The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 68

68. Back to the Capital

“You’re our beloved youngest. Of course, you should have the best knight.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry about me or the others. We’ll all have equally skilled protectors.”

“Still…”

Indeed, the Duke, a Sword Master, and Daniel, whom everyone believes will soon become one, might not even need guards.

Rosette smiled brightly at Duke Adrian, who was waiting for her answer.

“Joseph and Sir Kellen are both fine. Thank you for your concern, Father!”

* * *

“Oppa, what’s wrong?”

Melody, who had been squatting in front of Duke Adrian’s office, jumped up as soon as the door opened. Joseph hugged his younger sister tightly.

“Melody, why were you here?”

“I was worried about Oppa.”

“You were worried that Oppa would get scolded by the Duke? Why were you worried I’d get scolded?”

“Because Oppa is a troublemaker.”

Melody delivered her sharp words in a calm voice. Rosette burst into laughter. Melody looked embarrassed.

“Anyway, did you get scolded?”

“I didn’t. Melody, I have good news for you!”

“Good news?”

“I’ve become Lady Rosette’s escort knight!”

“What?”

Melody’s eyes narrowed.

“Is that even possible?”

“Huh?”

“With your skills?”

Unlike the always-friendly Adrian siblings, the Oser siblings were close but also had a cold side to each other.

To be precise, Joseph was still head over heels for Melody, but Melody, who was slowly entering puberty, was often cynical towards him.

“Well, the Duke must have made me her escort knight because it’s possible, right? And I’m the only knight who swore an oath to the young lady…!”

“So, that’s a perk? Did you swear an oath to the young lady for that purpose? Sneaky.”

“Perk? Sneaky? Melody, where did you learn such words? I didn’t teach you that.”

Rosette, who had been listening to their conversation, burst into laughter. Only then did the Oser siblings shut their mouths.

“But Joseph, are you really okay with this? If you become my escort knight, you won’t be able to participate in the swordsmanship competition. I’m going to watch Daniel Oppa’s match this time, and you’ll have to stay by my side.”

“It’s fine! I prefer guarding the young lady to the swordsmanship competition.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Rosette smiled, relieved. And so, she gained her first escort knight.

* * *

That evening, a grand banquet was held in the hall of the Adrian mansion. Not only the Adrian family but also the knights attended.

“Melody, eat a lot, eat a lot. There are barbecue ribs you like.”

“Don’t worry about me, Oppa, you eat a lot too.”

“Our Melody, you’re taking care of Oppa too?”

“It’s not like that.”

Rosette watched the bickering Oser siblings from across the table and stifled a laugh. Lucas also looked at the Oser siblings and started putting various things on Rosette’s plate, as if not to be outdone.

“Kid, you eat a lot too. You need to grow taller. Don’t lose to little Oser.”

“Okay.”

Lucas, who had placed a palm-sized rib on her plate, began to cut the meat from the bone with a fork and knife. Thanks to him, Rosette could comfortably pick up and eat the meat.

In addition to that, Lucas peeled the chicken leg for Rosette and cut the grilled vegetables into bite-sized pieces.

“Oppa, you eat too.”

“I’ll eat after doing this for you.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Rosette, munching on the tender chicken, picked up a large piece of meat and held it out to Lucas.

“Eat this.”

“Are you really giving it to Oppa?”

Lucas looked touched.

“Yeah, say ah.”

“Ah!”

Lucas took it and smiled as he chewed. He asked, “Now that I think about it, kid. Joseph and Sir Kellen are going to be your escort knights, right?”

“Yes.”

“Did you formally greet Sir Kellen?”

“No, not yet…”

“Sir Kellen is coming over there, let’s greet him. Here! Come over here!”

Kellen, who was entering with his colleagues, quickly ran over. He smiled at the two children.

“Greetings, Young Master, Young Lady.”

“Hello, Sir Kellen. I enjoyed watching your sparring earlier.”

“Oh, you saw it?”

“Yes. Actually, Daniel Oppa and Sir Kellen were so fast that I couldn’t see properly. You’re both amazing.”

As Rosette spoke shyly, Kellen bent his knees to lower himself to her eye level.

“You flatter me, Young Lady. I heard that your magical skills are also impressive.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Kellen smiled again and knelt on one knee in front of Rosette.

“I formally greet you, Young Lady. I am Chris Kellen, and I will be your escort from today. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

Chris smiled and extended his right hand. When Rosette didn’t understand the gesture and only blinked, Lucas whispered.

“Kid, your hand.”

“Ah!”

She belatedly reached out her hand, and Chris took her small, white hand. Then, he kissed the back of her soft hand.

Unlike the oath to a liege, it was a knight’s greeting to the young lady he served. Of course, it was the first knight’s greeting Rosette had ever received.

To Chris, Rosette seemed to be not a trusted liege but a precious young lady to protect.

‘A young lady to protect…’

Rosette’s face flushed with embarrassment. Chris chuckled as he looked at her.

“What.”

Lucas quickly pulled Rosette’s hand away from his.

“Anyway, don’t you dare have any funny ideas about our little one.”

“Oppa.”

Rosette rubbed her forehead.

Sir Chris was in his late twenties. There was no reason for him to develop feelings for Rosette, nor should he, but Lucas was being strangely wary.

Chris quickly denied it.

“That will never happen!”

Lucas glared at him.

“Really? Then don’t let our little one get even a scratch. I won’t let you off easily.”

“Yes, I understand.”

At this point, Rosette became very embarrassed and buried her face in her plate, picking at the sliced meat.

A little later, Daniel and Duke Adrian also entered. The two stood side by side at the head of the long table, holding large beer glasses.

“Today, we’ve gathered everyone for a double celebration. As you all saw, Daniel manifested a clear aura today. It’s a blessing for the Adrian family.”

Daniel smiled awkwardly.

“Also, we have appointed Sir Kellen and Sir Oser as Rose’s escorts. But I ask not only them but everyone to take good care of Rose.”

“Understood.”

“Then, let’s toast.”

Everyone raised their beer glasses in one hand. The three siblings, still underage, raised their juice-filled glasses. Rosette, in particular, had to hold her glass with both hands because it was too heavy.

“Cheers!”

Rosette smiled as she clinked glasses with Lucas, who was sitting next to her.

In the lively atmosphere, Rosette ate dinner until she was full and headed to her room, led by Joan.

“I’m not sleepy yet.”

“But you need to sleep. You’re going to the capital tomorrow.”

“Yeah, but we’re going using the mana gate.”

“Even if you use the mana gate, fatigue accumulates. Especially for you, Young Lady.”

In the years since coming to the territory, mana gates had been established in the Empire. By using the mana gate, one could use mana to move to other gates.

There were mana gates in both the Adrian territory and the capital, so they could travel back and forth without riding a carriage.

However, using the gate was tiring because of the influence of the massive mana.

Rosette, who was sensitive to mana, struggled twice as much as others.

“Okay.”

“Now, let me help you change. Raise your arms.”

“Okay.”

Rosette, who had changed into her pajamas, lay down on the bed at Joan’s urging. But even after Joan turned off the lights and left, she was too excited to fall asleep.

‘Finally going back to the capital.’

She turned over and lay face down on the bed, listing what she would do to Pipi.

“As soon as I get there, I’ll write letters to Clara and Theresa, go out to the main street and go to a café together, and…”

Rosette, who had been whispering quietly, stopped as a thought suddenly popped into her head. She suddenly pulled the blanket over her head, and Pipi flapped its wings.

[Pii? Piit?]

A small voice leaked from under the blanket.

“I’ll be able to see His Highness the Prince too, right?”

[Pii!]

Of course! You’ll be able to see that human called the Prince and Silver too.

Rosette, who had been kicking her feet under the blanket, jumped up.

“Ah, that’s right, Silver!”

She jumped out of bed and headed to the dresser. Then, she took out the dog treats she had collected in the bottom drawer. Bones, jerky, and so on.

[Piit!]

Pipi, who had followed her, flew back to the bed with a disgusted look.

“I hope Silver likes this too.”

Wolves are canids, so wouldn’t they eat it? Rosette carefully packed the snacks in her bag.

She went back into bed and tried to fall asleep, but it wouldn’t come. The last day in the Adrian territory was passing by like that.

* * *

The next morning, Joan dressed Rosette in several layers of thin spring clothes.

“The capital will be warmer than here, so take off your outer layers when you get there.”

“Okay.”

Rosette, entrusting herself to Joan, looked out the window. The high mountains covered with eternal snow and the emerald lake in the distance.

Rosette had come to love this Adrian territory, which was different from the capital. But apart from that, she was excited to return to the capital.

Her friends, Ophelia, and Joshua were there.

“His Highness the Prince must have grown a lot too, right?”

As she muttered to herself, Joan smiled.

“Of course. The children in the capital say he’s so tall that he looks like an adult.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Maybe when you stand in front of His Highness, you’ll really look like a child now.”

I don’t like that. Rosette wiggled her toes for no reason.

She tried to imagine Joshua’s appearance in her head.

Joshua at 12, whom she knew, and Joshua at 24, somewhere in between.

But no matter how hard she tried, she could only imagine a large body with a baby face.

Rosette laughed without realizing it.

“What’s so funny?”

“No, it’s nothing. Let’s go when you’re done.”

Rosette looked around the room one last time, knowing she wouldn’t be back for a while, and went outside.

* * *

“Ugh, the mana gate is always new every time I use it. I can’t get used to it.”

Lucas patted his waist as he walked out of the mana gate in the capital. Isabel passed by him, scolding him.

“Stop exaggerating.”

Behind them, Daniel carefully walked, holding Rosette’s staggering arm.

“Rose, are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Not dizzy?”

“A little. But it’s better than when I used the gate before.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Rose.”

Duke Adrian, who was the last of the five family members to arrive at the mana gate, picked Rosette up in his arms. Then, he got into the carriage.

The carriage, carrying all five of them, drove diligently towards the Adrian mansion.