The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 131

131. Daniel’s Astonishment

March 10, 2024

“You ask as if I shouldn’t feel that way.”

Daniel was quite surprised. Joshua didn’t confirm or deny it, but the answer could be interpreted as an affirmation.

“So, you mean to say you cherish Rose particularly?”

“Well, I don’t think I have to answer that to you.”

“But Rose is my sister.”

Daniel gave Joshua a wary look. Until now, Joshua had been a close friend, a colleague studying swordsmanship under the same master, and a lord he would serve with all his heart.

But now, Daniel’s gaze was that of someone looking at a scoundrel trying to steal his precious youngest sister from his family.

Joshua also noticed Daniel’s impudent gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…….”

“Daniel, your siblings are all grown adults now. There’s no reason to keep coddling them.”

“That’s true, but…….”

Daniel couldn’t deny it and shut his mouth.

‘Rose is already an adult, as His Highness said.’

Although it had been 12 years, the day he first met Rosette at the orphanage was still vivid in his mind.

At the time, she was very small and frail for her age. She was already small, but when she saw him, she shrank even more, making herself even tinier.

At that moment, Daniel felt a strange protective instinct towards the small child.

Perhaps that’s why he didn’t oppose Duke Adrian’s sudden offer to adopt Rosette. He rather agreed.

Although she was a sudden addition to the family, Daniel cherished Rosette as much as his two siblings. She was his youngest sister, six years younger, which made her even more special.

Besides, he hadn’t seen her for several years in between. Even though he knew Rosette was all grown up, she still felt young to Daniel.

Because of that, he had never imagined Rosette leaving Adrian.

‘Of course, Rosette will eventually leave our side and start a new family…….’

Would it be okay if that person was really Joshua?

“Still, she is my sister. Of course, I have to keep a close eye on who Rose’s partner will be.”

“And I’m not allowed?”

“It’s not that you’re not allowed, but…….”

Instead of embellishing his words, Daniel decided to be honest.

“Rose is more independent than you think. She is also capable. I hope Rose meets someone who can help her fully develop her abilities and dreams.”

“…….”

“But if she goes to the Imperial Palace, she will have to live a life of suppressed freedom, and she will have to be anxious about when and where assassins will attack. I believe Your Highness knows that best. So…….”

Joshua, who had been listening to Daniel’s words silently, chuckled and waved his hand.

“I’m just kidding.”

“……Yes?”

Joshua crossed his legs and swept the fallen bangs behind his forehead.

“I just wanted to tease you because you looked so serious, unlike yourself.”

“Is that so?”

Daniel observed Joshua with a slightly awkward expression. He had already completely reverted to the prince Daniel knew.

Arrogant and quite cynical. The warmth or affection he had briefly shown a moment ago had completely disappeared.

‘Was I mistaken?’

Daniel let out a small sigh of relief.

“I was serious without knowing Your Highness’s intentions. I apologize.”

“Well, it was fun to watch, so it’s okay. By the way, how are the wedding preparations going?”

“Yes. Thanks to your concern, it’s going smoothly.”

“If you need anything, tell me anytime. I’ll support you with the best so that others can’t make a fuss.”

After Ines was accused of attempted poisoning of Ophelia, people began to gossip about Adrian and Joshua.

From the question of ‘Is Ines really innocent without any fault?’ to the rumor that the relationship between Joshua and Adrian had become awkward.

Joshua actively supported the two’s wedding to quell the rumors.

Daniel was always grateful to Joshua for caring about him.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I’m just doing what’s natural.”

As the two were having a light conversation after those words.

“Brother, you were here.”

Lucas came to find them. After greeting Joshua, he naturally joined the tea time.

Now that the three were talking, Silver ran over with a ‘Woof!’ sound.

Joshua stroked Silver’s head as he approached him.

“So, did you watch over the Princess well?”

[Woof!]

Silver wagged his tail and looked back. Rosette was walking there in a light dress. Pippi was with her too.

Daniel noticed Joshua’s expression changing rapidly the moment he spotted her.

A gentle smile returned to his once cold face.

Joshua, who had been sitting still even when Lucas came, jumped up and approached Rosette first.

Daniel had to admit all his suspicions at that moment.

‘Really…….’

Joshua cherished Rosette particularly.

* * *

The fairy tale Lucas read was nothing special. It was a story about a hero who found a legendary sword and defeated a dragon that was tormenting the people of the kingdom.

But when Lucas read it as if he were performing a play, even changing his voice, it was quite exciting.

Pippi, who had been sitting reluctantly on the pillow, also focused with her eyes shining brightly.

“The hero and princess who saved the kingdom lived happily ever after.”

The moment Lucas closed the fairy tale book, Rosette unknowingly clapped her hands in admiration.

[Peep! Peep!]

Pippi also expressed her joy by flapping her wings in place. Naturally, Lucas became even more proud.

“How was it, kid? Fun, right?”

“Yes.”

“You did well to listen to your brother, right?”

“That’s…… Yes.”

Lucas was laughing, messing up Rosette’s hair, when a knock was heard. Sebastian carefully entered with a flamboyant and large bouquet of flowers that didn’t match his black butler suit.

Lucas reacted faster than Rosette.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a get-well gift from the First Prince to the young lady.”

Rosette reacted faster to those words.

“From His Highness?”

Sebastian was a little surprised when she jumped up, but soon approached the bed and handed over the bouquet.

“Yes. It seems that the Empress was very worried after hearing that the young lady collapsed on the day of the hunting competition. She asked me to convey her regards instead.”

“Ah, I see.”

It wasn’t from the Prince, but from the Empress.

Rosette felt a little bitter for some reason. She would have been embarrassed and thought, ‘The Empress was very worried about me,’ in the past.

She was fiddling with the pink rose petals that resembled her hair color when Lucas asked Sebastian.

“So, is His Highness the Prince at the mansion now?”

“Yes. He is with Daniel.”

“Then I should go and greet him.”

“I’ll go too!”

As Rosette tried to get out of bed, Lucas pressed her forehead.

“You rest.”

“But His Highness gave me flowers, so I have to thank him.”

“I’ll convey it for you, so you stay here. Patients need to rest. His Highness will understand.”

Rosette was about to protest more, but Lucas said to Pippi, ‘Hey, chick. You, keep a good eye on the kid,’ and left the room.

Pippi, who was unexpectedly assigned to watch Rosette, and Rosette, who was treated like a patient, stared at each other and blinked.

“Lucas is a fool, isn’t he?”

[Peep!]

“I’m really okay. No, instead of this, let’s get ready and go see His Highness. Pippi, you help too.”

As Rosette got out of bed, Pippi flew up and brought a yellow hair ribbon.

Rosette was about to enter the bathroom to wash alone without a maid when she heard a loud bark from outside the door.

Surprised, she opened the door and saw Silver wagging his tail 360 degrees.

“Silver! Did you come with His Highness too?”

[Woof!]

Rosette gave Silver the snack she had prepared in advance and hurried to wash and came out. When she put on a dress that she could wear alone, Silver had eaten all the snacks and was waiting for her.

“Silver, guide me to His Highness!”

As if telling her to trust him, Silver howled and quickly ran out of the room. He looked back several times to see if Rosette was following properly.

Silver headed to the garden, not the drawing room. In the distance, three men were sitting at a round table.

Joshua, who noticed her a little late, jumped up from his seat and quickly approached.

“Princess.”

Joshua paused after saying that. Rosette bent down to pay her respects to the Imperial Family.

“I greet His Highness the Prince.”

Joshua quickly grabbed Rosette’s arm and raised her.

“You don’t have to pay respects when you’re not feeling well.”

“My brothers exaggerated. I wasn’t feeling well, but I’m fine now.”

“That’s a relief then…….”

Rosette, who was smiling and looking up at Joshua, thought he seemed a little different than usual.

‘Why does His Highness seem nervous?’

Joshua’s expression was a little stiff even usually. It was a natural result since he didn’t show his emotions and maintained a blank expression.

But today, he felt a little different from simply hiding his emotions.

“Is it okay for you to come out like this instead of being in your room?”

“Of course. Besides, I can’t not greet you when Your Highness has come.”

“Is that so.”

Joshua chuckled and held out his hand to Rosette.

“Let’s go sit down for now.”

Rosette carefully took his hand, which seemed particularly large today, and went to the table where her two brothers were waiting.

“Kid, didn’t I tell you to stay quietly in your room? And you, wolf! Who told you to go to Rosette? Rosette is a patient. She needs to rest!”

Rosette muffled a laugh as she watched Silver whine as if he was wronged, then glanced at Daniel.

‘Why is Daniel acting like that again?’

He was looking at Joshua without giving Rosette a single glance.