The Youngest Daughter of the Swordsmanship Family Turned Great Mage - Chapter 53

“My match?”

“Adrian, of course.”

With that single word, everything was explained.

Among the children of the four ducal families in the Ernhardt Empire, Adrian was the only one to consider for marriage with Prince Joshua. The rest were either too old, too young, or had no daughters.

However, the Emperor, while coveting Isabel Adrian, the only daughter of Adrian, was somewhat dissatisfied with her.

The reason was that she, who excelled in swordsmanship, didn’t seem likely to live quietly in the imperial palace.

Such an Emperor showed interest in the newly appeared Adrian duchess. Although her commoner background as an adopted child was a slight issue, if her magical abilities were outstanding, it would be a different story.

The Ernhardt Empire, despite its name as an empire, lagged quite behind in magic. While it produced many Sword Masters, it had not produced any Archmages.

It was quite a famous story that the Emperor married a princess from Evelyn, a magic powerhouse, for the revival of magic.

The Emperor seemed to be thinking of keeping magical talents in the empire, even through political marriages.

“Well, I don’t think there will ever be anything special between me and the duchess.”

“Oh my.”

Ophelia widened her eyes in surprise once again.

‘This is really strange.’

It was the first time she had seen Joshua use the word ‘never’ and deny something so firmly. He had always been taught to use words that left room for people as a prince.

Moreover, his emphasis on this seemed to show that he was actually concerned about Rosette.

But somehow, it felt like she shouldn’t tease Joshua any further here. Ophelia decided to wrap up this topic casually.

“Well, it’s not time to consider your match yet anyway. You’re still young, and you have many days ahead to meet people. Someday, someone will capture your heart. This mother looks forward to that day.”

“My match.”

Joshua smiled somewhat bitterly.

“You must keep that promise, Mother.”

“Hm?”

“You must live long enough to see me meet my match and form a new family.”

“Oh my, I didn’t know you could say such things. Come to think of it, you’ve become quite mature lately. Was it since that day you had a nightmare?”

“…”

Ophelia took Joshua’s hand.

“It’s good to grow up quickly and become independent, but I wish you could stay in my arms a little longer.”

But Mother. I had to leave you unprepared. I didn’t want to, but I had to grow up quickly.

But now…

Joshua tried to shake off the gloomy past and smiled.

“I wish for that too.”

[This is the timeline separator]

“I need to find a doctor.”

[Beep?]

“A doctor who can take good care of the Empress.”

[Beep!]

Pipi flapped its wings beside her, urging her to think quickly. She tried to recall the past to meet expectations, but she couldn’t remember at all.

Rosette slumped onto the table.

“I can’t think of anything.”

[Beeeeep!]

“Even if you rush me, I can’t help it, Pipi. I was trapped in the Dallas mansion in the past too. How would I know about doctors?”

[Beeeeep.]

“Later, I’ll have to look for one myself. There’s nothing I can do now.”

Rosette closed her eyes with a disappointed face.

She wanted to see Joshua’s happy face, but it seems she won’t be able to.

[This is the timeline separator]

Ophelia Ernhardt was having tea time with the Emperor after a long time. The place where the two met was the greenhouse, rumored to be the most beautiful in the imperial palace.

The spring sunlight streaming through the transparent glass windows shone down on Ophelia’s head.

“I almost lost you. Who would have thought Lord Largo would do such a thing.”

“I’m sorry for causing you concern, Your Majesty.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Anyway, I’m really glad.”

“It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s care.”

“What care did I give? It’s all thanks to the prince.”

The Emperor burst into laughter.

“I thought he was still a naive child, but to think he had such observational skills. It’s unexpected. He seems to have courage too.”

“That’s right, Your Majesty. I was also a bit surprised to see Joshua like that for the first time.”

“I should reward the prince. I need to think about what would be good.”

“I’m honored, Your Majesty. That child will happily accept anything you give.”

With Ophelia’s answer, the conversation between the two was briefly interrupted.

The two had always been like this since they first met. They had a loveless marriage, and even after Joshua was born, they had no particular affection for each other.

Still, Ophelia thought of the Emperor as family. Even if she didn’t love him romantically, she respected him as a husband.

But the Emperor didn’t seem to feel the same way. On the surface, he appeared to care for Ophelia, but Ophelia always noticed that there was no emotion in his eyes when he looked at her.

But it didn’t matter. It was what she had expected when she came to the empire anyway.

However, it was frustrating and disappointing that the Emperor didn’t show affection even to Joshua, his only child.

It was too strange that he hadn’t even appointed him as Crown Prince until he was twelve years old.

Ophelia cautiously probed the Emperor.

“Come to think of it, Joshua’s birthday is coming up soon. Time flies so fast. It’s already been a year.”

“That’s right. Is the prince turning twelve now?”

“He’s turning thirteen.”

“Is that so? He’s grown up so fast.”

“So, about that…”

Just as Ophelia was about to mention the Crown Prince appointment, the Emperor pretended not to hear her and changed the subject.

“By the way, I heard that the Adrian duchess also helped in solving this incident?”

Ophelia answered with a forced smile.

“You mean the second duchess. Yes, the duchess and her familiar seem to have a deep knowledge of plants. Especially, I heard that the duchess’s familiar found the Kish tree leaves.”

“Oh ho.”

The Emperor’s eyes lit up with interest.

“The Duke did say that the duchess’s magic skills were remarkable, and it seems to be true. I know she’s younger than the second duke, but she’s already summoned a familiar? How old is she?”

“She’s eight years old.”

“She can summon a familiar at eight? It’s unlikely, but could the duchess be lying? Children often exaggerate to receive praise, you know. Honestly, I’m a bit skeptical that the duchess was of any help.”

His point was somewhat reasonable. That’s how remarkable Rosette’s achievement was.

However, to treat that kind and innocent child as a liar. Ophelia was slightly displeased but didn’t show it and defended Rosette.

“The duchess is not that kind of child, Your Majesty. She really did summon a familiar. I saw the duchess’s familiar myself. It’s true that the familiar helped in this incident.”

“Is that so? What kind of animal was it?”

“It’s a white sparrow that resembles the duchess. It’s cute and lovely.”

The Emperor, whose interest slightly waned at the word ‘sparrow’, muttered indifferently.

“I see. It would have been better if it was a more useful animal.”

“Of course, that would be nice, but familiars have value just by existing. With a familiar, you can perform more intricate magic…”

The Emperor raised his hand to interrupt Ophelia.

“So when will the prince be able to summon a familiar? Even an eight-year-old child summoned one, why is there no news even as he’s approaching thirteen? I heard that child also has talent in magic.”

“That’s…”

Rosette was exceptionally fast, it wasn’t that Joshua was slow at all. Yet the Emperor seemed displeased with Joshua.

“What are the prince’s magic teachers doing? We assigned the best magicians in the empire, yet why aren’t there any notable results?”

Ophelia calmly explained to the Emperor, who seemed ready to reprimand the magicians immediately,

“Your Majesty, as you know, familiars are normally summoned after the age of fifteen at the earliest. Joshua still has some time left.”

“Does the Empress think I’m saying this because I don’t know that?”

Ophelia fell silent for a moment, but soon spoke firmly.

“And the duchess often meets Joshua and teaches him how to summon a familiar. Won’t Joshua be able to summon a familiar quickly under the good influence of the duchess?”

“That’s it.”

“…Pardon?”

Ophelia hesitated for a moment, not understanding the meaning of those words. The Emperor explained.

“I mean the duchess and the prince. It would be good if they took lessons together. How about making the duchess the prince’s playmate on this occasion?”

“Playmate… you say?”

Playmate, in other words, could be called a play companion.

Usually, a child of the same age and gender is chosen as the playmate of a prince or princess. It was rare, though not unheard of, to choose someone of the opposite gender as a playmate.

Moreover, unlike same-gender playmates, opposite-gender playmates held a slightly more special meaning. Historically, there were quite a few cases of marriage between playmates.

As expected, the Emperor seemed to be thinking of linking the Adrian family to the imperial family through marriage.

Unlike the surprised Ophelia, the Emperor muttered, seemingly satisfied with his own opinion.

“Yes. The Adrian family is unmatched in swordsmanship, but they lack talents in magic, don’t they? Even with the Fire Witch, it’s not enough to teach the duchess. If she becomes the prince’s playmate, wouldn’t she be learning from the empire’s best magicians? It’s not a bad deal for Adrian.”

“But…”

“Is there a problem?”

“She’s still young. She’s four years younger than Joshua. Moreover, she’s not properly engaged in social activities. If we suddenly make her a playmate, and she’s not even the first duchess, everyone will find it strange.”

Above all, Duke Adrian wouldn’t allow it. He seemed to not want Rosette to be in the spotlight.

Moreover, would the Duke really send his beloved daughter to the stuffy imperial palace? In Ophelia’s opinion, not at all.

However, Ophelia tactfully omitted that part.

The Emperor rubbed his chin.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a shame.”

“And she still has a lot to learn from the Fire Witch. If you really want to make her a playmate, how about reconsidering when the duchess is a bit older?”

“Yes, the Empress is right. Let’s do that. I was too hasty. We’ll think about it again after some time has passed.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

With those words, the conversation was cut off again. For a while, only the sound of teacups clinking could be heard between them.

“Even if we can’t make her the prince’s playmate, I’d like to see her face at least once, but there’s no opportunity.”

“Ah…”

“Come to think of it, aren’t you hosting a charity party soon?”

“Yes. I’m planning to hold a simple tea party at the Empress’s Palace.”

“Will the Adrian family attend then?”

“No, the age group doesn’t match…”

“The young duchess should be the right age, shouldn’t she?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

The Emperor made an outright suggestion.

“How about inviting her then?”

“The guest list has already been made, but…”

Ophelia, realizing she couldn’t stop the Emperor, quickly complied.

“Let’s do that.”