The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 207

207. Side Story 2: Preparing for the Wedding (1)

May 25, 2024

“But it makes me a little sad that you say you feel relieved. Do you really like it when I’m not around, Oppa [older brother or term of endearment for an older male] ?”

Rosette leaned her head on Lucas’s shoulder and grumbled, causing him to flinch.

“I said I felt relieved, not that I liked it.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“It’s different!”

Lucas ruffled her hair haphazardly.

“I just… well, I just thought you’ve been studying and working so hard until now, so I wanted you to take a good rest for a while.”

“…Pardon?”

“I want you to do all the magic research you want. I didn’t even want to say this, but I’m upset, so I have to say something. Aren’t you wasting your talent, being such a capable genius—no, a genius that comes along once in hundreds of years?”

Rosette couldn’t bring herself to say anything to that.

“I know His Highness is very considerate of you. I also know that His Majesty has granted you permission to continue your research in the Imperial Palace.”

“……”

“But it will definitely be different from now. As the Crown Princess, you will have a lot of responsibilities, and you may not be able to do what you want as much as you like.”

“……”

“I’m not against the marriage itself. I just want you to enjoy this peaceful time a little longer.”

Lucas held Rosette’s hand tightly.

“You’ve lived fiercely enough so far.”

Rosette felt a lump in her chest.

To be honest, she thought Lucas was a bit immature.

He would bicker with Rosette about everything, and sometimes he would speak and act as he pleased, to the point where she thought he might be hot-tempered.

She thought he was just being grumpy because something was wrong. She never knew he would be so seriously thinking about her future.

It was definitely a life like a storm that rushed in without a break. Before her regression [reincarnation or time travel], she was used by Duke Dallas, and after turning back time, she was nervous not to repeat the same mistakes, so she never had a comfortable day.

She hadn’t even completely shaken off the guilt of killing Duke Adrian and Daniel until recently.

As Lucas said, it would be nice to stay under Adrian’s protection a little longer, and it would be nice to study as much as she wanted, but…

“That’s right. You may not know it, Oppa, but I’ve lived incredibly fiercely.”

From the moment she opened her eyes in a shabby orphanage, her life was a continuous series of tensions without a moment’s rest.

Lucas had no way of knowing, but she had been running to protect him and Adrian.

“But that’s the same for Joshua.”

“……”

“I want to be a cabin where Joshua can rest comfortably. I have Adrian, but Joshua doesn’t have a place like that.”

Ophelia was there, but to Joshua, she was someone to protect, not someone he could freely complain to.

“And if we get married next spring, there’s still a year left. Can’t I just rest and relax until then?”

“Really……”

Lucas sighed deeply and pushed Rosette’s head back with his finger.

“Why are you so desperately trying to persuade me? The marriage was already decided the moment Father approved it anyway.”

“But I also wanted to receive your blessing.”

“You silly little kid.”

Lucas smiled as if he were frowning. Before she knew it, his eyes were glistening with tears.

“There’s no way I wouldn’t bless you.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Lucas hugged Rosette tightly.

“You’re my most precious and beloved sister, so I’ll respect whatever you do, Rose.”

Rosette’s eyes widened. Soon, tears began to well up in her eyes as well.

“You always call me a little kid, but you call me Rose at times like this?”

“You’re complaining even when I treat you like an adult. So, do you hate it?”

“No, well, it’s not that I hate it, but…”

The nickname Rose also had affection in it, so it was nice to hear.

However.

“I think I still prefer being called a little kid by Oppa.”

Lucas chuckled.

“Yeah, little kid. Once a little kid, always a little kid, right?”

“Not forever……”

“Be prepared. I’ll call you a little kid even when you’re a stooped old woman.”

“That’s pretty scary.”

Lucas and Rosette burst into laughter at the same time.

The two siblings were unaware that the other three members of the Adrian family and Joshua were quietly watching them from afar.

* * *

“Welcome, Mrs. Adrian.”

Rosette lifted her dress and greeted her playfully. Ines laughed like a child and playfully bent her knees in return.

“Thank you for welcoming me, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Not yet.”

“Then shall I call you the future Crown Princess?”

It wasn’t wrong, so there was nothing to refute. Instead, Rosette naturally changed the subject.

“Where’s Daniel Oppa?”

“He said he was going to talk to his aide for a while. He’s been away from work for a long time.”

“Oppa is busy as soon as he arrives.”

“I know. I feel a little sad because it seems like he’s overdoing it, but what can I do? I married him knowing he was like that.”

“Then shall we go up first? I’ll show you the room.”

Rosette linked her arm with Ines’s and began to climb the stairs.

“How was your trip? Did you have fun?”

“Yes. It was so enjoyable and happy that I felt like I was in heaven. You have no idea how beautiful the emerald-colored sea was. I was even thinking of going on a trip together in the summer.”

“I’m fine with that. I think Lucas Oppa would like it too. I’ll have to check if Isabel Unnie [older sister] can take a vacation first, though.”

Three weeks ago, Daniel and Ines got married amidst the blessings of many people. Empress Ophelia and Crown Prince Joshua even attended as guests, which became a hot topic.

Even the Emperor sent a handwritten letter and lavish gifts to congratulate the wedding.

The two enjoyed a reception party at the Rivera Marquis’s residence and then left for their honeymoon at the Ketlyn estate’s villa, which was known for its beauty. And they had just returned.

So, this was the first time Ines had come to the mansion as Ines Adrian.

“I decorated the room considering Unnie’s usual taste. I tried to pay attention to it, but I don’t know what you’ll think.”

Ines looked around the room where she would be staying and smiled brightly.

“I like it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s the atmosphere I like. It looks bright and warm, doesn’t it? The room I stayed in at the Rivera mansion was like this too.”

“That’s a relief.”

Rosette, who was relieved, led Ines to the table by the window.

“And I put a preservation spell on the bouquet you received that day and decorated it here.”

“Oh my.”

Ines picked up the bouquet with a delighted expression.

Three weeks ago, the person who received the bouquet Ines threw was Rosette. It wasn’t intentional. Originally, another friend of Ines, who was a month away from her wedding, was supposed to receive it.

But the bouquet headed towards Rosette, and she desperately grabbed it. There was a rumor that if the bouquet fell to the ground, the marriage would be unhappy.

She thought it was a ridiculous superstition, but she couldn’t let it go.

She felt like she would be plagued by guilt if Daniel and Ines fought even a little.

‘I’m glad Ines Unnie and that young lady weren’t upset.’

Rosette regretted doing something unnecessary only after catching the bouquet. Throwing and receiving a bouquet was a kind of tradition of passing on happiness.

To steal such happiness. She could understand even if they were angry.

But unlike her worries, the two 오히려 [rather] blessed Rosette.

Saying, ‘If happiness dwells with the Princess and His Highness the Crown Prince, the Empire will be peaceful.’

After that, Rosette cast a preservation spell on the bouquet to wish for the happiness of Ines and Daniel.

Thanks to that, the bouquet was as fresh as if it had just been picked from the garden.

Ines buried her face in the bouquet and inhaled through her nose.

“It’s really amazing. How can it be exactly the same as on the wedding day? The scent is the same as that day too.”

“I paid special attention to it. Daniel Oppa would never do that, but if he ever makes you feel upset in the future, I hope you’ll remember the vows you made at the wedding while looking at this bouquet.”

“To care so much about me. I’m really touched.”

“It’s a gift to welcome you to Adrian.”

Ines, who was caressing the flowers with a smile, suddenly handed the bouquet to Rosette. Rosette accepted it into her arms in a daze.

“It’s definitely a good gift, but I think it suits Rose better than me.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s what bouquets are for. I’ve already wished for happiness since Rose received the bouquet. Wouldn’t it be better for Rose, who will be with His Highness the Crown Prince in the future, to have it?”

“Still.”

“I’m not giving it back because I hate it. I’m really thankful. I’ll gratefully accept your heart. But I still think it would be better for Rose to have it.”

Rosette looked back and forth between the brightly smiling Ines and the bouquet before nodding her head.

* * *

“So, I ended up with Ines Unnie’s bouquet.”

Rosette hugged Silver tightly and muttered towards the necklace.

Silver, who had secretly connected Rosette and Joshua for a long time, now confidently came and went from the Adrian mansion.

Perhaps because of her habits, she still came in through the window, but the difference was that she could visit freely even during the day.

Today, Silver excitedly raided Rosette’s room before the sun had even set.

“She said she’s wishing for my and Joshua’s happiness. I wanted to insist that Ines Unnie keep it, but I couldn’t bring myself to return it after that one word. I can’t ignore her sincerity.”

She muttered a little gloomily.

“It was a congratulatory gift that I had carefully prepared. Then what should I give them instead?”

“Still. I don’t feel comfortable.”

“Really?”