“Her Majesty is waiting. Let’s go quickly.”

“Yes.”

Even during the short journey to the Empress’s palace, Lucas chattered like a sparrow.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Her Majesty the Empress. Is Her Majesty well?”

“Yes.”

“I’m nervous since it’s been a while since I’ve been to the Imperial Palace. I don’t know if I can greet Her Majesty the Empress properly.”

If Daniel or Isabel were beside him, they would have told him to please be quiet, but fortunately or unfortunately, there was no one to stop Lucas.

Thus, the three of them entered the garden where Ophelia was. Ophelia welcomed the children warmly.

“Welcome, Lucas, Rosette. Welcome, Joshua.”

“We greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

“We greet Your Majesty.”

Lucas and Rosette greeted with proper etiquette. Rosette’s posture had become a bit more natural than last time.

“Yes, have you both been well? Come to think of it, it’s been a while, Lucas.”

“Yes! I’ve grown much taller, haven’t I?”

Ophelia burst into laughter.

“Yes, you’ve grown a lot. You seem more mature too.”

“Really? Isabel elder sister says I’m still immature though!”

“That can’t be. You’ve grown so splendidly.”

Lucas grinned and scratched the back of his head.

Pipi, who was hiding in Rosette’s hair, also greeted.

“Yes, welcome to you too, Pipi.”

The four people and one bird sat at the round table, drinking tea and chatting pleasantly.

Mostly Lucas talked, while Rosette and Ophelia listened with great interest to his endless stories. Joshua listened with an indifferent expression.

As she listened to the ceaseless stories, Ophelia took the opportunity when Lucas paused to wet his throat and spoke up.

“I didn’t get to properly thank you last time, Rosette. I heard you played a big role?”

Rosette fidgeted with her hands.

“I didn’t do much. It was Pipi who found the Kish tree leaves.”

“Is that so?”

When Ophelia looked at her, Pipi, who had been pecking at bird feed, puffed up proudly.

After crumbling a cookie for Pipi, Ophelia continued to praise Rosette.

“But it was you, Rosette, who summoned Pipi. If it weren’t for you, I might have been in big trouble. I’m truly grateful.”

“It’s nothing. I only did what I had to do.”

“So, is there anything you want? I’d like to repay you somehow.”

“Something I want? There’s nothing in particular.”

“Well, I’m sure Duke Adrian ensures you want for nothing. Then is there anything you’d like to do?”

“Something I’d like to do…”

As she was about to say there wasn’t anything, something suddenly came to mind.

“Actually, I didn’t get to visit the library last time. Would it be alright if I took a look?”

“The library? Of course. That’s possible anytime.”

“Really?”

Rosette was excited. She had heard from Daniel that the Imperial library, including the Empress’s palace, was quite large, so she was secretly curious.

She had already visited the study in Adrian’s mansion, but she wanted to explore new places too.

‘I was disappointed I couldn’t go last time.’

As Rosette got excited, Ophelia gestured to Joshua, who had been sitting indifferently.

“Joshua, won’t you guide Rosette to the library?”

“Oh, it’s alright. If you could just assign a maid…”

But Joshua, who she thought would surely refuse, stood up readily.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Lucas backed out.

“I’m fine. I hate books.”

Ophelia laughed as she watched him shudder.

“Then Lucas, let’s enjoy more refreshments here. Oh, and you can visit the library anytime, so this isn’t my repayment. Think of another wish to ask me later.”

“Yes!”

Joshua tapped the arm of Rosette, who was smiling shyly.

“Then we’ll be going.”

“We’ll be back, Your Majesty! Elder brother, see you in a bit.”

Rosette scurried after Joshua, who had already left the garden. Her steps were light.

Joshua, who had climbed to the third floor without hindrance, stood in front of a large door with roses embossed on it. When he opened the door, Rosette couldn’t help but gasp at the sight that appeared through the gap.

“Wow.”

It was the library. Although the study in Duke Adrian’s mansion was large, this was incomparably larger. The bookshelves filled with books looked incredibly sacred to Rosette.

“Are you not coming in?”

When Rosette hesitated to step inside, Joshua asked while holding the door from the inside.

“Can I really go in?”

“Don’t ask unnecessary questions and come in quickly.”

“Yes!”

Rosette, who had been looking around on tiptoes, was immediately captivated by this place.

“Don’t just stand there, go and look around.”

When Joshua pushed her back, she excitedly climbed the stairs and began examining the bookshelves.

“Pipi, let’s go over there. There are plant encyclopedias you like.”

Joshua stared blankly at the pink hair moving away with the small bird.

‘Come to think of it, she did say she likes books.’

Last time, Rosette had said something like this.

– I’ve read a lot of books.

When she said that, Rosette’s eyes sparkled more than ever. Though her face darkened immediately after for some reason.

So Joshua wanted to bring her here at least once.

He wanted to see that sparkle in her eyes again, even if just for a fleeting moment.

‘But now that she’s gone off like that, I can’t see it.’

As he thought that far, Joshua suddenly realized that his behavior was strange.

‘I’m just repaying her for saving Her Majesty.’

He shook off such nonsensical thoughts and sat down at the table.

After wandering around for a while with Pipi, Rosette came back carrying a pile of books. Seeing her struggling to walk, Joshua summoned Silver.

Silver brought a basket that was in one corner of the library and approached Rosette.

“Thank you, Silver.”

Rosette, who had placed the books in the basket, sat across from Joshua.

“There are so many books. There were a lot in Adrian’s mansion too, but it’s no comparison.”

“That’s because this is the capital’s townhouse. The study in Adrian’s domain mansion is probably about this size too.”

“Really?”

Joshua shrugged.

“I haven’t been there myself, so I don’t know exactly. But that’s what I heard from Daniel.”

“Wow. I want to go to the domain soon.”

“You’ll probably go this winter.”

“That’s right.”

Originally, the Adrian family usually stayed in the capital, and spent winters in their domain. They only stayed in the capital last winter because of special circumstances.

‘I was really lucky.’

If Duke Adrian had gone to his domain, he wouldn’t have come to the orphanage, and wouldn’t have adopted her.

‘I’m really fortunate.’

Rosette sighed in relief and started reading a book she took out of the basket Silver had placed on the table.

“Do you like books that much?”

Joshua asked casually, watching Rosette hum as she turned the pages. Rosette paused in turning a page and asked back.

“Are there people who don’t like them?”

“Most people don’t like them, right? Didn’t you see Lucas earlier? He looked horrified just at the mention of the library.”

“That’s true. Lucas elder brother said he runs away because he hates attending lessons. He even told me where to hide so I won’t be found.”

Rosette smiled as she stroked a page filled with dense text.

“But I really like books. When I’m looking at books, it feels like I’m traveling here and there.”

“Can’t you just go and see for yourself? Didn’t Marquis Dallas do at least that much? He seems to cherish his children terribly.”

“Well… I was the ugly duckling.”

“Ugly duckling?”

“Yes. Don’t you know that fairy tale?”

“Ah, you mean that story.”

“Yes.”

Rosette murmured bitterly.

“I was the duckling that was ostracized from the duck flock for being ugly. Everyone pointed fingers at me, calling me worthless.”

“…”

Joshua closed his mouth, not knowing what to say.

‘I thought it might have been like that.’

At first, when Marquis Dallas said he was adopting a commoner orphan, everyone was puzzled.

Then when it was revealed that the child had talent for magic, everyone wanted to see Rosette Dallas.

But Marquis Dallas didn’t let Rosette out until she became an adult.

People made various speculations about this. There were some not-so-good rumors among them.

Still, the prevailing rumor was that Marquis Dallas cherished his adopted daughter who had talent for magic.

However, when Rosette Dallas made her appearance at her debutante, people belatedly realized that rumor was wrong.

Rosette’s condition was that bad. It might not be noticeable from afar, but up close, it was bound to show.

The texture of her hair, the glow of her skin, the upright posture and the aura that emanated – these were things that showed only after long periods of care.

Joshua too vaguely noticed that she had grown up without proper treatment.

But seeing Rosette with such a bitter face now made him feel strange. Perhaps she had received worse treatment than he had guessed.

‘But it’s different now.’

Rosette, who had grown up receiving plenty of love in the Adrian family, was 180 degrees different from her past self. Her hair and skin were glossy, and her cheeks and limbs had filled out nicely.

Above all, her attitude was different. The woman who used to hunch her shoulders and look around nervously was no longer there.

If there was one thing that hadn’t changed, it might be those blue eyes. Everything else had changed.

For some reason he couldn’t understand, Joshua was pleased with Rosette’s changes.

Thinking of Rosette talking with Pipi in the garden some time ago, Joshua asked without realizing:

“Didn’t you read that fairy tale to the end?”

“I did.”

“Then you should know the conclusion.”

“Pardon?”

“That the ugly duckling becomes a swan.”

“Yes, I know that. The duckling that was only hated grew up to become a beautiful swan, right? So all the animals that had looked down on the duckling were surprised.”

“Right.”

Joshua answered plainly.

“Then isn’t it the same for you?”

“Pardon?”

“You said you were the ugly duckling. Then aren’t you also a swan that lived among the duck flock?”

Rosette shook her head.

“How could that be me?”

Unlike in the past, she had gained confidence in her appearance. She also knew that she was no longer a worthless and incapable youngster.

But a swan? That didn’t seem right.

“Well, that’s something you’ll find out gradually.”

Joshua smirked. There was a strange power in his words. Even though he spoke without any particular emotion, Rosette felt as if she was being encouraged.

That she wasn’t an ugly duckling, but a swan that had lived among the duck flock, so wait and see.

She might be over-interpreting, but just the thought made her cheeks tingle for some reason.