Mad Rosetta - Chapter 95

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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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Rosette Gone Mad
Chapter 95
A Princess Must Possess Acting Skills as a Basic Accomplishment (2)
With my gaze fixed on the empty corridor, I spoke in an even tone.
“You’ve heard that I was abroad not long ago, haven’t you?”
“…Yes, I have heard something about it.”
“Well, I met a young cousin there, and goodness, how she threw tantrums. Yet because the entire Royal Family held that child in such esteem, even I—who had never known her before—found her nothing but charming.”
Marmint continued to alternate her bewildered gaze between me and the Academic Building, as though utterly baffled by my sudden remarks.
Naturally, because there were classrooms where lectures were being held.
As we drew closer, several students came into view, and the sound of boisterous chatter reached our ears.
“Seeing that child, how could you not come to mind?”
“…Wait, what are you—”
“She was like a child who walked only upon morning dew. Yet you never indulge in a single whimper, and despite possessing such talent, you harbor not the slightest arrogance.”
Among students dressed entirely in uniforms, my dress and Marmint standing beside me could not help but stand out.
As curious eyes began to focus on us one by one, had she grown embarrassed?
Marmint grasped my forearm firmly, her face flushing without restraint.
“So then, what shall we do?”
“Why, why have we come here…?”
“For one as cherished as you, should I not lay down a crimson carpet that no one else could ever tread upon?”
The moment I finished speaking, I clapped my hands together with a resounding snap.
Marmint, startled enough to tremble at her shoulders, and the gazes of countless unnamed students instantly fixed upon me.
I shone my eyes with the coquettish and bashful brilliance of a princess possessed by Odette herself.
“Our! Marmint studying so diligently in her lecture hall. How wonderful—I was so excited I couldn’t even sleep!”
“…What. Wait, wait.”
“Ah, truly…. I simply hoped you would enjoy your studies, and yet I sent you away. But seeing you pursue nothing but top marks makes me so worried that I cannot rest easy without witnessing your environment with my own eyes.”
“Princess, please, just a moment.”
“The reason you study so hard—it isn’t because you’re waiting for me while seeking a better position elsewhere, is it? Once you graduate, Benatra will come to welcome you…. You wouldn’t be so heartless as to say ‘I love studying’ and leave, would you, Marmint? Hmm?”
“….”
No matter how flustered you become, I won’t stop.
Since sending Marmint to the Academy, I have maintained steady correspondence and even had people secretly investigate her circumstances.
As a result, I confirmed that no student has openly bullied or disparaged Marmint for being an orphan and a commoner.
Yes, that was always under the premise of ‘openly.’
As evidence, even now, among the students whose eyes met Marmint’s, aren’t there numerous children who avert their gaze like culprits or flinch in surprise?
Marmint might not mind such petty jealousy or disdain, but my position was entirely different.
‘Hazard was a special case, but…. Because of that, the comparison with Marmint became all the more stark.’
The difference between a child who naturally knows she walks a path of flowers and a child who, even when given a path of flowers, keeps turning toward the roadside, is devastatingly immense.
Marmint had been a cautious child from the moment we first met.
Amusingly, because of the unfiltered irritation I displayed then, we maintain a more comfortable relationship than with others.
Yet as Marmint grows older, that distance will naturally widen.
My status ensured it, the watching eyes ensured it, and the laws of this nation ensured it.
‘So rather than being conceited, shouldn’t I raise this child who doesn’t even know how remarkable they are to at least understand their own worth?’
What I’d entrusted to Marmint could honestly be monitored through letters alone.
Thus, today’s visit was essentially titled: ‘My child, Benatra’s child. Touch them and I’ll make you pay.’
If anyone dared speak ill of me, they deserved my displeasure.
If anyone showed disrespect to me, they needed to learn that it was an insult to those I carried on my shoulders, and I would not let it slide.
My favored one deserved nothing less.
“P-Princess! I understand! I really do, so let’s stop now….”
“…Marmint?”
I was crossing the corridor, making quite the spectacle.
Whether drawn by the commotion or by chance, a boy suddenly appeared.
‘Oh, crimson eyes.’
Vibrant orange hair paired with bright red irises.
A boy with a rather refined face.
Whether acquainted with Marmint or not, he met her gaze with a bewildered expression.
Then his eyes locked with mine, and he visibly startled.
“L-Let’s go! Come on, Princess!”
“…Sure.”
And Marmint, looking several times more flustered than the boy, linked her arm through mine and dragged me away.
…There’s something suspicious about you.
* * *
“Who is that?”
Rather than touring the Lecture Hall, I was dragged by Marmint straight to the Guest Hall.
The moment we arrived, I sprawled against the sofa and asked with deliberate authority.
“…Just a senior with a few overlapping classes.”
“So you’re saying medical studies…. Ah, Schuteram?”
“…Eh?”
The way her eyes widened as if she’d seen a ghost was answer enough—I’d hit the mark.
I observed Marmint’s unnaturally stiffened demeanor with keen attention.
Eyes of such vivid crimson were not commonly seen in the Empire.
Perhaps even rarer than my father’s and my own violet eyes.
There were a few names I knew.
If a young noble around Marmint’s age from the Schuteram family attended the state Academy near the Capital City, close to the Southern Region?
They were certainly from the Schuteram Count Family.
‘The direct line has the traditional obligation to complete medical studies…. This must be it.’
The Schuteram Count Family.
Not a vassal house of Benatra, but belonging to the Southern Region, so I knew of them well enough.
For generations, they had made their trade in manufacturing and supplying nobles with fragrances, salves, and sedatives.
As such, specialized knowledge was essential to the foundation of those who would lead the family.
‘Which is why, regardless of whether they’re the eldest or not, they send all their children to the Academy once they reach admission age.’
From what I knew, Schuteram’s eldest son had already come of age and was designated to inherit the family business.
So the child I saw today must be one of my younger sisters.
– “How is Marmint doing?”
– “I heard from the Academy Director that she’s the top of her class. I don’t know why she doesn’t mention these things. And in today’s letter… .”
– “… Lady?”
– “A senior confessed to her?”
– “My goodness.”
– “Bring me a pen.”
I couldn’t fathom why, at this very moment, a memory of the day I received a letter from Marmint came flooding back.
“… Was it you?”
“W-what do you mean?”
“You received a confession from a senior, didn’t you? Was it you, Schuteram Young Master?”
“… .”
… Ah, so that’s it? I was right.
The reason she had been so startled was because she was reluctant for the identity of the one who confessed to her to be revealed.
Perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed, Marmint hunched her shoulders while lowering her gaze.
Her reaction was absurd, but… .
More than that, I felt a complicated emotion at Marmint’s innocence—her inability to tell even a simple lie convincingly.
‘I’m certain I lectured her stubbornly back then, telling her to focus on her studies.’
Could it be that her sponsor had hinted at something, causing her to hide it?
Feeling a touch of pity, I deliberately laughed as though it were nothing serious.
“Well, yes. The… the young man’s character seemed quite respectable. He was a student with a very promising future.”
“… What are you saying, really. That’s not it at all.”
“No, I’m not the type of person who would scold a child I sponsor for pursuing romance instead of studies… well, actually, I am that type. Honestly, I am.”
“… .”
“B-but Marmint, your grades are excellent too. And? You even captivated the Schuteram heir! My, to balance both work and love like this-”
“Ah, I turned him down.”
“Ah, right. What? Why?”
I reflexively asked the question, then caught myself and pressed my lips together.
Marmint gave me a look of disdain at my foolishness.
The more I saw that gaze, the more I grew accustomed to it, and even fond of it.
“I won’t tell you. But it’s really not because of that.”
“… Then what is it?”
“… It’s the work that the Princess entrusted to me. Not that, but… I received help from Schuteram Young Master. So I was worried that if he showed up at this particular time, the Princess and I might connect him to the research we were advised on. That’s why I avoided it.”
If that happened, there was a possibility the research could be disrupted, Marmint mumbled somewhat defensively.
I felt apologetic toward Marmint for being so cautious.
At the same time, I was quite surprised to learn that the Schuteram heir was skilled enough in pharmaceuticals to offer Marmint advice.
‘… It was a bit dangerous, wasn’t it.’
Well, what I had requested from Marmint was a medicine that didn’t exist in this country.

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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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