…What is he doing over there.’
I found Sing chatting cheerfully with Youngsik—though I couldn’t say when he’d gone over—and my mouth fell open.
How many words could have passed between those two?
After a brief nod to Sing, Youngsik picked up the wrapped product and descended the stairs.
Only then did I let go of my anxious feelings and approached the rascal with a growl.
“Hey, you. This…!”
“Huh? I even gave a recommendation, so why that expression?”
“Do you know that Youngsik?”
“No? But he was troubled over the hair pin, so I personally recommended something that I thought would suit Marmint well.”
“That’s exactly why! Marmint said she was going to the feast alone. So how could a gift Youngsik chose be for Marmint!”
“…Why are you telling me this now.”
“Sigh….”
The rascal’s expression, which had been so animated and flushed with excitement, deflated in an instant.
Because of his meddlesome nature—which was practically oceanic in scale—I let out a deep sigh.
“…But what was it?”
Yet curiosity was curiosity, after all.
When I asked subtly, the rascal explained with his arms crossed, as if finding it strange even upon reflection.
“A pearl. The setting was shaped like lily-of-the-valley flowers, and it was quite lovely. The other jewels weren’t bad either, but…. It was a design that would make Marmint uncomfortable.”
“…It’s good that you have such an eye. Select something several times more refined than what Youngsik purchased.”
“I do have some expertise in aesthetics, after all.”
The rascal then led me inside, saying it felt like we were on a date.
His confident attitude wasn’t without basis—he carefully selected only quality pieces and asked that they be sent to Marmint’s dormitory.
After that brief encounter with him, I returned directly to Etienne House.
“How does it look, Princess?”
“…Approved.”
I sprang up from the waiting room sofa and gave a thumbs up like an overeager parent.
Marmint walked out of the dressing room awkwardly, as if unaccustomed even to low heels.
Yet the pale violet dress suited her youthful face wonderfully.
Even the adorable wool cape. Finding nothing unsatisfactory, I could only marvel at Etienne’s craftsmanship.
“This is something… It’s winter, yet the hydrangeas have all bloomed. What do you think, Marmint?”
“…Yes, it’s beautiful.”
“Hmph. Is this really… me? You won’t say something like that, will you?”
“…It’s not funny.”
At my jest, Marmint’s expression soured at once, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Yet the way she continuously fidgeted with the hem of her dress and stole glances at herself in the mirror suggested she was quite pleased with it.
I laughed, satisfied with her reaction.
The expenditure had been considerable, but my heart felt abundantly rich that day.

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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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