The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 59

59. Antoni Huxley’s First Love

I hadn’t even considered that having a child who remembers the past would make changing the future easier.

I simply didn’t want to lose this child.

I couldn’t imagine Rosette not being by my side, sometimes acting like an adult and other times laughing like an eight-year-old.

It was strange. I hadn’t even known this child for half a year, but how could I feel this way?

Or was I just an altruist who cherished every single life?

I couldn’t tell. I only knew that I was relieved that Rosette was alive and breathing in front of me.

I was even grateful to the goddess Asella, whom I didn’t usually pray to.

However, Joshua hid his feelings and replied a bit brusquely.

“If I let you die, do you think Master [Duke Adrian] or Daniel would leave me alone?”

“Ah…….”

“Master might even try to overthrow the Imperial Family.”

Joshua, who muttered jokingly, got up from his seat.

“Then rest until Master comes. I’ll go and resolve the situation.”

“But, what happened to Antoni?”

“Even in this situation, you’re thinking about someone else?”

Joshua chuckled and readily answered.

“He’s getting treatment. Antoni Huxley seems to have broken his ankle bone, too. Since the Huxley family doesn’t have a mage who can heal broken bones, he’ll probably be treated when an Imperial mage arrives.”

“Yes. I’m glad to hear that.”

“Then rest.”

Joshua left. Once alone, Rosette felt a sudden wave of exhaustion. It was the aftermath of using magic until her mana was depleted.

‘Still, it seems like my mana core has grown a bit, so I don’t suffer internal injuries or faint anymore.’

Instead, she felt as sleepy as if she had inhaled sleep-inducing incense.

Rosette blinked her heavy eyes and closed them after spotting Silver and Pipi standing guard beside her. She could rest assured with two familiars present.

Silver quickly lay down beside Rosette, who was breathing heavily, and Pipi settled on Silver’s head.

Just as she was drifting off to sleep.

“Hey, are you okay?”

A worried voice was heard. It was Antoni Huxley.

Rosette opened her eyes and looked to the side. Antoni, leaning on crutches, was looking down at her with a face that looked like he was about to cry.

Rosette scanned him from head to toe and smiled faintly.

“I’m glad. It doesn’t seem like you’re seriously hurt.”

“You’re smiling right now?”

Antoni awkwardly sat down next to Rosette with difficulty. Then, he mumbled, barely moving his lips.

“Thahmkyou.”

“……?”

When Rosette showed that she didn’t understand, he shouted.

“I said thank you, you idiot!”

“Uh-huh. It was something I should have done anyway.”

“How is that something you should have done? You almost died. And…….”

Antoni mumbled in an even smaller voice.

“I made fun of you so much. I wouldn’t have been able to help like that. But you helped me without even acting like it was a big deal……. I might have misjudged you.”

Antoni scratched his head and whispered.

“I’m sorry. You and your familiars are much more amazing than I thought.”

“Uh-huh.”

Rosette felt a little guilty. She had also lied to Antoni about something. Now that Antoni had even apologized, she didn’t want to deceive him any further.

“Actually, I have something to apologize to you for, too.”

“What is it?”

“About that fire earlier. Actually, I did it, not Pipi.”

“What?”

“I still don’t regret throwing the fireball, but I’m sorry I burned your hair.”

Rosette frowned as she looked at his hair, which still had burn marks.

Antoni touched his upper lip and said awkwardly.

“Well, if you think about it, it’s my fault. And hair grows back quickly, so don’t worry.”

“Really?”

Rosette, relieved, smiled brightly.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re okay. Thank you.”

At that moment, Antoni’s freckled nose and cheeks turned as red as if they were on fire as he looked at Rosette.

“Well, you don’t have to thank me.”

“And thank you for calling people. I was worried that you might…….”

“What?”

Antoni interrupted Rosette.

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t say anything to people, did you? Do you think I’m that bad?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…….”

“What do you think of Antoni Huxley? I may not have recognized you and made fun of you, but! I never had any intention of harming you!”

Rosette wanted to ask, ‘Are you sure you didn’t have any intention of harming me?’ but she held back.

“Okay. I’ll definitely repay you! The Huxley family never forgets a favor.”

“No, you don’t have to go that far…….”

“I will repay you! Be prepared.”

Was it something that required preparation? What was he going to do?

Rosette was a little worried.

“And…….”

It was when Antoni was about to say something.

“Kid! Where’s our kid?”

Lukas’s voice echoed loudly from afar.

[Pii!]!

Pipi quickly flew to find Lukas. Antoni was startled and stood up, leaning on his crutches.

“Anyway, I’ll send a letter to the Adrian family. Okay?”

“Huh? Uh-huh. Okay.”

After hearing Rosette’s answer, Antoni disappeared as if running away. As if passing the baton, Lukas, with Pipi on his head, ran over.

“Kid! Are you okay?”

Lukas, who knelt down next to Rosette in an instant, burst into tears.

“You can’t die, kid!”

A scolding voice was heard from behind.

“Who’s dying? Don’t say ominous things, you idiot.”

It was Isabel. She approached Rosette quickly with Daniel. Duke Adrian, who had come with them, was listening to the details from the doctor who had examined Rosette.

“Rose.”

Daniel frowned as he stroked Rosette’s bandaged head.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

Rosette replied in a deliberately bright voice.

“It doesn’t hurt! Really!”

“I’m glad to hear that…….”

“But what brings you all here together?”

Lukas, who was still crying, sobbed and answered.

“When Father said he was going alone, I insisted on going with him.”

“I see.”

“We were all so surprised because we thought something had happened to you.”

Lukas held Rosette’s hand and pressed it against his wet cheek.

“Don’t ever do anything dangerous again.”

“Uh-huh, I understand.”

“Lukas, move aside for a moment.”

Duke Adrian, who had already heard the story, came with the doctor and Celine. When Lukas moved aside, Celine and the doctor examined Rosette.

“It seems like her leg is definitely broken.”

“I can heal that. However, there will be some pain for a few days.”

“Alright, I understand.”

“Then, miss, let me heal you for a moment.”

Celine touched the part the doctor pointed to and used magic. A tingling pain was felt in her leg, followed by a cool sensation, and the pain gradually began to subside.

“It’s done.”

Healing a broken bone was difficult even for a high-ranking mage. Celine, who was a little tired after a short time, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and then examined Rosette’s forehead.

“Let’s heal this while we’re at it. We can’t have a scar.”

“Yes.”

The doctor carefully unwrapped the bandage, and Celine used healing magic again. After that, Rosette was surprisingly fine.

Only then did Duke Adrian relax his stiff expression and smile.

“Now, let’s go home.”

He very carefully picked up Rosette. Rosette, who tightly hugged the Duke’s neck, read the worry in his face.

How anxious her family must have been while coming all the way here after hearing the news.

“I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s not something to be sorry about, Rose.”

The Duke lightly kissed Rosette’s forehead.

“Your father is really grateful that you’re safe.”

Rosette buried her face in his neck as if acting spoiled. The three siblings followed Duke Adrian, who was walking to the carriage.

It was a day to be grateful for being alive and for not causing sadness to her family.

* * *

Rosette was worried that she would be scolded by Duke Adrian, but he didn’t scold her.

He simply laid Rosette carefully on the bed and said only one thing: “You must be surprised, so get some rest.”

Rosette, feeling guilty, covered herself with the blanket up to her nose and mumbled.

“Aren’t I going to be scolded?”

“Scolded?”

“I used magic. And, I got hurt.”

“Rose.”

The Duke, realizing what she was worried about, sat on the bed.

“That’s not something to be scolded for. It’s true that you used magic, but you were trying to save other children.”

“…….”

“And getting hurt……. It breaks my heart, but that’s not something to be scolded for either. It was unavoidable. Rather, your father is proud of you.”

“Proud?”

“Yes. You risked danger to save your friend. That’s similar to the chivalry that our family pursues.”

“Chivalry…….”

Rosette felt inexplicably pleased. Although she was walking the path of a mage, not a knight, it felt like she was sharing the same values as her family.

“But still, let’s use magic after learning more.”

“Yes.”

“Alright, go to sleep. Call me if you need your father.”

“Yes.”

Duke Adrian patted Rosette on the blanket and left the room.

Rosette quickly fell asleep.

* * *

That night, Silver came without warning. Rosette, who woke up from Pipi’s chirping, couldn’t even open her eyes properly and asked back.

“Huh, wha, what did you say?”

“……What?”

“Ugh, yes. I didn’t know Silver would come…….”

A slight tongue-clicking sound was heard from beyond Silver’s necklace.

Rosette replied in a voice still heavy with sleep.

“Yes. They told me to be careful for a few days…… but, I’m okay…….”

“It still hurts a little every time I walk……. But, they said it will be okay.”

“How about the Prince? Is he okay?”

A chuckling sound was heard from beyond the necklace.

“How about Silver? Everyone…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

Before she knew it, Rosette was clinging to Silver and dozing off. Joshua, who seemed to have grasped the situation, called her a little louder.

“Haa, sorry……. I’m too sleepy.”

She mumbled, trying to widen her eyes.

“Yes.”

Rosette let go of Silver and wriggled into the blanket. She soon fell asleep again.

Because of that, she didn’t hear Joshua’s small, heartfelt words.