Mad Rosetta - Chapter 47

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

Rosette Gone Mad

Chapter 47

A Second Spring (4)

– “Ahahaha! You foolish man. Even a three-year-old in our Kingdom would recognize that what you just told me is nothing short of a confession. So why don’t you drop that dreary expression?”

The leading lady on stage continued her lines with her characteristic vivacious tone.

Sing appeared to be concentrating quite intently on her performance.

How strange. Under normal circumstances, I would have grabbed him by the head and scolded him for trying to startle me.

Yet I found myself unable to push his head away, nor could I run my fingers through his soft hair as I wished.

– “Oh, Duke. Please, I beg you—do not give a name to this feeling. A union between you and the Princess is impossible!”

I didn’t bother searching for reasons why the dialogue of a minor character resonated so vividly within me.

I simply remained rigid until the curtain fell, unsettled by Sing’s behavior—as if he were protesting my very existence, demanding I not forget him.

And so I remained in turmoil throughout.

* * *

“Take my hand, Rosette.”

Cessia stepped down from the carriage with a smile, extending his hand.

The scent of flowers.

Without enthusiasm, I leaned on his hand and descended from the carriage, only to be enveloped by the fragrance of blossoms.

Peach trees adorned with delicate blooms lined the street densely, and pastel-colored signboards welcomed lovers from every direction.

‘Half the shops here are flower shops…’

I gazed at the abundance of flower shops, understanding why this place was called a Date Spot.

‘It seems like it’ll change to a different shop any moment now… Should I suggest to Father that he purchase a building or two?’

I merely observed that this overheated market probably wouldn’t yield particularly good sales.

【Darling, would you like some flowers?】

“Should we stop by the Flower Shop for a moment?”

…What, what is this.

Faced with simultaneous questions from both Sing and Cessia, I glanced between the two of them before catching myself and fixing my gaze on Cessia instead.

It seemed they’d concluded I wanted flowers, likely because I’d been observing the Flower Shop so intently.

But I had no desire to pretend like everyone else, clutching a bouquet and playing the role of ‘oh, how fortunate I am to receive flowers from my beloved.’ So I answered rather coolly.

“The Manor is already overflowing with flowers anyway. There’s no need to go.”

【…A woman with not even a speck of romance in her.】

“…Rosetta really does pursue practicality above all else.”

These men…

I could understand it from Cessia, but why does Sing complain when he can’t even buy me flowers himself?

More importantly, since I was already out with Cessia, I had something I needed to accomplish today.

“Rather than that, I’d like to stop by a shop that deals in jewelry and accessories. Do you know of any?”

“I’ve heard of a few places that are famous around here. Why? Are you looking for something in particular?”

“It’s just… I still haven’t chosen a birthday gift for Bonita. Fordicus, if you haven’t prepared anything yet either, what do you say we give a gift together?”

I asked somewhat dejectedly, and Cessia’s expression turned bewildered.

‘Seeing him hesitate like that, it seems he’s already prepared something. Well, with her birthday right around the corner, it’s only natural.’

With that thought, I continued speaking in a similarly forlorn tone.

“Ah, I suppose I said something unnecessary. You must have prepared diligently, Fordicus.”

“…Ah, no, that’s not it. I simply thought it was a good idea, haha.”

“Really?”

“Yes, of course. I was just thinking about what gift would make Bonita happy. I’m sure she’d like it even more if we prepared it together.”

Watching Cessia awkwardly link arms with me as he hurried us toward the jewelry shop, I smiled with relief, grateful for his quick thinking.

I wanted to slip my arm free—no, I wanted to yank it away outright—but I held back.

Yes, today’s mission was crystal clear: Operation Buy Odette a Gift on the Cheap and Take Credit for It.

Next week, Odette’s birthday feast would be held at the Manor.

Last year, we couldn’t hold a feast because Odette was confined to her room after the letter incident, and the Spring Stage was right around the corner. But this year was different.

‘Especially since my birthday feast was held a month ago, the comparison will be obvious, so she’ll definitely grind her teeth preparing for this one.’

My birthday falls in early spring. Moreover, this year it doubled as my coming-of-age ceremony, so my birthday feast was held with great grandeur and expense, thanks to Father’s support.

That Lianna, having regained the authority of the mistress of the household, was pouring her heart into Odette’s birthday feast was evident the moment one entered the Main Manor.

Furthermore, Odette, who had attended my coming-of-age ceremony not long ago, had the distinction of giving me an embroidered handkerchief wrapped up in the name of sincerity as a gift.

‘It was so obviously going to invite criticism that I had a Maid send it back early in the morning. How utterly petty….’

For a second daughter living in comfort in Benatra, it was far too modest a gift, and gossip was bound to follow.

In fact, my Children who received the gift even made sad faces, saying, “Miss Bonita, isn’t that a bit much?”

But I didn’t mind.

I had no desire to receive a gift from Odette anyway, and the fact that I’d received something so pathetic was actually quite useful.

So, a few days later, when I attended a gathering with other noble ladies, I proudly showed off the embroidered handkerchief Odette had given me.

– “Look at this rose embroidery. Isn’t it a gift full of sincerity? I’m so delighted just to have received a gift from Bonita.”

How delightful—the expressions of displeasure that crossed those Princesses’ faces!

I remember their pitying gazes as they insisted that if the Princess was satisfied, then it made for a suitable gift. How their eyes had softened with sympathy toward me.

Much like how Odette had consistently displayed such coldness toward me as her elder sister, it was true that fewer people gazed upon Odette with reverence these days.

But Odette’s birthday feast was being held? It was an opportunity I simply could not let pass unused.

‘A gift prepared with the man I covet, you say? I do hope it proves as miserable as I envision, dear sister.’

A child who possessed nearly everything. For Odette, I needed to give something appropriately expensive and beautiful.

And I would present it boldly before everyone’s eyes.

But I harbored not the slightest intention of giving Odette a gift she would truly cherish.

Rather, what mattered was presenting something that appeared splendid to onlookers, yet would be infinitely displeasing from her perspective.

I would make full use of Cessia for this purpose, naturally.

‘If I say the gift was chosen together with Cessia, she won’t be able to refuse so easily. Besides, it would be perfect for demonstrating that I’m a caring elder sister who thinks of her younger sibling even while in the company of my betrothed.’

With such thoughts, I deliberately affected indifference as I linked my arm through Cessia’s and moved forward.

【Lacking all conviction—no better than a child before a toy. And this is to be the next Duke.】

There was someone beside me who found the situation equally distasteful, making things somewhat noisy.

Sing criticized Cessia pointedly, remarking on how he was subtly linking arms with me.

I tugged at his sleeve to signal him to behave and follow along.

【I’ll interpret that as a request to hold hands, darling.】

There was no helping it. I released my grip.

Surely he would follow along well enough without needing to be coddled.

But then Sing whimpered again, complaining that I had let go so coldly and asking me to hold his hand once more.

When I discreetly pinched the one behind me, his playful smile caught my eye as he extended his arm toward me.

…He had no idea how turbulent my heart truly was, yet he seemed so pleased.

I pretended to yield and grasped his sleeve once more, and suddenly I found myself a lady strolling through the Date Spot with two men clinging to either arm.

No one would have known, but that was precisely what had happened.

* * *

“You truly cherish Bonita, don’t you?”

It was what Cessia said the moment we entered a new shop, having passed two Jewelry Shops without finding anything to my liking.

He wore an expression of dissatisfaction, so I replied casually, as if he were asking something obvious.

“She’s my only younger sister. And Fordicus cares for our Bonita as well, doesn’t he?”

“…Yes. When I see Bonita, it feels as though I’ve gained a younger sister myself. It’s quite pleasant, actually.”

So pleased that he’s matched his words and mingled his presence with ours.

Separate from the sudden surge of irritation, I concluded that Cessia’s reluctant expression likely stemmed from his having noticed, to some degree, Odette’s feelings toward him.

Before the letter incident erupted, he had consistently exchanged correspondence with Odette, and he had even visited her multiple times under the pretext of paying his respects to the ill. It was hardly surprising.

‘When did you despise me so? Your shifted attitude—reversed like a sleight of hand—is far more disagreeable, you wretch.’

If he truly felt excitement upon witnessing my transformation, then his own past indiscretion with my former fiancée’s younger sister ought to have troubled him.

And that younger sister, who had once shown him favor, would naturally feel repugnant to him now.

A man in love is truly this contemptible.

Every time I faced the changed Cessia, I could feel nothing else.

【This one seems rather nice, darling.】

As Sing and I were exchanging idle remarks before the shop’s display counter, he suddenly leaned his head over my shoulder.

As always, my surprise was fleeting, quickly giving way to composure.

The moment I laid eyes on what he was pointing at, my expression brightened considerably.

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————