Mad Rosetta - Chapter 48

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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 48

 

The Second Spring (5)

 

At the center of the gold decoration embroidering a large ribbon knot, a red garnet sat prominently.

 

The ideal brilliance and size of the gemstone seemed to pose no problem for Benitra’s dignity when considering its quality.

 

‘Besides, it’s absolutely not a style Odette would wear.’

 

Neat and gentle eyes. Considering her small but properly positioned features, it was only natural.

 

Odette’s natural beauty was maximized when she wore modest and subtle attire.

 

She herself seemed to pursue such aspects, appearing to understand the aesthetics of subtraction well despite her young age.

 

In short, it was clear she wouldn’t be particularly pleased to receive this accessory that Sing had pointed out.

 

An item that wouldn’t disgrace the family’s honor, but would make Odette uncomfortable.

 

The brilliantly sparkling red gemstone reminded one of my or Cessia’s hair color, which would further emphasize the point that it was a gift chosen together.

 

“Fordicus. How about this ribbon hairpin?”

 

“This? Hmm… The polishing looks excellent, and I don’t see many inclusions. But isn’t this not quite the style Miss Bonita usually favors?”

 

“I suppose so? But Bonita usually wears modest things… I wanted to include the meaning that we gave it together. Is that too childish a thought?”

 

“…Mm, no. If that’s the intention, it seems like a good choice. Shall we go with this?”

 

At my appearance of awkwardly looking only at accessories while speaking, Cessia quickly changed his attitude.

 

With this, I opened the small bag I had brought to pay.

 

‘Damn, even though it’s to torment her. I don’t really like the situation of spending a fortune for Odette.’

 

Due to the quality of the gemstone, it was quite an expensive item.

 

Thinking I’d extract a hefty settlement when I eventually drove out Lianna and Odette, I tried to take out the money pouch from inside the bag.

 

Cessia’s fingers gently settled on the back of my hand.

 

“We agreed to prepare this together. Since you chose it, Rosetta, let me pay for it.”

 

…You will?

 

No, it would be a bit much to answer like that.

 

I swallowed the inner thoughts that were about to burst out and cleared my throat.

 

“Ahem, if you insist that much, I have no choice. I can picture Bonita being happy, thank you.”

 

“Haha, I hope so.”

 

Cessia casually finished the payment, and we left the shop with the owner’s farewell wishing us a good time.

 

Thus, without spending a penny, I had somehow managed to prepare a gift to torment Odette.

 

Afterward, we walked around and looked at quite many things.

 

Street poets. Musical melodies coming from who knows where. Things that weren’t necessary but were pretty enough to satisfy one’s personal desires.

 

【Looks delicious.】

 

“Don’t talk to me.”

 

【I was talking to myself though?】

 

“Then do it from farther away.”

 

At the restaurant we visited for an early dinner, while Cessia briefly stepped away, that guy pestered me as usual.

 

‘More than that, what is this… Isn’t this a seafood feast? It’s nice, but…’

 

Most of the dishes Cessia ordered had seafood as the main ingredient.

 

Since we had spent time together since childhood, he would know that I liked seafood dishes.

 

Smoked salmon. Carpaccio made with scallops.

 

And the saffron aroma rising from the soup stimulated the taste buds.

 

Every single one seemed like a menu for people who wanted to impress their lovers.

 

The finely chopped ingredients and sauces that wouldn’t create awkward situations by getting stuck in teeth were like that.

 

【…Eating good food all by yourself.】

 

“Blame whoever made you like that. You can’t even eat, so why do you keep whining?”

 

【I can at least smell it. Truly, meals should be savored through aroma to be genuine-】

 

“Alright, alright. I’ll listen, so stop talking. How much do you want to make me look like a crazy person?”

 

Though I was whispering quietly.

 

If someone else heard, I would obviously look like someone having a conversation alone without any companions.

 

When I quickly scooped up the gratin mixed with cream sauce and cheese with a spoon and held it for a moment, Sing immediately brought his head close and smiled broadly.

 

Kind of, cute…

 

【It’s gratin. Hmm, did they mix crab meat in the sauce?】

 

“What a gourmet you are.”

 

【It’s a pastime from the past.】

 

Sing shrugged his shoulders as if it were something to be proud of, and I had to feed that guy the aroma(?) until Cessia returned.

 

Even after that, I ended up laughing several times, probably because despite being with Cessia, I felt like I had come out on a date with Sing.

 

I had no intention of enjoying myself, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it.

 

* * *

 

‘But it would be troublesome if the way home is like this…’

 

Swoooosh.

 

To avoid the relentlessly falling rain, many people were screaming in despair and fleeing under shop awnings.

 

The sudden downpour made sounds like steel balls bursting each time it hit the ground.

 

“R-Rosetta. At least dry yourself with this.”

 

“…Oh, okay.”

 

After barely taking shelter under a tree, Cessia handed me his handkerchief with a troubled, restless expression.

 

Unlike people who had quickly moved to occupy space under buildings from when just a few raindrops were falling, it was natural that we, who had been strolling in the middle of the street, got soaked and looked miserable.

 

The hair that the children had carefully styled since morning, the spring dress that Miss Etienne had sent, and even the shawl I had worn…

 

Everything was completely soaked, dripping with water.

 

‘Most of all, it’s cold…!’

 

Even though it was spring, mornings and evenings were quite chilly.

 

It looked like a shower that would pass quickly. But in this state, we absolutely couldn’t get in the carriage.

 

Even if we forced ourselves to travel, we would catch a cold before reaching Benitra Territory.

 

Cessia seemed to have similar thoughts, as he somewhat irritably brushed back his wet hair and said.

 

“Sigh… I think it would be better to find lodging first. Since this is quite a tourist area, there should be many inns nearby.”

 

Unable to speak easily, I nodded instead of answering.

 

The peach blossoms that had bloomed luxuriantly were now pressed against the ground.

 

An unauthorized overnight stay.

 

I could already hear Father’s angry shouting in my ears.

 

* * *

 

“Well then, rest up, Rosetta.”

 

“Yeah, see you in the lobby tomorrow.”

 

Leaving Cessia’s tired face behind, I closed the door.

 

“…Cold! Damn cold, for crying out loud!”

 

Then I immediately looked around and started searching for towels or anything useful.

 

An overnight stay, an overnight stay!

 

An unmarried woman having an unplanned overnight stay with a man wasn’t enough, but if it became known that the man was her fiancé…?

 

My ears were already itching thinking about what people would gossip about.

 

Because of that, I had entered the inn with my face completely wrapped in Cessia’s coat, but the problem was that there might be people who recognized Cessia’s distinctive face.

 

‘If I’m not careful, it’ll inevitably lead to marriage! Absolutely not!’

 

Setting aside the family’s honor.

 

If rumors spread that I went to an inn with my fiancé, it was obvious what would be said about me when I broke off the engagement later.

 

My soaked body felt uncomfortable, and I regretted not bringing Penny or other children if I had known this would happen.

 

By the way, why can’t I find towels even in the bathroom.

 

As I shivered while holding my arms and looking around the room, Sing let out a low sigh.

 

【Such a high-maintenance young lady… The children are showing off how devotedly they serve you.】

 

In the corner next to the door where Sing had led me, thick towels were neatly stacked along with a quaint dresser.

 

No, don’t they usually put things like that in the bathroom?

 

I was about to say something to that guy who seemed to be mocking me for growing up spoiled and unable to find a single item.

 

However, at Sing’s subsequent action, I could only show bewilderment.

 

“What, what are you doing!”

 

【I can’t wipe you dry myself, so I have to do it this way.】

 

He made me pick up one of the towels piled high with my hand, then immediately began rubbing the moisture from my hair.

 

So the result looked like I was drying myself, but he was controlling all the movements.

 

I understood since he was someone who couldn’t pick up objects, but I felt exactly like a hand puppet.

 

【It would be terrible if you caught a cold. Even if it’s hot today, you should sleep well covered with blankets tonight, darling.】

 

“…I’m not a child. I know that much.”

 

【You’re not a child, what welcome words to hear.】

 

Sing said this while not stopping the movement of his hands.

 

The well-maintained cotton towel wiped the moisture from my cheeks and gently patted my head.

 

It was truly an affectionate touch.

 

The temperature of my two hands held by him seemed to rise without fail.

 

【If you get sick in a place like this, you’ll have no choice but to spend another day with Fordicus.】

 

“….”

 

【That fellow seemed to be putting quite a bit of effort into my darling.】

 

If Sing’s playful little addition felt like what people commonly call ‘jealousy’.

 

If a small impulse to confirm something bubbled up from within me….

 

It would have been purely because of my own wishful thinking.

 

I regret it now, looking back.

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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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