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Chapter 4
The Mad Rosetta
Rosetta Coco Benetra (4)
It felt like a sharp, sour sting—like that wicked maid had poured vinegar instead of scented oil.
“Tell me. How long have you been working here?”
“…Sigh. It’s been just over a year.”
Perhaps I hadn’t hit her hard enough, because the maid answered me with a sigh, as if she still had leisure to spare.
“A year and more, hm…”
That should be enough time to learn the master’s preferences with your eyes closed.
Just what kind of insolent look is that?
You look more like the master here, you wretched thing.
I tried to stay calm, but inside I was boiling.
I dug my nails into my thigh again just to endure it.
I had so many scars there already it was almost impressive.
“What is your name?”
“…Temari.”
“Good, Temari. Go and fetch the head maid.”
“The head maid is currently on leave, my lady.”
Leave?
No wonder she was acting so bold.
Without supervision, she probably thought any punishment would just be dismissed as “the young lady threw another tantrum.”
“When is she returning?”
“…Sometime this morning. I don’t know the exact time.”
“Then fetch the butler.”
The maid’s eyes widened.
“…Right now?”
“Are you questioning me?”
“The butler is currently very busy—”
I cut her off and slapped her twice—left and right.
Her face turned red. Whether from anger or pain, I didn’t care.
“For the last time. Bring the butler.”
Within minutes, knocking sounded at the door.
I tilted my chin, signaling the maid to open it.
The butler entered with a stiff, formal greeting—only to freeze when he saw me in nothing but a robe.
Behind him, Temari looked smug, as though she had gained a powerful ally.
“I was told you summoned me.”
“Is it true that the maid behind you has been working here for over a year?”
“Yes… more or less.”
“Then tell me. Do you know what fragrance I prefer?”
“…Orphedom’s Romeo Garden, if I recall correctly.”
“Correct.”
I leaned forward slightly.
“Then explain to me why a servant who still doesn’t know her master’s preferences after a year is still employed in this household.”
Until yesterday, my thoughts had been clouded by Panillnia poison.
But now—
My mind was frighteningly clear.
Today… I clean house.
The butler hesitated, glancing at me strangely.
I suppose it was understandable.
The “Mad Young Lady” who usually screamed and threw things was now speaking far too logically.
“…I will take her and educate her properly. May I ask you to show mercy this time, my lady?”
Temari looked offended, but before she could speak, the butler silenced her.
“If you refuse, I will report this directly to Father.”
At that, Temari finally snapped.
“Servant discipline is the lady of the house’s responsibility!”
I narrowed my eyes.
“What did you say?”
“…Ah! N-No, I misspoke.”
“So it is not your mother’s responsibility?”
“Th-That’s not what I meant—”
I clicked my tongue.
“How careless. Truly.”
Then I sighed dramatically.
“Your incompetence reflects poorly on the mistress of the house. Therefore, I will report this to Father immediately and request that the current lady of the house be investigated for negligence.”
Temari went pale.
The butler panicked immediately.
“My lady, I apologize. I will ensure she is disciplined properly under the madam’s supervision.”
“Even the butler is incompetent now? How troubling.”
“I will correct this immediately!”
“Take her out.”
Temari began crying as she was dragged away.
Soon, only one maid remained—the red-haired one who had been quietly observing everything.
“What is your name?”
“…Penny Halfne, my lady.”
She trembled like a frightened rabbit.
“Penny Halfne. What do you want to do?”
“I-I will reheat the bathwater… and prepare appropriate oils for you…”
Despite her fear, she spoke clearly.
Good instincts.
From that moment, I assigned her my bath and grooming duties.
And surprisingly—
She turned out to be competent.
So competent, in fact, that I had to change the bathwater twice because all the accumulated filth kept coming off my body.
It had been a long time since I felt so clean.
* * *
On the way to the main manor, I felt unusually refreshed.
Penny was quite skilled.
Normally it would take three or four maids to handle my preparation, but she managed alone.
Still, there was one problem—
I had no proper dress for public wear.
And wearing outdated dresses meant looking like Odette’s imitation of a saint.
Absolutely not.
I’d rather walk naked.
The thought of Odette acting pitiful and winning everyone’s sympathy made my neck tighten.
I was about to excuse myself with “I overslept” when Penny returned holding a dress.
A beautiful Tiffany-blue gown.
“It looks like a gift. It wasn’t even unwrapped, so it’s still perfectly clean.”
A gift?
No note.
No sender.
There was only one person who would do this.
I didn’t need to ask further.
After some time, I stood before the mirror.
【Oh. You look pretty.】
That wasn’t me.
It was Sing, who had somehow appeared behind me again.
I refused to acknowledge him.
My face—
A little more color returned to my cheeks.
My collarbone no longer looked skeletal.
My skin had regained a faint glow.
Even my body, once painfully thin, was now hidden beneath soft fabric and a shawl Penny had added.
“You’re quite skilled,” I said.
“Th-Thank you, my lady…”
Why is she turning red?
Before I could think further, she fastened a pearl necklace around my neck.
Elegant. Subtle. Perfectly noble.
I stood.
And then I noticed Sing staring again.
【You really should be mine, darling…】
I ignored him.
If I responded, I’d start screaming at empty air again.
Soon, I walked to the dining hall with Penny and the ghost trailing behind me.
The butler greeted me at the entrance.
“I’ve been waiting for you, my lady.”
The doors slowly opened.
Too slowly.
As if the world itself didn’t want me to enter.
Or perhaps it was just me.
Inside—
Two women were already seated.
“Rosetta, you’re late. Are you still unwell?”
“I’m glad you came, sister. Everyone’s been waiting.”
Lianna.
Odette.
The two women who had wormed their way into House Benetra like parasites.
The women who had ruined my father.
The women who had killed me.
My heart began to pound violently again.
