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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Entering the Palace
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To be honest, Rosette thought she could keep the truth from her family forever. No, she *wanted* to keep it a secret.
But meeting Joshua had changed her mind.
‘I don’t want to deceive my family.’
In the distant future, after all the fighting was over, she wanted to tell them the truth and ask for their forgiveness.
“Even if Dad and my brothers don’t forgive me, I’ll have to accept it. Even if they hate me after learning the truth…”
The thought of their affectionate eyes turning to contempt made her throat tighten. She tried to speak as calmly as possible, but her voice trembled.
“I’ll still have to accept it. It’s all my own doing. But not now. Saving my family comes first.”
Rosette clenched her fists.
“So I’m going to try my best not to get kicked out. I will absolutely prevent the Empress’s poisoning. So you have to help me too, Pipi. Got it?”
[Peep!]
Perhaps because the tension had eased, her eyelids began to feel heavy.
Rosette yawned once and mumbled with slurred words.
“That’s why I will protect everyone. Dad, my brothers, and Isabelle…”
And Joshua, that man.
Rosette, who had that thought without realizing it, quickly drifted off to sleep.
Pipi tried to cover Rosette with the blanket, struggling to pull it with its beak, but soon gave up and settled down on the pillow to sleep.
***
Peaceful days continued after that. Rosette attended her lessons with Mrs. Noier and Celine at the scheduled times. Outside of class, she played with Lucas or Melody.
Thanks to Duke Adrian’s words, she no longer struggled to excel. She didn’t even bother with the extra studying she was never asked to do. She simply followed what her two teachers taught her.
‘And they still praised me for doing well.’
Unlike in the past, when she had strived to avoid being hit by Marquis Dallas or to earn his praise, Rosette now enjoyed the lessons themselves. Even she could feel it was a positive change.
She had also grown quite close to Melody and her older brother, Joseph.
Joseph, in particular, was about to take his knightly vows and openly declared to everyone that he would pledge his oath to Rosette. This made Lucas even more wary of him.
Everything was peaceful. Except for one thing.
‘But why hasn’t the Prince contacted me?’
It had been a week without a word from Joshua, the same person who had barged into the estate so aggressively, demanding to see her.
‘He said he’d be in touch soon, but it looks like the wolf isn’t coming today either.’
Rosette, who had waited for the wolf by the window every night before bed, lingered near the window again today before climbing into bed.
It was just as she was falling asleep.
[Peeep!]
Pipi, sleeping by Rosette’s head, sensed something and flapped its wings furiously.
“Pipi, be quiet…”
Rosette, mumbling in her sleep, shot her eyes open and ran to open the window. At the same moment, Joshua’s familiar leaped through the window in a single bound.
“Wolf, it’s been a while!”
As Rosette greeted it happily, the wolf rubbed its face against her waist. Joshua’s firm voice emanated from the collar around its neck.
At his word, both Rosette and the wolf froze. Joshua spoke as if giving a command.
“The imperial palace? But how can I?”
The wolf, which had been stealthily brushing Rosette’s ankle with its fluffy tail, whimpered like a puppy.
The wolf looked at Rosette with pleading eyes, but what could she possibly do?
Rosette whispered an apology and hugged the wolf’s neck tightly.
“See you next time, wolf. Be safe.”
After another whimper, the wolf slipped out the window.
And so, after the commotion passed, the next morning came.
Rosette soon understood what Joshua had meant.
“What came?”
“A letter from Her Majesty, the Empress.”
Isabelle murmured, looking at the letter the head butler had just handed her. Rosette glanced at the wax seal on the letter and asked again.
“How do you know it’s from the Empress?”
“You can tell by the seal stamped here. You’ll learn about this later in your etiquette lessons.”
“I hope I learn soon. I’m curious. But does the Empress send you invitations directly, Unni?”
My sister is that amazing! Rosette was a little excited. In contrast, Isabelle answered as if it were no big deal.
“Yes, she sends them from time to time.”
“From time to time?”
“Yes. Oh, did I not mention it? My late mother and Her Majesty the Empress were best friends. The Empress is also the godmother to us three siblings.”
“I don’t think you ever mentioned that.”
“Well, I’ve told you now. Anyway, because of that, I used to go to the imperial palace with Mother to see Her Majesty. After Mother passed away, I rarely visited, even when she sent invitations.”
Rosette watched Isabelle’s slightly bitter smile and asked cautiously.
“Why didn’t you go?”
“Just because. What would Her Majesty have to talk about with a little kid like me? I’d just be a bother. So I didn’t go…”
Isabelle, who had been answering dutifully while reading the letter, furrowed her brow slightly.
Lucas, who was munching on butter-fried potatoes beside Rosette, chimed in.
“What is it, sis? Is something wrong with Her Majesty?”
“No, it seems she’s fine. She just says she wants to see Rose.”
Rosette, who happened to be drinking freshly squeezed orange juice, choked at that moment. Isabelle nonchalantly patted the coughing Rosette on the back.
“What are you so surprised about?”
“Her, Her Majesty the Empress wants to see me? Why, why, why, why?”
“Why do you think? She’s genuinely curious.”
“Why would she be curious about me?”
“I told you. Her Majesty and our late mother were best friends. She cherished us three siblings deeply. She used to think of us as her own children. So of course she’d be curious now that there’s a new youngest child. So you’re coming with me to greet her.”
“But…”
“That wasn’t a suggestion, it was an order. You don’t have a choice.”
Isabelle said firmly, folding the letter.
“Her Majesty said she wants to see you. Can you refuse that? I certainly can’t.”
“Ugh, no. I can’t either.”
“Then it’s settled. It’s in three days, so be ready.”
“Yes…”
Only after answering did Rosette realize this was Joshua’s plan.
‘So that’s what he meant by ‘come to the imperial palace soon.’’
This visit wasn’t simply to see the Empress; it was to find a clue about the poisoning.
The thought made her even more nervous. She had talked big to Joshua, but now that it was actually happening, she was scared.
‘Can I really do this?’
As if hearing Rosette’s worries, Isabelle spoke.
“There’s no need to worry. You’ve been doing well so far.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve attended your etiquette lessons well, and you’ve truly improved a lot. Just act as you always do in front of Her Majesty.”
Isabelle, who had been nothing but chilly since the letter arrived, offered a faint smile.
“Besides, I’ll be with you, so if any problems arise, just ask me for help. Understood?”
Ah, now she felt she truly understood Isabelle. She wasn’t good at expressing herself, but she cared for and worried about Rosette just as much as Daniel or Lucas did.
Seeming indifferent, but always watching from the sidelines and offering support when needed. That was Isabelle Adrian’s way.
Rosette nodded.
“Thank you for worrying about me.”
“Hmph.”
Isabelle whipped her head away. But the tips of her ears, visible through her platinum blonde hair, had turned faintly red.
“It’s not like I was particularly worried.”
Rosette laughed under her breath.
Perhaps thanks to Isabelle, she wasn’t as worried about meeting the Empress as she had been just a moment ago.
***
Time flew by, and the day of the visit to the imperial palace arrived. The maids, led by Jane, began dressing Rosette up with great fuss first thing in the morning.
With a slightly stiff expression, Rosette stared at her reflection in the mirror. Today, she was wearing a white dress adorned with ornate lace.
It wasn’t as flashy as an outing dress, but it was made of high-quality material that felt good against her skin.
Separate from the pleasure of wearing a pretty dress, Rosette was currently a bundle of nerves.
‘What if I make a mistake in front of the Empress? What if I can’t stop the poisoning?’
With one thought after another, she was already exhausted before even leaving for the palace.
Just as Rosette let out a deep sigh, Isabelle came into the room. She was wearing a simple white dress, more elegant than her usual attire but plainer than Rosette’s.
Seeing Isabelle put her a little at ease.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Isabelle came over and readjusted the ribbon tied at Rosette’s neck.
“You look pretty.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s go, then.”
“Yes!”
The two headed to the imperial palace in the most splendid four-horse carriage of the Adrian family.
No conversation was exchanged inside the carriage during the entire ride to the palace.
Rosette kept her lips sealed, worried that if she opened her mouth, her wildly beating heart might leap out. Isabelle gazed out the window, a thoughtful look on her face.
Rosette was curious about what her sister was thinking, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the imperial palace. The guards saw the Adrian family crest on the carriage and immediately allowed it to pass through.
When the carriage stopped and the door opened, Isabelle, who was about to step out first, flinched. Rosette, too, was belatedly surprised to see the person standing outside the door.
‘Is he here to watch me?’
It was Joshua Ehrnhardt. Unlike his last visit to the Adrian estate, he was dressed in splendid formal attire.
“I will escort the young ladies.”
Joshua extended a hand toward Isabelle. The Adrian knights, who were originally supposed to escort the two girls, stood behind him with anxious faces.
Isabelle glanced at the knights before taking Joshua’s hand and stepping out of the carriage.
“It seems Your Highness enjoys surprising people these days.”
“Well, let’s just say that’s the case.”
Joshua then offered his hand to Rosette, who was standing in an awkward position.
“Shouldn’t you be getting out as well?”
“Um…”
Rosette looked at Isabelle with a pleading expression. Isabelle gave a reassuring nod and said.
“Come down, Rose. His Highness is waiting.”
“Okay…”
With Isabelle here, it should be fine. But Rosette’s tense body wouldn’t listen to her mind.
Rosette hurriedly took Joshua’s hand and stepped down. In her haste to let go of his hand, she even missed a step on the way down.
“Oh, my. The little lady is quite careless.”
Joshua caught Rosette by the waist, his tone teasing.
Despite his young age, his strong arm held Rosette firmly. The sudden closeness made Rosette gasp.
