The Youngest Daughter of the Swordsmanship Family Turned Great Mage - Chapter 42

To be honest, Rosette thought she could keep everything a secret from her family for her entire life. No, she wanted to keep it a secret.

But after meeting Joshua, her mind changed.

‘I don’t want to deceive my family.’

In the distant future, after all the fighting was over, she wanted to tell her family the truth and ask for forgiveness.

“Even if Dad or elder brother don’t forgive me, there’s nothing I can do. Even if my family knows the truth and hates me…”

Imagining those eyes full of affection turning to contempt made her choke up. She tried to speak as calmly as possible, but her voice trembled.

“Still, there’s nothing I can do. It’s all my karma. But not now. Saving my family safely comes first.”

Rosette clenched her fists.

“So I’ll really try not to get kicked out. I’ll definitely prevent the empress’s poisoning too. So you have to help me too, Pipi. Understand?”

[Beep!]

Perhaps due to the tension easing, her eyes started to droop.

Rosette yawned once and mumbled with slurred pronunciation.

“So I’ll protect everyone, no matter what. Dad, elder brother, elder sister Isabel…”

And Joshua, that man too.

Thinking that without realizing it, Rosette soon fell asleep.

Pipi tried to cover Rosette with a blanket, struggling with it in its beak, but soon gave up and lay down on the pillow to sleep.

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Peaceful days continued after that. Rosette attended lessons with Lady Noyer and Celine at set times. Outside of lesson times, she played with Lucas or Melody.

Thanks to Duke Adrian’s words, she no longer struggled to do well. She didn’t even do unnecessary preview that wasn’t assigned. She just diligently followed what the two teachers instructed.

‘Still, I was praised for doing well.’

Unlike in the past when she tried hard to avoid being hit by Marquis Dallas or to receive praise, Rosette now enjoyed the lessons themselves. Even to her, it felt like a positive change.

She also became quite close with Melody and her elder brother Joseph.

Joseph in particular, facing his knight’s oath, openly went around saying he would make his oath to Rosette. Lucas guarded against him even more strongly.

Everything was peaceful. Except for one thing.

‘But why isn’t the prince contacting me?’

It had been a week since there was any contact from Joshua, who used to forcefully barge into the mansion saying he would see Rosette.

‘He said he’d contact me soon, but I guess the wolf isn’t coming today either.’

Rosette, who waited for the wolf by the window every night before bed, wandered near the window again today before climbing into bed.

That’s when she fell asleep.

[Beep!]

Pipi, sleeping at Rosette’s bedside, detected something and flapped its wings vigorously.

“Pipi, be quiet…”

Rosette, mumbling in her sleep, opened her eyes wide and ran to open the window. At the same time, Joshua’s familiar leaped through the window in one bound.

“Wolf, it’s been a while!”

As Rosette welcomed it happily, the wolf nuzzled its face against her waist. Joshua’s resolute voice leaked out from the necklace around the wolf’s neck.

With those words, Rosette and the wolf froze. Joshua spoke as if commanding.

“The imperial palace? But how can I?”

The wolf, which had been lightly touching Rosette’s ankle with its fluffy tail, whimpered like a puppy.

The wolf looked at Rosette with eyes as if asking for help. But what could she do?

Rosette whispered sorry as she hugged the wolf’s neck tightly.

“Let’s see each other again next time, wolf. Go safely.”

The wolf made one more groaning sound before slipping out the window.

After that commotion passed, the next morning.

Rosette soon understood what Joshua meant.

“What’s coming?”

“A letter from Her Majesty the Empress.”

Isabel muttered, looking at the letter that the head butler had just personally delivered. Rosette glanced at the wax seal stamped on the letter and asked back.

“How do you know it’s a letter sent by the Empress?”

“You can tell by the seal stamped here. You’ll learn about it later in your etiquette lessons too.”

“I wish I could learn it soon. I’m curious. But does the Empress send invitations directly to elder sister?”

Wow, I didn’t know our elder sister was such an important person! Rosette was a bit excited. On the other hand, Isabel answered as if it was no big deal.

“Yes, she sends them occasionally.”

“Occasionally?”

“Yes. Oh, did I not tell you? Our late mother and Her Majesty the Empress were close friends. The Empress is also the godmother of us three siblings.”

“I don’t think you mentioned it.”

“Well, I’ve told you now. Anyway, that’s why I often went to the imperial palace with mother to see Her Majesty. After mother passed away, I hardly visited even when invitations were sent.”

Rosette looked at Isabel smiling slightly bitterly and carefully asked.

“Why didn’t you go?”

“Just because. What would Her Majesty have to talk about with a little kid like me? I’d just be a bother. So I didn’t go, but…”

Isabel, who had been answering diligently while reading the letter, slightly furrowed her brow.

Lucas, who was munching on butter-roasted potatoes next to Rosette, chimed in.

“What is it, elder sister? Did something happen to Her Majesty the Empress?”

“No, it doesn’t seem like anything’s wrong. She just says she wants to see Rose.”

Just then, Rosette, who was drinking freshly squeezed orange juice, choked for a moment. Isabel patted Rosette’s back, who was coughing, seemingly indifferently.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Her, Her Majesty the Empress wants to see me? Why, why, why, why?”

“Why else? She must be genuinely curious.”

“Why is she curious about me?”

“I told you. Her Majesty the Empress was close friends with our late mother. That’s how much Her Majesty cherished us three siblings. She thought of us like her own children. So of course she’d be curious when she heard there’s a new youngest. So you should go greet her too.”

“That…”

“It’s not a suggestion, it’s an order. You have no choice.”

Isabel said firmly as she folded the letter.

“Her Majesty the Empress says she wants to see you. Can you refuse that? At least I can’t.”

“Ugh, no. I can’t either.”

“Then we’re going. It’s in three days, so get ready.”

“Yes.”

Only after answering did Rosette realize this was Joshua’s plan.

‘So that’s what he meant by coming to the imperial palace soon.’

So this visit wasn’t simply to see the Empress, but to find clues about the poisoning.

Thinking that made her more nervous. She had talked big to Joshua, but now that it was actually happening, she was afraid.

‘Will I be able to do well?’

As if hearing Rosette’s worries, Isabel said.

“No need to worry. You’ve done well so far.”

“Pardon?”

“You’ve attended your etiquette lessons well, and you’ve improved a lot in practice too. Just do as you’ve been doing in front of Her Majesty the Empress.”

Isabel, who had been cold since the letter arrived, smiled slightly.

“Besides, I’ll be going with you, so if there’s a problem, ask me for help. Understand?”

Ah, now Rosette felt like she finally understood Isabel. She wasn’t good at expressing herself, but she cared for and worried about Rosette just as much as Daniel or Lucas.

Seeming indifferent but watching from behind and supporting when needed. That was Isabel Adrian’s way.

Rosette nodded.

“Thank you for worrying about me.”

“Whatever.”

Isabel turned her head abruptly. However, the white ears visible through her platinum blonde hair were flushed red for a moment.

“I wasn’t particularly worried.”

Rosette laughed quietly.

Thanks to Isabel, meeting the Empress didn’t worry her as much as before.

[This is the timeline separator]

Time passed quickly and the day to visit the imperial palace arrived. From the morning, Joanne and the other maids began noisily dressing up Rosette.

Rosette looked at her reflection in the mirror with a slightly stiff face. Today she was wearing a white dress with elaborate lace.

It wasn’t as fancy as an outing dress, but it was made of high-quality material that felt good on the skin.

Apart from feeling good about wearing pretty clothes, Rosette was currently very tense.

‘What if I make a mistake in front of Her Majesty the Empress? What if I can’t prevent the poisoning?’

With various thoughts, she was exhausted even before going to the imperial palace.

As Rosette sighed deeply, Isabel came to her room. She was wearing a white dress that was fancier than usual but simpler than Rosette’s.

Seeing Isabel made her feel a little relieved.

“Are you all ready?”

“Yes.”

Isabel approached and adjusted the ribbon tied around Rosette’s neck once more.

“You look pretty.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s go then.”

“Yes!”

The two rode in the most luxurious four-horse carriage of the Adrian family and headed to the imperial palace.

Throughout the journey to the imperial palace, no conversation took place in the carriage.

Rosette kept her mouth tightly shut, worried that if she opened it, her rapidly beating heart might jump out, while Isabel looked out the window with a thoughtful face.

Rosette was curious about what her elder sister was thinking, but again couldn’t ask.

Finally, the carriage arrived at the imperial palace. The guards immediately let the carriage in after seeing the Adrian family crest engraved on it.

When the carriage arrived and the door opened, Isabel, who was about to get out first, flinched. Rosette also belatedly surprised at the person standing outside the door.

‘Did he come to monitor?’

It was Joshua Ernhardt. Unlike when he came to the Adrian mansion last time, he was wearing fancy ceremonial clothes.

“I’ll escort the young ladies.”

Joshua held out his hand towards Isabel. The Adrian family knights who were originally supposed to escort the two children stood behind him with restless faces.

Isabel glanced at the knights before taking Joshua’s hand and getting out of the carriage.

“Your Highness seems to like surprising people these days.”

“Well, let’s say that’s the case.”

Joshua now held out his hand to Rosette, who was standing awkwardly.

“Shouldn’t you get out too?”

“I…”

Rosette looked at Isabel with a face asking for help. Isabel nodded once as if to say it was okay and said.

“Get out, Rose. His Highness is waiting.”

“Yes.”

It should be fine since Isabel was there. But Rosette’s tense body wouldn’t cooperate.

Rosette hurriedly took Joshua’s hand and got out. Wanting to let go of his hand quickly, she stumbled in her haste to get out.

“My, the little lady lacks caution.”

Joshua sneered as he wrapped his arm around Rosette’s waist.

Despite his young age, his strong arm firmly supported Rosette. She inhaled sharply at the suddenly close distance.