Mad Rosetta - Chapter 69

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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 69

Time of the Fall (4)

He slowly raised his head, and as if something was bothering him, he pressed and rubbed around his neck area.

Looking at his rough hands, I thought he seemed to have experienced all kinds of labor.

“…You make dangerous statements. Consider yourself fortunate that you spoke them here.”

A somewhat cold and stern voice pierced my ears.

“…I only said it because you asked for a reason.”

“All troubles that arise over the throne commonly point to the victor as the mastermind.”

“When did I ever say I wanted to be persuaded?”

“I’m saying this out of hope that you won’t easily speak of rumors. This is a place that seeks to discern truth from among the gossip.”

“Then this place’s abilities are pathetic. Declaring something false without even investigating.”

“…”

“If you’ve already investigated, then I can trust this place even less.”

Whether he wanted to argue or what.

His attitude, which had been polite throughout the request, suddenly changed, and I couldn’t understand why he was trying to make me agree.

When I criticized him somewhat harshly, he asked with unreadable eyes.

“What is your reason for being so certain?”

…I’ll have to scold Stilling when he returns.

It looked exactly like the gaze of someone trying to judge a criminal on trial, and I had to feel irritated in an instant.

“You sell information yet ask me to feed you without paying a single price.”

“Then… if you’re satisfied with the results of your first request, won’t you tell me the reason then?”

“Are you joking?”

“…What do you mean?”

Just wait until you come back, Stilling. I’ll catch you like catching a mouse.

Skilled my ass.

In this situation where some proxy was desperate to devour the client, I was so heated that all sorts of irritated words burst out.

“Ah, your calculation is wrong.”

“What…?”

“I promised a fair amount for the request. So bringing satisfactory information is naturally what you should do, isn’t it? Hm? Wasn’t that the request? Or not? Why are you acting like you’re doing me a favor? I understand and then I don’t.”

“…”

“So if you want to hear the reason, you should also think about paying me a price.”

“…”

“Tsk, maybe this is why customers seek out the guild master instead of you? Hm? Think about it once. This is advice.”

After thoroughly berating him, I felt somewhat relieved and leaned back deeply into the sofa.

This kid, really. Acting arrogant in front of a customer.

Seeing him unable to keep his neck still again, it seemed to be a habit that came out whenever he was uncomfortable.

Honestly, if the other side had fought fire with fire and gotten angry, I was thinking of finding another guild. Fortunately, when he spoke, his voice was much softer.

“…I understand the parts that made you uncomfortable.”

“…Good that you know.”

“Then I’ll also investigate and report on the Imperial request. I’ll charge the same price as the previous one.”

“How long do you think it will take roughly? The sooner the better, though.”

“Well, if it’s the current Duchess Benitra, I know she’s from the East… Please give me about two months.”

“I’ll do that. I’ll let you know before visiting again.”

Not knowing what else he might babble about, I quickly got up from the sofa and left the interview room.

Seeing me come out of the building, Penny hurriedly ran out of the carriage with an umbrella.

“Lady, how did the matter you wanted to investigate go?”

“I just made the request. Whether it goes well, we’ll see in time.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

I smiled softly at Penny, who laughed with an embarrassed expression, then got into the carriage.

Rainwater repeatedly dripped down the window.

As the horse began running on the muddy road, I threw the mask I was wearing onto the seat and leaned my head against the window.

Was it because I had a power struggle over nothing? Or maybe I was tired from wearing the mask the whole time.

‘…I wonder if it’s raining in the West too.’

Are you also experiencing this weather that falls less heavily than the shower I encountered in Primpasar, but shows no sign of stopping?

Just a year and a half.

During this time that was long if long, short if short, I had been with Sing too long and shared every story with him.

Was it because I always consulted with him whenever I made plans for revenge?

To be honest, after returning to the manor alone, I felt so dazed that my future seemed completely blocked.

But making a mockery of the time I despaired that I would never be able to stand again… I felt my head cooling down faster than I expected.

It’s ridiculous that losing one guide caused this.

Your existence was naturally supposed to be absent from the beginning, and as you said, I wanted to become someone who could get up well on my own.

Yet when I imagined you, who might be with Odette with behavior exactly like Cessia’s, my brow furrowed involuntarily.

‘…They say you resemble someone when you love them. Can you resemble someone when you hate them too?’

No. It was more convincing that you had steadily observed and learned about him for the day you would take over Cessia’s body.

When I think of Sing, the first thing that comes to mind is those blue-green eyes resembling the Partiti Sea.

Next is the jet-black straight hair darker than night. That laugh full of mischief.

The dimples that appeared whenever you raised the corners of your mouth…

But only twice.

Having faced you as Cessia just that much made it hard for me to recall your appearance.

When I tried to remember your voice, I heard Cessia’s voice, and when I tried to picture your light-colored eyes, Cessia filled with resentment glared at me.

“This is really too much…”

Sing. I resent you.

Even though I understood with my head why it had to be Cessia, the fact that I resented you remained unchanged.

You, who made me frown first every time I tried to picture the person I love, really…

You, who stole away the person I love. I hate you terribly.

* * *

A few days later. The children said they couldn’t hold back anymore and told me what they heard from the maid of Lili Hall – that letters were being exchanged between House Montague and Odette.

Even though the rainy season continued, there was no need to deliberately think about Odette going out twice in one week.

I already knew this fact since report-like letters kept coming from him.

“…Lady.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you even angry?”

Reina looked serious as if she had encountered something strange.

Since my expression seemed to be on the calm side, her reaction was one of disbelief.

“…As if. If you’re bringing this up, the outside situation must be known too. I was just pondering what to do.”

They should immediately call Lady Bonita and give her a stern warning, or how could Montague act like this.

I was truly grateful for the children’s chatter.

Yet the stuffy, unpleasant feeling wouldn’t go away, perhaps due to the humidity.

If the sight of Odette and him alone together spread through society, they would obviously receive countless criticisms, so I should have felt good, but I just felt so-so.

So I burned several incoming letters, heard news that I had leaked the meetings with Odette to Cessia’s friends, and was probed by the princesses at the salon.

“W-will Your Highness also attend the hunting festival? I’ve recently been trying to attach long outer skirt hems only to the back of the waistline, and it’s better than expected…”

When even Lady Etienne, who knew nothing but sewing, came to the point of watching my reactions while pretending to be a storyteller without talent…

I had no choice but to realize that rumors about the unusual relationship between Cessia and Odette had spread far and wide.

So much so that I was grateful Father was in another country and hadn’t received this news.

Until the colorful leaves fell and a rather chilly, dry autumn with crisp winds arrived.

He did his work without hesitation.

* * *

“Your Highness, it’s been so long since we’ve seen you.”

“My, the dress you’re wearing today is so beautiful too.”

“Was it Etienne’s new fall collection?”

She’s being unusually welcoming today.

Despite my bleak inner thoughts, I pulled my shawl up against the rather cold weather and smiled as if embarrassed.

“I’m grateful you think so highly of it. But it’s not an Etienne dress, unfortunately.”

The autumn hunting festival.

An annual event to demonstrate the strength of the Imperial Authority, which I attended together with Odette.

Since the opening ceremony had just ended, even princesses I wasn’t particularly close with approached me with friendly greetings, and I knew why they were doing this.

“…I didn’t expect Princess Bonita to attend as well.”

It must be to get a look at Odette, who was standing behind me as quiet as a mouse.

When her name was mentioned, they responded to Odette’s forced smile and polite greeting with cynical smiles that spoke volumes about their position.

“Indeed. I naturally assumed she wouldn’t come.”

“Well, didn’t she always say it was heartbreaking to harm poor innocent animals?”

“I think I heard that too. Perhaps she thought just watching would be acceptable.”

Oh my, they’re all quite skilled at sarcasm.

Their sharp glances flew about relentlessly, as if there had never been a time when they were busy praising Odette.

I deliberately said nothing and observed Odette’s face, which was a mixture of shame and humiliation.

‘Congratulations on making it into the cheap gossip rags, younger sister.’

Isn’t that exactly the right expression for a younger sister who covets her older sister’s fiancé?

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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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