Mad Rosetta - Chapter 76

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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 76

What to Be Careful of During the Hunt Isn’t Just Beasts (7)

“Therefore, I humbly request that you take into consideration that Bonita was in a state of diminished mental capacity at the time.”

“…Are we to understand that the Princess is now pleading for leniency for the defendant?”

“I do not deny that Bonita acted with intent. However, I earnestly beseech you to consider that my younger sister is still a child who has not even undergone her coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Hmm…”

“If you would entrust Bonita’s punishment to me, I promise to devote myself more faithfully to the child’s guidance.”

The Inquisitor showed signs of discomfort as if this was unexpected, and Odette was looking at me with an expression that suggested she found this version of me hard to accept.

Meeting her gaze, which was deeply filled with suspicion as if wondering what scheme I was plotting, I rather thought Odette was the strange one.

Unlike you, who always put me in difficult situations, all I had ever done was show affectionate contempt at most.

Yet why couldn’t Odette accept the hand I extended with pure intentions? Such thoughts occurred to me.

‘…Though my intentions aren’t exactly pure.’

Since I’m putting on this disgusting performance with the sole desire to shackle your ankles.

After a brief recess, the Inquisitor and members of the Inquisition Council re-entered the room, having apparently finished coordinating their opinions.

“…I shall render judgment. The defendant’s testimony was insufficient and difficult to accept. The testimonies of witnesses and related parties were consistent in context. Even considering the defendant’s minor age, acts that threaten another’s life cannot easily be excused. However, the victim wishes for leniency. Taking all these factors into account, this judgment is hereby declared.”

“…”

“Therefore, this tribunal sentences defendant Bonita Odette to three months of house arrest and 150 hours of service at the monastery within the territory.”

…Perfect.

“The trial document containing this final decision will be delivered to each household within seven days, and the defendant shall maintain the existing form of detention until then.”

No one bothered to continue speaking.

With the declaration that this concluded the trial and the Inquisitor’s striking of the gavel, the long proceedings came to an end.

Odette was escorted back to the Royal Detention Facility from that very spot, and since I too had to return to the household starting today, I left the room with Sing.

“Why did you do that?”

I could tell who owned the voice coming from behind me without even turning around.

The only person who would dare ask me why I protected Odette would probably be just one person right now.

As if unable to understand the development, Knight Demish wore a considerably uncomfortable expression.

However, since the emotion I read in his eyes seemed somewhat like worry and concern, I felt it was proper to explain to him who had helped through his report, so I opened my mouth.

“I’m grateful for your report. So please don’t think that your act of reporting the lady you served has become meaningless.”

“…I don’t mind. I am a knight of Benatra.”

…I really should give you a raise, Knight Demish.

Upon hearing his answer, a subtle smile naturally leaked out.

Honest and without pretense.

His attitude, acting as if he never had any concerns about possibly receiving unfair treatment, was true knighthood worthy of praise as a member of the household.

Since it happened to be Odette who was caught, his answer seemed to comfort me, as if it had been the right thing to do for the true Benatra.

Though interpreting it with such meaning seemed closer to my own wishful thinking.

“But honestly, it was unexpected. I thought you had quite a deep friendship with my younger sister.”

“I never considered it that way…”

Knight Demish’s gaze persistently followed my eyes for a moment.

“I only believe what I see with my own eyes.”

“…”

What could he mean by that?

Odette used to cleverly disparage me to those she kept around her.

Did he mean that he didn’t believe such things, and what words were needed when he witnessed her criminal acts?

Since there was no need to think deeply about unnecessary things, I replied with a good-natured smile.

“In any case, I’m grateful to you. I’ll give you a proper reward too… If it hadn’t been for you, far from holding a trial, I would have had to struggle desperately to prove my younger sister’s guilt.”

“…She could have received a prison sentence.”

“Yes. And then she would have been released.”

When I spoke with a gentle smile, Knight Demish pondered my words and finally made a gloomy face as if he too had imagined the outcome.

His rapidly changing expressions showed his youthful nature compared to his peers.

“It’s not easy to keep a noble, much less a high-ranking noble, behind bars for long, is it?”

“…I understand.”

“Well, someone who lives as uprightly as you doesn’t need to think about such things.”

“That day…”

“Hmm?”

Knight Demish glanced at Sing beside me, then bowed his head deeply.

“I could have rescued you sooner that day… I apologize for my negligence in just watching.”

For a moment, I found it difficult to guess his intentions and stared intently at Knight Demish’s hidden face.

‘…How can he be so inflexible?’

Unable to even make eye contact and only showing dark shadows like a guilty person, he seemed to have felt considerable guilt all this time.

Since I couldn’t even tell how much time it took until Sing rescued me, I had decided not to deliberately point it out.

He might not know how to swim, or perhaps he was frozen in shock at the young lady’s criminal behavior. There were many reasons to be understanding if one chose to be.

Most importantly, as a witness, he had helped me, so if I had let it pass quietly, there would have been no need for him to be reprimanded.

‘There’s a limit to being principled… Baron Demish must have had quite a time raising his son.’

At his pure and transparent expression, I forcibly suppressed the smile that was about to leak out and opened my mouth.

“Bringing up an issue I deliberately decided to cover up with your own mouth… Now that it’s come to this, I’d look foolish if I just let it slide.”

“I’m prepared to accept any reprimand.”

“Not a single excuse. If viewed favorably, you could be called upright, but otherwise, you’ll hear a lot of criticism behind your back for being inflexible.”

“…”

“But just this once, I’ll be the one looking foolish.”

“…Pardon?”

“I like people like you.”

Just widening your eyes like that.

Among those who live with honesty as their foundation, with upright character that doesn’t bend their beliefs or principles, there are few who are inadequate people.

For instance, Penny is like that, and Marmint is like that. Marahan was a person who belonged to the highest tier among them.

I didn’t dislike this young knight before me who resembled the people I wanted to keep by my side.

‘That stubborn personality needs to loosen up a bit for marriage to flow smoothly… I can clearly see his future wife getting frustrated.’

Still, thinking that finding a suitable marriage partner for Knight Demish wouldn’t be too difficult, I was about to wrap up the small talk when it happened.

“Aren’t you going?”

The guy finally threw a tantrum.

I was left speechless by Sing’s absurd behavior of grabbing a handful of my hair and pulling it toward himself.

What is this ruffian-like behavior of interrupting a conversation?

Even when I glared at him fiercely with that meaning, somehow the guy looked even more displeased and glanced at Knight Demish with a sulky expression.

“Since we’re already in Jedo, I was going to stop by to get some clothes… Who’s been monopolizing all my fiancée’s time?”

“Ah… I’m sorry. Then, Lady, I’ll see you at the manor.”

“Oh, yes… You’ve worked hard.”

Because of the guy who immediately grabbed my body, turned me around, and dragged me away as soon as I replied, I felt uncomfortable thinking I hadn’t properly finished my farewell.

With his indifferent eyebrows and his arm boldly draped over my shoulder.

Wondering what had rubbed him the wrong way again, I whispered in a crawling voice.

“Are you joking? What family’s young master barges in so recklessly during a conversation?”

“What about the lady who left her fiancé standing there like a pillar?”

“I had to give my thanks.”

“The small talk was too long for just that. He was staring at you the whole time.”

“No, since he was having a conversation with me, of course-“

“Don’t look back.”

How did he know I was about to turn my head, concerned about Knight Demish who would be behind us?

Because of the guy growling so firmly, I had no choice but to walk staring straight ahead stiffly.

“Those eyes still following only you are so obvious.”

“…That’s going too far.”

“…that went too far.”

“Those aren’t ordinary eyes, darling. He definitely has feelings for you. Even if just a tiny bit.”

“You just won’t listen to what I’m saying.”

The guy who was as stubborn as anyone else was right beside me now.

As if Sing had noticed something in Knight Demish that I hadn’t read, he kept pouting his lips the entire time we walked.

Thinking that maybe I didn’t have enough composure to be wary of someone as old-fashioned as Knight Demish, I spoke in a deliberately soothing tone.

“He’s just a child anyway.”

“…Where exactly do you see that?”

But it didn’t work at all.

Come to think of it, despite his youthful and clear face that I had momentarily forgotten about, Knight Demish was a year older than me.

No, if you think about it, I’m twenty years old now, aren’t I?

While I was choosing my words to try to soothe him again, we arrived in front of Benitra’s carriage.

Only then did he speak with a somewhat softer voice.

“Boys grow up. Even if he still looks young, he’ll become a man soon enough.”

“…”

“Of course, for darling, there’s only me… But still, it’s good to be aware of it.”

Sing helped me into the carriage and kissed the back of my hand.

His expression as he spoke calmly was, how should I put it…

He looked impatient, yet somehow like someone who had given up on something.

‘What kind of scheme is he plotting now.’

I was extremely annoyed by his attitude.

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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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