The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 172

172. Heading North (1)

April 20, 2024

‘It’s just a needless thought.’

Rosette tried hard to dismiss the negative thoughts.

‘Michael appeared because, unlike the past, I didn’t go to the Dallas Marquisate.’

Just like in the past, Marquis Dallas would have needed a wizard to use as his pawn.

She didn’t know where he found Michael, but since he was skilled enough to become a Master of the Magic Tower, it was natural for the Marquis to covet him.

In fact, Michael was kidnapped along with Rosette and almost experimented on by the Marquis.

Although she hadn’t been happy with Michael’s recent behavior, he had saved Rosette from the Marquis’ clutches in the past.

So, Michael’s appearance was different from the past, but it wasn’t something to be suspicious about.

‘I know that, but….’

She kept glancing at Michael. She had a feeling she was missing something.

‘Why did Michael tell me I would regret it?’

As Rosette bit her lip and pondered, Ophelia, who was watching her, carefully called out to her.

“Rosette? What are you thinking about?”

Ophelia’s face clouded slightly when she noticed Louis at the end of Rosette’s gaze.

“Are you worried about Joshua? You don’t have to worry. He’ll come back safely.”

Rosette nodded vigorously.

“That’s right. He will.”

* * *

After that, Rosette mingled with people appropriately. She missed Joshua and Silver, who were always at the Imperial Palace parties, but she didn’t show it.

Then the dance music started. Lucas, who had been hovering around Rosette, offered her his hand with a triumphant look.

“Wow, the Duke and His Highness aren’t here, so this is great. I’m your first partner tonight.”

Rosette chuckled and took his hand.

“Okay.”

“I was sad because I kept getting robbed by His Highness, but now everything is right. Justice always prevails.”

Lucas, who was talking nonsense and laughing, began to lead Rosette. She liked that she could forget all her worries while dancing with him.

Lucas felt the same way, as he smiled throughout the dance.

“I think I should go now. I’ve been here long enough. The party is no fun anyway.”

Rosette suggested, taking Lucas’s hand and stepping back towards the wall when the first dance ended. Lucas readily nodded.

“Let’s go, kid. I can’t let you dance with another man when His Highness isn’t here.”

“Are you finally acknowledging the relationship between Joshua and me?”

“I’m not acknowledging it. But I hate seeing other men eyeing you even more.”

Rosette was about to leave the hall hand in hand with Lucas when.

“Rosette.”

Someone called her in a friendly voice from behind. When she turned around, she saw Michael Lerscher’s face, still with a gentle smile.

“Who are you again? What confidence do you have to show your pale face to our kid?”

Lucas was openly wary, but Michael approached Rosette without changing his expression.

“If you don’t mind, may I have this dance?”

“Unfortunately, that won’t happen. We’re about to leave….”

“Oppa.”

Rosette waved to Lucas and walked gracefully to Michael.

“Okay. Let’s dance.”

“Hey, kid. What are you doing….”

“I’ll be back, Oppa. Please wait for me.”

Rosette left Lucas with a bewildered expression and headed to the center of the hall with Michael. She could feel the eyes on them, but she pretended not to notice.

“It’s been a while, Rose. You look tired.”

Michael put his hand on Rosette’s waist and looked down at her as if observing her. Rosette put her hand on his shoulder and answered casually.

“Really?”

It was pointless to point out the term ‘Rose’ now.

“Are you worried a lot?”

“Isn’t it weirder not to worry?”

“I see.”

Michael chuckled softly. Rosette was annoyed by his attitude of talking as if it were someone else’s business.

‘Of course, it’s someone else’s business to Michael, who isn’t an Imperial citizen, but did he have to show it in front of me?’

Out of sheer rebelliousness, her voice became sharp without her knowing.

“Weren’t you not going to care about my business anymore? I didn’t expect you to ask for a dance like this.”

“Well, just because you rejected me doesn’t mean I want to completely cut ties with you. That’s what petty people do. Of course, it hurts a little.”

“……”

He’s talking nonsense again. Rosette thought so and moved her feet to the music.

“Are you not even going to talk to me now?”

“I’m just distracted because I’m thinking about this and that.”

“And not looking at my face either.”

“It’s been a while since I danced, so I’m confused about the steps. I’m afraid I’ll step on your foot.”

“It’s okay if you step on my foot, so can’t you look at me?”

Rosette sighed and looked up. Michael smiled as he made eye contact with her.

“It’s good to see you.”

“Michael.”

Rosette opened her mouth in a slightly lowered voice.

“I don’t know why you’re doing this. We’ve already talked about everything. It’s your choice to stay in the Empire, but I’m still bothered by you being here.”

Michael’s face lit up.

“You’re bothered? By me?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Rosette avoided his gaze.

“You may have already heard the rumors, but I’m in a relationship with the First Prince. I hope you respect that.”

“The Prince who might not come back alive?”

“Don’t say that. He’ll come back safely. Daniel Oppa too, and Joshua.”

“I heard that you haven’t been in contact for several days.”

“He must be unable to contact me for a while because of work. Nothing will happen.”

Rosette preemptively spoke to Michael, who was about to open his mouth again.

“If you keep saying ominous things, I’m going to stop dancing here and go back.”

“Okay. I was wrong. I won’t talk about it anymore, so let’s dance.”

Rosette was about to let go of Michael’s hand and go back to Lucas. However, she couldn’t do that because Michael grabbed her hand even tighter and spoke as if pleading.

Instead, she shut her mouth and continued dancing. Michael tried to continue the conversation with light topics, but she ignored him without answering.

The dance music, which felt particularly long today, ended, and Rosette was finally able to finish the awkward dance.

She bowed to Michael and was about to return to Lucas when Michael suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

“What…!”

She was startled and struggled, but he whispered softly in her ear.

“I’ll tell you in advance not to be surprised, thinking of our old friendship.”

“……What?”

“The two of them won’t be able to return.”

Rosette, who had been twisting her body, stopped for a moment.

“……What?”

“They will never be able to return to the capital, even in death. Their bodies will be buried in the northern land. If their bodies are still intact, that is.”

A chill ran down her spine. It felt like all the hairs on her body were standing on end.

It felt ominous to dismiss it as just Michael’s personal wish.

“What does that mean?”

Michael, who had already let go of Rosette, shrugged his shoulders.

“It just means that.”

“What did you do to Daniel Oppa and Joshua? Is the appearance of the northern monsters related to you?”

“Well.”

Michael neither affirmed nor denied it. But Rosette intuitively knew that it was an affirmation.

Michael Lerscher had plotted something.

She didn’t know how he did it. She didn’t even know if one person could plot such a thing.

However, she had a feeling that if things continued like this, the two people she loved would be in danger.

“If something really happens to them, I won’t let you get away with it.”

Rosette spat out the words to Michael and ran to Lucas without even looking at his reaction.

“Kid, why do you look like that? What did that bastard do?”

“We have to go back to the mansion. Quickly!”

Rosette urged, pulling on Lucas’s arm, who looked like he was about to run to Michael right away.

“We have to go quickly!”

“Okay, okay, kid.”

Lucas glared at Michael once before supporting Rosette and leaving the hall.

Michael’s gaze was fixed on their backs until they had completely left.

* * *

As soon as Rosette returned to the mansion, she threw off her cumbersome dress with Joan’s help.

“Kid, what’s wrong? What’s going on?”

Lucas, who had hurriedly followed her in, repeatedly asked from outside the dressing room.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you answering? I’m worried.”

After changing into comfortable clothes, Rosette quietly whispered to Lucas only after dismissing all the maids.

“I think I need to go to the North.”

“……What?”

“Something feels wrong. I think I need to go and check it out myself.”

As Rosette began to pack her bags, Lucas quickly stopped her.

“Wait a minute, kid. Calm down and talk to me.”

“You said you wouldn’t stop me if the situation became serious!”

“I did. I did, but.”

Lucas gently grabbed Rosette’s wrists.

“At least explain the situation to me, okay? You were fine at the party just a moment ago. But why are you suddenly doing this? I need to know the reason to let you go.”

“That….”

Rosette couldn’t say anything. It wasn’t like there was a specific reason.

Michael is suspicious. It seems like he’s plotting something. Maybe Daniel and Joshua might die because of it.

But it was illogical. It was just a hunch.

“I can’t say. But I have to go.”

Rosette said to Lucas as if pleading.

“Oppa doesn’t know, but actually, Daniel Oppa was hurt. I heard he was attacked by a monster and couldn’t find a suitable treatment. I haven’t heard from him since.”

“What? Why are you telling me that now?”

“I didn’t want to worry Oppa. But I can’t wait here any longer. Oppa, please send me, like you said last time.”

“Wait a minute, kid. Let me think about it.”

Lucas let go of her hands and seriously pondered. Rosette took the opportunity to diligently stuff the necessary items into her bag.

Soon, Lucas opened his mouth.

“Then I’ll go too.”