Mad Rosetta - Chapter 84

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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 84

As Long as You Reach Your Destination, Any Path Will Do (6)

“I’ll introduce you to Lord Cessia later. He’s a wonderful person, so I’m sure you’ll like him too, Odette.”

From the time the adults began seriously discussing remarriage, I had to meet that child even more frequently.

A strange princess.

How could her thoughts be so transparently visible? Every time I faced her, I had to make an effort not to sneer.

The image of my mother, who had been eagerly awaiting this moment saying the time had finally come, remains vivid even now.

Contrary to expectations, the girl from Benatra I saw was wealthy and beautiful, but merely an ordinary young princess.

No, rather, her uninhibited attitude was quite remarkable compared to the princesses I had seen so far.

Still, the etiquette and depth of learning that occasionally emerged were surprising… If she continued to develop, I could say she wouldn’t be too bad.

That child would run and embrace her father as soon as she saw him, and show off flower rings she had made while fidgeting around.

“Lawrence, Lawrence. Come here.”

“Hmm, what interesting story is our Lady Rosetta trying to tell us now?”

She often smiled showing all her teeth while holding onto Lawrence in the middle of the corridor.

– “Huuk, I’m hungry. I’m hungry, Lawrence…”

– “Shh… This is all something the Duchess is doing for Lady Odette. You don’t know how much my heart aches when you cry like this.”

I remember being five years old.

When I skipped dinner on my mother’s recommendation that weight control would be good.

Unlike me, who secretly ate cake that Lawrence gave me while holding my breath…

‘…How vulgar.’

That child simply existed so boldly.

What solidified my feelings about that child was the day she alone showed my mother and me around the Duke’s mansion.

“Rosetta. May I give you some advice to commemorate legally becoming your mother?”

“Advice?”

“Yes. I’ve only been watching until now, but… It would be good for you to learn that hastening your steps or running is behavior that goes against the dignity of a princess. This could be a matter that raises doubts about Rosetta’s qualifications, so this is sincere advice.”

“…Is that so.”

That child, who replied without a trace of a smile, saying she knew what the lady was concerned about, felt a little different from usual.

At that moment, I came to realize certain facts.

“But this is a bit strange. To think that walking a bit fast in my own household would make people doubt my qualifications.”

“…Pardon?”

Being transparently visible meant it belonged to someone who knew that even if they revealed everything about themselves, no one could criticize them.

The excessively bright smile was consideration to let the opponent escape from a presence too sharp to be called merely a child.

“Whether I run around the corridors or sit on the garden floor. Even if my dignity is criticized like today…”

“…”

“No one can forget that I am Benatra, madam.”

Only fourteen. Just a one-year difference.

Yet just speaking in that dry tone was frightening enough to take my breath away.

I couldn’t even check my mother’s expression due to the overwhelming pressure I felt for the first time in my life.

That arrogant and confident attitude was completely different from the learning I had been training in, so perhaps it was close to bewilderment.

Therefore, I felt wronged.

‘You were just born in a duke’s house. The one who should truly be a princess, as mother says, should be me…’

Why did I feel shame from my mother’s criticism at that moment?

Me, who was born an Epsilon, and you, who had everything I wanted.

That clear laughter, the countless dresses packed in the room. The dozens of attendants who moved for only one master.

Even Lawrence, who was the only kindness in that shabby manor…

Since it was all rightfully mine, it was natural to hate you beyond dislike.

Deep, deep roses that bloom year-round without wilting.

In a manor where your fragrance vibrates like an unextinguishable ember, I could only endlessly wish for you to disappear.

* * *

I looked into Odette’s eyes, which were so full of hatred that even calling her venomous would be a euphemism.

‘No reason not to hate me…’

What a trivial reason, enough to make me feel foolish for bothering to ask her intentions.

I felt even emptiness at Odette’s insincere answer, and immediately walked straight to her and slapped her cheek.

Not a ‘smack!’ but a ‘crack!’ friction sound rang out, and a scream-like shriek burst from Odette.

My palm stung and ached.

“You! You’re cra-“

“I slapped you hoping you would come to your senses. To discipline you, who has nothing you won’t say to your sister.”

“How, how dare you to me right now-“

“Penny.”

Ignoring Odette, who was sprawled on the floor covering her cheek that had quickly turned red, I extended my hand to Penny.

Then, after the sound of hurried footsteps, a plate containing soup was handed to me.

I kindly even bent down and placed the dish in front of Odette’s knees.

Her shoulders trembled, and eyes clearly filled with humiliation looked directly at me.

“How can you be useful if you skip meals? Now stop making our children suffer.”

“…”

“…I didn’t know you were this stupid.”

“Ah, kyaak!”

I quickly grabbed her hair and shoved her toward the plate, and Odette struggled, desperately trying not to bend down further.

My hands were constantly scratched and stung from Odette’s nails as she frantically demanded I let go immediately.

“Still don’t understand your place?”

Nevertheless, I put more strength into the hand gripping her hair and spoke as if chewing the words.

“You’re, you’re crazy! Aak! Let go of this right now!”

“Listen carefully and engrave this, Bonita. You who returned to the household are nothing but a criminal.”

“This! Someone, why isn’t anyone stopping this!”

“No matter how much you struggle like this… It means you can’t drink tea and change dresses as if you’re on vacation in the spacious and comfortable Lili Hall.”

“Hu, huuk. It, it hurts- Ah!”

This time I roughly pulled her hair back, and Odette’s head swayed greatly as she met my eyes.

“Eat.”

“Hu, you… Are you in your right mind-“

“I won’t say it twice, Bonita. If you don’t consume the food in front of my eyes right now, then I’ll tie up your whole body and shove food into your mouth.”

“Hu, huuu…”

Even seeing her crying in such a wretched state, I didn’t feel pleased or satisfied.

I was just amazed, remembering all the humiliation I had suffered from this withered woman.

Frustrated? Resentful?

If you imagine how disgusting and repulsive your own appearance must be, you’d want to gouge out the eyes of the children here right now.

But what could someone like you possibly do?

When I didn’t let go of her hair even as her eyes moved as if looking for a spoon, she finally lowered her head.

“Urk, ump. Huuu…”

Nibble nibble. With a face covered in tears and snot, you chewed the food only with your mouth.

Yes, crawl. Crawl like a beast and remember with your body what you did.

“Now you’re finally understanding your sister’s words properly.”

“Huup, ump…”

“From now on, when you refuse meals, I won’t take the food away but leave it piled up in your room. Again and again. Unless you want to smell the stench of rotting food piling up day after day and sleep with swarming insects… From now on, eat well and take care of your body.”

“Hu, cough! Huung…”

“Always keep your head down, my younger sister.”

Only then did I release her hair from my hand, and Odette sobbed even louder, her back heaving.

‘…Having done this much, she should be quiet while I’m away.’

Despite wanting to torment Odette to the point of exhaustion, I had to leave for Terkikan tomorrow.

So it would be better in many ways to make her understand her place before leaving.

I didn’t feel she was worth consoling, so I left the room as is, and Marahan, who followed behind me, urgently grabbed my hand and was horrified.

“Lady, you must go get treatment immediately.”

“Yes, I should. I pushed myself a bit because I felt Bonita wouldn’t listen unless I was this firm with her.”

I said this while smiling brightly.

As if they couldn’t even remember the master who had just been grabbing hair moments before, Marahan and the children simply looked at me with pitying eyes.

‘…The favoritism seems so extreme that they’ve lost their sense of judgment.’

Anyway, after catching Odette like catching a mouse and heading to the room, the physician who had come to treat my injured hand stood at the threshold for a moment and glanced at me narrowly.

It was an irreverent look as if to say “you again,” but having quite a track record, I obediently received treatment.

After that, I chose Penny as the maid to accompany me to the Terkikan border, and spent time giving detailed instructions on what the children should take care of while I was away.

“Just follow what’s been decided. As usual… you all know well what I mean.”

Most of it was hints about managing Odette, but since they were sharp children, I had no choice but to trust they would do well.

And so the next day. I headed for the Kingdom of Terkikan.

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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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