Mad Rosetta - Chapter 46

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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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Rosette Gone Mad

Chapter 46

The Second Spring (3)

‘The morning’s already off to a wretched start.’

I was just about to board the carriage when I encountered Odette brazenly passing in front of Rose Manor, and that was precisely what I thought.

On top of the irritation already building from the opera date with Cessia looming ahead.

Watching her audaciously traverse Rose Manor while escorting other young ladies, I masked my exhaustion and inquired.

“It seems you were taking a stroll with our guests, Bonita.”

“The young ladies wished to see the garden. As we walked, we ended up here. If I’ve caused any displeasure, I sincerely apologize.”

I was deeply displeased and would have preferred she leave at once.

A stroll around the Central Garden of the Estate would have been more than sufficient.

Odette’s intentions in making her way to my residence were transparent enough.

— “How dare Epsilon presume to teach Benatra the virtues of nobility? Even a passing dog would laugh at such presumption, would it not?”

It likely began then.

When Odette began openly expressing her hostility toward me.

Until that point, she had always presented a gentle and kind demeanor in my presence.

But whether it was because I had mocked her by dredging up her past title and name, or because she felt her position threatened as my sphere of influence expanded…

Lately, she had taken to provoking me even within the household itself.

Since there were few responses I could offer to someone who spoke as though my criticism of her was inevitable, I replied with a note of bewilderment.

“I’m not sure why you would worry that I’d be displeased, Bonita. If anything, I find your diligent hospitality commendable.”

“I’m glad you see it that way.”

“…Of course. Oh, and don’t forget to hand the guests bouquets as they leave.”

As I spoke in that admonishing tone, Odette’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

By bringing up a task that should rightfully have been hers, the princesses receiving those parting gifts would naturally perceive them as a gesture of my own thoughtfulness.

It was a bonus to display the image of an elder sister concerned about her younger sibling’s usual carelessness.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave. Fordicus is waiting for me.”

“…You’re going to see Cessia?”

“Yes, I’ll be visiting Facade Estate. He mentioned wanting to see a performance at the newly opened Opera House.”

Odette’s expression darkening noticeably was something I had already anticipated.

After stimulating her countless times as she rushed at me with such hostility, observing her reactions carefully,

I had come to understand one thing clearly.

“…You’re visiting Facade Estate?”

Odette lacked patience, particularly

when it came to matters involving Cessia.

Though she maintained a forced smile, her agitation was evident, and I let out a low chuckle as I watched her.

“You seem quite startled, Bonita. Did you perhaps want to come along?”

“Oh, no. That’s not it. So you’ll just watch the opera and return immediately, correct?”

“Hmm, I’m not certain…. I recall hearing something about stopping by Primpasar as well, so I can’t give you a definite answer.”

Odette’s lips, which had been questioning me urgently, pressed firmly shut.

【Those are the eyes of someone who wants to destroy you, darling.】

At Sing’s sardonic tone, I couldn’t help but harbor a quiet smirk of my own.

‘Of course… when my Lord—whom she desires so desperately—goes to a Date Spot with another woman, how could her eyes not turn green with envy?’

Fashion, social grace, refinement.

Odette, who possessed the very tastes that ladies of her standing typically favored, would certainly understand what Prim Facade Street meant.

A thoroughfare overflowing with all manner of delectable desserts and the latest luxuries in vogue.

Even in the Empire, where restraint in public was considered a virtue no matter how tender the bond between two souls, Prim Facade Street was precisely the place where lovers unable to contain their affection for one another filled the streets with their public displays of devotion.

For Cessia to have suggested such a place to me was reason enough for Odette’s pride to be thoroughly wounded.

“Then do enjoy your time with the guests, Bonita.”

With those words, I boarded the carriage, not forgetting to exchange a nod with the other young ladies outside the window.

That day, Odette’s green eyes watching me felt particularly unsettling.

* * *

“Did you enjoy it, my dear?”

After leaving the Opera House, Cessia asked for my impressions of the performance the moment he stepped into the carriage.

It seemed he was gauging my reaction.

‘I thought it odd that he kept the opera’s title hidden until the very end…’

The title of the performance I attended with Cessia was “The Lovers of the White Flag.”

It told of a man and woman dispatched from two hostile nations for negotiations, who met at the border and subsequently became lovers, leading their countries toward peace.

Summarized this way, it sounds like an ordinary tale, but the reason Cessia was observing my mood was because this work was based on a true story.

‘I heard it endlessly as a child.’

“The Lovers of the White Flag” was based on my parents’ love story, after all.

The Empire was engaged in conflict with the Kingdom of Terkikan, once called a nation of barbarians, over trade routes. However, the Empire, already weakened by centuries of territorial expansion, eventually proposed negotiations.

The representatives dispatched by both nations were Duke Benatra, who had only recently inherited his title, and Tabena Ariela, the third princess of Terkikan.

The narrative of how these two, whose eyes met during the armistice negotiations held in the middle of the border, persuaded the monarchs of their respective nations and led the conflict beyond mere ceasefire to actual peace had become a tale every citizen of the Empire had heard at least once.

– “…and so your father had no choice but to wait for several months. Coco’s maternal grandfather’s nation was already quite conservative in its dealings with foreign powers, so I understood, though it was difficult.”

– “I’ve already heard this story, Father.”

– “I still feel dizzy thinking about it. When my older sisters dragged me away by the scruff of my neck, I truly…. I spent nights agonizing over whether I should escape through the window.”

– “That’s also something I’ve already heard.”

The fact that even the protagonists themselves sat their children down and talked their ears off about it for days on end was somewhat of an ordeal.

In any case, this love story of the century had provided diverse material for literature and artistic works, and the piece Cessia presented today was one of them.

His hesitation was likely born from concern for my circumstances, knowing I could not help but recall my departed mother.

Though separately, I possessed no memory of the day my mother passed away.

“The singers’ performances were excellent and entertaining. It was nice to reminisce about memories with my parents after so long.”

Yet I wished to be honest in my impressions, so I offered a shallow laugh to reassure him.

“I’m glad you found it enjoyable. Truth be told, I kept thinking of the Duke throughout the performance and flinched. How terrifying it must have been at such a young age…. He didn’t view me favorably at first, after all.”

“…What must his feelings have been, seeing a daughter suddenly declare her intention to marry?”

“Ha, if I had a daughter like Rosetta, I wouldn’t have wanted to send her to anyone else either.”

So that’s why he personally summoned the carriage to the afterlife.

As Cessia asked, as if savoring memories, how adorable I had been as a child, my sense of emptiness was brief.

I had to stiffen my shoulders in an instant.

It was because Sing, sitting beside me and quietly listening to our exchange, suddenly leaned his head against the side of my head.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

My heart hammered without restraint, and I cursed silently to myself.

‘…Give some warning before barging in, you damned fool!’

Unlike me, who had gone rigid as stone, Sing stood with his arms crossed, saying nothing.

Again, again!

I had to convince myself that this frantic pounding in my chest was merely the result of being startled.

Only then could I dismiss the frightening emotion now coursing through me as something akin to that distant flutter I’d felt when I’d once held Cessia’s hand.

‘He’s doing it again. Just because we had a conversation alone, he’s getting jealous or something.’

The moment I tried not to think of it, memories of watching the opera flooded my mind unbidden.

It would be a lie to say my mother—alive in those days—didn’t cross my thoughts as I watched the performance.

It would equally be a lie to claim I didn’t revisit the grief I’d felt upon learning of her death.

Yet separate from all this, I had to strain constantly to keep my focus on the stage as the performance unfolded.

– “A singer from Boveru, apparently her reputation has skyrocketed recently. I saw her last work too, and it was definitely…”

It wasn’t because of Cessia whispering beside me about the newly appeared performer.

It was simply that Sing, sitting on the floor, had suddenly leaned his head against my chair, and in doing so, his hair brushed against my hand resting on the armrest.

Soft as finely spun thread, it cascaded down gently, settling against my fingertips like silk.

Absurdly, that was all it took.

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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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