Mad Rosetta - Chapter 15

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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 15

Even Discarded Trash Deserves a Second Look (5)

In that moment, I felt the Attendants around us exchanging glances with one another.

Cessia, too, expressed bewilderment at Odette’s mention of my partner.

“Rosetta’s partner? What are you talking about?”

“Ah, well, I’ve actually decided to attend this Feast with Bonita. It was only confirmed about four days ago, so I’m only mentioning it now. As you know, it hasn’t been long since my house arrest was lifted.”

“….”

“That’s why I’m saying this, but I have no intention of asking you to accompany me. I don’t want to burden you…. Besides, there are plenty of Knights.”

“Ha! Everyone knows that you and I are betrothed, yet you’re going to the Feast with another man. What will people say about us?”

Seeing him scold me with his face contorted in displeasure, it was clear that Cessia was deeply dissatisfied with my attitude.

Any proper betrothed would be expected to cater to his preferences and ask him to attend as her partner, but since I was acting as though it made no difference either way, he had every reason to be upset.

Cessia was a man of fierce pride—one who would trample others underfoot to seize what he desired.

Knowing this bitter truth about him, I no longer wished to indulge his wishes.

“Let idle people gossip. After we marry, such remarks will fade away regardless. There’s no need to react to every whisper.”

“…It’s good to value your reputation, Rosetta.”

“If your heart is truly set on it, then come with me. I find your presence beside me ideal as well, so I have no particular objection.”

“….”

“If you provide your measurements, I’ll have appropriate attire tailored and sent to you.”

“…Very well.”

Look at that expression—caught mid-sneeze, stifled and desperate!

The atmosphere had shifted in such a peculiar way, as though he had ardently pursued me and I had graciously accepted his suit. No wonder his mood felt delicately complicated.

I lifted my teacup with a sensation of absolute clarity flooding through me.

【Mmm, my dear. Now that I observe you, it seems playing the fool is truly your calling. I must commend you for it.】

Sing, having taken a generous sip of wine, waved his thumb before my eyes, insisting I take responsibility for making him fall for me yet again.

Ha ha, your darling’s mad charm hasn’t run its course just yet.

“Since we’re discussing reputations, I have something I wish to say as well.”

“Hmm?”

“Fordicus, no matter how much you cherish Bonita as a younger sister, do not send her private letters.”

At those words, Odette’s head snapped up, her gaze fixed upon me.

I had deliberated long over this.

How best to reveal that every letter addressed to me had been delivered to Odette—in a way that would leave her most bewildered, most flustered, most utterly defenseless.

“Had that letter of inquiry reached me directly, I would have answered it promptly. What were you thinking, allowing rumors to spread that Bonita—who has no betrothed—exchanges correspondence with a man?”

The pallor creeping across her face was the mirror of my own from the past.

Odette weeping amid the wreckage, Cessia’s reproach, the servants’ piercing gazes.

…And then, my awakening.

I knew the countenance of the guilty—the face of one whose sins lay utterly exposed—better than anyone.

“…What do you mean by that?”

At my reproachful words, Cessia turned slowly to regard Odette, his question measured and deliberate.

The tension at Cessia’s jaw tightened as he articulated each syllable with crushing precision.

His voice was disturbingly cold, like the growl of a beast poised to strike at any moment.

“Lovely Bonita. I’m delighted to have you by my side, someone who truly belongs with me.”

The tender gaze from that day was nowhere to be found.

Cessia’s blatant pursuit of Odette resembled a parent on the verge of disciplining a child.

Letters, Bonita, and rumors.

Words designed to provoke Cessia converged, drawing his irritation to its peak.

I had a duty to ensure his anger—born from having his pride shattered—was directed squarely at Odette.

“You said you’d visit me, and Bonita was so thrilled. I must confess, I was rather surprised to hear it. I had no idea the two of you were so close.”

You two exchanged letters, didn’t you?

And you had your younger sister deliver news of your betrothed’s visit?

As I spoke with weighted meaning, Cessia’s rigid expression refused to soften.

Though my words were few, a man of his intellect would grasp the situation entirely.

Whether Odette and Cessia exchanged letters under the guise of my health, as Sing suggested, the fact remained—letters were sent.

‘Since I’ve overlooked the fact that Odette intercepted those letters until now… Cessia will likely be eager to see what other correspondence they’ve shared privately come to light.’

Letters could contain intimate matters or discussions of grave importance between noble houses.

Should such contents leak to the wrong hands, it would create considerable trouble.

“…How peculiar.”

My betrothed—prideful and meticulous about appearances—fixed his gaze on Odette once more.

Each word he uttered carried weight, as though he were compressing his fury into every syllable.

“I distinctly addressed the letter to you. How, then, did it reach Bonita?”

“….”

“It seems some explanation is in order, Bonita.”

Ugh, how cold. Absolutely frigid.

From this exchange alone, even the Attendants could easily infer that Cessia and Odette had shared private conversation between them.

Of course, Cessia seemed intent on distancing himself from Odette in this moment—desperate to shed the impression of being a man who flirts with his fiancée’s younger sister.

Still, I found myself hoping for nothing more than a rift between them.

That was all I desired, so I merely watched those who had struck me from behind.

“Hic….”

Odette lowered her head deeply, her face drained of all color.

The moment I heard her whimpering from the crown of her head, I clicked my tongue quietly—as if I’d expected nothing less.

She was always the type to shed pitiful tears at the first sign of difficulty. I was beginning to tire of it.

“Bonita, lift your head.”

“Ugh, hic. I have no face to show Cessia. I’ve caused you trouble, haven’t I?”

Look at this shameless younger sister of mine. So she has no face to show him, but she can look me in the eye?

I had no desire to continue watching Odette’s pathetic performance—those tears shed so pitifully toward Cessia.

I meant to rebuke her, to tell her that crying wasn’t the only solution, but I couldn’t.

“Bonita, please stop your tears. There’s no need to cry over this matter.”

Because of Cessia, who comforted Odette so gently.

At the kindness in his voice alone, Odette lifted her head, her eyes glistening with tears.

I could read a glimmer of hope in her eyes directed toward Cessia, though it was fleeting at best.

“B-but….”

“I simply require a detailed explanation and appropriate measures regarding why Bonita would commit such an act.”

“….”

His smile was as warm as the descending sunlight.

He coaxed with a low voice, his gentleness masking an implicit threat.

Even I found myself startled by his demeanor, swallowing a hollow laugh.

Cessia was truly the sort of man who would discard anyone without hesitation if it served his social standing.

“Lord Cessia, I… that is, I merely….”

Under Cessia’s coercive demeanor, I could see Odette’s fingertips trembling.

Two people who had clung to each other as though their lives depended on it now crumbled so pathetically. I could only suppress a bitter laugh.

“I would prefer you speak clearly, Bonita. There could be misunderstandings when confessing one’s wrongs, could there not?”

“….”

“I am simply asking why the letter I sent to Rosetta ended up in your hands.”

Ah, such a cowardly rejection.

He must surely know that Odette harbors some affection for him.

For the sake of his social reputation, Cessia ignored the letters they had exchanged with one another and focused solely on Odette’s transgression.

Her expression flushed in real time, betraying her true feelings.

【How utterly insulting.】

Sing’s assessment was remarkably apt.

Yes, it would be insulting indeed.

Wherever she went, my younger sister Odette carried herself with elegance and noble grace—yet she seemed utterly defenseless against being cornered.

Everyone lavished praise upon her refined character, and the people of Benitra cherished her as one might tend a delicate daisy, showering her with boundless affection.

How could Odette have ever imagined such a humiliating scenario—that the man she harbored feelings for would turn his back without even witnessing the slightest harm come to her?

Truly, my betrothed was nothing but a selfish, cowardly, and heartless man.

“I-I’m sorry… I apologize. It’s just that Rosetta’s health hasn’t been well, so I only meant to help her. That’s all.”

“…You received the letter on Rosetta’s behalf because her health was poor?”

“Yes, yes! That’s right. I was going to read it to her directly.”

Grasping at this thread of hope, Odette quickly assented.

At that, I smiled quietly.

She was offering up her own limbs to save her neck.

“How unfortunate. Since your intentions were pure, I can only imagine how distressed you must be. In that case, it would be best to severely punish the Attendant who delivered the letter to the Princess.”

“…Pardon?”

Cessia presented his solution without so much as a flicker of expression, as though it were the most obvious course of action.

At those words, the faint glimmer that had briefly illuminated Odette’s face drained away entirely.

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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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