Mad Rosetta - Chapter 30

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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

Chapter 30

A Spring Blossom with a Spicy Bite (4)

What irritated me most was Vicky.

It wasn’t enough that she’d approached me on Odette’s orders—the fact that she’d so readily agreed to sabotage me at her command left a bitter taste in my mouth.

‘Originally, I’d planned to leave the counterfeit pearl necklace in a conspicuous place so Vicky could make her move at the opportune moment….’

And on the day of the Spring Stage, I would be wearing different jewels around my neck. I’d been looking forward to savoring the sight of Vicky’s crumpled expression when she discovered the switch.

Odette’s reaction would be similar, and I’d imagined the entire journey to the Imperial Palace would be delightful.

But imagining Vicky—who’d surely been scheming ways to humiliate me even while assisting me—suddenly filled me with an unexpected melancholy.

“It’s unfair, so unfair…. Why must I always be the one trembling in anxiety? Hm? They’re all just thinking of ways to make me suffer! Why do I have to rack my brains over every single detail of their schemes?”

【Well, dear. You should lie properly.】

“Don’t tell me what to do!”

I crawled onto the sofa and sprawled across it, pouring out my grievances, when Sing’s observation reached my ears.

One of my indoor slippers had slipped off and lay rolling beneath the sofa, and my hair was surely disheveled and tangled.

Sing, who’d been quietly observing me from the opposite sofa, tapped his knee thoughtfully with his fingers and sighed.

【So…. You want to make her anxious the way you are, is that it?】

“Forget it…. I just want to get through the feast and come home in one piece….”

【Odette will be difficult, certainly, traveling with you as she does. But making one attendant nervous should be child’s play.】

As I lay there in a melancholic state, drained of all resolve and letting my body go limp, Sing’s playful voice reached me.

“…Do you have a decent idea?”

I turned my head slightly to the side and asked him.

Sing still sat with his legs crossed, his expression perfectly at ease.

【If you’d just come sit properly beside me, I think things might work out.】

…That bastard.

Though I glared at him with narrowed eyes in clear displeasure, the reason I eventually rose from my seat was simple enough.

I simply couldn’t bear to listen any longer to him droning on about how no one in their right mind would sprawl across an armrest like that, and how he could already picture my future self—writhing in back pain, regretting that I hadn’t heeded his words, darling.

Once I shuffled over and plopped down beside him, he laughed with evident satisfaction.

“As long as the method actually works.”

I threatened to personally snap his spine in half, and he chuckled mischievously before tilting his head toward me.

【Since only you two will be heading to the Capital City anyway, then…】

He whispered softly.

As I listened to Sing’s proposed ‘method for making Vicky tremble with anxiety,’ I found myself increasingly uncertain what expression to wear.

【So, what do you think?】

“…Pathetic.”

【Ugh…】

At my cutting assessment, Sing feigned sullenness with exaggerated irritation.

Yet I couldn’t bring myself to actually break his spine.

It was certainly pathetic and utterly ridiculous.

But as he said, it was actually a rather decent method for playing a trick on a single servant.

My frustration vanished in an instant, and I allowed my lips to curl upward in a sinister smile when no one was watching.

‘Well then, why don’t you try stamping your own feet for once?’

* * *

“Penny!”

A few days later, Penny returned from her leave and sought out my room early in the morning.

I was in the midst of being dressed by the children when I spotted her, and I sprang from my seat as though propelled by springs.

My sudden movement during the application of makeup startled Reina, who quickly withdrew her brush.

“Penny, come here for a moment.”

I instructed the servants to wait briefly, then led Penny alone into the bedroom and closed the door behind us.

I paid no heed to Sing’s reproach that my silhouette—dragging her by the shoulder into the shadows—resembled that of a common street ruffian.

“Hehe, I hope you’ve been well, Lady?”

“Yes, nothing particularly noteworthy, though it seems you’ve fared quite well.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Look at this girl—her face was positively radiant.

Had she been eating and sleeping well?

Her cheeks had filled out slightly compared to a week prior, which was admittedly endearing.

The fact that her complexion had brightened precisely when she wasn’t attending to me left me feeling rather put out, and I pursed my lips in displeasure.

Yet with Penny’s return, my wounded pride was hardly the pressing matter, so I asked in barely more than a whisper.

“…How is Marmint faring?”

“Ah, yes. I was hoping to report on that right away.”

At my discreet inquiry, Penny leaned close to my ear and began her report in hushed tones.

Sing made a show of eavesdropping between Penny and me, reminding me not to forget that he had his own presence too.

My concentration wavered for a moment, but I refocused as Penny’s explanation continued.

“First, I visited House Beaumont about once every two days. From what I could tell, the family members seemed quite mindful of Marmint’s presence.”

“Hmm, I see….”

“The eldest son escorted me each time, but he subtly complained that they weren’t even allowed near the research lab. I almost got turned away at the door initially, but once I mentioned you’d sent me, Marmint agreed to meet with me several times.”

Listening to Penny’s cheerful chatter, I smiled softly.

I’d worried she might still be swayed by her family since she was so young, but Marmint seemed to have handled herself with considerable resolve.

Just as I was thinking it had been the right decision to send Penny, she continued.

“And regarding the research you entrusted to her….”

Gulp.

In the quiet bedroom, the sound of me swallowing felt impossibly loud.

Seeing Sing’s lips curl into a low chuckle, I flicked his nose as if I were merely brushing my hair back.

This rascal, finding amusement in watching me squirm?

“…The materials you sent are apparently excellent.”

“…Pardon?”

“Just… just passing along that much should be enough for you to understand what she means….”

Noticing my blank expression, Penny trailed off uncertainly.

The materials I’d sent to Marmint were simply the roots of the Asau tree she’d requested, along with various other plants and miscellaneous extracts.

‘She mentioned there were still leftover Panilnia Flowers from Dr. Beaumont’s research institute….’

Above all, I hadn’t sent the Panilnia Flowers because attempting to procure them carelessly risked word reaching Lianna or Odette.

I recall that the roots of the Asau tree were said to neutralize the toxins inherent in plants, or something along those lines.

The materials I sent are excellent = the efficacy of the materials is superior = antidote development progressing very positively

【Ho, so the true genius really was a genius. To think it’s been less than a month….】

“….”

【Congratulations, darling?】

The moment that thought reached me, I heard Sing’s laughter-filled voice before I simply collapsed into a squat on the floor.

My legs had given out beneath me.

Penny was startled and asked with worried eyes if something was wrong, but I waved her off, insisting I was fine.

‘…I think I’m going to cry.’

How long had I waited for this?

I had demanded that Marmint create the antidote within a month, but truthfully, uncertain of the outcome, I had been plagued by endless anxiety.

If Marmint showed no significant progress even a week before the Spring Stage, I had planned to begin training to prepare for this accursed neuralgia.

But if I say only this much, would I understand?

‘…This infuriatingly adorable little brat.’

Had Marmint been before me at that moment, I would have wanted to levitate her through the air just as Sing had done to me before.

My nose bridge tingled as though tears might spill at any moment, but I deliberately furrowed my brow and held them back.

I intended to save the moment of truly joyful tears for when the antidote was completely within my grasp.

“Good, Penny. The news you’ve brought has lifted my spirits. Is there anything else you have to tell me?”

“Huh? Um…, ah! It’s difficult to remember all the details. Marmint used such complex pharmaceutical terminology. Still, she said that if we get the steeping time exactly right, she can send the medicine to you right away.”

Penny rambled on, fumbling to organize her thoughts, but I could accept even that with optimism.

Besides, I can always send her the medicine, can’t I?

Our Marmint is a genius, after all.

It was the most exhilarating morning I’d experienced in recent days, so I rose with a bright smile, brushing off my clothes.

Then, as if noticing something peculiar, Penny tilted her head and fixed her gaze upon my appearance.

“But Lady, do you have any special plans today?”

“….”

“It looks as though you’re going on a date.”

Penny continued her praise, remarking how the pink satin dress suited today’s weather perfectly.

Meanwhile, my mood soured instantly, and my expression hardened.

Cancel that exhilarating morning comment.

Plans? I have them, unfortunately.

Due to an appointment scheduled from early afternoon with someone, I’d been groomed by the servants’ hands into a polished appearance since morning.

“…So my betrothed is coming to visit.”

Today was the day Cessia would visit.

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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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