Mad Rosetta - Chapter 25

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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 25

Even When Watering a Sprout Once, You Must Be Careful (8)

“I heard that Miss Marmint worked as an assistant to the late doctor and learned from him?”

At the sudden mention of her name, Marmint flinched in surprise.

“Sh-she only helped with menial tasks at best. I wonder why you’re asking about such things…”

Gaildo made excuses like that and laughed awkwardly.

His two grown sons sat beside Marmint, glaring at her as if to say “Are you causing trouble again?”

The sight of full-grown adults being so desperate to devour one little child was truly a spectacle to behold.

“Is that so? Oh my, this is troublesome… I was hoping to make it a condition that Miss Marmint would continue the doctor’s research. But then again, she is such a young lady, so it might be unreasonable.”

“What specifically do you mean by entrusting her with research…”

“Never mind. If I borrow Mr. Gaildo’s words, she wouldn’t be of much help to me. Let’s pretend I never said what I just said.”

“N-no! This child, I mean. My youngest daughter may look like this, but she’s very clever. That’s why our grandfather had me adopt Marmint, to keep her close and teach her!”

“But didn’t you just say she only handled menial tasks?”

“I-I was just being modest because I was worried Your Highness might be disappointed if you had high expectations. She’s a child who followed grandfather well and devoted herself to learning, so she’ll definitely be helpful. This father is right, isn’t he, Marmint? Isn’t that so?”

What could that young child be thinking as she looked at her adoptive father who glared at her fiercely while speaking sweetly to me?

I became a little curious.

“…Of course, Your Highness.”

“…”

“I will strive to be helpful by devoting myself completely to research.”

If I had known she could smile so bitterly, I would have found another way, I immediately regretted.

Marmint somehow smiled self-deprecatingly, as if she had been hurt.

My chest ached, and I felt quite upset as if I had made a mistake with the child.

My plan had been to let her use Bomonge’s research lab while preventing other family members from interfering.

Though I felt uneasy, the water had already been spilled.

“Very well. Since your youngest daughter is so reliable, I shall trust her and leave it in her hands.”

“Then, may I ask how long you’re thinking of…”

“For now, I’ll give you a month’s grace period. Since I said ‘on the condition that she’s helpful.’ Whether I’ll give more time or not depends on Miss Marmint’s results. Please do your best.”

Finally, I had them semi-forcibly sign a clause stating that they would be held responsible if any conversation seen or heard here was leaked to outsiders.

Additionally, I used the research commission as an excuse to keep only Marmint behind and sent the others outside.

Marmint had a sulky expression as if asking what more business there was when she already knew all about the research content.

“You’re making quite an insolent expression.”

“…Why. Do you have more to say?”

“Do you act like that with your family too?”

“…Are you going to interfere with even that now?”

“I’m just wondering if you’re only like that with me. Keep that attitude when you go home too.”

“What… Excuse me?”

I beckoned Marmint over with my finger.

The child approached with eyes that showed she didn’t understand.

“When someone they’ve always looked down on becomes their lifeline, people’s reactions generally fall into two categories.”

“Yes?”

“They either grovel desperately to win that lifeline’s favor, or they pressure and treat them worse to prevent the lifeline from having second thoughts.”

“…What are you talking about right now.”

“Which do you think your family will be?”

Marmint remained silent as if it was difficult to choose.

Or perhaps she had reached an answer so quickly that there was no need to think about it.

“I think it’s the latter. So let me give you some advice.”

“…”

“Never be discouraged. Never.”

Marmint’s eyes, filled with bewilderment, shook violently.

Her expression showed she was curious why I was saying such things.

“I guarantee that at least one of your family members will be displeased with the current situation where the whole household’s expectations rest on you. And such people think about beating down a dog they’ve been raising when it seems to be climbing up.”

“…”

“So Marmint, you must always be ready to bite them back. Do you understand what I mean?”

Even though I urged her to answer, Marmint gave no reply.

She just kept her lips tightly shut and stared at the floor with gloomy eyes.

“Even though they should be flattering you with all sorts of sweet words right now. Due to pride, or because that’s how it’s always been. They might look down on you while finding various reasons to treat you carelessly.”

“…”

“I’m saying you must not overlook or endure that.”

Well, it’s not like I’m the type to back down either.

“…Why, why are you telling me this?”

“Haah… You’re asking a stupid question. Obviously because I’m worried about you.”

【…Darling has a talent for speaking in a really annoying way.】

Sing considerately interpreted Marmint’s feelings, saying that was a line combining tremendous personal attack with touching sentiment.

There was no way the ghost’s comfort could reach the child.

I was simply angry.

I was angry at those who had pushed the child to the point where she couldn’t easily accept sincere concern.

I was furious that such a child was baring her claws against someone who was merely trying to help her.

“I said I would help you, but… I can’t barge into your household to monitor whether they’re interfering with research or bothering you. From the moment you step through that door, it’s entirely up to you.”

“I-I know that too!”

“No, you don’t. Look just now. Even when I rudely beckoned with just my hand, didn’t you come running over?”

“…”

“Who would treat as an equal someone who only thinks of losing from the start?”

Right now, at this moment, I hoped Marmint’s pride would be miserably wounded.

That’s why I had wielded my tongue so harshly.

It would be fine if she got angry, fine if she snapped at me not to look down on her.

I simply didn’t want to see a child who had already been hurt far too much get wounded again without even knowing it and just accept reality.

“Let me say it once more: I need you desperately. I’m even desperate for you. And the same will be true for your family, useless as they are. So you’re free to protest all you want.”

“…”

“Threaten them asking if they’ll be fine without me, and if someone tries to humiliate you, look down on them instead. Make them realize that no one can treat you carelessly. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

As I gently grasped the child’s tightly clenched fist while speaking, Marmint flinched in surprise but didn’t pull her body back.

Small, so very small.

I learned that the child’s body temperature was quite warm, and that her fist, no matter how tightly clenched, was so small it wouldn’t even fill my palm.

Even if Marmint eventually left her household, if she remained no different from now, only her circumstances would change while the girl would invariably continue to dislike adults.

…Wouldn’t that be a rather sad thing?

Marmint stared down at her hand caught in mine for a long while, then opened her lips that had jutted out sulkily.

“You nag too much.”

“…This little…”

“I was already planning to throw my weight around in every way possible even without you saying so! I’m not stupid enough to miss an opportunity like this.”

“Now that’s a commendable thought!”

“Geez…! I’m leaving!”

Marmint, who had been stamping her feet fiercely like an angry calf, soon turned around with her face flushed red.

When I shouted that where does she think she’s going saying goodbye like that, calling her a child who had sent manners to the afterlife, good heavens.

“Ah, I guess it’s because I’m uneducated!”

“Huh…!”

She displayed the bizarre behavior of silencing an intellectual by roaring an absurd disparaging remark.

“Wh-where did you learn such vulgar… Hey, I’m not done talking yet! You!”

【…Children can be quite harsh at times.】

Bang! The reception room door slammed shut roughly.

Sing also seemed quite shocked, shaking his head back and forth while muttering as if the world was coming to an end.

“How could she say such tactless things… Ah, my head hurts.”

Marmint’s voice, already vanished from before my eyes, echoed and rang in my ears like a reverberation.

With my head throbbing, I flopped down onto the sofa where I had been sitting.

It just so happened that his thigh was where I lay down, so I simply used it as a pillow—there was absolutely no other intention.

At this, he deliberately added coquettish interjections like “Oh my!” while shyly meeting my eyes.

【Oh my, darling. Did your schedule today go well? I was so worried whether things would work out as planned.】

“Hah, don’t even get me started. Those shameless bastards wouldn’t hand over the money they were supposed to give and kept holding out. On top of that, the child’s temperament is so difficult that I had a hell of a time trying to appease her.”

【Hehe, perhaps the child takes after you.】

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

When I glared at him with flashing eyes, Sing clumsily patted my head and coaxed me not to get so worked up since it was just role-playing.

His body temperature that only I could feel was lukewarm—neither hot nor cold.

Combined with the sunlight streaming into the Reception Room, it made me drift into languid contemplation.

By now, Marmint would have met with the family members who had been waiting for her at the Main Gate.

“…At least be a fighting cock.”

So cry loudly and make a fuss.

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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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