“I’ve already heard that story several times over the past month. You kept putting off calling Madame Wide because you were worried the clothes wouldn’t fit if you gained weight. And now you want to delay it again?”
“I don’t mean to delay it, just… adjust the clothes a little…”
“No. I can’t stand seeing you walking around in ill-fitting clothes anymore. If the clothes get too small later, we’ll just make new ones then, so just listen to me today.”
When Rosette looked surprised, Isabel frowned.
“Don’t make that face. You don’t need to worry about the cost of your clothes.”
Rosette sensed that arguing further might anger Isabel, so she responded timidly instead.
“Okay…”
“Alright, if you’re ready, let’s take your measurements.”
Isabel clapped once, and the staff rushed toward Rosette with measuring tapes.
Rosette could only repeat, “Sis? Sister…?” before being whisked away behind a screen by the staff.
Madame Wide watched Isabel sipping tea and smiled gently.
“The young lady is really…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Isabel cut in.
“Cute, isn’t she?”
Her tone was as flat and emotionless as someone making a comment like, “Nice weather today, huh?” But Madame Wide, who had known Isabel since she was little, could tell how much she adored her younger sister.
The young lady is cute, sure, but Lady Isabel is quite adorable herself.
But Isabel hated being treated like a child. Ever since she lost her mother at a young age, she had taken charge of rsisterng the Adrian household. She had grown up quickly and always wanted to become an adult sooner.
Even though she was still at an age where she needed to be loved and cared for.
Still, Madame Wide skillfully hid her feelings.
“Yes, she’s very cute.”
“So please take good care of her.”
“Of course, I’ll make sure the dress is perfect—”
“No, not just that.”
“Ah.”
Once again, Madame Wide quickly caught Isabel’s true meaning.
“Yes. I’ll make sure people know she’s a sweet and lovable young lady.”
Chalons was a place where all kinds of rumors circulated.
Right now, the social scene was buzzing with curiosity about the lucky second daughter of House Adrian—that is, Rosette Adrian.
But thanks to the Duke of Adrian’s strict gag order on the staff, no rumors about Rosette had gotten out.
Which only made people more curious.
Over the past month, Madame Wide had been asked more than anything whether she had seen the new Lady Adrian.
So what Isabel was really saying was: “Make sure no bad rumors about my sister get out.”
“You really care about your little sister, don’t you?”
Isabel scoffed.
“Care? I just don’t want unnecessary gossip spreading about House Adrian.”
But despite her words, a smile lingered on Isabel’s lips as she looked toward the screen.
When she had first met Rosette, Isabel had been concerned.
She hadn’t been opposed to having a younger sibling, but she had worried whether someone as gentle-looking as Rosette could survive in the cutthroat world of high society.
—Then sponsor her.
That’s why she had said that. It would be easier for Rosette to live a peaceful life if people saw her not as an adopted commoner, but as a genius under the protection of House Adrian.
But the decision had been made to adopt Rosette. And though she didn’t want to admit it, Isabel had completely fallen for her new sister within just a month.
“I have to protect her.”
Daniel and Lucas were men—they didn’t know how terrifying society could be. In that world, even the smallest flaw could get you torn apart.
Even Isabel herself had been gossiped about just for learning swordsmanship as a woman.
So she could already imagine what kind of things would be said about Rosette in society.
“Make sure people know that the Adrians cherish Rosette.”
“Yes, my lady.”
It was a warning: never forget that Rosette had the Adrians behind her.
Madame Wide looked once more at Isabel as she sipped her tea, smiling quietly.
So honest, yet so untruthful.
Madame Wide sent a new pair of pajamas first. They were just as soft as Isabel’s own that Rosette had worn for the past month, but these were a perfect fit—neither too big nor too small.
After changing into the new pajamas, Rosette walked back and forth in front of the mirror, examining herself and lightly brushing her fingers along the soft fabric.
Joanne, now officially Rosette’s personal maid, smiled as she watched.
“You should get to bed now, my lady.”
“Mmm.”
She wanted to show off her new pajamas to her family, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Holding onto the feeling, she lay down on her bed.
Maybe it was thanks to the new pajamas—Rosette fell into a deep sleep almost immediately.
“Hey, shrimp!”
A few hours later, what woke Rosette was the voice of Lucas Adrian.
“Hey, shrimp!”
Even though she had been dreaming pleasantly, Rosette didn’t wake up, so Lucas jumped onto the bed. The soft mattress dipped and bounced back.
“Hey, shorty.”
“…….”
“Hey, youngest.”
“Mmm…”
Rosette squirmed and burrowed deeper under the blanket. Lucas chuckled as he watched his little sister.
‘So cute.’
A little over a month ago, Duke Adrian, their father, and Daniel Adrian, the eldest son, had left the mansion to deliver supplies to the orphanage they regularly supported.
Normally, they would return by evening if they left in the morning, but this time they said there was something urgent and didn’t come back for a few days.
That’s when Sebastian, the butler, said something unexpected.
—“The master said he’ll be adopting a young lady. He’s bringing her back with him today.”
—“A young lady? Adoption?”
—“Yes. He said the young master would be getting a younger sister.”
A younger sister?
It was a sudden announcement, but Lucas was thrilled. Having only an older brother and sister, he had always wanted a younger sibling. And now it was really happening! He couldn’t be happier.
And sure enough, when their father and brother returned a few days later, they brought back a small and lovely girl.
The girl was pale in every way. Her hair was a soft cotton-candy pink, her eyes the color of a spring sky.
And her skin—so fair it looked like it had never once been touched by sunlight. Quite the contrast from the members of House Adrian, whose skin was tanned from intense sword training under the scorching sun.
She was small and skinny, likely from poor nutrition, but with a little care, she’d be as pretty as a doll.
That girl was Rosette Adrian—the one now sleeping peacefully before him.
How did such a beautiful girl become my little sister?
Honestly, Lucas had wanted a sibling he could run around and play with.
But Rosette was frail and shy. She wasn’t the ideal playmate.
Still, Lucas didn’t mind. Who cares if she’s weak? He could help her get stronger!
Looking at his doll-like sister, Lucas spoke again.
“Wake up, come on!”
Finally, Rosette rubbed her eyes and opened them. Her sky-blue eyes, sparkling like jewels, were revealed.
Grinning wide, Lucas shouted, “Time for morning training!”
When Lucas handed her the wooden sword he had used, Rosette had promised to learn swordsmanship. As a member of House Adrian, she felt it was necessary to at least learn the basics.
But due to her physical limitations, she had kept putting off starting the lessons.
Today, though, was the day she’d finally begin. She didn’t show it, but Rosette was a little excited.
That didn’t last long—she quickly regretted it.
“Alright, gotta build your basic stamina first. Run three laps around the training grounds!”
Lucas had dragged her outside at the crack of dawn, even before she could properly open her eyes. He insisted she had to train in the morning, as promised.
And if that weren’t enough, he had declared himself her swordsmanship instructor.
“What are you waiting for?”
“Mmm…”
Wearing a borrowed training uniform from Isabel, Rosette started to walk toward the training grounds under Lucas’s urging. Immediately, the knights there turned to look at her.
They began murmuring among themselves.
“Is that… the one?”
“I thought she wasn’t going to learn swordsmanship…”
“Isn’t she too young for training?”
Though confused, the knights watched Rosette fondly as she marched along, swinging her little arms with determination.
The people of House Adrian were practically born for swordsmanship. Their physiques were far superior to others their age, and they were naturally strong.
The three Adrian siblings—except Rosette—were just like that. When they had started learning swordsmanship, they had confidently run around the training ground.
Even Isabel, though a girl, had quickly built up strength rivaling that of grown men and improved rapidly.
Normally, noble ladies were seen by knights as someone to protect—but not Isabel. She was a superior to obey and serve.
Maybe that’s why the knights quickly became smitten with Lady Rosette—the youngest, who seemed like someone they should protect.
However, it seemed that Lucas couldn’t see how adorable Rosette was. He followed behind his little sister, pestering her.
“Hey, slow, too slow. Is that walking or rsisterng? Pick up the pace.”
No, young master! The little lady isn’t like Lady Isabel! How could she possibly run with those tiny legs!
The knights fretted anxiously, even considering whether they should offer to run in her place.
But despite receiving all of their concerns, Rosette didn’t act spoiled. Instead, she gritted her teeth and tried to walk faster. At best, it was more of a brisk walk than an actual run.
As she continued walking, Rosette’s foot got caught, and she tripped.
“Ah!”
A gasp escaped from the knights. They were worried the tiny young lady might burst into tears.
Even Lucas, who had been strict with her, was startled and rushed over to help her up.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Looking at Rosette’s knee, he knelt down in front of her and turned his back.
“Hop on, shortie.”
“…?”
“We need to go see the physician. Come on, get on.”
The knights were alarmed and rushed over.
“We’ll take her!”
“Please entrust the young lady to me!”
Lucas shot a sharp glare at the knights. He didn’t say a word, but his eyes seemed to say, ‘You dare lay a hand on my sister?’
Though he usually got along well with the knights, his glare now was razor-sharp. The knights flinched unconsciously and hesitated, and in that moment, Lucas spoke again.
“Come on, get on.”
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t cry, just hop on.”
“I’m not crying.”
And truly, Rosette was fine, and she wasn’t crying. Her knee hurt a little, but compared to the beatings she used to receive from the Marquis of Dallas, this was nothing.
“I can keep going.”
She briskly brushed the dust off her knee and began walking around the training field again.
Lucas watched her with his mouth slightly open, dumbfounded, and the knights murmured among themselves about how brave the little princess was.
Like that, with the silent encouragement of all the knights, Rosette completed three laps of the training ground.
“Well done, shortie.”
Lucas gave her a thumbs-up and praised her, but Rosette could barely respond.
Her heart was racing, and it felt like someone was squeezing her lungs. It was similar to the feeling of casting high-level magic—but also somehow different.
“I’m… thirsty…”
She murmured unconsciously, desperately, and the surrounding knights scrambled to bring her water.
“Here, young lady. Some water.”
The first to arrive was a knight in his late teens, with reddish-brown hair and freckles across his nose—a striking impression.
“Thank…”
Just as she was about to take the water bottle from him, Rosette froze. She stared at him intently, and the nameless knight grinned.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?”
But Rosette couldn’t answer. She was digging through her memories of the past.
‘I know that face.’
The knight in her memory had looked more mature than he did now—but it was definitely a familiar face.
