The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 10

10. To Be a Child (3)

2023.11.10.

Understanding the implication of those words, the headmaster waved his hands frantically. Duke Adrian was asking if he had ever mistreated Rosette.

“No! I teach them not to be picky eaters, but I never force them to eat what they can’t.”

“You haven’t forced a child with allergies to eat something, have you?”

“What kind of monster would do such a thing!”

The headmaster, forgetting for a moment that he was speaking to ‘the’ Duke Adrian, bristled with indignation.

“I understand your concern, Your Grace. But I’m also deeply offended by this suspicion. I swear to God, I have never done anything to harm the children.”

Duke Adrian had met countless people in his life. His judgment of character was usually quite accurate.

The headmaster was telling the truth.

“Then, do you have any idea why the child would make such a claim?”

“Perhaps she wanted to impress you, Your Grace?”

“Then how did she know she had allergies?”

“That, I honestly couldn’t say.”

Again, the headmaster seemed sincere. There was nothing more to be gained from this line of questioning. Duke Adrian stood.

“I’ll take my leave for now. If anything else arises, I’ll return.”

Leaving the headmaster’s office, Duke Adrian sought out the child named Jane he had noticed earlier.

“Child.”

“Huh?”

At his gesture, his aide produced the snacks he had prepared and offered them to Jane.

Jane hesitated, then accepted the snack and immediately handed it to the child behind her. That child, delighted, ran off to share with the others.

Then Jane asked, “Is Rose doing okay?”

“It seems you miss Rose very much.”

“Yes, a lot. But I’ll be alright. Because I want Rose to be happy.”

“I see.”

Duke Adrian paused, then inquired, “Is the headmaster treating you well?”

Fortunately, Jane smiled brightly, without a hint of suspicion, and answered, “Yes!”

“Is anyone bothering you, like before?”

“No!”

“Okay, I understand.”

“Please give my regards to Rose!”

“I will.”

Duke Adrian concluded his brief conversation with Jane and returned to his carriage. Unlike adults, children were poor liars. There was no hesitation or deceit in Jane’s assurance that the headmaster was treating her well.

However, Rosette’s behavior still troubled him. If not here, where else would she be forced to eat shrimp?

“Joseph.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Keep a close watch on the orphanage from now on.”

“Do you have specific concerns?”

“Regarding the children’s well-being.”

That was enough. Joseph, his aide, nodded from beyond the carriage window, understanding perfectly.

“Oh, and for the time being, remove shrimp from the menu.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Having given his instructions, the Duke closed the window. He longed to see Rosette and the other children, but a mountain of paperwork and the adoption procedures awaited him.

He pushed aside his feelings and directed the carriage toward the Imperial Palace.

‘Regret, how unlike me.’

Even as he thought it, a faint smile touched Duke Adrian’s lips.

* * *

“Adoption?”

The Emperor asked, genuinely believing he had misheard.

Duke Adrian repeated the words, his face unsmiling. “Yes, Your Majesty. I intend to adopt a daughter.”

“What sudden impulse is this? I know adoption is becoming a fashionable act of charity among the nobles, but I never expected it from you.”

“It is sudden, but I’m not taking this decision lightly.”

“Then?”

“It’s just… from the moment I saw her, she’s been on my mind. I felt a deep sympathy for her, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I even felt a desire to keep her by my side and care for her.”

The Emperor studied Duke Adrian’s face with undisguised curiosity.

Duke Adrian was, after all, renowned for his cold-bloodedness, earning him the reputation of a heartless man. The only people he showed warmth to were his three children and his disciple, Joshua.

Yet, here he was, smiling as he spoke of the child he intended to adopt. It was clear he was already deeply attached to her.

“Besides, she possesses such remarkable magical talent that she can already use healing magic at such a young age.”

The Emperor, who had been listening casually, perked up at this. “Magic? She can already use healing magic?”

“Yes.”

“If what you say is true, a great talent is about to emerge. Very promising. She would be a good match for Max, too.”

“It’s too early to think of that, Your Majesty.”

“Too early? You know very well that marriages within the Imperial Family are often arranged at a young age.”

“……”

Duke Adrian remained silent. He didn’t want his beloved daughter, Isabel, or Rosette, who was about to become his daughter, caught up in political machinations.

Unable to voice his true feelings, he changed the subject. “In any case, I’m proceeding with the adoption. I request your permission, Your Majesty.”

Knowing full well he was being diverted, the Emperor pretended not to notice. “Why would I refuse? I’ll ensure the adoption proceeds as smoothly as possible.”

“Thank you…”

Before the Duke could finish his expression of gratitude, a commotion erupted outside.

“Your Highness, His Majesty is receiving Duke Adrian…”

“I know that! Get out of my way!”

Just as the sounds of a scuffle reached them, the door burst open. A boy in his early teens rushed in.

Silver hair like moonlight and golden eyes, unmistakable signs of the Imperial bloodline. It was Joshua Ernhardt, the First Prince of the Ernhardt Empire.

He was dressed in only a light shirt and pants, as if he had bolted straight from his room.

The Emperor, seated on his throne, reprimanded him. “Prince, what is the meaning of this rude behavior!”

But Joshua seemed not to hear, his eyes darting around the room before widening as he spotted Duke Adrian.

“Master!”

He ran to him and embraced him tightly. Neither the Emperor nor Duke Adrian could bring themselves to scold Joshua for his impudence. Joshua was clinging to Duke Adrian, tears streaming down his face.

“You’re safe, Master.”

After a moment of silence, Duke Adrian chuckled. “Of course, I’m safe, Your Highness. You’re being unusually affectionate today.”

“Daniel, how is Daniel?”

“Daniel is doing well, too.”

Joshua took a deep breath and straightened. He wiped the tears from his cheeks with a practiced hand, regaining his composure.

The perfect prince, with no trace of his earlier disheveled state. He bowed to the Emperor.

“I greet the sun of the Empire.”

“Enough with the formalities. What’s going on?”

“I apologize for such an unseemly display, Father.”

“I asked what’s going on.”

“I had a nightmare, just for a moment.”

“A nightmare?”

Duke Adrian intervened to ease the tension. “Did Daniel and I come to harm in your dream, Your Highness?”

“……”

“They say dreams are often the opposite of reality. We are both healthy and unharmed, so there’s no need to worry.”

“…Yes. I’m relieved to hear that.”

“Sit down, since you’re here.”

At the Emperor’s suggestion, the Prince took a seat. At his gesture, a servant waiting outside brought a formal coat. Joshua donned it quickly and asked, “By the way, I wasn’t aware you were coming to the palace today. What brings you here so suddenly?”

“Ah.”

Duke Adrian smiled faintly and replied, “I came to request an adoption, urgently.”

Joshua raised his eyebrows. “Adoption? Which family’s adoption are you referring to?”

The Emperor laughed as if he had heard a joke. “Isn’t it obvious? The Adrian family.”

“The Adrian family… is adopting?”

As Joshua stammered, Duke Adrian said playfully, “Why? Do you think I’m not fit to adopt, Your Highness?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just a little… sudden…”

“Yes, it’s sudden for me, too. It was a very spur-of-the-moment decision.”

The Emperor interjected, “It seems a mage princess is about to be born into the ducal family.”

Joshua, still bewildered, replied, “Isabel, who has no affinity for magic, hasn’t suddenly developed magical abilities, so could it be that the newly adopted child is…”

“Yes, she is said to possess a talent for magic.”

After a moment of contemplation, Joshua turned to Duke Adrian. “Master, what sudden wind has prompted you to adopt? If you’re interested in her magical abilities, you could simply sponsor her.”

“There were several reasons, but I felt a strong desire to keep her by my side and protect her.”

Joshua remained silent for a long time. Just as the Duke was about to speak again, he finally said, “I’m curious about this child. How on earth did she change Master’s mind so drastically?”

Duke Adrian laughed heartily, as if the mere thought of Rosette filled him with joy. “She is a lovely child. Though she still has much to learn.”

“It would be beneficial to have a capable mage in the ducal family, to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. Anyway, I’ve seen Master, so I’ll be going now. I’ll visit Daniel soon.”

“I understand, Your Highness.”

Joshua embraced the Duke once more before leaving the audience chamber.

The Emperor clicked his tongue as he watched him go. “To make such a fuss over a mere nightmare. Still a child. When will he ever grow up?”

“I wonder.”

Duke Adrian muttered, recalling Joshua’s expression from moments ago. “He seems much more mature than the last time I saw him.”

“Mature.”

The Emperor scoffed. “I wonder if he can inherit the throne in that state.”

Joshua Ernhardt was the only legitimate son of the Princess of the Ibern Kingdom, renowned for its magic, and the current Ernhardt Emperor.

He had shown such talent for swordsmanship that Duke Adrian, a Sword Master, had personally trained him. He had also inherited magical abilities from his mother’s side.

He was said to be so intelligent that he was praised by renowned scholars.

However, the Emperor, who should have been proud of him, was perpetually dissatisfied with Joshua. Despite being the only heir to the throne, he had not been named Crown Prince, even at the age of ten.

Some speculated that it was due to his lack of affection for the Empress, whom he had married for political reasons. The Emperor had no other consorts, making his dislike for Joshua all the more puzzling.

But Duke Adrian refrained from commenting. He simply maintained his silence and departed the Imperial Palace.