Mad Rosetta - Chapter 32

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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 32

A Spring Blossom with a Spicy Bite (6)

“…A condition?”

“Well, you can’t exactly keep this much cash hidden away, nor can you carry it back to that household without drawing attention.”

Under current law, children twelve years old or younger couldn’t open bank accounts independently.

In other words, for Marmint to receive her compensation in cash, she would need the approval of her legal guardian—Gaildo.

But I had no intention of letting him know that Marmint had come into such a fortune.

‘The man’s already drowning in debt. Anyone could see he’d extort it from her without hesitation. Why would I entrust it to him?’

So I devised an alternative plan.

“Tell me, have you given any thought to attending the Academy? A genius apothecary like yourself, Miss Marmint?”

“…Pardon?”

I posed the question with a somewhat cunning smile, and Marmint tensed at the unexpected words, drawing her knees closer together.

The Arcanis National Academy admitted not only noble-born students but also numerous scholarship recipients from commoner backgrounds.

Naturally, our Benitra Family could provide such a scholarship recommendation as well.

“I’m not sure how you’ll take this, but… I’d like to see you use that brilliant mind of yours to learn and master even more.”

“…”

“You do enjoy studying and research, don’t you?”

I observed Marmint’s expression carefully, mindful of her feelings.

Her pupils flickered slightly—she seemed to be choosing her words carefully.

The Marmint I knew would constantly complain and grumble as if she had an aversion to learning itself.

Yet whenever I explained something within my area of expertise, she was the child whose eyes shone brighter than anyone else’s.

‘It wasn’t just that her research output was remarkably fast….’

What struck me most was how genuinely delighted her expression became when she chattered on about components and medicinal herbs—the joy was unmistakable in every word.

And so I came to suspect.

Whether it was Dr. Drabe Beaumont or Gaildo’s family members.

That they had created an environment where Marmint couldn’t enjoy her studies.

I couldn’t stand to see that happen again.

“So I thought I might become your guardian.”

“A guardian…?”

“Yes. That way, I can enroll you in the Academy as a scholarship student, and I can also ensure you have proper ownership of your own assets.”

More than anything, I wanted to keep the Beaumont Household’s children from getting near you.

I, having recognized the child’s talent, would become Marmint’s legal guardian.

That alone would be sufficient to establish independent assets for her.

But I hadn’t volunteered as legal guardian merely to open an account for Marmint.

‘If the Beaumont Household goes bankrupt, I need to have contingencies in place for what might happen to Marmint.’

With such thoughts, I gazed quietly at Marmint, who had offered little response so far.

There was no way Gaildo could survive.

When he tried to claim his rights as an heir to Dr. Drabe Beaumont’s estate, I planned to submit documents regarding breach of contract to the Court House.

Debt would soon become inheritance.

Thus, the executor would set aside the penalty of 100 million shillings as specified and hand over only a pittance of an inheritance to Gaildo.

Therefore, Gaildo, who had hoped to rebuild himself using his deceased father’s fortune, would soon face bankruptcy.

But if that happened, Marmint would be in danger.

“Do you remember the condition we first agreed upon?”

“…Independence, sir?”

“Exactly. You specifically asked me to help you leave that household once our transaction was complete.”

“….”

“If I become your legal guardian, I can at least ensure that household members cannot approach you until you come of age.”

In truth, I had neither the desire nor the intention to become someone’s protector.

After all, I could barely manage my own problems.

The very idea of me becoming another person’s guardian seemed absurd.

Yet when I suddenly imagined what would become of Marmint should Gaildo go bankrupt, my mind was embroidered with terrible possibilities.

She already endured such rampant discrimination—what might Gaildo do if he lost everything?

‘He might sell the young Marmint as an asset to another household, or in the worst case… disown her entirely.’

Or perhaps he would exploit the child repeatedly, leveraging her talents in a desperate attempt to rebuild his fortune.

But voicing such horrific imaginings to Marmint would only wound her, so I had no choice but to hold my tongue.

“…Why are you silent? Are you displeased that I would become your guardian?”

“N-no, it’s not like that.”

“Then what is it?”

To reiterate: I have yet to drink a single drop of the antidote.

In other words, my patience was still no better than an ant’s backside.

Frustrated by Marmint’s hesitation, I furrowed my brow and pressed her for answers.

“But Bargo hasn’t… Bargo hasn’t graduated yet,” she said.

Marmint replied in a voice that trembled as if she too felt wronged.

Huh? Bar… what? You’re saying you’ll behave properly until graduation?

As I blinked blankly at the unfamiliar name, Marmint, noticing my confusion, raised her voice slightly.

“My second older brother, Bargo. He’s currently enrolled at the Academy!”

“….”

“If people find out I’m attending the Academy, imagine all the gossip they’ll spread about me.”

Marmint poured out her anxieties, insisting that my Academy life would surely be ruined from the start.

That was… my mistake.

Since I hadn’t bothered to learn about Gaildo’s Children, I too felt at a loss and asked Marmint in return.

“So, what… Bargo? How many semesters does he have left?”

“…He’ll probably graduate this summer. He had to repeat a semester because his grades weren’t good enough.”

“Ah, what… I thought he had much longer until graduation.”

So it turned out to be nothing serious after all.

When I replied indifferently, Marmint, thinking I didn’t understand her feelings, pouted her lips stubbornly.

But there was truly no need to worry, so I smiled softly and spoke.

“Then you’ll be entering in the autumn term.”

“…What?”

“Besides, it’s the middle of the semester anyway, so you can’t enroll now. So Marmint, whether you’re an idiot or whatever, let’s discuss this after you graduate.”

Once the words left my lips, I felt relieved and settled deeper into the sofa.

The Arcanis National Academy’s completion program spans a total of eight years.

However, since many noble children had to take leave for household matters and other obligations, the Academy operated on a semester system.

If the second son of House Beaumont only repeated one semester, he would be leaving the Academy before summer break this year.

‘If I don’t want to appear particularly foolish, that’s naturally what should happen.’

Marmint stared blankly at my smile for a moment, then her cheeks flushed red as she realized she’d worried over nothing.

If one didn’t know the Academy’s operational system, it was only natural to assume graduation would occur in winter.

I asked again as if it were no great matter.

“So?”

“…What else is there.”

“Whether you’ll attend the Academy or quit.”

“…Oh, if my older brother isn’t there, then what….”

Look at this one—did she really think that lowering her eyes and answering so coyly now would hide her excitement?

No matter how clever she was, she remained unmistakably a ten-year-old child, so I let out a low chuckle.

【Adorable.】

….

【Darling, don’t you need a guardian or something?】

What good would appointing a ghost as a guardian do?

Sing’s voice came from directly behind me, closer than expected, which startled me somewhat, but I maintained my composure deliberately.

“Right, then we can consider the Academy admission matter settled. Oh, and when you return, tell him that I’ve extended the grace period until autumn of this year.”

“Pardon? What grace period are you referring to?”

“…? What do you mean ‘what period’? The time to gather the penalty payment, of course.”

“…Ah, but wasn’t that something you were no longer collecting?”

“?”

“?”

What was she talking about?

For a moment, I couldn’t comprehend Marmint’s question, and my brow furrowed sharply.

At that, Marmint continued speaking in a rambling, defensive manner.

“Ah, no, well. The medicinal compound that was originally supposed to be made for Doctor has been completed, and… Father also understood that if my research succeeded, I wouldn’t need to repay the money…?”

“How utterly absurd. You came pleading that you couldn’t produce the funds immediately, so I clearly offered you a ‘reprieve’—did I not?”

“Well…”

“I said I would wait on the condition that you fulfill a new contract with me. I never said I would forgive the penalty payment entirely.”

These people were interpreting my words however suited them best.

Still, when they discovered that despite Marmint’s successful creation of the medicinal compound, Dr. Drabe Beaumont’s penalty payment remained outstanding, their disappointment would likely exceed expectations—so it wasn’t an entirely unfavorable outcome.

Though I must admit, it did feel somewhat irritating.

“Listen here, child. Pay close attention. A contract is not something that changes easily with every shift in circumstance. Especially when the parties to the contracts differ so greatly. These two contracts must be considered entirely separate matters.”

“Ah, yes…”

“So I intend to strip your entire household bare and take everything…”

“…”

“…That said, if you’re asking me to show mercy, I suppose I could consider shortening the timeframe.”

Even as the words left my lips, I felt immediate regret.

The truth was, I had no desire whatsoever to deliberate on the matter.

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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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