Mad Rosetta - Chapter 9

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

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Rosetta Gone Mad

Episode 9

The Obedient Child Knows No Punishment (5)

Yet I had no intention of moving according to her wishes, so instead I gently wiped away the tears that had gathered at Odette’s eyes.

“I cannot help but worry about you, Bonita.”

Her wide-open eyes resembled those of a startled small creature. For a moment, I wondered if this was why Cessia had been so captivated—the way she stirred one’s heart—and felt a surge of emotion, but I endured it steadily.

“First, I was not offended. Rather, I was worried that you might resent me for correcting your mistake.”

“How could I ever resent you, sister?”

“It’s alright, Bonita. Though we are but a year apart, you are still young. You will improve with more learning.”

When I smiled warmly, Odette could not hide her true feelings and muttered her agreement reluctantly.

She seemed quite confused from morning, noticing that I was different from my usual self.

“Second, while I would dearly love to accept the flowers you give me… unfortunately, I must decline them for the sake of my health.”

“…”

“You’ve noticed too, haven’t you? That my health has deteriorated considerably.”

“…Has it?”

Odette’s expression visibly hardened.

Perhaps she had discovered Panilnia’s secret.

“Indeed. That is why you have always brought me those flowers to help restore my vigor, have you not?”

“…”

“I wondered why I coughed so frequently and suffered such headaches. It seems different plants trigger allergies in different people.”

“Ah…”

Seeing Odette’s visibly relieved response, I felt a twinge of displeasure, though there was nothing to be done about it.

In truth, I had deliberated at length whether to raise the issue of Panilnia’s harmful properties, but ultimately decided to postpone the matter.

The reason was simple—I could already envision how Odette would escape accountability: she would wail that she had unknowingly gifted her sister a poisonous plant, her performance so convincing that I would have no recourse.

For now, my best course was to engineer circumstances that prevented Odette from giving me Panilnia, while gradually applying pressure to keep her anxious about the discovery of her own misdeeds.

“How could I refuse a gift from someone as beloved as you? It is only that whenever the flower is near, my head aches terribly and my body grows weak. No matter how I try to endure it, I find I can bear it no longer.”

“It may not be the flower at all. Could it not be something else entirely?”

“That is possible. Panilnia, was it called? Your words hold merit, so I should perhaps seek out someone well-versed in botanical matters and commission them to investigate—even today, if necessary.”

“Oh, no! If you are experiencing discomfort, then it must be the flower. There is no need to go to such trouble.”

Odette’s frantic waving of her hands to dissuade me was almost pitiful.

I had never encountered a child so transparent. I found myself wondering what madness had possessed me during those bewildering days, and I barely suppressed a bitter laugh.

Had I died without witnessing the affair between Cessia and Odette, I would never have known that Panilnia was the cause of my nervous collapse.

I only accepted it as truth and removed it from my room because Odette herself had told me so directly.

“But I am worried, so if you feel unwell, you must tell me first, won’t you?”

“…Yes. I shall do so without fail.”

This could prove useful if handled correctly.

If I feigned continued suffering from the effects of Panilnia, I could create moments when Odette would lower her guard.

“Then I shall take my leave now, sister.”

To the very end, Odette left the door open, telling me to inform her whenever I wished to see the flower.

Marveling at her, I ordered Penny to escort Odette beyond the Rose Manor.

Get out. Get out this instant.

As Odette bowed her head and turned to leave, I realized there was something I’d failed to say, so I had to call her back.

“Wait, Bonita.”

“Yes?”

“The only flower I care for is the rose. I thought you should know.”

“….”

“Now, go carefully.”

I closed the door without waiting for Odette’s response.

Whether the tension had drained from me or I’d simply exhausted myself focusing entirely on her, I felt utterly drained.

Too weary to move, I slid down against the door and collapsed, whereupon Sing, who had been watching silently the entire time, approached me.

【Your patience is quite remarkable.】

“If you hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve made one more ghost companion for you today. What a shame.”

【Well… your younger sister isn’t to my taste. I’d prefer to decline.】

As Sing crouched before me and spoke in jest, a laugh escaped me before I could help it.

The moment he teased me about how lovely I looked when smiling, I quickly suppressed the laughter.

Still, I’d managed to overcome this small crisis safely, so I could afford to breathe easier.

【Sitting on cold floors isn’t good for you, darling. Come now, get up.】

“I have no strength in me, so stop being difficult.”

【Roundabout way of saying you want to be held and carried away by me… I can’t pretend not to understand. This is troublesome.】

“Ugh!”

How easily you speak such chilling words.

I dusted off my backside and rose to my feet, walking toward the desk when I heard snickering from behind me.

Sing, who had been spouting nonsense all along—saying I should just ask whenever I wanted to be held by the Princess, that he’d built up his strength for this very moment—finally closed his impudent mouth only after taking a book to the face.

To be precise, it was my hand holding the book that struck him.

Regardless, I had a strong premonition that his mischievous jests would soon become familiar to me.

* * *

With Sing’s company and no interruptions, evening arrived before I knew it.

Concerned that spicy food might upset my stomach, I ordered lamb stew, and the perfectly prepared dish was brought to my Study.

Since it was a favorite of mine, I cleaned the bowl entirely and instructed them to prepare several more portions to keep in the Kitchen.

Just as I was beginning to worry whether asking for that enormous Room to be completely cleaned in a single day had been too demanding, Penny arrived with news that the work was finished.

I quickly made my way there.

“You have arrived, Lady.”

“….”

I forced my slack jaw shut and surveyed the Room with dignified composure.

For a moment, I was utterly speechless—it was so transformed I could have sworn we’d moved into a new Manor.

The floor gleamed so brilliantly that I feared I might slip if I stepped carelessly, its original luster now fully restored and radiant.

The table that had been shrouded in dust, the curtain rod I’d angrily torn down because of Sing—everything had been returned to its proper place.

‘You could have done this all along, you lot….’

Seeing them covered in sweat and grime, I made no effort to suppress my laughter.

“I may have exaggerated when I said to make the floor shine like a mirror. What if you actually did it? Are you staging some sort of protest against me?”

“I am merely grateful that you have allowed me to recover my original purpose.”

“It seems that by administering punishment, I have only done you favors.”

Even as I spoke, I ran my fingers across the now-pristine furniture, allowing my satisfaction to show plainly.

Sing, who continued to babble nonsense about this being our newlywed chamber, no longer held my attention.

‘The Attendants’ meal time has long since passed. They will surely retire hungry tonight.’

Marahan aside, the remaining Servants had yet to relinquish the dissatisfaction burning in their eyes.

Though I would have preferred to conclude the matter with punishment alone, securing the future required incentives as well.

“You have all labored well. I hope this standard will be maintained going forward.”

“There is no question of it, Lady.”

“I have arranged for your evening meal in the Kitchen. Go and eat.”

I could see them exchanging glances, as though uncertain what to make of this.

I had grown weary of engaging in tedious power struggles with each Attendant individually.

Whenever obstacles arose during important matters, I would only exhaust myself quickly. I needed to stabilize the Attendants as soon as possible.

“You heard this morning that a Servant named Temari was dismissed, did you not?”

“…Yes, Lady.”

“I no longer intend to overlook those who display disrespect toward me. Therefore, you need only fulfill your duties. You understand my meaning, yes?”

At my words, instructing them to take today’s events as a lesson and serve as examples to others, they bowed deeply and affirmed their compliance.

Having concluded my instructions, I summoned Marahan for what I now required.

“Furthermore, Marahan. Since I currently lack a dedicated Maid, I am considering keeping a few Servants nearby for the time being. Perhaps three?”

“Yes, Lady. Do you have any particular Servants in mind?”

“There’s no such restriction. Among those working at Rose Manor, prioritize those who volunteer regardless of their household affiliation.”

“Understood. I shall compile the applicants by tomorrow and present them to you, Lady.”

“See that you do.”

As I dismissed them, everyone filed out of the room save for Penny.

I was utterly exhausted from having spent the entire dawn scheming and rushing about.

Eager to bathe and sleep, I commanded Penny to heat water, yet she responded with a listless voice, her shoulders sagging inexplicably.

‘What’s gotten into her now?’

The moment Penny left, Sing drifted over to my side with a truly absurd observation.

【I suspect she’s grown despondent because you’re taking on new servants.】

“Surely not. Isn’t it good to lighten her workload?”

【Ha! What an insensitive master you are. Though she’s only served you for a single day, had you seen the pride radiating from her face when you acknowledged her, you couldn’t possibly be so cold.】

“What do you mean by that…?”

【A superior’s recognition wields far greater influence over a servant’s pride than you might imagine, darling. You’ve just doused the flame you kindled in that child’s heart with cold water.】

He lectured me like some tutor, and I found myself frowning involuntarily.

‘So she assumed she’d serve me for at least several more days. But the moment I announced I’d be hiring dedicated servants, she realized she’d be returning to her original position and grew sullen. Is that what he’s saying?’

What a cunning little thing!

Sing was insufferably loud with his endless prattling—lecturing me about cultivating sensitivity, asking whether I’d be equally cold if he ever sulked—yet my mood remained unsoiled.

After all, I had never harbored the slightest intention of dismissing Penny.

“Cease your chatter, Sing. I never intended to send Penny away from the start.”

【Then why did you accept volunteers from three candidates?】

The boy tilted his head with a puzzled expression, asking the question.

I responded with indifference, as though he were asking something painfully obvious.

“I will find Odette’s connections.”

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

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