The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 93

93. Graduation (2)

February 1, 2024

The next day, as Rosette finished her class and was about to leave the classroom, Antony called out to her.

“Rosette.”

“Huh?”

But after calling her name, he didn’t say anything. Rosette, waiting for him to continue, prompted, “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Well…”

“It’s okay to say anything, so tell me.”

Antony squeezed his eyes shut and blurted out, “Do you happen to have a partner for the graduation party?”

“Ah, is that what it is? Why did you hesitate so much to ask that?” Rosette said, laughing.

“No, not yet,” she answered plainly.

Antony asked in disbelief, “What? Don’t tell me no one has asked you to be their partner?”

“That’s not true. Just yesterday, Peter from the swordsmanship department asked. But I refused.”

“Why?”

“I just didn’t feel like it. What about you?”

“I don’t have one yet either…”

“What, it looks like neither of us will be able to go to the graduation party.”

Antony stared blankly at Rosette, who was laughing softly, and said impulsively, “Then, Rosette, if neither of us has a partner by graduation day, will you go to the graduation party with me? It’s a graduation party, so we can’t just not go.”

Rosette considered his words for a moment, then answered plainly, “Okay.”

Antony, however, looked bewildered, as if he hadn’t expected her to accept his proposal.

“…What?”

“I said okay.”

“Why though?”

Rosette chuckled. “Why do you ask? You proposed first, and I just said okay, so why are you asking like that? Were you joking?”

Antony mumbled in a small voice, “No, it wasn’t a joke, but…”

“Then it’s settled, right?”

“Are you really okay with me?”

“Yeah.”

It wasn’t just empty words; Rosette was genuinely okay with Antony Huxley being her partner. She could even say she was happy about it.

“You’re my closest male friend.”

“…Is that the reason?”

“Do I need another reason?”

Antony’s shoulders drooped as if he was a little discouraged.

“No, it’s okay. Then I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Okay, I understand. Then talk to me again the day before the party.”

Rosette and Antony sealed their promise, linking their little fingers.

After that, about three more people asked Rosette to be their partner. Rosette hesitated but refused them all.

Rosette didn’t know, but two female students also plucked up the courage to ask Antony Huxley to be their partner.

But Antony refused without hesitation.

“Looks like it’s going to end up being just the two of us,” Antony said, smiling awkwardly as they ate lunch together in the cafeteria the day before graduation.

“It seems so.”

“What, what?” Melody asked, resting her chin on her palms and showing interest. “Are you two going to the graduation party together?”

“Yeah, that’s how it turned out. We decided that if we couldn’t find partners by today, we’d go together. Just as friends.”

“Uh-huh, that’s right. Just as friends,” Antony awkwardly repeated Rosette’s words. Melody, humming, decided to lose interest in the two people with such different feelings.

“Well, I’m sure you two will figure it out. Anyway, tomorrow is really graduation. I didn’t feel homesick because my only family, my brother, came with me, but you two must have had a hard time.”

“That’s right.”

“I’m really glad to be going back. Well, I also want to eat imperial meat pie.”

“Let’s go eat together when we get back.”

“Okay.”

Rosette looked at Melody, who was smiling brightly, and subtly asked, “Melody, even when we go back to the Empire, we’re still friends, right?”

Melody couldn’t answer right away and hesitated.

The moment she graduates from the academy and returns to the Empire, Melody becomes Melody Oser, who works for the Adrian family, and Rosette becomes the Adrian Princess.

It’s virtually impossible for her to treat Rosette as comfortably as she does now, but…

Soon, Melody smiled as if she had made up her mind. “Of course. We’re friends. We have been, and we will be in the future.”

It wasn’t exactly the answer she wanted, but Rosette decided to be satisfied with that answer for now.

* * *

The next day, Joan came early in the morning and made a fuss.

“Lady! Wake up! We need to prepare for the graduation ceremony quickly!”

“Ugh, Joan. Why are we preparing for the graduation ceremony so early?”

“There’s a party in the evening! If you want to shine at the party, it’s not too late to start preparing now! Actually, I should have started managing you a few days ago, but you said you didn’t want to…!”

“Okay, okay. I’ll get up.”

Rosette was led by Joan to take a bath with rose water and put on a face pack.

After that, Joan applied argan oil to Rosette’s hair.

“Lady, are you happy? Because you’re going back to the Empire now.”

Rosette looked at Joan’s eyes reflected in the mirror and smiled.

“Isn’t Joan happier than me? You’re going to get married when we go back.”

Joan’s face turned red.

“No, I’m not.”

Joan had become romantically involved with Chris Kellen, Rosette’s escort knight, a few years ago.

They even got formally engaged a year ago, and they said they would prepare for the wedding as soon as they returned to the Empire.

“I’ll prepare the best wedding for our Joan. I’ll ask Mrs. Wide to make a beautiful dress for you.”

“Yes? But Mrs. Wide only deals with high-ranking nobles…”

“What can’t I do if I ask?”

“But how can I dare…”

“What’s wrong with Joan? She came to this strange land because of me and took care of me like a sister. I really think of Joan as family.”

Joan’s eyes welled up with tears.

“I’m grateful just for your words. I was able to have a good time here because you treated me so well.”

“So please continue to take care of me in the future.”

“Of course!”

“Then hurry up and get me dressed. We’re going to be late at this rate.”

“Yes!”

Rosette, with Joan’s help, put on her school uniform and then a navy blue graduation gown over it. Joan put on the hat with great care.

When Rosette entered the main hall where the graduation ceremony was held, the students’ eyes turned to her. Rosette stood at the front of the magic department line, not intimidated.

Soon, the graduation ceremony began.

“Thank you for your hard work. I will support your future endeavors,” the president said, concluding his speech.

The king of the Ivelin Kingdom, who was sitting in the back, came forward. Even though it was the Royal Academy, it was rare for the king to participate in the graduation ceremony himself. The only reason he came in person today was because of Rosette.

“Rosette Adrian of the magic department, please come to the stage.”

Rosette walked to the king, listening to the applause of everyone.

“It would have been nice if you had stayed.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“My offer is still valid, so contact me anytime if you change your mind.”

She probably thought that would never happen, but Rosette didn’t bother to say it.

“I will support your future wherever you are.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

With those words, the official academy graduation ceremony ended.

As Rosette was talking with her friends and trying to leave the hall, someone approached her.

“Princess Adrian. Could you spare some time?”

Rosette recognized the man.

‘The man who was standing behind His Majesty the King earlier.’ He seemed to be the king’s aide.

“I understand.”

Rosette excused herself to her friends and followed the man. As expected, when she entered the lounge attached to the hall, the king was sitting there.

“I greet His Majesty the King.”

“Sit down. I didn’t call you to receive greetings.”

“I’m honored.”

As Rosette carefully sat down, the aide poured her tea.

“The reason I called the princess is none other than to talk about Ophelia.”

“Yes, I guessed as much.”

Ophelia was the princess of the Ivelin Kingdom, that is, the daughter of the king in front of her.

“A long time ago, I heard that the princess saved Ophelia from poisoning. I’m very late in thanking you.”

“No, Your Majesty. I didn’t really do anything, and His Highness the Prince solved it.”

“There’s no need to be modest. This old man has heard all the details.”

Rosette just smiled faintly.

“The imperial family atmosphere is turbulent these days, so Ophelia must be having a hard time. As a father, I want to go see her, but I can’t afford to.”

“…….”

“I hope the princess will go and comfort Ophelia.”

“I will.”

“And can you deliver my letter?”

At the king’s gesture, the aide handed over a letter with the royal seal on it. Rosette received it with both hands.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will definitely deliver it well.”

“Thank you. And when you give her the letter, please convey my words as well.”

“Please tell me.”

“Tell her not to cry too much, and to remember that even though she is far away, she is the princess of this Ivelin Kingdom and my beloved daughter.”

“I understand.”

“Okay. I shouldn’t take up any more of your time. You may leave now.”

Rosette greeted him and came outside. The letter she held respectfully in both hands felt heavy.

* * *

After the graduation ceremony, the girls’ dormitory was in chaos. Everyone was busy getting ready for the party.

Rosette and Melody were also getting ready in Rosette’s room with Joan’s help.

Thanks to Joan bringing in some staff from a famous salon in the capital, they were able to prepare smoothly.

“Perfect, Lady,” Joan said, her eyes welling up with tears once again as she looked at Rosette, who had finished all her preparations.

“Come to think of it, it’s your first party, Lady. Your master would have been very happy to see this.”

Rosette’s face, which had been admiring her appearance in the mirror, also clouded over.

“I know. It would have been nice if Dad, Sister, or Brother had seen it, right? No. When I think about it, Brother Lucas would have laughed as soon as he saw me. Maybe it’s better not to see it.”

As Rosette said jokingly, Joan smiled while wiping away her tears.

“Even Lucas would not be able to make fun of you if he saw you now.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Still, don’t be too sad. We’re going to have a debutante ball anyway when we get back. Everyone will see it then.”

Rosette became an adult last year. Originally, she should have made her formal debut into society at the debutante ball held at the Imperial Palace last year.

However, because she was attending the academy, she will have her debutante ball this year.

“That’s right. I’ll make you pretty then too.”

“Yeah, thank you.”

At that moment, Joseph came in after knocking. He widened his eyes when he saw Melody, who was ready, and rubbed his eyes.

“Oh my gosh, who is this? Is this really my sister, Melody Oser?”

“What’s with the fuss?” Melody said primly, but her cheeks were slightly flushed, as if she didn’t dislike it.

“You’re so pretty! Now that I think about it, our Melody will date when she gets back, and get married later, right? I shouldn’t have only worried about the Lady.”

Joseph sniffled as if he was overwhelmed with emotion. Melody was disgusted.

“Brother, stop it. Aren’t you ashamed to be seen by others?”

“What’s wrong with me? Melody, are you ashamed of your brother?”

“No, that……. Never mind. Go out and cry if you’re going to cry.”

Rosette and Joan looked at each other and smiled.