Mad Rosetta - Chapter 98

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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 98
A Princess Must Possess Acting Skills as a Basic Accomplishment (5)
“There is nothing quite so regrettable as a problem that arises from failing to nip it in the bud, wouldn’t you say?”
“….”
“It is troubling when curiosity is mistaken for sincerity, but…. Recklessness that knows no bounds—surely it falls to those of us who have matured first to provide proper guidance, does it not?”
As Carina spoke with a pleasant smile, the corners of her eyes crinkled, and her golden irises vanished from sight.
Eliminate your rival. That was what she meant.
‘…If I just play my cards right at this moment. I might gain some benefit from the Imperial Court?’
There was no way Carina could be unaware that Odette currently fell under my jurisdiction.
Her urging that I not overlook the girl’s transgressions was tantamount to giving me her backing.
As for the Butler, though he hailed from the prestigious House of Bardam, he possessed no title.
But Lianna and Odette still bore the name of Benatra as nobility.
If I could prove that Lawrence murdered my mother, he would inevitably face the executioner’s block.
However, without revealing that Lianna had conspired in it, executing either her or Odette would be difficult.
“If I were to break a long-standing promise, surely unfounded rumors would attach themselves to the innocent Princess as well, would they not?”
“…Yes. I am sufficiently concerned about it.”
“Then perhaps preventing the source would be of benefit to the young lady’s future, would it not?”
Rather than bearing the label of a Princess whose marriage failed, punish Odette.
Carina’s persuasion, heard at face value, seemed like a reasonable course of action.
‘Why are you conveniently leaving out your own wayward child?’
But it takes two hands to make a sound when clapping.
She spoke as though this entire mess had arisen solely because of Odette.
The way she portrayed Cessia as a victim as well left me deeply displeased.
“…For Your Majesty to think of me in such a manner. How could I possibly be so ungrateful as to betray your kindness?”
“Hehe. I had wondered if perhaps my concerns ran too deep.”
“I shall not take the Empress’s intentions lightly.”
But there was no reason not to accept.
When the time came to corner Lianna and Odette, I would handle it according to law, but with far harsher measures.
When the opportunity arrived, she would naturally aid me.
I replied with that understanding, offering a subtle smile, and she too lifted her teacup with evident satisfaction.
‘She’s pleased too soon….’
Imagining how Carina’s expression would change in an instant, a sense of vindication surged through me.
“…Your Majesty, in truth. I accepted today’s invitation because there was something urgent I needed to tell you.”
I deadened my emotions as much as possible and spoke with an air of unease.
“Hmm? What is it, my lady?”
“…Would it not be possible to clear the room?”
Anxiety and restlessness.
It was somewhat difficult to manifest an expression of fear at daring to broach such a topic.
But as I glanced nervously at the palace attendants, Carina regarded me with questioning eyes, her gaze steady and searching.
But I quickly had everyone leave the room.
“Well then, perhaps it’s become a bit easier to draw out what’s hidden inside.”
“…I am fully aware that this is an impertinent question. Nevertheless, I must ask.”
“….”
“Are you truly the biological mother of Montague Youngsik?”
My shoulders tensed visibly, and I poured weight into each word.
The moment my question fell, Carina froze rigid.
– “What if…. Even without the Empress Dowager summoning us together, wouldn’t it be better to confess?”
– “…You mean the fact that I’m occupying Fordicus’s body?”
– “Yes. It doesn’t seem like much will change anyway. I’m not expecting you to believe it all at once, after all.”
This was what I needed to accomplish in my private audience with her today.
To make Carina aware of Sing’s existence.
Whether I or Cessia revealed that the current Cessia was Sing didn’t matter either way.
‘…Look at that glare.’
Was it meant to intimidate? No.
Carina kept her lips firmly sealed to conceal her agitation, her eyes blazing with barely contained fury.
She must be confused.
To have her secret—something no one else could possibly know—exposed in the most unexpected place and by someone other than the person involved would naturally be bewildering.
“Please. I beg you, Your Majesty. Tell me the truth.”
“…I find myself uncertain how to reproach the Princess for such reckless words.”
Carina’s eyebrows rose sharply at the desperation in my voice.
Her overwhelming presence made my body stiffen for a moment, but my course had long been set.
I had to cry out as though I were someone with nowhere to retreat.
“But Montague Youngsik is being held hostage!”
“…!”
“…By the Former Emperor!”
All for the sake of my so-called fiancé, Doliedo.
To the Empress Dowager, you too must become a victim. Sing had emphasized this from the moment he began formulating the plan.
The idea was to pressure her into confessing the current Imperial Family’s treason, while maintaining the position of a victim being blackmailed with Cessia as leverage.
This way, it would align with Carina’s will to protect Cessia. The likelihood of her devising a scheme to harm me prematurely would diminish.
And look at that.
“…Explain in detail, Princess.”
She was asking me in a voice thick with confusion.
I continued hesitantly, as though terrified someone might overhear.
“Actually…. From some point onward, Youngsik began acting strangely. Yes, that’s right. Ever since the coronation ceremony this year.”
“….”
“After that, he seemed to grow closer to Bonita, and he treated me coldly. So, feeling hurt, I once confessed this to Youngsik, and then….”
“….”
“He said he was the late Calastaan, and asked if Fordicus—no, Montague Youngsik—knowing he was the Empress’s biological son, had married me because of that, and he….”
Goodness, Odette could certainly whine well.
Unable to summon tears, I instead let out only choked sobs, clutching my chest tightly as I continued speaking.
“At first, I thought he was spouting madness. It made no sense whatsoever.”
“….”
“Yet he spoke of how snow never accumulates at the junction in the Eastern Corridor of Imperial Palace even in winter. How there are three emergency passages in His Majesty’s Imperial Chambers. He explained Imperial Court matters to me with such meticulous detail.”
“…Such things-”
“And he called himself ‘Sing.'”
“…!”
The moment I mentioned that name, Carina could no longer conceal her true feelings.
Watching her face turn ashen as though she had glimpsed a Faceless Ghost itself, I lowered my head deeply.
It was to hide the contempt in my gaze toward her shameless and repugnant nature.
“He said it was a hidden, alternate name. Thus I presume to ask His Majesty without courtesy.”
“….”
“Are the words I heard from Youngsik—no, from that man—truly factual?”
Despite my earnest question, Carina did not answer.
To confirm it would be to admit her own shame, so her silence was inevitable.
“…I do not care if Montague Estate is connected to the Empress. I simply wish to reclaim my betrothed from the one who claims to be the Former Emperor.”
“…Reclaim? What do you mean Youngsik is being held hostage?”
“It means that man is living while occupying Montague Estate’s body.”
Meeting Carina’s eyes, I understood why Sing had succeeded in his revenge merely by revealing his existence to her.
Her pupils, wide with disbelief, held sorrow and despair within them.
They were unmistakably those of someone lost, not knowing what to do.
She must be tormented by anxiety that her own child was held hostage by the one she had slain, and fear toward this unknown entity.
‘Well, it’s all karma, isn’t it.’
Sneering inwardly, I opened my mouth, preparing to conclude.
“What he did to my Younger Sister and what he did to endanger our marriage. All of it was his doing.”
“….”
“He threatened me, saying that if he does not achieve what he desires, Montague Estate will not remain unharmed either. In such circumstances, what am I to do….”
“What is it that he desires?”
Her eyes, now filled with despair as though she had come to believe everything I said, fixed upon me.
I spoke with absolute firmness and coldness.
“Confess your own sins and restore the foundation of the Imperial Court to its rightful order.”
“….”
“That is what he told me to convey.”
Speaking as Sing’s representative.

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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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