The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 163

163. Standoff

2024.04.11.

“Are you saying His Highness is playing with you and then throwing you away?”

“……? What are you……!”

Rosette, startled, stood up and covered Lucas’s mouth with both hands. Lucas, still not appeased, continued to shout with his mouth blocked.

The sound was muffled and hard to hear, but it seemed he was saying something like, ‘How could His Highness do that, of all people? How could he do that to you! How much have I cherished you, you little brat!’

“Shh, shh! Oppa [older brother/term of endearment]! Calm down first!”

“Mmph! Mmph!”

“What if someone hears you!”

“Mmph!”

Rosette glared at him with her eyes narrowed, an uncharacteristic expression for her, and Lucas, who had been worked up and angry, subsided.

Rosette, seeing him quiet down, lowered her voice and asked,

“Are you going to be quiet?”

“…….”

“I won’t let go if you don’t answer.”

In truth, Lucas could have forcibly removed Rosette’s hand with his strength, but instead, he nodded.

When Rosette released him and sat back down, Lucas took a deep breath and slumped into the chair.

Rosette still glared at him with a displeased expression.

“Even so, how could you say such a thing to His Highness? If someone else had heard you, they would have arrested you for insulting the imperial family.”

“Anyone else would have understood my feelings.”

“Oppa.”

Rosette said sternly, and Lucas immediately backed down.

“Okay, I misspoke. No matter how much I care for you, I shouldn’t have said that to His Highness.”

Only then did Rosette relax the tension in her eyes. However, Lucas still looked worried.

“Then explain it properly. What do you mean you haven’t promised a future? Are you two in love but not a couple?”

“That’s not it. Joshua and I are maintaining a good relationship. Of course, it hasn’t been long, though.”

“But why?”

“I said I didn’t want to.”

“What?”

“Like you said, Oppa, I don’t belong in the Imperial Palace, and I’m not confident I can endure it there. Joshua understood my position too. So…….”

“Kid, no, Rose.”

Rosette flinched at the sudden address.

Lucas muttered, holding his forehead.

“I understand your feelings, but what are you going to do in the future?”

“…….”

“Dating? Of course, it’s good. I don’t oppose you dating.”

“But you were furious that it was Huxley.”

“That’s because the other party is that damned Huxley!”

“I think you opposed others besides Huxley too.”

“That’s not the point!”

Rosette laughed, “Pfft.” Only then did Lucas realize she was teasing him, and his eyebrows twitched.

“Anyway, you’re not a child anymore, and you’re an adult, so it’s time for you to decide on your own relationships. I also don’t have the right to interfere in your personal life. And well, I heard that unlike in the old days, it’s not a flaw even if you break up without getting engaged.”

“But?”

“However, the story changes if the other party is His Highness the Prince. The Imperial Family is still a conservative place. Imagine if you and His Highness have a falling out later. Everyone might think there’s something wrong with you.”

Lucas sighed softly.

“Of course, I’m not saying it’s really your problem. That’s just how people see it.”

Rosette understood what Lucas was worried about.

‘Princess Lilith was like that too.’

When it was revealed that Princess Lilith was in a relationship with the Emperor and that they even had Louis together, high society was turned upside down.

Princess Lilith, who had not been the subject of gossip thanks to her status as a princess, was torn apart from all sides.

Lucas was worried that Rosette would experience the same thing.

“It might not be easy even if you want to marry another man in the future.”

“But…….”

“Sigh, whatever. What does it matter.”

Rosette’s eyes widened at Lucas’s sudden change in attitude. Before she knew it, Lucas came to her side and hugged her tightly.

“Father must have had his reasons for acknowledging the relationship between you and His Highness. It’s not like you’d listen to me even if I said something. Seriously, now that you’re a bit older, you don’t even listen to your brother, do you?”

“…….”

“Well, if it doesn’t work out, you can just live with your brother for the rest of your life. Right, kid? This brother will take responsibility for you.”

Rosette playfully pouted her lips.

“You said you were married to your sword.”

“Yeah. The three of us can live together. From now on, my sword is your sister-in-law. Do you want to say hello?”

“What are you talking about.”

Rosette burst into laughter, and Lucas laughed along.

After being immersed in happiness for a while, Rosette sat back across from Lucas, who was enjoying refreshments, and fell into thought.

‘By the way, should I really not tell the other family members?’

Yesterday, Duke Adrian, who had heard all of Rosette’s secrets, urged her and Joshua not to tell anyone else.

He even cautiously answered Rosette, who asked, ‘Can’t I tell Daniel Oppa [older brother/term of endearment] either?’

-This father would prefer it that way.

-Why? I want to tell Daniel Oppa [older brother/term of endearment] the truth and apologize.

-Sometimes it’s better not to know the truth. I don’t think there’s a need to tell him.

It was a valid point. Duke Adrian had seen the events of that night in a dream and had been suspicious of Rosette, so he had to tell the truth.

But why should she confuse Daniel, who was living comfortably without knowing anything?

That was separate from Rosette’s desire not to be hated by Daniel.

Now that she had safely protected Daniel, Rosette decided to bury the truth from the other family members, as Duke Adrian wished.

However, the guilt did not completely disappear, so she felt strangely sentimental whenever she saw the three siblings.

‘No, it’ll be okay.’

Rosette steeled her heart again.

‘What’s important now is something else. The succession battle that will soon hit the Imperial Palace.’

The reason she was used by Marquis Dallas and the beginning of all this tragedy.

If this succession battle doesn’t end, no one can be said to be safe.

‘Speaking of which, I haven’t heard from Michael.’

Rosette recalled Michael’s face, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.

According to Joshua, Michael had asked for permission to marry her in exchange for healing her.

She didn’t expect him to directly seek marriage permission from Duke Adrian, but considering his usual headstrong behavior, it wasn’t that strange.

But there had been no response from Michael, who had shown such an attitude. Rosette felt freed from Michael, who had no news, but at the same time, she felt uneasy.

‘It feels like the calm before the storm.’

But shouldn’t she not worry about Michael not having any news? She didn’t receive his help this time, so there’s no reason to be held back.

Rosette thought so and tried to shake off thoughts of Michael.

* * *

Joshua headed to the Imperial Palace with a light heart.

Rosette had woken up without any problems, and Duke Adrian had allowed the two to date.

The presence of Michael, who kept lingering around Rosette, was not welcome, but he couldn’t do anything now.

Joshua and Rosette’s relationship was strong, and there was no way for Michael to force his feelings on her.

‘Now all that’s left is for me to establish myself.’

After spending a peaceful evening at Duke Adrian’s residence yesterday and returning to the Sapphire Palace, Joshua seriously thought about the future.

From the moment he realized he had returned in time, he decided to become the Crown Prince. He thought that was the only way to safely protect the people he loved and cherished.

But now there was one more reason.

‘I want to share the future with Rose.’

When Rosette declared that she didn’t want to be Empress, Joshua respected her wishes. He knew that life in the Imperial Palace could be hell for some, so he couldn’t force her.

As Rosette suggested, they decided to focus on each other’s feelings for the time being without thinking about the complicated future.

However, with Rosette collapsing this time, Joshua realized that his feelings for her were even greater than he thought. He couldn’t even imagine a future without Rosette.

Rosette said she was worried that Adrian would be in danger the moment she became Empress.

If she thought that she and her family would not be threatened even if she became Empress, wouldn’t she think a little more positively about the future with Joshua?

It was a meaningless assumption, but Joshua wanted to have hope.

Before he knew it, Joshua arrived in front of the Emperor’s office, gathered his thoughts, and ordered the attendant.

“I have come to see His Majesty. Inform him.”

“Yes.”

When the attendant announced Joshua’s visit, the Emperor readily granted permission. As Joshua entered, the Emperor put down his quill and greeted him.

“Yes. What brings you here today?”

“I came to thank you for granting my request last time.”

“Request? Ah, you mean that you wanted to look at the Dallas family’s collection. Well, did you find what you were looking for?”

He certainly found what he was looking for. Thanks to that, he was able to wake Rosette.

However, the moment he met the Emperor’s gaze, which seemed to be trying to grasp his inner thoughts, Joshua unknowingly lied.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it.”

“Couldn’t find it?”

“Yes.”

“But didn’t you say a moment ago that you came to thank me?”

“Apart from not finding what I wanted, I thought I should thank you. I saw many good books and had a good experience.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

It was when the Emperor was muttering, relieved of his suspicion. An attendant knocked and announced the presence of another visitor.