Mad Rosetta - Chapter 45

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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 45

A Second Spring (2)

【Even Fordicus, whom I’ve seen die a thousand times over, wears that expression.】

“….”

Sing, who had been watching silently for some time, spoke with a tone dripping with exasperation and mockery.

I found myself in complete agreement.

It was true that adults who had come of age could marry one another.

Yet in my previous life, Cessia and I had held our formal ceremony when I was barely eighteen.

‘At that time, my reputation was so abysmal that I had to consider whether to break off the engagement….’

Though my circumstances had improved since then, I didn’t believe the situation was fundamentally different now.

From Cessia’s perspective, my condition had only improved for perhaps a year at most.

I couldn’t fathom what he saw in me during that time to make such a decision.

‘…Could it truly be because of love?’

Cessia was not a man swayed by emotion.

He drew firm lines against anyone who might cause me even the slightest harm.

So even if more people had begun to regard me favorably, proposing to me—whose past infamy could be dredged up at any moment—was unlike him.

One thing was certain: he was a man I wanted to kill with my own hands after using him thoroughly as a tool to manipulate Odette.

I couldn’t allow myself to create unnecessary distance by picking at old wounds.

“Marriage, then. Of course I’ll accept…but I’m somewhat troubled.”

“What are you worried about?”

I laughed bitterly, as though apologizing for something.

“Well, as you know, my reputation isn’t exactly stellar. So for someone like me to marry Fordicus… I feel somewhat indebted, if I’m honest.”

“…You were concerned about that?”

Don’t you dare look moved, you wretch.

As I spoke in that pitiful tone, Cessia gazed at me with a pleased expression, as though he found me admirable.

I had no desire to inflate his already towering pride.

But today, I needed to create some pretext to prevent this marriage from becoming binding.

“You know how proud I am. That’s why I’ve been making appearances lately and staying busy with social engagements.”

“Yes, that’s true. My acquaintances have spoken highly of you as well.”

“That’s good to hear. In any case, I still feel I’m lacking in some ways. I’d like more people to recognize that I’m worthy of Benatra. So I’d prefer we set aside marriage discussions for now.”

“But such things can be managed even after marriage—”

“No, Fordicus.”

“…”

“I need to establish myself as a member of Benatra, not as the daughter-in-law of House of Montague.”

If you represent your own House, then you understand what I mean.

At my firm declaration, Cessia finally exhaled a low sigh of resignation.

“Fine, Rosette. I’ll respect your wishes.”

“…Thank you.”

“By the way, since we’re on the subject—do you have time sometime next week?”

“Why?”

“There’s a newly opened Opera House at Facade Estate, and I’ve heard it’s quite impressive. I thought we might visit together and stroll through Prim Facade Street as well.”

“I see….”

“Since we’ve postponed the wedding, surely you can spare some time for a date with your fiancée.”

Ah, why does my chest ache like this?

Why have you changed?

If only you still regarded me as a mere puzzle piece in your perfect life, cherishing me as you once did….

Then my heart wouldn’t be so unsettled.

‘If I hadn’t become sisters with Odette, if I hadn’t been poisoned and driven to madness…. Would it have been inevitable that you’d look at me with such tender eyes someday?’

This torment had clung to me relentlessly ever since I became aware of Cessia’s true feelings.

Then where was this hatred—this desire to kill Cessia—supposed to go?

– “I’m truly sick of seeing that woman’s gaunt frame.”

– “Then you could always come see me instead, Cessia.”

– “Ha! And that’s precisely why I’ve come to you today.”

…No. There was nowhere to send these feelings.

No amount of meaningless hypotheticals could change the fact that Cessia and Odette were entangled, or that I had crumbled so shamefully before him and met my death.

A past that didn’t exist for you still existed for me.

“Yes, let’s go on a date.”

At my answer, Cessia smiled brilliantly like a flower, with the roses blooming abundantly in the vase behind him as his backdrop.

My hatred for you is justified.

So you too may curse and hate me as you die, if you wish.

Just as I did….

Crumble pathetically, Cessia.

* * *

【A date?】

“….”

【The one who insisted on marriage first, and now suddenly a date? And who was quick to agree to that?】

“….”

【Ugh, I’m so upset. The two of you going to Prim Facade Street, no less. Are you listening, darling? Honey? I’m feeling so melancholy.】

“Ugh, stop your whining already!”

Sing had been whimpering in my ear ever since the corridor leading back to my room.

The moment I shut the doorway, I burst out shouting.

The creature blinked in surprise, then narrowed both eyes at me with a thin gaze.

【Honey, be honest with me.】

“What.”

【You just wanted to go to Prim Facade Street, didn’t you?】

“….”

【Exactly. But still, how could you think of going with Fordicus? There’s even a saying that ‘all lovers gather at Prim Facade Street.’ How could you leave me behind—】

“You were going to follow me anyway.”

【Yeah, probably.】

I’m exhausted.

I cast a vacant glance at the creature before shuffling over to the sofa and collapsing into it.

Atop the table lay a catalog from Etienne’s Atelier—likely placed there by Penny or one of the servants.

With the steady stream of dresses Etienne kept sending, I had more than enough for the coming spring.

Curious, I flipped through it, only to discover it was a summer collection catalog.

‘I told her to pace herself. She’s such a workaholic.’

Though I couldn’t fault her for being busy.

Last year, Father had brought in a summer fabric called “Myr” and supplied it to Etienne’s Atelier.

Thanks to its successful commercialization, the summer garments had sold like wildfire. Even starting preparations now would be cutting it close.

Skimming through the pages, I saw designs ranging from light day dresses to elaborate gowns for grand feasts.

【I think this one would suit you far better.】

Since when did this creature develop an eye for fashion?

Sing settled beside me and studied the catalog more intently than I did, then pointed decisively at one particular dress.

The one-piece dress in jade—paler than navy, with a bright saturation—bore a hue remarkably similar to Sing’s own eyes.

‘No, that’s far too close.’

With that thought, I pushed Sing’s face away with my palm. The creature wore a momentarily stunned expression.

【…Question. My beloved has been rather cold to me lately. What should I do? What have I done wrong?】

“A ghost with a lover? I’d love to meet whoever this mad person is.”

【I pity you for holding such narrow-minded views.】

“This is…”

I answered half-heartedly, my eyes never leaving the catalog, before turning my head to glare at him.

Yet in that moment, I found myself at a loss for words.

【Of course there is.】

Those eyes, clear as pristine waters, gleaming like crescent moons in the faint light.

The dimples etched along his smile, always ready for mischief, just as they’d always been.

【Hair as crimson as scarlet, words sharp as daggers, yet he treats his subordinates with such gentleness.】

“….”

【And a beauty so rare to behold.】

Each detail was more than enough to capture my gaze.

…A problem had arisen.

A serious one at that.

‘Why am I like this?’

Since when had being alone with Sing become so uncomfortable?

No matter how much I pondered it, I couldn’t pinpoint the reason for this sudden awareness of him.

It was simply that looking at that perpetually smiling face for more than a few seconds had become difficult.

And each time, my chest would flutter in the strangest way.

I’d wanted to maintain distance, but given how we’d always bickered, suddenly becoming distant felt equally awkward.

This was why I’d been on edge lately.

‘And this fool grows more insufferable by the day, completely oblivious….’

Perhaps it was simply because his appearance was so distinctly striking.

Moreover, as an unknown entity, the Faceless Ghost possessed a certain persuasiveness all its own.

Was it last winter?

With the Fireplace crackling merrily beside us, I had once read a book together with Sing, who couldn’t grasp physical objects.

As I watched the creature’s face, illuminated by the dancing firelight in warm amber tones, I casually posed a question.

– “…Can ghosts bewitch people? Do they have abilities like that?”

– 【Hmm?】

– “Oh, never mind. You know, those stories. People bewitched by ghosts who leap from bridges. Or tales of beautiful encounters in the Forest, only to find skeletal remains beside you the next morning….”

– 【Haha, well…. I’ve never witnessed such a thing myself, so I couldn’t say.】

Bewitched, darling?

Recalling the creature’s piercing eyes as it posed that question, I felt my face flush anew.

It was likely because the servants had stoked the Fireplace too heavily that evening, making it unbearably warm.

Whenever I recalled that moment, a peculiar warmth seemed to rise within me.

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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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