Mad Rosetta - Chapter 39

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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 39

The Villainess, the Rose, and the Ghost (5)

Since it was finally time to bring this to a close, I gazed at the Princesses and opened my mouth with practiced gentleness.

“Once I send out invitations to you all, I do hope you’ll attend if your schedules permit?”

“Of c-course we will….”

“Naturally, my Lady.”

“Oh, I’m truly delighted. As you all know, I’ve been confined to my sickbed for so long…. I’ve always envied how you Princesses stay current with the latest fashions and hold regular gatherings. I do hope you’ll guide me in these matters going forward.”

In other words: flatter the other party while invoking sympathy.

As I lamented how fragile and friendless I was, the Princesses already seemed more than halfway won over.

‘That’s right, isn’t it? Now that you see me in person, I seem far too sane to be the lunatic Odette made me out to be, don’t I?’

Perhaps the gap between the rumors of Benatra’s wild child and my actual demeanor was simply too vast.

“Y-your gown is also absolutely exquisite! Is it this spring’s new collection?”

One of the Princesses even offered me a compliment.

“Ah, yes. I was actually surprised by how rare the design is. Could it be a Chaitla product?”

…Etienne. I’ve got this.

This was the perfect opportunity to imprint her atelier upon these Princesses’ minds.

As if unaccustomed to receiving praise, I touched the hem of my dress somewhat shyly and spoke.

“I’m so pleased you say such kind things. However, it’s not a Chaitla product. You see, I prepared rather late for the Spring Stage…. So I had no choice but to seek elsewhere.”

“Ah….”

I smiled with an embarrassed downward glance, and several Princesses’ gazes turned toward Odette.

It was a deliberately thrown remark, since Odette had boasted endlessly about having her dress tailored at Chaitla.

Contrary to the rumors that I carefully looked after my older sister, I could make myself appear like someone who had merely entrusted her own dress to a famous atelier.

Or, given that the Benatra Household was of such standing, I could have commissioned an additional dress from them midway through.

It seemed fitting to have my deliberate search for another atelier viewed as the affection of an older sister caring for her younger sibling.

“Still, I was fortunate to discover a seamstress of considerable skill, and I’m quite satisfied with this magnificent dress.”

“That’s entirely understandable. It truly is a beautiful dress, Princess.”

“Indeed. I’m terribly curious about who this seamstress might be.”

Several Princesses who had drawn near examined my dress with keen interest, their eyes tracing its every detail.

The dresses for the Spring Stage were fundamentally required to be in white, pale pink, or the delicate hues that lay between them.

Even if one varied the fabric or applied a lustrous finish, dresses of similar design could scarcely produce any significant distinction.

Thus, my garment—whose very design grain differed from the existing dresses—could not help but stand out conspicuously.

“Since it appears so favorably in your eyes as well, I simply must convey this wonderful news to the seamstress.”

Moreover, I had caused no mishap today, and I had danced quite earnestly with that wretched Cessia, my dress swirling about me.

If that were the case, then it was only natural that this magnificent garment and the exceptional beauty my parents had bestowed upon me should shine through.

“Do visit Etienne’s Atelier in the Capital City as well, Princesses. There are truly captivating dresses to be found there.”

I thought it was perfectly suited for promoting the dress.

* * *

“Penny, if anyone comes or looks for me, let me know.”

“Yes, Lady. Rest easy and take your time recuperating.”

I offered Penny a final smile as she set her jaw with determination, telling me to trust only in myself, before stepping into the Rest Area.

True to the Imperial Palace, the Rest Area adjoining the Banquet Hall was excessively opulent.

After wandering about the entire Feast until my feet were drenched in sweat, I was utterly exhausted.

I collapsed onto the sofa in the Rest Area.

【You’ve worked hard, darling. Quite the harvest, I’d say.】

Sing, who prowled the Rest Area as though it were his own private chamber, soon spoke to me with his hands clasped behind his back.

‘Right. As if you even bothered to look my way.’

It was strange—today, he hadn’t drained my spirit with pointless remarks, nor had he trailed after me irritating my nerves.

Perhaps because of that, I found myself asking with a slight smirk despite myself.

“What were you doing? You just stood around all day.”

【I watched over your stage.】

Look at him, spouting honeyed words like that.

It wasn’t an answer that pleased me in the slightest.

I certainly didn’t expect him to willingly explain why he’d been staring so intently at the Emperor all day.

As I sighed without further comment, Sing strode toward me. Then he leaned his body forward.

The suddenly shortened distance between us, and his shoes positioned crosswise between mine, were both thoroughly irritating.

【You look as though I’m lying through my teeth, dear.】

“…Aren’t you going to wipe that smug look off your face?”

【But I’m being truthful. Perhaps I should list out every compliment I heard about you today for you to believe me.】

“…Go on then.”

I looked ridiculous too, standing there with my arms crossed arrogantly, demanding he speak. But as Sing began clearing his throat and launching into what the Count had supposedly said, laughter gradually spilled from my lips.

Through our conversation, it became clear that the Princess was hardly an uneducated girl—quite the opposite, in fact. She was truly refined and elegant. I couldn’t fathom how she’d become entangled in such vicious rumors.

Sing even mimicked the voices of those who’d made such statements, lavishing praise on Rosetta Coco without restraint.

As I laughed, watching what felt like a theatrical performance unfold before me, I felt my weary body and spirit gradually recovering.

A place where tongues wielded themselves like blades.

The social sphere was precisely that—a realm where those who smiled so kindly before me would turn around and rush to condemn me the moment my back was turned.

So I’d deliberately lowered my expectations, telling myself that if even one person saw me differently, that would be enough. I was certain I’d steeled myself with those very words.

‘It’s almost annoyingly comforting….’

I never expected to be encouraged by a ghost’s few words—that I’d been truly splendid today, that I could afford to feel relieved.

【Once you return to the Household, quite a number of invitations will arrive.】

“Then it would be perfect for solidifying my position. Though I’d prefer to decline any gatherings where I’d be seated alongside Odette.”

Beginning with the Spring Stage, countless feasts were held throughout the Capital City and various Estates.

But if I attended every single one, I risked inviting ridicule for being obsessed with social climbing.

So I had to carefully scrutinize each invitation, accepting only those that would truly benefit me.

‘Besides, once I return, I’ll need to replace quite a few Attendants, including Vicky….’

I’d also need to handle documents related to Marmint before summer arrived, so I’d be incredibly busy.

“Oh, and I just remembered—I had something to tell Etienne.”

【Hmm, what was it? That the other Princesses were eyeing your dress?】

“No, no. I meant to tell her to register a patent, but I completely forgot.”

Tomorrow I’d attend another feast and then head straight to Benitra Territory, so visiting Etienne’s Atelier would be impossible.

It seemed the wisest course was to send a letter posthaste, come what may.

‘…I cannot allow my designs to be stolen by another again.’

In my previous life—that is, the dress Etienne created two years hence—it achieved tremendous success, and the modest atelier in the Capital City expanded into a grand House.

In short, Etienne became a seamstress treading the path of unqualified success, but there was one exception.

When this dress first became a topic of discussion, Ant Etuilane found herself embroiled in controversy.

Another had preempted the design registration, brazenly seizing the patent rights.

Because of this, Etienne was forced to pay a certain sum to produce the dress, despite it being her own creation.

‘It was fortunate that the Empress was the first to wear it…. Well, rather, the reputation of being an artisan who knew nothing but garments led to the dresses selling like wildfire. There’s no doubt she was destined for great success regardless.’

The Unscrupulous Seamstress who had seized the patent at that time faced countless accusations from the public and vanished from the industry.

But as I recall, she never actually had the patent cancelled.

So this time, I had to instruct her to register it promptly, ensuring that no one else could steal it from her.

“Goodness, the more I think about it, the more tasks pile up like mountains.”

Just keeping watch over Epsilon Mother and Daughter and monitoring Cessia was enough to split my head….

As the matters demanding my attention continued to multiply, I pressed my weary eyes shut.

Sing, who had been quietly observing me, suddenly extended his hand.

【Would you not grant me the opportunity to dance with the Princess?】

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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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