Mad Rosetta - Chapter 21

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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 21

Even When Watering a Sprout Once, You Must Be Careful (4)

“You, you don’t mean… the dead doctor told you?”

【Correct.】

“Kyaaaah!”

I quickly wrapped the blanket around my entire body and looked around rapidly.

The only ghost I can see is Sing!

Just thinking that other things might be wandering around this area made it absolutely terrifying.

‘This means it’s completely full of evil spirits everywhere! I need an exorcism, an exorcism!’

I threw a tantrum, saying there might be similar things roaming around and demanding they be driven away immediately.

Then Sing laughed heartily like an old man departing from the world.

【Calm down, darling. It’s just me here.】

“You, you! You’re lying to reassure me! Right! Look, look at these goosebumps. It suddenly got a bit cold, it’s not because you’re next to me, is it? Right?”

【I wouldn’t let other beings hover around you, would I? Settle down and sit properly.】

“Are you taking the ghost’s side right now?”

How cursed must my fate be that I have to be wary of ghosts in addition to living humans?

Lamenting my pitiful circumstances, I carefully lowered the blanket.

Though I still couldn’t shake my suspicious gaze.

【Listen carefully, darling. Even when people die, not everyone can remain in the mortal world for long like me. They naturally disappear within three days of death.】

“Why, why three days?”

【I’m not entirely sure, but I think it might be related to funeral procedures. All the ghosts I’ve encountered have wandered around during funerals and then disappeared. It’s probably a process established throughout long history.】

If what Sing said was true, it was fortunate.

Otherwise, I would have lived in terror, wondering if ghosts were wandering around every single day.

While I was calming my pounding heart, he continued speaking.

【This is the only clue about who killed the doctor. They disguised it as suicide and set fire as you expected. The lamp was a decoy.】

“Hah, burn scars on the wrist…”

【There’s also good news. It seems we can solve the Panilnia poison.】

“How? Did the doctor also tell you about his research?”

My eyes lit up at Sing’s words.

Right, there’s no such thing as a completely useless existence in this world.

As it turns out, ghosts can be helpful in life, and they can even make antidotes. Isn’t that how everything works?

I’m sorry for persecuting and cursing you, Doctor.

Please forgive me for gossiping behind your back about being full of greed for money in your old age, Dr. Beaumont!

【You saw it today too, didn’t you? The child who was crying and making a scene before being kicked out during the funeral.】

“Huh? Oh, I saw. I heard the doctor adopted an orphan with no relatives. He didn’t seem like such a compassionate person, but it was quite unexpected.”

【You got it right. He didn’t adopt the child simply out of pity.】

“…What do you mean?”

【The child’s name is Maraint Beaumont. Officially registered as Gaylord Beaumont’s youngest daughter, but actually served as the doctor’s assistant.】

“…That little kid was an assistant?”

When I glimpsed her, the child had such a small frame that it was doubtful she was even over twelve years old.

But such a young child worked at Arcanis Academy, which is full of people who pride themselves on their intellect?

And as an assistant to Dr. Dravu Beaumont, who’s counted among the top five in the Empire for herbology?

Contrary to my eyes full of doubt, Sing tapped his nails and responded indifferently.

【Why, those so-called geniuses. That child was one of them. The adoption was decided for that reason too.】

“She just looked like a rude little brat to me.”

【So darling, I have to tell you something that might make you angry. You backed the wrong person.】

What kind of nonsense is that now?

I thought I was hearing all sorts of strange things and experiencing all kinds of bizarre events today.

Perhaps because too much information was coming in at once, my head started throbbing again, and I couldn’t help but frown.

Sing watched me for a moment, then told me not to shout no matter how angry I got.

【You don’t want inn staff knocking on your door either, do you?】

“I know.”

Geez, anyone watching would think I’m some adolescent young lady who gets annoyed even at fallen leaves on the road.

【Until recently, most of the papers and medicines that Dr. Beaumont published over the years were actually achievements made by that child, Maraint.】

“…”

【In other words, the doctor lived comfortably and well by exploiting a child with your investment money.】

“…Where is that damn old geezer now?”

【Haha, he’s dead, I told you.】

“Ahhh! This is really annoying!”

I beat the innocent blanket as if dealing with the doctor who had swindled my money like a con artist and then died.

The fact that the doctor had already been killed by someone else’s hand was unsatisfactory.

Such a person shouldn’t have just died, but should have had his crimes exposed to the world, and I should have personally sent him to the underground prison!

When punching didn’t relieve my anger, I suddenly thought it might actually be fortunate.

“Right, what’s important isn’t the old man who’s already croaked. The person who can make the antidote was someone else entirely…”

I needed to think calmly.

What did Father do when he was conned by fraudsters?

To recover the investment money that had vanished helplessly, he first took the fraudster’s family members hostage.

Then he relentlessly found the person responsible for the incident and made them kneel before him.

“Heheh, ohohohoho…”

【Honey, you’re laughing quite wickedly.】

“Tomorrow is the third day of the funeral, so there’ll be a service with only family attending, right?”

【Mm, there should be?】

“Given that child’s temperament I saw today, she’ll either attend the service or at least loiter around the monastery, right?”

【I can guess what you’re thinking, darling. But what about Lianna?】

“Amazingly, she’s having lunch with Father tomorrow.”

Sing nodded as if he understood, and I lay down with anticipation for tomorrow.

Though there was one ghost who kept pestering me, saying darling’s moods are so changeable that it’s entertaining to watch.

Since all the information gathered today was quite useful, I appreciated it and listened to his silly jokes without complaint before falling asleep.

Just wait a little, kid.

* * *

“Are you really sure it’s okay to go alone? This mother is a bit worried.”

“Hah, really… If it weren’t for the dress problem, I could have attended lunch with Mother too, which is quite disappointing.”

I pressed between my eyebrows with an irritated expression, narrowing them considerably.

I had just expressed to Lianna my intention to urgently visit Etienne’s Atelier in the capital, using the excuse that I wasn’t satisfied with the overall final design of my dress for the upcoming ball.

She watched me grinding my teeth, saying it wasn’t like I was dealing with some novice seamstress and that I’d give them a thorough scolding when I got there, and smiled with strange delight.

“It would have been nice if you, Rosetta, had ordered from the same place as our Bonita. But it’s too late to change now, so it must be troublesome.”

“That’s exactly right. I should have just listened when Father told me to go with Ceitela House.”

“Hoho, but don’t be too harsh with the seamstress. Everyone has limits to their abilities, and the person who’s probably most upset is likely her.”

Your daughter will be wearing clothes from that supposedly inferior seamstress of ours in two years.

But since I couldn’t say this outright, I grumbled in response like daughters typically do when complaining.

“Mother is too lenient with the servants.”

At those words, Lianna smiled lightly and told me I really should go now, and to return to the territory immediately after finishing my schedule.

I personally saw Lianna off, even waving my hand, but as soon as Benatra’s carriage disappeared from view, I hardened my expression.

“…Unfortunately. My seamstress is doing her job very well.”

Was it the day before yesterday?

In a letter from the atelier, Miss Etienne conveyed news that she had finished all the seam work and only had the decoration attachment left.

Since I had already confirmed the final design and ordered her to proceed, all that remained for me was to quietly try on the dress handed over by the trendsetter.

“Penny, call the hotel staff.”

“Yes, I’ll be right back!”

Today’s destination was only one place.

I called for a carriage and headed to the monastery I had visited yesterday.

Since only the deceased’s family members and the priest conducting the ceremony were allowed entry during the last 3 days of the funeral proceedings, I was worried I might have to wait outside for a long time.

“…Found her.”

In front of the monastery’s main gate, I could see the same small light blue crown of a head as yesterday.

Still wearing mourning clothes that looked no better than sackcloth, the child was just poking at the innocent dirt ground with her toes.

Her pale blue hair was quite pretty, but it seemed poorly maintained.

It was Maraint Beaumont.

‘Ah, I suppose the Doctor’s surname is no longer needed now?’

Dismissing the trivial thought, I slowly approached Maraint.

“Hello?”

Won’t you have a little chat with this big sister?

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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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