The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 53

53. A Companion is Absurd

“My companion, you say?”

“It’s Adrian.”

That one word explained everything.

Currently, among the children of the Ernhardt Empire’s four great dukes, Adrian was the only family with a daughter of suitable age to be considered for marriage with the imperial prince, Joshua. The rest were either too old, too young, or didn’t have daughters.

However, the Emperor had always coveted Adrian’s only daughter, Isabel, yet regarded her with some displeasure.

The reason was that he didn’t think she, with her talent in swordsmanship, would live quietly in the Imperial Palace. He likely feared she’d be too independent and rebellious.

That such an Emperor showed interest in the newly appeared Adrian’s daughter was telling. The fact that she was an adopted commoner was a bit concerning, but if her magical abilities were outstanding, it was a different story.

The Ernhardt Empire, despite its name, was quite behind in magic. It had produced quite a few Sword Masters, but no Archmages.

The Emperor’s marriage to the Ivelin Empire’s princess, a magical powerhouse, to promote magic within the empire was a well-known story.

The Emperor seemed to be trying to keep magical talents in the Empire even through arranged marriages.

“Well, I don’t think I’ll ever have a special relationship with the Lady.”

“Oh, my.”

Ophelia’s eyes widened as if surprised again.

‘How strange.’

It was the first time she had seen Joshua so firmly deny something with the word ‘never.’ As a prince, he had always been taught to use words that gave people leeway.

Moreover, his emphasizing it so much made it seem like he was concerned about Rosette.

However, for some reason, she felt like she shouldn’t tease Joshua any further here. Ophelia decided to wrap up the topic.

“Well, it’s not really the time to consider your partner yet. You’re still young, and you have many days left to meet people. Someday, a child who captures your heart will appear. This mother is looking forward to that time.”

“My partner.”

Joshua smiled a little bitterly.

“You must keep that promise, Mother.”

“Huh?”

“You must live long enough to see me meet my partner and start a new family.”

“Oh my, I didn’t know you could say such things! Come to think of it, you’ve become quite mature lately. Was it after that day you had a nightmare?”

“…….”

Ophelia took Joshua’s hand.

“It’s good to grow up quickly and become independent, but I want you to stay in my arms a little longer.”

‘But Mother. I had to leave you without any preparation. I didn’t want to, but I had to grow up quickly.’

But now…….

Joshua smiled, trying to shake off his gloomy past.

“I would like that too.”

* * *

“I need to find a doctor.”

[Chirp?]

“A doctor who can take good care of the Empress.”

[Chirp!]

Bbibbi flapped its wings next to her, urging her to think quickly. To meet its expectations, she tried to recall the past, but nothing came to mind.

Rosette collapsed on the table.

“I can’t think of anything.”

[Chirrrp!]

“I can’t help it even if you rush me, Bbibbi. I was trapped in the Dallas mansion in the past. How would I know about doctors?”

[Chirrrp.]

“Later, I’ll have to look for one myself. There’s nothing I can do now.”

Rosette closed her eyes with a disappointed look.

She wanted to see Joshua happy, but it seemed like she wouldn’t be able to.

* * *

Ophelia Ernhardt was having tea time with the Emperor for the first time in a while. The place where they met was the greenhouse, rumored to be the most beautiful in the Imperial Palace.

The spring sunlight streaming through the transparent glass windows shone on Ophelia’s head.

“We almost lost you. Who would have known that Lord Largo would do such a thing.”

“I apologize for causing you concern, Your Majesty.”

“Is there anything for you to be sorry about? Anyway, I’m really glad.”

“It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s concern.”

“What concern did I have? It’s all thanks to the Prince.”

The Emperor burst into a hearty laugh.

“I thought he was still a clumsy child, but he had such observation skills. Quite unexpected. He seems to have courage too.”

“That’s right, Your Majesty. I was also surprised to see that side of Joshua for the first time.”

“I must reward the Prince. I’ll have to think about what would be good.”

“You are most gracious, Your Majesty. He would gladly accept anything Your Majesty gives him.”

After Ophelia’s reply, the conversation between the two was briefly interrupted.

The two had been like that since they first met. They had a loveless marriage, and even after giving birth to Joshua, they had no particular affection for each other.

Still, Ophelia thought of the Emperor as family. Even if she didn’t love him as a woman, she respected him as her husband.

However, the Emperor didn’t seem to feel the same way. He seemed to take care of Ophelia on the surface, but Ophelia always noticed that there was no emotion in his eyes when he looked at her.

But it didn’t matter. It was what she had expected when she came to the Empire anyway.

However, it was a bit frustrating and disappointing that the Emperor didn’t show affection for his only child, Joshua.

It was even stranger that he hadn’t appointed him as Crown Prince until he was twelve years old.

Ophelia cautiously probed the Emperor.

“Come to think of it, Joshua’s birthday is coming up soon. Time really flies. It’s already been a year.”

“That’s right. Is the Prince turning twelve now?”

“He’s turning thirteen.”

“Really? He’s grown up so much already.”

“So, about that…….”

Ophelia was about to say something about the Crown Prince appointment when the Emperor changed the subject as if he hadn’t heard her.

“Come to think of it, the Adrian Lady also helped solve this case, didn’t she?”

Ophelia forced a smile and replied.

“You mean the second Lady. Yes, the Lady and her familiar are very knowledgeable about plants. In particular, the Lady’s familiar found the Kish tree leaves.”

“Hoo.”

The Emperor’s eyes sparkled.

“The Duke said the Lady’s magical skills were great, and it seems to be true. I know she’s younger than the second Prince, but she’s already summoned a familiar? How old is she?”

“She’s eight years old.”

“She can summon a familiar at eight years old? It’s unlikely, but could the Lady be lying? Children often exaggerate to be praised. Frankly, I’m a bit skeptical that the Lady was helpful.”

His point was valid in its own way. That’s how great Rosette’s achievements were.

However, to treat that kind and innocent child as a liar… Ophelia was slightly displeased but defended Rosette without showing it.

“The Lady is not that kind of child, Your Majesty. She really summoned a familiar. I saw the Lady’s familiar myself. It’s true that the familiar helped with this case.”

“Really? What kind of animal was it?”

“It’s a white parrotbill that resembles the Lady. It’s cute and lovely.”

The Emperor, slightly losing interest at the word ‘parrotbill,’ muttered listlessly.

“I see. It would have been better if it was a more useful animal.”

“Of course, it would have been nice, but familiars are valuable just for existing. With a familiar, you can perform more elaborate magic…….”

The Emperor raised his hand, interrupting Ophelia’s words.

“So when will the Prince be able to summon a familiar? Even an eight-year-old child has summoned one, but why is there no news even though he’s almost thirteen? I’ve certainly heard that he also has a talent for magic.”

“That’s…….”

Rosette was surprisingly fast, but Joshua was definitely not slow. Yet the Emperor was dissatisfied with Joshua.

“What on earth are the Prince’s magic teachers doing? I assigned the best magicians in the Empire, but why aren’t they producing any significant results?”

Ophelia calmly explained to the Emperor, who seemed ready to reprimand the magicians at any moment.

“Your Majesty, as you know, familiars are usually summoned after the age of fifteen at the earliest. Joshua still has some time left.”

“Does the Empress think I’m saying this because I don’t know that?”

Ophelia paused for a moment, but soon spoke firmly.

“And if the Lady meets Joshua often, she tells him how to summon a familiar, wouldn’t Joshua be able to summon a familiar quickly by being positively influenced by the Lady?”

“That’s it.”

“……Yes?”

Ophelia paused, not understanding the meaning of those words. The Emperor explained.

“The Lady and the Prince. It would be good if they took classes together. How about making the Lady the Prince’s companion at this opportunity?”

“A companion……?”

A companion, in other words, could be called a playmate.

Usually, a same-sex child of the same age is made the companion of a prince or princess. It is rare, but there are cases where a person of the opposite sex is made a companion.

Moreover, unlike same-sex companions, opposite-sex companions had a slightly more special meaning. Historically, there were quite a few cases of marrying a companion.

As expected, the Emperor seemed to be thinking of linking the Adrian family to the Imperial Family through marriage.

Unlike the flustered Ophelia, the Emperor muttered as if satisfied with his own opinion.

“Yes. The Adrian family is unmatched in swordsmanship, but they don’t have any talent in magic. Even if there is the Fire Witch [a powerful mage within the Adrian family], it would not be enough to teach the Lady. If she becomes the Prince’s companion, wouldn’t she be taking classes from the best magicians in the Empire? There’s nothing bad for Adrian to lose.”

“But…….”

“Is there a problem?”

“That child is still young. There’s a four-year age difference with Joshua. Besides, she doesn’t even have proper social life. If we suddenly make that child, not the first Lady, a companion, everyone will be puzzled.”

Above all, Duke Adrian would not allow it. He didn’t seem to want Rosette to be noticed.

Besides, would the Duke really send his precious daughter to the stuffy Imperial Palace? Ophelia didn’t think so at all.

However, Ophelia tactfully omitted those words.

The Emperor rubbed his chin.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a pity.”

“And she probably still has a lot to learn from the Fire Witch. If you really want to make her a companion, how about reconsidering it after the Lady gets a little older?”

“Yes, the Empress is right. Let’s do that. I was too hasty. Let’s think about that again later.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

With those words, the conversation was cut off again. For a while, only the sound of teacups clinking could be heard between the two.

“Even if I can’t make her the Prince’s companion, I want to see her face at least once, but there’s no opportunity.”

“Ah…….”

“Come to think of it, you’re holding a charity party soon, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I’m planning to hold a simple tea party at the Empress Palace.”

“Does the Adrian family attend then?”

“No, their ages don’t match…….”

“The little Lady seems to be the right age.”

“……Yes, that’s right.”

The Emperor suggested it outright.