The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 203

203. Epilogue (4)

May 21, 2024

Time flew by, and the morning of the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony arrived.

Joan and the other maids were more eager than ever to prepare Rosette, fussing over her since dawn.

“You don’t have to worry so much. Today is His Highness’s day. There’s no need for me to stand out.”

“But there’s a celebratory banquet right after the ceremony! You’re His Highness’s partner, and you’ll naturally be the center of attention!”

“The entire empire will be watching you both!”

“This is also about Adrian’s honor. Lady Isabel specifically asked us to take extra care today. So, please leave it to us!”

“We’ll make you look your absolute best!”

Joan smiled, seeing the enthusiasm of her colleagues.

“And who knows? Today might be the best day of your life.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Rosette, persuaded by the maids, stopped arguing and obediently entrusted herself to them.

When all the preparations were finally complete, Rosette looked in the mirror and was speechless.

She was always amazed every time she dressed up like this, but today was definitely different.

“Perfect! His Highness is already head over heels for you, but if he sees you like this, he’ll fall in love all over again!”

“You have to tell us everything that happens with His Highness at the banquet!”

“Okay, okay.”

Rosette gave an awkward smile to the maids, who seemed even more excited than she was, as they saw her off. Then, she went downstairs alone.

The rest of the family was already ready. However, instead of Daniel, who had gone to escort Ines, Lord Roten was there.

He was immediately impressed when he saw Rosette.

“You look beautiful, Lady Rosette.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Lord Roten.”

“His Highness has been looking forward to today so much. I barely managed to stop him from coming to escort you himself.”

In the past, Rosette wouldn’t have believed Lord Roten’s words. Joshua, as she knew him, wasn’t a man who would be swayed by personal emotions.

However, after reuniting with him at the Imperial Palace, Rosette had to revise her assessment of Joshua.

He usually prioritized reason over emotion, but he showed his feelings to Rosette without reservation. He didn’t seem to want to hide them, nor could he. His feelings were that strong.

That fact made Rosette feel excited and happy.

Hiding her fluttering heart, Rosette chimed in.

“That’s right, it’s absurd. Joshua has to prepare for the investiture ceremony.”

“I’m already worried. I fear His Highness might spot you during the ceremony and run over to you.”

“Indeed, that’s something he might do these days.”

Even Isabel calmly agreed.

At this point, Rosette wondered if there was another side to Joshua that she didn’t know about.

“You look really beautiful, Rose.”

Duke Adrian, who had been listening to the conversation with a pleased smile, interjected. He looked down at Rosette with a wistful expression.

“You’ve grown up more lovely and confident than I ever imagined. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of everything you’ve done.”

Rosette realized that he was also referring to the time reversal. Rosette nodded, her heart heavy.

“I’m really glad I could meet you, Dad. I’m glad you’re my dad. And my sister, and my brother… I’m so grateful that you all became my family.”

“Oh, stop with that kind of talk.”

Lukas, who had been hovering beside Rosette, scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

“Let’s go, Rose. This might be the last time I escort you.”

Usually, Lukas was Rosette’s partner. It was more natural for Lukas, who didn’t have a partner and was closer in age, to escort her than Duke Adrian.

But today was different. Sensing that his relationship with Rosette would change in the future, Duke Adrian volunteered to be her partner first. Lukas readily yielded to him.

“Okay, Dad.”

Rosette gently placed her hand on his large hand.

Just like a long time ago, when she took his hand in front of the orphanage, bathed in the winter sun, and came to the Adrian mansion.

* * *

The Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony was held at the Grand Cathedral. Rosette felt a sense of awe from the moment she entered the pure white Grand Cathedral, holding Duke Adrian’s hand.

Angel statues carved from white marble lined both sides of the corridor, their gazes following her as she walked into the chapel.

Gazes that seemed to want to discern all her sins. Even though they were clearly lifeless marble sculptures, Rosette definitely felt their gaze.

Even though she had nothing to be ashamed of, she felt uneasy because of her past transgressions.

Rosette’s anxiety deepened when she entered the chapel and faced the goddess statue.

The goddess statue, created by a sculptor hailed as a genius unmatched in history, looked truly alive.

Her face bore a benevolent expression, and her clothes appeared so soft that they seemed to flutter in the wind.

“Rose?”

Rosette let go of Duke Adrian’s hand, who asked in confusion, and approached the goddess statue as if possessed. She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and offered a sincere prayer.

I don’t expect to be completely forgiven for what I did in the past. But since I’ve undone everything, won’t you allow me to be happy with my loved ones for a while?

Rosette opened her eyes and looked up at the goddess statue. The moment the brilliant sunlight streaming through the large stained-glass windows fell upon the goddess, Rosette saw her smile a little more warmly.

It might have been an optical illusion created by the fragments of light, but Rosette felt as if she had been granted permission to live her life.

Thank you, Goddess.

Rosette murmured inwardly and turned to Duke Adrian.

* * *

As one of the few ducal families in the Empire and as the family that had rendered meritorious service in dealing with the rebellious Duke Lilith, the Adrian family was able to watch the investiture ceremony from the front row.

The investiture ceremony was held in a solemn atmosphere. Joshua, the protagonist of the day, knelt before the high priest, wearing a long cloak that trailed on the floor.

Silver, wearing a cloak of the same material as Joshua, also knelt beside him on his hind legs.

Ophelia, sitting next to the Emperor, looked at her son with a moved expression. The Adrian family and the nobles who supported Joshua also looked pleased.

Of course, there were nobles who didn’t welcome Joshua, but no one raised any objections.

Rosette clenched her hands tightly and watched Joshua’s back.

Finally, he received the sacred objects, the treasures of the Imperial Family, and stood up. Joshua turned to face the audience and scanned the people.

Then, his eyes met Rosette’s.

As Lord Roten had feared, no unfortunate event occurred where he ran towards Rosette.

He simply relaxed his icy expression and smiled briefly the moment his eyes met hers.

* * *

“Oh my gosh, Rosette! It’s been so long!”

“We were so worried about you!”

As soon as Rosette entered the celebratory banquet hall, escorted by Duke Adrian, Clara and Theresa rushed over as if they had been waiting for her.

Her two precious friends each took one of Rosette’s hands and teared up.

“The capital was completely turned upside down while you were in the Adrian territory. How could something like this happen?”

“If it weren’t for you, our empire would have been in big trouble. It might have fallen into the hands of that evil Magic Tower by now.”

When the story of Michael and Louis was revealed, the scandalous love affair involving Rosette was not disclosed.

The capital was simply told that the Master of the Magic Tower, who was trying to seize the empire, had joined hands with Louis Ernhardt, who didn’t know his place and coveted the throne.

Louis was criticized for trying to sell out the empire for his personal greed.

Since that wasn’t entirely wrong, Rosette didn’t bother to correct her two friends. She also didn’t want to reveal the story with Michael.

“By the way, I heard you were very sick after that incident. How are you feeling? Are you better now?”

“I heard you couldn’t come to the capital because you were recuperating over the winter. I wanted to visit you, but I didn’t want to be a bother.”

“I’m fine. I’m perfectly healthy. It wasn’t like I was that badly injured in the first place. Spending the winter in the territory was just our family tradition. Unless there’s something special, the Adrian family protects the North in the winter.”

In reality, she had been placed under house arrest, but that was also a secret.

“Thank you for your concern. I was so happy to see the letters you sent me. I missed you both so much.”

Rosette stretched out her arms and hugged her two friends at once.

“Now that the weather is getting warmer, let’s have tea time in the garden and go on picnics.”

“Okay. We might not have a chance after this year, so let’s go out a lot.”

Clara giggled and lowered her voice, asking mischievously.

“So, have you received a proposal from the Prince, no, the Crown Prince?”

“Huh? No, not yet…”

Theresa nudged Clara’s side with her elbow.

“Why are you asking that?”

“Why not? It’s just because the other party is the Crown Prince, but it’s not like I said something I shouldn’t have. Oh, by the way, did you know? Theresa got proposed to recently.”

“What, really?”

“Theresa, show her the ring.”

Rosette was as happy as if it were her own when she saw the engagement ring that Theresa shyly showed her.

“Congratulations, I’m so happy for you.”

“I’ll introduce you to my fiancé later. I’d like to introduce him now, but…”

Theresa glanced at the entrance of the banquet hall. Just then, a servant shouted loudly.

“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince are entering!”