Mad Rosetta - Chapter 38

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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 38

 

The Villainess, Roses, and Ghosts (4)

 

Some awkwardly lowered their fans, while others glanced at her as if gauging Odette’s reaction.

 

It was basic etiquette for someone of lower status to introduce themselves first when greeting.

 

Moreover, through my conversation with Odette, they had learned that I was a princess of Benatra, so they couldn’t excuse themselves by claiming they didn’t recognize me due to unfamiliarity.

 

“It’s everyone’s first banquet today, so they must be nervous, sister. Please don’t scold them too harshly.”

 

Was she perhaps pleased that I had pointed out her people’s mistake?

 

Odette appealed to me with an anxious face, as if expecting something terrible to happen at any moment.

 

Of course, with my original temperament, I would have sternly reprimanded them to break their spirit…

 

But to them, wasn’t the current me supposed to be a ill-tempered young lady who bullied Odette and threw tantrums at every turn?

 

So I needed to show the opposite side.

 

“I’m not scolding anyone, I was just… worried that I might have ruined the atmosphere…”

 

Very carefully, as if I were someone who knew how to consider other people’s feelings.

 

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, they lifted their skirts and bowed their heads to me.

 

Only then did I smile as if relieved.

 

“How fortunate it is that Bonita has such proper people by her side. I feel like I’ve seen some of you at our manor before.”

 

“…We visited after receiving an invitation from Princess Bonita.”

 

“You young ladies sat in the garden doing embroidery, didn’t you?”

 

“Yes, Benatra’s Rose Garden, which we had only heard about, was truly like a painting.”

 

“I’m so pleased that you enjoyed our household’s garden.”

 

“Yes. So it’s quite moving to see Benatra’s roses even here at the Imperial Palace.”

 

…Hmm?

 

At her last remark, someone wore a bitter sneer.

 

Another had anxious eyes, as if checking Odette’s somewhat bitter expression.

 

The remaining young ladies just rolled their eyes uncomfortably, as if finding this situation unpleasant.

 

‘…She’s being sarcastic, isn’t she?’

 

For a moment, I wondered if her mention of Benatra’s roses meant she hadn’t expected to encounter me at the banquet.

 

However, the gaze the young lady before me was casting, combined with Odette’s pitiful expression, all pointed to the fresh flower decorations adorning my hair.

 

A woman who, despite being family, didn’t share even a single flower with her sister and hoarded them all for herself.

 

She was reproaching me in that way.

 

‘This is really… If I hadn’t had the antidote, things would have gone terribly wrong.’

 

To calm my desire to immediately threaten her, I recalled Marmint’s youthful face as she diligently made the antidote for me.

 

This time, it was only natural that I felt angry.

 

– “Look at this, Coco. Doesn’t it look just like your lovely red hair?”

 

The blooming roses resembled my daughter’s curling hair cascading down, and the petals scattered by the wind resembled a child running into my arms.

 

Father’s smile as he sat young me in the garden and spoke gently was so vivid.

 

Why on earth should I have to share that love with others?

 

I didn’t want to give even a single corner of Benatra to the Epsilon mother and daughter who had tried to kill Father and me and swallow our entire household.

 

Nevertheless, responding boldly to those before me who mocked me as a greedy woman would be exactly what Odette hoped for…

 

I erased the awkwardly stiff expression from my face and deliberately smiled brightly.

 

“Aren’t they lovely? If they please your eyes as well, I’ll have them made into a bouquet and sent to you.”

 

“…Ah. What?”

 

“Actually, since this is my first banquet with my sister, I sent flowers to Bonita early this morning too…”

 

I trailed off while looking at Odette, then smiled sheepishly.

 

“She probably didn’t use them out of consideration for her sister.”

 

“…”

 

Odette’s expression, colored with unfiltered bewilderment, provided me with small comfort.

 

‘I’m glad I sent flowers to Odette’s room early this morning too.’

 

I almost became a woman truly covered in greed.

 

At my attitude of trying to defend Odette, saying it probably wasn’t because she disliked using the same decorations as her sister, their expressions changed subtly.

 

Watching carefully, it seemed that aside from a few who had enjoyed tea parties with Odette, the rest didn’t yet completely belong to Odette’s group.

 

Without needing to think, it was time to push forward.

 

“Oh, or perhaps I could invite you all to our household?”

 

“Ah…”

 

“If you could join us for tea parties in the garden or flower arranging, it would be so delightful.”

 

Was it because I spoke as if too excited with anticipation?

 

Or was it due to the enticement of offering Benatra’s roses, which were rarely and expensively sold?

 

“If you would invite us…”

 

“It wouldn’t be proper to ignore the Princess’s goodwill.”

 

As several gave affirmative responses, the other young ladies who had been watching Odette’s reaction also nodded sporadically.

 

Whether they judged my appearance different from the rumors, or if it was really because of the roses, I didn’t know.

 

‘It’s enough that I got one over on Odette.’

 

Having laid the groundwork for winning over the young ladies of my age, I was about to return to Fordicus.

 

“Sister, please invite me this time too.”

 

“…”

 

“I wanted to visit the garden with you… but there hasn’t been an opportunity until now, has there?”

 

If only it weren’t the tireless Odette.

 

The atmosphere, which had been awkward but fairly warm, froze cold due to Odette’s few words.

 

It would obviously look like a spiteful sister had prevented even her poor younger sister from easily visiting the garden.

 

‘This isn’t right, you crazy thing. I’ve seen you wandering around the garden several times while I was confined to my room.’

 

Moreover, she had held tea parties in the garden more than once or twice, but since she could just claim she had secretly entered the garden without my knowledge, I sighed quietly to myself.

 

Then I brought my face close to Odette’s with a welcoming expression, like someone overcome with joy.

 

“Really? Will you really come to the tea party I host, Bonita?”

 

Perhaps startled by my suddenly bringing my face close, Odette flinched and hunched her shoulders.

 

Sorry, but since returning to the past, the only things that have increased for me are patience and acting skills.

 

You damned sister.

 

“Of, of course. You’ve never invited me before.”

 

“Ah, thank goodness. Actually, whenever I watched from my room as you and Mother had tea in the garden, I was so envious…”

 

At this point, I even sniffled as if swallowing back tears that were about to come.

 

“You and Mother looked so close and happy…”

 

“We, we thought you found it uncomfortable, sister. So we-”

 

“Oh my, Bonita! You had such a misunderstanding? I was rather worried about intruding between you and Mother. So I was just being cautious…”

 

Thoroughly flustered, Odette quickly rolled her eyes as if checking on the others.

 

Then she immediately made a miserable expression like someone who had lost a match.

 

Meanwhile, I could rejoice at the gazes of the other young ladies looking at me with sufficient pity.

 

In essence, an invitation was close to extending one’s hand first.

 

‘Moreover, since I lost my mother early…’

 

It would have been proper for Odette’s side to extend their hand.

 

No matter how much Odette continued making excuses about lack of communication now, it would be useless.

 

In the young ladies’ minds, they couldn’t help but picture the mother and daughter laughing and enjoying leisure in the garden, and me watching them forlornly from my room.

 

“Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, please be sure to call this sister when you’re with Mother from now on, won’t you?”

 

So take it easy, little sister.

 

Rather than the situation flowing as she wished, Odette’s lips twitched as she realized her reputation for being kind and considerate had taken a hit.

 

To think she had difficulty managing her expression over just this much.

 

I realized that she was currently just a young lady who had barely had her debut tante.

 

‘…I wonder if I should consider this fortunate.’

 

So she was of a different caliber from me, who had endured countless insults and mockery.

 

With that thought, I smiled innocently.

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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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