Mad Rosetta - Chapter 58

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

Mad Rosetta

Episode 58

I Have a Lover (4)

Who was Carina Perijia?

She was the eldest daughter of the House of Otran, known for their high influence in the West, and at that time, she was the most promising candidate for Imperial Consort.

When some Viscountess from a mere viscount family pushed her aside to sit on the Empress’s throne, and Carina was later selected as First Imperial Consort, I heard the reaction was tremendous.

‘I heard that the Current Emperor showed quite petty behavior in trying to keep Carina in check…’

Even just learning about her life through text, how she endured humiliating times and eventually secured the position of Empress Dowager, felt truly remarkable.

“Indeed. I’m well aware of my young lady’s reputation. While the attitude of throwing yourself into danger should be avoided, I wish other nobles would learn from your mindset of cherishing each citizen of the Empire.”

“I’m overwhelmed by your kind regard. I too have naturally heard about the achievements Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has accomplished-“

【Ah, wait. I was just about to tell you to refrain from such talk.】

“…I’ve come to hear about them.”

“Oh my. How pleasant to hear.”

Due to Sing suddenly interrupting the conversation, I momentarily trailed off my words.

Just as I was getting annoyed thinking I almost made a mistake, the troubled expression on Sing’s face that caught my eye made me uneasy.

I was puzzled why he told me not to do it when I was just going along with the conversation.

“However, having spent such a long time in the Imperial Palace, I can’t quite recall what achievements there were. Was there any policy that particularly impressed you, Lady?”

Just as Sing had said, I quickly regretted not just saying thank you and moving on.

‘…Ah, I see. She wasn’t letting the pleasantries pass.’

Was she trying to put me in a difficult position?

Usually, ceremonial empty words were largely meant to make the other person feel good, and Carina wouldn’t be unaware of this.

Though I was flustered, I was confident I could get through it smoothly.

While my knowledge of recent Imperial history might be somewhat lacking, I was fairly well-versed in other areas.

And the national policies implemented each year had been steadily filled into my head through visits from tutors.

Moreover, if asked to mention Carina’s achievements, there was clearly one that stood out, so I was about to speak.

【Tell her about the Imperial history revision policy, Rosette.】

“…Hmm.”

【Just say it. Say you view it favorably.】

I found Sing’s firm advice troublesome and incomprehensible at the same time.

The Empress Dowager had other famous achievements, yet he was suddenly urging me to mention something else…

And a project that hadn’t even been properly completed yet, at that.

I grew deeply troubled by this unsettling feeling, but since I had never suffered from following Sing’s advice, I eventually opened my mouth.

“There are so many accomplishments that it’s difficult to mention them all, but if I had to choose one… the historical text revision policy implemented since last winter comes to mind.”

“…Is that so.”

“Yes. While we do live in the present, there are historical events we sometimes overlook and let pass by. I’ve always thought that the compilation process, which was previously done every 10 years, took too much time for commoners to learn and understand history.”

“…”

“However, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager began revising the Imperial history of the past 10 years, and I saw this as declaring her intention to gradually correct history that had become outdated or distorted in interpretation by later generations.”

Though I spoke with a bright smile, I couldn’t help feeling twisted inside.

View it favorably, my foot. Compilation would be one thing, but revision? I was firmly opposed to it.

While it could be seen as an ideological difference, the Imperial history revision policy could essentially be considered a strategy to solidify the current Imperial family’s position.

There was a very high possibility they would only include aspects they wanted to show in the history books and write critically about areas they didn’t favor.

Moreover, the current Emperor Jeremiah had only been on the throne for 8 years.

Even though compilation would naturally happen soon enough, seeing them rush to implement this policy made their intentions transparent.

“I had no idea the Lady was so perceptive and deeply interested in national policies. I can see why Duke Benitra treasures his daughter so much.”

…Well. Seeing the Empress Dowager’s satisfied face, I thought I had done well to follow Sing’s advice.

“Come to think of it, Lady, aren’t you maintaining a long engagement with the Montague Duchess?”

…Why is the conversation jumping in that direction?

“Indeed, didn’t you attend this year’s New Year festival with the Montague Duchess as well? You made such a well-matched pair that I remember my eyes kept being drawn to you.”

At Empress Beatrice’s prompting, Carina nodded and looked at me.

“I understand the Lady turned seventeen this year. Is that correct?”

“Yes, I had my coming-of-age ceremony after my birthday passed.”

“This might be a difficult question, but is there a particular reason you’re only maintaining the engagement?”

I had to manage my expression to avoid showing any discomfort at the Empress Dowager’s question.

To ask so directly about family matters – no matter how royal she was, I was offended that she could be so rude.

However, it didn’t seem like behavior meant to gain the upper hand since she had readily brought up my situation, and above all, her earnest gaze seemed genuinely curious about the reason.

“…What particular circumstances could there be? It’s simply that not much time has passed since my coming-of-age ceremony so I need time to adjust, and above all, there’s no rush.”

“Oh my. True learning can naturally be acquired when one establishes a stable household. You should decide on someone to stand by your side as soon as possible so that the Lady’s own foundation can be solidly expanded.”

“…Yes, I’m fully aware of that.”

“One person is free, but two are reliable. I hope this doesn’t remain merely as advice.”

Infinitely high authority within gentle speech.

Even with such a benevolent smile before my eyes, I felt suffocated and kept sweating in my palms until the meeting ended.

‘I’m screwed.’

My attempt not to be caught seemed to have pleased her far too much.

It was clear marriage pressure.

* * *

【You did well, darling.】

As I walked with drooping shoulders, Sing patted my shoulder and spoke.

I was just leaving the Empress’s Palace, half-listening to the Empress Dowager’s suggestion to take a stroll through the garden on the way back.

A stroll, my foot. Just as I was thinking I wanted to sleep in the carriage right away, seeing Sing’s retreating figure reminded me of an unresolved curiosity, so I called out to stop him.

“Why did you tell me to mention the revision policy earlier?”

【…What were you planning to answer?】

“I was thinking the ceramic business would probably be the safest choice.”

【Ah, I thought as much.】

At his tone that was close to sarcasm, asking why wouldn’t I, I raised an eyebrow once.

Hey there, lover boy. Why are you being so disagreeable today?

Due to him acting like his mood was quite sour, my voice came out sharp as well.

“What’s wrong with the ceramic business?”

The reason Carina gained a reputation for excellent business acumen during her time as First Imperial Consort was undoubtedly due to ceramic development.

At that time, the bowls and cups being produced were praised for their outstanding design, but they had the drawback of poor durability and breaking easily.

Because of this, many nobles used imported products from other countries, but Carina, who wanted to establish ceramics unique to her own country, revitalized technical skills with ceramic artisans at the forefront.

Thanks to this, it became possible to obtain high-quality products domestically without expensive imports, and the economic value was indescribable.

Furthermore, it was a business that even succeeded in becoming luxurious enough to be used for weddings and ceremonies.

‘Above all, since the Imperial family led it, enormous funds accumulated in the national treasury…’

Just raising national power alone made it difficult to find any achievement more meaningful to the Empress Dowager than the ceramic business of that time.

That’s why I couldn’t understand Sing’s lukewarm reaction even more.

【So what happened in the end?】

“What?”

【What happened as a result of the Empress Dowager successfully completing that business?】

“What happened, well… Ah.”

One of the Current Emperor’s petty behaviors.

When the ceramic business was successfully completed, many families including the House of Otran, which had originally been part of the Nobility Faction, showed enthusiastic support for the First Imperial Consort.

The problem was that the Emperor, who viewed this unfavorably, sent Carina back to her family home under the guise of a reward, saying she could ‘take a break from Imperial duties for a while.’

‘I heard she suffered the humiliation of staying in the West for about 2 years…’

Since her unfair treatment was highlighted and her reputation actually grew higher later, it was still difficult to understand.

“It might have been humiliating at the time, but the Empress Dowager is the one with real power now. Besides, I understand that His Majesty the Current Emperor received all kinds of criticism for that incident.”

【It would be easier to think of the Empress Dowager as someone with a different temperament from you. Beyond the expression of having strong pride, she’s a woman who won’t leave even an inch of humiliation in her life.】

“…Ah.”

【So whenever someone mentions that achievement, wouldn’t she have no choice but to recall the time when she was practically driven out to the West in disgrace?】

When he puts it that way, it seems like something I could accept.

How he managed to understand even the Empress Dowager’s temperament remained a mystery.

‘That bastard, that thing. He must have definitely rolled around and lived it up in the Imperial Palace, whether as a prince or whatever.’

As I glared at him with my lips jutting out sullenly, he seemed to realize that I had been particularly aggressive today as well.

He approached stealthily, as if gauging my mood.

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