The Youngest Daughter of the Swordsmanship Family Turned Great Mage - Chapter 64

“Huh? Little one, aren’t you sleeping?”

“Elder brother Lucas?”

Why was Lucas, who should be sleeping in his room, here? And even holding a pillow?

Lucas looked at Rozette’s puzzled face from side to side.

“You’re not crying?”

“Crying? Me?”

“Yeah. I thought you might be crying because you were scared of the thunder and lightning, so I came because I was worried.”

“I don’t cry over such things.”

[Beep beep.]

“Pipi was a little startled though.”

“Hmm, that’s a relief then.”

Even after confirming that Rozette’s eyes were dry, he didn’t leave.

“Aren’t you going to sleep, elder brother?”

“Umm.”

After pondering for a moment, Lucas flopped down next to Rozette.

“I want to sleep here tonight.”

“What?”

“You never know. You might cry because you’re scared after I leave.”

“I told you I won’t cry.”

Rozette pushed Lucas’s legs with her toes. It was a silent signal for him to leave quickly, but Lucas resisted by tensing his whole body.

Finally, Rozette gave up.

“Just for tonight.”

“Alright. Hey, Pipi. You’re happy I came too, right?”

[Beep beep…]

“See. Pipi says he’s happy too.”

“Pipi says you’re annoying.”

“What?”

Lucas questioned Pipi, who had somehow gotten under Rozette’s pillow.

“Hey, chick. Did you really say that?”

[Beep.]

“Really?”

“Elder brother, if you’re noisy, I’ll kick you out.”

“How am I being noisy?”

Lucas grumbled but closed his mouth.

But then, the door opened again and a dark shadow entered.

“What’s this? Lucas, why are you here?”

It was Isabelle.

The two children looked at each other in disbelief.

“Why did you come, elder sister?”

“Of course I… Anyway, why are you here?”

“I was worried about the little one!”

Lucas grinned and patted the space next to him.

“Great. Elder sister, let’s sleep together.”

“No way, why should I?”

“The little one is scared.”

“When did I…”

“Alright. Just for tonight.”

Before Rozette could even deny it, Isabelle answered and lay down next to Lucas. The large bed wasn’t even half full with the three children lying on it.

‘How did it end up like this?’

Rozette thought while looking at the ceiling. Meanwhile, the sound of thunder continued outside.

Every time it thundered, Lucas would say, “Don’t worry, little one. Your elder brother will protect you,” and pat her hand.

It wasn’t necessary at all.

It was when the thunder rumbled for the third time.

The door opened more carefully than the previous two times, and Daniel appeared.

He peeked inside with just his head and chuckled.

“So you’re all here.”

He quickly approached to check on his three siblings.

“Did you two come because you were worried about Rozette?”

“Yeah!”

“Well, I wasn’t particularly worried.”

Daniel laughed out loud at the contrasting answers. Lucas made a suggestion to him this time too.

“Elder brother, sleep here too. You can lie down next to elder sister.”

“No, I…”

“Hurry!”

“Well, shall I then?”

Finally giving in to Lucas, Daniel lay down next to Isabelle. Now the bed was half full.

“I wonder how long it’s been since we all slept together like this. Right, kids?”

At Daniel’s admiring words, Lucas said brightly,

“It’s the first time sleeping with the little one!”

“That’s true.”

The room that had only heard Pipi and Rozette’s voices now echoed with the children’s voices.

As time passed, the door opened once again.

It was obvious who would come this time.

“Father!”

Lucas sat up abruptly. Duke Adrian’s eyes widened in surprise as he discovered the four children huddled together.

“So you were all here.”

“We all came because we were worried the little one might be scared!”

“Yes. We came to check briefly but ended up deciding to sleep together.”

“Who said they were worried?”

“I’m not scared…”

Duke Adrian kissed the foreheads of the children, each of whom had something to say.

Lucas asked brightly,

“Father, do you want to sleep with us too?”

“I’m fine, dear.”

“Aw…”

“Instead, I’ll stay by your side until you fall asleep.”

He brought a chair next to the bed and sat down.

Even after that, the chatter of the four Adrian siblings continued for a while.

Then Rozette suddenly realized.

‘The thunder and lightning were just an excuse.’

Of course, the thunder and lightning might have been one of the reasons.

But more than that, the family had come for Rozette, who might have been disappointed today. Worried that she might be sobbing alone in her disappointment.

‘It’s an unnecessary worry.’

But it warmed her heart. So much so that she regretted, if only for a moment, that she had wanted to meet her birth parents.

Why had she been curious about birth parents she had never seen when she had such a good family?

Rozette closed her eyes, tightly gripping the blanket.

“Hey, little one. Are you asleep?”

Lucas’s voice grew more and more distant.

Today was happy, but may tomorrow be an even happier day than today.

[This is the timeline separator]

Duke Adrian looked at the report with a serious face.

His aide summarized and explained the contents of the interrogation of the woman they had caught today.

“The woman’s name is Anita Gwelin. It was revealed that she works for human traffickers.”

“That human trafficking, could it be…”

“Yes. They mainly kidnap children like the young lady and hand them over to nobles. According to Anita Gwelin, there are many who desire young ladies.”

The aide lowered his voice.

“…I see.”

Duke Adrian’s face became even more serious.

‘I thought such a day might come someday.’

Adrian was famous enough that even children in the Empire knew him. Even nobles in neighboring kingdoms knew his name.

With fame came side effects, even if unintended. Enemies were made, and he encountered people who coveted Adrian’s reputation and wealth.

Children, in particular, were vulnerable. Duke Adrian had strived to protect his beloved children from the moment they were born. The same was true for Rozette.

In some ways, Rozette was even easier prey for people.

A naive little child who didn’t know much about noble families. Moreover, unlike the other Adrians, she had no talent for swordsmanship and was small and frail.

It meant she could be easily harmed if someone intended to do so.

That’s why the Duke was relieved in another sense that Rozette had talent in magic. He thought that even if she couldn’t use self-defense techniques, she could protect herself sufficiently with magic.

However, when he learned that her magic skills were far more exceptional than expected, no, when he learned that she was called a genius, he felt mixed emotions.

‘I was happy, but also worried.’

What parent wouldn’t be pleased that their child is capable?

But he was anxious that Rozette might face hardships.

Being an adopted child of commoner origin was enough to make people talk, but to have outstanding magical talent on top of that? To ignorant people, wouldn’t it seem like Duke Adrian had adopted her coveting her talent?

‘And I thought people might target her too.’

So he hid as much information about Rozette as possible. He hid the fact that she had saved him and that she had summoned a familiar.

However, after preventing the Empress’s poisoning, Rozette gained attention. As it became known that it was her familiar who discovered the Kish tree leaves, her magical abilities naturally drew attention.

Moreover, this time she prevented a large-scale accident, completely focusing public attention on her.

So he thought there might be people targeting her.

But he didn’t expect them to appear like this.

Human trafficking?

What would have happened to Rozette if they hadn’t rescued her?

The Duke’s eyes gleamed fiercely as he thought about something that hadn’t even happened. He stood up and instructed his aide.

“Interrogate Anita Gwelin further. Make sure she doesn’t die, tell Celeste to use healing magic. Prevent suicide as well.”

“Yes.”

“Investigate the background and catch the human traffickers. We can’t let such things roam around in the Empire.”

“Understood.”

“Continue to report if there are any unusual developments.”

Duke Adrian got up from his seat and went to find the children who were now sleeping.

Daniel, Isabelle, Lucas, and Rozette were sleeping peacefully in one bed.

Pipi, who was sleeping next to Rozette’s pillow, opened its eyes feeling someone’s presence.

[Beep?]

“Shh. You’ll wake Rose.”

Pipi, blinking its eyes, recognized who it was and closed its eyes again.

Duke Adrian stroked Pipi’s head with his thumb and then gently kissed Rozette’s forehead.

“Sweet dreams, my dear.”

This daddy will protect you so that bad things can’t come near you, so you grow up seeing only good things.

Duke Adrian, muttering inwardly, carefully left the room and instructed Sebastian.

“Prepare to go to the estate.”

“The estate… you say?”

“Yes.”

Sebastian was a bit surprised. The Adrian family usually stayed in the capital until autumn and left for the estate in winter. It was still autumn now.

“The capital is certainly good for suspicious individuals to wander around. I should spend some time watching the children grow up at the estate without coming to the capital for a while.”

“I understand. I will give instructions to prepare for departure immediately.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m just doing my job.”

“Indeed.”

Duke Adrian lightly patted Sebastian’s shoulder and headed back to the room.

[This is the timeline separator]

The family’s sudden decision to go to the Adrian estate was made.

The four siblings, who were skipping morning training and lounging on Rozette’s bed, were surprised by Sebastian’s words.

“Adrian estate? Why so suddenly?”

“The master said he wanted to show the young lady the beautiful scenery of the estate. Autumn is as lovely as winter, isn’t it?”

“That’s true! Little one, as you probably know, our Adrian estate is in the northern part of the Empire. Winter comes earlier there than other places! Even if we go now, the leaves will probably be changing color?”

“Wow.”

“It snows more than in the capital too? When we go, you can see snow to your heart’s content!”

[Beep!]

Pipi was more excited than Rozette. Lucas tapped Pipi’s beak as it hopped around.

“Of course you’re coming too, Pipi!”

“The master has gone to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. He said we’ll leave as soon as he returns, so let’s hurry and prepare.”

“Alright! Everyone, let’s get ready!”

The four siblings scattered to their rooms to pack. Rozette also packed the essentials with the maids.

“Can I take this doll?”

Rozette asked, hugging the doll that Anthony Huxley had given her, which was actually originally hers. Joan nodded.

“Of course. I’ll put it in the bag.”

“Mm, thank you.”

While everyone was busily moving about like this.

[Beep?]

Pipi, who was sitting on Rozette’s head, flew to the window.

Outside, Silver was looking up. Joshua, who had heard the news, had sent Silver.

Even though there was no need to hide anymore, Silver deliberately entered through Rozette’s room window.

“Kyaaa!”

“A wolf!”

The maids who were packing Rozette’s luggage panicked. Rozette, who was peeking out while packing her study books, wondering what was happening, greeted Silver.

“Silver! Over here!”

Silver rushed over and pounced on Rozette.