The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 90

90. To the Ibelin Kingdom

January 29, 2024

As the wind turned quite chilly, Rosette and Melody prepared to depart for the Ibelin Kingdom.

Rosette’s maid, Joan, and her escort knights, Joseph and Chris, were to accompany them.

The night before, Lucas, after a tearful and tight hug with Rosette, saw her off with visibly swollen eyes.

“Have a good trip, squirt. Don’t cry too much because you miss your big brother.”

“Pfft. I understand, Brother.”

Daniel presented her with a dagger for self-defense.

“Remember how I taught you to use a dagger? I wanted to give you a longsword, but it seemed too cumbersome to carry, so I got you this instead. You probably won’t need to use it, but still, think of us when you see it.”

“Thank you, Brother. I’ll carry it with me always.”

Isabelle gifted her a set of letter-writing tools, including a quill, ink, and a stamp engraved with the Adrian family crest.

“Write to me anytime, okay?”

“Yes, Sister. I definitely will.”

Rosette greeted all three siblings and then embraced Duke Adrian, who hugged her even tighter than usual.

“Have a good trip, Rose. You can always come back if you want to.”

“Thank you for your concern, Father. But I intend to graduate before coming back. Please don’t worry too much.”

“Yes. Still, I feel reassured knowing Melody and Joseph are going with you.”

“That’s right. Thank you for sending them with me.”

“Rose.”

Duke Adrian hesitated before muttering,

“Your father loves you more than anyone else. Just remember that.”

She had intended to leave bravely, but his words brought tears to her eyes. Rosette rubbed her face against Duke Adrian’s chest.

“I love you very, very much too.”

“Okay. Then have a good trip.”

“Yes.”

Sniffling, Rosette waved to her family and the employees who had come to see her off, then looked towards the imperial palace to the west.

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t even say goodbye to the Prince.’

She had visited Ophelia at the palace a few days prior and bid her farewell then. Still, she felt a bit sad that she couldn’t say goodbye at the last moment.

‘It can’t be helped. The Prince is busy.’

Rosette averted her gaze and was about to step onto the carriage when—

[Awoo!]

Silver’s howl echoed from somewhere. Rosette, with one foot on the carriage step, turned towards the sound.

In the distance, Silver was running at full speed.

“Silver!”

Rosette ran towards the silver wolf, who bounded towards her, fur flying. Silver slowed down and nestled into her arms. Rosette giggled.

“Silver, I missed you!”

Silver panted and licked Rosette’s cheek.

“How did you get here? Did the Prince send you?”

[Woof!]

“I thought I wouldn’t be able to see you before leaving. I’m so happy. Thank you for coming!”

While Rosette was talking to Silver, the Duke and his three children approached her.

“What? Isn’t that wolf His Highness the Prince’s familiar [a magical animal companion]? What’s he doing here?”

“He must have come to say goodbye to Rose. His Highness the Prince was quite fond of Rose, after all.”

“Why didn’t His Highness the Prince come himself?”

“Idiot. Do you think His Highness the Prince is that free?”

Rosette let the siblings’ conversation flow in one ear and out the other, and whispered into the necklace.

“Your Highness, did you send Silver?”

No sound came from the necklace. Rosette waited patiently and then asked again.

“Your Highness?”

“Did you send him to say goodbye?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Rosette didn’t say anything else after that.

‘I’m sure he had a lot more to say.’

But when she tried to speak, she couldn’t think of anything to say.

Then Joshua said.

“Yes, yes. I’ll have a good trip.”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind too.”

“Yes…, yes?”

The last voice was very small, so Rosette wasn’t sure if she had heard correctly.

She put her ear close to the necklace and asked.

“What did you say just now…”

“That…”

It was probably the first time he had properly called her name. And to say it with ‘Adrian’ attached seemed like the very first time.

Rosette was overwhelmed with the feeling that she had truly been acknowledged by Joshua. Her eyes quickly turned red.

“I’ll miss you too.”

The selfish feeling she showed him for the first time.

Rosette was afraid of how Joshua would react, so she quickly continued.

“I’ll work hard and come back. Your Highness, and Her Majesty the Queen, please stay healthy until then.”

“Everyone, wait for me. I’ll be going now.”

With that, the light disappeared from the necklace. Rosette kissed Silver’s nose and stood up.

Lucas asked anxiously.

“What did His Highness say? I couldn’t hear the last words very well.”

“He just told me to have a good trip.”

“But you, are you crying now?”

“No, I’m not crying. It’s just… it feels a bit strange to actually leave.”

Rosette opened her arms wide and hugged her family once more before getting into the carriage.

“Then I’m really going now!”

“Okay, have a good trip!”

“See you during summer vacation!”

“Yes!”

The carriage drove away vigorously, leaving the Adrian family behind. When her family was no longer visible, Rosette closed the window.

“I will take good care of you, Miss.”

Joan muttered, wiping her wet eyes with a handkerchief. Melody nodded as well.

“Me too! And probably my brother too.”

“Thank you both.”

Rosette smiled and thought.

‘I wonder how things will have changed in seven years.’

She hoped that day would come soon.

* * *

[To Lucas Brother.

Brother, how are you? This is Rose.

I used to be with you every day, but it feels strange to write a letter like this after being apart.

I arrived safely in the Ibelin Kingdom. I’m glad that the common language of the continent works well even outside the academy. But I’m still going to study the Ibelin language little by little.

Thanks to Father’s consideration, the room is very large and clean. Even though I’m using it alone, it seems bigger than my room in the main residence. I don’t know if I deserve to live like this.

It feels like it’s been three weeks since I left the capital. How is everyone doing?

I’m doing really well. I haven’t made any new friends yet, but I’m spending time with Melody and Anthony Huxley.

Brother, you were angry that Anthony followed me to the academy (of course, I still think your claim is absurd), but I actually think it’s fortunate that Anthony is here.

They say that everyone is equal in the academy regardless of status, but Melody can’t seem to treat me comfortably.

So I’m quite grateful to Anthony, although he probably didn’t come because of me.

Oh, and your birthday is coming up soon. I’m sending a small birthday present with this letter.

It’s a sword ornament made here. It doesn’t have any special functions, but this magic stone glows in the dark. It might be good to use when it’s dark in the early morning.

Brother, I already miss you and the family. But I’ll endure it. I’ll be able to see you during summer vacation in a year.

I’ll stop here. Please write back.

Your sister who loves you, Rose.

P.S. Pipi next to me says to tell you that she misses you too. She must miss you a lot. She says you can call her Peep if you meet her next time.]

[To our beloved youngest.

Oh dear, you little squirt. How can you get homesick so soon? You’re always making this big brother worry.

You can come back anytime if you want. We all miss you too.

But you’re not going to give up, are you? I know. You have a surprisingly tenacious side, so even if you say that, you won’t come back.

I’m glad you like the room. I didn’t get it for you, but I still feel proud.

And Huxley, that guy. I don’t like him, but I’ll let it slide since you’re not lonely thanks to him. But if he does anything you don’t like, tell me anytime.

This big brother will run over and!

Isabelle Sister is saying something from behind, so I couldn’t write the rest. But you know what this big brother means, right?

Thank you for the birthday present too. It feels strange to spend my birthday without you. You have to sing the birthday song with me.

Anyway, don’t worry about us and do well, squirt.

Your brother who always worries about you, Lucas.

P.S. Pipi, you finally admitted that you’re Peep. I knew it. Tell Peep that I miss her too.]

* * *

[To Lucas Brother.

Did you hear that the sea route is blocked? The pirates are so rampant that ships can’t sail at all.

I probably won’t be able to go to the Empire this summer vacation either. This letter will also be sent by land, so it will arrive later than usual.

Recently, my friends, including Melody, threw me a birthday party. I was so happy but also a little sad. It would have been nice if Father, Sister, and Brother were there.

But don’t worry. I’m still doing well.

Anyway, I’ll write again next time.

Feeling a bit gloomy, Rosette.]

[To our cute youngest.

Happy birthday, even though it’s late! The letter definitely arrived late because it was sent by land. It’s already spring here.

I already heard the news that things are crazy because of the pirates.

Father is looking for a way to bring you here during the vacation, so don’t worry too much. There will definitely be a way.

If not, we can go there! What can’t the Adrians do!

By the way, did you know? The entire Empire is turned upside down right now. A new Imperial Prince has appeared.

What does that mean? This big brother will explain it in detail.

Recently, a grand party was held at the Imperial Palace to celebrate Joshua Prince’s coming of age. Of course, we all participated.

Someone from the Lilith family also came. Duke Lilith and Lady Lilith came, and a child I had never seen before came with them.

Was he about fifteen years old? He seemed to be about the same age as you.

But guess what. That child had blonde hair and golden eyes! Golden eyes, golden eyes! The symbol of the Imperial Family.

That’s right. Duke Lilith claimed that the child was born between Lady Lilith and His Majesty the Emperor.

And that was at Joshua Prince’s coming-of-age party!

He was completely trying to screw over the Prince; no, he was properly declaring war on the Prince and Her Majesty the Queen.

The paternity test revealed that the child was indeed His Majesty’s child. But what’s even more surprising is that His Majesty seemed to have known everything already.

Anyway, that child, Louis Lilith, formally received the Ernhardt surname and became the Second Imperial Prince.

Thanks to that, the nobles are all in an uproar. A succession structure was created. Father also looked like he had a headache. It was fortunate that you weren’t there.

Anyway, Father will be busy for the time being. But don’t worry too much here and focus on your studies.

I’ll contact you again.

Your brother who always worries about you.]

[To J.

Hello, this is Rose. How have you been?

Actually, I just heard from Lucas Brother. He said that man has appeared. What are you planning to do in the future?

I have no idea what to do in the future. Will Adrian be safe even without me? Or should I give up graduating and go back?

How is the Prince?]

Rosette put down her quill after writing this far and read the letter again.

Although it was unlikely, it was a sentence that someone else would find suspicious if they saw it.

‘I tried to express it as vaguely as possible, but I guess I can’t send it after all.’

After much deliberation, Rosette tore up the letter and threw it into the fireplace.