-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Meaning of Family (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
When asked to write the alphabet in order, Rosette wrote the letters smoothly, without hesitation.
Wondering if she had simply memorized the order, I had her take dictation of randomly called letters, but again, she showed no hesitation.
Even if she had memorized everything, there should have been a slight pause, but Rosette showed no sign of it.
“How…”
As I muttered to myself, Rosette, who had been writing with her lips pursed, looked up and smiled.
“I told you I memorized it all.”
“You really memorized it?”
“Yes!”
Not stopping there, Rosette wrote a few simple words in her notebook. Book, pencil, butterfly, flower, and so on. They were short words, but it was astonishing. Mrs. Noier picked up Rosette's notebook and let out a gasp.
“How did you memorize all this on your own?”
“I just copied what was in the book.”
It wasn't untrue. In her past life, Rosette had learned words on her own by reading books, hounded by Marquis Dallas.
But to Mrs. Noier, Rosette's words were simply a shock. She debated whether to praise Rosette for her diligent preparation or to scold her.
*Diligence is good. But isn't she overdoing it?*
But she couldn't help but praise the child who looked up at her as if expecting something.
“You did very well.”
Mrs. Noier gently patted Rosette's head and added.
“But you mustn't push yourself too hard.”
“I'm not. I find this fun.”
“If that's the case, then I'm relieved.”
Rosette, as she always did, darted her eyes, trying to read Mrs. Noier's expression.
*Was that not the right thing to do?*
She had been praised, but Mrs. Noier still seemed incredibly surprised. It didn't seem like a big deal.
*Did I do something wrong?*
Rosette worried for the rest of the lesson, hoping she wouldn't be scolded.
***
After the lesson, Mrs. Noier went straight to Duke Adrian to report the astonishing discovery she had made.
Duke Adrian, who had been handling paperwork, stopped everything to receive her.
“So, how are Rose's lessons?”
“She is extraordinary.”
At Mrs. Noier's answer, the corner of Duke Adrian's mouth twitched. But he quickly composed his expression and asked again.
“In what way?”
“Everything about her is remarkable. I believe she is the brightest student I have ever taught. Perhaps even more so than Young Lord Daniel.”
Duke Adrian set down his quill and listened intently.
“More than Daniel?”
In the past, Mrs. Noier had taught Daniel and marveled at his brilliant mind. She had said something similar back then.
Mrs. Noier belatedly glanced at Duke Adrian's face as she continued her explanation.
“Yes. She mastered the entire alphabet in just two days. And not just mastered—she can read words without hesitation and even write simple ones.”
Duke Adrian nodded, gesturing for her to continue.
“Furthermore, her passion for learning is incredible. At this rate, she will quickly grasp all the knowledge a young lady her age is expected to learn.”
Having spoken her mind, Mrs. Noier once again gauged the Duke's mood.
The fact that Duke Adrian doted on Rosette was well known throughout the entire mansion. Still, a biological son and an adopted daughter could not be the same.
*What if he was offended by my saying she's better than Young Lord Daniel?*
But contrary to her worries, Duke Adrian chuckled. There wasn't a hint of displeasure. If anything, he looked like a father delighted to hear his child praised.
“I'm glad to hear she's keeping up so well. Please continue your hard work.”
“However, Your Grace.”
“What is it? Is there a problem?”
“Well…”
Mrs. Noier hesitated before speaking.
“It's wonderful that the Young Lady is so eager to learn, but it also seems a bit excessive.”
“Excessive?”
“She came to class having already studied words in advance, without any instruction from me.”
The Duke, who had been smiling contentedly, hardened his expression upon seeing Mrs. Noier's serious face.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No, it's not bad. If I had to compare it as good or bad, it's closer to good. It's certainly better than skipping lessons and running away like Young Lord Lucas.”
“Hmm, that's true.”
“However, how should I put this... The Young Lady seemed anxious.”
“Anxious about what?”
“It was as if she felt pressured, that she had to learn quickly or else.”
Duke Adrian's smile vanished as he fell into thought. Now that he thought about it, Rosette had asked him something when she first came to the mansion.
-What should I do now?
It was as if she thought she *had* to be doing something.
At the time, Duke Adrian had thought little of it, telling her she didn't have to do anything but get chubby.
But looking back, Rosette had dutifully eaten every meal to follow his words.
She seemed to enjoy the food, but at times, it also looked as if she was eating with a sense of mission to 'get chubby.'
She had also said this to Isabelle, who was against her adoption.
-I can be good at magic, too. If I learn magic, I can take care of your hair, Isabelle, and, um, and I can keep your tea warm! So please don't hate me too much.
Looking back, it wasn't something to be taken lightly.
“Is the child feeling pressured?”
“To be frank, it seems so. I've taught several children who were adopted into noble families, and they all felt the pressure to adapt well. Young Lady Rosette seems to feel it more acutely than most.”
“I've tried not to pressure her. Why would that be? Do you know the reason?”
“I'm not sure.”
Mrs. Noier thought for a moment before answering uncertainly.
“It's highly possible that it's simply her innate personality.”
“I understand. You may leave.”
“Yes.”
After Mrs. Noier left, Duke Adrian couldn't focus on his documents.
No parent would be displeased to hear their beloved child called a genius. Duke Adrian, too, was delighted by Rosette's apparent brilliance.
*But Rose shouldn't feel pressured.*
He eventually summoned his aide and asked.
“Where is Rose now?”
***
Around the time Duke Adrian was looking for Rosette, she was in the study with Melody for their magic lesson.
While they took their basic lessons separately, the two children had decided to take their magic lessons together.
This was because Rosette had strongly insisted, and Celine had agreed, saying, “Taking lessons together will be more efficient, so that's great.”
“Starting today, we'll be having lessons together, Melody.”
Rosette whispered, tightly holding both of Melody's hands.
For the past month, Melody had been living with her older brother, Joseph Oser, in the servants' quarters of the Adrian estate.
However, thanks to her frequent visits to the main mansion to spend time with Rosette, the two girls had grown quite close.
Joseph had been aghast, exclaiming, "How can the Young Lady and Melody be friends? I'll keep a close eye on Melody!" but Duke Adrian had said it was fine.
This was because Rosette was overjoyed to have a friend her own age.
Melody, whose cheeks had filled out a little over the past month, smiled shyly.
“Yeah. But I'm a little worried. What if the teacher is scary?”
“It's okay. Celine is kind and gentle.”
“Okay.”
As the two children were chatting quietly, Celine entered.
“Alright, you both know who I am, right?”
And so the first lesson began. Celine had Rosette and Melody sit at their desks and wrote her name on the blackboard.
“Yes, Celine.”
“…”
Unlike Rosette, who answered brightly, Melody kept her lips pressed tightly together. She was shy around strangers. Celine gave the shy child a warm smile before starting the lesson.
“Alright, we're going to start with the very basics. The most fundamental lesson in magic, of course, begins with feeling mana.”
Celine winked at Rosette.
“Of course, Young Lady Rosette, you're already wonderful, but it's best to build a solid foundation from the start.”
“Yes, Celine.”
Celine let out a soft laugh.
“Excellent. Shall we begin then?”
Celine boldly skipped the theory and went straight to practical application. The reason was that trying to explain mind-numbing theories to eight-year-olds would be pointless.
She placed her palms on the girls' flat lower abdomens and moved the mana herself. Rosette was unfazed, but Melody, feeling the foreign sensation of mana for the first time, flinched and pulled away from Celine's hand.
“It's okay. It feels strange at first, but you'll get used to it soon.”
After reassuring Melody, Celine turned to praise Rosette.
“Your mana core is very well-formed. How did you manage this on your own? With lessons and training with me, your mana core will grow even larger and stronger.”
“Yes, Celine.”
Rosette's cheeks flushed slightly. Just as the two-hour lesson was coming to an end.
“If the lesson is over, may I speak with Rose for a moment?”
The door opened, and Duke Adrian stepped inside.
“Papa!”
Rosette's face lit up as she ran to him, and he swooped her up into his arms.
Since the carriage accident, Rosette felt she had grown much closer to Duke Adrian. She truly felt that he had become her father.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you, Rose.”
Duke Adrian gave Celine a subtle nod and left the study with Rosette in his arms. Rosette was curious but remained quietly nestled in his embrace.
As they walked down the hallway, Duke Adrian asked.
“How are your lessons? I heard from Mrs. Noier that you're keeping up well.”
Rosette's already rosy face turned even redder. Feeling shy for some reason, she ducked her head and mumbled.
“They're fun. And I'm trying my best.”
“Yes, so I've heard.”
The Duke, having reached the garden, set Rosette down on a swing. She kept her head down, dangling her legs back and forth.
“But Rose, are you pushing yourself too hard?”
“Pushing myself?”
“Yes. I heard you learned all your letters in two days and have been studying far ahead.”
Rosette cried out her wish.
“I want to quickly become someone worthy of the Adrian family!”
“I don't understand why you would say that.”
Duke Adrian stroked Rosette's hair.
“You are already a wonderful Adrian.”
