Mad Rosetta - Chapter 19

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Mad Rosetta

Episode 19

Even When Watering a Sprout, One Must Be Careful (2)

* * *

After changing into the most plain dress possible, I headed to the main manor.

I had Reina ask about visiting, and fortunately Lianna readily accepted.

“To think the day would come when I’d sit face to face with you, Rosetta, drinking tea. How moving.”

“Until my health deteriorated, I used to visit Mother often with Bonita. Time really is fleeting, isn’t it?”

And so here I was, exchanging pleasantries with a smile toward this woman whose true nature I couldn’t fathom.

Looking into Lianna’s eyes, I thought that when Odette matured a bit more with time, she would probably look like this.

When her dark auburn hair fell beside her brilliant green eyes, I felt a serene and elegant beauty like an old oak tree that made me naturally respectful.

To think someone with such an honest face poisoned Father…

The human heart was truly unknowable.

“Won’t you visit this mother often from now on? I’ve felt quite regretful that I haven’t spent much time with you, Rosetta.”

“I will. Actually, I’ve seen Mother and Bonita walking in the garden together from my room a few times, and I was secretly envious.”

“Oh my… You had such thoughts? Now that your health seems to have recovered somewhat, let’s take a walk together next time.”

Toward her who laughed demurely with a “ho ho ho,” I too put on airs with my own “ho ho ho” until my mouth nearly cramped.

Lianna.

More precisely, the woman who was formerly Lianna Londry and the former Baroness Epsilon.

I heard she grew up as the eldest daughter of some country knight in the east, then married Baron Epsilon who was much older than her.

‘At that time, thanks to Odette, Lianna’s reputation in the Epsilon estate was even better than the baron who was the lord…’

The young lady of Epsilon was so pretty and excellent in etiquette, had wonderful character and was wise, making her the finest bride material, and so on…

As praise for Odette grew day by day, Lianna’s standing also rose.

Even after Baron Epsilon’s death, many nobles spared no praise for Baroness Epsilon’s educational philosophy as she properly fulfilled her role as mistress and guided her children correctly.

That touching story reaching the ears of Father, who had lost his wife and had to raise me alone, was the beginning of all this tragedy.

‘I asked you to raise one daughter well… Where does planning a father-daughter funeral fit into that?’

The two conditions when Father remarried Lianna were clear.

To treat me as preciously as Odette.

And to not have children between themselves.

Father’s pure devotion to my late mother, then as now, was sacrificed solely for his daughter’s future.

Knowing this better than anyone, I accepted the Epsilon mother and daughter as family so as not to disappoint Father.

‘Though I never knew the result would be so bitter.’

The melancholy that washed over me whenever I recalled the past had been chewed over enough, so it was rather comforting that only repaying them in kind remained.

Even if things didn’t go as planned and my life ended at the hands of the woman before me, at least I could spit in her face rather than die helplessly with only resentment.

I made this resolution that wasn’t quite a resolution and set down my teacup without a sound.

“I hesitate to bring this up when visiting Mother after so long… but I actually have a favor to ask.”

“You’ve never been one to ask for favors. If even I can be of help, I’d like to grant it.”

“Did you happen to see today’s newspaper?”

I carefully observed Lianna’s face.

Her expression was so relaxed I couldn’t gauge her thoughts, but mine was probably the same.

She seemed about to open her mouth, then closed it, and after a moment spoke again.

“I saw it. There was apparently a commotion at Arcanis Academy yesterday.”

“I’m glad you saw it! The favor I want to ask is related to that academy incident.”

“You and the academy, Rosetta?”

“Yes. Actually, I had personally requested something from Dr. Beaumont at the academy, but unfortunately he passed away…”

Odette would probably cover her mouth with her hand and lower her eyes to express regret at this point.

The handkerchief I had diligently prepared came in handy, helping me dab at tears that wouldn’t come.

“Oh my, you must be deeply saddened. I had no idea you had connections in that area, Rosetta.”

“As Mother knows, I’ve had various minor ailments. But at some point, I seemed to have allergic reactions whenever Bonita gave me flowers… I had asked the late doctor for a solution to this.”

‘I wanted to do flower arranging with Odette if we found a way to treat the allergy, but sob sob, it’s all ruined now…’ As I pretended to sob, Sing clapped beside me saying a great actor had been born.

‘Your darling is updating her acting skills right now, so don’t break my concentration, you fool.’

Even if it was something their minions scattered throughout Benitra had surely already reported, saying it directly with my own mouth had great significance.

The illusion that I was still just an insignificant sixteen-year-old girl.

The illusion that I trusted Lianna.

The illusion that my hostility toward them wasn’t as great as they thought…

I hoped the misjudgment created by this would make them hesitate for just a moment when they tried to commit their wicked deeds.

And that no more victims would result from it.

I sniffled with earnest hope.

“Oh my, seeing you cry like this, Rosetta, makes me feel bad. You don’t need to strain yourself for Bonita’s sake.”

“Yes, since the doctor has passed away, further research seems impossible so I was going to give up. But still, since we had a connection… I thought it would be proper to see him off on his final journey.”

“By seeing him off, you mean…”

“Would Mother attend Dr. Beaumont’s funeral with me?”

She would have no choice but to accept.

Having had little contact with me, she would have only heard limited information from others.

For Lianna, this proposal was an opportunity to directly observe me, about whom rumors of change were circulating.

“I considered asking Father, but as Mother knows, he’s someone who worries about many things. I thought it would be better to spend time with Mother rather than cause him unnecessary worry, so I came to ask you like this.”

“Yes, even if it was just a brief connection, it’s important to do what’s proper. If this mother is acceptable, let’s go send off the deceased together.”

“Really? Thank you. I thought Mother would readily agree.”

“I’m grateful you think so. But do you have mourning clothes prepared separately? There doesn’t seem to be enough time to get ready and go out.”

My stomach churned at Lianna’s question, but I forced a gentle smile.

Of course I had mourning clothes.

The childhood mourning dress I wore for the first and last time at my birth mother’s funeral.

‘If I added fabric and lengthened it, I could still wear it now, but…’

I didn’t want to wear the clothes I had last worn to see off Mother while being with Lianna.

“…Actually, the only mourning clothes I have were fitted when I was young. If it’s alright with you, could I alter and wear mourning clothes that Mother has?”

“Hmm, since time is short, that would be best.”

With those words, Lianna called in the maids and entrusted them with the alterations.

* * *

Thanks to preparing as quickly as possible, we were able to board the carriage in the early afternoon.

When we arrived at the monastery, it was already late evening, so Lianna and I had to hurry our steps.

The fact that the monastery the doctor usually attended was close to the duke’s mansion felt truly fortunate.

“It seems the burial service has already ended.”

After getting out of the carriage.

Walking beside Lianna, those who recognized her greeted us with bows instead of words.

Some were still crying, others quietly reciting prayers, mourning the departed’s final journey.

However, the number of people was quite small, making me slightly regret visiting only in the evening.

‘There probably won’t be that much information I can gather…’

When I signaled to Sing, he readily moved to the opposite direction from me to listen to others’ conversations.

Bring back meaningful results, my partner.

“Ugh, damn old geezer…”

…Hmm?

Didn’t I just hear something that shouldn’t be heard at a funeral?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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