Mad Rosetta - Chapter 49

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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 49

 

A Cowardly Man (1)

 

I admit it.

 

Though I can’t even gauge when it started, I certainly had romantic feelings for Sing.

 

Darling, sweetheart…

 

The fact that I could no longer dismiss such trivial endearments as mere jokes showed I had to accept it.

 

It was better to cleanly acknowledge such emotions, even for my own sake.

 

‘…Acting like a real lover when we’re not even dating.’

 

His unusually cold touch should have become quite familiar by now.

 

Unlike me, Sing’s attitude remained as leisurely as always, which felt spiteful and stirred up pointless resentment within me.

 

Do you feel the same way I do?

 

So when I was frustrated, did you offer cold comfort telling me to move forward regardless, and in melancholy moments, soothe me with words so sweet I thought my teeth might rot?

 

Perhaps thinking it strange that I was being held so quietly without protest, Sing grinned as if ready to tease again.

 

【It’s refreshing and nice having you so docile like this. Have you finally opened your heart to me?】

 

“…Anyone watching would mistake you for actually loving me.”

 

【Of course, darling.】

 

I’m passionately in love with you.

 

With those words from Sing, I felt as if I had completely lost hold of something I’d been gripping tightly all this time.

 

‘If this is all just a joke… You’re truly not just mischievous but wicked…’

 

Like people who’ve been badly hurt by lovers, perhaps I felt reluctant to harbor false hopes again.

 

Moreover, my feelings for Cessia had lasted nearly 10 years… I had even expected that I might never easily speak of love to any man again.

 

But look at me now.

 

My mood swinging wildly at his every action, secretly rejoicing inside when hearing the answers I wanted – didn’t this perfectly resemble the Rosetta Coco of the past?

 

【Ah, when will my darling accept these deep feelings…】

 

His voice, laughing low as he called me a woman with a talent for making him anxious, sounded truly pleasant to hear.

 

The fact that Sing was a ghost wasn’t particularly important to me.

 

We simply couldn’t continue a bloodline, but at least I’d have less worry about him stabbing me in the back like the living do.

 

However, one thing.

 

‘…If you resolve your grudge, will you also disappear forever like other ghosts?’

 

At that thought, I felt momentarily breathless as if punched in the solar plexus.

 

I found myself wishing Sing wouldn’t disappear from my side.

 

Yet if the end was predetermined, I would live regretting all the moments I hadn’t given you my whole heart.

 

I didn’t want to create any more regrets.

 

“…If I accepted them?”

 

【Hm?】

 

“If I… if I came to love you.”

 

【…】

 

“Then what would you do?”

 

So I speak of love again.

 

‘I’ve done it now…’

 

My heart pounded lightly.

 

I couldn’t bring myself to see what expression the guy right in front of me was making.

 

But I had to face the consequences of what I’d done.

 

I lifted my head with subtle expectation, and the moment I saw Sing’s face, I had an intuition that something was terribly wrong.

 

【…Your responses have improved quite a bit.】

 

“…What?”

 

【I didn’t expect you to counter like this, you got me good.】

 

He was smiling awkwardly as if troubled.

 

And without even looking at my eyes.

 

…Did he think it was a joke because I asked too casually?

 

【I think I’ve wiped off most of the moisture. It would be good to call staff and prepare for washing, my lady.】

 

“No, wait. You…”

 

As if reading my thoughts, he spoke while subtly releasing the hand he’d been holding.

 

From Sing’s uncomfortable expression, I immediately had to realize.

 

He was trying to avoid this situation.

 

‘He… Sing doesn’t want to accept my feelings.’

 

The moment I realized this fact, I flushed red with shame.

 

Sincerity disguised as a joke.

 

I had unknowingly assumed that Sing naturally had feelings for me too.

 

So his attitude, bordering on avoidance, made me feel such embarrassment.

 

‘But this, this really hurts…’

 

I would have preferred a clear rejection. But what is this cowardice supposed to mean?

 

This wasn’t behavior I could expect from someone who always made me face reality at crucial moments and gave advice with a serious attitude.

 

Fortunately or unfortunately.

 

Just when I didn’t know what to do in this terribly awkward atmosphere, someone knocked on the door.

 

“This is from the companion you’re staying with.”

 

Inside the leather bag the inn servant handed over were a couple of neatly packaged dresses, women’s nightwear, and a robe.

 

Probably due to the sudden overnight stay, Cessia had obtained these through a servant, worried that I had no spare clothes.

 

Moreover, with a robe this deep, even if I met Cessia in the lobby the next day, no one would recognize who I was.

 

“Oh, and this…”

 

After the young-faced servant awkwardly handed me even the bouquet he’d been holding, he bowed low and withdrew.

 

The colorful tulips seemed to have caught some rain, with moisture glistening on them, making them appear even more vivid and lively.

 

“…Haha. Ahaha…!”

 

Opening the note tucked between the wrapping paper, I couldn’t help but laugh emptily.

 

⌜I only regret that the roses I wanted to give are already with you. I hope you sleep warmly so you don’t catch cold, Rose.⌟

 

Cessia’s sharp handwriting that I knew seemed to mock me.

 

How could I not feel bitter?

 

I was probably the only woman in Primpasar who had become so ridiculous.

 

‘One is desperate to avoid me… while the one I find terribly detestable now sends love…’

 

What made me feel even more miserable was that both men had worried about my physical condition after being caught in the rain.

 

It’s disgusting.

 

With such thoughts, I headed to the bathroom without bothering to look at Sing.

 

My pitiful situation felt utterly hollow.

 

The day I was miserably rejected by the one I held in my heart.

 

I fell asleep with the blanket pulled over my head, not wanting to face Sing who would be somewhere around.

 

While wearing nightclothes given by the man I despised terribly.

 

Sorrowful and wretched, I tossed and turned all night.

 

* * *

 

【You should have a knight accompany you.】

 

While the children helping me prepare had briefly stepped away, Sing spoke in a displeased voice.

 

【Didn’t I tell you? Your younger sister’s atmosphere seems unusual lately. Since you provoked her so much before, it’s better to prepare for any possible mishaps.】

 

“…It’s just an outing anyway. And it’s in the estate’s central district where people will be bustling about – what could Odette do in such a place?”

 

Saying this, I recalled what had happened at Odette’s birthday banquet a few days ago.

 

Odette’s birthday banquet, organized under Lianna’s leadership, was truly magnificent.

 

Even Cessia, who accompanied me, didn’t spare his praise for its scale, so the impressions of other attending nobles would have been the same.

 

– “I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday, Bonita.”

 

– “This is…”

 

– “It’s a hairpin. I thought it would suit you very well, so I prepared it. When I went to Facade Estate before, I chose it together with Fordicus.”

 

Unlike me, who laughed saying I hoped the day would come when we could go out together with her wearing it, Odette’s expression was quite ambiguous.

 

It seemed she couldn’t easily show displeasure or make accusations since Cessia had also participated in giving the gift.

 

Meanwhile, people sent pleased glances our way, saying things like how deep the sisterly bond between the Benitra sisters truly was, and commenting on the size of the jewel.

 

– “…How about next weekend?”

 

– “Hm?”

 

– “For our outing day. I’ve been waiting for a day to go out with you two as well.”

 

Odette’s response that followed was quite unexpected though.

 

It was difficult to grasp Odette’s intentions as she spoke while tightly gripping the gift box I had given her, as if genuinely delighted.

 

– “You two went to the Facade Estate together last time, didn’t you? I wanted to go along too, but I couldn’t… I was quite disappointed.”

 

– “Well, that day you were with guests, weren’t you, Bonita?”

 

– “If you had given me advance notice, I would have adjusted my schedule.”

 

– “Oh my, I had no idea you wanted to spend time with us two that much.”

 

Was it because of the subtle war of nerves?

 

Cessia, who had suddenly found himself caught in the middle, glanced around at the surrounding gazes before smiling gently and speaking to Odette.

 

– “Last time, I requested the meeting because I wanted to spend time alone with Rosetta, so it would have been difficult to invite the young lady.”

 

– “Ah, I see…”

 

– “But it would be nice to set a date to commemorate Miss Bonita’s birthday. That would be fine with you too, wouldn’t it?”

 

What the hell.

 

With Cessia’s gentlemanly tact, all I could do in that situation was nod my head.

 

And so we made plans to visit Benern, the central district known as the capital of Benitra Territory.

 

Today was that very day.

 

【…So. You’re really going with just the three of you?】

 

Sing furrowed his brow as if he couldn’t understand why I was being so stubborn to the end.

 

However, I only felt my insides twist at the guy’s attitude that showed his worry.

 

Since that day, Sing doesn’t call me darling anymore.

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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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