The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 64

64. Heading to Adrian Territory

January 3, 2024

“Huh? Little one’s not asleep?”

“Oppa Lucas?”

Why was Lucas, who should have been sleeping in his room, here? And with a pillow in his arms, no less?

Lucas scrutinized Rosette’s face, who looked puzzled.

“You didn’t cry?”

“Cry? Me?”

“Yeah. I thought you were scared of the thunder and lightning and came because I was worried.”

“I don’t cry over things like that.”

[Beep.]

“Bbi-Bbi was a little surprised, though.”

“Hmm, well, that’s a relief.”

Even after confirming that Rosette’s eyes were dry, he didn’t leave.

“Aren’t you sleeping, Oppa?”

“Well…”

After a moment of contemplation, Lucas plopped down next to Rosette.

“I’m going to sleep here tonight.”

“Huh?”

“You never know. You might start crying because you’re scared after I leave.”

“I told you, I’m not crying.”

Rosette nudged Lucas’s legs with her toes, a silent signal to leave, but Lucas resisted, tensing his whole body.

Eventually, Rosette gave up.

“Just for today.”

“Okay. Hey, Bbi-Bbi. You’re happy that I’m here too, right?”

[Bbeeep…….]

“See? Bbi-Bbi’s happy too.”

“Bbi-Bbi is annoying.”

“What?”

Lucas questioned Bbi-Bbi, who had somehow gotten under Rosette’s pillow.

“Hey, chick. Did you really say that?”

[Bbit.]

“Really?”

“Oppa, I’ll kick you out if you’re noisy.”

“What did I do to be noisy?”

Lucas grumbled but kept his mouth shut.

But then, the door opened again, and a dark shadow entered.

“What? Lucas, why are you here?”

It was Isabel.

The two children looked at each other, dumbfounded.

“Why did you come, Noona [older sister]?”

“I naturally… Anyway, why are you here?”

“I came because I was worried about the little one!”

Lucas grinned and patted the spot next to him.

“Great. Let’s sleep together, Noona.”

“No, why would I?”

“The little one is scared.”

“I never said…”

“Okay, just for today.”

Before Rosette could even deny it, Isabel answered and lay down next to Lucas. The large bed wasn’t even half full with the three children lying down.

‘How did this happen?’

Rosette thought, looking at the ceiling. Even amidst all this, the sound of thunder continued outside.

Each time, Lucas would say, “Don’t worry, little one. This Oppa [older brother] will protect you,” and pat her hand.

There was absolutely no need for that.

It was then, as the third thunderclap sounded,
that the door opened even more cautiously than the previous two times, and Daniel appeared.

He peeked his head in to look around and chuckled.

“Everyone’s here.”

He quickly approached and checked on his three younger siblings.

“Did you two come because you were worried about Rosette?”

“Yeah!”

“Well, not exactly worried.”

Daniel laughed out loud at the contrasting answers. Lucas offered him a suggestion this time as well.

“Hyung [older brother], sleep here too. You can lie down next to Noona.”

“No, I…”

“Hurry!”

“Then, should I?”

In the end, Daniel, who lost to Lucas, lay down next to Isabel. Only then was the bed about half full.

“I don’t know how long it’s been since we all slept together like this. Right, you guys?”

At Daniel’s admiring words, Lucas spoke up cheerfully.

“It’s the first time sleeping with the little one, though!”

“That’s true.”

The room, which had only heard the sounds of Bbi-Bbi and Rosette, was now filled with the voices of the children.

As time passed, the door opened once again.

The person who would come this time was obvious.

“Father!”

Lucas jumped up. Duke Adrian, upon discovering the four children huddled together, opened his eyes in surprise.

“Everyone was here.”

“We were all worried that the little one would be scared, so we came!”

“Yes. I came to check on her and ended up deciding to sleep together.”

“Who said I was worried.”

“I’m not scared…”

Duke Adrian kissed each of the children’s foreheads as they each said a word.

Lucas asked cheerfully.

“Father, will you sleep with us too?”

“I’m alright.”

“Aww…”

“Instead, I’ll stay by your side until you fall asleep.”

He brought a chair and sat next to the bed.

After that, the Adrian siblings’ chatter continued for a while.

Then, Rosette suddenly realized.

‘The thunder and lightning were just an excuse.’

Of course, the thunder and lightning were one of the reasons.

But more than that, her family had come for Rosette, who might have been disappointed today. Worried that she might be sobbing alone in disappointment.

‘It’s an unnecessary worry.’

But her heart warmed. To the point where she regretted wanting to meet her biological parents even for a moment.

Why was she curious about biological parents she had never even seen, leaving such a good family behind?

Rosette squeezed the blanket tightly and closed her eyes.

“Hey, little one. Are you asleep?”

Lucas’s voice faded away.

Today is happy too, but may tomorrow be a little happier than today.

* * *

Duke Adrian was looking at the report with a serious face.

His aide summarized and explained the contents of the interrogation of the woman they had captured today.

“The woman’s name is Anita Gwellin. She has been identified as working for a human trafficking ring.”

“That human trafficking, don’t tell me…”

“Yes. They mainly kidnap young girls like young ladies and hand them over to nobles. According to Anita Gwellin, there are many who want young ladies.”

The aide lowered his voice.

“…I see.”

Duke Adrian’s face became even more serious.

‘I thought this day might come someday.’

Adrian was so famous that even young children in the Empire knew him. Even nobles from neighboring kingdoms knew his name.

As famous as he was, there were also side effects. Enemies arose even without him intending it, and he encountered people who coveted Adrian’s fame and wealth.

Children were especially easy targets. Duke Adrian had tried to protect his beloved children from the moment they were born. The same was true for Rosette.

Especially, in some ways, Rosette was even easier for people to prey on.

A naive little girl who didn’t know much about noble families. Moreover, unlike the other Adrians, she had no talent for swords and was small and frail.

It meant that she could be easily harmed if someone wanted to.

So, the Duke considered Rosette’s talent for magic to be fortunate in another sense as well. He thought that even if she couldn’t use self-defense skills, she could protect herself sufficiently with magic.

However, when he learned that her magic skills were far superior to what he had expected, no, to the point where she could be called a genius, he felt a mix of emotions.

‘I was happy, but I was also worried.’

What parent wouldn’t be happy that their child was capable?

However, he was anxious that Rosette would experience hardships.

Just being an adopted commoner would make her the talk of the town, but she also had outstanding magical talent. If ignorant people saw it, wouldn’t it seem as if Duke Adrian coveted her talent and adopted her?

‘And it seemed like there would be people who would target her.’

So, he hid as much information about Rosette as possible. He hid the fact that she had saved him and that she had summoned a familiar [magical companion or creature].

However, after preventing the Empress’s poisoning, Rosette received attention. As it became known that her familiar had revealed the Kish tree leaves, her magical skills naturally received attention as well.

Moreover, this time, she even prevented a large-scale accident, completely focusing the attention of the world.

So, he thought that someone might target her.

But he didn’t expect it to appear in this way.

Human trafficking?

If he hadn’t saved Rosette, what would have happened to her?

The Duke’s eyes flashed sharply as he thought about things that hadn’t even happened. He rose from his seat and instructed his aide.

“Interrogate Anita Gwellin further. Absolutely do not kill her, so order Celine to use healing magic. We must also prevent suicide.”

“Yes.”

“Investigate the mastermind and catch the human trafficking ring. We cannot allow such things to roam the Empire.”

“I understand.”

“Continue to report any special circumstances.”

Duke Adrian got up from his seat and went to find the children who were sleeping now.

Daniel, Isabel, Lucas, and Rosette were sleeping happily in one bed.

Bbi-Bbi, who was sleeping next to Rosette’s pillow, felt a presence and opened its eyes.

[Bbi?]

“Shh. Don’t wake Rose.”

Bbi-Bbi blinked its eyes, recognized the person, and closed its eyes again.

Duke Adrian stroked Bbi-Bbi’s head with his thumb and then lightly kissed Rosette’s forehead.

“Sweet dreams, baby.”

I will protect you so that bad things cannot come, so you only see good things and grow up.

Duke Adrian muttered inwardly and carefully left the room, instructing Sebastian.

“Prepare to go to the territory.”

“The territory… you mean?”

“Yes.”

Sebastian was a little surprised. The Adrian family usually stayed in the capital until autumn and left for the territory in winter. It was still autumn now.

“Certainly, the capital is not a good place for suspicious people to roam around. For the time being, I should stay in the territory and watch the children grow up without coming to the capital.”

“I understand. I will order preparations to be made immediately.”

“Thank you.”

“I was just doing my job.”

“Alright.”

Duke Adrian lightly patted Sebastian’s shoulder and headed back to the room.

* * *

The family’s trip to Adrian territory was suddenly decided.

The four siblings, who had skipped morning training and were rolling around and playing on Rosette’s bed, were surprised by Sebastian’s words.

“Adrian territory? Why all of a sudden?”

“The master said he wanted to show the young lady the beautiful scenery of the territory. Winter is good, but isn’t the autumn scenery also beautiful?”

“That’s true! Little one, you may already know, but our Adrian territory is in the northern part of the Empire. Winter comes earlier than other places! Maybe the leaves will already be changing color if we go now?”

“Wow.”

“It snows more than in the capital? You can see snow as much as you want if you go!”

[Bbit!]

Bbi-Bbi was more excited than Rosette. Lucas tapped Bbi-Bbi’s beak, which was hopping up and down.

“Of course, you have to go too, Bbi-Bbi!”

“The master has gone to pay his respects to His Majesty the Emperor. He will be back soon and we will leave immediately, so please prepare quickly.”

“Okay! Everyone, let’s get ready!”

The four siblings scattered to their respective rooms to pack their bags. Rosette also packed the necessary luggage with the maids.

“Can I take this doll with me?”

Rosette asked, holding the doll that Anthony Huxley had given her as a gift, which she originally owned, in her arms, and Joan nodded.

“Of course. I’ll put it in the bag.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Everyone was moving busily.

[Bbi?]

Bbi-Bbi, who was sitting on Rosette’s head, flew to the window.

Outside, Silver was looking up. Joshua, having heard the news, had sent Silver.

Even though there was no need to hide it now, Silver deliberately came in through the window of Rosette’s room.

“Kyaa!”

“A wolf!”

The maids who were packing Rosette’s luggage were in an uproar. Rosette, who was packing her study books and peeked her head out, wondering what was going on, greeted Silver.

“Silver! Over here!”

Silver rushed over and pounced on Rosette.