The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 92

92. Graduation (1)

January 31, 2024

Rosette had completely transformed over the past seven years.

The small, frail child who looked like a worn-out horse when I first met her was nowhere to be seen.

She wasn’t particularly tall, but her proportions were good, so she didn’t seem small at all.

She had gained a little weight since she was young, but she was still slender. It was always amazing to see her face so pale despite constantly practicing swordsmanship.

Moreover, her expressions had become much richer than when I first met her 12 years ago. Back then, she seemed somewhat gloomy and timid, but now she was almost always smiling.

Her blue eyes sparkled, and it was lovely to see the corners of her mouth lift in a refreshing smile.

‘I was already smitten, but should I say I’ve fallen in love all over again…’

Antonio, his face reddened, turned away from Rosette, trying to hide his expression.

“What? Out of the blue…?”

“Then can I come with you on the ship too?”

“That’s fine, but are you sure you’ll be okay? Didn’t you say you get seasick? You mentioned having a hard time coming here.”

“I’ll be fine! I’ll manage somehow. I’ll just pack a lot of medicine. That’ll be better than riding in a carriage alone.”

Rosette looked at Antonio’s determined face and nodded.

“Okay, then do that. I’ll tell Melody and Joseph.”

“And Rosette, there’s something else.”

“Yes?”

Antonio scratched his red face and stammered.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“What is it? If you don’t want to tell me, I’ll see you in class later.”

“Okay, see you.”

Rosette waved to Antonio and returned to Joseph and Melody.

But the two of them were wearing very meaningful smiles. Even BbiBbi [Rosette’s bird familiar] was sitting on Joseph’s head, laughing, “BbiBbi-bbit.”

“What’s wrong, you two? Why are you smiling like that?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That’s right. What makes you think we’re smiling?”

[Bbee!]

Rosette narrowed her eyes. Joseph, unable to withstand her gaze, spoke excitedly.

“I just thought that even the young lady is experiencing her youth.”

“What does that even mean, Joseph?”

“Nothing. You’re already an adult, young lady.”

“Huh?”

“When you return, you’ll date and soon get engaged, right?”

Joseph pretended to dab his eyes with his sleeve.

“To think that the young lady who was so young has grown up so much. This Joseph is deeply moved.”

“What are you talking about.”

Melody shook her head. Regardless, Joseph continued.

“But young lady, why haven’t you dated at all? You should date at least once in your youth, but haven’t you been too focused on your studies? There are many male students who admire you.”

“But Joseph, shouldn’t you worry about yourself first? I’m really worried. I’m worried that you won’t be able to date or marry because of us.”

Rosette whispered, lowering her eyebrows.

Joseph, who was approaching adulthood when Rosette first met him, was now approaching thirty.

As far as Rosette knew, Joseph had dated a few women from the Ibelin Kingdom, but it never led to an engagement.

‘Probably because he has to return to the Empire soon.’

Rosette spoke sincerely.

“Joseph, you look like you’re in your early twenties because you’re so young-looking, and you’re capable, so you’ll be able to meet someone good when you return to the Empire. I’ll look into it too.”

“No, I can take care of myself…”

“Rosette is worried because you can’t take care of yourself properly, oppa [term for older brother or male friend]. Anyway, Rosette, you don’t have to worry about our foolish oppa. He’ll do well on his own.”

“Yeah. Then I’ll go in and wash up. See you later.”

“Okay!”

Rosette handed the wooden sword to Joseph and was about to leave the training ground when someone approached her.

“Rosette.”

It was Peter from the swordsmanship department.

“I have something to talk about; do you have some time?”

“What is it?”

“It’s a bit difficult to talk about it here.”

Peter scratched his head.

“Just the two of us, separately…”

“Then shall we meet at the cafeteria a little later? I’m not really dressed for it.”

“Oh? Sure! I’ll wait in front of the cafeteria in an hour.”

“Okay, see you then.”

Rosette returned to her room, washed up, and changed into her school uniform before heading to the cafeteria.

As expected, Peter, also in his school uniform, was already there waiting for her. His copper brown hair was neatly swept back.

“Ah, Rosette. Do you want to drink this?”

“Yeah, thank you. I like hot chocolate.”

“I thought so. You only ever drink that.”

Peter handed Rosette the paper cup and smiled brightly.

“Shall we talk while walking?”

“Sure.”

The two strolled through the garden inside the academy.

“Graduation is in just a week. Time really flies.”

“Yeah. It’s already here. Seven years go by so quickly.”

“You’re going back to the Ernhardt Empire after graduation, right?”

“Yeah. My family is all there. What about you?”

“Well, I might go back to my hometown, but I don’t know yet. You may or may not know, but I only have two older brothers, so I don’t necessarily have to work in the territory.”

“Ah, I see.”

“So I was thinking of traveling to the Empire this time.”

Rosette’s face lit up.

“If you come, contact me. I’ve been away from the Empire for a long time, so I don’t know what it’s like these days, but I’ll show you around the capital.”

“Great.”

Rosette smiled back at Peter, who was smiling shyly, and took a sip of her hot chocolate. The sweetness made her feel good.

“By the way, what did you want to see me about?”

“Ah, right.”

Peter smiled awkwardly.

“There’s a graduation party in a week, but have you found a partner to go with?”

“Partner?”

“Yeah. It’s only a week away, so I thought you might have already found someone…”

“Uh-uh, not yet.”

“Really?”

Peter smiled brightly and asked cautiously.

“Then, if you don’t mind, would you like to go with me?”

“Are you perhaps…”

“Yes. I’m asking you to be my partner right now.”

Peter’s nose and cheeks turned reddish.

“Ah…”

Peter added to Rosette, who was hesitating.

“Actually, the reason I want to travel to the Empire is because of you. I’ve only been watching you, but I decided to take courage because I thought it was the last chance.”

So Peter wasn’t just asking her to be his partner; he was confessing his feelings.

Many boys had confessed to Rosette before. Each time, Rosette politely refused.

She believed that dating without liking someone was disrespectful to the other person.

This time, there was only one answer Rosette could give.

“I’m sorry, Peter. I appreciate your feelings, but I don’t think I’m ready yet.”

Peter was expecting the rejection and simply smiled.

“No, Rosette. I’m sorry for making you worry. Then I’ll be going now. See you later.”

“Yeah, thank you.”

That night, Rosette lay on her bed and talked to BbiBbi about Peter.

“Peter asked me to be his partner today.”

[Bbiit?]

“But I refused. He was talking to me like a confession, but I didn’t feel like it. Of course, I have to find a partner.”

[Bbii.]

BbiBbi, who had been sparkling her eyes, chirped in disappointment.

“But it’s also strange. Why did I think of His Highness [referring to Prince Joshua] when I heard Peter’s words?”

[Bbit?]

BbiBbi’s eyes became bright again.

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not what you think.”

Rosette tried to deny it.

But strangely, it was always like that. On the night she rejected a confession, Joshua always came to her mind.

‘I do miss His Highness. It’s been six years since I last saw him.’

Rosette, thinking so unintentionally, also thought of Silver [Rosette’s sister] as if to deceive herself.

‘Of course, I miss Silver too.’

She had seen her family once three years ago.

However, she hadn’t seen Joshua and Silver since six years ago.

When she last went to the Empire five years ago, she went to Adrian Territory and couldn’t meet Joshua.

Moreover, unlike her family, she didn’t exchange letters properly, so she didn’t hear much about Joshua.

She only occasionally heard news from Lucas’s letters.

“He probably hasn’t changed much, has he?”

[Bbit?]

Who are you talking about? BbiBbi asked.

“I’m talking about His Highness. His growth was almost complete when I last saw him, so he probably hasn’t changed much.”

[Bbit!]

BbiBbi agreed that he probably wouldn’t.

“He must be in a very complicated situation. Prince Louis has appeared. Thinking about it again, Duke Lilith is too much. How could she reveal Prince Louis at His Highness’s coming-of-age celebration of all days?”

[Bbiik!]

BbiBbi also opened her eyes wide as if she was angry again.

“Her Majesty [referring to the Empress] must have had a hard time too. His Highness knew that Prince Louis would appear someday, but Her Majesty didn’t.”

According to Lucas’s letter, Ophelia collapsed after Louis was formally appointed as a prince.

Her health had barely improved, but she became ill again.

“It’s only natural that Her Majesty’s health deteriorated. Even if it’s a loveless marriage, the Emperor is Her Majesty’s husband. Who wouldn’t be shocked to know that their husband has a lover and an illegitimate child?”

[Bbiik!]

“If you or I were by her side, we could have comforted her. Both Her Majesty and His Highness.”

Then BbiBbi subtly asked.

[Bbiit?]

Why are you subtly including Joshua there?

Rosette’s face quickly turned red.

“No, it’s just that. There’s no other intention…”

[Bbiiee.]

Rosette buried her face in the pillow to avoid BbiBbi’s sly gaze.

BbiBbi grabbed her side hair, telling her to be honest with her.

Rosette continued to mumble with her face still buried.

“BbiBbi, do you think His Highness will be very surprised when he sees me?”

[Bbii?]

“I’ve grown a lot during that time. Of course, I haven’t grown much in height, but Melody and Joseph said I’ve become much more mature.”

[Bbit!]

BbiBbi agreed that it was true.

“I was also very surprised when I saw His Highness after a long time. To be honest, a little…”

[Bbii?]

BbiBbi flapped her wings, saying she didn’t hear what Rosette whispered in the middle. Rosette pretended not to hear BbiBbi and muttered.

“Anyway, I hope His Highness is just as surprised as I was. I’m an adult now. I’m not a kid anymore.”

[Bbi?]

BbiBbi suddenly asked why adulthood was coming up here. Rosette pressed BbiBbi’s forehead.

“There’s a reason. You wouldn’t know, you bird.”

[Bbiiek!]

Rosette, are you ignoring me by calling me a birdbrain? Gold already ignores me by calling me a bird!

Gold is Melody’s familiar, a yellow cat. By the way, Rosette named him.

Rosette was startled and explained.

“That’s not it. Where else is there a bird as smart as you?”

[Bbibbit.]

But already sulking, BbiBbi turned her back on Rosette.

Rosette had to work hard to appease the angry BbiBbi until bedtime.