Mad Rosetta - Chapter 46

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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 46

 

The Second Spring (3)

 

‘What a terrible way to start the morning.’

 

Just as I was about to board the carriage, I encountered Odette shamelessly passing in front of Rose Manor and thought exactly that.

 

I was already irritated about the upcoming opera date with Cessia.

 

At the sight of her shamelessly crossing Rose Manor with other young ladies in tow, I asked while hiding my weary expression.

 

“You were taking a stroll with your guests, I see, Bonita.”

 

“The young ladies said they wanted to see the garden. We ended up walking all the way here… I’m sorry if this displeased you.”

 

I was extremely displeased and wished she would get lost immediately.

 

A stroll around the central garden of the estate would have been sufficient.

 

I could guess Odette’s ulterior motive for stubbornly making her way to my quarters.

 

– “How dare Epsilon. To think she would try to teach the virtues of nobility to Benatra… Even a passing dog would laugh at such absurdity, wouldn’t they?”

 

It probably started from that moment.

 

When Odette began expressing hostility toward me.

 

Until then, she had always shown a kind and friendly demeanor even in front of me.

 

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

 

These days, she would constantly try to provoke me even within the household.

 

Since there weren’t many responses I could give to someone who acted as if it was natural for me to be criticized, I replied with a somewhat puzzled tone.

 

“I don’t understand why you’re worried that I would be displeased, Bonita. If anything, I would be proud of you for diligently entertaining guests.”

 

“I’m relieved you think that way.”

 

“…Of course. Oh, don’t forget to give the guests flower bouquets when they leave.”

 

When I spoke as if giving advice, Odette’s eyebrows twitched once.

 

By mentioning what she would have naturally done, the young ladies receiving farewell gifts would feel as if it was entirely my thoughtfulness.

 

Displaying the image of a caring older sister worried about her usually inadequate younger sister was a bonus.

 

“Well then, I’ll be going now. Fordicus is waiting for me.”

 

“…Are you going to see Lord Fordicus?”

 

“Yes, I’m going to visit Facade Estate. He suggested we watch a performance at the newly opened opera house.”

 

Odette’s noticeably darkening expression was already expected.

 

After provoking her several times as she approached me with such hostility and observing her reactions.

 

I learned one thing clearly.

 

“…You’re visiting Facade Estate?”

 

That Odette didn’t have much patience.

 

Especially when it came to matters involving Cessia.

 

Though she was trying to maintain a smiling face, I could see her agitation clearly as I looked at her and chuckled softly.

 

“You seem so surprised, Bonita. Did you perhaps want to come along?”

 

“Oh, no. That’s not it. So you’re just watching the opera and coming straight back, right?”

 

“Hmm, well… I think I heard him mention stopping by Primpasar as well, so I can’t give you a definitive answer.”

 

Odette’s lips, which had been asking me urgently, immediately pressed shut.

 

【Those are eyes that want to destroy you, darling.】

 

At Sing’s mocking tone, I too inwardly sneered.

 

‘Of course… When her beloved ‘lord’ is going to a dating spot with another woman, how could her eyes not roll back in fury.’

 

Fashion, socializing, refinement.

 

If Odette possessed all the tastes that ladies were commonly said to prefer, she would know all too well what ‘Prim Facade Street’ meant.

 

A street overflowing with all kinds of sweet desserts and the latest luxury goods.

 

Even in the Empire, where it was considered virtuous to exercise restraint in public no matter how affectionate a relationship might be, Prim Facade Street was precisely the place overflowing with lovers who couldn’t contain their affection for each other and engaged in public displays of intimacy.

 

Since I had spoken as if Cessia himself had suggested such a place to me, it would be more than enough to make Odette’s stomach churn.

 

“Well then, have a pleasant time with your guests, Bonita.”

 

With those words, I boarded the carriage and didn’t forget to nod in greeting to the other young ladies outside the window.

 

Odette’s green eyes watching me that day felt particularly eerie.

 

* * *

 

“Was it alright for you?”

 

After leaving the opera house, Cessia asked for my thoughts on the performance as soon as he got into the carriage.

 

It seemed like he was gauging my reaction.

 

‘No wonder he kept the opera’s title hidden until the very end…’

 

The title of the performance Cessia and I watched was 【Lovers of the White Flag】.

 

It was about a man and woman dispatched for negotiations from two countries that had maintained hostile relations, who met at the border, later developed into lovers, and led to the end of the war.

 

Summarized like this, it might sound like a common story, but the reason Cessia was gauging my mood was because this work was based on a true story.

 

‘I heard it to the point of exhaustion when I was young.’

 

Because 【Lovers of the White Flag】 was based on my parents’ love story.

 

The Empire was at war with the Terkikan Kingdom, which was also called a barbaric nation at the time, over trade routes. However, the Empire, already weakened from long territorial expansion, eventually proposed negotiations.

 

The figures dispatched by both countries were Duke Benatra, who had recently inherited the ducal title, and Tabena Ariela, the third princess of Terkikan.

 

The story of two people who fell in love during ceasefire negotiations conducted in the middle of the border and, after persuading the monarchs of their respective countries, led not just to a ceasefire but to the end of the war, became a tale that every citizen of the Empire had heard at least once.

 

– “…So this father had no choice but to wait for months. Your maternal grandfather’s country was very conservative about exchanges with foreign nations, so I understood, but still.”

 

– “I already know this, Father.”

 

– “I still get dizzy thinking about that time. When I was dragged away by the scruff of my neck by my sisters, I really… I kept wondering if I should climb through a window in the dead of night, you know?”

 

– “I’ve heard that part too.”

 

What made it particularly torturous was that even the protagonists themselves would sit their children down and chatter about it for days and nights until our ears were callused.

 

Anyway, this love story of the century provided various materials for literature and artistic works, and today’s performance that Cessia showed me was one of them.

 

He was probably being considerate of my situation, knowing I would inevitably think of my deceased mother.

 

Regardless of the fact that I had no memory of the day Mother passed away.

 

“The singers’ acting was excellent and it was entertaining. It was nice to be able to reminisce about memories with my parents after so long.”

 

However, I wanted to be honest about my impressions, so I smiled lightly as if to reassure him.

 

“I’m glad you found it entertaining. Actually, I kept thinking of the Duke throughout and flinching. How scary he was at such a young age… He didn’t look upon me very favorably at first.”

 

“…How must he have felt seeing his daughter suddenly saying she wanted to marry.”

 

“Haha, even I wouldn’t have wanted to send away a daughter like Rosetta to someone else.”

 

So that’s why you personally called for a carriage to the afterlife.

 

The feeling of emptiness I felt at Cessia’s appearance, asking if I knew how adorable I was as a child while reminiscing, was brief.

 

I had to stiffen my shoulders for a moment.

 

Sing, who had been sitting beside me quietly listening to our conversation, suddenly leaned his head against the side of mine.

 

Thump thump.

 

My heart began beating wildly without filter, making me curse inwardly.

 

‘…Give me some warning before you do that, damn it!’

 

Unlike me, who had stiffened completely, Sing himself remained silent with his arms crossed.

 

Again, again!

 

I had to believe that the reason for this symptom of my heart beating like crazy was simply because I was startled.

 

Only then could I dismiss the thought that this frighteningly intense emotion was similar to my past self who used to flutter at something as simple as holding hands with Cessia.

 

‘He was doing this earlier too. Is he jealous just because we had a conversation between ourselves or what.’

 

The moment I thought I didn’t want to recall it, the time watching the opera automatically filled my mind.

 

It would be a lie to say I didn’t think of my mother when she was alive while watching the performance.

 

It would also be a lie to say I didn’t re-experience the sense of loss I felt when I heard the sad news of that mother’s death.

 

However, separate from this, I had to constantly struggle to focus on the stage while the work was unfolding.

 

– “She’s a singer from Boberum, and apparently her reputation has skyrocketed recently. I saw her previous work too, and she’s definitely…”

 

It wasn’t because of Cessia whispering about a newly appeared character.

 

It was simply because Sing, who was sitting on the floor, suddenly leaned his head against my chair, causing his hair to brush against my hand that was resting on the armrest.

 

Something as soft as finely spun silk thread gently settled across my fingers like a caress.

 

Ridiculously, that was all it was.

—————
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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