Mad Rosetta - Chapter 32
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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 32
Too Spicy for a Spring Flower (6)
“…Conditions?”
“Well, you can neither secretly store this much cash nor carry it back to that household.”
Under current law, children aged 12 and under could not independently open accounts.
In other words, for Marmint to receive compensation in cash, she would need approval from Gaildo, who served as her legal guardian.
But I didn’t want him to know that Marmint had come into a large sum of money.
‘He’s already sitting on a mountain of debt. Anyone can see he’d obviously extort it, so what could I possibly trust him with?’
So I came up with one solution.
“By any chance, would you consider attending the Academy? You genius pharmacist, Miss Marmint?”
“…Huh?”
When I asked with a somewhat sly smile, Marmint seemed startled by the unexpected question and pressed her knees together nervously.
Arcanis National Academy had not only noble children but also many scholarship students from commoner backgrounds.
Naturally, our Benitra Family could also write recommendation letters for those scholarship students.
“I don’t know how this might sound… but I want you to learn and master more things with that brilliant mind of yours.”
“…”
“You actually enjoy studying and research, don’t you.”
I carefully observed the child’s expression, concerned about Marmint’s feelings.
Her eyes wavered slightly, as if she was choosing how to respond.
The Marmint I had seen would constantly pour out complaints and grievances as if having an allergic reaction to learning.
But when explaining fields she knew about, she was a child whose eyes sparkled brighter than anyone’s.
‘Not only was her speed in producing research results exceptional…’
More than anything, the fact that the kid’s expression looked incredibly joyful when chattering on about ingredients and herbs struck me greatly.
So I suspected.
Whether it was Dr. Beaumont or members of Gaildo’s family.
Those bastards had created an environment where Marmint couldn’t enjoy studying.
I couldn’t stand to see that happen again.
“So I’m thinking of becoming your guardian.”
“Guardian…?”
“Yes. That way, I can not only get you admitted to the Academy as a scholarship student, but also ensure you can rightfully own property.”
Though mainly it’s to prevent those Beaumont children from approaching you.
I, who valued the child’s talent highly, would become Marmint’s legal guardian.
That alone would be enough to create independent assets for the child.
However, I didn’t volunteer to be her legal guardian simply to open an account for Marmint.
‘If House Beaumont goes bankrupt, who knows what they might do to Marmint, so I should prepare some countermeasures.’
With that thought, I gazed intently at Marmint, who had given no response so far.
There was no way for Gaildo to survive.
When he tried to claim his rights as heir to Dr. Beaumont’s estate, I planned to submit documents regarding contract violations to the court.
Debts were also part of the inheritance.
The executor would deduct the penalty fee specified as 100 million shillings and pass on only the meager remaining assets to Gaildo.
So Gaildo, who had been hoping to make a comeback with his deceased father’s assets, would soon go bankrupt.
But if that happened, Marmint would be in danger.
“Do you remember the first condition we discussed?”
“…About becoming independent?”
“Right. You definitely asked me to help you get out of that house when we finished our deal.”
“…”
“If I become your legal guardian, I can at least prevent those household members from approaching you until you come of age.”
I actually had no desire or intention to be someone’s caretaker.
After all, wasn’t it hard enough dealing with my own problems?
The idea of me becoming someone else’s guardian was absurd.
But when I suddenly imagined what would happen to Marmint if Gaildo went bankrupt, terrible scenarios automatically filled my mind.
She was already living amid such pervasive discrimination, so how would Gaildo act if he lost everything?
‘He might sell young Marmint to another household as property, or in the worst case… disown her.’
Or he might continue exploiting the child, using Marmint’s talents to attempt another comeback.
But telling Marmint these horrible imaginings directly would be hurtful, so I had to spare my words.
“…Why are you so quiet? Are you displeased that I would become your guardian?”
“N-no, it’s not that.”
“Then what is it.”
Let me repeat: I still hadn’t drunk a single drop of the antidote.
Which meant my patience was still no bigger than an ant’s rear end.
Frustrated by Marmint’s hesitation, I frowned and pressed her.
“But Bargo… Bargo hasn’t graduated yet.”
Then Marmint answered in an almost tearful voice, as if she felt wronged too.
Huh? Ba… what? Live righteously until graduation?
As I just blinked at the unfamiliar name, Marmint noticed my state and raised her voice somewhat.
“Second brother, Bargo. He’s currently enrolled at the Academy!”
“…”
“He’ll find out I’m attending the Academy. How much gossip will he spread?”
Marmint expressed her anxiety, saying it would surely ruin her Academy life from the start, so how could she attend?
That point was… my mistake.
Since I hadn’t extended my interest to Gaildo’s children, I asked Marmint back with a troubled expression.
“That, what… Bargo? How many semesters does he have left?”
“…He’ll probably graduate this summer. He was held back one semester due to poor grades.”
“Ah, what… I thought he had a long way to graduation.”
Turns out it wasn’t a big deal at all?
When I responded indifferently, Marmint pouted her lips, perhaps thinking I didn’t understand her feelings.
But since there really was no need to worry, I smiled softly and said,
“Then you’ll be starting in the fall semester.”
“…What?”
“You can’t enroll now since it’s mid-semester anyway. So Marmint, you’ll start after that idiot or whatever graduates.”
Having said it myself, I felt relieved and leaned back deep into the sofa.
The Arcanis Empire’s National Academy completion program was 8 years total.
But since many noble children had to be absent for household affairs and such, it operated on a semester system.
If he was only held back one semester, House Beaumont’s second son would leave the Academy before this summer vacation.
‘That’s what should happen if he doesn’t want to look utterly stupid.’
Marmint stared blankly at my smile for a moment, then blushed, perhaps embarrassed that she had worried unnecessarily.
If she didn’t know the Academy’s operating system, it was perfectly natural to think of winter graduation by default.
I asked again as if it were no big deal.
“So?”
“…What now.”
“Will you attend the Academy or not.”
“…If brother isn’t there, then…”
Look at this kid, does she think acting coy and looking down now won’t show her excitement?
No matter how smart she was, she was unmistakably a ten-year-old child, so I chuckled softly.
【How cute.】
“…”
【Doesn’t darling need a guardian or something?】
What use would a ghost guardian be?
Sing’s voice from right behind me sounded too close and startled me somewhat, but I tried to maintain a calm expression.
“Right, so that settles the Academy admission matter… Oh, and when you return, tell them I’m extending the grace period until this fall.”
“Huh? What grace period?”
“…? What period, you ask—the time to prepare the penalty fee.”
“…Eh, I thought we didn’t have to pay that anymore?”
“?”
“?”
What is she talking about?
For a moment, I couldn’t understand Marmint’s question and ended up frowning deeply.
At this, Marmint continued rambling as if making excuses.
“Oh, no, it’s just… I did create the medicine that was originally promised to the Doctor… And Father thought that if I succeeded in my research, we wouldn’t have to repay the money…?”
“What an absurd notion. Didn’t I clearly say I’d give you ‘time’ when you pleaded that you couldn’t come up with the money immediately?”
“Uh…”
“I said I would wait on the condition that you fulfill a new contract with me, but I never once said I’d write off the penalty fee.”
These people had been interpreting others’ words however they pleased.
Well, if they learned that Dr. Beaumont’s penalty fee still remained despite Marmint’s success in creating the medicine, their disappointment would be greater than expected, so it wasn’t a bad outcome.
I just felt a bit annoyed by it.
“Listen, child. Pay attention. Contracts aren’t something that can be easily changed to suit each situation. Especially when the contract parties are so different. The two contracts should be considered completely separate.”
“Ah, yes…”
“So I fully intend to strip your household bare…”
“…”
“…Though I do. If you want me to show mercy, I could consider whether to give you more time or not.”
I immediately regretted my own words.
The truth was, I had absolutely no desire to consider it.
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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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