Mad Rosetta - Chapter 80

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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 80

As Long as You Reach Your Destination, Any Path Will Do (2)

“This is roughly the relationship between the Duchess and the Butler… Do you have any other questions?”

“…I’ll ask if anything comes to mind. My head is spinning from hearing so much all at once.”

“Yes, please do. Other details besides what I’ve mentioned are attached in the documents, so feel free to take them with you.”

As he said, even skimming through the documents, I could tell they contained a wealth of information.

Yet it was hard to concentrate, because my mind was filled with images of Lianna and Lawrence busy mocking Father and me.

Despite having worked at the nobleman’s estate for several years already, why didn’t they include that in their career history?

‘Epsilon… No, there’s no other reason except that he had to appear completely unconnected to Lianna.’

These cunning bastards must have deliberately infiltrated our household.

Otherwise, how could we explain the coincidence of Lianna becoming my stepmother, or her reason for giving me poisonous herbs and driving me mad?

How could we explain all those events, including the future murder of Father?

‘How should I tear these bastards apart?’

I was angry, and angry again.

Their terrifyingly close and sticky relationship was disgustingly chilling.

Their malice toward our household, with whom they had no connection whatsoever and to whom I could confidently say we’d never caused any harm, seemed to paint my vision blood red with rage beyond fear.

When Father mentioned divorcing Lianna.

For a brief moment, I thought that if our connection with them ended there, we might at least maintain a comfortable life.

I never expected to learn in such a way how naive that thinking was.

‘You… How fortunate that you’re such villains.’

Their vicious nature, so evil I couldn’t spare them even a drop of sympathy, truly put my mind at ease.

It would be me who couldn’t live with a sound mind without killing them.

Some intense longing surged within me.

“Then may I explain the second commission?”

“…Ah, about that. It’s fine, could you just give me the documents?”

Perhaps because I replied too indifferently for someone who had commissioned the work?

He paused mid-sentence and stared at me intently, as if unable to understand my intentions.

‘I already heard it from the person involved.’

Since I learned everything from Sing – not only the circumstances of his assassination, but also that the rebellion had been planned since the heavy-drinking Emperor’s health began failing – there was no need to hear more.

Come to think of it, during our last meeting he wanted to know why I was commissioning an investigation into the Imperial Court. Perhaps that’s why he looked so uncomfortable.

“Well, instead I’d like to commission something else. This is also related to the Imperial Court.”

“…This is rather confusing. Didn’t you argue with me last time because you were so curious?”

“One can lose interest in worldly affairs, and become curious about other things…”

What’s this, why do I feel intimidated?

He glared at me with sharp eyes for a moment, then pressed near his throat as if it ached.

Wanting to avoid his gaze due to some unknown pressure, I casually looked at Sing sitting beside me, but for some reason the guy’s pupils were excessively dilated as he watched him.

‘Why is he acting like this now?’

My puzzlement at Sing’s inexplicable reaction was brief.

Determined not to be overwhelmed by his presence, I quickly blurted out what I had to say.

“I’d like you to find the First Princess, who is known to have renounced the world.”

“…”

“Yes, I mean the half-sister of the current Emperor.”

“That’s impossible.”

“…Why?”

I was quite taken aback by his reaction – first showing great surprise upon hearing the commission, then immediately refusing in a cold voice.

As if my reaction was the incomprehensible one, he asked back with even his visible eyes furrowed.

“Then let me ask the reason as well. Why are you looking for a royal who has left the secular world?”

“You did this last time too, always asking unnecessary questions.”

“You said you’d tell me the reason once I completed the Imperial Court investigation, so I’d like to take that as payment instead.”

“Why should I bother with someone who won’t even take the commission? And when did I ever say I’d tell you the reason-“

I was momentarily flustered and lost my words when Sing’s hand suddenly blocked my view.

“Selina?”

“…”

“…Selina, is that right?”

Though not as startling as the guy’s question.

‘…Are you insane?’

I was so shocked I looked back and forth between Sing and him.

The agent before me was clearly male, judging by his build, voice, and even his curved lines.

But no matter how much he missed his sister, what kind of nonsensical question was this?

Even when I urgently grabbed and shook the hem of his robe to make him come to his senses, Sing now glared and spoke in an angry voice.

“No, no… That can’t be. I never heard anything about the Second Empress having a hidden child around Selina’s age. It seems both this bastard and that bastard are skilled at deceiving the Imperial Court.”

“…”

“You’d better tell the truth. What exactly is your identity-“

“That’s what I want to ask.”

…This is insane.

I was beyond shocked, frozen stiff with my body rigid as my thoughts stopped.

In an instant, a sword that sprang from behind the sofa separated Sing and me.

I couldn’t even turn my head.

Awkwardly rolling only my eyes to watch whoever was behind me, it seemed to be the guide I’d seen in the waiting room.

‘So please, make some noise when you move…’

I just wanted to make a simple commission, but now I’m about to get stabbed.

Though I was frightened by this precarious situation.

Since I felt more absurd than anything, I was about to scold them asking what the hell they were doing.

I was left speechless by his appearance after removing his robe and mask.

“There’s a limit to how much annoying behavior one can tolerate…”

“…”

“Now even worthless nobodies dare to babble insolently about empresses and the Imperial Court.”

…I had heard of this before.

⌜Hair like silk flowing down in amber waves gleams as if sprinkled with ground topaz. Eyes like lime are indistinguishable from peridot, bringing peace to those who behold them…

Thus the jewel of the Imperial Palace can shine forever without wilting.⌟

At first glance, this seemed like verse praising Princess Selina’s beauty, but interpreted differently, it was not.

In the Imperial Palace, ‘bringing peace’ was criticism that one was completely non-aggressive politically along with succession, and it was reproach comparing her to luxury goods like jewels, condemning her for not fulfilling her duties by never showing herself or taking any action.

But why did the man before me look exactly like the description in the verse about Princess Selina?

“Lanche. We need to see these bastards’ faces first.”

“Yes.”

“…? W-wait…!”

Before I could say anything to stop him, the guide who had been threatening us with his sword removed our masks and pulled down our robes as well.

‘Damn it! There’s no manners worse than this!’

At this truly absurd situation, I glared harshly at the agent while fixing my disheveled hair.

He too seemed to recognize who we were upon seeing our appearance, uncrossing his arms and furrowing his brow deeply.

I needed to stay calm. Setting aside that our identities were completely exposed, the man before me also seemed significantly entangled with the royal family.

So I intended to somehow break through this difficult situation by deliberately crossing my legs and pretending to be relaxed.

“Seeing that you even have Duke Muas by your side, you really do seem to be Selina herself.”

“…”

“Well, this is something… I never knew I had a younger brother instead of a younger sister.”

Sing spoke as if he found it utterly absurd.

From the context, Duke Muas seemed to refer to the guide called Lanche.

And his sarcastic remark about having a younger brother instead of a younger sister meant…

‘…What kind of country has this many birth secrets?’

It seemed that the person I had known all along as the Princess was actually a Prince.

And it was the man right before my eyes, who had been acting arrogantly and fighting with me all this time.

I closed my eyes tightly, half in resignation.

Above all, since Sing also seemed to have no intention of hiding his identity, it looked like the two men would need a long conversation.

And for good reason, just look.

Due to Sing openly blabbering without hiding anything, as if saying ‘I know you’re Princess Selina,’ the ominous sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath could be heard from behind once again.

“…Youngsik. Spouting incomprehensible words won’t do you any good.”

“Now I see, was your habit of constantly touching your neck when feeling uncomfortable also to hide your Adam’s apple that’s growing like a man’s?”

“…”

“My goodness, I wondered why you insisted on wearing those stuffy dresses that come all the way up to your neck… I’m so dumbfounded I can’t even speak.”

“…How strange. Youngsik shouldn’t have even dared to look at me.”

“…”

“Setting aside the fact that you seem to know who I am. I’m very curious as to why you’re acting so presumptuous as if we’re close.”

He’s angry. He’s definitely angry.

Who said Princess—no, Selina—wasn’t aggressive?

The intimidating presence of him asking with such dilated pupils and a frighteningly cold expression reminded me of Sing from some time ago.

“For a greeting to a brother you’re meeting after several years, it lacks courtesy.”

The problem was that Sing’s mood didn’t seem very good either.

“W-wait…!”

Seeing Selina’s expression finally turn menacingly distorted, I shouted urgently, not even minutes after resolving to stay quiet.

It was to mediate between the Princes who didn’t know how to have a proper conversation at all.

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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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