I was heading to the orphanage director's office with a giddy feeling, already treating the library as mine since I'd requested it as part of the exchange.
Monica had gone ahead to the orphanage director's office to prepare for welcoming the
Since today's discussion also involved new outfits, Corina and Turi would be coming too.
...I get to see Turi and
"Good morning, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting."
The Gilberta Company's members had already arrived at the orphanage director's office.
I'd heard about this beforehand, but seeing them all gathered in one room, it was quite the crowd. I was a bit overwhelmed by the population density exceeding my expectations.
"Let's go upstairs to talk."
I went up to the second floor and invited Benno and Corina to take seats. Lutz, as an apprentice, Turi as an assistant, and the other tailors remained standing.
"So, what's today's discussion about?"
"The fabric is ready, and we'd like to do the cutting."
Corina said that the inexpensive fabric for making patterns was prepared, and she wanted to have Brigitte try it on so they could cut the cloth to fit.
I led Brigitte, Corina, Turi, several other tailors, and Monica to the hidden room.
"This way, please. Monica, come with me."
"Very well."
Only women could enter the hidden room. I had Brigitte undress so Corina could do the fitting. Near the entrance, the tailors set up a screen with fabric draped over it so they wouldn't be visible even when the door opened.
With the help of the tailors, Brigitte undressed and used one of the magic stones she'd brought, hardening it to follow the contours of her body. This apparently allowed for three-dimensional cutting without needles piercing the skin.
This magic stone served as the basis for making armor and also functioned like a bulletproof vest worn under one's clothes. In unruly territories, it had apparently become standard practice for even civil officials and attendants to wear them under their outfits to guard against sudden attacks.
As the lord's daughter, I wasn't wearing one. It really drove home just how peaceful Ehrenfest was.
"Knights wear this under their outfits even during ceremonies, so they're always ready to fight."
...If it's hardened firmly around the body like this, then I wouldn't need a bodysuit or a bra, right?
But a torso that's been hardened smooth by the magic stone, paired with drawers underneath—there's no sex appeal to that at all. Garter belts and the kind of taut, beautiful legs that would suit them, none of that would be visible through drawers. This might actually call for an underwear revolution.
Since I'm a child, and I've never needed sexy underwear—not in this life, and not even in my days as Urano—it had never even crossed my mind.
...For a gorgeous, curvaceous beauty like Brigitte to be stuck in drawers—how tragic.
But if fighting comes first, then you need to be prepared so your skirt flipping up isn't a problem. That's why the drawers went all the way down to the ankles, like pants—utterly devoid of sex appeal.
...Practicality, or sexiness? Hm, so difficult.
While I agonized over someone else's underwear, Corina and several tailors began draping fabric over Brigitte. Turi handed over needles and fetched items as requested, watching everyone's work with a serious, focused gaze.
"Monica, could you let me know when it's done? I need to talk to Benno about some things."
"As you wish."
I was really curious about the process of making Brigitte's dress, but I couldn't just stand there staring. It would take time, so I'd ask to see it near the end.
Monica opened the door for me, and I left the room by myself.
Remaining behind were
"Well then, while we wait for the cutting to finish, let's hear what Benno has to say."
I sat down in a chair, sipping the tea Fran poured for me, and gestured for Benno to begin.
"First, allow me to express my gratitude. Thanks to your patronage, Lady
Though his words were polite, Benno's reddish-brown eyes were clearly saying, "I'm freaking busy." He was genuinely happy about the increased sales from noble connections—as any merchant would be—but it was also true that he was busy to the point of death.
"Um, Benno? May I ask how you really feel? I can't tell when you're being indirect."
As I glanced around and let my tone relax, Benno looked around too and let out a light sigh.
"What is it?"
"It seems like I've been piling on too much work for the Gilberta Company. If it's too much trouble, should I redirect some of it elsewhere?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Don't go asking extra questions—people will think we cut you off, you idiot."
"Ah, right."
If I worded it poorly, people would think the Gilberta Company had dropped me as a client, Benno pointed out. No matter how busy they were, he had no intention of passing noble-related work to anyone else.
"You two—I know everyone here understands the situation, but could you at least maintain appearances?"
At Fran's reproach, Benno and I exchanged glances and shrugged lightly.
"Lady Rozemyne, I hope we can continue to count on your patronage for the Gilberta Company going forward."
"Of course."
Since Benno had warned me not to overthink things, I should probably stop worrying about lightening their workload.
"Now then, regarding today's main topic..."
Benno narrowed his eyes slightly, regarding me with a wary expression.
"Lady Rozemyne, I heard you wish to establish connections with Viscount Ilkner in
Benno's smile was terrifying. His eyes were clearly asking, "Are you trying to give us even more work?" But since I'd just been warned not to pass work elsewhere, there was no avoiding it. I had started a conversation that would inevitably lead to more work.
"The land owned by Viscount Ilkner is supposedly mountainous, with a thriving lumber industry. Apparently, there are many types of wood I'm not familiar with. I'm thinking of visiting Ilkner to research new paper."
"...Does that mean making paper in Ilkner?"
"That's right. I'm planning to send Lutz, Gil, and also train several grey priests to help with papermaking. ...Would that be difficult?"
When I asked, Benno looked extremely troubled.
"It would be. Sending only Lutz from the Gilberta Company would be unreliable. And now that our dealings with the nobility are increasing, we simply don't have anyone in the company we can dispatch alongside Lutz to Ilkner."
He couldn't send
I didn't know much about how many people the Gilberta Company employed, so I could only think of faces I recognized.
"Is
In a letter from my father the other day, it had mentioned that "Otto is leaving the Soldiers to become a full-time merchant." He'd planned to resign after finishing this year's budget-related work, and since it was already mid-spring, I assumed he'd already left by now.
"Otto's knowledge of commerce is not an issue, but he hasn't been polished enough in his mannerisms to be presented before this city's nobility."
Otto, the former traveling merchant, had the knowledge of a merchant. But while he might do for Commoner dealings, he apparently wasn't ready to face nobles.
"But wouldn't it be fine for lower-ranking nobles? He handled noble correspondence at the Gate, didn't he?"
Even my father could manage nobles passing through the Gate to some degree. I thought Otto would be able to handle it.
"The key is experience. We'd need to have him deal with lower-ranking nobles and build up familiarity. Pair Otto with Mark, have Benno rotate as Otto's assistant, or walk around with other experienced staff—perhaps we could start there."
Even I had managed it. If I really set my mind to it, I could learn the manners of upper-ranking nobles within a single season. Granted, that was only because I had someone to teach me properly.
Benno looked between me and Fran with a troubled expression.
"When you trained Leon in his duties as a servant, could you do the same for Otto and
"What do you think, Fran?"
I asked for Fran's opinion, since he'd been involved in Leon's education. Only grey priests who had received the Chief Priest's training could teach proper manners. The ones I could mobilize were Fran and Zalme.
"Well... Zalme is about to formally become Lady Rozemyne's attendant, so that would free up some capacity. When Zalme arrives, I'd intended to also train
At Fran's words, Benno shook his head slowly.
"No, that's precisely what matters. How to greet nobles, how to handle objects, how to speak—Commoners rarely have the opportunity to learn these things."
Before, Benno had said it was difficult to find someone who could teach noble manners. No amount of money could buy it, he'd said.
So I'd demand as payment something that money alone couldn't obtain.
"In that case, as tuition, please send Mark and Lutz to Ilkner once the lessons are finished."
"...Very well."
Fran had agreed to teach Otto and Theo. The duration of the training would be communicated through Lutz later.
"Finally, Lutz, Gil—your report for Lady Rozemyne."
"Yes."
The two nodded to Benno and turned to look at me. They exchanged a grinning look, then put on serious expressions and gave me their report.
"The new printing press designed by
"Oh my!"
I started to leap out of my seat, but Fran immediately pressed down on my shoulder to stop me. With a smile, he gently pushed my shoulder back and gestured for me to sit down.
...Sorry. In my excitement, I completely forgot my noble composure for a moment.
"We'd like to have you observe a test run, Lady Rozemyne. Could you decide what you'd like printed?"
I wanted to go see it right that instant, but everyone indirectly stopped me. Instead, they told me to prepare a manuscript for the test print.
"Lady Rozemyne, what will you be printing?"
At Lutz's question, I leaned forward and answered.
"That printing press is different from the picture books we've made so far—it's designed to produce books packed with text. So I'd like to make a text-heavy book for children who've outgrown picture books."
Based on the knight stories told among the nobility, I'd write about what knights actually do—making it easy for children to understand and cool to read.
For the illustration models, I'd have the Chief Priest pose handsomely and have
"Did Ingo finish the type cases and composing sticks I asked for? And what about the stick, the composing stick, the format, and the furniture I asked Johann to make?"
I asked whether the small items needed for printing were ready, and Lutz nodded with a proud expression.
"Ink has been ordered too. Once you have the manuscript, we can start right away."
"How wonderful! Then I need to teach you how to use metal type and how to print right away."
I wanted to try setting metal type myself. I might get scolded for wandering around the workshop, but I wanted to be the first to touch it.
"I'll go to the workshop to teach you!"
"Lady Rozemyne, that's..."
When I looked up at Fran trying to stop me, I shook my head vigorously.
"Moving type cases around is such a hassle. I'll go to the workshop myself. While I'm at it, I want to go through the entire process—typesetting to unbinding!"
I clenched my fist to make my point, and Fran let out a resigned sigh. Gil's shoulders slumped as he muttered, "Lady Rozemyne won't be stopped," and Lutz gave a light shrug and looked at me.
"I think it'd be best to carefully select who enters the workshop and let you do as you please. Either way, we need you to teach us how to use it."
"Lutz!"
As I was getting emotional, I heard him add in a low voice, "Once you've had your fun, you'll probably calm down."
That's Lutz for you. He really gets me.
"Once I've prepared the manuscript for printing, I'll head straight to the printing press for the test run."
"Calm down. You're going to collapse."
"If we start printing now, I wonder if we could have the first book ready for the Summer
"...You're really about to collapse, so calm down. If you collapse here, I'm not letting you anywhere near the printing press."
Lutz had been polite at first, but once he realized I wasn't listening, he immediately shifted to threats.
I sensed the seriousness behind Lutz's words and caught my breath with a small gasp.
"I don't want that."
As I took deep breaths to steady myself, the magic stone near the hidden room's door lit up.
"Lady Rozemyne, that's Monica's signal."
"I understand. I'll go check on things in there."
I entered the hidden room and made my way around behind the screen.
The dress was studded with pins, but the fabric had already taken the shape of a dress. Since it was un-dyed, inexpensive fabric, it was off-white—looking almost like a wedding gown.
"Oh, how lovely! It suits you so well, Brigitte."
It was far more becoming than last year's outfit. I circled around Brigitte, examining her dress. It was mostly shaped as I'd designed, but some details still needed work—which was to be expected, since this was Corina's first time working with this particular design.
"Yes... Corina, pinch it here like this, and make the bust area look a bit more streamlined. And the back should be brought in at this position like so..."
Corina listened to my instructions, removing and replacing pins as she finalized the lines. Everyone watched with intense focus, since they'd be using this fabric as the basis for the pattern.
The upper portion of the dress clung tightly to Brigitte's body—from the line of her chest to the narrow waist and down to her hips, every curve was beautifully defined. From the waist down, a skirt full of rich folds and generous fabric flared outward.
Since Brigitte was a female knight, I'd prioritized ease of movement. The skirt fabric was as thin and light as possible. Despite the amount of fabric used, it didn't look particularly heavy.
"Brigitte, are there any places that feel restrictive?"
"Not at all. The lack of fabric over the shoulders makes it easier to move my arms, which is wonderful. In an emergency, I can cover myself with a magic stone too."
Here was Brigitte, all dressed up in a gown, and she could only talk about combat practicality. I couldn't decide whether to praise her work ethic or beg her to think a little more about romance.
"That reminds me. Let's call Damuel over. I think it looks wonderful on Brigitte, but I'd also like to hear a nobleman's opinion."
"Yes. I'd also like to hear his opinion on other female knights wearing this outfit."
Since Brigitte didn't seem to mind, I stepped out of the hidden room to call Damuel.
"Damuel, could you come here for a moment?"
"What is it?"
"I'd like a man's opinion on the new outfit I designed. I want to know what you think of it from a nobleman's perspective."
Damuel tilted his head, clearly not understanding.
"...If it's an outfit that won't be well-received by noble men, I think it would be better to stop making it. Brigitte would probably wear it even if she wasn't keen on it, just because I designed it, so I want an honest opinion."
I told Damuel that I couldn't let Brigitte be embarrassed because my aesthetic sensibilities were off, and he straightened his expression and agreed.
In a sense, Damuel had witnessed many of my reckless escapades up close. He knew better than anyone how different my common sense was from everyone else's. I wanted him to prevent his colleague from becoming another victim of that.
"I'll let Damuel in. Is that alright, Brigitte?"
"Yes, come in."
Damuel followed behind me. The moment we rounded the screen, his feet stopped.
I heard him draw in a sharp breath, and I turned to look up at him.
"Damuel?"
Even though I spoke to him, Damuel didn't respond.
His grey eyes were slightly widened in surprise, fixed on Brigitte as though he couldn't look away.
A small breath escaped his slightly parted lips.
Damuel's eyes softened, squinting as though from brightness, and slowly his mouth curved into a smile.
...I think I just witnessed the exact moment a man falls in love.
The conversations with the Gilberta Company are progressing well.
Today's topic is three-dimensional cutting for the new outfits.
...After all, it's spring. A season for falling in love.
Next time: the printing press test run.